Young conservatives seek an ​‘America First’ climate approach

POLITICS: A group of young conservative climate advocates say President-elect Trump’s return to office creates an opportunity for an ​“America-First” climate strategy to ​“win the clean energy arms race.” (Grist)

OVERSIGHT:

• EPA administrator nominee Lee Zeldin struggles to answer questions about environmental issues, including climate change, during his confirmation hearing, but pledges to uphold the agency’s mission and ​“foster a collaborative culture” supportive of career staff. (New York Times)
• Interior nominee Doug Bergum, a former North Dakota governor, continues the Trump administration’s ​“energy dominance” theme during his confirmation hearing, supporting expanded fossil fuel development as well as new transmission lines, but suggests climate change can be addressed with yet-unproven carbon capture. (E&E News)
• Bergum, whose state has roughly 4 GW of installed wind generation capacity, did not stake out a clear position on renewable energy, but did multiple times refer to a need for more ​“baseload power” to meet demand. (E&E News)

TRANSITION:

• A media analysis ranks how difficult it will be for the Trump administration to repeal various environmental regulations; meanwhile, analysts expect multiple executive orders seeking to dismantle Biden climate initiatives. (Washington Post, E&E News)
• Attorneys general from 17 mostly Democratic states send a letter to congressional leaders urging them to preserve the Inflation Reduction Act. (Solar Power World)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• The Biden administration finalizes a $6.57 billion loan to Rivian to help finance a new electric vehicle plant in Georgia. (The Hill)
• Some of California’s largest electric truck-charging depots turn to solar, battery or diesel-powered microgrids to power their facilities rather than waiting for utilities to expand their infrastructure. (Canary Media)

GRID:

• A virtual power plant startup offers free solar panels and battery systems to thousands of Texas homeowners that would provide backup power during outages but otherwise be used by the company as a grid resource. (Canary Media)
• Experts say focusing on ​“nonpolitical” benefits like grid resilience and energy security will help expand virtual power plants during the upcoming Trump administration. (Utility Dive)
• A fire breaks out at the Moss Landing battery energy storage center along California’s central coast — one of the world’s largest such facilities — forcing the evacuation of about 1,500 residents. (Mercury News)

ELECTRIFICATION: Massachusetts could have a hard time reaching its goals for heat pump adoption, as the state’s high electricity prices make operating the systems too costly for many households. (Boston Globe)

CLEAN ENERGY: Advocates say community benefits agreements are an effective way of garnering local residents’ support for proposed clean energy developments. (High Country News)