NetZero Insider Weekly Intelligence Report: Policy & Impacts

This week in NetZero Insider’s roundup of policy news, Energy Secretary Chris Wright was on the Hill for a budget hearing where he spent much of the time defending DOE’s delays in spending in previously appropriated funds, which James Downing covered. Democrats defended Congress’ power of the purse, arguing that many projects DOE has paused should have moved forward. Wright said the department has not stopped any projects that were already underway and is simply reviewing spending, including a huge number of bequests that the Biden administration pushed out in its lame duck phase.

James also covered a lawsuit by a group of 18 Democratic state attorneys general against the Trump administration over the president’s Day 1 executive order that halted federal approvals for offshore wind projects. The order was another wrench in the works for offshore wind, which several East Coast states are counting on to meet growing demand. The lawsuit argues President Trump’s order to halt approvals for the renewable technology goes against other orders and goals seeking to expand generation achieve “energy dominance.”

NetZero’s Hugh Morley covered a major offshore wind conference in Atlantic City, N.J., where participants talked about their efforts to keep some of the policies from the Inflation Reduction Act in place, such as tax credits that are vital to the industry. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to weigh in on the fate of those tax credits with some hearings this week, which as of the writing of this email have yet to be scheduled.

Up in Massachusetts, legislators are focused on affordability and reliability this session, as NetZero’s Jon Lamson reported. The commonwealth is also keen on progressing its efforts to cut greenhouse gases, as a key senator told Lamson, which could involve a major shift to rooftop solar if the Trump administration prevents more offshore wind leases. Another goal in the legislature is to end retail competition for residential customers, which has been a policy goal of Gov. Maura Healey (D) since she was attorney general for the state. Opponents argued residential customers do not benefit from competition, as they wind up paying more than default service rates on average.

Rounding out coverage from NetZero Insider itself, John Cropley wrote about a report from Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions on how the U.S. could use its vast reserves of natural gas to produce “blue” hydrogen. The report goes to the tax credit debate as well because the 45V credits from the Inflation Reduction Act would be needed to commercialize the nascent industry.

The New York Times published a story looking into President Trump’s directive that the Department of Justice sue states over their climate laws. While deregulatory actions and policies favoring fossil fuels were expected, the move against states goes against longstanding Republican positions around states’ rights, the Times noted. So far DOJ has filed suits against policies in California, Hawaii, Michigan and Vermont.

The Associated Press covered an expected move from Trump’s EPA to end the Energy Star program, which has advised consumers on which products are more energy efficient for the last 30-plus years. The program has saved consumers $500 billion in energy spending over those years, and until recently, it enjoyed bipartisan support.

Read other stories from this week’s Intelligence Report:

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Equity & Economics
Finance & Investing
Impact & Adaptation
Policy & Politics

Equity & Economics

Environmental Justice

U.S.

30 years of environmental justice, dismantled in 100 days

Under the Trump administration, policies to protect the communities most affected by pollution are "illegal." Grist

Equity & Economics

U.S.

Adding Clean Energy To The Grid Can Help With Affordable Electric Bills For American Families

In many parts of the country, wind and solar are the cheapest forms of electricity. Even in recent times with high interest rates, renewables remain cost-competitive with conventional generation. Forbes

Workforce Development

U.S.

What is it like on the climate job market right now?

Laid off workers are facing an uncertain and emotional job search. Here's what experts have to say about where to look -- plus resources for those on the hunt. Grist

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Finance & Investing

International

Exxon and Chevron Report Lower Profits While Girding for Tariffs

President Trump's trade policies have helped to push down oil prices while raising the costs of materials for oil and gas companies. The New York Times

International

US pension giants to oppose Woodside chair reappointment

Australian energy giant Woodside is bracing for a turbulent AGM, with major institutional investors pre-declaring their votes against the firm's chair, according to reports in the Australian media. Net Zero Investor

U.S.

Tariff uncertainty forces global energy storage company to pause active US projects

Global energy storage company Fluence, a Siemens and AES company, has decided to pause some of its U.S. projects under existing contracts and to defer entry into pending contracts until there is "better visibility and certainty on the tariff environment." Factor This

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Impact & Adaptation

Impact

International

Climate smart communities: How local solutions drive global impact

Communities worldwide face the dual challenge of ensuring sustainable progress and development while protecting delicate ecosystems. World Economic Forum

International

Scientists Forecast a Big Increase of Clear-Air Turbulence That Could Lead to Bumpier Flights

Scientists at the European Geosciences Union conference last week said there is growing scientific evidence that global warming is driving a big increase in dangerous clear-air turbulence, which is invisible from the cockpit and can surprise pilots and damage aircraft. Inside Climate News

International

World's Richest 10 Percent Responsible for Two-Thirds of Warming

The study further shows how the world's wealthiest are fueling severe weather worldwide, particularly in poorer countries. Yale E360

Litigation

Hawaii

Hawaii Sues Big Oil for Alleged Climate Deception

The state joins over three dozen cities, counties and states that have sued the oil industry for selling products it allegedly knew would warm the planet and amplify sea level rise, hurricanes and wildfires. Inside Climate News

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Policy & Politics

Colorado

Trump's Onslaught Hits Staffers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Insiders report 114 job cuts on Monday, done in a "haphazard and unorganized" way. Mother Jones

Connecticut

Connecticut Struggles To Reconcile The High Cost Of Electricity With A Push For Renewables

Buried in the 80-page bill are decreases in home solar incentives and increases for nuclear power renewable energy credits. CleanTechnica

Georgia

In Georgia, a fight over credit for its clean energy boom

According to a new report by Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, some 42,000 jobs are now at risk, as Republicans consider repealing IRA tax credits to pay for President Trump's proposed tax cuts. Grist

Indiana

Neighbors' concerns drive Indiana's clean energy regulations

Neighbors' attitudes and information from peers have a stronger influence in Indiana's communities than expert-based information when determining renewable energy regulations and development, researchers from Purdue University found. pv magazine

International

Canada's new prime minister wants to make the country into an 'energy superpower'

Mark Carney has promised to partner with Indigenous peoples. He's also promised to fast-track extractive energy projects. Grist

International

The hard choice between growth, security and climate

While the green agenda remains critical, it must be balanced with the other fundamental imperatives of our age. Financial Times

International

The Renewable Energy Trap: A Warning to Nations Pursuing Blind Sustainability

Blind adherence to renewable energy, in its current form at least, is not the panacea many believe it to be. In fact, it could prove to be a short, green path to economic ruin for both developed and developing nations alike. RealClear Energy

North Carolina

Inspired NC Republicans Target Environmental Justice, Clean Energy Jobs and Programs

While GOP lawmakers shut down the environmental justice program established by Democrats under a 2016 civil rights agreement, they appropriated funds and added staff for the Republican-controlled Environmental Management Commission. Inside Climate News

Ohio

Ohio Supreme Court rejects local opposition to block 325-MW solar project

Despite Ohio's intensified local opposition and restrictive solar restrictions in recent years, the state's Supreme Court sided with the Ohio Power Siting board to allow a 350 MW project in central Ohio. pv magazine

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico drops $1B climate lawsuit as Trump targets state cases

The move came days after the Justice Department sued two states over their legal challenges against the oil and gas industry. Climatewire

U.S.

DOE shuffles top staff, eyes loans to boost coal

The department's new chief of staff comes from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Energywire

U.S.

Energy Star, efficiency program that has steered consumer choice, targeted in cuts

Those plans advance President Donald Trump's sharp turn away from the prior administration's focus on climate change. The Associated Press

U.S.

Five key considerations for energy developers looking to lease from states, cities and towns

Leasing from a public entity is not without its own complexities, but with proper planning and strategy including understanding their unique approval procedures, timelines and politics, a partnership with a municipal landlord is certainly worth considering. Solar Power World

U.S.

Meet the 4 influencers shaping Chris Wright's worldview

A common refrain: Climate policy hurts the poor, and the continued use of fossil fuels is a boon for humanity. Climatewire

U.S.

New 'Climate Superfund' Laws Face Widening Legal Challenges

The Trump administration sued to block two state laws designed to force oil companies to pay the costs of climate change. Several other states are joining the fight, too. The New York Times

U.S.

Republicans target light bulb efficiency rules with new bill

Mike Lee targets light bulb efficiency rules with new bill - would prevent new regs and terminate three existing ones E&E News

U.S.

Science backers say proposed science cuts pose dire risks

The president's $1.7 trillion discretionary budget blueprint would cut $163 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, offering an outline of his vision for Washington and dramatically curtailing the role and reach of the federal government. The New York Times

U.S.

Scientists Are Reviving Climate and Nature Research Efforts in the Wake of Trump Cuts

The National Climate Assessment and National Nature Assessment were set to offer a status check for the environment in the U.S. Then they were axed. Inside Climate News

U.S.

Senate approves resolution against Biden efficiency rule

Senate passes CRA action reversing Biden efficiency labeling rule, likely to be signed by POTUS E&E News

U.S.

Three issues to watch as DOE 'energy dominance' agenda takes shape

A look at what changes are coming to DOE with new budget and new priorities, which include less of a focus on energy efficiency E&E News by POLITICO

U.S.

Trump Administration Unveils EPA Overhaul With Shift to Approving New Chemicals

The Environmental Protection Agency's administrator, Lee Zeldin, announced the agency was "shifting its scientific expertise." The New York Times

U.S.

Trump Is Picking New Climate Fights With States. Here's Why.

The White House has begun a new effort to sue individual states over their climate initiatives and to stop lawsuits against fossil fuel companies. The New York Times

U.S.

Trump Just Permitted a Solar Farm

Are more on the way? Heatmap

U.S.

Trump's Proposed Cuts to Energy and Environment Programs Worry Advocates, Elected Officials

President Trump presented billions of dollars in cuts to programs that, among other things, would fund renewable energy research and cover heating costs for low-income Americans. Inside Climate News

Virginia

Virginia governor vetoes energy storage legislation

The governor said: "Long-duration energy storage is an expensive technology and if utilities believed it to be the best technology to meet demand, they would be actively seeking permission to build them." Energy Storage News

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