Is the United States in the midst of a “nuclear renaissance”? This two-part Issue Backgrounder explores that question, beginning in Part 1 with a look at the government’s part in developing nuclear power, including through subsidies, as well as why the new reactors built earlier in the 2000s didn’t really make the case for the industry’s rebirth.
"The world’s maritime nations preserved a plan to adopt the first global carbon fee on shipping, as they agreed to keep working on it in the fall and adjourned their meeting Friday. However, they also agreed to continue discussing alternative proposals and entertain new ones, which could change the plan substantially."
"People in Costa Rica and other Latin American, Asian and African countries are increasingly buying electric vehicles to avoid spiking fuel prices."
"For decades, a small EPA program assessed toxic chemicals. In an internal memo obtained by ProPublica, a top Trump appointee sharply criticized the program’s work and directed agency offices to review regulations that relied on its assessments."
"A widely used chemical solvent used to make plastics is harming the health of workers, but it’s not a risk to the public or the environment, EPA has determined."
"Legislators in at least 28 states this year introduced bills that would roll back tax incentives for the energy-hungry facilities."
"Trump froze funding for the Biden-era initiative, but, after court battles, some states continue to use the money."
"The Trump administration is throwing its weight behind gas providers and utilities that want the Supreme Court to strike down Biden-era Department of Energy rules that tightened standards for gas-powered commercial water heaters and consumer furnaces."
"Offshore wind turbines roughly three times the height of the Statue of Liberty were spinning far off the coast of Rhode Island on Thursday, sending clean electricity to the region. Wind farms are taking shape and operating along the East Coast, even as President Donald Trump seeks to end the U.S. offshore wind industry. He often talks about his hatred of wind power and calls turbines ugly."
"The new investigation by DeSmog and Politico found boutique Paris-based PR firm Digital Tellers is linked to a web of connected Facebook groups and accounts, which regularly share false claims about the cost, noise and reliability of heat pumps."
