Supreme Court Limits EPA, Founder Nikola Nixes Shares Increases and How Climate Change Hurts Crops
This week Current climatewhich every Saturday brings you the latest in sustainability business. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every week.
Getty Images
On thursdaythe Supreme Court ruled in the case West Virginia vs. Environmental Protection Agency. The case involved a challenge by several states and coal companies against the EPA over its ability to regulate emissions from power plants by “generational shifting” – that is, requiring power plants to actually change the method of electricity generation, such as switching from coal to natural gas or solar. The Supreme Court chose to rule on the issue, despite the fact that the EPA had yet to produce rules.
In a 6-to-3 decision, the Court ruled that the EPA’s power to regulate emissions under the Clean Air Act was not broad enough to include generational change, concluding that the agency would need to an explicit authorization from Congress to hold this power. “Capping carbon dioxide emissions at a level that will force a nationwide transition away from using coal to generate electricity may be a ‘sense solution to the crisis of the day,'” wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the majority opinion. “But it’s not plausible that Congress gave the EPA the authority to enact such a regulatory scheme on its own.”
In a dissenting opinion joined by Justices Breyer and Sotomayor, Elena Kagan wrote that the Court’s opinion amounted to legislation, arguing that Congress had delegated authority to reduce air pollution – including greenhouse gas emissions. carbon – to the EPA, and that would be the appropriate jurisdiction. of Congress to limit the agency’s authority if it disagreed with its policies. “[T]he Court today prevents action by the agency authorized by Congress to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants,” Kagan wrote. “The Court names itself, instead of Congress or the expert agency, the climate policy maker. I can’t think of many scarier things.
The big read
Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Here’s the latest climate and food data and it’s not good
As a devastating and historic drought from Illinois to Texas to California continues, sophisticated mapping and data projection bring more bad news: agricultural areas are among the places in the United States experiencing the greatest temperature increases. Worst hit are almonds, olive oil and other specialty products in California’s Central Valley, as well as citrus, grape and salad farms elsewhere in the state. Row crop farmers who harvest corn and soybeans in Arkansas and other Midwestern states are also affected. Learn more here.
Discoveries and Innovations
Researchers studying ice cores from Tibetan glaciers have discovered nearly 1,000 distinct new species of microorganisms. Previous studies have shown that ancient microorganisms frozen in ice can still be infectious, raising concerns about the potential new diseases caused by melting glaciers.
Nearly a quarter of the world’s population lives in a risk zone flood and nearly all of them are in low- and middle-income countries, according to research released Tuesday.
The London Borough of Camden launched a new air quality sensor network that provides significantly higher resolutions and refreshes much faster than the region’s existing network.
New York-based company windmill has developed a quiet, energy-efficient air conditioner that also reduces refrigerant pollution.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University discovered how last year’s high heat and severe drought interacted in the American Southwest, causing ecological impacts in the region and increasing the risk of wildfires. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these risks in the future.
Sustainability Deals of the Week
The Sustainable Ocean Alliancewhich aims to provide funding to young entrepreneurs developing solutions to improve ocean health, announced that it has raised $15 million in funding to support projects.
Fleetzerowhich aims to replace diesel engines in existing freighters with electric motors, has secured $15.5 million in new funding to convert its first ship, Techcrunch reports.
Food conglomerate Mars, Inc. announced that it will sponsor a new coral reef restoration event in 2023, which aims to build over 5,000 square meters of reef in four days.
The National Weather Service this week began running its operational weather, water and climate models on twin General Dynamics Information Technology supercomputers. Both supercomputers are among the 50 fastest in the world.
on the horizon
In order to accelerate the development of new technologies aimed at mitigating climate change, the United States Patent and Trademark Office announced this week that it will accelerate patent applications for inventions in this field.
What else we read this week
Why ‘rooftop wind’ simply can’t compete with rooftop solar (popular science)
The world can’t wean off Chinese lithium (wired)
SEA CHANGE: Can ancient pirates help scientists study troubled waters? (Science)
Green Transportation Update
Getty Images
Jesla started second trimester on a tear after starting 2022 with its biggest profits and highest vehicle deliveries in company history, fueled by booming business in China. But a severe Covid-related lockdown there that continued until this month, along with start-up difficulties at the electric carmaker’s new factories, caused analysts to cut their forecast for the numbers. worldwide delivery plans which it should publish shortly.
The great history of transport
Nicholas
Nikola delays annual meeting again after lack of votes on share increase plan
The electric truck maker has put its battery-powered models into production, but to move forward with plans to build hydrogen fuel cell tractor-trailers and the stations needed to power them, it needs more of financing. This plan plans to increase its number of shares by a third, but so far it has not attracted enough investors to support it. The company has again postponed its annual meeting to give shareholders more time to weigh in. To learn more, click here.
More green transport news
What range of anxiety? Mercedes’ Vision EQXX EV travels 747 miles on a single charge
Interest in gas prices for electric vehicles is not a passing fad, Cox economists predict
Cadillac gets off to a good start with 2023 Lyriq
Everything you need to know for a great EV/Tesla road trip
E-bike theft claims rise 37% year-on-year, UK insurer reveals
Hyundai chief targets Tesla as company opens government-mandated test site
Volkswagen takes on Tesla and Benz EQE with mid-size ID.Aero concept at 385 miles
For more sustainability coverage, click here.