Search Results for keywords:"greenhouse gas emissions"

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a notice explaining why it rejected the Governor of Wyoming's recommendations regarding the Buffalo Field Office Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment and the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. The BLM determined that the Governor's suggestions did not align with national interests because they favored coal leasing, which conflicts with current federal policies and executive orders aimed at addressing climate change. The BLM emphasized its responsibility to balance state and national interests, focusing on policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support renewable energy. The agency found that continued coal leasing would not support these national goals and interests.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced an interim rule to help quantify, report, and verify greenhouse gas emissions linked with the production of biofuel feedstock crops grown using climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. This rule is part of an effort to provide standardized guidelines for farmers and other entities within the biofuel supply chain, aiming to boost participation in environmental service markets. By offering a more uniform approach, the USDA hopes to increase transparency and efficiency in tracking reduced-carbon intensity crops, potentially enhancing environmental benefits and market opportunities. Comments from the public will be considered by the USDA as they seek to finalize the rule, which remains open for feedback until March 18, 2025.

The final regulations from the Internal Revenue Service under the Treasury Department focus on implementing credits for producing clean hydrogen as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. These regulations cover how to assess greenhouse gas emissions, verify clean hydrogen production, and apply energy credits for hydrogen production facilities. They impact all taxpayers who either produce qualified clean hydrogen or use renewable energy sources to make it, aiming to encourage cleaner hydrogen production processes. The rules are effective from January 10, 2025.

The Department of the Army is adding to a previous environmental impact statement concerning necessary heat and electrical upgrades at Fort Wainwright in Alaska. The current coal-powered heating and power plant is old and poses safety and reliability issues, and its potential failure could impact mission readiness. The Army is examining several alternatives, including building new power infrastructure or continuing periodic upgrades to the existing system. They plan to release the updated environmental impact statement in 2025 and will invite the public to provide feedback.

The U.S. Department of Energy has decided to update energy conservation standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. These changes aim to make the heaters more energy-efficient, leading to significant energy savings while being both technologically feasible and economically justified. Starting December 26, 2029, manufacturers will need to comply with these new standards, which are calculated to save energy and money over the lifetime of the heaters and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, despite potential minor increases in electricity use. The overall benefits include costs savings for consumers and emissions reductions, though there will be conversion costs for manufacturers to meet these standards.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is considering a temporary waiver for the Buy America requirements on battery electric minibuses due to the lack of U.S.-manufactured options that meet these standards. This waiver would allow transit providers to buy these buses despite not meeting local manufacturing rules, as long as certain conditions are met, like having a battery-powered system and specific vehicle size and design features. The FTA seeks public feedback on whether they should implement this waiver or make any changes to it. If the waiver is granted, it will help improve access to zero-emission public transportation for routes with fewer passengers, potentially leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The Department of State announced a public meeting scheduled for February 4, 2025, to prepare for an upcoming session of the International Maritime Organization's Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping. The meeting will be held via teleconference and in-person at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. Items on the agenda include discussions on model training courses, human element roles, and new regulatory frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships. Interested members of the public planning to participate should contact the meeting coordinator by January 30, 2025, for access details and to ensure accommodation.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is asking for public comments on a new plan to gather information about greenhouse gas emissions from electricity producers. This information will help producers apply for certain tax credits related to emissions. The DOE plans to collect this data with the help of National Laboratories and aims to keep the process efficient through automated methods. The deadline for submitting comments is March 14, 2025.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 3,224 oil and gas leases across seven states, including Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. This action follows multiple lawsuits challenging the leases based on environmental concerns, such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts. The BLM is initiating a public scoping process allowing individuals to submit comments and suggestions until March 17, 2025, which will help shape the EIS. The process is meant to ensure the leasing decisions comply with environmental laws and policies, and it includes opportunities for public input throughout different stages.

DoD, GSA, and NASA have decided to withdraw a proposed rule that aimed to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for disclosing greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks. The proposal stemmed from Executive Order 14030 and involved major Federal suppliers setting science-based reduction targets. The decision to withdraw is due to the lack of time in the Biden-Harris Administration to finalize the rule and evolving industry practices and standards. The agencies will continue to monitor and consider future actions concerning greenhouse gas disclosure.