Summary

The production, delivery, and use of energy sources can have effects on the environment. The type and size of the effects vary.

  • There are many issues related to Energy & Environment that Congress is looking to address with legislation. In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues and potential solutions, party positions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant committees, chairs, & caucuses; departments & agencies; and the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
  • The Energy & Environment category has related posts and three posts on issues of particular focus: Climate Change, Carbon-based Fuel, and Pollution.

To participate in ongoing forums, ask the post’s curators questions, and make suggestions, scroll to the ‘Discuss’ section at the bottom of each post or select the “comment” icon.

The Dual Challenge: Energy and Environment
TEDx Talks – 09/05/2022 (17:51)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnT-PYHaSxA

The world faces two important and interrelated challenges. Affordable and reliable energy for all, and protecting the environment. The energy-environment challenge is not simple, but it is solvable if we understand and address the complex fabric of energy security, scale of energy demand, physics of energy density, distribution of energy resources, interconnectedness of the land, air, water and atmosphere, and the extreme disparity in global wealth and economic health.

The truth is that there are no good and bad, clean and dirty, renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. They all have benefits, and they all have challenges. Climate change is an important issue, but it is not the only environmental issue. Solar and wind are important low carbon solutions, but they are only part of the solution. We must put our best minds to the task of addressing the dual challenge, working together to better the world. Dr. Scott Tinker is a global explorer who works to bring industry, government, academia, and NGOs together to address major societal challenges in energy, the environment, and the economy. Dr. Tinker is Director of the 250-person Bureau of Economic Geology, the State Geologist of Texas, and a professor holding the Allday Endowed Chair in the Jackson School of Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. Scott formed and is Chairman of the nonprofit Switch Energy Alliance (SEA), and together with Director Harry Lynch, co-produced and is featured in the award-winning energy documentary films Switch and Switch On, which have been screened in over 50 countries to more than 15 million viewers and are used on thousands of educational campuses worldwide. SEA produced Switch Classroom, used in AP Environmental Science classes nationwide. Scott is the creator and voice of Earth Date, a weekly program featured on over 425 public radio stations in all 50 United States. In his visits to some 60 countries, Scott has given nearly 1000 keynote and invited lectures. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

OnAir Post: Energy & Environment

News

Texas goes green: How oil country became the renewable energy leader
PBS NewsHour – December 4, 2023 (07:34)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q-QNnKUutM

One of the big announcements at the UN climate conference this weekend in Dubai was a pledge by more than 110 countries to triple the amount of renewable energy they are generating by 2030. That work is already underway in a rather unlikely place. William Brangham reports in collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center and with support from the Pulitzer Center.

How carbon removal might scale up
Axios, Ben Geman – February 21, 2024

Carbon removal is hardly a sure thing, and a useful new Substack post explores what might cause a failure to launch.

Driving the news: Nan Ransohoff of Frontier — a group of huge corporations building market demand — published highlights of their “red team” exercise to identify and overcome problems.

Why it matters: Carbon removal could complement clean energy and industrial tech and even help bring temperatures back down if the world misses Paris goals.

  • Demand is rising but remains far below what’s needed to achieve the multiple gigaton-scale per year envisioned to make removal a viable solution.

The big picture: Getting on track for science-based 2050 targets means (back of the envelope) around 50-100 million tons of removal by 2030. At an average cost of $200/ton (or lower), that’s $20 billion annually, vastly more than today’s trajectory.

About

Issues & Potential Legislative Solutions

1. Climate Change

  • Issue: Rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea level rise.
  • Solution: Implement carbon pricing mechanisms, invest in renewable energy infrastructure, and enact policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Fossil Fuel Dependence

  • Issue: Reliance on fossil fuels contributes to climate change and air pollution.
  • Solution: Transition to cleaner energy sources, provide incentives for renewable energy adoption, and invest in energy efficiency programs.

3. Deforestation

  • Issue: Loss of forests contributes to climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil erosion.
  • Solution: Implement stricter deforestation laws, create protected areas, and support sustainable forestry practices.

4. Water Scarcity

  • Issue: Increasing water scarcity due to population growth, climate change, and pollution.
  • Solution: Improve water management practices, invest in water conservation technologies, and promote sustainable agriculture.

5. Air Pollution

  • Issue: Air pollution causes respiratory diseases, heart problems, and premature death.
  • Solution: Enforce stricter emissions standards for vehicles and industries, promote cleaner transportation options, and improve air quality monitoring.

6. Plastic Pollution

  • Issue: Plastic waste contaminates oceans, landfills, and ecosystems.
  • Solution: Reduce plastic production and consumption, implement recycling programs, and invest in sustainable packaging alternatives.

7. Nuclear Waste

  • Issue: Safe disposal of nuclear waste remains a challenge.
  • Solution: Develop advanced nuclear waste storage and disposal technologies, improve nuclear safety regulations, and explore alternative energy sources.

8. Energy Poverty

  • Issue: Lack of access to affordable and reliable energy, particularly in developing countries.
  • Solution: Invest in renewable energy infrastructure, provide subsidies for energy-efficient appliances, and expand energy access programs.

9. Biodiversity Loss

  • Issue: Habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution are leading to a decline in biodiversity.
  • Solution: Establish protected areas, promote sustainable land use practices, and combat illegal wildlife trade.

10. Energy Security

  • Issue: Dependence on foreign energy sources can pose security risks.
  • Solution: Diversify energy sources, invest in domestic energy production, and improve energy efficiency.

Source: Google Search + Bard AI + onAir curation

Party positions

Republican Party platform: In 2020, the Republican Party decided not to write a platform for that presidential election cycle, instead simply expressing its support for Donald Trump’s agenda.

Democratic Party platform:

Democratic Party Positions

  • Climate Change Mitigation: Recognize the threat posed by climate change and support measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, promoting energy efficiency, and investing in clean energy research.
  • Clean Energy Transition: Support policies that accelerate the transition to clean energy sources, including solar, wind, and geothermal, and phase out fossil fuels.
  • Environmental Protection: Prioritize protecting the environment and public health by enforcing environmental regulations, preserving natural resources, and addressing pollution concerns.
  • Renewable Energy Expansion: Promote the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies through incentives, tax credits, and research funding.
  • Energy Efficiency Standards: Establish and strengthen energy efficiency standards for buildings, appliances, and transportation to reduce energy consumption.

Republican Party Positions

  • Energy Independence: Emphasize reducing US dependence on foreign oil through increased domestic energy production, including oil and natural gas.
  • Fossil Fuel Support: Support the use of fossil fuels as the primary energy source for the US and oppose policies that restrict their production or use.
  • Nuclear Energy: Advocate for the expansion of nuclear energy as a clean and reliable baseload energy source.
  • Market-Based Solutions: Favor market mechanisms to address environmental concerns, such as carbon trading and cap-and-trade programs.
  • Energy Exploration: Promote policies that encourage exploration and development of domestic energy resources, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewable energy sources.

Other Key Issues

  • Fracking: Democrats generally oppose hydraulic fracturing (fracking) due to environmental concerns, while Republicans support its use as a means of increasing domestic energy production.
  • Environmental Regulation: Democrats support strengthening environmental regulations, while Republicans favor reducing regulatory burdens on businesses.
  • Climate Change Science: Democrats accept the consensus among climate scientists that human activities are largely responsible for climate change, while Republicans have a range of views on the issue.
  • Offshore Drilling: Democrats generally oppose increased offshore drilling for oil and gas, while Republicans support it.
  • Oil Pipelines: Democrats oppose the construction of new oil pipelines, while Republicans support them as necessary infrastructure for increasing energy independence.

Source: Google Search + Gemini + onAir curation

Websites

Government Agencies

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov/
  • Department of Energy (DOE): https://www.energy.gov/
  • Department of the Interior: https://www.doi.gov/
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): https://www.noaa.gov/
  • National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/

Non-Profit Organizations

  • Sierra Club: https://www.sierraclub.org/
  • Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): https://www.nrdc.org/
  • Environmental Defense Fund: https://www.edf.org/
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF): https://www.worldwildlife.org/
  • The Nature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/

Research Institutions

  • National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): https://www.nrel.gov/
  • Argonne National Laboratory: https://www.anl.gov/
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: https://www.lbl.gov/
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Energy Initiative: https://energy.mit.edu/
  • Stanford University Energy Resources Engineering: https://ere.stanford.edu/

News and Information Sources

  • Energy News Network: https://energynews.us/
  • ClimateWire: https://www.eenews.net/climatewire
  • Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/
  • National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
  • The New York Times Climate & Environment: https://www.nytimes.com/section/climate

Industry and Trade Associations

  • American Petroleum Institute (API): https://www.api.org/
  • American Gas Association (AGA): https://www.aga.org/
  • Edison Electric Institute (EEI): https://www.eei.org/
  • American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE): https://acore.org/
  • Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): https://www.seia.org/

Source: Google Search + Gemini + onAir curation

Departments & Agencies

Departments

Source: Google Search + Gemini + onAir curation

Department of Energy (DOE)

  • Responsible for developing and implementing national energy policy, promoting energy efficiency, and supporting renewable energy research and development.

Department of the Interior (DOI)

  • Manages federal lands and resources, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and offshore areas. Plays a role in the regulation of oil and gas drilling and mining on public lands.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

  • Enforces environmental regulations, sets standards for air and water quality, and manages hazardous waste disposal. Regulates emissions from power plants and vehicles.

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

  • Supports sustainable agriculture practices, provides funding for renewable energy projects, and manages forests and grasslands.

Department of Transportation (DOT)

  • Oversees transportation policy, including regulations on fuel efficiency and vehicle emissions standards.

Department of Commerce (DOC)

  • Promotes economic growth through science and technology, including research and development of energy-efficient technologies.

Department of Defense (DOD)

  • Consumes significant amounts of energy and is responsible for developing energy-efficient technologies and reducing its carbon footprint.

Department of State

  • Represents the US in international negotiations on climate change, clean energy technology, and other environmental issues.

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)

  • Advises the President and oversees the implementation of environmental laws and policies across federal agencies.

Agencies

Source: Google Search + Gemini + onAir curation

Energy

  • Department of Energy (DOE): Primary federal agency responsible for energy policy, scientific research, and energy production and distribution.
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Regulates air and water pollution, hazardous waste disposal, and other environmental impacts of energy production and use.
  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): Licenses and regulates nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities.
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): Regulates interstate transmission of electricity and gas, and issues permits for hydropower projects.
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA): Collects and disseminates energy-related data and statistics.

Environment

  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Primary federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Monitors weather, climate, and marine ecosystems.
  • United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): Protects and manages endangered species and their habitats.
  • National Park Service (NPS): Preserves and protects national parks and other public lands.
  • Forest Service (FS): Manages national forests and other public lands for multiple uses, including timber production and recreation.

Committees & Caucuses

Committees

Source: Google Search + Gemini + onAir curation

House of Representatives

  • Committee on Energy and Commerce
    • Subcommittee on Energy
    • Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change
  • Committee on Natural Resources
    • Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
    • Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife
  • Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
    • Subcommittee on Energy and Environment
  • Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
    • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
    • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
  • Committee on Ways and Means
    • Subcommittee on Tax Policy

Senate

  • Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
    • Subcommittee on Energy
    • Subcommittee on Water and Power
    • Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining
  • Committee on Environment and Public Works
    • Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
    • Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, and Environmental Justice
    • Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Committee on Finance
    • Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure
  • Committee on Foreign Relations
    • Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection
  • Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
    • Subcommittee on Emergency Management, Preparedness, and Response

Joint Committees

  • Joint Committee on Energy and Water Development
    • Subcommittee on Energy
    • Subcommittee on Water Resources

Caucuses

Source: Google Search + Gemini + onAir curation

Caucuses Related to Climate Change and Clean Energy

  • Congressional Climate Solutions Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ)): Focuses on developing bipartisan climate solutions.
  • Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL)): Promotes the deployment of clean energy technologies.
  • Climate Change Solutions Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA)): Seeks common ground on addressing climate change.

Caucuses Related to Environmental Protection

  • Congressional Environmental Conservation Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR)): Advocates for the protection and conservation of natural resources.
  • Congressional Rural Environmental Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-NY), Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH)): Addresses environmental issues affecting rural communities.
  • Congressional Water Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Rep. David Valadao (R-CA)): Focuses on water security and management.

Caucuses Related to Energy Security and Independence

  • Congressional Energy Security Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX)): Promotes energy independence and security.
  • Congressional Solar Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH)): Advocates for the expansion of solar energy.
  • Nuclear Energy Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL)): Supports the use of nuclear energy for power generation.

Caucuses Related to Specific Energy Sources

  • Advanced Energy Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)): Promotes advanced energy technologies.
  • American Energy Innovation Council (Co-Chairs: Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), Rep. John Curtis (R-UT)): Focuses on innovation and research in the energy sector.
  • Bioenergy Caucus (Co-Chairs: Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL)): Supports the use of bioenergy as a renewable fuel source.

More Information

Judiciary

Source: Google Search + Bard AI + onAir curation

The Judiciary and Energy & Environment: A Complex Relationship

The judiciary plays a pivotal role in shaping energy and environmental policy. Through its interpretation of laws and regulations, the judiciary can significantly influence the direction and pace of environmental protection and energy development.

Key Areas of Interaction:

  1. Environmental Law Interpretation:
    • Statutory Construction: Courts interpret environmental laws, such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act, to determine their scope and applicability.
    • Regulatory Review: The judiciary reviews agency regulations to ensure they are consistent with statutory authority and do not exceed the agency’s delegated powers.
  2. Environmental Permitting:
    • Permit Challenges: Courts often hear challenges to environmental permits issued by regulatory agencies. These challenges can be based on procedural errors, substantive violations, or inadequate environmental review.
  3. Environmental Enforcement:
    • Civil and Criminal Penalties: Courts impose penalties on entities that violate environmental laws, including fines, injunctions, and even criminal sanctions.
  4. Climate Change Litigation:
    • Policy Challenges: Courts have been increasingly involved in climate change litigation, addressing issues such as the federal government’s responsibility to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and the liability of fossil fuel companies for climate change-related damages.

Factors Influencing Judicial Decisions:

  • Scientific Evidence: Courts often rely on scientific evidence to inform their decisions on environmental matters.
  • Economic Impacts: The judiciary may consider the economic consequences of environmental regulations, particularly when balancing environmental protection with other societal interests.
  • Political Climate: The political climate can influence judicial appointments and decision-making, potentially impacting the interpretation of environmental laws.

Examples of Significant Judicial Rulings:

  • Massachusetts v. EPA (2007): The Supreme Court held that the EPA had a duty to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
  • West Virginia v. EPA (2022): The Supreme Court limited the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

In conclusion, the relationship between the judiciary and energy & environment is complex and dynamic. The judiciary’s rulings can have far-reaching implications for environmental protection, energy development, and the overall quality of life.

Partisan Organizations

Source: Google Search + Gemini + onAir curation

Energy

  • American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE): Promotes the development of renewable energy in the United States.
  • American Gas Association (AGA): Represents the natural gas industry in the United States.
  • Edison Electric Institute (EEI): Represents the investor-owned electric utility industry in the United States.
  • Energy Information Administration (EIA): Provides independent data and analysis on energy issues.
  • Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI): Represents the nuclear energy industry in the United States.

Environment

  • Environmental Defense Fund (EDF): Focuses on protecting the environment through science, advocacy, and legal action.
  • National Audubon Society (NAS): Conserves birds and their habitats.
  • National Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Protects the environment through research, advocacy, and legal action.
  • Sierra Club: Promotes the conservation and exploration of nature.
  • Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS): Provides scientific information to policymakers and the public on environmental issues.

Other

  • American Petroleum Institute (API): Represents the oil and gas industry in the United States.
  • Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Provides policy analysis on international issues, including energy and the environment.
  • Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ): Advises the President on environmental policy.
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Regulates environmental protection in the United States.
  • National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM): Advises the government and the public on scientific and technical issues

Nonpartisan Organizations

Source: Google Search + Gemini + onAir curation

Democratic

  • Environmental Defense Fund (EDF): Advocates for policies that protect air, water, and land while promoting clean energy and climate resilience.
  • Sierra Club: The nation’s largest grassroots environmental organization, focusing on protecting wilderness, promoting clean energy, and advocating for climate action.
  • Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Works to safeguard the environment, public health, and natural resources through litigation, advocacy, and scientific research.
  • Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS): Provides scientific expertise to inform public discourse on environmental and energy issues.

Republican

  • American Petroleum Institute (API): Represents oil and natural gas producers and supports policies that promote domestic energy production and economic growth.
  • American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE): Advocates for the use of coal-fired power plants and opposes policies that restrict their operation.
  • National Mining Association (NMA): Represents mining companies and supports policies that promote domestic mineral production and reduce regulatory burdens.
  • Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA): Represents independent oil and gas producers and supports policies that promote domestic energy development and reduce taxes.

“Climate and energy” (Wiki)


The world’s climate determines the pattern of its winds. These winds are now increasingly used as a source of energy.

In the 21st century, the Earth’s climate and its energy policy interact and their relationship is studied and governed by a variety of national and international institutions.[1]

The relationships between energy-resource depletion, climate change, health resources and the environment, and the effects that they have on each other, have been subject to numerous scientific studies and research efforts.[2] As a result, a majority of governments [3] see climate and energy as two of the most important policy goals of the twenty first century. [4][5][6]

The correlation between climate and energy rests on known causal relationships between human population growth, rising energy consumption and land use and the resulting greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.[7][8][9][10][11]

The concern for climate change control and mitigation has consequently spurred policy makers and scientists to treat energy use and global climate as an inextricable nexus with effects also going in reverse direction[12] and create various initiatives, institutions and think tanks for a high-level treatment of the relationships:

See also

References

  1. ^ Zelli; Bäckstrand; Nasiritousi; Skovgaard; Widerberg (2020), Governing the Climate-Energy Nexus, Cambridge University Press, pp. 1–8, ISBN 9781108484817
  2. ^ Khan, Syed Abdul Rehman; Zaman, Khalid; Zhang, Yu (2016-09-01). “The relationship between energy-resource depletion, climate change, health resources and the environmental Kuznets curve: Evidence from the panel of selected developed countries”. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 62: 468–477. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2016.04.061. ISSN 1364-0321.
  3. ^ Martin. “Climate Change”. United Nations Sustainable Development. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
  4. ^ Colman, Zack. “Biden says U.S. will quadruple climate aid to poor countries”. POLITICO. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
  5. ^ “The countries most vulnerable to climate change are leading the way”. Climate Change and Law Collection. doi:10.1163/9789004322714_cclc_2018-0256-004. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
  6. ^ “Issues and priorities for the Twenty-first Century”. www.ciesin.org. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
  7. ^ Jones, Glenn A.; Warner, Kevin J. (2016). “The 21st century population-energy-climate nexus”. Energy Policy. 93. Elsevier BV: 206–212. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2016.02.044. ISSN 0301-4215.
  8. ^ Dale, Virginia H.; Efroymson, Rebecca A.; Kline, Keith L. (2011-05-15). “The land use–climate change–energy nexus”. Landscape Ecology. 26 (6). Springer Nature: 755–773. Bibcode:2011AGUFMPA32A..03D. doi:10.1007/s10980-011-9606-2. ISSN 0921-2973. S2CID 2077651.
  9. ^ Ram Avtar; Saurabh Tripathi; Ashwani Kumar Aggarwal; Pankaj Kumar (2019). “Population–Urbanization–Energy Nexus: A Review”. Resources. 8 (3): 136. doi:10.3390/resources8030136.
  10. ^ Paolo D’Odorico; Kyle Frankel Davi (2018). “The Global Food-Energy-Water Nexus”. Reviews of Geophysics. 56 (3): 456–531. Bibcode:2018RvGeo..56..456D. doi:10.1029/2017RG000591. hdl:11577/3286061.
  11. ^ Mullan, B.; Haqq-Misra, J. (2019). “Population growth, energy use, and the implications for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence”. Futures. 106. Elsevier BV: 4–17. arXiv:1806.06474. Bibcode:2019Fut…106….4M. doi:10.1016/j.futures.2018.06.009. ISSN 0016-3287. S2CID 119387595.
  12. ^ “Climate Impacts on Energy – Climate Change Impacts”. US EPA. 2016-05-25. Retrieved 2018-03-01.


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_and_energy