Supreme Court decisions already threaten climate action

COURTS: Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions weakening federal policymaking authority are already giving regulators and agencies pause about implementing strong climate rules, for fear that they’ll be quickly overturned in court. (Grist)

POLITICS:

• Climate advocates see promise in Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy, saying she could better sell the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate benefits and prioritize environmental justice. (Inside Climate News)
• This week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago is expected to devote some time to climate change as energy and environment groups promote their messages. (E&E News)
• Republican leaders struggle to drum up support for repealing parts of the Inflation Reduction Act as its clean energy incentives head to Republican-represented districts. (E&E News)

OIL & GAS:

• A top fuel and petrochemical trade group racked up $8.1 million in spending on federal lobbying in the first half of 2024, marking the first time the group outspent individual oil and gas companies. (OpenSecrets)
• Advocates criticize Chevron for operating a local news website in the Permian Basin, saying it exists solely to prop up the industry. (Floodlight)

CLEAN ENERGY:

• The clean energy transition is generating enthusiasm and skepticism as a utility moves forward with plans to replace a central Minnesota coal plant with a large solar and storage project. (New York Times)
• A survey of non-union construction and maintenance workers in Texas’ solar and wind industries finds many have faced injuries, heat-related illness, or racial disparities in pay and benefits. (Houston Chronicle)

GRID:

• Unlike other states that have hardened their power grids in response to disasters, critics say Texas officials have allowed utilities to continue a costly pattern of destroy-and-rebuild. (Houston Chronicle)
• Analysts say a significant buildup of battery energy storage capacity over the last two years has helped California’s grid weather this summer’s heat wave-driven power demand spikes. (East Bay Times)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Georgia voters love the thousands of jobs accompanying a wave of electric vehicle and battery plants but still have doubts about electric vehicles themselves. (Politico)
• Despite recent electric vehicle job growth in Michigan, the state is seeing generally underwhelming interest in EV tech programs launching at community colleges across the state. (Bridge)

SOLAR:

• Experts share how advancing technology has made solar panels resilient in wind, small hail, and other weather conditions. (Washington Post)
• Solar power’s potential to help BIPOC farmers hold on to their land was among the key themes at a recent panel exploring agrivoltaics. (Energy News Network)