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Today, we look at Virginia’s state Senate deciding to dismiss an ex-EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler
Andrew WheelerOvernight Environment & Virginia Panel Votes Down Wheeler Virginia Senate panel Votes down Wheeler, fight not over Youngkin Cabinet Pick Environmentalists bristle at Youngkin’s early moves MOREA House hearing on Big Oils climate promises and the Postal Service’s defense of its vehicle-purchasing plans was held for a state agency.
Rachel Frazin was the Hill’s editor and Zack Budryk was its reporter. Send us tips to [email protected] or [email protected] Follow us on twitter:@RachelFrazinAnd@BudrykZack.
Lets jump in.
Wheeler rejected on party lines
Virginia lawmakers have rejected the nomination for former head of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Andrew Wheeler, Gov. Glenn Youngkin
Glenn Youngkin A Virginia court rejected parents’ challenge to Youngkin’s school mask order. The White House supports school mask mandates, despite some states lifting Youngkin’s tweet condemning the teen.(R) Nominated for Natural Resources Secretary, the first rejection of a State Cabinet nominee in more than 15 Years.
The nomination was defeated by the state Senate, where Democrats hold a majority of two seats.
What was the problem?Wheeler, a former lobbyist for coal, was widely criticized in environmentalists during his tenure as EPA’s then-current head.Donald Trump
Donald TrumpTrump: Joe Rogan should stop apologizing’ amid controversy over podcast Fox News host Brian Kilmeade’s Arizona election claim. ‘That’s a lie’ Nikki Haley: Pence did what he believed was right on Jan. 6 MOREHe headed the environmental department at the University of California, Berkeley, and was responsible for the rollbacks of numerous environmental rules. He also backed a new regulation banning scientific research that does not make data available. In January, he defended his record before state Senate, acknowledging that climate change was human-caused and claiming that the media had misrepresented his environmental history.
It was widely expected that the rejection would be made, especially after a panel of state senators voted to remove Wheelers’ name from a list containing Cabinet nominees.
How did we get to this point? Before the vote, Wheeler had presented at a relatively friendly hearing in January. There, he showed cordial interactions and hoped to win bipartisan support.
State Sen. Joe Morrissey, a D-State Senator, who is known for breaking with his party, suggested that he would support Wheelers after Wheelers hearing. This would have killed the chamber and sent it to Lt. Governor. Winsome Sears, R., for a tiebreaker vote. Morrissey voted against him Tuesday along with his colleagues.
After hearing serious concerns from our communities and stakeholders, as well EPA ex-colleagues Mr. Wheelers, we cannot in good faith confirm such an alarming choice, the Senates Democratic caucus stated in a statement after the vote.
Find out more about the election here.
Dems deny that Big Oil’s climate promises are insufficient
After company board members refused to appear, House Democrats took aim on Tuesday at major oil companies’ climate pledges during an Oversight Committee Hearing.
After the committee announced last week that four of five invitees had declined to testify on the date set, the hearing was rescheduled.
Instead, the lawmakers brought in experts, advocates, and critics to question the companies’ promises, which were seen as insufficient, given that they foresee continued use fossil fuels.
The lawmakers also criticized the companies, stating that plans to continue and expand fossil fuel production are incompatible for combating climate change.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), burning fossil fuels is a serious problem.The largest contributorClimate change.
Background:Companies have stated that they want to reduce carbon intensity of fossil fuels, meaning that fuels will emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Michael Mann, a Pennsylvania State University atmospheric scientist professor, testified before the panel that increasing production would be comparable to eating more potato chips, but choosing a lower-fat variety.
They love to talk about how they will reduce the carbon intensity of fossil fuels. Mann said that this is similar to your doctor telling you to reduce fat in your diet. You then switch to 40 percent reduced-fat potato chip, but you eat twice the amount.
He said, “That doesn’t help and that is effectively what fossil fuel interests do.”
Exxon and Chevron came under fire for not releasing any planet-warming gasses from their operations but from the burning of their products to generate electricity or power cars in their carbon neutrality pledges.
It is the fuels they use that are responsible for the majority of their emissions.
Rep. Ro Khanna
Rohit (Ro KhannaSmall ranchers believe Biden is letting their get squeezed Sanders, 50 Democrats unveil bill to send N95 Masks to all Americans Overnight Health Care Insurance soon will cover COVID-19 testing MORE (D-Calif.).
You can read more about the hearing by clicking here.
DeJoy defends plans to buy gas-powered trucks
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy
Louis DeJoyOvernight Energy & Environment Biden OKs Solar Tariffs with Changes Democratic senator presses Postal Service to approve electric vehicle purchasing plans Energy & Environment Interior hot seat after court halts drilling salesTuesday was Tuesday when the Postal Service (USPS), citing “dire economic condition,” defended its plan to buy a predominantly gas-powered fleet up to 165,000 trucks and not invest in electric cars.
DeJoy stated that our commitment to an electric vehicle fleet is still ambitious, given the urgent vehicle and safety requirements of our aging fleet, as well as our dire financial situation.A press release.
DeJoy stated that the proposed action, according to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), contains an initial order for 5,000 electrical vehicles. DeJoy explained that the USPS “must take fiscally responsible financial decisions that result in safer and more environmentally-friendly vehicles for the men and woman who deliver America’s mail.”
He stated that the USPS was “committed” to completing NEPA but also noted that “we are compelled by the American public to act prudently.”
“But, this responsibility should not be mistaken with an ambivalent dedication to operating a cleaner fleet of postal vehicles for our country. DeJoy stated that, as with all other things we do, we will be determined to make decisions that are based on our financial situation and what is realistically possible.”
Learn more from The Hills Rachel Scully.
HAPPENINGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE
President Biden
Joe BidenFox News host Brian Kilmeade attacks Trump on Arizona election claim. Putin claims that proposals made in Macron talks were possible as a ‘basis for further steps by Biden to appoint the son of late Sen. John McCain onto the Naval Academy board.Tuesday’s announcement by the Tennessee Department of Commerce that a facility was being built to charge electric cars in Tennessee was part of a revival of American manufacturing and a sign that post-pandemic jobs are coming back is a sign of this.
Biden said that the White House was witnessing the beginnings of a American manufacturing revival. The world is at an inflection point. Things are going to change dramatically, and this is one such moment.
Tritium, an Australian firm, announced Tuesday that it is building a U.S. production plant. It will start production in fall 2022, and have the initial capacity of producing over 10,000 fast-charging units annually.
The plant can grow to build 30,000 units per annum and will be able to employ more than 500 people in the next five-years.
Biden called Tritium’s announcement good news for the world and said it would bring more dignity to workers and their families as well as a little more room. It will also have a ripple impact beyond the borders of one state.
Biden stated that this funding will allow the U.S. to be a leader in electric vehicles.
China has been leading this race until now, but it is about to change as America is creating efficient, reliable and equitable national public charging networks.
Also, there’s more!
Tomorrow, Biden will be participating in a roundtable discussion with CEOs of utility companies to discuss his Build back Better Agenda, currently stuck in Congress.
Tom Kuhn, president and CEO of Edison Electric Institute, stated in a statement that a delegation representing investor-owned electric businesses from across the country will meet with President Biden to present the case for clean energy tax credits that will provide significant long-term benefits to electricity customers.
Kuhn said that we will also discuss our focus on building new transmission- and energy infrastructure, which is critical for bringing more resilience and cleaner energy to customers. Kuhn also stated that it will help other sectors of our economy reduce their emissions while still keeping electricity affordable for customers.
Bidens Tuesday comments from The Hills Alex Gangitano.
LANDER OUT
Eric Lander
Eric LanderWhite House science advisor resigns following an internal probe that found he bullied staffers Psaki was grilled over the behavior of science adviser toward colleagues. Investigation: Top Biden science adviser bullied subordinates.After an internal investigation revealed evidence that he bullied his subordinates, President Biden’s science advisor, resigned Monday evening.
Lander, who is the head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), within the White House, resigned to Biden and admitted to his guilt. He also stated that he was sorry for causing harm to colleagues.
It is evident that some of the things I said and how I said them led to men and women being disrespectful and demeaning. Lander stated in the letter that this was not my intention. However, it is my fault. I will learn from this experience.
Lander announced that his resignation would take place February 18th to allow for an orderly transfer. The Senate must confirm the appointment. It was previously elevated to Cabinet rank under the Biden administration. It was not immediately known who would take Lander’s place when he retires.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki
Jen PsakiWhite House Science Adviser resigns after an internal probe revealed he bullied staffers. White House stays by school mask mandates White House supports school mask mandates, even though some states have lifted rule MOREBiden acknowledged Landers’ resignation.
Psaki stated that the President accepted Dr. Eric Landers resignation today with gratitude for his work at OSTP regarding the pandemic, Cancer Moonshot, climate change and other key priorities. He is confident that Dr. Lander will continue to be a valuable contributor to the scientific community over the coming years.
Continue reading at The Hills Morgan Chalfant.
ON TAP FOR TOMORROW
- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will host a HearOn the implementation a 2020 public land law known as The Great American Outdoors Act. The Interior and Agriculture departments officials will testify.
- The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will host a HearLooking at bills on nuclear waste and nuclear energy
WHAT WE ARE READING
- Is the California Coalition Fighting Subsidies for Rooftop Solar a Fake Grassroots Group(Inside Climate News)
- Poll: Citizens worldwide condemn politicians’ inaction to combat climate changePolitico)
- I have nowhere to go: This woman lost her apartment in New Jersey due to the Idas Flooding. She was just evicted by government officials from her temporary housing. (BuzzFeed News)
- Experts are cautious, though Monarch butterflies may be making a comeback in the West, although there are hints.Popular Science)
- Germany taps Greenpeace chief for climate envoy (Reuters)
ICYMI
Finally, here’s something ON-beat and Offbeat: Michael Regan, EPA administrator, takes the Daily Show
This is it for today. Thanks for reading. Check out The HillsEnergy & Environment pageGet the latest news and coverage. Well seeyouWednesday.
