Climate Clips: President Biden visits Prince William park to talk solar, youth involvement on Earth Day

President Joe Biden stopped by Prince William Forest Park in Triangle on Monday, as the country celebrated Earth Day, to tout two initiatives to combat climate change: expanding solar access and creating jobs to fuel America’s environmental efforts.

See the full story at Virginia Mercury.

More DMV News

On Earth Day, Mayor Bowser Announces District’s Solar for All Program Awarded $62M from EPA
American Times Reporter
As the District celebrated Earth Day, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the District Department of Energy and Environment’s (DOEE) Solar for All program was awarded $62.45 million from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This funding will help expand the benefits of clean, solar energy to roughly 19,000 low- and moderate-income (LMI) District households.

Virginia Lawmakers Reached a Compromise on Energy Efficiency – Here’s What it Will Mean for Utilities and Regulators
Energy News Network
Virginia energy efficiency advocates anticipate a new state law will broaden and deepen energy-saving programs the state’s two largest utilities offer to customers.

Clean Energy Bank Could Help Funnel $300M to Virginia Projects
VPM
A bill that would set up a bank to better position the state to receive federal clean energy loans was sent back to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk by legislators.

CI Renewables to Add Solar Carports to Maryland Hospital System
Solar Power World
The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) announced it is engaging in a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to design, install and maintain solar energy parking lot canopies at three of its corporate locations. The project is expected to generate 27,000,000 kWh of energy and generate more than $12 million in savings in electricity and parking lot maintenance costs over a period of 10 years.

National and International News

Strict New EPA Rules Would Force Coal-Fired Power Plants to Capture Emissions or Shut Down
Associated Press
Coal-fired power plants would be forced to capture smokestack emissions or shut down under a rule issued Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency.

How the Biden Admin is Trying to Boost Renewables on Public Land
Canary Media
The federal Bureau of Land Management has announced a flurry of new rules and plans in recent weeks as it explores how the 245 million acres of public land it oversees can contribute to the Biden administration’s renewable energy and job goals — and as it tries to protect ecosystems and culturally important areas at the same time.

US Offshore Wind Needs American-Made Ships. The First is Nearly Ready
Canary Media
In order to make good on its ambitious offshore wind plans, Virginia electric utility Dominion Energy first had to get into the shipbuilding business.

New EPA Rules Close a ‘Huge Loophole’ on Coal Ash, Forcing Wide-Scale Cleanup, Advocates Say
Energy News Network
Environmental advocates say new rules announced Thursday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should close a loophole that has helped power plant operators skirt responsibility for toxic coal ash pollution at scores of sites nationwide.

Survey Finds That 60 Firms are Responsible for Half of World’s Plastic Pollution
The Guardian
Fewer than 60 multinationals are responsible for more than half of the world’s plastic pollution, with six responsible for a quarter of that, based on the findings of a piece of research published on Wednesday.