DeSmogBlog

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chose the very day of the summit to announce that his government will push off the deadlines for phase-outs of methane gas-burning boilers, as well as sales of new gasoline and diesel-fueled cars. While not a silver bullet solution, she told DeSmog, litigation is certainly “part of the answer.” In the U.S.,

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Government Fossil fuels Climate change Ocean acidification 68

DeSmogBlog

AUGUST 17, 2023

LNG boom threatens to release vast amounts of methane, a powerful climate pollutant that is the main component of natural gas. So, instead, she organized a small protest in the parking lot alongside residents from Chester and greater Philadelphia. LNG in large part to effective lobbying by Poland’s fossil fuel industry.

Natural gas 98

Natural gas Fossil fuels Energy Energy 98

DeSmogBlog

MARCH 28, 2023

Though it has applied for them, the company behind this operation has yet to receive the permits it is required by law to construct or operate the engines to power a cryptocurrency mine. The company is required by law to obtain a plan approval from DEP prior to installation and operation of the air contamination sources,” Decker said.

Fossil fuels 82

Fossil fuels Natural gas Law Pollution 82

DeSmogBlog

DECEMBER 9, 2021

In February 2021, German agribusiness giant BASF hosted a virtual wine tasting, a seemingly cozy affair swirling glasses of Portugal’s finest in front of a webcam debating the future of EU agricultural policies. Invited to the event was a small group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

Building Energy Monitoring 98

Building Energy Monitoring Business Energy Monitoring Home Energy Monitoring Energy Monitor 98

Renewable Energy World

MAY 13, 2021

The digester, and another the dairy installed a few years later, reduced the size of open lagoons of manure that release methane into the atmosphere. Under the policy, renewable natural gas is used to reduce emissions from existing natural gas-fueled vehicle fleets such as transit buses, trucks, vans and other multi-passenger vehicles.

Natural gas 69

Natural gas Methane Transportation Waste 69

Business Green

OCTOBER 22, 2021

It said the 12 industry and expert figures on the Commission, which is to be chaired by University of Cambridge international law professor Lorand Bartels, would have a formal role to inform MPs and the public about how new free trade deals are consistent with UK green laws.

Agriculture 58

Agriculture Law Government Pollution 58

DeSmogBlog

MAY 26, 2021

The state has long suffered from the roller coaster cycles of extractive industry, according to James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, a health, education, and economic advocacy organization. “We’ve NMOGA did not respond to a request for comment. Well pad near Roswell, NM. Credit: BLM. (CC CC BY 2.0).

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Fossil fuels Natural gas Education Health 98

DeSmogBlog

DECEMBER 16, 2022

A recently published chapter of the Harvard Law Review argues that “While utility companies have been building and profiting off fossil fuels without internalizing the down-stream consequences and costs for decades, their regulators—state agency leaders—have approved their actions at every step of the way.”.

Home Energy Monitoring 77

Home Energy Monitoring Building Energy Monitoring Business Energy Monitoring Energy Monitor 77

DeSmogBlog

NOVEMBER 7, 2023

A few months later, the New York Times reported on the study, bringing national attention to the issue, and an op-ed in the Yale Law Journal described indoor air pollution, as a “menace” that required “comprehensive federal legislation.” DEMELLE What impact did these studies have on policy and regulation? This study ( Samet et al.,

Health 94

Health Pollution Fossil fuels Medicine 94

GreenBiz

APRIL 16, 2021

It’s the work of some leading players in this area: ReFED, a nonprofit that works on food waste; WWF; Natural Resources Defense Council; and Harvard’s Food Law and Policy Clinic. Here are just a few highlights — and ideas on how your organization can get involved. Keep organic waste out of landfills and incinerators .

Waste 441

Waste Waste Organic Methane 441

Women in Cleantech and Sustainability

NOVEMBER 14, 2015

Cynthia Christensen of Namasté Solar might agree, though she got into solar almost by accident — after a bet she made as a pre-law student with a boyfriend that they couldn’t handle each other’s classes. It was a law school lottery number for picking electives — 499 out of 500 — that led her to environmental law.

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Law Fossil fuels Methane Plastics 40

DeSmogBlog

APRIL 18, 2023

Instead, they are required to contract with “ industry-governed organizations ” — private trade associations — to promote products. R-CALF USA doesn’t only blame the private trade associations for overturning the law that allowed “Made in the USA” labels. “It’s Although they are run by the U.S.

Agriculture 91

Agriculture Fossil fuels Methane Sustainability 91

Green Business Bureau

APRIL 11, 2023

is President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed into law in August 2022. With this in mind, in this Green Business Bureau article, we detail how the IRA can support your organization’s transition to clean energy, helping you save money on your energy bills, to reframe today’s challenges as opportunities.

Fossil fuels 78

Fossil fuels Methane Energy Energy 78

Better Ventures

FEBRUARY 4, 2021

To date, insurance and financial organizations have relied upon predictive risk models based on historical trends. The number of companies voluntarily reporting on environmental risk is rapidly increasing and regulations making this type of disclosure mandatory are beginning to be written into law. We would love to chat! million.

Building Energy Monitoring 59

Building Energy Monitoring Business Energy Monitoring Energy Monitor Solar Energy Monitor 59

Climate Tech VC

AUGUST 17, 2023

1, 2020 rules adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) came into effect that substantially decreased the amount of sulfur allowed in maritime fuels with the goal of cutting sulfur oxide emissions from ships by 77%. Rules Refresh The shipping industry has undergone major regulatory shifts already. Regulatory rewind: On Jan.1,

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Carbon-negative Innovation Carbon Policy 52

DeSmogBlog

AUGUST 13, 2021

The assertions also lack detail, face technical problems, ignore leaking methane emissions, and depend on government subsidies for funding. To complicate matters further, new research suggests that fugitive methane emissions from fracking operations are far higher than official data indicates. And that is from just one project.

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Carbon-neutral Methane Building Energy Monitoring Energy Monitor 98

DeSmogBlog

FEBRUARY 17, 2023

Credit: Julie Dermansky Air Products plans to build a manufacturing complex near Burnside, a small town in Ascension Parish, that will transform the methane in natural gas into ammonia and blue hydrogen while using technology to capture up to 95 percent of the CO2 emissions created in the process. I’d like my life back.”

Carbon 98

Carbon Building Energy Monitoring Hydrogen Fossil fuels 98

DeSmogBlog

DECEMBER 16, 2022

Instead of proceeding with the replacement of a group of 71,000 inaccurate meters the company has identified, the program would adjust customer bills to make up for the inaccuracies of those meters, thus avoiding 142,000 cubic feet of methane emissions in addition to other emissions associated with meter technician vehicle travel.

Business Energy Monitoring 85

Business Energy Monitoring Home Energy Monitoring Building Energy Monitoring Energy Monitor 85

The Verge: Energy

DECEMBER 22, 2023

The problem is that today, most hydrogen is made with the help of fossil fuels — mostly through a process called steam-methane reforming that produces carbon dioxide emissions. Methane is an even more powerful greenhouse gas than CO2, and routinely escapes along the supply chain from production to final use.

Hydrogen 89

Hydrogen Nuclear Power Methane Fossil fuels 89

38 North Solutions

JULY 30, 2022

Methane and Superfund. -$15 The Rhodium Group released preliminary analysis of the bill finding that the Inflation Reduction Act would cut US net greenhouse gas emissions down to 31% to 44% below 2005 levels in 2030 compared to 24% to 35% under current policy. Top Line Estimates. Cost/Savings. Clean Manufacturing Credits. -$385

Nuclear Power 76

Nuclear Power Construction Law Batteries 76

DeSmogBlog

JANUARY 8, 2024

The photographs highlight the contradiction between the Biden administration’s stated agenda to combat the climate crisis and its policies that increase global reliance on fossil fuels. John, and other environmental advocacy organizations made against them for their dealings with minority fenceline communities in Cancer Alley.

Fossil fuels 115

Fossil fuels Building Energy Monitoring Home Energy Monitoring Hydrogen 115

DeSmogBlog

JULY 18, 2021

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which represents many of the world’s biggest economies, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predict that global meat production will continue to rise in the coming decade as incomes increase in developing countries.

Pollution 98

Pollution Agriculture Carbon-negative Climate change 98

DeSmogBlog

APRIL 29, 2021

The number of orphaned wells in oil and gas producing states nationwide continues to increase, as does the amount of planet warming methane emissions leaking from them. In fact, methane is up to 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after entering the atmosphere. Calling for a Smarter Solution.

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Methane Energy Monitor Building Energy Monitoring Fossil fuels 98

DeSmogBlog

DECEMBER 26, 2023

“It may provide something of a roadmap for future cases,” Jennifer Rushlow, dean of the Maverick Lloyd School for the Environment, professor of law, and faculty director of the Environmental Law Center at Vermont Law School, told DeSmog. In Norway, a climate lawsuit trial got underway during the same week as the Belgium ruling.

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Fossil fuels Law Government Climate change 105

DeSmogBlog

FEBRUARY 23, 2022

After the Biden administration’s bipartisan infrastructure law was passed , the administration hailed the bill’s $4.7 billion package to cap orphaned oil and gas wells as a move to tackle “super-polluting methane emissions,” saying it will combat the climate crisis and create jobs. Who Writes the Bills That Become Law?

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Methane Building Energy Monitoring Energy Monitor Law 98

DeSmogBlog

FEBRUARY 28, 2024

“This is a meritless case, and we await the court’s decision,” said Nick Paulocci, director of public affairs and press secretary of the NYC Law Department. It’s unclear how much of that total is invested in coal, oil, or methane gas. AFFT is also associated with the State Policy Network , a group promoting anti-ESG legislation.

Fossil fuels 103

Fossil fuels Law Climate change Investment 103

DeSmogBlog

MAY 6, 2021

If you live in Oregon, it’s likely you’ve been bombarded with misleading PR from the local utility company, Northwest Natural, about the potential for what the industry is calling renewable natural gas (RNG) — methane captured from places like landfills and repurposed into energy for homes. Credit: Fossil Free Eugene coalition.

Natural gas 97

Natural gas Fossil fuels Carbon-neutral Methane 97

DeSmogBlog

JULY 18, 2021

An organization run by former Obama-era Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, with the backing of the AFL-CIO, a federation of 56 labor unions, has created a policy “blueprint” to build a nationwide pipeline network capable of carrying a gigaton of captured carbon dioxide (CO2). Here is how they might act in those areas.

Building Energy Monitoring 98

Building Energy Monitoring Carbon Energy Monitor Business Energy Monitoring 98

DeSmogBlog

JULY 14, 2022

Rather than transforming the fossilized remains of organisms into gasoline and other motor fuels, the Texas plant breaks apart the molecular structure of oil, through a process called cracking, which turns it into the primary ingredient for car seats, single-use plastic bags, plastic coffee cups and much more. Credit: Julie Dermansky.

Plastics 96

Plastics Energy Monitor Building Energy Monitoring Home Energy Monitoring 96

DeSmogBlog

MARCH 31, 2023

based Center for International Environmental Law has reported. Meanwhile, Shell would commission British scientist James Lovelock — later a renowned proponent of the “Gaia Theory” of earth as a self-regulating organism — to investigate the possible global consequences of pollution from fossil fuels.

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Climate change Fossil fuels Pollution Carbon-negative 98

DeSmogBlog

JUNE 15, 2023

It’s complicated for local governments, like the city of New Orleans, to organize safe passage for residents if an evacuation is called for on short notice—and in the case of Ida was ruled out. Some who are unable to leave on their own but who would evacuate if they could, have been left in harm’s way.

Building Energy Monitoring 95

Building Energy Monitoring Home Energy Monitoring Energy Monitor Fossil fuels 95

DeSmogBlog

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

President Biden signed historic climate legislation into law in August, but more action will be necessary to hit climate targets. Alone, these executive branch policies are wildly insufficient to the task of getting America to meet its climate goals. The federally-owned, public power corporation operates power plants in the U.S.

Fossil fuels 88

Fossil fuels Energy Energy Methane 88

Elemental Excelerator

MARCH 13, 2020

You may be someone who’s so passionate about polar bears that you run for office and impact national policy on oil drilling. But you can decide to eat an organic peach or bring your own reusable cup, and those small actions are the beginnings of broader systems-level change.

Agriculture 98

Agriculture Innovation Soil Waste 98

Grist

DECEMBER 8, 2021

When InvestigateWest launched the Getting to Zero: Decarbonizing Cascadia series in January 2021, the latest official data showed that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases had risen steadily from 2012 to 2018, and the region wasn’t on track to make big cuts this decade. “We

Fossil fuels 78

Fossil fuels Natural gas Policy Law 78

DeSmogBlog

AUGUST 1, 2023

The National Mining Association (NMA) echoed Manchin’s fiery rhetoric, warning of “ premature coal plant retirements,” alleging that these would pose “serious risks” and calling for “an energy policy reset to avoid an uneasy and potentially failing energy situation.” @EPA See the entire statement in Document Cloud.

Pollution 98

Pollution Fossil fuels Energy Energy 98

GreenBiz

MARCH 8, 2021

When it comes to those shaping the corporate climate movement — either from within companies or as part of NGOs and policy organizations that recognize the critical role businesses must play in addressing the climate emergency — I’m grateful to say it’s becoming easier to find women with a seat at the decision-making table.

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Sustainability Plastics Organic Retail 546

DeSmogBlog

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Climate and environmental justice organizations , some climate and energy experts, and some lawmakers, are speaking out against the false promise of CCS. Recent federal legislation has provided a massive boost to carbon capture technologies, including direct air capture machines designed to remove CO2 from the ambient air.

Carbon 98

Carbon Fossil fuels Building Energy Monitoring Business Energy Monitoring 98