U.S. Environmental Developments: Lawsuits, Geothermal Discoveries, and Policy Shifts
Environmental and energy-related news are unfolding across the U.S. and beyond. A coalition of national environmental organizations is suing the Trump administration to unlock federal funds for electric vehicle charging stations. Meanwhile, states like Nevada and Oregon are exploring renewable energy potential and implementing new policies.
In Nevada, the U.S. Geological Survey has discovered significant geothermal potential in the Great Basin. This could provide up to 10% of the nation's power supply, opening up new avenues for renewable energy. In Oregon, lawmakers are considering a cap-and-trade system for road and bridge maintenance and wildfire hazard mitigation, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In Hawaii, the idle Honua Ola biofuels plant has filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, accusing it of creating a monopoly that has prevented the plant's operation. Back on the mainland, the Bonneville Power Administration and Energy Northwest are planning a $700 million project to boost output at the Columbia nuclear plant by 162 MW over six years.
Environmental groups have also filed a legal challenge against a key Oregon permit for a proposed biofuels refinery along the Columbia River. In California, an assembly committee has advanced legislation to reduce net-metering compensation for legacy rooftop solar on homes that are sold or transferred. The U.S. Senate Republicans have voted to rescind California's zero-emission vehicle standards and ban on new gasoline car sales.
The Trump administration has shifted oversight of offshore oil and gas platforms in California's Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. New Mexico advocates have raised concerns about hazardous working conditions in the Permian Basin's oil and gas industry.
As these news unfold, national environmental groups are joining forces to push for electric vehicle charging infrastructure funding. The future of energy and environmental policy in the U.S. remains dynamic and contentious, with ongoing legal challenges and policy debates.
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