A presidential pause
Tapping the brakes on LNG exports — and other major recent climate news.
Happy Friday!
In a statement issued today, the Biden administration confirmed that approvals of proposed new terminals for the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) have been put on hold.
explains why this is a very big deal:
While this is indeed a huge victory for climate activists, we shouldn’t be uncorking the bubbly just yet. As Inside Climate News points out, despite Biden’s pause, a significant expansion of LNG exports is already underway:
Five LNG projects that have already gained approval and are under construction would nearly double export capacity by the end of 2027, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The United States last year became the world’s largest exporter of LNG.
Further reading:
“In win for climate advocates, Biden to pause decision on LNG exports” (Canary Media)
“Chart: Is LNG worse for the climate than coal?” (Canary Media)
“Biden Paused New LNG Terminals. The Real Test of the Climate Movement Begins Now” (Heatmap News)
Meanwhile, in California
“The lithium revolution has arrived at California’s Salton Sea” (LA Times):
Lithium … is a key ingredient in the batteries that power electric cars — and also store solar and wind energy for times when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. And unlike many other lithium mines, Controlled Thermal’s “Hell’s Kitchen” project — and others planned for the Salton Sea region — would do little environmental damage.
“The biggest solar-plus-storage project in the US just came online” (Canary Media):
The new California installation has nearly 2 million solar panels, more than 120,000 batteries, and an enormous amount of clean energy capacity.
“What Lackluster Progress at COP28 Means for California” (The Climate Center):
The final agreement reached at COP28, the annual United Nations climate conference that concluded in December, recognized the need to transition away from fossil fuels. But it contained almost no details about how nations can wean themselves off of oil, gas, and coal. In this webinar, we heard from California legislators, The Climate Center’s own COP28 team, and others who attended COP28. Speakers explored climate policy arenas in which California leads, including corporate accountability, and also arenas in which we must do more, such as phasing out oil and gas. Lawmakers also discussed what more California can do to lead the world to a climate-safe future.
PARTING SHOT — TIME TO TAKE BREAK?
The WashPo’s California-based “Climate Coach,” Michael J. Coren, on “how a green Sabbath may be the right idea for one’s soul, and the world.”
We’ll be back next week. Have a restful weekend!
Intro photo by Ayesha Firdaus on Unsplash