REACTIONS TO SOOT RULE: The Environmental Protection Agency this morning finalized tougher standards for soot, lowering the fine particle standard from 12 micrograms per cubic meter to nine.
The reactions: Republicans argued that the new standard is not attainable in a number of states, which along with localities are required to meet the standard, and would threaten industrial jobs. Environment and Public Works Committee ranking member Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said that states would need to limit development across “large areas of the country.”
“Given the vast majority of PM2.5 emissions come from non-point sources like wildfires, we urged the administration not to go too far or target American businesses by setting its particulate matter standard too low,” she said. “It’s disappointing to see the EPA is moving ahead without considering these important factors.”
But, there’s more to do, according to environmentalists: John Graham, a senior scientist at Clean Air Task Force, compared the newest standard to Canada’s ambient air quality standards, which set the limit for soot at 8.8 micrograms per cubic meter. The organization, though, is calling for an even tighter annual standard of 8 micrograms per cubic meter, and a daily standard of 25 micrograms per cubic meter, citing a recommendation from the agency’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee.
Those levels would protect “public health from both typical and peak concentrations of PM2.5 and provide an adequate margin of safety,” Graham said in a written statement.
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ORSTED RETRENCHES AFTER NEW JERSEY STRUGGLES: Danish offshore wind giant Orsted announced plans today to cut jobs and leave several markets around the world in an effort to become “leaner and more efficient” after a difficult 2023, CNBC reports.
The revamped plan follows its decision in November to halt development on two major wind farms offshore of New Jersey in the face of inflated costs and supply chain delays. Orsted said it was “implementing the learnings from its US offshore projects into its operating model to reduce risks in the development and execution of projects.”
The company is now aiming for 35 to 38 gigawatts of installed capacity by the end of the decade, down from 50 GW.
DOE SAYS PUERTO RICO CAN REACH 100% RENEWABLES BY 2050: The Department of Energy and the Federal Emergency Management Agency released a summary report concluding that Puerto Rico can meet its projected electricity needs with 100% renewable energy by 2050, citing that the territory has “more than enough renewable energy resource potential to meet its current and future electricity needs.”
Throughout all scenarios of the study, P.R.’s rooftop solar and storage capacity is expected to “significantly increase” by 2050. The agency touted that on Feb. 22, residents can apply for DOE’s Solar Access Program, one that’s expected to connect up to 30,000 low-income households with residential rooftop solar and battery storage systems with zero upfront costs.
Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, who is scheduled to announce the findings of the analysis this afternoon in San Juan, said in a statement that the administration “is committed to equity-centered climate solutions that provide a direct and immediate benefit to those grappling with the persistent and lingering effects of climate change.” Read the report here.
ERCOT WAS WARNED ABOUT EXPENSIVE GRID POLICY, PER REPORT: Texas grid officials were warned that efforts to beef up the state’s electric supply risked driving up power prices – but moved forward anyways, according to a Bloomberg report.
As the publication outlines, concerns about prices arose days following the launch of a new policy meant to provide more backup electricity supply to its reserve in case of emergencies – a policy known as the ERCOT Contingency Reserve Service, or ECRS. Complaints had soon arrived at Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office, according to text messages between staffers of both offices.
Still, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, otherwise known as ERCOT, continued with the plan. A watchdog of the grid estimated that the new policy resulted in increased wholesale prices by $12 billion in less than six months – but did little to increase reliability on the grid.
Although ERCOT had disputed the watchdog’s estimate, the grid operator is now reviewing its process for sourcing its reserves, according to a statement provided to Bloomberg. The agency is also working with the Texas Public Utility Commission – which oversees ERCOT – along with others, to “evaluate ECRS and ensure it is serving its intended purpose of improving reliability and being procured in a manner that is cost-effective for Texas consumers.”
Why it’s important: Texas’ grid problems, which have been acute in recent years, represent a larger challenge facing other states and countries, namely that electricity demand is increasing as grids become increasingly reliant on renewable energy, for which capacity depends on the wind and sun. Ensuring reliability can be pricey. More on that here.
NINE STATES SET TARGET FOR HEAT PUMPS: Nine blue states have joined together to set a target that heat pumps make up 65% of sales for residential heating, cooling, and water heating by 2030.
The memorandum of understanding announced today was coordinated by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, which comprises the air quality agencies in the New England states and New York and New Jersey. It was also signed by the directors of environmental agencies in California, Oregon, and Maryland.
The signatories argue that buildings are “a hidden source of air pollution” and that transitioning to heat pumps from fossil fuel-powered heating and cooling equipment will help lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce illnesses caused by poor air quality.
CALIFORNIA MEGA STORM RESULTS IN MORE THAN 400 MUDSLIDES: At least 475 mudslides were recorded in Los Angeles following one of the wettest storms in Southern California history – with the area seeing more than half the amount of rainfall the city gets in a season in just a matter of two days. However, officials are warning that the threat of the storm isn’t over.
As the Associated Press outlines, nearly 400 trees toppled due to the storm’s wrath. Seven deaths were reported, including several people reportedly getting crushed by fallen trees in Northern California. Someone trying to enter the U.S. was swept in the Tijuana River channel and died early Tuesday at the border, according to border officials.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated that the city will seek federal aid, including emergency vouchers for homeless people in shelters. The city will also look to see if it can qualify for FEMA funds to help restore homes in hillside communities that are not covered by insurance companies, but were still damaged by the storm. More on that here.
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