July 15, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
The National Young Farmers Coalition’s Michelle Hughes discusses the shortcomings of the 2024 Farm Bill in a conversation with Ray Levy Uyeda.
A new EPA proposal is reigniting a debate about what counts as ‘renewable’
Summary
The EPA has suggested increasing the federal Renewable Fuel Standard's mandated requirements. The 2005 program regulates how much renewable fuels including corn-based ethanol, manure-based biogas, and wood pellets are used to decrease petroleum-based transportation fuel, heating oil, and jet fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The latest EPA plan would raise renewable fuels by approximately 2 billion gallons by 2025, or 9%. Advanced biofuel comes from agricultural, animal, food, and yard waste, including biogas made from animal and human waste. The EPA's latest plan calls for a 14% rise in these fuels from 2023 to 2024 and a 12% increase in 2025. Industry producers and the federal government support these new renewable fuel rules, while environmental organizations view growing investment in ethanol, biomass, and biogas as exacerbating dirty energy. Opponents believe that increasing corn production for ethanol would prolong damaging agricultural techniques that erode soil and pour large quantities of chemicals on corn farms, causing water contamination and toxic dead zones throughout the country and the Gulf of Mexico. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported earlier this year that when corn demand rises due to RFS blending rules, prices rise and farmers apply more fossil fuel-based fertilizer to crops. The EPA's own analysis shows that the federal mandate's blending requirements will raise greenhouse gas emissions over the next three years.
July 15, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
A new partnership between Nuveen and Perch Energy will allow residents of four South Bronx Section 8 apartment buildings to save up to 20% on their electricity bills by connectin
July 15, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
A proposed offshore wind port on Sears Island, Maine, has sparked debate among residents, environmentalists, and labor advocates.
July 15, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has signed a consent decree requiring the EPA to act on haze pollution plans from Texas and 31 other states.
July 13, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
Multnomah County, Oregon, is suing fossil fuel companies, including Exxon, Shell, and Chevron, for their role in causing a deadly heat dome in June 2021
July 12, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Hurricane Beryl, a Category 1 storm, caused multiple fossil fuel plants on the Gulf Coast to release toxic pollutants due to power outages that led to flaring.
July 12, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Brent McNiel's home in Richmond, Texas, remained powered during Hurricane Beryl thanks to his solar and battery system from Sunrun Solar.
July 11, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has greenlit a significant methane gas pipeline project through predominantly Black and brown communities in Tennessee, raising environmental
July 11, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
CenterPoint Energy spent significantly less on tree maintenance compared to other utilities serving Greater Houston.
A record-breaking heat wave continues to afflict the U.S., particularly the East and West, with forecasts predicting its spread to the Southeast.
July 10, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
FEMA is revising its disaster rules to incorporate climate change impacts when rebuilding after floods.
July 9, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Carlos Claussell Velez discusses the significant impact of trees in mitigating the effects of urban heat islands, particularly during heat waves.
July 9, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Timet’s new titanium production facility in Ravenswood, West Virginia, will be the first industrial plant in the U.S. powered by a solar microgrid.
July 5, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Aging water infrastructure in Texas's major cities is leading to significant water loss, with approximately 88 billion gallons wasted in the past year.
July 5, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Albuquerque's efforts to ensure a stable water supply have been undermined by a critical issue: the El Vado Dam, a key infrastructure piece for the city's water management