Baltimore, M.D. —After a month of action from the Maryland House of Delegates and the State Senate, the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) updates to the EmPOWER Maryland program became law today despite not being signed by Governor Hogan. The legislation, a natural extension of the 2008 legislation of the PSC’s July 2015 Order, will ensure the state continues its energy efficiency investments by requiring utilities to reduce electricity usage 2 percent annually by 2020.
Washington, DC -- Today, Senate Republicans rushed through a confirmation vote on Donald Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Neil Gorsuch has been met with widespread criticism both across the country and from the Senate before, during, and after his confirmation process.
Oklahoma City, OK -- Today, the Western Oklahoma District Court announced, after the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), the state agency tasked with regulating oil and gas operations, took several steps towards tackling the earthquake epidemic, that it planned to dismiss without prejudice a landmark lawsuit against three of the largest fossil fuel companies in Oklahoma. The week after the notice of intent to sue was filed, the OCC announced a volume reduction plan for several dozen disposal wells in western Oklahoma.
Anchorage, Alaska-- PacRim Coal, the company behind the controversial proposed Chuitna coal mine in Alaska, announced on Friday that it suspended all permitting activities related to the Chuitna project. According to Dan Graham, PacRim’s project manager, the permit is being pulled because its financial backers fell through.
INDIANAPOLIS -- A new report released today by Environment America ranks Indianapolis 4th in installed solar power per capita and 6th in installed solar capacity in a national ranking of cities. In 2016, Indianapolis ranked 2nd in installed solar power per capita, according to the same rankings.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sierra Club joined Earthjustice, the Consumer Federation of America, and NRDC today in notifying the Trump Administration of their intent to sue the Department of Energy (DOE) for delaying new energy efficiency standards that will protect public health and save customers and businesses money on their electricity bills.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Peabody Energy emerged from bankruptcy on Monday after shedding $5 billion in debt that it accumulated from reckless coal investments it made over the past decade.
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- According to news reports, Donald Trump has donated his first quarter salary of just over $78,000 to the National Park Service. The move comes after Trump proposed slashing the Department of the Interior’s budget by 12%, which includes the National Park Service.
In response, Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club,issued the following statement.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted strictly along party lines to vote the confirmation of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court out of committee. Gorsuch’s nomination now heads to the Senate floor without the 60 votes required to confirm a Supreme Court nominee. Should Gorsuch’s nomination fail, either Donald Trump could propose a new nominee, or McConnell could do away with the more than 200-year old precedent and change Senate rules to force the nominee through.