Environmental Politics

Power Companies Spend Millions To Fight Maine’s Proposed Non-Profit Utility

"Residents in Maine are about to be bombarded with a multimillion-dollar public relations campaign aimed at saving the state’s two dominant electric utilities from being voted out of existence in November."

Source: Floodlight, 06/20/2023

"UN Adopts World's First Treaty To Protect High Seas Biodiversity"

"NEW YORK - The U.N. has adopted the world's first treaty to protect the high seas and preserve marine biodiversity in international waters, marking a milestone after nearly 20 years of effort, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced Monday.

The adoption followed an agreement reached in March by more than 100 countries on the of text of the High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction treaty, after more than 15 years of discussions and five rounds of U.N.-led negotiations.

Source: Reuters, 06/20/2023

Both Sides Now — How Permitting Reform May Affect Fossil Fuel, Clean Energy Industries

It’s a political knot with the potential to tangle the fossil energy industry, the clean energy industry … or both. Environmental journalists looking to better report on the impacts of permitting reform can start with our latest Backgrounder, which explores the issue’s recent history and the competing visions that have stalled changes. There’s also the “backroom problem.” Plus, get a rundown of key actors.

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Watching the Watchers: How Journalistic Teamwork Uncovered Years of Regulatory Failure in Texas

After a massive fire at a Texas petrochemical storage facility, reporters from Public Health Watch and The Texas Tribune worked together to shed light on who was responsible for this disaster and what health threats had been hidden from the public. This behind-the-scenes report from Public Health Watch’s David Leffler and Savanna Strott looks at the challenges the team faced and how they overcame them.

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Power Firms Quietly Pushed $215m Into US Politics Via Dark Money Groups

"US power companies have made political donations of at least $215m to dark money groups in recent years, according to a new analysis of 25 for-profit utilities, amid growing concerns around how they wield influence." "Donations have helped utilities increase electricity prices, hinder solar schemes and helped elect sympathetic legislators".

Source: Floodlight, 06/16/2023

"UN Chief To Fossil Fuel Firms: Stop Trying To 'Knee-Cap' Climate Progress"

"U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday that countries must start phasing out oil, coal and gas - not just emissions - and demanded fossil fuel companies "cease and desist" measures that aim to "knee-cap" climate progress."

Source: Reuters, 06/16/2023

"White House Sets Fast Pace For Energy, Climate Rules"

"The Interior and Energy departments will spend the coming months trying to cement some of the White House’s critical energy ambitions, ahead of an election year in which Republicans are likely to attack President Joe Biden’s focus on boosting renewables and cutting planet-warming emissions."

Source: E&E News, 06/15/2023

PacifiCorp Could Owe Billions After Verdict In Devastating Oregon Wildfires

"A jury on Wednesday ordered the electric utility PacifiCorp to pay punitive damages for causing devastating wildfires in Oregon in 2020 — on top of an earlier verdict already expected to amount to billions of dollars."

Source: AP, 06/15/2023

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