EMISSIONS: Canada, Japan, and other world leaders announce increased emissions reduction goals at the White House’s climate summit, though some of the biggest emitters — including China, India, and Russia — didn’t make specific pledges. (Axios, E&E News)
ALSO:
• The Department of Transportation takes a step toward withdrawing from a Trump administration rule preventing states from setting individual tailpipe emissions standards. (Washington Post)
• Ten Republican attorneys general sue the Biden administration over its plan to increase the social cost of carbon, following an earlier lawsuit that challenged an interim increase. (E&E News, subscription)
• Policy experts are unsure how the U.S. will achieve President Biden’s pledge to cut emissions in half given that his infrastructure bill lacks a cap on emissions or mandates to force a clean energy transition. (Grist)
• As the Appalachian Basin is reported to be the largest source of methane nationally, a White House task force identifies $38 billion in existing federal money to shift the region from fossil fuels. (E&E News, subscription)
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CLIMATE:
• Echoing fights over the tobacco industry, New York City has sued several major oil and gas companies, as well as their trade association, for advertisements that attorneys say misled the public about climate impacts. (CNN)
• Mayors of a dozen major U.S. cities sign on to a letter asking the Biden administration to include them in consultations related to federal climate migration and displacement studies. (Associated Press)
FINANCE:
• The U.S. unveils an international financing plan outlining how it can help other countries adapt to climate change and transition to clean energy, as well as encourage global divestment from fossil fuels. (Axios)
• Des Moines, Iowa, is increasingly using a tax incentive program to encourage clean energy investments. (Energy News Network)
• Property Assessed Clean Energy financing programs have led to predatory loans for some Missouri residents who have struggled to pay off investments. (ProPublica)
INFRASTRUCTURE: Republicans debut a $568 billion infrastructure proposal that includes no tax increases or clean-energy focus as a response to President Biden’s more expansive plan. (NPR)
OIL & GAS:
• Texas gas company Kinder Morgan emerged with a $1 billion windfall from the February storm outages that saw wins for other natural gas companies and huge losses for power producers and utilities. (Dallas Morning News)
• Greta Thunberg calls tax breaks for fossil fuel companies a “disgrace” during a House hearing, saying they’re “proof that we have not understood the climate emergency.” (Politico)
SOLAR: Disney World announces two new 75 MW solar arrays, including one in the shape of Mickey Mouse, marking the third and fourth facilities developed to support the park since 2016. (HuffPost)
EFFICIENCY: A Connecticut bill would require new or renovated large buildings to use less energy than the state building code’s limits, but homebuilders contend it will make it hard to build affordable multifamily housing. (Energy News Network)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signs an executive order mandating zero-emission vehicle purchases starting next year and doubling the number of charging stations sited on state property by 2030, among other measures. (Boston Globe)
• An electric vehicle battery maker building plants in Georgia predicts a coming shortage of a key supply due to rising demand. (E&E News, subscription)
COMMENTARY: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in an interview discusses how his state is helping to lead the U.S. in climate and clean energy efforts, including reducing the disproportionate impacts of global warming on BIPOC communities. (U.S. News & World Report)