EPA this morning issued a final decision to block a big gold and copper mining project in Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed, citing risk to salmon fisheries and other ecological threats, Ben writes.
- Why it matters: It’s a huge and potentially final barrier to decades-long, struggling efforts to build the Pebble Mine in the region or future proposals.
- Driving the news: EPA issued a finding under the Clean Water Act that sensitive waters in the region can’t be used for dumping dredged or fill material.
New EPA vehicle emissions rules are needed to bolster and “lock in” long-term EV growth spurred by consumer subsidies in the climate law, new analysis argues.
- Driving the news: It sees the law leading to EVs potentially comprising 48% t0 61% of U.S. light-duty sales in 2030, and zero-emissions models (mostly electric) at 39% t0 48% of heavy-duty sales.
- Yes, but: The report — from progressive research firm Energy Innovation and the International Council on Clean Transportation — warns even this path isn’t consistent with the Paris agreement.
- What they’re saying: “The EPA has an opportunity to close this gap and be a backstop when [climate law] incentives sunset in 2033,” the ICCT’s Stephanie Searle said in a statement.