Summary of historic clean hydrogen funding opportunity
Treasury announces $950 million contribution to CTF
Credit Suisse publishes report on new US climate law
US air force releases climate action plan
Biden-Harris administration announces new actions to fight climate change
World's largest carbon removal project set to launch in Wyoming
West Coast leaders reaffirm commitment to fighting climate change
Louisville sets new greenhouse gas emissions targets
Oregon launches combined solar, wind and battery power plant
Clean car rules due to be released in New York
This article outlines pertinent legal and policy climate change developments in the United States during the past week.(1)
Summary of historic clean hydrogen funding opportunity
On 22 September 2022, the Department of Energy opened applications for the H2Hubs programme, which seeks to establish six to 10 regional clean hydrogen hubs across America. For a summary of the funding opportunity announcement and the related requirements and considerations for applicants, see "Highlights of DOE's Historic Clean Hydrogen Funding Opportunity".
Treasury announces $950 million contribution to CTF
On 6 October 2022, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced a $950 million loan to the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), described as "a multilateral trust fund which helps to scale up low carbon technologies in developing countries". The contribution furthers a pledge that the United States made at the Group of Seven summit in 2021 and is in support of the United States' climate commitments.
Credit Suisse publishes report on new US climate law
An investment bank, Credit Suisse, has released a report outlining the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act 2022 on America's economy. The report notes that the law will pour significant money into green energy industries and poise the United States as a leading energy provider, and that red-leaning states will benefit most from the law's various programmes.
US air force releases climate action plan
On 4 October 2022, the US Air Force released a climate action plan culminating in net-zero emissions from operating bases emissions by 2046. The climate plan is the first released from any of the military branches and outlines three major priorities:
1. Maintain air and space dominance in the face of climate risks: Invest in climate-ready and resilient infrastructure and facilities so our installations are better able to project air and space combat power.
2. Make climate informed decisions: Develop a climate-informed workforce, integrate security implications of climate change into Department strategy, planning, training, and operations, and incorporate climate considerations into Department requirements, acquisition, logistics, supply chain processes, and wargaming.
3. Optimize energy use and pursue alternative energy sources: Expand operational capability and power projection to support operations globally while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting cost-competitive alternative energy sources.(2)
Biden-Harris administration announces new actions to fight climate change
On 6 October 2022, the Biden-Harris administration announced various actions across over 20 agencies to fight the impacts of climate change. Notably, the actions will safeguard federal investments, develop a more resilient supply chain, expand agency resilience efforts, strengthen institutional climate adaptation capacity, and incorporate environmental justice and equity in federal adaptation efforts.
World's largest carbon removal project set to launch in Wyoming
A collaboration between Carbon Capture Inc and Frontier Carbon Solutions announced Project Bison, based in Wyoming. The first phase of the project is slated for 2023 through 2024 and is expected to start removing about 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year, with the amount of captured carbon increasing over the years.
West Coast leaders reaffirm commitment to fighting climate change
On 6 October 2022, governors Gavin Newsom (California), Kate Brown (Oregon) and Jay Inslee (Washington) met in San Francisco to collectively renew their pledge to combat climate change. The agreement, which was last signed in 2016, aims to "[d]ramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a vibrant, low carbon regional economy by transforming energy systems, buildings, transportation, and food waste management".(3)
Louisville sets new greenhouse gas emissions targets
On 6 October 2022, Mayor Greg Fischer signed an executive order setting new targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions in Louisville. Fischer explained that the executive order builds on a 2002 report published by the Louisville Metro Government Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability.
Oregon launches combined solar, wind and battery power plant
The Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility, a renewable energy plant project in Oregon, will combine solar power, wind power and powerful batteries. The plant will utilise lithium batteries that can store up to 120 megawatt-hours of power generated by the 300-megawatt wind farms and 50-megawatt solar farm. The plant will be vital in meeting Oregon's climate goal of "reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power served to retail customers by at least 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035 and 100% by 2040".(4)
Clean car rules due to be released in New York
Governor Kathy Hochul has called on New York's environmental officials to issue draft regulations that would require "all new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in New York State to be zero emissions by 2035".(5) New York joins Oregon, Massachusetts, Nevada, Vermont, and Washington in drafting proposals that mirror California's clean car mandate.
For further information on this topic please contact Kenneth J Markowitz, Stacey H Mitchell, Dario J Frommer or Christopher A Treanor at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP by telephone (+1 202 887 4000) or email ([email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]). The Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP website can be accessed at www.akingump.com.
Leila Fleming, public policy specialist, assisted with the preparation of this article.
Endnotes
(1) For further updates, including upcoming congressional hearings, federal agency climate news and events, click here. For the previous week's update, click here.
(2) "Department of the Air Force rolls out plan addressing climate change", press release, 5 October 2022.
(3) Pacific Coast Collaborative, "Our Vision".
(4) "NextEra Energy Resources and Portland General Electric celebrate first-in-the-nation combined clean energy facilities", press release, 28 September 2022.
(5) "Governor Hochul Drives Forward New York's Transition to Clean Transportation", press release, 29 September 2022.