POLITICS: Sen. Joe Manchin releases the full text of his permitting reform bill, including provisions to tighten timelines for environmental reviews and a mandate to issue permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline. (E&E News)
ALSO: The details did not appear to win over skeptics, as Democrats continue to oppose fossil fuel provisions in Manchin’s proposal, while Republicans rally around a more conservative GOP-led package. (E&E News, New York Times)
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OIL & GAS: Documents and letters show how a natural gas industry group used Russia’s war on Ukraine to encourage the U.S. to backtrack on its climate priorities and instead boost domestic gas production. (Guardian)
CLIMATE: The U.S. Senate votes to ratify its first international climate treaty in 30 years, which promises to phase out the use of planet-warming chemicals found in refrigerators and air conditioners. (New York Times)
GRID:
• Puerto Rico installed around 50,000 solar and battery power systems since Hurricane Maria in 2017, and most kept supplying power even after Hurricane Fiona caused an island-wide blackout this weekend. (NPR)
• Federal data show California’s grid relied on natural gas generation for up to 60% of its electricity generation to meet peak demand during the early September heat wave, as it lacked the capacity to store abundant solar and wind power produced earlier in the day. (Reuters, Washington Post)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: As provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act to boost electric vehicle adoption and charger deployment take effect, racial justice advocates aim to ensure they’re rolled out equitably. (Grist)
EMISSIONS: The U.S. EPA says it will consider adopting stricter emissions limits for heavy trucks, saying Congress’ passage of the Inflation Reduction Act “sent a very strong message” in favor of stronger standards. (Reuters)
WIND: New Jersey’s governor sets what he calls an “aggressive … but achievable” goal of installing 11 GW of offshore wind by 2040, up from an earlier 7.5 GW by 2035 target. (NJ Spotlight)
SOLAR:
• Solar power facilities accounted for half of all new global capacity added to the grid last year, with wind accounting for another quarter. (Utility Dive)
• First Solar, which is expanding its manufacturing operations in Ohio, is among companies investing in new production amid the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. (Canary Media)
MINING: Longstanding resistance to mining complicates the clean energy transition, which will rely on tons of critical minerals and metals to build batteries, wind turbines, and more. (Grist)
COAL: A northwestern New Mexico city sues the state’s largest utility to take ownership of the San Juan coal power plant and keep it running beyond its scheduled Sept. 30 closure, with long-term plans to install carbon capture equipment. (Farmington Daily Times)
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AFFORDABILITY: Connecticut regulators ask Eversource and United Illuminating to develop discounted rates for lower-income customers to ensure home energy costs don’t exceed 6% of their income. (Energy News Network)
COMMENTARY: Sen. Joe Manchin’s permitting reform bill could amount to a climate win thanks to its efforts to accelerate transmission deployment, a journalist writes. (Atlantic)
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