In December, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin pledged to pull Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a carbon reduction market involving 10 other Mid-Atlantic and New England states. Youngkin’s strategy for how he’ll fulfill this early promise has shifted as he’s taken office. This article lays out four approaches he’s taking.
See the full story in the Virginia Mercury.
More DMV News
DC Joins Growing List of Cities Requiring New Buildings to Include EV Parking
Utility Dive
New and refurbished commercial and multi-unit buildings in Washington, D.C., that have at least three off-road parking spaces will be required to make at least 20% of those spaces available to accommodate electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, under a new law that took effect this year.
Trump EPA Chief’s Bid For Top Virginia Environmental Post Likely Doomed
Huff Post
Democratic state senators in Virginia are signaling that they have the votes to block Andrew Wheeler, Donald Trump’s controversial second head of the Environmental Protection Agency and a former coal lobbyist, from becoming the state’s top environmental official.
Virginia Clean Energy Job Training Program Climbs its Own Learning Curve
Energy News Network
After going dormant at the start of the pandemic, a Richmond-based workforce training program is once again connecting Black and other underrepresented residents to the career possibilities in solar and energy efficiency.
Washington DC Experiences a 1% Decline in Tree Canopy Cover
Casey Trees
Washington DC’s tree canopy cover has declined one point to 37%. While the good news is that the hard-fought gains from 2006 to 2015 were not lost, the drop in cover is nonetheless significant.
National and International News
Biden Admin Has $7.5B to Spend on EV Charging. How Can it Get it Right?
Canary Media
The U.S. is preparing to spend up to $7.5 billion in federal infrastructure funds to build out a nationwide electric-vehicle charging network. Now federal and state agencies and community and private-sector partners need to figure out how to spend that money fast — and spend it wisely.
As Efficiency Rises, Solar Power Needs Fewer Acres to Pack the Same Punch
Inside Climate News
Research shows a big improvement in generating capacity per acre of solar panels, with implications for how much land is needed for an energy transition.
Gas Stoves in the US Emit Methane Equivalent to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Half a Million Cars
Inside Climate News
Natural gas stoves emit far more methane than previously thought, as well as harmful nitrogen oxides in concentrations that can quickly exceed federal safety standards, researchers at Stanford University report.
The 2022 EVs That Matter Most for Climate
Energy Wire
Showrooms this year will have more new electric vehicle models on sale — at least 20 — than any year in history. Automakers and their dealers will say each one is a world changer.
Judges Appear Skeptical of Big Oil’s Climate Claims
E&E News
Last week, a panel of judges appeared skeptical of giving federal courts exclusive rights to hear climate change cases against fossil fuel firms.