Circle of Blue

MAY 2, 2023

May 2, 2023 Fresh is a biweekly newsletter from Circle of Blue that unpacks the biggest international, state, and local policy news stories facing the Great Lakes region today. We work together to produce news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

2023 246

2023 Climate Change Natural Resources Pollution Control 246

Circle of Blue

MAY 16, 2022

Five Fixes for Michigan’s Drinking Water Woes The Great Lakes News Collaborative asked state and national experts how Michigan could break the cycle of underfunding and poor decision-making that has left water systems across Michigan in sorry shape. Throughout the Great Lakes region and across the U.S., water systems are aging. Consolidate.

2022 264

2022 Government Regulations 2011 264

Legal Planet

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

I’ve been thinking about the Berkeley Pit a lot lately as I’ve noticed growing attention in climate journalism and policy circles to one of the big policy hurdles for the clean energy transition: How will the U.S. pursue this new mining boom without repeating the mistakes of the past? Closer to home, a big concern is water.

Clean Energy 195

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Climate Change Law 195

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 15, 2022

Wind power is big, and getting bigger. And a lot more big-ness is coming. The good news is that there’s work being done in the right direction. Modeling by UCS ( here and here , for example) and others shows just how big a role wind power might play in getting the country off fossil fuels. Wind is impressive.

Wind Power 357

Wind Power Fossil Fuels Electricity Climate Change 357

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 5, 2023

Wildfires in 2021 temporarily closed Sequoia National Park and a popular part of Big Bend National Park in Texas. This summer has just started and wildfires have already led to closures in parks as far apart as Joshua Tree in California and Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida.

Climate Change 222

Climate Change 2018 2020 Paris Agreement 222

Legal Planet

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Back in September, I wrote about the carrot boycott and the hardball tactics by those big growers that had led to this fight. As a refresher: Cuyama Valley is groundwater dependent, which makes it a helluva place for two Big Ag carrot growers that produce 80% of the country’s carrots. They’re still not welcome at the table.

Law 195

Law 2024 195

Enviromental Defense

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

This winter, Big Oil companies are announcing their 2022 profits, and records are being shattered. Big Oil is raking in outrageous sums during a climate crisis, capitalizing on rising prices, while life gets harder for the rest of us. How big are the 2022 profits? Let’s take a look, with a focus on the Canadian industry.

2022 130

2022 Greenhouse Government Climate Change 130

Enviromental Defense

NOVEMBER 28, 2023

We got some bad news this month: a federal court judge ruled in favour of Big Plastic’s self-serving arguments and against the government’s approach to regulating plastic pollution. The good news is that the federal environment minister has already stated that the government will appeal the decision. We can’t afford that.

Regulations 99

Regulations Waste Environmental Protection Government 99

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Related Articles The Week - Energy: -- PA Taxpayers To Give $130.9 Million In Tax Credits To Subsidize Shell Petrochemical Plant In Beaver County; Total Expected To Be $1.17 Billion Thru 2042; No Regard For Environmental Compliance Record [PaEN] -- DEP Approves PennEnergy Resources 1.5

Natural Gas 106

Natural Gas Electricity 2024 2023 106

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

On February 14, 2024, Marcellus Drilling News reported National Fuel Gas Company , parent to Seneca Resources drilling and NFG Midstream pipeline companies, is suing a former employee and several vendors for buying and installing counterfeit parts at several compressor stations.” “One Click Here to read the Marcellus Drilling News article. [

Natural Gas 109

Natural Gas Air Pollution 2024 Carbon Emissions 109

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 30, 2021

But 2021 was a big year for environmental policy. The biggest news of 2021, for the environment as well as other reasons, was the replacement of Donald Trump by Joseph Biden. Another big news item was China ’s decision that it would no longer support the construction of coal-fired power plants in other countries.

2021 236

2021 Paris Agreement 2030 Carbon Emissions 236

Legal Planet

JUNE 21, 2021

This is bad, but it’s not the worst news. The worst news is that the situation is only going to get worse as climate change progresses. This isn’t end-of-the-world doom saying; it’s just the fact about the future of a big chunk of the United States.

Climate Change 263

Climate Change Cooling Law 263

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

million gallon per day water withdrawal and a permit to construct a water intake and temporary aboveground water pipeline from the Big Sewickley Creek in Economy Borough, Beaver County. Of concern to many commenters was the potential impact of the withdrawals on stocked trout and the recreational opportunities in Big Sewickley Creek.

Natural Gas 89

Natural Gas 2024 Environmental Protection 89

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 24, 2023

There’s good news in the recently released official data on electricity generation in the United States in 2022: renewable energy has continued to grow, coal power has continued to drop, and renewables are now firmly ahead of coal for the first time ever. They offer a lot of good news about clean energy progress.

Clean Energy 271

Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Solar Power 271

Inhabitant

NOVEMBER 15, 2022

Big news in renewable energy production: The world's largest floating wind farm has just successfully produced its first power.

Renewable Energy 103

Renewable Energy 103

Circle of Blue

AUGUST 2, 2021

They have given up on our ability to be able to do the big things. This is big. This is a big deal. News Briefs. The Senate began debate on a bipartisan infrastructure package with $550 billion in new spending. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Clean Water Act 189

Clean Water Act Recycling 2015 Ocean 189

Legal Planet

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

The headline news is that Minnesota has adopted a 2040 deadline for a carbon-free grid. Despite the law’s extremely unglamorous name (“Senate File 4”), this is a big step forward for the state, as well as evidence of how much difference it makes to unified party control of state government.

Renewable Energy 233

Renewable Energy Law Clean Energy Electricity 233

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

That’s more than double the current record and represents more than half of all new US capacity, according to recent Energy Information Administration EIA) data. The federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) also will make a big difference by making available hundreds of billions of dollars in new incentives for these technologies.

Electricity 344

Electricity Fossil Fuels Solar Power 2030 344

Environmental News Bits

AUGUST 4, 2023

Read the full story at Inside Climate News. One of the big questions in the clean energy transition is whether the increasing number of jobs in renewables will have pay and benefits that match those being lost in fossil fuel industries.

Fossil Fuels 75

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 75

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 16, 2023

But the good news is that we understand the problem and the source, so with strong collective action we can work to dramatically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and prevent the worst impacts of climate change. The good news is that there is a clear path to real climate action. Approaching 1.5 1) It starts with tracking emissions.

Fossil Fuels 277

Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Climate Change Sea Level 277

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 25, 2024

These are two more big steps toward a zero-tailpipe emissions future. From micro to mega: The projects provide support across vehicle segments from electric cars to electric big rig trucks, the kinds of trucks that use megawatt-level charging. So urbanicity is the key criteria guiding who can claim the credit.

Electricity 198

Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Natural Gas 198

Legal Planet

MARCH 30, 2023

According to the power sector news report UtilityDive : “Texas also led the country in renewable energy projects in 2021. Its 7,325 MW of new wind, solar and energy storage projects brought online last year far surpasses the 2,697 MW in the next most active state, California. Instead, Texas is doubling down on renewables.

Wind Power 130

Wind Power Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels Natural Gas 130

Circle of Blue

NOVEMBER 22, 2022

Fresh is a biweekly newsletter from Circle of Blue that unpacks the biggest international, state, and local policy news stories facing the Great Lakes region today. Fresh from the Great Lakes News Collaborative. In the News. Other News. Ann Arbor’s nearly $3m big dig to fight flooding nears completion.

2022 130

2022 Natural Resources Sea Level Climate Change 130

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 2, 2024

PaEN] -- Penn State Extension: Spotted Lanternfly News: Business Inspections Resume April 1; Training Opportunities -- Williamsport Sun: What To Do Before Spongy [Gypsy] Moths Damage Your Trees Irreplaceably -- Penn State Extension: Home Garden News: Master Gardener Plant Sale Directory -- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: Game Commission’s $3.2

Natural Gas 103

Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Earth Day Recycling 103

Environmental News Bits

AUGUST 21, 2023

Read the full story at PillarQ News. Although quantum computing is still in the early development stages, researchers are already leveraging the technology to help solve big challenges like reducing carbon in the atmosphere.

Atmosphere 75

Atmosphere Technology Technology 75

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 26, 2024

DEP Publish New Go Solar And Save Toolkit For Schools [PaEN] -- PUC To Investigate FirstEnergy PA Electric Utilities’ Proposed 28% to 40% Rate Increase -- PUC To Investigate PECO’s Proposed 12.3% Of Agriculture Now Accepting Applications For Agricultural Conservation Research Grants -- Dept. Electric, 23.2% Scott Martin, Rep.

Air Pollution 82

Air Pollution Electricity 2024 Natural Gas 82

Circle of Blue

APRIL 19, 2022

Fresh is a biweekly newsletter from Circle of Blue that unpacks the biggest international, state, and local policy news stories facing the Great Lakes region today. A pivotal decision last week brought New York one step closer to achieving its clean energy goals. Costa Constantinides, former New York City Council member.

Fossil Fuels 263

Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Renewable Energy Regulations 263

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 28, 2024

PA Politics - Everything Is Connected -- TribLive Editorial: Shapiro’s Big Idea On Colleges Needs More Detail -- PennLive Guest Essay: Purple Is The [Political] Color For 2024! - 26 Inspection Found Gas Bubbling From Well ] [PaEN] -- Environmental Hearing Board Denies Liberty Twp.,

Politics 104

Politics 2024 Natural Resources Conservation 104

Circle of Blue

APRIL 5, 2022

Let Circle of Blue reporters guide you through the biggest international, state, and local policy news stories facing the Great Lakes region today. Fresh from the Great Lakes News Collaborative. Michigan is spending big on infrastructure. In the News. Other News. Laura Gersony, Fresh Editor. Find all the work here.

2022 240

2022 Renewable Energy Pollution Control 2008 240

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 24, 2023

When a change as big as this is underway, it’s important to understand what impact it can have on employment and to take steps to ensure that workers benefit from the transition and aren’t left behind. This momentum is spreading across the country with US EV sales now over 9% and climbing.

Electricity 323

Electricity Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Recycling 323

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

The good news is that you’re arriving at a pivotal point when your work as a lawyer can make a big difference. The bad news is that we have a limited amount of time to get the situation under control. Dear 1L: You’ve gotten to law school at a crucial time for the future of the planet.

Renewable Energy 286

Renewable Energy Climate Change Law Electricity 286

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 28, 2024

The good news is that there are big opportunities right now to invest in transit systems. Transit service has been chronically underfunded —a vicious spiral that has partially led to the health and climate outcomes we see today.

Carbon Monoxide 325

Carbon Monoxide Greenhouse Climate Change 2024 325

Environmental News Bits

AUGUST 15, 2022

Read the full story at Chemical & Engineering News. The news came as Dow reported a second-quarter … Continue reading Dow unveils big plastics recycling initiative.

Recycling 80

Recycling 2030 Waste 80

Inhabitant

JANUARY 10, 2022

It's big news in an industry that has so far relied on EV chargers that are on-grid and permanently installed. Off-grid EV charger manufacturer Beam has now installed solar-powered off-grid EV chargers in more than 100 municipalities in the U.S. and around the world in Spain, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean.

Solar Power 108

Solar Power 108

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 4, 2023

This is welcome news. FERC’s new rules for connecting batteries to the power grid remove a major obstacle to using big batteries for grid reliability. Now, with the changes in arcane rules announced just last week by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), it will be much easier to replace them with battery storage.

Fossil Fuels 176

Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Electricity Climate Change 176

Environmental News Bits

JANUARY 29, 2024

Read the full story from Energy News Network. The region’s ability to produce green hydrogen — and iron pellets that don’t require coal — could put Minnesota at a big advantage as the industry seeks to decarbonize.

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40

Circle of Blue

DECEMBER 12, 2022

News Briefs. Lawmakers tied together two big legislative items, yoking a defense spending bill and a water infrastructure bill that authorizes billions of dollars of Army Corps of Engineers flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects. In context: Big Water Pipelines, an Old Pursuit, Still Alluring in Drying West.

Clean Water Act 130

Clean Water Act 2004 Ocean Government 130