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EXTRACTED: Daily News Clips 4/21/23

Mark Hefflinger, Bold Alliance (Photo: Bryon Houlgrave/Des Moines Register

By Mark Hefflinger

April 21, 2023

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PIPELINE NEWS

WASHINGTON UPDATES

  • Washington Post: Centrist Democrats press White House on permitting

  • The Hill: Biden to announce executive order to promote environmental justice

  • Anchorage Daily News: Federal appeals court rejects bid by conservation groups to immediately stop work at Willow oil project

  • CNN: DOJ reaches multimillion-dollar settlements against oil and gas companies it says were failing to control harmful leaks

  • S&P Global: At least 20 hubs submitted final applications for US hydrogen hub funding

STATE UPDATES

  • Consumer Watchdog: Bill to Hold Oil Drillers Presumptively Liable For Harms in Drilling Safety Zones Garners Support of 130+ Group Coalition

  • WEAR: BP oil spill fund continues to pump millions back into Gulf Coast economic recovery effort

EXTRACTION

CLIMATE FINANCE

  • Sacramento Bee: Climate bills on fossil fuel divestment, emissions disclosure make headway

OPINION

PIPELINE NEWS

Iowa Capital Dispatch: Supreme Court denies appeal in pipeline trespassing case
JARED STRONG, 4/2023

“The Iowa Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of a carbon dioxide pipeline surveyor who was charged last year with trespassing in northwest Iowa and wanted the case dismissed before trial, according to court records,” the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports. “Stephen James Larsen, 28, of Arlington, South Dakota, was cited in August for going onto a Dickinson County property to conduct a land survey for Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed pipeline after other surveyors had previously been told to leave and not return. A district court judge denied Larsen’s request to dismiss the case in January, and a trial is now set for June 29, court records show. Larsen sought a review from the Supreme Court of that judge’s denial, but the high court declined to do so in an order last week… “Another district court judge’s decision in pending in Woodbury County, where pipeline company Navigator CO2 Ventures has sued landowners to get an injunction. That case, involving William and Vicki Hulse, went to trial in March. It hinges on whether Navigator met its requirements for notifying the Hulses of the survey and whether the survey law is constitutional. It’s unclear when the case will be decided. It is one of several lawsuits that Navigator and Summit have filed against unwilling landowners. Early this month, a judge overseeing a lawsuit in Clay County found that Navigator had complied with notification requirements but did not yet issue an injunction, pending a decision about the constitutionality of the law. Brian Jorde, an Omaha, Nebraska, attorney who is representing landowners in the lawsuits, told the Dispatch the Clay County case differs from the one in Woodbury County because the Clay landowner admitted he signed for the 10-day notice.”

Successful Farming: CARBON PIPELINES’ FATE STILL UNCERTAIN IN IOWA
Lauryn Higgins, 4/20/23

“An Iowa House bill that would restrict the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines in the state is effectively dead until the next session, in 2024, after the Senate late last month failed to advance it ahead of a legislative deadline. That leaves the issue for now with the Iowa Utilities Board, which can rule on eminent domain requests,” Successful Farming reports. “…Iowa Farm Bureau president Brent Johnson said in a recent interview with Western Iowa Today that the group is neutral when it comes to pipelines but sides with farmers when it comes to property rights. In a statement, the Iowa Corn Growers Association said it understands and respects its members’ property rights and need for proper protection, but that it also values the implementation of carbon capture and sequestration pipelines to lower the carbon-intensity scores of ethanol plants. Construction has yet to begin on any of the pipelines, and safety is a major concern for farmers and landowners. Many worry about proper restoration of their land following pipeline construction and the long-term effects on soil health, while others have raised the issue of potential ruptures.  The three-member board, which is appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, now holds the power to approve or reject the pipelines companies’ request to use eminent domain starting as early as this year.”

Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds appoints two members to the Iowa Utilities Board, key to pipeline issue
Katie Akin, 4/20/23

“The Iowa Senate on Thursday confirmed Gov. Kim Reynolds’ two appointees to the Iowa Utilities Board, the three-member state panel that will decide whether to grant construction permits to carbon capture pipeline companies,” the Des Moines Register reports. “Reynolds appointed former Republican lawmaker Erik Helland as the board’s new chairman. She appointed Sarah Martz, a utilities engineer, to serve on the board… “The proposed pipeline projects have been controversial — a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll found in March that 78% of Iowans oppose companies using eminent domain to build pipelines on private land… “Helland earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and a law degree from Drake University. He ran for office and represented parts of Polk County in the Iowa House from 2009 to 2012. In the years since, Helland opened an Alaska business that deals with Medicaid appeals… “Some Senate Democrats opposed Helland’s confirmation, arguing he has insufficient experience in the utilities industry… “Martz earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State and a master’s in mechanical and aerospace engineering from UC Irvine. She worked for Alliant Energy, a Wisconsin-based utility company, for over a decade. Martz is the director of engineering at Iowa State University utility services.”

Corridor Business Journal: Linn hazardous material pipeline ordinance set for revamp
Richard Pratt, 4/20/23

“A proposed Linn County ordinance establishing setbacks from private hazardous material pipelines is heading back to the drawing board, county supervisors decided April 19,” the Corridor Business Journal reports. “…Linn County Planning and Development director Charlie Nichols told the board April 19 that since the county’s original proposal for hazardous pipeline setbacks was proposed, several additional concerns had been raised by county stakeholders and members of the public… “Those newly-raised issues, to be addressed in a revamped ordinance proposal, include the proper response to any emergencies, a pipeline’s impact on potential future growth areas, agricultural impacts and post-construction ag land restoration, and possible ecological impacts arising from pipeline construction. Changes to setback distances, originally proposed from 2,000 to 2,500 feet depending on property usage, have also been proposed, Mr. Nichols said, as have increased requirements for construction inspections and increasing the capacity of emergency responders to handle pipeline-related safety issues… “The board decided to postpone the process indefinitely while further examining portions of the ordinance, particularly a clause that would permit setbacks of as little as 300 feet in residential areas for hazardous material pipelines approved by the Iowa Utilities Board, if the company installing the pipeline could make a sufficiently compelling case to reduce the setback… “A public informational meeting on the Wolf Carbon project was held Dec. 5 at the Hawkeye Downs Expo Center in Cedar Rapids, with dozens of attendees speaking against the plan. More than a dozen area residents also spoke in opposition to the proposal at a formal public hearing, expressing concerns about pipeline safety and the proposed route’s proximity to populated areas.”

Bluefield Daily Telegraph: Capito “slightly encouraged” about pipeline progress
Charles Boothe, 4/21/23

“Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said she is “slightly encouraged” about the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) getting back on track,” the Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports. “Capito said during a virtual press briefing Thursday that the U.S. Forest Service approval of a final environmental impact statement (FSEIS) to cross the Jefferson National Forest in Monroe County and Giles County, Va., is encouraging, but the court has shot those down before… “But the Fourth Circuit still has to OK the FSEIS, and that is where Capito remains cautious. “I just think the court is always trying to find some way you can’t do it, and I hope they don’t find that … this time,” she said… “Capito said that federal lead agencies are approving these “well-thought-out” environmental assessments, but “this administration is known to not be friendly to pipelines.” “So why can’t you take the word of your own experts?” she said. “The pipeline is now 95 percent finished, and we need to finish it.” “…However, protests and lawsuits have delayed progress and doubled the estimated cost of the project from an original $3.2 billion to now about $6.5 billion. Another setback in West Virginia happened three weeks ago when the Fourth Circuit said the MVP crossing of waterways in West Virginia could not continue because the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had not taken into consideration if pipeline builders would meet all state stormwater and water quality requirements before issuing an approval.”

The Progress-Index: Petersburg and Prince George could see more pollutants coming from the natural gas compressor station
Joyce Chu, 4/20/23

“Petersburg and Prince George residents could very likely see an increase in toxic pollutants in their area soon, as a natural gas company plans to upgrade its compressor station located in Prince George bordering Petersburg,” The Progress-Index reports. “TC Energy delivers natural gas to the Hampton Roads area by way of underground pipelines that run through Petersburg, Prince George, Surry, South Hampton, and Sussex… “TC Energy’s compressor station is located at 1596 Baxter Road in Prince George—right next to the Petersburg border. This location has gas-fired turbines, responsible for compressing the gas, and the turbines have smoke stacks, or “chimneys” that emit pollutants… “Perhaps TC Energy’s most infamous pipeline is the Keystone Pipeline. This 2,687-mile pipeline, which pumps crude oil from Canada into refineries across the U.S., has been known for its oil leakages. It’s had nearly two dozen spills since it started operating in 2010… “Those living around the compressor station will bear the brunt of the health impacts, Itai Vardi, a researcher at the Energy and Policy Institute, told the Index… “Residents of this majority-Black city already suffer many health disparities, and a more powerful compressor will put the residents’ health at a greater risk, community advocate Lafayette Jefferson told the Index… “FERC will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, April 25 from 5-8 p.m. at the Appomattox Event Center located at 9 W. Old Street in Petersburg.”

WTVG: The fight to shut down line 5 pipeline [VIDEO]
4/20/23 

“Some groups have made it their mission to protect the Great Lakes. For them, part of that mission means shutting down an oil pipeline that runs underneath,” WTVG reports.

KVRR: Criminal Trespass Dismissed Against Activist Winona LaDuke
TJ Nelson, 4/20/23

“Activist Winona LaDuke has had two counts of criminal trespass dismissed by a judge for “lack of probable cause,” KVRR reports. “LaDuke was arrested while protesting the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline project in December 2020 in Aitkin County, Minnesota. She testified during a court hearing that law enforcement had posted “no trespassing” signs during an Indigenous religious ceremony and then demanded everyone leave. Her attorney told KVRR the judge’s decision to dismiss the charges illustrates that LaDuke’s rights to exercise her religious and First Amendment freedoms were not in any way criminal trespass.”

The Examiner News: Yorktown to Get $1M from Pipeline Co. for Park Closure
Rick Pezzullo, 4/20/23

“The company that operates the Algonquin Gas Pipeline will be paying the Town of Yorktown $1,050,000 as compensation for the three-month closure of Woodlands Legacy Fields due to a sinkhole created in December,” The Examiner News reports. “Yorktown Supervisor Tom Diana negotiated the compensation with Enbridge, the pipeline’s operator. “Enbridge is making a good-faith payment to the people of Yorktown for inadvertently depriving them of the use of this popular park,” Diana told the News… “The park, located on Stony St. in Shrub Oak, closed on Christmas Eve when a sinkhole formed in the park at the pipeline right-of-way. After an analysis, Enbridge subsequently poured fill materials into the sinkhole to ensure the support for the pipeline… “As part of Enbridge’s safety monitoring, the company will conduct semi-weekly aerial patrols of the gas line right of way, monthly site visits and electrical resistance surveys to ensure that new sinkholes do not form.”

World Pipelines: Wilde Lake Compressor Station sees gas for the first time
Sara Simper, 4/21/23

“Coastal GasLink has achieved a critical milestone, paving the way to support the delivery of reliable, sustainable, made-in-Canada LNG to world markets,” World Pipelines reports. “Coastal GasLink’s Wilde Lake Compressor Station, which achieved mechanical completion earlier this year, is officially ready to receive natural gas. “The introduction of gas at Wilde Lake demonstrates the significant strides we are making on our path to supporting the delivery of Canada’s first LNG shipment to global markets by mid-decade,” Bevin Wirzba, President, Coastal GasLink, told WP.“This is an incredible milestone for TC Energy and Coastal GasLink, as we make steady progress on construction of Canada’s first LNG pipeline, having recently surpassed 85% overall completion.” “…As the starting point of the pipeline, natural gas is first introduced at Wilde Lake in preparation as other components of the world-class energy infrastructure are completed.”

WASHINGTON UPDATES

Washington Post: Centrist Democrats press White House on permitting
Maxine Joselow, 4/21/23

“The New Democrat Coalition, a group of nearly 100 centrist House Democrats, will send a letter to the White House Council on Environmental Quality today urging the Biden administration to speed up the permitting process for transmission lines that carry clean energy nationwide, according to a copy shared exclusively with the Washington Post. The letter from coalition Chair Rep. Scott Peters (Calif.) and Vice Chairs Sean Casten (Ill.), Eric Sorensen (Ill.) and Susan Wild (Pa.) calls on the administration to accelerate this process using Section 216(h) of the Federal Power Act, which empowers the Energy Department to coordinate all permits for transmission projects on public lands. In March, White House climate adviser John D. Podesta announced that several federal agencies would issue a memorandum of understanding on using this section of the law. “This crucial authority is part of a multilayered solution, alongside legislative action, to establish American clean energy security in the 21st century green economy, and we look forward to a strong final Memorandum of Understanding,” the coalition wrote.

The Hill: Biden to announce executive order to promote environmental justice
ALEX GANGITANO, 4/21/23

“President Biden is set to announce an executive order on Friday that will create a new office in the White House focused on environmental justice efforts,” The Hill reports. “The order will launch an Office of Environmental Justice, which will work within the White House Council on Environmental Quality and be led by a federal chief environmental justice officer tasked with coordinating implementation of environmental justice policies.  The order will also instruct agencies to look at gaps in science and data “to better understand and prevent the cumulative impacts of pollution on people’s health,” according to a White House official. Additionally, it will require agencies “to notify nearby communities in the event of a release of toxic substances from a federal facility,” the official said. The order aims to better protect overburdened communities from pollution, confront existing and legacy barriers and injustices, promote the latest science, and create accountability. The Biden administration plans to publish the first-ever Environmental Justice Scorecard, launch a White House campaign for environmental justice, and work to combat plastic pollution in communities, among other new actions.”

Anchorage Daily News: Federal appeals court rejects bid by conservation groups to immediately stop work at Willow oil project
Alex DeMarban, 4/20/23

“A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that ConocoPhillips can continue its early stage construction work this winter season at the controversial Willow oil project in Alaska, as the broader case brought by conservation groups against the project continues,” the Anchorage Daily News reports. “The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said in a single sentence that it was denying the emergency motions seeking to stop the work, which is expected to wrap up by the end of the month. Several conservation groups have filed two lawsuits against the Interior Department to overturn the approval for the project… “Conservation groups that sued issued a statement Wednesday blasting the decision. “This ruling comes as more hard news and demonstrates again how the oil and gas industry exerts so much power over those whose health and food are most impacted and who will most experience the climate harm and disaster this project will fuel,” Siqiñiq Maupin, executive director of Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic, one of the groups involved in the lawsuits, told ADN. 

CNN: DOJ reaches multimillion-dollar settlements against oil and gas companies it says were failing to control harmful leaks
Hannah Rabinowitz, 4/20/23

“The Justice Department reached multimillion-dollar settlements in three major lawsuits against US oil and gas companies Thursday that it says will reduce air pollution and planet-warming gas emissions in a dozen states and Indian Country,” CNN reports. “The settlements aim to resolve claims that several large companies were using faulty equipment to manufacture and refine natural gas, failed to control leaks and allowed hazardous air pollution to seep into the atmosphere in violation of the Clean Air Act standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency… “As part of the settlements, the companies will spend approximately $16 million combined on repairs, upgrades and other ways to fix the problems, according to the department… “The agreements are a major move in the Justice Department’s effort to prioritize mitigation efforts as part of environmental lawsuits related to the climate crisis – and signal a willingness to target large fossil fuel companies… “When fully implemented, according to the Justice Department, the three settlements have the potential to reduce ozone-producing air pollution by an estimated 953 tons per year and planet-warming pollution – including methane – by 50,633 tons per year. “Air quality for communities in 12 states and Indian Country will be measurably improved over the long term as a result of these three settlements,” Todd Kim, the assistant attorney general in the department’s environment division, told CNN.

S&P Global: At least 20 hubs submitted final applications for US hydrogen hub funding
Brandon Mulder, 4/20/23

“At least 20 groups from across the US have submitted final applications to the Department of Energy hoping to receive up to $1.25 billion in federal funding and become one of six to 10 clean hydrogen hubs, according to a survey conducted by S&P Global. “…The known field of 20 applicants reveals an menu of hubs that propose to focus on a diverse array feedstocks. While the Horizon and Trans Permian hub — which would connect the Permian Basin to the Corpus Christi port — aims to produce 1,900 mt/day of mostly green hydrogen by 2030, the larger HyVelocity Hub, also on the Gulf Coast, would produce about 9,000 mt/day with a “color agnostic” approach… “The ultimate winners of the hydrogen hub selection process may not be ultimately known for some time. According to the DOE’s funding opportunity announcement, the application period that concluded on April 7 leads into the first phase of the selection process, in which the DOE will dole out up to $20 million to hubs with a 50% minimum cost matching requirement following the merit review process. That phase will span 12 to 18 months.”

STATE UPDATES

Consumer Watchdog: Bill to Hold Oil Drillers Presumptively Liable For Harms in Drilling Safety Zones Garners Support of 130+ Group Coalition
4/18/23

“New legislation gives people who have developed cancer, respiratory illnesses and birth defects the right to hold oil drillers liable for their illnesses if they live, work, or go to school within 3200 feet of oil drilling and if the company did not use the best technologies to mitigate risk,” according to Consumer Watchdog. “In such cases, the oil drillers and their boards of directors would have the presumption of liability for damages with minimum penalties of $250,000 and maximum penalties of $1 million. The presumption could be rebutted if the companies proved the illnesses were caused another way. SB 556, authored by California State Senator Lena Gonzalez, builds on scientific evidence proving a direct link between drilling and these maladies, the same evidence that was used to enact SB 1137 (Gonzalez), which banned drilling in the 3200 foot “set-back” zone. Oil drillers qualified a referendum that put SB 1137 on hold until voters vote on it in November 2024. If SB 556 becomes law, it would further protect communities by making drillers liable for the harms they cause starting January 2024. A coalition of more than 130 environmental, community, consumer and public interest groups that recently backed Governor Newsom’s price gouging penalty law (SBx1-2) are now supporting SB 556 in order to protect community health.” 

WEAR: BP oil spill fund continues to pump millions back into Gulf Coast economic recovery effort
Sha’de Ray, 4/20/23

“13 years ago, the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster flooded the Gulf with oil, damaging costal communities and ecosystems,” WEAR reports. “It’s the biggest oil spill in U.S. history. The oil rig exploded on April 20, 2010. 11 people were killed. Four million barrels of oil leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. It washed onto more than 1,300 miles of shoreline from Texas to Florida. The oil killed tens of thousands of birds, sea turtles, marine mammals, and fish. Some projects already funded by the Triumph Gulf Coast Board include improving the Whiting Field Aviation Park, and expanding Pensacola State College’s IT programs. Vice Chair Collier Merrill told WEAR there is $400 million in the local account, some already claimed for future economic development projects… “Funding from BP will continue for another 10 years. Merrill says BP will be giving $80 million per year to Triumph… “Businesses, schools and organizations can apply for that money by going to the Triumph website… “The impacted counties have five more years to apply for Restore Act money.”

EXTRACTION

Canadian Press: ‘This was fear’: Imperial CEO hears of impacts from oilsands leaks, apologizes
Bob Weber, 4/20/23

“The head of Imperial Oil heard Thursday how a nine-month delay before informing downstream communities about a seeping tailings pond on a company oilsands mine created weeks of fear and rumours,” the Canadian Press reports. “This was not uncertainty, this was fear,” Conservative member of Parliament Laila Goodridge told Imperial CEO Brad Corson, who was testifying before the House of Commons environment and sustainability committee. The hearing was struck after two releases of toxic oilsands tailings water from the Kearl mine north of Fort McMurray, Alta. The committee was questioning Corson on why it took so long for First Nations and governments to find out what was happening with both the tailings pond seepage and overflow from a mine containment pond. Goodridge, who represents Fort McMurray, said she visited one of the First Nations communities during that nine-month gap. “I had elders telling me, ‘We don’t know what’s going on, but don’t drink the water,'” she said. “There was just a vacuum of information. “People were afraid.” Corson repeatedly apologized for keeping people in the dark.  “I am deeply apologetic,” he said.  “Imperial strives to build strong and lasting relationships with Indigenous communities based on mutual respect, trust and shared prosperity. We have broken this trust.” Seepage, originally described as discoloured water, was discovered in May. Corson acknowledged Imperial knew by August it was tailings, which have since been found to have left levels of toxic chemicals exceeding environmental limits in immediately adjacent waters. But no notification was provided until February to leaders of six area First Nations. “We did not speak directly with the leaders and we did not provide regular updates,” he said… “The environmental group Greenpeace is also calling for Imperial to be charged over releases of the toxic wastewater.”

Greenpeace USA: Greenpeace v SLAPPs
4/20/23

“Greenpeace is committed to continuing the work of defending the environment and standing up for the rights of citizens to peacefully protest and speak out against the corporate interests that threaten our planet. For seven years, Greenpeace USA has been fighting back against two baseless lawsuits aimed at silencing the organization from speaking out about threats to the environment that endanger our health and safety. Known as Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), these legal tactics are taken by powerful corporations to shut down criticism from activists, academics, journalists, whistleblowers, and everyday people. Over the past ten years, the fossil fuel industry has used SLAPPs to target more than 150 people and organizations, with 50 such cases being introduced in the last five years alone. Those who instigate these lawsuits often know they will not win. Instead, the goal is to be as time-consuming and costly as possible to dissuade people from speaking out—and to intimidate anyone who is watching… “2013: Resolute Forest Products, one of Canada’s largest logging companies, filed a defamation and economic interference case for CAD$7 million against Greenpeace Canada and two of its staff members. This lawsuit came after Greenpeace Canada publicly challenged the business practices of Resolute… “August 2017: Energy Transfer (the operators of the Dakota Access Pipeline or DAPL) filed a federal lawsuit in North Dakota alleging that vigorous criticisms and protests of DAPL by Greenpeace USA and other environmental organizations, Indigenous tribes and thousands of individual protestors, were defamatory and violated RICO. Energy Transfer alleged $300 million in damages, which could have been tripled under RICO… “One week after the federal case was dismissed, Energy Transfer LP and Energy Transfer Operating, L.P., filed a new lawsuit in Morton County, North Dakota state court – including state based conspiracy claims. June 2023: Trial date for the state court lawsuit… “Please let your representatives know that you support anti-SLAPP legislation. If you live in one of the 18 states without anti-SLAPP legislation, let your state representatives know that they should take a stand against corporate bullying.”

CLIMATE FINANCE

Sacramento Bee: Climate bills on fossil fuel divestment, emissions disclosure make headway
ARI PLACHTA, 4/19/123

“California lawmakers advanced several climate bills intended to hold companies accountable for pollution contributing to atmospheric warming Tuesday, as opponents questioned whether the measures could make a tangible impact,” the Sacramento Bee reports. “Proposals that would require corporations doing business in the state to divulge their carbon emissions and financial risk from climate change will progress. Another major bill to bar state pension funds from investing in fossil fuel firms passed two key committees. Supporters of SB 252 say investment of public dollars in companies expanding their fossil fuel footprint undermines the state’s efforts to reduce California greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050… “As the country’s largest pension fund, CalPERS manages over $469 billion in assets and pays benefits to more than 1.5 million public employees and retirees. CalSTRS, which provides benefits to teachers, manages a portfolio worth $254 billion. The bill would prohibit both funds from making any additional or new investments of public employee retirement funds in a fossil fuel company, and to liquidate existing investments by July 1, 2030.”

OPINION

Southeast Iowa Union: Writer applauds Iowans for fighting eminent domain
Kimball Shinkoskey, Woods Cross, Utah, 4/19/23

“The concept of “no eminent domain for private gain” is not a brand-new rallying cry, but it is one of the most important ones in the history of democracy,” Kimball Shinkoskey writes for the Southeast Iowa Union. “The concept goes back to the taking and use of personal property and private real estate by the English monarchy. Back then, this was one of the King’s prerogatives, and it was possibly the most hated of all of his many ways of expropriating property. It was called the “purveyance” power. Kudos to Iowans for standing up to King Pipeline and fighting for your farms. (“Iowa House passes bill restricting eminent domain authority of CO2 pipelines,” 4-2-23, Twiner-Herald/Logan Herald-Observer)”

The Center Square: Op-Ed: North Dakota is leading the way on both clean energy and jobs
Josh Boschee is the North Dakota House Minority Leader and a member of NewDEAL, a selective national network of the innovative, pragmatic state and local policymakers, 4/19/23

“As we celebrate Earth Day 2023, I am optimistic for the future of our planet,” Josh Boschee writes for The Center Square. “Our future is brighter than just a year ago because of the growing promise of innovative technology, some of which is getting a major boost from work happening here in North Dakota to advance carbon capture and sequestration, or CCS. It is time for policymakers around the nation – and even in Washington, D.C. – to take note of the potential of investments that carbon removal technologies are showing for making our air cleaner while simultaneously creating high-quality jobs… “Efforts like Project Tundra demonstrate the value of cooperation between the private sector, state government, and the federal government. That effort has financial support from the state, as well as a federal tax credit known as 45Q that incentivizes capturing carbon… “Just as I support an “all of the above” energy policy for North Dakota I am eager to work across the aisle with Republican colleagues on an “all of the above” climate policy. There does not need to be an “either/or divide” between creating good jobs and making our air and water cleaner. Technologies like CCS allow us to find a “both/and” solution… “I hope other states follow the lead of North Dakota and take advantage of American ingenuity and innovation to unite against the biggest threats to our planet.”

Capital Monitor: Funding fossil fuels still pays
Adrian Murdoch, 4/20/23

“Last week saw the publication of the 14th annual Banking on Climate Chaos report. Authored by Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Oil Change International, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club and Urgewald, it made for familiar reading,” Adrian Murdoch writes for Capital Monitor. “In the seven years since the Paris Agreement was adopted, the world’s 60 largest banks have financed fossil fuels to the tune of $5.5trn. The 60 banks profiled in this year’s report channelled $150bn of funding last year into the top 100 fossil fuel companies… “The outrage was immediate and international. “[The banks’] lack of transparency and greenwashing finances false solutions like carbon offsets through fake net-zero emissions claims,” says Tom Goldtooth, executive director at the US-based activist coalition Indigenous Environmental Network. “True climate action requires keeping fossil fuels in the ground,” he notes… “There is just one problem. The banks haven’t even had the gentlest of slaps on the wrist from the stock market since the report was published… “It was exactly the same for those banks that increased their funding of fossil fuels… “The world’s biggest banks have continued to funnel trillions of dollars into the fossil fuel industry including new coal projects – knowingly driving the world closer to climate disaster in pursuit of greater profits,” says Bevis Watts, chief executive of Triodos Bank UK, an ethical bank headquartered in Zeist, the Netherlands. “We cannot achieve a greener future without coordinated action from the global financial system, and we need it to act now,” concludes Watts. The trouble is that it’s very hard to shake off the lure of profits.”

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