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As Congress debates an economic stimulus, where should the money be spent?

by Ken Kimmel, President of the Union of Concerned Scientists Highlights Current situation: Federal government response to COVID-19: In Washington DC a bi-partisan effort to help the country cope with COVID-19 is underway. So far, one immediate emergency bill appropriated approximately $8 billion designed to treat and prevent the virus. A second bill has also … Read more

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Traffic and pollution plummet as U.S. cities shut down for Coronavirus

by Brad Plumer and Nadja Popovich, The New York Times Highlights: Major cities across the United States are experiencing decreases in traffic and, subsequently, decreases in air pollution due to self-isolation mandates in various areas. Nitrogen dioxide emissions have dropped dramatically and traffic jams have virtually stopped in Los Angeles. Traffic was reportedly moving 71 percent faster than … Read more

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An economic crash will slow down the electric vehicle revolution … but not for long

by Laura Millan Lombrana, Jess Shankleman, and Akshat Rathi, Bloomberg Green Highlights: Due to the current pandemic of COVID-19, vehicle sales are expected to plummet, effecting the growth of electric vehicles (EVs)  for consumers. Vehicle sales have dropped 44% in China during January when the virus began to spread globally, but sales in Europe are … Read more

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Legislative Update for March 12, 2020

Below are several selected upcoming committee hearings and several, but not all, of the key bills we are tracking. For a complete list of the 44 bills we are currently tracking in 2020, click HERE. Please send updates, suggestions, corrections to info[at]cleanpowerexchange.org. Our next update will be published here on March 26. SPECIAL NOTE: Due … Read more

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Uber and Lyft are convenient, competitive and highly carbon intensive

by Phil Mckenna, Inside Climate News Highlights Popular ride-hailing services are emitting 69% more carbon dioxide compared to other modes of transportation according to a new study by the Union of Concerned Scientists. Most emissions are the result of deadheading, the act of driving around in between ride pickups, which account for 42% of miles … Read more

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Delta to invest $1 billion to curb global air travel’s climate impact

By Tracy Rucinski, Reuters Highlights: Delta Airlines aims to become the first carbon-neutral airline and plans to invest $1 billion over the next ten years to limit its environmental impact. The aviation industry accounts for roughly 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions Airlines have made small scale changes such as plastic waste reduction due to … Read more

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Washington State considers banning gas cars

By Sophie Bethune, American Psychological Association Highlights: Washington State considers banning internal combustion engine (“ICE”) vehicles by 2030. The concept has been introduced in various countries such as Norway, the UK, and Denmark in efforts to lessen transportation emissions The Washington bill, HB 2515, would ban the sale of new ICE cars by 2030, including … Read more

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Presidential candidates 2020- climate and environmental rankings

Below are some resources highlighting how the presidential candidates rank on climate action and other environmental issues. Greenpeace Greenpeace tells you the stance of the candidates on climate-related issues and also provides a platform where you can contact the candidates to tell them that you care about climate action. Website>> National Resource Defense Council On … Read more

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Electric dream: Britain to ban new petrol and hybrid cars from 2035

by Kylie MacLellan, Reuters Highlights: Following a growing trend in Europe, Britain is the next country to announce the phase-out of internal combustion engine cars within the next 15 years. This includes all diesel, petrol, and hybrid vehicles.  Though traditional cars make up 90% of new vehicle sales in Britain, the government is investing over … Read more