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Today, we will be discussing Russia’s invasion in Ukraine and many of its implications and impacts on energy and the environment. Ukraine claims Russia has attacked its military infrastructure and the Health Minister of Ukraine. reported 57 casualties so far.
Rachel Frazin, Zack Budryk and I are The Hill’s editors. Send us tips to [email protected] or [email protected] Follow us on twitter: @RachelFrazin @BudrykZack.
Let’s get started.
Biden suggests a reserve release in response to oil price jump
Thursday’s speech by President Biden suggested that oil may be released from the United States’ strategic reserve, after prices have soared in the wake the Russian invasion.
In a speech Thursday on the conflict between Russia, the former Soviet republic, Biden stated that he was in coordination with both oil producing nations and oil consuming countries, and that the U.S. could potentially release its own oil.
He stated that the United States is working with countries around to increase collective release from strategic petroleum reserves of major energy-consuming companies.
“I will do all I can to reduce the pain that people feel at gas pumps,” the president said.
How high were oil prices?Shortly after 9:30 AM, the price of a barrel West Texas Intermediate Crude, which is the baseline for U.S. crude oil prices, rose to $98.78. The international benchmark, Intercontinental Exchange Brent crude, was $104.15 per barrel.
During his remarks on Thursday afternoon the president announced additional sanctions on two Russian banks as well as export controls to reduce high-tech Russian imports.
…but it’s not for energy: He stated that the US sanctions against Russia were “specifically designed to allow energy payments for the future.”
More than half of U.S. imports to Russia came from fossil fuels as of 2019.
Biden issued a harsh warning to U.S. oil and gas companies: “American Oil and Gas Companies should not exploit this time to raise their prices to boost profits,” he stated.
Learn more Here are Biden’s commentsLearn more about The Hill’s Sylvanlane Learn more about oil prices.
Chernobyl fighting raises green concerns
According to Russian forces, they took control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which was the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster. Ukrainian officials.
The plant is located north of Kyiv’s Capitol City.
Anton Gerashchenko is a Ukranian Interior Ministry Adviser who warned in a Facebook postPotential environmental problems that may arise from the violence.
“Radioactive nucleus dust can be spread on the territory of Ukraine and Belarus if the invading artillery hits the collectors of nuclear waste. Gerashchenko wrote.
And Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky Tweet“Our defenders are willing to give their lives so that the tragedy of 1987 will not happen again…This is a declaration against the whole Europe.”
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CUTTING TIES 2 NORDSTREAM
After sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Russia in the aftermath of Moscow’s invasion, lobbying firms have ended their contracts with Nord Stream 2 natural-gas pipeline company.
Roberti Global and BGR Group announced Thursday that they had severed ties to Nord Stream 2 AG, a pipeline operator controlled entirely by Gazprom’s subsidiary.
“BGR is terminating its engagement in the Nord Stream 2 gas pipe project in compliance with economic & trade sanctions announced U.S. Government,” a spokesperson for BGR Group stated in a statement.
As a response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, President Biden placed sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline on Wednesday. This would have brought Russian natural gases to Germany.
Nord Stream 2 AG spent millions on lobbying in recent times to prevent lawmakers from imposing sanctions against the company. Trump-era sanctions on pipeline were removed by the Biden administration in 2017, prompting a backlash from Republicans and Democrats.
Some numbersAccording to OpenSecrets, Nord Stream 2 AG paid Roberti Global $2.4 Million to lobby legislators last year. It sent Vin Roberti, the chairman of the firm, to lobby lawmakers. Roberti is a prominent Democratic fundraiser and adviser to Biden’s 2008 presidential campaign.
Roberti Global spokesperson said that they have ended their engagement in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project in compliance to U.S. sanctions.
BGR Group was paid $870,000 by the pipeline operator to deploy Walker Roberts. Walker Roberts is a former senior House GOP international affairs staffer who worked in the Reagan administration.
You can read more from Karl Evers-Hillstrom, The Hill.
WHAT WE’RE READING
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What lies beneath: Vets fear that their base is polluted and they have become illAssociated Press)
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The U.S. offshore wind auction attracts $3 billion in bids, surpassing all expectationsReuters)
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‘A matter that can make or break your life.’ New poll shows concern about environment among Latino voters (New Mexico Political Report)
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California Bill to Exempt Public Colleges from Environmental Review (Higher Education)
ICYMI
And last but not least, something a bit offbeat. DiCaprio eyes gravity storage
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. Visit The Hill. Energy & Environment PageGet the latest news and coverage. We’ll be there Friday.
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