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Rocky Mountain Institute study shows renewables are kicking natural gas to the curb

by Steve Hanley, Clean Technica Highlights New research from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) shows that renewable energy is leading natural gas as the preferred choice of new electricity generation  The study looks at energy projects from two of America’s largest electricity markets — ERCOT and PJM RMI argues that there should be a shift … Read more

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Exxon touts carbon capture as a climate fix, but uses it to maximize profit and keep oil flowing

by Kevin Crowley and Akshat Rathi, Bloomberg Highlights Carbon captured by Exxon Mobil’s Shute Creek Treating Facility is being sold to other companies that are injecting the carbon into depleted oil fields to help produce more oil Exxon may have claimed hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credits due to the tax credit that encouraged companies … Read more

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Report: CRC’s failure could leave California taxpayers with $900 million burden

by Gabby Brown, Sierra Club Highlights New analysis from the Sierra Club shows that natural gas exploration company California Resources Corporation (CRC) may leave California taxpayers with $900 million in costs for the remediation of thousands of abandoned oil wells CRC has ownership interest in nearly 18,000 oil wells that can cause greenhouse gas emissions, … Read more

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Environmentalists to Biden: Say no to fossil fuel advisers

by Angely Mercado, Grist Highlights One hundred and forty different environmental groups have signed on to a letter to Presidential hopeful, Joe Biden, asking him to abstain from adding any fossil fuel executives, lobbyists, or representatives from his presidential cabinet and administration Groups that signed on include: Sunrise Movement, MoveOn, Zero Hour, Greenpeace, 350 Action, … Read more

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Approvals for new oil and gas wells up in California

by Daisy Nguyen, Associated Press Highlights California issued 2,691 permits to drill new wells or rework existing ones the first half of this year and the issued 48 new permits for hydraulic fracturing Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker have partnered on a “Newsom Well Watch” website and say that California has issued 190% more oil and … Read more

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Kamala Harris’ Plan For International Climate Cooperation Could Smooth the Transition From Fossil Fuels

by Aimee Barnes, State of the Planet Highlights Senator Kamala Harris’ “Climate Plan for the People” platform during her Presidential campaign highlighted the creation of an international coalition to manage the transition away from fossil fuel production In order to reach the best-case climate scenario as proposed by the Paris Agreement, the world will need … Read more

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The Democrats’ climate betrayal

by Emily Atkin, Heated Highlights The Democratic National Committee (DNC) removed language from their platform that called for the end of fossil fuel subsidies and tax breaks, citing its inclusion as an “error” During an amendment process of the party platform, the DNC voted to add in the elimination of subsidies and tax breaks this … Read more

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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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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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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