Trump on climate: “Who the hell cares?”
POLITICS: As voters go to the polls today, they face a stark choice between a continuation of Biden/Harris administration clean energy policies, or a rapid dismantling under former President Trump that officials say will face fewer roadblocks than during his first term. (E&E News)
ALSO:
- At a rally in Milwaukee over the weekend, Trump repeated his pledge to “terminate the green new scam,” insisted the earth is actually cooling, and said “who the hell cares” after giving misinformation about sea level rise. (Times of India)
- Climate change has been rarely discussed during the campaign: “we’re in an election that to many people on both sides feels like there’s issues with more immediate stakes,” in the words of one clean energy advocate. (Houston Chronicle)
- The head of a conservative climate group says she’s finding Republicans more willing to talk about cutting emissions, and is focused on preserving Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. (The Hill)
- Regulatory and legislative races in seven states could have an outsized impact on the U.S. clean energy transition. (E&E News)
TRANSMISSION: Lobbyists for Duke Energy and Southern Company have raised concerns about bipartisan energy permitting legislation they say could erode their control over transmission planning. (E&E News, subscription)
GRID:
- Federal energy regulators grapple with requests to co-locate data centers near power plants, and whether that could further jeopardize the adequate supplies on the grid. (Utility Dive)
- In New Jersey, however, spare generating capacity at nuclear plants and a new tax break program mean the state is well positioned to host data centers, utility PSEG says. (RTO Insider, subscription)
- California researchers find fixed time-of-use rates can reduce power consumption during peak demand by as much as 15%, with the biggest savings on hot days. (Energy Institute Blog)
SOLAR: New solar installations in North Carolina fell 40% from last year after Duke Energy lowered the rate it pays for rooftop solar, but longtime installers remain optimistic because of new home battery incentives. (Energy News Network)
OVERSIGHT: Advocates say a pending U.S. Supreme Court case over a proposed oil-hauling railway in Utah could “dramatically remake” federal environmental law if the justices side with industry. (Colorado Sun)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
- Electric vehicle startup Canoo furloughs 30 workers in Oklahoma as it struggles to raise capital, and company officials report it might have to “terminate or significantly curtail” its operations there. (Tulsa World)
- A Vermont electric aircraft startup tops $1 billion in equity capital, but questions remain about the climate benefits of the technology. (Canary Media)
