Mass Audubon’s Post

Rarely do I find an Op-Ed that so clearly crystalizes the megalomanic hubris of Trump, and how it will negatively impact our nation's and the world's environmental health as the attached Op-Ed does. Bottom Line: Trump is a vindictive megalomaniac who makes many decisions based on his bruised ego, rather than the facts of a situation. This is particularly evident in his opposition to wind turbines. #votebiden2024 #savetheenvironment https://lnkd.in/gfvfFduK

Forwarding a listing in the Front Porch Lincoln Forum Issue No. 3534 • Mar 11, 2024 “ Neighbors, Important climate legislation is being considered by the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy in Vermont's State Senate this year. Three bills are up for debate: S.252 (Thermal Energy Networks), H.668 (Low Income Electric Ratepayer Protection), and H.289 (Renewable Energy Standards). To ensure that our community's voice is heard, I've signed an open letter urging the committee to prioritize local, low-emissions energy, affordable community-based heat, and protection for low-income electric ratepayers from inevitable cost increases. Let's work together to build a more equitable future for our state and beyond. “ #climatepolicy #equitablefuture

ICYMI: The Biden-Harris Administration announced earlier this week that it will invest $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities — including $312 million to be invested right here in Ohio. Learn more about this historic investment in clean energy, climate action, and environmental justice: https://ow.ly/xpEt50RovIl

Take Action Now: https://lnkd.in/gR4Ydey7 [Take Action] Save Our Public Lands and Waters: Say No to the Energy Permitting Reform Act. This bill threatens our environment, public health, and climate. If adopted, it would weaken critical environmental protections, open up vast areas of public lands and offshore waters to more oil and gas drilling, and fast-track permits without sufficient review. Please tell your senator to vote NO on this harmful bill that prioritizes fossil fuel and mining interests over community safety, and diminishes the ability of impacted communities to challenge harmful projects!

Two new laws, passed off the Senate floor on March 1, just ahead of one of 2024’s last major legislative deadlines, demonstrate a deepening in Washington’s effort against climate change. HB 1589 requires the state’s largest gas utility (Puget Sound Energy) to plan for the transition to clean energy and create electrification programs to transition customers off of its gas system. Secondly, SB 6058 is the first of many steps in linking Washington’s landmark Climate Commitment Act (cap-and-invest) program with the California-Québec program, setting a solid standard for the entire country (and world) to pursue ambitious climate policies and prioritize benefits in historically overburdened communities. https://lnkd.in/gsGhcQiH

It was a great week for climate and communities with federal agencies announcing new regulations and programs that will slash greenhouse gas emissions, speed up clean energy development and reduce hazardous pollution. These steps will help ensure we have a stable climate and clean air and water. Here are just a few of the highlights: First up, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced a new rule for power plant emissions that will help the U.S. meet its goal of 100% clean power by 2035. This will give energy utilities and regulators the certainty they need to plan for and invest in our clean energy future. For us to achieve a clean energy future we need to build a lot more transmission to carry that clean energy to homes and businesses. Currently, that process takes a long time but with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s new transmission program and rules the average time for siting and permitting of new transmission could be cut in half! The EPA made two new announcements that they’re strengthening standards for the toxic waste, heavy metals and mercury emissions from coal power plants. This will provide cleaner air and water for our communities. In another win for communities, EPA announced $7 billion in Solar for All grants that will deliver residential solar power to over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Expanding access to the benefits of clean energy is good for these communities and for us all.

Starting next year, all highway projects in Minnesota will need to consider climate impacts during planning. This new mandate aims to cut down greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable infrastructure. Key highlights: 📜 🌎 New mandate - Minnesota's expanded law requires all major highway projects to consider climate impacts and align with state climate goals, including reducing driving by 20% by 2050. 🗺 🚧 Scope and coverage - The law now covers projects with budgets over $15mil in the Twin Cities and $5mil outside the metro, totaling over 12,000 miles of highways. 🚊 🚲 Mitigation efforts - Projects must offset greenhouse gas emissions through funding for transit, bicycle, or pedestrian programs. #ClimateAction #SustainableInfrastructure #Minnesota #ClimateMitigation #GHGReduction #SustainableInvestments #ClimateChange

If you missed it, here is a recording of today's Maryland Climate Solutions Now Act webinar. If you're responsible for a 35,000 SF (or larger) building in MD, then we need to talk about your energy and GHG strategy. https://lnkd.in/eq-r9Fq8 #climatepolicy #climateaction #climateeducation #climatejobs #climatefinance #beps #energyefficiency #energyengineering #energyaudit #greenbuilding #greenenergy #greenhousegas #greenengineering #greenenergysolutions #greenconstruction #energymodeling #ira

📝 Achieving net-zero emissions in Maryland means better health, new jobs and more opportunity.    This week, Gov. Wes Moore signed a comprehensive executive order that deploys a whole-of-government approach to fighting climate change by:   📝 Creating the Governor’s Subcabinet on Climate and requiring all Maryland agencies to submit a Climate Implementation Plan to the governor by November 1.    ✊ Ensuring all agency plans advance environmental justice by considering Justice40 goals, initiatives, and funding.   ☀️ Directing Maryland Department of the Environment to propose a zero-emission heating equipment standard regulation and a clean heat standard regulation.    🏭 Working with Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative states to establish a new regional cap for carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.   ⚡ Directing Maryland Energy Administration to establish a framework for a clean energy standard to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035.    🚌 Directing Maryland Department of Transportation to take several measures to promote clean transportation.   Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e2eMVypX

Grey Area Services diligently tracks new legislation that may impact our clients. Currently, legislators are considering measures to levy natural disaster cleanup costs on energy firms based on their historical greenhouse gas emissions. With the rapid advancement of climate research, scientists can now quantify the financial ramifications of natural disasters associated with oil companies' past emissions. In Maryland and four other states, lawmakers are introducing "climate Superfund" bills. These bills utilize sophisticated attribution models to evaluate damages and invoice fossil fuel companies accordingly for climate-related catastrophes. Vermont stands at the vanguard of this initiative, having already passed a groundbreaking bill through the Senate. #energyindustry #oilandgas #corporateintelligence https://lnkd.in/dGpZrXuS