Virginia’s air quality board on Wednesday voted to leave an interstate emissions-reduction partnership, bringing the state closer to fulfilling Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s vow to withdraw from the program earlier this year even as critics say the process needs legislative approval.
See the full story in The Hill.
More DMV News
D.C. Council Advances Solar Bill Despite Equity Concerns
DCist
In a late night vote, the D.C. Council advanced a bill to require more solar energy in the District, despite opposition from environmental groups and concerns about the bill’s impact on low-income people of color.
Loudoun Supervisors Adopt Plan to Acquire Low-To-Zero Emissions County Fleet
Loudoun Times-Mirror
Loudoun County can save at least $3 million over a 20-year period if the Board of Supervisors opts to purchase plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as opposed to purely electric vehicles as part of the county’s efforts to decarbonize one-fifth of its fleet, but the resulting emissions from a plug-in hybrid would be greater, according to a Department of General Services report.
Maryland’s Largest County Just Banned Gas Appliances in Most New Buildings—But Not Without Some Concessions
Inside Climate News
Montgomery County, Maryland, home to more than a million residents, passed landmark legislation this week requiring new residential and commercial buildings to be all-electric—barring some exceptions—starting 2027.
Hogan Administration Pausing State’s Participation in Multi-State Alliance for Strictest Vehicle Emissions Standards
Maryland Matters
The Hogan administration is pausing the state’s participation in a multi-state alliance that requires new vehicles sold in Maryland to meet the same emissions standards as those sold in California, a state official said Monday.
National and International News
Highway EV Charging Will Need a Ton of Power — Sooner Than You Think
Canary Media
A new report warns that EV charging along Northeast highways will require sports-stadium levels of grid power by 2030. Where are the plans to supply it?
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Steps to Electrify and Cut Emissions from Federal Buildings
Energy.gov
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), today announced a new proposed rule to electrify and cut emissions from new or newly renovated federal buildings.
Low-Income Families Don’t Get a Fair Share of Energy-Efficiency Funds
Canary Media
Electric and gas utilities across the country have a bevy of energy-efficiency programs to help families reduce their energy bills. But the programs are disproportionately leaving out low-income households (defined as those with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines).
UN Plastics Treaty Negotiations Show Initial Stances of Activists, Industry and Governments
Waste Dive
As the United Nations moves forward with negotiating a global treaty to end plastic waste, environmentalists, recyclers and plastics industry representatives say they’re encouraged to see UN member countries enthusiastic about ending plastic pollution.
Renewable Power’s Growth Is Being Turbocharged as Countries Seek to Strengthen Energy Security
International Energy Agency
The global energy crisis is driving a sharp acceleration in installations of renewable power, with total capacity growth worldwide set to almost double in the next five years, overtaking coal as the largest source of electricity generation along the way and helping keep alive the possibility of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C.