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President Biden issued an executive order permanently banning future offshore oil and gas leasing across 625 million acres of US ocean waters, citing environmental concerns and arguing the ban is unnecessary to meet national energy needs. This action, invoking the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, is designed to be difficult for a future administration to reverse, requiring congressional action. While the oil industry and some Republicans strongly opposed the move, the administration maintains the ban will have little economic impact and enjoys bipartisan support from coastal communities and governors. The decision builds on prior presidential actions to protect coastal areas from offshore drilling.
In a move finalized just weeks before the change in presidential administrations, the Department of the Interior proposed a two-year ban on oil and gas leasing across 264,000 acres of Nevada’s Ruby Mountains. This follows a prior rejection of a similar proposal under the Trump administration due to overwhelming public opposition and geological surveys indicating minimal oil potential. The Biden administration cites preservation of the area’s recreational value and wildlife habitat as justification. The proposal now enters a 90-day public comment period under the incoming Trump administration, which could potentially challenge the ban.
Wyoming has sold a 1-square-mile parcel bordering Grand Teton National Park to the U.S. government for $100 million, a deal finalized after the governor approved the sale, preventing a potential developer sale. The federal government contributed $62.5 million, with private funding covering the remainder. This ecologically significant land, habitat to various wildlife, represents the last of four state-owned parcels added to the park over the past decade. The sale concluded after negotiations involving the Bureau of Land Management and concerns over development restrictions in southwestern Wyoming.
President-elect Trump proposed a plan to expedite approvals and permits for any individual or company investing $1 billion or more in the U.S., including environmental approvals. This proposal, widely criticized as illegal by environmental groups and legal experts, would allow wealthy investors to circumvent existing regulations, such as the National Environmental Policy Act. Critics argue this plan prioritizes the interests of large corporations and fossil fuel donors over public health and environmental protection. The plan’s legality is questionable, and its implementation faces significant regulatory hurdles. The incoming administration’s choice for EPA head, Lee Zeldin, has minimal environmental policy experience but supports Trump’s deregulatory agenda.
Billions of vehicles annually release 6 million tonnes of tire particles, a significant, yet often overlooked, source of microplastic pollution, accounting for 28% of global microplastic environmental input. These particles, containing hundreds of potentially harmful chemical additives like zinc oxide and 6PPD, necessitate classification as a unique pollution category to facilitate targeted research and policy development. Currently lacking sufficient research on their dispersal and ecological impact, addressing this requires innovative tyre design, weight-based taxation on vehicles, and international collaboration mirroring successful climate and biodiversity initiatives. Failure to act will exacerbate this growing environmental threat.
The Biden administration is implementing a new rule that will impose a federal fee on oil and gas companies exceeding specific methane emission levels. This rule, announced at COP29, fulfills a congressional directive within the 2022 climate law and aims to reduce one of the most potent greenhouse gases. The fee, expected to begin at $900 per ton in 2024 and increase to $1,500 per ton by 2026, aims to incentivize the adoption of emission-reducing technologies and reduce methane emissions by 1.2 million metric tons by 2035, equivalent to removing eight million cars from the road for a year. While industry groups are expected to oppose the rule, environmental organizations support it, advocating for the oil and gas sector to be held accountable for its contributions to climate change.
The news that former President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement once again has people reeling. The idea of the US pulling out of this crucial international accord, after already having done so under Trump’s first term, is sparking a wave of outrage and despair.
Many are pointing out the irony of the potential withdrawal, given the increasingly evident impacts of climate change, such as the devastating hurricanes and rising sea levels that are already affecting vulnerable coastal communities like Miami. The hypocrisy of powerful individuals like Trump, who can easily relocate to higher, cooler ground, while others are left to grapple with the consequences of their actions, is a recurring theme in the comments.… Continue reading
Vermont has made headlines recently by becoming the first state to require oil companies to pay for the damage caused by climate change. While this may seem like a step in the right direction, the real question remains: how will this enforcement actually be carried out? As a resident of Colorado, I have seen similar initiatives being passed off onto consumers, with the burden ultimately falling on our shoulders. It makes you wonder if this new legislation is truly about holding oil companies accountable or simply a disguised way to extract more money from the average citizen.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott took a unique approach by allowing the bill to become law without his signature.… Continue reading
At a dinner event, Trump openly assailed climate rules and shamelessly asked for $1 billion from big oil companies. The audacity and blatant disregard for ethical standards shown by Trump as he essentially advertised himself as being for sale is truly alarming. Despite abundant evidence to the contrary, his supporters continue to believe in his false promise of “draining the swamp”, further highlighting the power of blind loyalty and misinformation in influencing political views.
The Trump campaign’s response to inquiries about his solicitation of funds from big oil executives, alleging that Biden is controlled by environmental extremists, only adds insult to injury.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood