Eleanor Thompson’s Post

Read the article at Canary Media, “California voters pass $10B bond to help protect people from climate change,” by Jeff St. John—November 6, 2024. “California voters appear set to approve a $10 billion bond package to fund key state climate and environmental priorities — a bright spot in what has been a dark election for U.S. climate efforts. Proposition 4 was passing with nearly 58 percent voter approval... That’s a strong result that matches broader polling on U.S. voters’ support for government spending on clean water, clean air, and expanding wind and solar power. ‘These investments are a long time coming — and it’s very encouraging that it had such strong support from the public throughout the process,’ said Ryan Schleeter, communications director at The Climate Center… Passage of the ballot measure also serves as a reminder of the power that states have to take action in the face of federal inaction, said Laura Deehan, state director of nonprofit group Environment California… California’s Proposition 4 is the largest of 12 state and local climate and conservation ballot initiatives passed around the country on Tuesday… Proposition 4 will help build out the clean energy infrastructure needed to reduce carbon emissions causing climate change. It includes $475 million for infrastructure to support offshore wind development at California ports, $325 million for transmission grid projects and deployment of grid-enhancing technologies, and $50 million to fund long-duration energy storage projects…” See the full story below and at this link. https://lnkd.in/eZPmb6A6 #offshorewind #floatingwind #cleanenergy #renewables #climate #offshorewindca #pacificoffshorewindsummit

Vermont has become the first US state to order fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damages. The state’s treasurer will provide a report by Jan 2026 outlining the total cost of greenhouse gas emissions over roughly the past two decades to Vermont’s residents. A retrospective pricing of externalities. Thinking outloud… Will there be complementary policies to drive down the demand for fossil fuel energy, power, and transportation in Vermont? Could this approach expand to other industries beyond fossil fuel producers? Would efforts to green EBITDA or achieve 1.5 aligned reduction targets provide additional future proofing? Will investors start paying closer attention to the rigour of stress testing in TCFD reporting? #Vermont #ClimateChange #PolluterPays #TCFD #ClimateAction #IIGCC #ClientEarth #FileFoundation #NetZero #Transition #SustainableInvesting #GreenRevenues #ESG

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House next year, America's clean energy transition will rely on the leadership of individual states. Inside Climate News interviewed clean energy experts and advocates, including United Managing Director Morgan Pinnell, on what the election means for clean energy in Maryland, which has some of the most aggressive clean energy goals in the country. Read the full article here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Y3KrG0

On Election Day, Washington voters decided to uphold the Climate Commitment Act, which will accelerate carbon reductions and the state’s energy transition. This was an important decision for the planet that will also advance Washington’s clean energy economy. For some of the emitters in the state, carbon capture and sequestration will be a key mitigation strategy. With the law affirmed, we look forward to working with partners in Spokane and throughout Washington on the critical work of decarbonizing the infrastructure assets across the Evergreen State. We also encourage the state to set up a robust mineralization and sequestration program that will make use of its unique geology to safely mineralize or store CO2. Read about how voters in Washington and six other states voted in favor of climate action in the 2024 election. https://lnkd.in/e7Ja5AAE

It was a great week for climate and communities with federal agencies announcing new regulations and programs that will slash greenhouse gas emissions, speed up clean energy development and reduce hazardous pollution. These steps will help ensure we have a stable climate and clean air and water. Here are just a few of the highlights: First up, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced a new rule for power plant emissions that will help the U.S. meet its goal of 100% clean power by 2035. This will give energy utilities and regulators the certainty they need to plan for and invest in our clean energy future. For us to achieve a clean energy future we need to build a lot more transmission to carry that clean energy to homes and businesses. Currently, that process takes a long time but with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s new transmission program and rules the average time for siting and permitting of new transmission could be cut in half! The EPA made two new announcements that they’re strengthening standards for the toxic waste, heavy metals and mercury emissions from coal power plants. This will provide cleaner air and water for our communities. In another win for communities, EPA announced $7 billion in Solar for All grants that will deliver residential solar power to over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Expanding access to the benefits of clean energy is good for these communities and for us all.

Whatever fossilized Trump say and do, there is still a lot of 'clean energy' life in blue and ...red state 🙏 How US states are leading the climate fight – despite Trump’s rollbacks Officials are making clean-energy moves in California, New York and beyond, and Republican states will be integral too As the Trump administration rolls back decades-old environmental protections and pulls Biden-era incentives for renewable energy, state-level advocates and officials are preparing to fill the void in climate action. Some state leaders are preparing to legally challenge the president’s environmental rollbacks, while others are testifying against them in Congress. Meanwhile, advocates are pushing for states to meet their ambitious climate goals using methods and technologies that don’t require federal support. “Our states, cities, businesses, and local institutions stand ready to pick up the baton of US climate leadership and do all they can – despite federal complacency – to continue the shift to a clean energy economy,” Gina McCarthy, former climate adviser to Biden and co-chair of the America Is All In coalition of climate-concerned states and cities, said this month. Among the most promising activity: the creation of a fund to take Trump to court, the passage of policies to make oil companies pay for climate damages, and the continual buildout of already-permitted wind power. “The state is not helpless against the president’s assault on the environment,” said Devin Callahan, communications director at the New York League of Conservation Voters. “We need our leaders to recognize the gravity of this moment.

At Newsweek, I discuss why we are better off because of climate leadership by President Biden and Vice President Harris. President Joe Biden has done more than any president in history to address the #climatecrisis and support the growth of safe renewable energy: From renewed participation in world climate talks and commitments, to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's investments in EV infrastructure, cleanups of dirty oil and gas wells, and R&D, to the #IRA's historic, largest-ever investment in the fight against the climate crisis, to the Climate Corps, to the protection of more public land and the crackdown on methane emissions - and much, much more. And Trump has made it crystal clear that he will do his utmost to undo all the climate and environmental progress we've made. We cannot afford to go back. #climate #PresidentBiden #InflationReductionAct https://lnkd.in/g5UEhpvH

Throughout history, countries that achieved dominance in energy sources and technologies of their time dominated internationally including Britain (coal and steam), Netherlands (wind and maritime), and the U.S. (oil and ICE). Now, China has won the race for dominance in the energy sources and technologies of the 21st Century (non-carbon and electrification) while U.S. citizens and politicians debate whether there even is a race. If history is any guide...

"On Thursday, Vermont became the first state in the country to pass a law that will charge fossil fuel companies for damages caused by climate change, opening a new front in the struggle by governments across the world to hold companies accountable for products that emit planet-warming gases." This state edict could go down as a paradigm-shifting public policy that would effectively force businesses to actually account for the negative economic externalities* that their operations generate. And perhaps what's not fully appreciated is that the State of Vermont is effectively creating a local market advantage for triple bottom line** companies (e.g., B Corps**) to capitalize on, especially those operating in the renewables sector.

We need to brace for a renewal of government investment in advancing dirty fossil fuels. But there are amazing organizations like the Delaware Riverkeeper Network advancing powerful strategies that are successfully challenging and defeating dirty fossil fuels. There are powerful environmental movements like Green Amendments For The Generations advancing visionary and successful strategies that are requiring government to advance environmental protection, including addressing the climate crisis, even when they don't want to. And there are angel investors and philanthropic leaders using their financial prowess to build and advance truly green energy businesses that are driving change that is good for our environment and our economy. Together we can and will defend our communities, environment, climate, and future generations. It's just going to be a little harder for a few years. But hard is not new to those of us working in the environmental protection space. #GreenAmendment https://lnkd.in/eF4tKtZm