November 8, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
As COP29 highlights the need for climate finance, experts emphasize a shift toward evidence-based metrics to maximize the impact of climate funding. A recent Environmental Defense
Carbon capture project is ‘Band-Aid’ to greenwash $10bn LNG plant, locals say
Summary
The proposed Rio Grande LNG, situated on pristine wetlands between Port Isabel and the city of Brownsville is claimed by developer NextDecade to be the "greenest LNG project in the world," employing carbon capture and storage, or CCS, to collect more than 5 million tons of CO2 created during the process of supercooling the gas for loading into specialized ships for export. According to the firm, it will be one of the largest CCS systems in North America, as well as the first LNG terminal to cut CO2 emissions by more than 90%. However, according to a 2019 study by the Department of Energy, the process of cooling the gas generates just 6-7% of the total emissions connected with such facilities. As a result, the planned CCS facility will only be able to reduce a tiny portion of Rio Grande LNG's overall climate effect. According to the Sierra Club, developing Rio Grande LNG may result in up to 163 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per year, which is equal to 44 coal plants or more than 35 million automobiles. Due to technical and economic barriers, only 30 commercial CCS projects are in operation globally, many of which are utilized to recover additional oil by re-injecting CO2 into wells. According to the Global CCS Institute, the capacity of these current systems is 43 million tons of CO2 per year, or around 0.1% of global emissions. At least 15 proposed or current LNG export or upstream gas projects throughout the world have revealed intentions to use CCS, including five in Louisiana and Texas proposed by NextDecade, G2 Net-Zero LNG, Venture Global, Sempra Energy, and the French conglomerate TotalEnergies. The Biden administration boosted CCS in August by increasing a carbon-storage tax credit known as 45Q in the Inflation Reduction Act.
November 8, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
Key utility commission elections in Arizona, Montana, and Louisiana saw Republican victories, which could influence each state's approach to clean energy. In Arizona, a Republican
November 8, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, faces major challenges with the recent U.S. election of Donald Trump and global economic strain. Key issues include setting a new climate aid goal, as d
November 7, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
Despite Donald Trump’s plans to re-exit the Paris Climate Accord, the renewable energy movement appears resilient. Wind and solar power, now the cheapest energy sources worldwide,
November 7, 2024
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
In the recent U.S. elections, voters in five states passed significant environmental ballot initiatives, allocating billions for climate resilience and conservation. Minnesota vot
November 7, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
A recent analysis reveals that emissions from private jet travel rose 50% from 2019 to 2023, driven by increased use of jets for short trips, some under 50 kilometers. Tracking
November 6, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
New research suggests that allowing rainforests to regrow naturally could store significant carbon while restoring biodiversity. The study, published in *Nature*, estimates that 8
November 3, 2024
Human Health
Human Health
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., if given influence over health policy under a Trump administration, could advance certain bipartisan health reforms. His ideas, such as capping drug prices,
November 2, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Hurricanes not only cause physical destruction but also fuel disease outbreaks, as shown in recent studies on post-storm health impacts in the U.S. and Caribbean. Floodwaters from
November 1, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, has launched its Liberty Solar project near Houston, Texas, with operations beginning on October 31, 2024. Located in Liberty Cou
October 31, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
San Francisco’s Proposition K, set for a vote on November 5, seeks to close a 2-mile section of the Great Highway to cars, converting it into a park and recreation area. Supporter
October 30, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
The Biden-Harris administration has allocated $15.3 million to American Climate Corps projects in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and enhancing gre
October 30, 2024
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
Footprint Project, a New Orleans-based nonprofit, is using solar-powered microgrids to replace traditional gas and diesel generators in disaster relief, aiming to cut emissions an
October 30, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
Florida’s escalating home insurance crisis, compounded by repeated hurricanes, has left many residents contemplating leaving the state. With average premiums topping $10,000 annua
October 28, 2024
Climate Change
Climate Change
The Biden-Harris administration has allocated over $7.4 million to Texas ports under the EPA’s Clean Ports Program, part of a $3 billion national investment targeting zero-emissio