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Opinion: Methane leaks in the Central Valley may be worsening COVID-19 cases

by Karen L. Jones, California Health Report Highlights According to the California Department of Public Health, the death rate due to chronic lower respiratory disease is 12 times higher in the San Joaquin Valley compared to the rest of the state and 14 times higher than the national rate The intense pollution in the region … Read more

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How the gas industry is waging war against climate action

by Emily Holden, The Guardian Highlights The gas industry has been orchestrating efforts to push against any climate policy that threatens their business models through coalition building, hiring lobbying firms, social media strategy, and op-eds Though natural gas is touted as a safe resource, the extraction and transportation of the gas leaks methane, which is … Read more

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California oil production limits stall in Legislature, leaving the issue to Newsom

More than 95% of all Federal drilling occurs in established fields within the Kern County area of the San Joaquin Valley.

by Phil Willon, The Los Angeles Times Highlights Assembley Bill 345, legislation that would have mandated setbacks of oil drilling sites from homes, schools, and other community dwellings, was voted down 5-4 The bill would have also required the Department of Conservation to create an environmental justice progam where residents near drilling sites could voice their … Read more

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Defying Trump, California locks in vehicle emission deals with major automakers

by David Shepardson, Reuters Highlights The California Air Resources Board (CARB) along with Ford, Volkswagen, Honda, Volvo, and BMW finalized agreements that create low vehicle emissions standards for cars in California According to The Center for Biological Diversity, the deal will improve fuel economy by an estimated 3.7% year over year between 2022-2026 These new … Read more

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A climate-driven transformation of wildfires around the globe

by Michael Kodas, Inside Climate News Highlights Climate change is increasing the severity and size of wildfires across the globe Fires in Colorado burned over 200,000 acres, while fires in California burned an area the size of Rhode Island These Western US fires were predicted by Federal wildfire forecasters due to the trend of low … Read more

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Storebrand dumps oil and mining stocks on climate change lobbying

by Chris Flood and Attracta Mooney, Financial Times Highlights Multibillion-dollar Nordic asset manager, Storebrand, has dropped ExxonMobile, Chevron, Southern Company, BASF, and Rio Tinto from its portfolio after these companies lobbyed against stricter environmental standards Investors of oil companies and other industries that deal with fossil fuels are pushing these companies to lobby against climate-related standards Jan … Read more

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California Community Choice agencies eye long duration batteries for energy storage

Photovoltaik_Dachanlage_Hannover_-_Schwarze_Heide_-_1_MW by AleSpa

by Kavya Balaraman, Utility Dive Highlights A group of 11 small scale, local agencies called Community Choice Agencies (CCAs) have issued a request for information regarding long-duration battery storage that can hold power for at least 8 hours The storage can be used to take in excess solar power from the day and shift its … Read more

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Why 2020 to 2050 will be ‘the most transformative decades in human history’

by Eric Holthaus, One Zero Highlights A study from UC Berkeley illustrates that climate catastrophes will onset violence such as domestic abuse and even civil wars, setting up the potential collapse of many countries  Conflict avoidance is ingrained into the world’s climate response, by refocusing on creating an ecological society, our care of the planet … Read more

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How to drive fossil fuels out of the US economy, quickly

Credit: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

by David Roberts, Vox Highlights A new initiative, Rewiring America founded by Saul Griffith, asserts that rapid decarbonization through electrification would create 15 million to 20 million jobs in the next decade and that it’s possible to eliminate 70 percent to 80 percent of US carbon emissions by 2035 through rapid deployment of existing electrification … Read more

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Massachusetts pilot project offers gas utilities a possible path to survival

by Justin Gerdes, Greentech Media Highlights Realizing that Massachusetts will not meet its emissions reduction targets if the state continues to use natural gas, the Department of Public Utilities is investigating the future of natural gas companies at the request of State Attorney General Maura Healey Electrification of buildings, energy efficiency, and geothermal network applications … Read more