Landmark $7 billion clean hydrogen funding opportunity announced
Permitting overhaul remains uncertain
Climate issues missing from Republican candidates' agenda
Texas in bid to boost carbon capture industry
California braces for fourth year of drought
Comments invited on Virginia's proposed exit from regional greenhouse gas initiative
This article outlines pertinent legal and policy climate change developments in the United States during the past week.(1)
Landmark $7 billion clean hydrogen funding opportunity announced
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. The programme aims to support President Biden's goal to achieve a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.(2)
Permitting overhaul remains uncertain
Senator Joe Manchin removed his permitting reform language from a continuing resolution as it did not have the support to advance. However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reiterated his commitment to pass permitting reform before the 117th Congress concludes. The proposed bill would speed up environmental reviews for energy projects.
Climate issues missing from Republican candidates' agenda
On 23 September 2022 House Republican leadership released their midterm campaign agenda. Notably, carbon emissions and climate change are absent from the plan.
Texas in bid to boost carbon capture industry
The Texas Railroad Commission is slated to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain oversight over carbon capture wells. Other states may follow: North Dakota and Wyoming have obtained primacy and Louisiana has applied for such authority.
California braces for fourth year of drought
With its water year coming to an end, California is slated to experience a fourth drought year in a row. Climate conditions including La Niña may exacerbate California's dry season.
Comments invited on Virginia's proposed exit from regional greenhouse gas initiative
A public comment period regarding Governor Glenn Youngkin's plan to pull Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative opened on 26 September 2022 and will remain open until 26 October 2022 (for further details, see "Climate policy update: Fed climate change action, emissions reduction roadmap, California heatwave".
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) "FACT SHEET: President Biden Sets 2030 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target Aimed at Creating Good-Paying Union Jobs and Securing U.S. Leadership on Clean Energy Technologies", press release, 22 April 2021.