Statement: US House votes to protect America’s wildlife
The U.S. House passed a bipartisan bill on Tuesday that would provide funding to all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia to protect more than 12,000 at-risk fish and wildlife species.
Statement: White House invokes Defense Production Act for clean energy
President Joe Biden authorized use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) on Monday to speed up the domestic production of key clean energy technologies for use in buildings.
Statement: Last oil company pulls out of the Arctic Refuge
The only oil company to be awarded Arctic Refuge oil leases during the January 2021 lease sale held in the final days of the Trump administration has canceled its lease, according to the Anchorage Daily News.
The news of the lease cancellation by 88 Energy comes just days after the news broke that Chevron and Hilcorp terminated their leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in October 2021.
Statement: Chevron, Hilcorp reportedly spend $10 million to get out of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge leases
Chevron and Hilcorp have paid $10 million to terminate their leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, according to the Anchorage Daily News, citing page 21 of the 2021 Arctic Slope annual report. A Chevron spokesperson confirmed “Chevron’s decision to formally relinquish its legacy lease position” to the Alaskan newspaper, while Hilcorp did not comment to the outlet.
Statement: Interior Department proposes first offshore California wind lease sales
The Department of the Interior has announced the first proposed lease sales for wind power off the shore of California and the United States’ West Coast.
Statement: The Home Depot shareholders take first step to protect forests
Sixty-five percent of The Home Depot shareholders voted on Thursday to take a first step toward reducing the hardware giant's forest footprint. The proposal that passed directs the company to produce a report disclosing the company’s current impact on primary forests. The proposal also asks The Home Depot to determine steps it can take to eliminate both deforestation and degradation of primary forests from its supply chains. This action comes a month after The Home Depot’s chief rival, Lowe’s, voluntarily committed to undertaking similar measures.
Statement: Kroger commits to comprehensive climate action plan
In response to a shareholder proposal filed by Green Century Capital Management°, Environment America and PIRG’s affiliated socially responsible mutual fund company, the grocery retailer Kroger* has committed to setting science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its full value chain, including its operations and its supply chains.
Statement: Colorado Legislature passes bill to reduce plastic packaging, boost recycling
Building on successful programs in dozens of countries and recent action taken by Maine and Oregon, the Colorado Senate passed on Wednesday a bipartisan producer responsibility bill.
Statement: Cost overruns at Georgia nuclear reactors offer cautionary tale
The only nuclear reactors under construction in the United States are now projected to cost more than $30 billion, more than double the original cost estimate of $14 billion.
Statement: Colorado Legislature passes building codes legislation that reduces pollution, lowers global warming emissions
The Colorado Legislature passed a bill on Wednesday that requires cities and counties to update their building energy codes, ensuring that new buildings are ready for renewable energy installations, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and all-electric heating and cooling systems.