UTILITIES: Public utility commissioners who decide whether states get their power from renewables and fossil fuels and make rate decisions are overwhelmingly White and male, and few have environmental backgrounds, a pair of studies find. (Energy News Network)
POLITICS:
• More than 1,500 lobbyists are working for fossil fuel companies while also representing cities, tech giants, universities and environmental groups that say they’re fighting for climate action. (Guardian)
• An Ohio lobbyist and former chairman of the state GOP was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a $60 million corruption scheme that resulted in favorable legislation for FirstEnergy. (Associated Press)
CLIMATE:
• July 4 saw the highest average temperature on Earth since records began in 1979, and some scientists believe it was the hottest day in at least 125,000 years. (Washington Post)
• The Montana youth climate lawsuit could pave the way for more cases alleging a lack of climate action violates state constitutions, advocates say. (Guardian)
• The U.S. State Department didn’t track greenhouse gas emissions associated with flying hundreds of federal officials to the last two United Nations climate conferences, violating a Biden administration executive order. (Politico)
• New Hampshire plans to use $3 million from the federal Inflation Reduction Act to create a new climate action plan, 14 years after developing but failing to act on its previous plan. (Energy News Network)
PIPELINES:
• The Biden administration is issuing higher-than-ever fines for pipeline spills and other safety violations, though experts say industry pushback could slow the enforcement spike. (E&E News)
• Federal tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act have helped to spur development interest in carbon pipelines, despite intense disputes with landowners and questions about their overall climate benefits. (States Newsroom)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Supply disruptions have challenged cities’ ability to purchase hybrid and electric vehicles. (States Newsroom)
• So-far innocuous hacks of electric vehicle charging stations raise concerns among cybersecurity experts as the country builds out a nationwide charging network. (Grist)
• Lithium essential for electric vehicle batteries remains in short supply, driving many U.S. automakers to secure exclusive deals with smaller mines regardless of high prices and environmental concerns. (New York Times)
• Tesla sales surged 10% in the second quarter after price cuts, and after its models became eligible for federal tax credits. (CNBC)
ELECTRIFICATION:
• A growing number of states are considering legislation to strengthen commercial building performance standards to reduce energy use. (States Newsroom)
• Massachusetts climate advocates and city and state officials push back against a report arguing net-zero building codes could make new homes unaffordable, saying the study failed to account for energy savings and incentives. (Boston Globe)
• Facing shrinking sales projections, hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s see a potential for growth in battery-powered lawn equipment. (CNBC)
HYDROGEN: European leaders have spent billions of dollars to promote hydrogen production, but Inflation Reduction Act subsidies are leading manufacturers to locate in the U.S. instead. (Politico)
COAL: Federal officials propose a new rule to limit coal miners’ exposure to silica, a dust linked to the recent surge in severe black lung disease cases. (NPR)
BIOFUELS: Attorneys general from 10 states plan to sue the U.S. EPA over insufficient emissions standards for wood-burning stoves. (Associated Press)
COMMENTARY: Investor-owned utilities have long used ratepayer dollars to lobby officials against a clean energy transition, and also use ratepayers’ money to fund legal fights to keep it that way, writes a utility watchdog. (New York Times)
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