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The Biden Administration is Spending Its ‘Climate Smart’ Funding in the Wrong Places, According to New Analyses

Summary

On March 4, 2024, Inside Climate News reported on two analyses revealing that the Biden administration's climate-focused funding for American farmers is being allocated inefficiently. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been criticized for directing resources toward methane-reducing programs that may inadvertently increase methane emissions and "climate smart" farming practices that might not be beneficial for the climate. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) scrutinized certain USDA practices recently added to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, raising concerns that some lack climate benefits. Another report by Friends of the Earth and the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project linked USDA spending on methane digesters to the expansion of dairy herds, ultimately resulting in more methane production. These findings raise questions about the effectiveness of the administration's agricultural climate initiatives, especially in light of its commitment to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030.

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Climate Change
Climate Change

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Energy Justice
Energy Justice

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Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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Climate Change
Climate Change

CenterPoint Energy spent significantly less on tree maintenance compared to other utilities serving Greater Houston.

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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.

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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