Climate Clips: June 2022 TPB meeting recap: Plan update, new climate goals approved

On June 15, the TPB approved the Visualize 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan Update. In addition, the TPB adopted groundbreaking on-road transportation sector greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals of 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.

See the full story at COG Newsroom.

More DMV News

Community Solar Development Proposed in Rockville
Bethesda Magazine
A new proposed solar energy project in Rockville would produce enough electricity for 400 Maryland homes annually, according to Montgomery County Planning Board documents.

DC Water Treatment Plant Powers Up for Cleaner Energy
The Bay Journal
Clean water and clean energy sound like they should work in tandem. But the greater level of treatment required by wastewater plants in the Chesapeake Bay watershed requires more power, making it harder to reach sustainability goals. Blue Plains is working toward both cleaner water and cleaner energy.

Constellation and NASA Announce Work on a $28M Energy Efficiency Project in Greenbelt
Environmental Leader
Constellation and NASA announced that work is underway on a $28.1 million energy efficiency project at 15 buildings on the campus of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Montgomery County Council Introduces Legislation Banning Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers
Bethesda Magazine
The Montgomery County Council introduced legislation on Tuesday that would ban gas-powered leaf blowers to address environmental, noise, and health concerns.

National and International News

The Supreme Court’s EPA Ruling: A Loss of Authority for Federal Agencies or a Lesson for Conservatives in ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’?
Inside Climate News
In a finale to a Supreme Court term that radically reshaped American law, the court throttled the U.S. government’s power to act on the climate crisis. The decision in West Virginia v. EPA could result in more expensive and restrictive carbon regulation—or the erosion of agencies’ ability to address society’s most pressing needs.

White House Says Companies Investing $700 Million to Boost EV Charger Production
Reuters
The White House said on Tuesday that companies are planning to invest more than $700 million to boost U.S. manufacturing capacity for electric vehicle (EV) chargers – actions set to add at least 2,000 jobs and make charging more accessible and affordable.

DOE: Here’s What’s Happened to EV, Renewable, Fossil Jobs
E&E News
Much of the fossil fuel industry continued to hemorrhage jobs last year, even as employment in the electric car sector increased dramatically, according to a report today from the Department of Energy.

Funds for Climate Justice Flow to Groups Around the U.S.
AP News
Fourteen environmental justice organizations from around the United States have begun to receive money under the Justice40 initiative, a business accelerator announced Wednesday. The Justice40 Accelerator said the groups will receive some $3 million for work ranging from solar training in Detroit to renovating homes to better withstand extreme weather, to a community market where farmers can sell their produce.

U.S. Retreats From Pledge to End Gas Investments
E&E News
Dozens of countries rallied around phasing out fossil fuel financing during global climate negotiations seven months ago. Yesterday, those efforts were weakened by the world’s most powerful economies.