POLITICS: Senate Democrats are ready to fight Donald Trump’s pick for EPA administrator, calling the decision “a full-fledged environmental emergency.” (CNN/Huffington Post)
ALSO:
• A look at Donald Trump’s growing team of climate deniers. (Grist)
• Republican leaders and fossil fuel industry executives lay out an agenda to roll back environmental regulations and increase fossil fuel production, saying “we’re winning this thing, very clearly.” (ThinkProgress)
• Experts say Donald Trump’s pick for EPA chief will have little effect on reviving the coal industry. (New York Times)
***SPONSORED LINK: The Smart Cities International Symposium, January 24-25 in Chicago, examines the latest technology advances and business models for the 21stCentury connected city. Explore implementation strategies, case studies, and the successful financing of key initiatives. Use discount code MWEN for 15% off. Register today! ***
REGULATION: A former climate adviser to President Obama explains how EPA regulations could be dismantled during Donald Trump’s presidency. (Vox)
POLICY: Congress won’t pass an energy reform bill this year because legislators couldn’t agree on “various outstanding issues in time.” (The Hill)
CLIMATE:
• Actor and climate change activist Leonardo DiCaprio gives a presentation to Donald Trump about how clean energy can create millions of jobs. (Associated Press)
• A small village in New York becomes the first community in the U.S. to divest its pension fund from all fossil fuel holdings. (New York Times)
• The city of Boulder, Colorado, adopts new “climate commitment” goals, which include cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent compared to 2005 levels. (Boulder Daily Camera)
• Several environmental advocacy groups are refusing to comply with subpoenas from Exxon, which is demanding to see documents that could be connected to a climate change investigation against the company. (InsideClimate News)
EMISSIONS:
• A new report shows that 33 states have expanded their economies while reducing emissions, debunking the notion that climate action harms economic growth. (E&E News)
• Harvard University reaches its goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent. (Associated Press)
• An infographic shows how Donald Trump could influence CO2 emissions. (New York Times)
RENEWABLE ENERGY:
• A report that Tesla fell short of hiring projections at its Nevada battery factory was based on outdated information, according to the company. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• A federal court case in New York could change the framework for how states meet renewable energy targets. (Utility Dive)
• Environmental advocates in Wisconsin are protesting a decision by state regulators to use more than $8 million in energy efficiency funds to expand internet access. (Midwest Energy News)
SOLAR:
• Massachusetts is testing a new solar tariff model. (Utility Dive)
• New York’s governor announces $3.6 million in funding to help build solar installations in low-income communities. (Press & Sun Bulletin)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Some experts argue that electric vehicles are no better for the environment once the manufacturing process and charging are taken into account. (The Guardian)
PIPELINES: Tribal leaders in North Dakota are sending conflicting messages to pipeline protesters about whether to stay at their camp through the winter or return home. (Associated Press)
COAL: The president of the United Mine Workers union says a proposal in Congress for a short-term extension of health care benefits for retired coal miners is a “travesty” that the union will fight. (Charleston Gazette Mail)
POLLUTION: Efforts to clean up an oil pipeline spill in North Dakota are being hampered by winter weather. (Associated Press)
COMMENTARY:
• With Senator Harry Reid retiring, plans for a much needed nuclear waste repository in Nevada could move forward. (Los Angeles Times)
• Donald Trump’s meetings with climate change activists are meaningless “hot air.” (Huffington Post)