Search Results for keywords:"greenhouse gas emissions"

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 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 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.

In a Notice of Inquiry, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is seeking new information and viewpoints from stakeholders regarding the certification of new interstate natural gas transportation facilities. This initiative is an effort to explore potential changes in their policies, especially concerning the necessity of proposed projects, environmental impacts, and the effects on communities, including those focused on environmental justice. FERC is also interested in improving the efficiency of the certification process and invites comments on several related questions, due by April 26, 2021, providing guidance on how stakeholders can submit their opinions.

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.

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.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is withdrawing its draft guidance on considering greenhouse gas emissions in line with President Biden's Executive Order 13990, which aims to protect public health and the environment. This rescission is part of a larger effort to update and align environmental policies with current climate goals. Although the draft guidance is withdrawn, agencies are encouraged to use available resources, including the 2016 guidance, when assessing the climate impact of their actions. The CEQ will later announce any updates to the previous guidance.

In a new executive order, the President directed all government agencies to review and potentially change or remove regulations from the past four years that conflict with national goals to protect public health and the environment and address climate change. The order also focuses on restoring national monuments and halting oil and gas activity in the Arctic Refuge to address environmental concerns. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of accurately assessing the costs of greenhouse gas emissions and revoked the 2019 permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, arguing it does not serve the national interest. This executive order seeks to promote environmental justice, reduce emissions, and prioritize the transition to a clean energy economy.

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 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has assessed that its proposed rule to implement consumer protections for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing will not have a significant impact on the environment. PACE loans help finance home improvements like solar panels and energy efficiency projects. The proposed rule would require lenders to ensure borrowers can repay these loans, potentially reducing the number of loans issued. While some argue this could limit environmental benefits from such projects, the CFPB found the rule's effect on the environment would be minimal and does not necessitate a more extensive environmental review.