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Exxon Accused of Pressuring Witnesses in Climate Fraud Case
Prosecutors in New York are accusing ExxonMobil of trying to discourage potential witnesses from testifying about whether the oil giant misled investors over the costs it may face from future climate regulations. They are asking a judge to block Exxon from making what they describe as "unreasonable" and extensive requests for documents from the witnesses.
(InsideClimate News)
California Auto Emissions Plan Embraced by Ford, VW Had Been Rejected by EPA
Trump's EPA months ago rejected a fuel efficiency compromise that has since been agreed to by four major automakers and the state of California, new details show. "Looking back, it seems that they were never interested in negotiations or discussions," a spokesman for the California Air Resources Board said.
(Bloomberg)
EPA Submits Final Controversial Car Emissions Rule to the White House
Meanwhile, EPA has sent the White House the final draft of its policy to roll back Obama-era vehicle emissions standards. The White House review is the policy's second-to-last step before the controversial rule is implemented.
(The Hill)
How McConnell's Coal Guy is Helping Trump Remake Federal Energy Policy
Staffers and industry officials say President Trump and Neil Chatterjee, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, have politicized the independent agency usually known for nonpartisan rule-making. Under Chatterjee, a former Mitch McConnell aid, FERC has had a tough time retaining staff, filling a vacant commissioner post and issuing rulings.
(Politico)
FirstEnergy Solutions Moves to Dump Union Contracts for Bailed-Out Power Plants
FirstEnergy Solutions told a bankruptcy court it could not honor existing contracts with employee unions and that it intends to negotiate new bargaining agreements once it reorganizes. Ohio lawmakers recently approved a six-year, $1.1 billion bailout to be paid by power customers to help FirstEnergy Solutions' nuclear plants, and the company announced the money will also allow it to keep a "super-polluter" coal plant running.
(Utility Dive)
This Year’s Fire Season in California Could Be ‘Very Active’
Heading into late summer and fall, California faces an above-normal chance for large wildfires, according to a report by the National Interagency Fire Center. Heat, autumn winds and rain will all play into how perilous the 2019 wildfire season becomes.
(Washington Post)
China Coal Mine Approvals Surge Despite Climate Pledges
Approvals for building new coal mines in China have surged in 2019, government documents show. Beijing expects coal consumption to rise in the coming years, despite pledges to address smog and greenhouse gas emissions.
(Reuters)
U.S. Has Lost 24 Million Acres of Natural Land in 16 Years
A new report from a progressive think tank found that the United States lost 24 million acres of natural area between 2001 and 2017 due to agriculture, energy development, housing sprawl and other human factors. The loss of natural land makes the country more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, the report says.
(Reuters)
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