Welcome back.
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin’s support for the game-changing climate legislation known as the Inflation Reduction Act came at a steep price. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer agreed to a “side deal” – separate legislation that would green-light remaining permits for the troubled Mountain Valley Pipeline, along with other “permitting reforms” to open the flood gates for massive fossil infrastructure build-out. Those back room power maneuvers collided with intensive, organized popular revolt – resulting in a big win for the planet this week. Our featured story includes two articles and a press release to catch you up on the high-stakes action behind this nasty bill, which is down but not quite dead.
The war in Ukraine and resulting energy crisis has created an urgent and complicated problem that deserves serious attention and effort to solve. But it’s offered a big opportunity for the fossil fuel industry* – especially natural gas developers and transporters – to claim that they represent the only possible solution. This is false, but the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission finds itself swayed by relentless lobbying around this argument. It’s setting aside promises to consider climate impacts of new infrastructure projects and explore greener alternatives in favor of approving more Liquefied Natural Gas export capacity – the latest shiny object.
(*We’re featuring a Texas group lobbying against climate action. Come for the denial, but stay for the fashion!)
Meanwhile, there are new opportunities to expand the scope of gas bans in buildings. Activists are working to remove gas appliances from federally assisted housing – pointing to poor indoor air quality and attendant physical and mental health problems associated with leaks and emissions from these units. Environmental justice communities tend to be doubly burdened by air pollution – both indoors and out.
Climate news includes data from the real and virtual worlds. Actual scientific data shows that New England winters really are getting warmer, while climate misinformation is what’s heating up on Twitter. Good job, Elon – your little vanity project is super hardcore!
Fortunately, the real world is putting points on the board. Russian weaponization of fossil fuels has decisively tipped the scales in favor of clean energy, accelerating its rate of deployment well beyond previous projections. And energy efficiency, the cheapest, fastest, and greenest of energy sources, is pushing hard on the accelerator. At the same time, the future grid is coming closer – and studies show it will play nicely with the rapidly-growing fleet of electric vehicles. If you travel along highways, you’ll probably be driving past lots of solar arrays doing double duty along median strips and exit ramps interplanted with native wildflowers for pollinators.
For the second week in a row, we’re giving a shout-out to France! This time for officially banning a number of highly-polluting short-haul flights, like Paris to London, that can easily be accomplished on much-greener trains.
We’ll close with a reality check, because humans are still pretty fond of burning stuff. So even when electric utilities like Duke Energy work up plans to drastically reduce emissions, they still somehow include new gas generating plants as part of their “solution”.
Biomass is a similar issue – propped up in Europe and elsewhere by a carbon accounting trick that allows generators to ignore emissions and pretend it’s a clean renewable resource – all the while decimating forests that should instead be expanding to soak up carbon. But here in Western Massachusetts, finally, we’ve really nailed the lid on plans to put a biomass generating plant in Springfield. The many activists, neighbors, healthcare professionals, and elected officials who worked for years opposing this polluting boondoggle should be proud. Thank you!
For even more environmental news, info, and events, check out the latest newsletter from our colleagues at Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)!
— The NFGiM Team
FEATURED STORY
Manchin’s last-gasp permitting effort fails
By Emma Dumain, E&E News
December 7, 2022
Update, 2 p.m., Dec. 7: “After yesterday’s defeat, today Sen. Manchin released a new bill, the Building American Security Act of 2022, which contains many of the same reckless measures as the failed Energy Independence and Security Act. Yet again, the bill lessens opportunities for community input, weakens essential protections and attempts to give the Mountain Valley Pipeline a bypass around environmental laws and the courts. Appalachian Voices continues to oppose these efforts.” (Appalachian Voices press release)
» More about legislation
Groups Warn Pelosi, Schumer Against Allowing Manchin ‘Dirty Deal’ in Pentagon Spending Bill
“This obvious fossil fuel giveaway would devastate communities and set back efforts to avoid a climate catastrophe,” said one campaigner.
By Jon Queally, Common Dreams
December 5, 2022
» Read the letter (BEAT and No Fracked Gas in Mass are signatories)
GAS BANS
Citing Health and Climate Concerns, Activists Urge HUD To Remove Gas Stoves From Federally Assisted Housing
Gas stoves produce indoor pollution that “severely exceed indoor air quality standards” and increase health risks to children, older adults and people with underlying health concerns.
By Victoria St. Martin, Inside Climate News
December 2, 2022
FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
Sidestepping a New Climate Commitment, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Greenlights a Mammoth LNG Project in Louisiana
The agency contends that it lacks the means to assess the climate impact of the project’s greenhouse gas emissions—and that its decisions must hinge on “the public interest.”
By James Bruggers, Inside Climate News
December 2, 2022
GREENING THE ECONOMY
Air pollution increases suicide rate, new large-scale study finds
A one microgram per cubic meter increase in PM2.5 on each day over a year would likely lead to 153.8 additional suicides in that year.
By TZVI JOFFRE, Jerusalem Post
December 4, 2022
» Read the study
Why wind energy isn’t living up to its pollution-preventing potential
Most of the health benefits from wind farms haven’t reached communities of color and low-income Americans, new research shows.
By Justine Calma, The Verge
December 2, 2022
» Read the study
CLIMATE
New England winters are getting much warmer, data show
Burlington, Vt. has seen more winter warming in the last 50 years than any other place in America, according to the analysis, by independent research organization Climate Central.
By Dharna Noor, Boston Globe
December 7, 2022
Climate misinformation explodes on Twitter
2022 has been the worst year yet for ‘climate-sceptic’ content on the social media platform, according to recent analysis.
By Justine Calma, The Verge
December 5, 2022
CLEAN ENERGY
Ukraine war will make renewables top electricity source: IEA
Russian fossil fuel bans are propelling the world towards solar, wind and other renewable energy sources faster than predicted, says a new report.
By John Psaropoulos, Al Jazeera
December 6, 2022
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
BU finishes its ‘Jenga Building,’ the most environmentally friendly tower in the city
The new data science center on Commonwealth Ave. will be powered by wind and heated and cooled by geothermal wells that reach nearly one-third of a mile underground.
By Jon Chesto, Boston Globe
December 6, 2022
Scorecard: Leading States Cutting Costs for Residents with Energy Efficiency, but More Progress Needed
California Ranks #1; Maine Is Most Improved; South Carolina and Ohio Fall Furthest
By ACEEE | Blog post
December 6, 2022
» Read the report
Fuel Disruptions, Price Surge Produce Energy Efficiency ‘Turning Point’: IEA
By The Energy Mix
December 4, 2022
» Read the Energy Efficiency 2022 report
MODERNIZING THE GRID
Vehicle-To-Grid Solutions Could Open Fast Lane To Net-Zero Future
By Tim Tyler, Clean Technica
November 30, 2022
» Read the MIT research report
SITING IMPACTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES
That empty space next to highways? Put solar panels on it.
Roadside solar fields across the country could power up to 12 million electric vehicles.
By Emily Jones, Grist
December 7, 2022
CLEAN TRANSPORTATION
It’s official: France bans short haul domestic flights in favour of train travel
By Lottie Limb, Euronews
May 5, 2022
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
In phasing out emissions, Duke Energy looks to lean on new natural gas plants
“You have a hammer, and everything looks like a nail.” Critics say Duke’s proposed path to net-zero leans too heavily on natural gas, an approach that ignores methane emissions and risks creating stranded assets.
By Elizabeth Ouzts, Energy News Network
December 7, 2022
FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY
The Texas Group Waging a National Crusade Against Climate Action
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is shaping laws, running influence campaigns and taking legal action in a bid to promote fossil fuels.
By David Gelles, New York Times
December 4, 2022
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
A New Era for Germany’s Gas Industry Fuels Climate Fears
Emergency moves to end energy dependence on Russia represent a victory for the gas lobby’s plans to lock Europe’s biggest economy into the global market for liquefied natural gas, campaigners warn.
By Phoebe Cooke, DeSmog Blog
December 6, 2022
BIOMASS
Court upholds decision to revoke permits for Springfield biomass plant
By Dharna Noor, Boston Globe
December 5, 2022
Whistleblower: Enviva claim of ‘being good for the planet… all nonsense’
By Justin Catanoso, Mongabay
December 5, 2022
» Learn more about Pipeline projects
» Learn more about other proposed energy infrastructure
» Sign up for the NFGiM Newsletter for events, news and actions you can take
» DONATE to help keep our efforts going!
No Fracked Gas in Mass 