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Today, we are looking at Russia’s invasion in Ukraine and many of its implications as well as the effects on energy & the environment. Ukraine claims Russia has attacked its military infrastructure and other areas. The Health Minister of Ukraine reported 57 deaths so far.
Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk were the Hill’s editors. Send us tips to [email protected] or [email protected] Follow us on twitter: @RachelFrazin @BudrykZack.
Lets jump in.
Biden suggests a reserve release in response to oil price jumps
President Biden
Joe BidenUkrainian State Border Service says Troops were attacked from Belarus by Ukrainian Minister Menendez: International community must expel Kremlin MOREThursday’s suggestion that the U.S. might allow oil to be released from its strategic reserve was made after prices rose in the wake of 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.
We are actively collaborating with countries around world to increase collective release of strategic petroleum reserves by major energy consuming corporations. As conditions warrant, the United States will release additional oil barrels, he added.
The president stated that he would do everything possible to reduce the pain people feel at the gas station.
How high did oil prices go?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 for crude oil prices was the Intercontinental Exchange Brent crude.
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 placed on Russia by the United States were specifically designed to allow energy payments to continue.
In 2019, more than half of U.S. exports from Russia were made up of fossil fuels.
Biden issued a stark warning to U.S. oil and gas companies: They should not use this moment to raise their prices in order to increase profits, he stated.
Find out more about Bidens comments and learn more from The Hills Sylvan Lane on oil prices.
Chernobyl fighting raises green concerns
According to Russian forces, the Chernobyl power station was taken by Russian forces. It was the site for the 1986 nuclear catastrophe. Ukrainian officials.
The plant is located north-east of Kyiv, Ukraine’s Capitol City.
Anton Gerashchenko is a Ukranian Interior Ministry Adviser who warned in aFacebook postPotential environmental issues that could arise from the violence.
If the invaders artillery is damaged or hits the collectors of radioactive waste, radioactive nucleus dust can be spread all over Ukraine, Belarus, and other countries of the EU. Gerashchenko wrote.
And Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky TweetOur defenders are willing to give their lives to prevent the tragedy of 1986 from happening again… This is a declaration against all of Europe.
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CUTTING TIRES 2 NORDSTREAM
After the U.S. imposed sanctions against Russia, the lobbying firms ended their contracts for Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. This was in the wake the U.S. invasion of Ukraine.
Roberti Global and BGR Group said Thursday that they have severed ties from the pipeline operator Nord Stream 2 AG. This company is wholly owned by Gazprom, a Russian state-owned natural gas company.
A spokesperson for BGR Group stated that BGR has ended its engagement with Nord Stream 2 in accordance with U.S. trade and economic sanctions.
As a response to Russia’s attacks on Ukraine on Wednesday, President Biden imposed sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that would have brought Russian natural gasoline to Germany.
Nord Stream 2 AG has spent millions of dollars lobbying in recent years to stop lawmakers from imposing sanction on 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 research group, Nord Stream 2 AG paid Roberti Global $2.4 millions to lobby lawmakers last year. It sent Vin Roberti (the firm’s chairman), a prominent Democratic fundraiser who advised Bidens 2008 presidential election campaign.
Roberti Global spokesperson stated that we are ending our engagement with Nord Stream 2 in accordance with U.S sanctions.
BGR Group paid $870,000 to Walker Roberts, an ex-senior House GOP international relations staffer who was part of the Reagan administration.
Learn more from The Hills Karl Evers Hillstrom
WHAT WE ARE READING
- What lies beneath: Vets fear that their base is polluted and they have become illAssociated Press)
- The U.S. offshore wind auction attracts $3 billion in bids, surpassing all expectationsReuters)
- It is a matter of life or death. New poll shows concern about environment among Latino voters (New Mexico Political Report)
- California Bill to Exempt Public Colleges (Public Colleges) from Environmental ReviewHigher Education)
ICYMI
Finally, something a little offbeat, but still on-beat DiCaprio eyes gravity storage
This is it for today. Thanks for reading. Check out The HillsEnergy & Environment pageFor the most recent news and coverage. We’ll see you Friday.
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