Stacey Collins’ Post

On July 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency selected 25 projects in 30 states to receive a total of $4.3 billion in funding from Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. The grants were awarded to projects targeting reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation, electric power, buildings, industry, agriculture, and waste management sectors. Read more in the Spotlight feature of Competitive Energy Services’ Market Summary. In addition to spotlight features and pricing trends, our weekly Market Summary keeps you informed on important legislative changes, weather updates, and commodity news. Visit our website today to subscribe and also receive our monthly newsletter, the CES Insider, directly. https://lnkd.in/eMtHdxZ Photo by: Ankhesenamun #CompetitiveEnergyServices #Sustainability #EnergyConsulting #Oil #NaturalGas #RenewableEnergy #Solar #Electricity #CESMarketSummary #CESInsider #CESInsights #Energy #EnergyMarkets #Commodities

For the first time in 40 years--and since the proliferation of fracking--the Texas Railroad Commission is close to updating its oil and gas waste management policy. The draft rule regulates disposal sites for oil and gas waste, including drilling mud, sludge, cuttings, and produced water. This draft rule to regulate oil and gas waste disposal is a promising step toward addressing environmental concerns in an industry-friendly state. By promoting wastewater recycling and stricter oversight of hazardous materials, this move could reduce the industry's environmental footprint and protect local communities. Read the The Texas Tribune article: https://lnkd.in/g3t3sFfY Submit comments on the proposed rule: https://lnkd.in/guFwvhvH #environmentaljustice #texas #oilandgas #waste #pollution #drilling #fracking #benzene #recycling #wastewater #waterpollution #airpollution

EPA finally takes on abandoned coal ash ponds — but it might be too late "EPA released a suite of long-awaited rules meant to cut down the carbon that the U.S. emits when generating electricity. The rules primarily target existing coal plants and new natural gas facilities, in many cases requiring dramatic emissions cuts that won’t be possible without an unprecedented deployment of carbon capture." https://flip.it/.w2iir

*UK consults on including removals in the UK ETS!* Yesterday, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Authority published 2 consultations on expanding the UK ETS to include the energy from waste and waste incineration sectors. It is also consulting on how engineered greenhouse gas removals, such as direct air carbon capture, could be integrated and whether high-quality nature-based removals could be suitable for the ETS. The 2 consultations cover: 1. How the UK ETS will expand to include fossil CO2 emissions from energy from waste and waste incineration from 2028. 2-year phasing-in period, with no obligation to purchase or surrender UK ETS allowances until in 2028. 2. How UK-based engineered greenhouse gas removal technologies such as Direct Air Carbon Capture could be integrated into the UK ETS. This aims to provide a long-term market for GGRs. It also asks whether carbon stored by the creation of new UK woodland could be integrated into the UK ETS. These will be followed by 2 further consultations regarding (1) expansion of the UK ETS into the domestic maritime sector from 2026, and (2) recognition of non-pipeline methods for moving captured CO2 into storage, including by road, rail or shipping.

🌍 EPA’s New Coal Ash Regulations Affect Over 500 Sites Nationwide The EPA's recent crackdown on coal ash management impacts more than 500 sites across the United States. This move aims to address the substantial #environmental and health risks posed by coal ash, which contains hazardous substances like #mercury, #arsenic, and #selenium. Coal ash is one of the nation’s largest waste streams, contributing to groundwater contamination in nearly all coal plants tested. A coal ash pit is slowly leaking #heavy_metals into #groundwater. The harmful effects on communities, especially those already vulnerable, underline the urgent need for energy and water. Transitioning to renewable energy sources is crucial to eliminate the adverse impacts of coal combustion and safeguard our environment for future generations. 🔋 Renewable Energy is Essential: By investing in and prioritizing renewable energy, we can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, decrease pollution, and protect groundwater and public health. This transition not only addresses environmental concerns but also promotes sustainable economic growth. Read more about the EPA’s regulatory updates and their implications: https://lnkd.in/e_Sj2yk9

Possible changes are ahead for fossil-fueled power plants. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just finalized new requirements aimed at reducing emissions and driving the adoption of cleaner technologies. These mandates, applicable to coal and gas-fired plants, introduce fresh standards and guidelines, potentially redefining the electricity generation scene in the U.S. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g3khYzUx

When materials break down over time in a landfill, several gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) are created. Methane, when released into the atmosphere, can be particularly harmful, contributing to climate change and highly flammable. To address this, the WPWMA has 161 landfill gas extraction wells (including this one) across the landfill that vacuum gas that's generated and send it to the landfill gas-to-energy plant on our site. At the gas-to-energy plant, the gas is converted into electricity. Did you know that the gas-to-energy plant produces enough electricity every year from landfill gas at the WPWMA to power 10,000 homes annually! Learn more about landfill gas and how it can be utilized here - https://lnkd.in/gEGv_4q

Insult added to injury as over one-hundred thousand old orphaned oil and gas wells continue to pollute after being out of production. After subsidies to extract fossil fuels -- whose production, transport, and combustion destroy climate, ecosystems, and livelihoods -- it is unconscionable that the public is left to foot the bill of plugging abandoned wells. An estimated 130,000 toxic unplugged wells are spewing methane and groundwater contaminants. Fossil fuel externalities if properly priced would cost oil, gas, and coal out of the market and decisively put renewable energy at an even more decisive advantage. How much longer will we invest in ecological death rather than regeneration? https://lnkd.in/eip8BzcS #renewableenergy #oil #gas #climatechange #sustainability | More info from Ecosearch: https://lnkd.in/eNvZ5ZSS

July 26 article by James Pollard, Julie Watson and Stephen Smith, Associated Press. Excerpt - Wood pellet production skyrocketed across the U.S. South. It helped feed demand in the European Union for renewable energy, as those coutries sought to replace fossil fuels such as coal. But many residents near plants -- often African Americans in poor, rural swaths -- find the process left their air dustier and people sicker. Billions of dollars are available for these projects under President Joe Biden’s signature law combating climate change. The administration is weighing whether to open up tax credits for companies to burn wood pellets for energy. #airpollution #environmentaljustice #woodburning #woodsmoke #deforestation #climatecrisis #energypolicy

🏭 With nearly a thousand locations in Scotland alone producing waste heat totalling 1.7TWh which could potentially be captured and reused within heat networks, it is imperative that the means and methods on how to take meaningful steps towards accessing this huge resource are communicated. 🔦 With this mission statement, it was a privilege to play our part in shining a light into this slightly hidden corner of the energy transition solution through the publication of a waste heat guidance note. 📒 The guide takes the user through various key topics including the engineering technicalities, technology options, commercial considerations, procurement methods, contractual arrangements and financial supporting mechanisms. Scottish Enterprise The Scottish Government Fife Council Glasgow City Council Zero Waste Scotland Scottish Futures Trust #arup #lowcarbonheat #heatnetworks 👉 https://lnkd.in/eUhaExvW 👉 https://lnkd.in/eaXmSSBx