The U.S. May Actually Meet Its Climate Goals(!): This Week's Climate News
Biden proposes a groundbreaking emissions rule and state governments start handing out felonies to climate activists in this week's Doomer Dispatch.
Hello and welcome back to The Doomer Dispatch, weekly climate news to spur doomers into doers.
Did you miss me? I apologize for missing last week’s post; I was traveling for work and was too busy to write up anything up. I put out a notice on Notes, Substack’s new Twitter-esque platform, but then realized that I forgot to tell you all I was on there!
For those who don’t know, Notes is a new feature that lets writers and readers build community and share thoughts. I really like it so far, especially since I’m not entirely inclined to build my audience on the hellscape Musk Cinematic Universe that Twitter has become. So, join me on Notes! I’ll likely be posting tidbits about climate culture and interesting stories on there a few times a week.
Now, on with the show! Whoever reads all the way to the bottom gets a prize.
TL;DR
For the first time ever, the federal government is planning to propose a rule that will limit greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel power plants.
Oregon becomes the latest in a growing line of states considering “critical infrastructure” legislation: laws that could redefine climate activism as “domestic terrorism.”
Terms to know
Top stories this week
Biden plans to propose first-ever limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal, oil, and gas plants
Hoo boy, the federal government is back at it again with some groundbreaking climate rules. The New York Times reports that the Biden administration is poised to announce new limits on greenhouse gas emissions from coal, oil, and gas power plants. According to the Times, this marks the first time the federal government has restricted emissions from existing power plants.
Power plants running on fossil fuels generate about 25 percent of GHG emissions in the United States. If this new rule is implemented, almost all power plants would have to eliminate or capture nearly all of their emissions by 2040. There are a number of ways in which plant operators can meet these restrictions, but experts claim that carbon capture technology would likely emerge as the key mechanism due to lucrative tax incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Carbon capture, which I briefly covered in a previous Dispatch, is a highly controversial topic in the climate world. This technology does exactly what it says in the name: it captures CO2 at the source of pollution, often fixed to smokestacks. Currently fewer than 10 of the United States’ 3,400 fossil fuel power plants use the tech, and only about 40 sites use it worldwide. While tech entrepreneurs, big businesses, and even the fossil fuel industry put a lot of faith in carbon capture, the novel technology has proven to be largely volatile and ineffective thus far. Many environmentalists view it as an industry scapegoat, a distraction from the real task of shutting down fossil fuels and switching to renewables. Now it’s up to the industry to utilize the billions of federal dollars pouring into carbon capture research and development to make the tech viable ASAP.
Paired with the other major climate regulations Biden has set into motion -restrictions on methane leaks and automobile emissions- this new policy could result in a significant reduction in the United States’ total greenhouse gas emissions. If all three survive the courts and are successfully implemented, the country will have a good shot at being on track to cut GHG emissions in half by 2030 and altogether by 2050. That is, of course, if we don’t see a Republican Congress or president next year, both of which could repeal these rules.
Oregon could become the 20th state to pass laws redefining nonviolent climate protest as “domestic terrorism”
As the number and intensity of racial justice and climate demonstrations have increased in recent years, states across the nation have proposed and passed laws to redefine the criminal charges around protesting. These laws generally designate any disruption to what lawmakers dub “critical infrastructure” (roads, pipelines, power plants, etc.) as “domestic terrorism.” If Oregon’s proposed law is passed, nonviolent climate protestors, who often block busy streets and disrupt fossil fuel sites, could be handed a felony charge punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
Almost all of these laws rely on vague language like “inhibiting or impeding” thus giving the courts much leeway to find nonviolent protests, like chaining one’s body to a gate or blocking access to a doorway, in violation of the law. Advocates and legal experts expect that these rules will inhibit the actions of climate activists, such as those who protested Georgia’s “Cop City” or the Indigenous water protectors who disrupted the Dakota Access Pipeline and Enbridge’s Line 3.
While Oregon’s critical infrastructure law is still moving through committees, other states have already passed or are close to passing similar legislation. Many cite the recent electric substation attacks (which, let’s be clear, were not all led by climate activists) that led to major power outages in the West and Midwest. Grist reports that Georgia, Tennessee, and Utah have successfully passed critical infrastructure laws, and Minnesota, Illinois, North Carolina, and Oklahoma will likely pass theirs soon.
Editor’s note: This story hits on a topic that I’m fascinated by- the debate on whether direct, disruptive, and possibly violent climate action is stronger and more necessary than peaceful protest. Google “How To Blow Up A Pipeline” for some hot takes by tons of journalists and pundits. Is this a topic you’d like me to explore? Let me know! I’m definitely interested.
Other news to watch
The Supreme Court declined to hear appeals from the fossil fuel industry in cases arguing they are liable for climate-driven damages, opening up a legal path for more cities and states to take coal, oil, and gas companies to court.
Indigenous leaders from across the globe expressed their frustration with clean energy projects for continually encroaching on their rights at a United Nations conference.
Britain and the Netherlands agreed to construct a giant electric cable under the ocean that will share power from offshore wind farms, expanding the reach of renewable energy in Europe.
The “no mow” movement is gaining traction as more and more people shirk traditional grass and opt for native species lawns, signaling hope for pollinators.
The fossil fuel industry is pouring millions into a campaign to stop Eugene, OR from banning gas hookups in new homes, making for a ballot fight that could have implications for local governments across the country.
A new study found that climate change has made severe droughts 100 times as likely to occur in East Africa- a region that contributes very little to global greenhouse gas emissions.
The term “decarb bros” is emerging to describe a growing movement of indie bros who pair their love for craft beers, lifting weights, and investing in Bitcoin with a fierce commitment to decarbonization and climate tech.
Other great climate content here on Substack
Emily Atkin breaks down Tucker Carlson’s anti-environment legacy in HEATED.
Emily Sanders breaks down the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the fossil fuel industry’s recent appeals in Exxonknews.
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Dispatch! I hope you enjoyed.
Your prize for reading all the way through the post is my everlasting gratitude. HA! You should have read the fine print first.
Remember to join me on Notes! Let’s get some hot takes cooking.
OK doomers, I’ll see you next week.
-Joey
Very informative! Thanks