Overnight Energy & Environment Presented by the American Petroleum Institute Democrats address reports that clean energy program will be axed |…
Welcome to Mondays Overnight Energy & Environment, your source for the latest news focused on energy, the environment and beyond. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup.
Today were looking at the possible doom of a key clean energy program, the Biden administrations forever chemicals plans and what the latest round of appropriations bills mean for the environment.
For The Hill, were Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk. Write to us with tips: rfrazin@thehill.com and zbudryk@thehill.com. Follow us on Twitter: @RachelFrazin and @BudrykZack.
Lets jump in.
Reports that clean energy program cut riles Capitol Hill
The Clean Electricity Performance Programs place in the reconciliation bill was cast in doubt late Friday amid reports that it would likely be cut amid opposition from Sen. Joe ManchinJoe ManchinOvernight Energy & Environment Presented by the American Petroleum Institute Democrats address reports that clean energy program will be axed Overnight Health Care Presented by Carequest Colin Powell's death highlights risks for immunocompromised Progressive coalition unveils ad to pressure Manchin on Biden spending plan MORE.
This was met with pushback from a number of Democrats.
It is a moral imperative for humanity and our planets future to reduce and eventually eliminate emissions, tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezOvernight Energy & Environment Presented by the American Petroleum Institute Democrats address reports that clean energy program will be axed Democratic retirements could make a tough midterm year even worse Sinema's no Manchin, no McCain and no maverick MORE (D-N.Y.). There are many ways to do it, but we cant afford to give up. Biden admin is already backing too many pipelines - we need clean energy.
Meanwhile, others touted the reconciliation bills other measures, with Sen. Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenOvernight Energy & Environment Presented by the American Petroleum Institute Democrats address reports that clean energy program will be axed America can end poverty among its elderly citizens Congress needs to step up on crypto, or Biden might crush it MORE (D-Ore.) highlighting clean energy tax credits.
While I strongly support the Clean Energy Payment Program, its important to note that the overwhelming majority of emissions reductions come from the energy tax overhaul, Wyden said in a statement over the weekend.
Wyden also discussed a carbon price with reporters on Monday.
"I'm working very closely with my colleagues on a carbon pricing issue," he told reporters, adding that moderate senators are interested in working on carbon pricing, particularly in light of recent climate-related events.
A MESSAGE FROM API
Europes ongoing energy crisis should make U.S. policymakers rethink pushing for a future where Americans daily lives and the U.S. economy will be virtually dependent on intermittent energy sources.Read more.
EPA to regulate certain types of 'forever chemicals' in drinking water in 2023
The Clean Electricity Performance Programs place in the reconciliation bill was cast in doubt late Friday amid reports that it would likely be cut amid opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)
The EPA on Monday released its strategy for addressing a type of cancer-linked chemicals called PFAS, including its plans to finish a rule to regulate certain types of PFAS in drinking water in 2023.
PFAS stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and these substances are a group of man-made chemicals that have been linked to health problems such as kidney and testicular cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure rates can be difficult to assess, but one 2015 study found PFAS to be in the blood of 97 percent of Americans.
The EPAs overall strategy is focused on researching PFAS, restricting their release into the air, land and water and broadening cleanup efforts.
What are the specifics?: The agencys drinking water limit pertains to certain types of PFAS called PFOA and PFOS, saying it hopes to propose an enforceable drinking water limit for them in fall 2022 and finalize it in fall 2023.
The Trump administration also eyed regulating PFOA and PFOS, proposing its own regulation on the substances last year.
The drinking water standard is a long-awaited milestone for environmental advocates, but some have called for PFAS to be regulated as an entire group instead of on an individual basis because there are hundreds of them and they can occur in mixtures.
The EPA is also developing a new testing strategy for the substances.
As part of that strategy, the agency is expected to require manufacturers to conduct and fund studies, and could issue testing orders by the end of this year.
Read more about the announcement here
Democratic appropriations bills would increase environmental funding by $6B
The 2022 bill would include discretionary funding of $44.6 billion, as well as $2.4 billion for the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund.
The bills provisions also include advanced appropriations for the Indian Health Service for the first time. The appropriations include $7.6 billion for Indian Health Service, $1.38 billion more compared to the level enacted in fiscal 2021.
It would also increase funding for the Environmental Protection Agency by $1.3 billion compared to fiscal year 2021, for a total of $10.54 billion. This increase, according to committee leadership, would enable the agency to hire nearly 1,000 staffers shed over the last decade.
The appropriations bill would also increase funding for environmental justice, a major stated priority of Administrator Michael Regan, from $12 million to more than $200 million.
After an unprecedented wildfire season in the western and northwestern U.S., the bill would also provide $3.845 billion for wildfire suppression, $2.45 billion of which would go to the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund.
Read more about the appropriations bills here
ON TAP TOMORROW
A MESSAGE FROM API
Europes ongoing energy crisis should make U.S. policymakers rethink pushing for a future where Americans daily lives and the U.S. economy will be virtually dependent on intermittent energy sources.Read more.
WHAT WERE READING
Coast Guard designates cargo vessel as party in interest in oil spill, The Los Angeles Times reports
The Biomass Industry Expands Across the South, Thanks in Part to UK Subsidies. Critics Say its Not Carbon Neutral, Inside Climate News reports
OPEC+ misses target again, as some members struggle to raise oil output, Reuters reports
Judge orders revised Mexican gray wolf recovery plan, E&E News reports
ICYMI
And finally, something offbeat and off-beat: Just right
Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills energy & environment page for the latest news and coverage. Well see you tomorrow.
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Overnight Energy & Environment Presented by the American Petroleum Institute Democrats address reports that clean energy program will be axed |...
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