April 24, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Laura Hautala explores how climate change is reshaping the urban landscape, prompting cities like Tacoma, Washington, to seek drought-tolerant trees from regions like Northern Cal
Carbon capture project is ‘Band-Aid’ to greenwash $10bn LNG plant, locals say
Summary
The proposed Rio Grande LNG, situated on pristine wetlands between Port Isabel and the city of Brownsville is claimed by developer NextDecade to be the "greenest LNG project in the world," employing carbon capture and storage, or CCS, to collect more than 5 million tons of CO2 created during the process of supercooling the gas for loading into specialized ships for export. According to the firm, it will be one of the largest CCS systems in North America, as well as the first LNG terminal to cut CO2 emissions by more than 90%. However, according to a 2019 study by the Department of Energy, the process of cooling the gas generates just 6-7% of the total emissions connected with such facilities. As a result, the planned CCS facility will only be able to reduce a tiny portion of Rio Grande LNG's overall climate effect. According to the Sierra Club, developing Rio Grande LNG may result in up to 163 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per year, which is equal to 44 coal plants or more than 35 million automobiles. Due to technical and economic barriers, only 30 commercial CCS projects are in operation globally, many of which are utilized to recover additional oil by re-injecting CO2 into wells. According to the Global CCS Institute, the capacity of these current systems is 43 million tons of CO2 per year, or around 0.1% of global emissions. At least 15 proposed or current LNG export or upstream gas projects throughout the world have revealed intentions to use CCS, including five in Louisiana and Texas proposed by NextDecade, G2 Net-Zero LNG, Venture Global, Sempra Energy, and the French conglomerate TotalEnergies. The Biden administration boosted CCS in August by increasing a carbon-storage tax credit known as 45Q in the Inflation Reduction Act.
April 24, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
Emily Jones reports on the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by Black voters challenging Georgia's elections for utility regulators, known as the Public Service Commission (PSC).
April 24, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
The Department of Energy's advisory committee presents a concerning assessment of the progress of the "clean" hydrogen industry, suggesting it's insufficient to meet U.S. climate
April 24, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
The latest State of the Air report by the American Lung Association reveals that over one-third of Americans, approximately 130 million people, regularly inhale unhealthy air
April 23, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
The Biden administration's announcement of $7 billion worth of project support through the Solar for All program, part of the Inflation Reduction Act
April 23, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Maureen Penjueli, an Indigenous advocate from Fiji, voices skepticism about the concept of "clean energy" amidst concerns about deep-sea mining's impact on her people and the envi
April 22, 2024
Environmental Racism
Environmental Racism
Environmental racism remains a pressing issue in the United States, highlighted by a series of modern-day examples that underscore systemic inequalities.
April 22, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
A lawsuit filed by a coalition of advocates and inmates against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) over extreme temperatures in state prisons
April 22, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
President Joe Biden has announced the opening of applications for the American Climate Corps, aiming to enlist 20,000 individuals in its inaugural year.
April 19, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
Reuters reports that the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will announce its plan on May 13 to expedite the development of long-distance transmission lines to accom
April 19, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Over $300 million is being directed towards addressing the migrant crisis while longstanding issues of poverty in their communities have been overlooked for decades.
April 18, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Newsweek reports that the National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center forecasts a months-long drought in western Texas, exacerbating concerns about water scarcity.
April 18, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The activism of Black-led environmental organizations, such as Outdoor Afro and Justice Outside, in combating environmental racism and advocating for marginalized communities
April 17, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted Houston an extension to utilize or reimburse $5.7 billion earmarked for Hurricane Harvey housing recovery
April 17, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Efforts by the Texas Land Office and Houston City Council to locate 900 households owed relocation assistance due to the buyout of four low-income housing complexes following Hurr