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Today we are looking at a new environmental position for the former head of EPA Andrew Wheeler
Andrew WheelerOvernight Energy & Environment American Clean Power Supreme Court will review power plant rule case EPA will consider tighter air quality standards to smog Overnight Energy & Environment Presented By Climate Power Emissions heading towards pre-pandemic levels, new research on how many Americansarevulnerable to climate change andUtahs plans to address a looming water crisis.
Rachel Frazin and ZackBudryk were the Hill’s editors. Send us your tips:[email protected][email protected]. Follow us on Twitter:@RachelFrazin@BudrykZack.
Lets jump in.
Wheeler to be nominated by the incoming governor of Virginia
Virginia Gov.-electGlenn Youngkin
Glenn YoungkinOmicron surge presents political peril to Democrats Seven most vulnerable governors face reelection in 2020 Clinton: ‘It’s a time for some careful thought about what wins elections’(R) will name the former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeleras Virginia secretary of natural resources. This was confirmed by Youngkins transition team staffers to The Hill on Wednesday.
Wheeler, a former lobbyist for the energy industry, was the EPA chief in Trump’s administration from 2019-2021. He was a visiting fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation, as well as the proTrump America First Policy Institutes Center for the Environment.
Politico first reported the appointment.
Youngkins’ office said in a release that he will also nominate MichaelRolband as the director of environmental quality for the state. He is the founder of environmental consulting firm Wetland Studies and Solutions.
Youngkin stated in a statement that we will work together to address Virginia’s ongoing environmental, energy and natural resource challenges. This includes protecting the Chesapeake Bay and fully funding our best management practices. Youngkin also mentioned that we will solve longstanding stormwater management problems and establish a Coastal Virginia Resiliency Authority.
Two administrators in one:Wheelers tenure was largely marked in part by a loosening environmental and energy regulations. Many of which his successor, the current EPA administrator, has also taken into consideration.Michael Regan
Michael ReganOvernight Energy & Environment Activists Pan EPA Chemical Testing Move Advocates Call EPA ‘forever Chemical’ Testing Announcement Insufficient Four Environmental Fights to Watch in 2022 MORE, has taken steps for undo.
Regan established a panel of scientists to examine particulate matter and air pollution in 2021. This was after Wheeler had disbanded it in 2018, while he was acting administrator. Wheeler also declined tightening the Obama administration’s air quality standards regarding soot. Regan promised to review these standards.
Pushback:Virginia Democrats and environmental groups were strongly critical of Youngkins’ announcement. They cited Wheelers record at EPA.
Formerly, head of EPADonald Trump
Donald TrumpMissouri GOP lawmaker resigns to Florida consulting job Trump will attend fundraiser for midterm candidate Biden meatpacking reforms lack punch according to criticsWheeler did nothing other than serve corporate polluter interests, repeatedly putting their welfare before the environment and Americans health, Michael Town said in a statement. This nomination is by far the most extreme in Virginia’s history for an environmental position and the worst the Governor-elect could have made.
Rep. Don Beyer (D.Va.) called Wheeler an antienvironment ideologue, noting that he was not among those Cabinet officials who resigned after the events of January 6, 2021.
Learn more about the appointment.
4 out of 10 people lived in climate disaster zones in 2021
More than 4 out 10 Americans lived in areas affected by climate catastrophes in 2021.According to anAnalyseThe Washington Post.
An analysis of federal disaster declarations revealed that more than 40% of Americans experienced a climate catastrophe, which resulted in at least 656 deaths.
According to the Post’s records, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared eight statewide emergencies due to climate disasters. This is the highest number since 1998.
However, there were fewer disasters caused by climate change in individual counties in 2021 than in previous years.
What kind of disasters can you expect?Climate disasters include fires, hurricanes and severe storms as well as landslides, floods, and landslides.
Eighty percent of Americans experienced heatwaves, while 15% of Americans lived in areas that were affected by fire.
The dataOne follows anotherAnalyseThe Post’s summer report that more than 30% of Americans experienced a climate catastrophe in 2021 was published by the Post.
As many scientists predict that climate change will make the situation worse, climate disasters have already cost the United States billions of dollars.
Learn more about the studyhere.
Utah Gov proposes major water investments
Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) presented his $25 billion budget proposal near the Great Salt Lake shore last month. Instead of waves lapping behind him the waterline was barely visible far away.
The lake has been reduced by more than 10 feet during the longest period of drought in modern history. This is just one indicator in the parched Western states that are suffering from the increasing dire effects of climate change.
The drought is now threatening some of America’s fastest growing states, including Utah and Nevada, Nevada, Colorado, and Colorado. There, the future of both urban and agricultural economic growth is under threat.
Utah’s future depends on our ability meet our citizens’ water needs. Cox stated in an interview that Utah’s future will depend on this ability. Since the early settlers started building reservoirs, we have had a surplus of water for many generations. This is now not true. We don’t have enough water anymore.
Cox proposes spending $500 million in federal funds, or about 2 percent of the overall budget of the state for water conservation projects. Half of the money would be used to reduce water consumption by measuring water use in agriculture.
Find out more about these proposals.
WHAT WE ARE READING
Official at EPA Says: Understaffed Chemical Unit Runs on FumesBloomberg Law reports
Climate or reliability FERC blocks Northeast gas projectsE&E News reports
As U.S.growers eye low-carbon futures, U.S.growers expand off-season cover’ crops.Reuters reports
Judge rejects F-35 opponent’s lawsuit, and says National Guard environmental review OK.The Wisconsin State-Journal reports
ICYMI
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment PageFor the most recent news and coverage. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.