EXTRACTED: Daily News Clips 4/10/24

PIPELINE NEWS

• WTVO: A temporary ban for a CO2 pipeline bill has passed in Springfield

• KGAN: Governor tightens foreign landownership rules; Iowan protests eminent domain & pipelines

• Iowa Capital Dispatch: Eminent domain bill for pipelines gets early Iowa Senate support

• Radio Iowa: Iowa Senate sub advances pipeline-related bill

• Storm Lake Times Pilot: Summit CEO: Pipeline is essential to ethanol

• KSNB: Carbon dioxide pipeline coming to Central Nebraska

• Press release: Appalachian Voices statement on Government Accountability Office report on pipeline safety deficiencies

WASHINGTON UPDATES

• Press release: 110 Organizations Thank Biden Administration & Urge Robust Review of LNG Exports & Deny Projects Not in the Public Interest

• The Hill: Democrats bash GOP proposal linking natural gas exports to Ukraine aid

• Politico: Biden’s Methane Rule Heads To Federal Register Ahead Of Congressional Review Deadline 

• E&E News: BLM Plan To Greenlight Drilling In Ohio Forest Meets Resistance 

• New York Times: Environmental Protection Agency Limits Pollution From Chemical Plants

STATE UPDATES

• Associated Press: Pennsylvania makes a push to attract and approve carbon capture wells

• Colorado Sun: Environmental groups appeal Colorado’s water quality permit for Suncor  

• Daily Montanan: Montana Public Service Commission hears testimony on climate petition

• Mahoning Matters: Ohio considers opening 40,000 acres in Wayne National Forest to fracking 

• E&E News: BLM takes final steps to curb methane pollution in oil patch

EXTRACTION

• E&E News: European court rules that climate action is a legal obligation

• Gas World: FuelCell Energy and ExxonMobil extend partnership for CO2 capture and clean energy
  

PIPELINE NEWS

WTVO: A temporary ban for a CO2 pipeline bill has passed in Springfield
Ryan Johnston, 4/9/24

“A temporary ban for a CO2 pipeline bill has passed out of committee in Springfield on April 9th,” WTVO reports. “Industry leaders have made a push for more regulations to be set around these projects… “Companies cannot get a foothold because of large public push-back. Lawmakers expect more conversations about how to move forward. “I think that is nonsensical,” said 46th District Illinois State Representative Diane Blair Sherlock. “I understand the push to be green and to address, you know, climate change, global warming, that type of thing. But we need to do it in a thoughtful manner.”

KGAN: Governor tightens foreign landownership rules; Iowan protests eminent domain & pipelines
Skylar Tallal, 4/9/24

“Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law which makes it harder for foreign entities to own land in Iowa. Meanwhile, landowners are back at the Iowa Capitol protesting carbon capture pipelines,” KGAN reports. “…Gov. Reynolds said the new law will better protect Iowa’s farmland and hold bad actors accountable… “During the bill signing, a carbon capture pipeline protester stood behind the group, holding up a sign that said ‘no eminent domain for private gain.’ Jess Mazour with the Sierra Club, a group that represents landowner interests, told KGAN they’ve been trying in vain to get a meeting with the governor. “She’s ignored us,” Mazour told KGAN. “She hasn’t gotten back to us and so we found out that she was going to be at the Capitol today at 10:30.” Ironically signing a bill into law that would block foreign ownership of land but yet at the same time the Summit Carbon Pipeline that we’ve been trying to talk to her about has foreign investors; Saudi Arabia, China and South Korea.” Landowners also spoke up at the Capitol at a Senate subcommittee, as lawmakers considered a proposal to allow landowners and companies to ask a judge if an eminent domain claim is constitutional.”

Iowa Capital Dispatch: Eminent domain bill for pipelines gets early Iowa Senate support
JARED STRONG , 4/9/24

“Legislation that would give landowners a better opportunity to challenge eminent domain requests by carbon dioxide pipeline companies in court was advanced Tuesday by an Iowa Senate subcommittee,” the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports. “House File 2664 would enable those landowners — or the pipeline companies — to seek judicial review of the requests earlier in the state’s pipeline permit process. It would also enable them to challenge state regulators’ decisions about the pipeline permits in court and potentially halt pipeline construction without having to post a bond to cover the companies’ financial losses that are tied to those delays… “Proponents of the bill say it strengthens landowners’ rights and might reduce their uncertainty about the future of their properties… “Those who oppose such projects “could use the tools of this bill to stop virtually any pipeline project in the state because they could create endless timelines, and time kills projects,” Jeff Boeyink, a lobbyist for Summit Carbon Solutions, told the Dispatch. “And this creates enormous risk for anybody who wants to invest in a pipeline in the future … and investors simply are going to shy away from that kind of risk.” “…If the pipeline is approved, and we appeal the decision, we don’t want them to build the pipeline while we’re waiting for a judge’s decision,” Jess Mazour, of the Sierra Club of Iowa, which opposes Summit’s project, told the Dispatch. “In Iowa right now you have to put up a bond that could be hundreds of millions of dollars. We can’t afford it.” Three senators recommended the bill for further consideration, although Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, who led the subcommittee, told the Dispatch it will likely be amended… “He told the Dispatch parts of the bill might be tweaked to ensure it won’t result in an endless loop of litigation that could doom pipeline projects, and that its scope could be narrowed solely to carbon dioxide pipelines in an attempt to get broader support in the Senate.”

Radio Iowa: Iowa Senate sub advances pipeline-related bill
O. Kay Henderson, 4/10/24

“A bill to give property owners resisting a proposed carbon pipeline a new legal option has cleared initial review in the Iowa Senate. It’s already passed the Iowa House by a wide, bipartisan margin,” Radio Iowa reports. “Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, led a Senate subcommittee hearing on the bill Tuesday. Schultz is working on some adjustments to the bill, but he said it’s time for the legislature to do something. “I do believe this is the correct thing…to give people an opportunity to know the fate of their land without waiting three years,” Schultz said. “That just seems cruel and unusual.” Under the bill, property owners along a proposed hazardous pipeline route could go to court after a permit application is filed for a ruling on whether developers would have eminent domain authority to seize land for the project. Property owners who don’t want the carbon pipeline on their land are urging senators to pass the bill. Floyd County landowner Kathy Carter of Rockford told Radio Iowa they need relief. “We need relief from the unending stress,” Carter told Radio Iowa. “We need the relief of the worry of how do I afford to continue on, all in an effort to protect my own property.”

Storm Lake Times Pilot: Summit CEO: Pipeline is essential to ethanol
Tom Cullen, 4/9/24

“Iowa’s ethanol industry faces an “existential threat” if it can’t find a way to sequester carbon dioxide through pipelines traversing multiple states, according to the CEO of a company that proposes to sequester carbon for 57 ethanol plants,” the Storm Lake Times Pilot reports. “…Blank believes ethanol’s future lies in low-carbon sustainable aviation fuel… “It’s a massive market, the U.S. aviation fuel market that says by 2030 they want to be burning three billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel. And today, they’re thinking about 80 million gallons is where they’re at,” Blank said in an interview with the Storm Lake Times Pilot on Monday. “That’s a huge market, and you can’t get that without lowering the carbon intensity on the ethanol coming off that ethanol plant or doesn’t qualify for sustainable aviation fuel.” “…Gasoline on (passenger vehicles) is gonna be a tough trend to change,” Blank told the Pilot. “Let’s go hit the other markets with this pipeline that will drive valuation back to the ethanol industry.” “…Farmers and landowners in Buena Vista and Cherokee counties have raised concerns about the hazards the pipeline might cause and the specter of eminent domain. BV County Emergency Manager Aimee Barritt asked the Summit representatives how close the pipeline would be to Albert City limits. A rupture near town could cause health problems for those in the vicinity — a rupture in Mississippi in February 2020 resulted in dozens of hospitalizations and an evacuation of hundreds. Others have expressed concerns about the pipeline’s use of eminent domain for landowners who refuse to sign voluntary easements… “Summit’s pipeline project is presently a pipeline to nowhere,” John Murray, a Storm Lake attorney representing landowners along the pipeline’s proposed route in Buena Vista and surrounding counties, told the Pilot. “If the (Iowa Utilities Board) grants Summit’s present requests, Summit will receive the immediate power of eminent domain.  Hundreds of condemnation hearings on prime Iowa farmland could then be commenced by this private, for-profit corporation for a pipeline that could lead to nowhere.” “…GIVEN THE CURRENT incentives across states and in the Inflation Reduction Act, low carbon tax credits are essentially the long-term future of ethanol plants, Chad Hart, an Iowa State University economist who focuses on commodity markets, told the Pilot.’

KSNB: Carbon dioxide pipeline coming to Central Nebraska
Leroy Triggs, 4/9/24

“Bold Alliance and Tallgrass Energy have signed a Community Benefits Agreement, allowing Tallgrass to utilize the Trailblazer pipeline for CO2, also known as carbon dioxide. This agreement is defined as ‘unprecedented’ because a peace treaty of sorts has been agreed upon,” KSNB reports. “Tallgrass will invest over $1 million into nonprofits, first-responder training, first-responder equipment for counties the pipeline will pass through and they will issue royalty checks to residents. Bold Alliance Founder, Jane Kleeb told KSNB Tallgrass is the only pipeline company willing to make a commitment to the community. Tallgrass is also willing to decommission the pipeline when its passed years of service… “We often hear from landowners how frustrated they are with pipeline company’s who come in and give them one payment for the easement, but then they live with that pipeline forever,” Kleeb told KSNB. “This way landowners are getting a yearly payment. So there’s directly a share of the profits that are going into landowners pockets as well as into the community. That’s not being done in the state of Nebraska.” “…Kleeb told KSNB this agreement symbolizes that an energy infrastructure company is acknowledging they’re using your land to make a profit, and they want to make sure you benefit as well, which doesn’t happen often. Kleeb also feels it doesn’t happen enough, and told KSNB this deal will set a standard.”

Press release: Appalachian Voices statement on Government Accountability Office report on pipeline safety deficiencies
4/9/24

“On April 3, 2024, the Government Accountability Office released a report to congressional committees on gas pipeline safety, which included multiple concerns with current data collection and reporting from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The report sheds light on gaps in the safety agency’s evaluation of impact zones and a lack of detailed data required from pipeline operators after a pipeline incident. The report makes multiple recommendations to accelerate the implementation of PHMSA’s 2022 Final Rule intended to strengthen pipeline safety regulations and underscores why robust funding is needed for the agency’s implementation of stronger standards. Determining the scale of impact zones has been a constant concern from those living near the under-construction Mountain Valley Pipeline, as the pipeline’s route is through a set of geohazards — steep terrain, karst areas and a seismic zone — that could expand the blast zone, should a leak or explosion occur. Statement by Quenton King, Federal Legislative Specialist: “This GAO report on the federal agency tasked with setting pipeline safety standards, PHMSA, is very alarming. As Congress considers reauthorizing PHMSA, it should require the agency to address the deficiencies outlined by the GAO, including implementation of the 2022 Final Rule and improved, realistic evaluation of impact zones backed by data. Congress must also provide sufficient funding to the agency to achieve these safety improvements. Community members living near the Mountain Valley Pipeline have long questioned the narrowness of the estimated blast zone and it’s urgent for PHMSA to reevaluate those estimates.”

WASHINGTON UPDATES

Press release: 110 Organizations Thank Biden Administration & Urge Robust Review of LNG Exports & Deny Projects Not in the Public Interest
4/9/24

“Today, 110 organizations sent a letter to Secretary Granholm and President Biden to thank them for the pause on approvals for new LNG export licenses and urge them to not only update the previous economic and environmental analyses that the Department of Energy (DOE) relies on for considering LNG export applications, but also to incorporate factors not currently analyzed like environmental justice. Below is an excerpt from the letter: “The Administration’s decision to pause the approval of new export licenses is a positive first step, but it is past time for a robust review of LNG export proposals and our frontline communities, domestic consumers, and manufacturers are actively suffering as a result. We call on DOE to look at the true economic, social, and environmental costs of more LNG exports, objectively apply this analysis to LNG export applications, and be ready to deny any projects that are not in the public interest.” In reaction, signers of the letter issued the following statements:  Roishetta Sibley Ozane, Founder and Executive Director of The Vessel Project of Louisiana: “President Biden’s temporary pause on the approval of new proposed exports is a step in the right direction, but it’s crucial that this pause becomes a permanent ban. It’s time that this pause becomes a bipartisan effort. The export of natural gas, especially when it disproportionately affects marginalized communities in the Gulf region, goes against President Biden’s unwavering commitment to environmental justice and it pushes us further away from meeting climate goals.” Cathy Collentine, Director of Sierra Club’s Beyond Dirty Fuels campaign: “The criteria used to determine whether gas exports are in the public interest are woefully inadequate. We are grateful the Biden administration took this important step in pausing approval of new applications while they reevaluate. Now, DOE must account for lifecycle emissions of exported methane gas and disparate health and environmental harms in their updated analysis.”

The Hill: Democrats bash GOP proposal linking natural gas exports to Ukraine aid
MIKE LILLIS AND MYCHAEL SCHNELL, 4/10/24

“House Democrats are hammering a Republican proposal linking Ukraine aid to an increase in natural gas exports, accusing GOP leaders of pushing poison-pill policies that will only further delay much needed help for a democratic ally under siege,” The Hill reports. “Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) launched the controversial debate late last month, telling Fox News that he’s eying a plan to allow new permits for liquified natural gas (LNG) exports — a reversal of President Biden’s recent freeze on those licenses — as part of legislation providing new military assistance to Kyiv… “But Democrats aren’t waiting silently while the GOP’s favored energy policies gain momentum. Instead, they’re bashing Johnson’s LNG proposal as a conservative pipe-dream that would never win over the Democratic support Johnson will need to get Ukraine aid to Biden’s desk. “I think it’s a non-starter,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) told The Hill. “I can’t speak for every Democrat, but I know a lot of my colleagues would be mortified by that, and would be upset with any Democratic leader that negotiated for it.” “…Democrats have far different ideas. They’ve largely supported Biden’s freeze on LNG export permits, in the name of tackling climate change, while pressing Johnson to bring a vote on the Senate Ukraine bill, which passed through the upper chamber with an overwhelming 70-29 vote, including support from 22 Republicans. Given the bipartisan nature of that bill, they say Johnson is wasting his time with the LNG proposal while Ukraine suffers.” 

Politico: Biden’s Methane Rule Heads To Federal Register Ahead Of Congressional Review Deadline 
BEN LEFEBVRE, 4/9/24

“The Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management will publish its final rule targeting methane emissions in the Federal Register on Wednesday, likely ensuring the rule escapes a quick repeal if Republicans prevail in presidential and congressional elections this year,” Politico reports. “Details: The Interior Department announced late last month it had finished the rule, but until today it had not publicly shown up for filing into the Federal Register. Rules the administration finalizes after the end of April could be vulnerable to repeal under the Congressional Review Act, a much faster process than going through the rulemaking process to reverse previous actions. Democratic lawmakers last week asked the White House to also file a final rule updating regulations on the federal oil leasing program before it becomes vulnerable to a CRA repeal. The final rule is intended to reduce the waste of natural gas from oil and gas leases administered by the BLM by charging companies fees for any gas lost through emissions. BLM will gradually introduce many of the new requirements. Some limits on flaring will go into effect about 60 days after the effective date of the rule, and some flare measurements will be required up to 18 months after. Operators will have 18 months to submit leak detection and repair plans to the agency.”

E&E News: BLM Plan To Greenlight Drilling In Ohio Forest Meets Resistance 
Heather Richards, 4/9/24

“A Bureau of Land Management plan that could allow drilling in 40,000 acres of the Wayne National Forest in Ohio is catching pushback from environmental groups,” E&E News reports. “The bureau released a draft environmental analysis in late March of how hydraulic fracturing — a technique that involves injecting water and chemicals underground to shatter rock and release more natural gas or crude oil — would impact the environment in the forest if oil leasing and permitting advanced. The proposal, first considered during the Obama administration, could open more than 40,000 acres of public land along the Ohio and West Virginia border to oil and gas development. The minerals under those lands have either already been leased to developers or have the potential for development, according to BLM. BLM first released an environmental review of leasing part of the forest in 2016. The following year, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Ohio Environmental Council, Heartwood and the Sierra Club contested BLM’s plan in court, criticizing its analysis of fracking. A judge in 2020 ruled partially in their favor, leading BLM, with the U.S. Forest Service, to do the supplemental analysis released in March looking specifically at how fracking techniques could affect protected animals, water, air quality and other aspects of the environment.” 

New York Times: Environmental Protection Agency Limits Pollution From Chemical Plants
Lisa Friedman, 4/9/24

“More than 200 chemical plants across the country will be required to curb the toxic pollutants they release into the air under a regulation announced by the Biden administration on Tuesday,” the New York Times reports. “The regulation is aimed at reducing the risk of cancer for people living near industrial sites. This is the first time in nearly two decades that the government has tightened limits on pollution from chemical plants. The new rule, from the Environmental Protection Agency, specifically targets ethylene oxide, which is used to sterilize medical devices, and chloroprene, which is used to make rubber in footwear. The E.P.A. has classified the two chemicals as likely carcinogens. They are considered a top health concern in an area of Louisiana so dense with petrochemical and refinery plants that it is known as Cancer Alley. Most of the facilities affected by the rule are in Texas, Louisiana and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast as well as in the Ohio River Valley and West Virginia. Communities in proximity to the plants are often disproportionately Black or Latino and have elevated rates of cancer, respiratory problems and premature deaths… “Plants will also be required to reduce emissions of four other toxic chemicals: benzene, which is used in motor fuels as well as oils and paints; 1,3-butadiene, which is used to make synthetic rubber and plastics; and ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride, both of which are used to make a variety of plastics and vinyl products… “Patrice Simms, vice president for litigation for healthy communities at Earthjustice, an environmental group, told the Times it was impossible to overstate the importance of the new regulation to families that live next to large polluting facilities. “In a very real sense this is about life and death,” he told the Times.

STATE UPDATES

Associated Press: Pennsylvania makes a push to attract and approve carbon capture wells
MARC LEVY, 4/9/24

“The Pennsylvania state Senate on Tuesday approved legislation aimed at helping the nation’s No. 2 natural gas-producing state attract carbon capture projects and enable federally-funded hydrogen hubs, but critics say the bill lacks important safeguards,” the Associated Press reports. “The Republican-penned bill lays out a framework for how Pennsylvania would regulate underground wells that store carbon dioxide, a critical component of carbon capture and removal technology that supporters envision as a way to slow climate change… “Backers say attracting carbon capture projects to Pennsylvania will be an integral part of building out two hydrogen hubs recently awarded by the Biden administration… “However, opponents said the bill lacks protections to ensure companies are liable for leaks or water contamination, landowners aren’t forced into contracts with well operators and the state has adequate staff to enforce regulations. They also warned that carbon capture wells will spawn pipelines across the state, potentially disrupting populated communities. Skeptics have also said carbon capture has been oversold as a climate change solution and merely will extend the life of a fossil fuel industry that burns oil, coal and natural gas. “We have talked about how climate solutions are needed, but capturing carbon cannot be the centerpiece of any serious climate plan,” said Democratic Sen. Katie Muth, of Montgomery County, during floor debate. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration has signaled that it wants to apply to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take over issuing permits for wells that store carbon. On Tuesday, Shapiro’s office told AP the administration is “actively engaged” with the EPA on the application process.”

Colorado Sun: Environmental groups appeal Colorado’s water quality permit for Suncor  
Michael Booth, 4/9/24

”A coalition of environmental groups has appealed Colorado’s water discharge permit for the Suncor refinery, saying the state will allow a stew of PFAS “forever chemicals,” benzene and other toxins to leak into nearby waterways and neighborhoods already among the most polluted in the nation,” the Colorado Sun reports. “The coalition has asked the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to reconsider the water permit renewal it issued to Suncor in early March, and could escalate to an administrative law court if the state refuses.  The state water discharge permit “sets a PFAS limit which is too high, has inadequate PFAS monitoring requirements, gives Suncor far too long to come into compliance, and fails to prevent groundwater seepage of benzene and PFAS into Sand Creek and the Burlington Ditch,” according to the appeal by a coalition including Earthjustice, Colorado GreenLatinos, Colorado Sierra Club, Trout Unlimited and more. Among other issues, environmental groups in March criticized the state for not requiring its highly touted, first-time PFAS limits on Suncor until 2027. Colorado officials have promoted the 70 parts per trillion PFAS discharge limits as a game-changer in regulation since first signaling them in 2021, but the environmental groups note that the EPA has since issued drinking water standards for the forever chemicals that are much tougher… “Objections listed in the appeal also say the Colorado permit for Suncor does not monitor toxic chemicals in the refinery’s outfalls frequently enough, or require the company to use the optimum filtering technology… “The bill is co-sponsored by Democratic Reps. Manny Rutinel of Commerce City and Elizabeth Velasco, Glenwood Springs, and Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet.”

Daily Montanan: Montana Public Service Commission hears testimony on climate petition
KEILA SZPALLER, 4/8/24

“Labor leaders testified Monday against a petition the Montana Public Service Commission adopt a rule requiring consideration of climate change effects on health and the environment,” the Daily Montanan reports. “Amanda Frickle, with the Montana AFL-CIO, said she wanted to be clear she was not testifying to dispute the science of climate change. However, Frickle said unions are not represented among petitioners, and workers in Montana are being left out of the discussion. She said the rule would result in “massive job loss” across the state. “Unions operate under the premise that no one wins unless we all win, and we believe this rule leaves people behind,” Frickle said. Monday, the Montana Public Service Commission heard nearly four hours of testimony about a petition that regulators adopt a rule to require them to consider climate change effects in their decisions about utilities and related costs. The rule would require commissioners to consider the social costs of greenhouse gases and to consider adverse impacts to communities disproportionately impacted by emissions and subject to historical inequalities. Proponents of the rule said the commissioners, which regulate monopoly utilities in Montana, have the most consequential role of any decision-making body in the state when it comes to climate. They said taking climate change into consideration will be good for businesses and power customers, healthier for current and future generations including vulnerable populations such as babies and seniors, better for wildlife habitat, and true to the Montana Constitution. However, opponents said the Public Service Commission should not have been holding a hearing on the topic in the first place because environmental regulation is beyond the scope of its authority.”

Mahoning Matters: Ohio considers opening 40,000 acres in Wayne National Forest to fracking 
NADIA RAMLAGAN, 4/8/24

“Ohio’s Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments – and will answer questions in virtual sessions on a draft environmental assessment about the impacts of opening up 40,000 acres of Wayne National Forest to oil and gas leasing,” Mahoning Matters reports. “…Environmental advocates – like Roxanne Groff, a member of the Athens County’s Future Action Network – told M they don’t believe the assessment fully captures the widespread loss of habitat or recreational opportunities fracking on public lands would unleash. Groff said research shows fracking comes with serious environmental degradation and water contamination. “We’ve got methane release, we’ve got toxic radioactive waste that has to be disposed of from the fracking extraction,” Groff told MM. “We’ve got impacts to streams from water withdrawals, or possible contamination with spills.” “…The latest draft assessment comes after a federal court ruled in 2020 that an earlier version of the document did not consider potential impacts on federally protected species and waterways. The Bureau says it’s accepting public comments until May 6. Randi Pokladnik, a member of Save Ohio Parks, told MM she’s concerned about air pollution from fracking… “Recent polling shows most Ohio residents are either strongly or somewhat opposed to fracking as a means to increase energy production in the state.”

E&E News: BLM takes final steps to curb methane pollution in oil patch
Heather Richards, 4/10/24

“The Bureau of Land Management published its overhaul of methane regulations for public lands drilling Wednesday, ahead of a deadline that could have made the rule vulnerable to Republican attacks,” E&E News reports. “The final rule was released by the Interior Department in late March but had not been published in the Federal Register until Wednesday. The rule’s publication kicks off a 60-day period before some of the provisions — which will charge royalties on wasted gas and aim to cut the amount of gas released or burned off — become effective in the federal oil patch. Others are phased in over time. BLM’s rule — a reworking of Obama-era methane regulations that were stymied by a federal judge — is one of several efforts by the Biden administration to quell leaks and releases of methane in the oil and gas sector. EPA has also written new rules to curb methane pollution from the nation’s oil and gas activities, and EPA released a draft rule in January to implement a methane fee created by 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act. The White House and federal agencies are under pressure to finish pending regulations by the end of April to avoid potential repeal under the Congressional Review Act next year.”

EXTRACTION

E&E News: European court rules that climate action is a legal obligation
Sara Schonhardt, 4/10/24

“A landmark ruling Tuesday by a European human rights court will likely pave the way for future lawsuits that could force countries to act more quickly to cut their planet-warming pollution,” E&E News reports. “The European Court of Human Rights found that the Switzerland government was violating the rights of a group of senior women by failing to seriously address the climate crisis. It’s the first time the court has determined that climate change is a human rights issue, laying out a road map for how future climate cases can be brought before the influential court, legal scholars say. The ruling also sets a precedent that allows citizens of European countries to hold their governments accountable for not taking sufficient action to tackle rising temperatures. And it could influence other prominent tribunals, including the International Court of Justice, as they consider countries’ legal obligations in the context of climate change. “It is a signal from an international court that has a high level of legitimacy that climate is not something that’s just a matter of policy and politics but has been seen by this court as a legal obligation that states have towards their citizens,” Rebecca Hamilton, a professor of law at American University, told E&E.

Gas World: FuelCell Energy and ExxonMobil extend partnership for CO2 capture and clean energy
Molly Burgess, 4/9/24

“FuelCell Energy and ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company (EMTEC) have renewed and expanded their partnership to improve a specialist technology that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from factories while simultaneously producing electricity and hydrogen,” Gas World reports. “…Esso Nederland’s VB Rotterdam manufacturing complex has already been selected as a pilot project location to trial the technology… “Jason Few, CEO and President of FuelCell Energy, said the agreement will more quickly provide access to the technology in the company’s existing platform, targeting small to mid-scale opportunities while demonstrating large-scale capture in Rotterdam… “If proven successful, the technology could improve the economics of carbon capture and potentially lower the barrier to broader adoption of carbon capture in the marketplace… “In addition to the above, the duo will also continue to engage with the industrial emitter market, focusing on demonstrating the value proposition offered through capturing CO2 emissions from an external source and produce electricity and hydrogen simultaneously.”

OPINION