Overnight Energy & Environment Postal Service faces ireover vehicles plans

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Today, we are more concerned about vehicle purchases by the Postal Services. President BidenJoe BidenTrump tightens his grip on RNC. White House: Top health official to resign. MOREa meeting with utility executives, and a push by vulnerable Democrats to repeal the gas tax

Rachel Frazin was the editor of The Hill. Zack Budryk was the vice-president. Send us tips: [email protected] [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter: @RachelFrazin @BudrykZack.

Lets jump in.

Democrats push USPS for more EVs

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), climate hawk Democrats in Congress are pressing PostmasterGeneral Louis DeJoyLouis DeJoyHouse approves a bill to reform the Postal Service. Overnight Energy & Environment Virginia legislators block ex-Trump EPA chief Postmaster General defends plan to buy gas-powered trucks, citing ‘dire financial situation’ MORETo rescind the purchase of thousands more gasoline-powered U.S. vehicles Postal Service vehicles are being used to confront one of the few federal officials who President Biden cannot replace.

Biden issued last year an executive order directing the federal government towards net-zero greenhouse gases emissions by 2050. This ambitious goal would need the cooperation of the Postal Service which has the largest civilian vehicle fleet.

However, Oshkosh was awarded the vehicle contract in February 2021 by the Postal Service. This was for a predominantly gasoline-powered fleet. DeJoy has only committed that 10 percent of the 165,000 new electric vehicles will be electric.

What are the Democrats saying? Last week, the EPA and the White House Council on Environmental Quality, along with 17 Democratic senators, representatives, called on DeJoy (a long-time donor to the former). President TrumpDonald TrumpMcConnell laughs at Trump’s nickname ‘Old Crow’: ‘It’s my favorite Bourbon’ North Carolina elections board states it has the power to stop Cawthorn running over Jan. 6. Trump endorses Noem’s re-election bid in South Dakotawho was appointed in 2020 to amend and expand the Postal Service’s procurement plan to increase electric vehicles. Chairman, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Tom CarperThomas (Tom), Richard CarperOvernight Environment & Energy Biden OK’s Solar Tarifs with Changes Democratic senator presses Postal Service about electric vehicle purchasing plans Nearly 220 Democrats back EPA. (D-Del.(D-Del.

The EPA noted that vehicles covered by the contract will get 8.6 mpg. This is a slight improvement on their predecessors’ 8.2 mpg.

Democrats were already upset with DeJoy and blasted the decision.

Rep. Gerry ConnollyGerald (Gerry), Edward ConnollyEx-staffers of the Washington Football Team reveal sexual harassment and humiliation to a House panel. Lawmakers fight at Washington Football Team roundtable about sexual harassment. New York attorney general subpoenas GSA Records on Trump Hotel Deal: report(D.Va.), who chairs House Oversight and Reform’s subcommittee on the Postal Service, referred to the purchase of the vehicles as another reason DeJoy was not the right choice in the summer 2020 and is now the wrong choice to lead the postal service into its future.

Louis DeJoy, rather than realizing the potential for a more healthy, cleaner, and more climate-friendly fleet mail trucks, is subverting our government-wide goals, Sen. Ed MarkeyEd MarkeyOvernight Healthcare Medicare to cover at home COVID-19 tests FDA nominee faces unexpected hurdles Energy & Environment Interior in hot chair after court halts drilling sale (D-Mass.The Hill received a statement from, who was the leader of the letter. This is unacceptable, it’s shortsighted, and our postal carriers and customers deserve better.

USPSs defense: According to the Postal Service, fully electrifying the fleet would add $300 billion.

Although we can understand why some might prefer to purchase more electric vehicles than those who are responsible for the financial sustainability, the law demands that we be self sufficient, the Postal Service stated in a statement last Thursday.

It said that it is ready to electrify at an even faster rate if a solution that is financially beneficial to the Postal Service can be found.

You can read more about the situation by clicking here.

GASSED UP

Democratic Sens. Mark KellyMark KellySchumer is facing a brewing conflict and progressives escalate primary threats This plan for US essential minerals works around supply chains woes Club for Growth endorses Blake Masters for Arizona Senate race(Ariz. Maggie HassanMargaret (Maggie?) HassanOvernight Healthcare Medicare to Cover at-Home COVID-19 Tests Lewandowski claims Trump asked him to search for a challenger to Sununu FDA nominee MORE(N.H.), is calling for the suspension or reduction of the federal gasoline tax, due to rising fuel prices.

Kelly and Hassan, who are both facing reelection in swing state in November, introduced legislation Wednesday that would eliminate the 18-cents-per gallon fuel tax until 2023.

Sens was the co-sponsor of the proposal. Raphael WarnockRaphael WarnockJuan William: GOP playing with racial heat over Supreme Court pick Haley endorsement of Walker in Georgia Senate race Five major takeaways from the year-end FEC filings(D.Ga.) Catherine Cortez MastoCatherine Marie Cortez MastoFive key takeaways of year-end FEC filings The Hill’s 12:20 Report: Trump sought to control voting machines Swing state voters are concerned about Build Back Better’s impact on inflation: Poll MORE(D-Nev.), who will also face tough reelection fights in this year’s election, as well as Sens. Debbie StabenowDeborah (Debbie Ann StabenowThe Hill’s Morning Report: Dems must balance priorities amid new challenge Republican John James announcing a bid for Congress in Michigan. MORE(D-Mich. Jacky RosenJacklyn (Jacky), Sheryl RosenBiden increases solar panel tariffs with modifications. Overnight Energy & Environment: Bipartisan lawmakers announce a climate adaptation bill (D-Nev.).

What is it all about? It is a reflection of the pain many Americans feel at their pump, and the fact Democrats see this as a crucial issue in the upcoming midterm elections.

Kelly stated in a statement that the bill will lower gas prices by suspending federal gas tax until the end of the fiscal year. This will help Arizona families who are struggling to pay high gas prices for everything, including groceries.

Although Republicans are widely expected back to control the House, the question of which party will control it next year is more open to debate.

Learn more about their proposal here.

FOSSIL PR IN THE CROSSHAIRS

Ral Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Katie Porter (D-Calif.), wrote Wednesday to six PR firms to ask for information about their work with energy companies. They also wanted to know if they had helped them in campaigns to hide the connection between fossil fuels & climate change.

Members specifically cited a video that was recorded last summer by an undercover Greenpeace activist. In it, Keith McCoy, Exxon lobbyist, tells the videographer that the company. [fought]Shadow groups were used to discredit some of the science.

The letters ask the firms to provide information about campaigns they have won involving oil, natural gas, coal, and other companies. This must be done no later than February 23.

You can read more about the letter here.

Biden meets utilities in BBB push

Wednesday’s meeting between President Biden and CEOs of utility companies was to promote his social spending bill and the stalled climate.

He stated at the start of the meeting that he believed this was the beginning of a God-willing new era in the generation and distribution of electricity.

According to the White House executives from power providers such as Duke Energy, DTE Energy and Exelon were expected to attend the meeting, as was the president of the trade group Edison Electric Institute (EEI).

Additionally, members of Biden’s administration, including the Energy Secretary, will be attending. Jennifer GranholmJennifer GranholmBiden hails Tennessee’s latest sign of a’manufacturing recovery’ The Hill’s morning report – Presented to Facebook – States lift school mask mandates The Hill’s morning report – Presented to Facebook – Anticipating an invasion from Ukraine ‘anyday.’ MORENational Economic Advisor Brian DeeseBiden’s latest problem is Brian DeeseBreyer’s retirement. Biden wants to save as much as possible. Build Back Better Momentum builds to prevent lawmakers from trading stocks MORENational Climate Advisor Gina McCarthyGina McCarthyBiden praises Tennessee’s EV charging station as the latest sign of a’manufacturing return’. Biden will meet with CEOs to discuss Build Back Better agenda Gina McCarthy : Why I am more optimistic than ever about tackling climate change MOREThey were expected at the event.

So what did they talk about then? Biden asked Patricia Vincent Collawn (CEO of New Mexico’s power provider PNM Resources) how the spending bill would enable the state to deliver reliable and affordable electricity.

According to the executive, the bill would enable the utility to become carbon-free earlier, help it securitize, and achieve a just transition with the help of retraining coal miners.

Biden argued that the legislation will increase affordability, reliability, and job creation while combatting climate change.

He said that it is about reducing energy bills for families, protecting the grid from extreme weather, and making power more reliable. It’s also about creating jobs.

It will increase our economic competitiveness, reduce pollution, improve public health, and help us meet climate change’s moment.

Tom Kuhn, President of EEI, released a statement about the meeting. He stated that the company met with administration officials to discuss industry support for legislation that includes forward-thinking measures to address climate change. This includes a strong clean energy tax package that will provide significant long-term benefits to electricity customers.

Kuhn stated that it would continue to support tax credits for existing nuclear facilities, tax credits for hydrogen energy, and energy storage and transmission tax credits.

You can read more about the meeting here.

FRANKLIN FORMER INTERIOR BOSS BERNHARDT WILL SPEAK AT ANTI-30X30 SOMEMMIT

Rep. David Bernhardt, former Interior Secretary, will join Rep. Lauren BoebertLauren BoebertOmar seeks third term in Congress. Mask rules spark political games. Boebert asked Jewish visitors at Capitol if they were doing any’reconnaissance.(R-Colo.), at an April EventWe oppose the Biden administration’s 30×30 conservation goals.

The Stop 30×30 summit will be held in Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 22nd. American Stewards of Liberty, a Texas-based nonprofit which has promoted anti-30×30 resolutions in many western U.S. states and localities, organized the event.

The group has received funds mainly from wealthy families and individuals who are well-known for their support of conservative causes.Charles Koch and the DeVos clan are included. Trent Loos is a Nebraska radio host who was involved in the anti-30×30 campaign. He was photographed with Ammon Bindy, the militia leader, at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.

TOMORROW’S TAP

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee) will hold aHearon clean hydrogen energy

WHAT WAS READING

• Alec, a rightwing lobby group, pushing laws to blacklist oil companies that boycott the industry (The Guardian)
• Florida will set goals to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050 But will it really happen? (The Miami Herald)
• Senator criticized for blocking vote to create NPS site for internment camp (E&E News)
• EU wants a pandemic treaty to ban wildlife trading and reward virus detectionReuters)

ICYMI

West Virginia Nuclear power plants are now allowed to continue as normal

‘Double hazards’ map Points to a hidden geography at wildfire risk

More Democratic legislators criticize USPS planTo purchase gas-powered trucks

Finally, something a little off-beat and unusual: Party crasher.

This is it for today. Thanks for reading. Check out The HillsEnergy & Environment pageFor the most recent news and coverage. We hope to see you Thursday.