Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin on Jan. 15 issued an executive order to reexamine the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, the nation’s first mandatory cap-and-trade program to cut power sector emissions. The order notes that Virginia’s participation in RGGI risks contributing to the increased cost of electricity. Virginia became an official…...
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on Jan. 14 released its Climate Equity Framework which outlines steps to implement the state’s air quality and climate policies, and plans to promote environmental justice. The framework proposes various suggestions to ensure public engagement and opinion in climate change policymaking and to minimize climate impact on…...
The U.S Energy Department of Energy has announced a $420 million funding opportunity for the agency’s Energy Frontier Research Centers, or EFRCs, which have been instrumental in innovation and have unlocked scientific breakthroughs leading to transformative climate solutions like solar windows and carbon capture technology. The funding aims to incentivise climate solutions through early-stage research…...
Federal and state agencies are advancing policy measures and incentives to foster transportation electrification, a key strategy to achieve ambitious emissions reduction mandates. Recent actions range from stronger national fuel efficiency standards to California’s $1.5 billion annual investment in clean vehicle incentives, and clean truck rules in New York and New Jersey.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper on Jan. 7 issued an executive order reinforcing the state’s commitment to clean energy and outlining next steps in the state’s plan to achieve net zero emissions. The order increases the state-wide goal to a 50 percent reduction in emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emission…...
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Jan. 11 announced the release of its draft environmental assessment on the possible environmental and socioeconomic effects of commercial leases as well as related site assessment activities in the offshore Humboldt Wind Energy Area of California. The Humboldt WEA covers an area of about 206 square miles…...
The New York Independent System Operator submitted market rule changes for consideration by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposing to revise buyer-side mitigation, or BSM, rules, in a bid to advance the objectives of the state’s landmark climate law, according to a Jan. 10 press release. The changes would exempt clean energy resources from…...
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Jan. 5 announced a plan to enhance the state’s renewable energy footprint including an investment of $500 million in offshore wind infrastructure, as part of the 2022 State of the State. The plan calls for investments in offshore wind manufacturing and associated supply chain, and is expected to create…...
Federal and state government agencies across the U.S. are advancing climate measures for effective implementation of emissions-reduction strategies to progress towards ambitious goals. Federal actions include an executive order directing the federal government to use its procurement power to achieve net-zero emissions, stronger auto fuel standards, and a methane reduction proposal. Recent state actions range from New York’s plan to implement its landmark climate law to Colorado’s oil and gas emission standards, and a cap-and-invest program in Oregon.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Jan. 5 outlined a plan to raise the rate of electrification of homes from about 20,000 homes per year to more than tenfold by 2030 and achieve two million electrified or electrification-ready homes. The plan includes workforce training, upgrading appliance efficiency standards, and mandatory energy benchmarking for large buildings…....
