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A jobs program to plug abandoned oil wells sounds like a win-win. Is it?

by Emily Pontecorvo, Grist Highlights Abandoned oil wells across the country are leaking methane, a greenhouse gas that has 86 times the heat-trapping power of carbon dioxide The impending collapse of the oil industry around the world will only make matters worse, as more oil wells will be abandoned and the gas leaks will continue … Read more

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SoCalGas trying to prevent regulators from learning more about its anti-climate political tactics

by Emily Atkin, Heated Highlights SoCalGas recently failed to stop building electrification efforts in the coastal city of San Luis Obispo by creating a group to advocate against it, threatening to hold a non-COVID 19 compliant rally if the law passes, and are suspected to have pushed a story saying building electrification was racially discriminatory … Read more

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The rise of leaky wells and taxpayer liabilities

Fracking rig operates next to a walking and bike way for residents of Signal Hill drilling into the Los Angeles Oil Field. Photo by Sarah Craig.

A rapidly growing movement is underway in California to call out Governor Gavin Newsom for ramping up approval of fracking and drilling permits. This comes at a time when the effects of fossil fuel pollution on public health is of grave concern and many oil and gas companies may abandon leaky wells because of bankruptcy with falling demand for their products.

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Grim day for pipelines shows they’re almost impossible to build

by Rachel Adams-Heard and Ellen M. Gilmer, Bloomberg Highlights Giant pipeline projects such as the Datoka Access Pipeline and the Atlantic Pipeline are being shut down as the fight against fossil fuel infrastructure grows Energy companies Dominion Energy Inc. and Duke Energy Corp. canceled the Atlantic Coast gas pipeline after years of delays and major … Read more

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Over 5,600 fossil fuel companies have taken at least $3bn in US Covid-19 aid

by Emily Holden, The Guardian Highlights The Small Business Administration (SBA) released data showing that oil and gas drillers, coal mine operators, refiners, and pipeline companies have taken advantage of federal coronavirus aid Companies include: Navajo Transitional Energy Company, CCU Coal and Construction, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, and thousands more Four companies that received aid … Read more

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California is becoming the gas station of the Pacific Rim

gas station by sergio souza on pexels

by Ann Alexander, NRDC Highlights California has been importing more oil as its extraction in state has begun to wind down due to clean cars and fuel standards decreasing our need for oil Many argue that the import of oil from other countries is worse than drilling in state California has yet to pass a … Read more

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California is re-evaluating cap and trade

by Rachel Becker, CalMatters Highlights California has relied on its carbon cap and trade program to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the state. Many believe this policy is not strong enough to reduce emissions to 40% below 1990 levels and now the state must decide if it will reform the program. California was … Read more

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Vatican calls on Catholics to divest from fossil fuels

by Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill Highlights The Vatican has released “Journeying Towards Care For Our Common Home,” a  225-page encyclical calling on all church bishops to divest from fossil fuels in efforts to slow the climate crisis The document also calls on Catholics to drop support for companies that support abortion and armaments Pope Francis … Read more

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In pandemic recovery efforts, polluting industries are winning big

by Beth Gardiner, Yale Environment 360 Highlights Polluting industries such as airlines and fossil fuel companies have been lobbying for bailout funds and loosening of environmental regulations during the COVID-19 crisis Bailouts and lack of environmental regulations will create a  high-carbon legacy that will last much longer than the current pandemic Since the pandemic, U.S. … Read more

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Melting permafrost in record heat in Arctic damages Russia’s oil & gas network causing oil spill

NPS Climate Change Response NPS Photo (C.Ciancibelli)

by Chanan Bos, Clean Technica Highlights Many of Russia’s oil wells are built on permafrost, a layer of frozen soil, sand, and gravel. This permafrost is now melting quickly, jeopardizing the country’s oil supplies and accelerating climate change The permafrost these oil wells are built on is considered contiguous, meaning it stays frozen for thousands … Read more