CLIMATE: New polling finds broad public support for climate action, with older male conservatives being the primary outliers. (Vox)
ALSO:
• The economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic is pushing California to re-evaluate whether its cap and trade program will meet the state’s climate goals. (CalMatters)
• Ford Motor Co. announces a goal to become carbon neutral by 2050. (The Hill)
• Despite its climate pledge, Amazon’s carbon footprint increased 15% last year. (Associated Press)
• Two Massachusetts cities become the first in the state to pass resolutions calling on insurance companies to stop investing in or providing coverage for fossil fuel interests. (news release)
***SPONSORED LINK: Center Out: A Strategy for Climate Success will be hosted by the Great Plains Institute on June 25. Join the conversation about how the Midwest can lead the clean energy transformation. Click here for more and to RSVP.***
EQUITY: An analysis finds that even when controlling for factors like income and household size, Black households pay more for energy than white households, which authors say could be attributable to discriminatory housing policies. (The Hill)
SOLAR:
• Wells Fargo is set to purchase 150 MW of solar power from three Shell Energy locations. (Washington Post)
• A new report from a clean energy group projects that solar capacity per customer in the Southeast will double by 2022, with Florida outpacing North Carolina by next year. (Solar Power World)
TRANSMISSION: Former Maine legislators go to court to stop the use of public lands for a power line from Canada, while an opposition group seeks to keep its funders’ identities private. (Maine Public, WGME)
COAL:
• The second iteration of a study in eastern Kentucky will look at industries that could employ coal miners and help the region move beyond coal. (WYMT)
• Wyoming pushes forward in its lawsuit against Washington blocking a coal export terminal, with Gov. Mark Gordon claiming the move violates the Constitution. (Casper Star-Tribune)
PIPELINES:
• Eighteen states urge the Supreme Court to reinstate an Army Corps program that fast-tracks water crossing permits for pipeline projects. (E&E News, subscription)
• The chairperson of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, which has called for the shutdown of Line 5 for years, says Michigan needs a “more progressive approach” to protect against a pipeline spill. (Michigan Radio)
TRANSPORTATION: A Department of Justice whistleblower says an investigation into California’s emissions agreements with four automakers was initiated after tweets from President Trump complaining about the deal. (The Hill)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Vice President Mike Pence will be in Ohio tomorrow for the unveiling of a startup company’s new electric pickup truck built at GM’s former Lordstown plant. (Associated Press)
• Policies in states like California and Colorado could be key to Lyft’s pledge to shift to 100% electric vehicles by 2030. (GreenBiz)
MEDIA: The removal, and subsequent return, of a Facebook post containing misinformation on climate change shows the challenge of fact-checking on social media. (E&E News)
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POLITICS: While EPA, Interior and Energy Department leaders have been praising President Trump in swing states, experts say the practice was common under previous administrations. (E&E News)
COMMENTARY:
• Some Americans’ refusal to wear masks to slow the spread of COVID-19 demonstrates our collective action problem, with implications for how we deal with climate change. (Grist)
• An energy efficiency advocate says cities need to move more aggressively on cutting carbon emissions from buildings. (US News)
• An energy supplier says accounting changes allowed by regulators in response to COVID-19 gives utilities the opportunity to enjoy a windfall from the crisis. (Utility Dive)