Cookies help us run our site more efficiently.

By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information or to customize your cookie preferences.

EPA mulls tougher limits on new gas plants as 2024 election nears

News Feed
Tuesday, April 9, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency is considering significantly strengthening proposed limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants — a crucial part of President Biden’s climate agenda — according to three people briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because no final decisions have been made.The discussions about toughening the standards, which are set to be released this month, have major implications for America’s fleet of power plants, which rank as the country’s second-largest contributor to climate change. They come as the administration weighs the political calculus of weakening or strengthening environmental regulations before the 2024 election.In some cases, the Biden administration has finalized rules that are less stringent than the original proposals. With power plants, it appears to be heading in the opposite direction.In May 2023, the EPA issued a proposed rule that called for drastically curbing greenhouse gas emissions from three categories of power plants: existing coal plants, existing gas plants and new gas plants. But in February, the agency said the final rule would no longer cover existing gas plants, disappointing some environmental advocates.Now, EPA officials are considering strengthening the requirements for new gas plants, according to the people familiar with the matter. Specifically, officials are in talks about having the final rule apply to new large gas plants that operate more than 40 percent of the time, rather than those that operate 50 percent of the time as the proposal had envisioned.The change could affect the majority of new gas plants built in the United States, and it could have a significant climate impact. According to the EPA’s modeling, it could prevent up to 10.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year — equivalent to taking 2.5 million cars off the nation’s roads for a year.EPA spokesman Tim Carroll declined to comment for this story, citing ongoing deliberations. “The draft final rule is currently with the Office of Management and Budget under interagency review,” he said in an email.Many utility companies are planning for a surge in gas plant construction to meet explosive power demand fueled by electricity-hungry data centers, and the EPA rule could affect these plans. In contrast, many coal plants are shutting down regardless of federal regulations, as they struggle to compete economically with cheaper gas and renewable energy.The owner of the last two coal plants in New England announced last month that the facilities will close by 2025 and 2028 as part of a settlement with environmental groups. The Merrimack and Schiller stations, both in New Hampshire, will be converted to solar farms and battery systems that can store electricity generated by wind turbines in the Atlantic Ocean.“Coal plants are barely hanging on economically without this rule,” said Matthew Davis, vice president of federal policy at the League of Conservation Voters. “In most places across the country, new renewable sources of power are cheaper than continuing to run a coal plant.”The League of Conservation Voters and other environmental groups had urged the EPA to toughen the power plant standards. In contrast, the Edison Electric Institute, the top lobbying group for U.S. utilities, had argued in public comments that overly ambitious rules could delay the construction of gas plants and undermine the reliability of the electric grid.The Biden administration has recently weakened other climate rules in the face of mounting political pressure and threatened legal challenges. Last month, the EPA finalized emissions limits for passenger cars that gave automakers more time to ramp up sales of electric vehicles — an election-year concession to labor unions that had raised concerns about a rapid shift to EVs.Also last month, the Securities and Exchange Commission finalized a scaled-back rule requiring corporations to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and contributions to climate change. Unlike the proposal, the final rule does not mandate the disclosure of emissions generated by customers and suppliers, which can account for the vast majority of oil companies’ carbon footprints.Republican attorneys general and business groups nonetheless challenged the SEC rule in federal court, arguing that the commission lacks the authority to force companies to weigh in on “controversial” climate issues. The SEC on Thursday paused the rule’s implementation pending the outcome of the legal battles.

The Environmental Protection Agency is considering strengthening a climate rule for coal- and gas-fired power plants, people familiar with the matter say.

The Environmental Protection Agency is considering significantly strengthening proposed limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants — a crucial part of President Biden’s climate agenda — according to three people briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because no final decisions have been made.

The discussions about toughening the standards, which are set to be released this month, have major implications for America’s fleet of power plants, which rank as the country’s second-largest contributor to climate change. They come as the administration weighs the political calculus of weakening or strengthening environmental regulations before the 2024 election.

In some cases, the Biden administration has finalized rules that are less stringent than the original proposals. With power plants, it appears to be heading in the opposite direction.

In May 2023, the EPA issued a proposed rule that called for drastically curbing greenhouse gas emissions from three categories of power plants: existing coal plants, existing gas plants and new gas plants. But in February, the agency said the final rule would no longer cover existing gas plants, disappointing some environmental advocates.

Now, EPA officials are considering strengthening the requirements for new gas plants, according to the people familiar with the matter. Specifically, officials are in talks about having the final rule apply to new large gas plants that operate more than 40 percent of the time, rather than those that operate 50 percent of the time as the proposal had envisioned.

The change could affect the majority of new gas plants built in the United States, and it could have a significant climate impact. According to the EPA’s modeling, it could prevent up to 10.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year — equivalent to taking 2.5 million cars off the nation’s roads for a year.

EPA spokesman Tim Carroll declined to comment for this story, citing ongoing deliberations. “The draft final rule is currently with the Office of Management and Budget under interagency review,” he said in an email.

Many utility companies are planning for a surge in gas plant construction to meet explosive power demand fueled by electricity-hungry data centers, and the EPA rule could affect these plans. In contrast, many coal plants are shutting down regardless of federal regulations, as they struggle to compete economically with cheaper gas and renewable energy.

The owner of the last two coal plants in New England announced last month that the facilities will close by 2025 and 2028 as part of a settlement with environmental groups. The Merrimack and Schiller stations, both in New Hampshire, will be converted to solar farms and battery systems that can store electricity generated by wind turbines in the Atlantic Ocean.

“Coal plants are barely hanging on economically without this rule,” said Matthew Davis, vice president of federal policy at the League of Conservation Voters. “In most places across the country, new renewable sources of power are cheaper than continuing to run a coal plant.”

The League of Conservation Voters and other environmental groups had urged the EPA to toughen the power plant standards. In contrast, the Edison Electric Institute, the top lobbying group for U.S. utilities, had argued in public comments that overly ambitious rules could delay the construction of gas plants and undermine the reliability of the electric grid.

The Biden administration has recently weakened other climate rules in the face of mounting political pressure and threatened legal challenges. Last month, the EPA finalized emissions limits for passenger cars that gave automakers more time to ramp up sales of electric vehicles — an election-year concession to labor unions that had raised concerns about a rapid shift to EVs.

Also last month, the Securities and Exchange Commission finalized a scaled-back rule requiring corporations to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and contributions to climate change. Unlike the proposal, the final rule does not mandate the disclosure of emissions generated by customers and suppliers, which can account for the vast majority of oil companies’ carbon footprints.

Republican attorneys general and business groups nonetheless challenged the SEC rule in federal court, arguing that the commission lacks the authority to force companies to weigh in on “controversial” climate issues. The SEC on Thursday paused the rule’s implementation pending the outcome of the legal battles.

Read the full story here.
Photos courtesy of

Costa Rica Launches Climate Adaptation Plan for Protected Wildlife Areas

Costa Rica is set to launch an ambitious plan to help its Protected Wildlife Areas (ASP) adapt to the challenges of climate change, focusing on the La Amistad Conservation Area–Pacific (ACLA-P). The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) announced that this initiative aims to prepare these vital […] The post Costa Rica Launches Climate Adaptation Plan for Protected Wildlife Areas appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Costa Rica is set to launch an ambitious plan to help its Protected Wildlife Areas (ASP) adapt to the challenges of climate change, focusing on the La Amistad Conservation Area–Pacific (ACLA-P). The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) announced that this initiative aims to prepare these vital ecosystems for climate-related impacts on biodiversity. Led by MINAE through SINAC, the initiative seeks to enhance the resilience of protected ecosystems to shifting climate conditions. “With this effort, Costa Rica’s wild areas will be better prepared for changing climate conditions and their impact on biodiversity,” officials stated. Environment Minister Franz Tattenbach highlighted the innovative nature of the approach, emphasizing its importance for biodiversity conservation amid growing climate risks. ACLA-P encompasses ten Protected Wildlife Areas, including: Three private National Wildlife Refuges: Longo Mai, Río General, and Montaña del Tigre. Three state-owned parks: Chirripó National Park, La Amistad International Park, and Pájaro Campana Bicentennial Biological Reserve. Four mixed-protection areas: San Vito Wetland, Cerro Paraguas Wetland, Las Tablas Protected Zone, and Los Santos Forest Reserve. Climate change poses significant threats to these ecosystems, including changes in species physiology, shifts in plant and animal distribution, increased disease spread, reduced food availability, and lower reproduction rates. The ACLA-P region is particularly rich in biodiversity, featuring ecosystems such as savannas, páramos, cloud forests, oak forests, and wetlands. This makes it one of Costa Rica’s most biologically and culturally significant areas. The economic importance of Costa Rica’s protected areas is also critical. According to the International Center for Economic Policy for Sustainable Development (CINPE) at the National University, national parks and biological reserves generated over $1.8 billion in 2016, contributing around 3.15% of the country’s GDP. Degradation due to climate change could threaten this vital tourism revenue. Protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities is essential, making climate change adaptation measures within protected wildlands crucial. By transforming these areas into climate refuges, Costa Rica aims to preserve its natural heritage and safeguard its economic resources. This initiative underscores Costa Rica’s commitment to environmental conservation and could serve as a model for other nations facing similar challenges. For expats and tourists alike, the preservation of these natural wonders ensures that Costa Rica remains a vibrant destination rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage. The post Costa Rica Launches Climate Adaptation Plan for Protected Wildlife Areas appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

The Guardian view on climate-linked disasters: Spain’s tragedy will not be the last | Editorial

More than 200 deaths and widespread destruction in Valencia are the latest sign of danger in a warming worldThe death toll from floods in Spain’s Valencia region has topped 200. A huge clean-up is under way amid desperate conditions, with severe weather warnings still in place. The storms which caused this devastation – with roads turned into muddy rivers, thousands of homes deluged and cars swept into piles – were unprecedented. The gota fría, or “cold drop”, is a regular occurrence when cold autumnal air moves over the warm Mediterranean, causing dense clouds to form. But this rain, according to the Spanish weather service, was 10 times stronger than a normal downpour.Extreme weather in Spain, and the rest of southern Europe, is more commonly understood to mean dangerous heat, drought and wildfires. The regional government is under attack regarding the lack of sufficient warnings and there is no doubt that the severity of these floods came as a terrible shock.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

The death toll from floods in Spain’s Valencia region has topped 200. A huge clean-up is under way amid desperate conditions, with severe weather warnings still in place. The storms which caused this devastation – with roads turned into muddy rivers, thousands of homes deluged and cars swept into piles – were unprecedented. The gota fría, or “cold drop”, is a regular occurrence when cold autumnal air moves over the warm Mediterranean, causing dense clouds to form. But this rain, according to the Spanish weather service, was 10 times stronger than a normal downpour.Extreme weather in Spain, and the rest of southern Europe, is more commonly understood to mean dangerous heat, drought and wildfires. The regional government is under attack regarding the lack of sufficient warnings and there is no doubt that the severity of these floods came as a terrible shock.But in another sense, the events of the past week are part of a pattern. While the destruction is unprecedented, the analysis from climate scientists is familiar. Peer-reviewed attribution studies – which use computer models to ascertain the impact of global heating on specific events – take time to produce. But the head of the World Weather Attribution project said initial calculations suggest that rising temperatures made this week’s floods twice as likely. Another scientist, Stefano Materia, said the reduced absorbency of parched earth means droughts and floods should be viewed as two sides of the same coin. Like Hurricane Helene, which caused chaos and killed more than 220 people in the south-eastern US in September, and Storm Boris, which led to severe floods across central Europe, Spain’s deluge is proof of the havoc wreaked by climate instability.This week also brought some more hopeful news. Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by 8% in 2023, taking them to 37% below 1990 levels thanks to the boom in renewables. But the worrying lack of progress at the UN biodiversity summit in Colombia, combined with warnings about the likely impact on global environmental negotiations of a Trump victory, mean that expectations for this month’s climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, are not high. The fact that the host country is set to expand gas production, while energy giants Shell and BP are both scaling back green investments, points towards a political climate of resurgent denial.The Cop biodiversity process, which runs in parallel to the Cop climate talks, has never gathered the same momentum, despite the vital importance of protecting nature – including forests and oceans – and the way this is linked to the climate threat. Despite the framework agreed two years ago in Montreal, most countries do not even have an action plan to set alongside their emissions targets. Much of the argument in Colombia has focused on funding for poorer countries, and the role of government subsidies for environmentally harmful industries.In Spain, a large majority of the public recognises the threat from climate change and favours policies to address it. There, as in much of the world, catastrophic weather events that used to be regarded as “natural disasters” are now, rightly, seen instead as climate disasters. Policies that support people and places to adapt to heightened risks are urgently needed. Clear and timely warnings and recovery plans are part of this. But reducing the threat from dangerous weather, such as that which struck eastern, southern and central Spain this week, remains the greatest political challenge.

Washington State Vote a Harbinger for Wider Carbon Markets

By Timothy Gardner(Reuters) - A ballot initiative to ax Washington state's carbon market would, if passed next week, send an ominous signal to...

(Reuters) - A ballot initiative to ax Washington state's carbon market would, if passed next week, send an ominous signal to other U.S. states and Canadian regions looking to build markets aimed at cutting emissions that scientists blame for climate change.The carbon market, formed by the state's Climate Commitment Act (CCA), has raised more than $2 billion for programs including transit, wildfire protection, and salmon protection since its 2023 launch.It is supported by Native American tribes and environmental groups, as well as BP, a global energy company preparing for the potential wider adoption of such markets.Hedge fund manager Brian Heywood is leading the initiative in the Nov. 5 elections to repeal it. He blames CCA, which puts emissions limits on about 100 of the state's largest polluters, for spiking Washington's gasoline prices to the highest in the U.S. in mid-2023.Heywood, the millionaire Republican and CEO of Taiyo Pacific Partners, holds rallies for the initiative at gas stations, where he gives drivers money to reduce the cost of fill-ups."The guys that have to drive 45 minutes a day in their 2002 Honda sedans, they're the ones that get crushed, and no one's standing up for them, so I am," Heywood told Reuters.Backers of cap-and-trade carbon markets say they can efficiently tackle carbon emissions by harnessing the power of capitalism.In such markets, the government sets gradually falling limits on carbon pollution. Industry can meet the limits by reducing their emissions through investments in clean energy. If they reduce emissions they can sell allowances to other emitters who choose not to make the efficiency investments.Washington's market may eventually link to similar mechanisms in California and Quebec, which backers say would give industries a broader choice of credits.Luke Sherman, a carbon markets analyst at the consultancy Energy Aspects, said which way Washington votes could influence decisions in states like New York, which has proposed a carbon market to meet its 2050 carbon emissions goals, and in New Jersey and Maryland where some lawmakers support carbon markets.It could also help persuade California and northeastern states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to either broaden existing carbon markets to more industries or narrow them."How ambitious they want to be could certainly be influenced by their perception of voter support or rejection of carbon pricing in Washington," Sherman said.Washington state auctions of the allowances also earn revenues that it invests in projects from clean transit to salmon fisheries.Kelsey Nyland, a spokesperson for No On 2117, named after the ballot number, said if the measure passes it would cut billions of dollars in funding hurting "every corner of our state, putting major road and bridge projects addressing congestion, safety and freight mobility at risk of being delayed or even canceled."Community Transit, which serves Puget Sound, said it would lose about $200 million through 2038. Programs that could be hit include bus rapid transit, an efficient service featuring dedicated lanes."The last thing we'd like to cut is service to our customers, but that certainly could happen," said spokesperson Martin Munguia.A poll conducted in October sponsored by The Seattle Times and others showed 48% of respondents oppose the initiative, 30% said "yes" and 22% were undecided.Big fossil fuel companies could help overcome the measure.BP is working to defeat the initiative "because it moves the state backwards on climate action and endangers funding for key transportation infrastructure and other low-carbon projects," a spokesperson said. BP owns Cherry Point, the largest oil refinery in the Pacific Northwest. When asked whether it might oppose the measure because it would make any pollution allowances it owns worthless, BP referred to Washington state rules forbidding the disclosure of details on market positions.Energy Aspects' Sherman said if the measure succeeds, energy companies may have to face new state emissions regulations blunter in nature than carbon pricing."These regulations could be costlier for some emitters than their obligations under the cap-and-invest program," Sherman said.The Western States Petroleum Association has not opposed CCA, but wants changes to avoid fuel price spikes."Regardless of the election results, the program needs some fixes for it to be affordable for consumers and sustainable for the long run," said Jessica Spiegel, vice president, northwest region of WPSA.(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Marguerita Choy)Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters.Photos You Should See - Sept. 2024

Prince of Wales' Environmental Roadshow to Arrive in Africa Next Week

Prince William’s roadshow for environmental innovation will arrive in South Africa next week as the heir to the British throne announces the winners of his annual Earthshot Prize, aimed at finding new ways to combat climate change and other threats to the planet’s air, water and wildlife

LONDON (AP) — Prince William’s roadshow for environmental innovation will arrive in South Africa next week as the heir to the British throne announces the winners of his annual Earthshot Prize, aimed at finding new ways to combat climate change and other threats to the planet’s air, water and wildlife.William will travel to Cape Town for a series of events culminating in the awards ceremony two days later. The event marks the first time the 1 million pound ($1.2 million) prizes have been announced in Africa, following ceremonies in Britain, the U.S. and Singapore during the competition’s first three years.William created the prize in 2020 to encourage inventors and entrepreneurs to develop technologies to combat global warming and mitigate its impact. Taking the awards ceremony to Africa, a continent with which the prince has longstanding links, gives him a chance to learn more about the innovation that is taking place there, Kensington Palace said in a statement.“Despite contributing the least to global warming and having the lowest emissions, Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the impacts of climate change,’’ the palace said. “Yet in the face of these challenges, nearly all African countries have committed to enhancing climate action through reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilience.’’Among the finalists for this year’s prizes are a Kenyan company that makes solar energy systems for homes that aren’t connected to the energy grid, a Ghanaian organization that teaches people how to recycle and reuse waste instead of burning it, and a Kenyan firm that makes small solar-powered refrigeration units to help farmers and fisherman get their goods to market before they spoil.During his time in South Africa, William will meet with local groups to learn how they are working to protect and restore the planet — from protecting biodiversity in the Cape region to transforming the local fishing industry through new technology, the palace said.The trip is William’s first visit to South Africa since 2010 and his first to Africa since 2018, when he traveled to Namibia, Tanzania and Kenya.William has said he was inspired to found the prize after the 2018 trip, when he was struck by a sense of pessimism about the environment even after witnessing conservation work that was underway in Namibia.The Earthshot Prize is named after the late President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 “moonshot” speech, which challenged Americans to reach the moon by the end of that decade. William and his partners have set a similar goal for finding solutions to climate change and other environmental problems by 2030.“Levels of climate anxiety and despondency are high and political interventions are happening too slowly,” the prize says on its website. “We want to unleash the urgent optimism required to accelerate and scale the environmental innovations that will repair and regenerate our planet.”Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Photos You Should See - Sept. 2024

Climate Change Is Making Extreme Downpours in Spain Heavier and More Likely, Scientists Say

Human-caused climate change made Spain’s rainfall about 12% heavier and doubled the likelihood of a storm as intense as this week’s deluge of Valencia, according to a rapid but partial analysis Thursday by World Weather Attribution, a group of international scientists who study global warming’s role in extreme weather

Human-caused climate change made Spain’s rainfall about 12% heavier and doubled the likelihood of a storm as intense as this week’s deluge of Valencia, according to a rapid but partial analysis Thursday by World Weather Attribution, a group of international scientists who study global warming’s role in extreme weather.Monstrous flash floods in Spain claimed at least 158 lives, with 155 deaths confirmed in the eastern Valencia region alone. An unknown number of people are still missing and more victims could be found. Crews searched for bodies in stranded cars and sodden buildings Thursday.World Weather Attribution said climate change is the most likely explanation for extreme downpours in southern Spain, as a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to heavier downpours. The group noted its analysis is not a full, detailed attribution study, as the scientists did not use climate models to simulate the event in a world without human-caused warming. Scientists looked at historical observations of rainfall, which they say indicate that one-day bursts of rain in this region are increasing as emissions from the burning of fossil fuels warms the planet.“We haven’t had time yet to do a full attribution study about the flooding that’s just taken place in Spain. But what we have been able to do is to look at observations of rainfall in the area," said WWA expert Clair Barnes. “And based on the recorded rainfall, we’ve estimated that similar events have become about 12% more intense, and probably about twice as likely as they would have been in a pre-industrial climate, about 1.3 degrees (Celsius) cooler, without human-caused climate change.”“I’ve heard people saying that this is the new normal,” added Barnes, a statistician who researches extreme weather events and climate change at the Imperial College London. “Given that we are currently on track for 2.6 degrees of warming, or thereabouts, within this century, we are only halfway to the new normal.” Since the mid-1800s, the world has already heated up by 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit), up from previous estimates of 1.1 or 1.2 degrees because it includes the record heat last year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme’s annual Emissions Gap Report released last week. The world is on pace to hit 3.1 degrees Celsius (5.6 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times. But if nations somehow do all of what they promised in targets they submitted to the U.N., that warming could be limited to 2.6 degrees Celsius (4.7 degrees Fahrenheit), the report said. “These back-to-back events show how dangerous climate change already is with just 1.3 degrees Celsius of warming," Clarke said in a statement. ___The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Photos You Should See - Sept. 2024

Suggested Viewing

Join us to forge
a sustainable future

Our team is always growing.
Become a partner, volunteer, sponsor, or intern today.
Let us know how you would like to get involved!

CONTACT US

sign up for our mailing list to stay informed on the latest films and environmental headlines.

Subscribers receive a free day pass for streaming Cinema Verde.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.