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☆ EPA reportedly planning to announce significant limits on tailpipe emissions to boost electric vehicle adoption
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Under the proposed limits, electric cars will represent between 54% and 60% of new cars sold in the U.S. by 2030, and between 64% to 67% of new cars by 2032, the Times report said. These limits would also surpass President Joe Biden's previous goal to have all-electric cars make up around 50% of cars sold by 2030. Many automakers have already begun to make significant investments in electric vehicles, but forcing such rapid adoption of the technology will present challenges. Large numbers of all-electric cars will require expansive charging infrastructure, for instance. Even if the infrastructure is in place, consumers ultimately have to be willing to adopt electric vehicles, which means companies will also have to be able to maintain reasonable vehicle costs.

☆ Read the Court Decision Invalidating F.D.A. Approval of Mifepristone
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

1985) (concluding FDA's denial was not arbitrary and capricious because the proposed labeling did not "specify conditions of use that are similar to those followed in the studies"). "The scope of review under the arbitrary and capricious standard is narrow and a court is not to substitute its judgment for that of the agency." 48 Plaintiffs also frame what the Court characterized as the “study-match problem" as a statutory violation of the FFDCA. § 355(d) as necessarily requiring an exact "match" between trial conditions and the conditions on the approved labeling of a new drug. Thus, even if Defendants could survive "arbitrary and capricious" analysis of the "study-match problem," Defendants still violated Section 355(d) on their own terms.

☆ U.S. EPA to propose new vehicle pollution cuts, sees big EV jump
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Kamil KrzaczynskiWASHINGTON, April 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is set as early as next week to propose new rules to spur sweeping cuts in vehicle emissions pollution that will push automakers towards a big increase in electric vehicle sales, sources told Reuters. The administration has not backed calls by California and others ban the sale of new gasoline-only light-duty vehicles by 2035. In December 2021, the EPA finalized new light-duty tailpipe emissions requirements through the 2026 model year that reversed then-President Donald Trump's rollback of car pollution cuts. One big question is whether the new EPA rules will be as aggressive as California's effort to ramp up zero-emission vehicles and phase out new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. Environmentalists want EPA to mandate significant pollution cuts for gas-powered vehicles because they will remain on the road for decades.

☆ Biden EPA cracks down on mercury pollution from power plants
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Michael Regan, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), speaks during an event at the EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021. The agency's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule would be the most stringent update on regulations on mercury emissions since the Obama administration's standards in 2012. The proposal is the latest action by the Biden administration to address environmental justice and air pollution while curbing climate-warming emissions. The EPA also recently unveiled tougher limits on deadly soot pollution and is expected to propose updated greenhouse gas rules for power plants in the coming weeks. The new rule would aim to reduce remaining mercury emissions by 70% while curbing other non-mercury metal pollution such as nickel, arsenic and lead.

☆ Ram electric pickup truck can go 500 miles on a charge, says Stellantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

GM expects to get 400 miles of range from its electric trucks. That’s one reason why having a lot of range can be an especially good thing in an electric truck. The pickup truck battle of numbers isn’t just limited to power and pulling, however. Even the Ram TRX, a pickup designed for high-speed desert driving, has a 702-horsepower V8 engine, only slightly more power than the Ram REV. Essentially a plug-in hybrid, that truck will be for customers who aren’t ready to trust a fully electric truck.

WASHINGTON, April 3 (Reuters) - Environmental groups on Monday petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to require companies to disclose the chemicals discharged from waste incinerators and plants that claim to recycle plastic waste into fuel. The groups said the agency did not respond to a letter they sent last October, raising concerns about the health impacts of incineration. The petition also asks the agency to include discharges from advanced recycling plants, which are classified as incinerators, in the TRI. Advanced recycling is an umbrella term for processes that use heat or chemicals to turn plastic waste into fuel or reclaimed resin to make new plastic. These plants, backed by major oil and petrochemical companies, claim to turn plastic waste to a "clean" fuel.

☆ DOJ sues Norfolk Southern, calling for fines of $120K per day of Clean Water Act violations tied to East Palestine derailment
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Aaron Mcdade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Department of Justice and Environmental Protection Agency filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern on Thursday. The DOJ said the company violated the Clean Water Act, and are liable to daily fines of about $120,000. The rail company is already facing lawsuits from East Palestine residents and the state of Ohio. It is not yet determined how many days Norfolk Southern is liable for and if the government considers the violations to be ongoing. "No community should have to go through what East Palestine residents have faced," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a statement.

☆ US approves California plan requiring half of heavy duty trucks be EV by 2035
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

California Governor Gavin Newsom said as a result of the plan, "half of all heavy duty trucks sold in CA will be electric by 2035." The California Air Resources Board (CARB) had sought waivers from the Clean Air Act to set heavy-duty vehicle and engine emission standards. CARB has noted heavy-duty vehicles greater than 14,000 pounds comprised 3% of vehicles on California roads, but account for more than 50% of nitrogen oxides and fine particle diesel pollution. In December, the EPA finalized new emissions standards to drastically cut smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks. Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making up 29% of emissions, and heavy-duty vehicles are the second-largest contributor, at 23%.

☆ U.S. approves California plan to require half of heavy duty trucks be EVs by 2035
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Twitter that, as a result of the plan, "half of all heavy duty trucks sold in CA will be electric by 2035." The California Air Resource Board had sought waivers from the Clean Air Act to set heavy-duty vehicle and engine emission standards. Separately, California in August moved to require all new light-duty cars and trucks sold in the state by 2035 to be either electric or plug-in electric hybrids. In December, the EPA finalized new emissions standards to drastically cut smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks. Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making up 29% of emissions, and heavy-duty vehicles are the second-largest contributor, at 23%.

☆ Justice Department, EPA Sue Norfolk Southern Over East Palestine Derailment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Dean Seal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/justice-department-epa-file-civil-complaint-against-norfolk-southern-8f3b4a3b

☆ Justice Department, EPA File Civil Complaint Against Norfolk Southern
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Dean Seal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Federal prosecutors and environmental regulators have filed a complaint against Norfolk Southern Corp. over last month’s derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency jointly filed a civil complaint against the railroad operator, alleging that the discharge of pollutants, oil and hazardous substances from the derailment violated the Clean Water Act.

“I have argued for years that the biggest banks in the world are still too big to fail. In practice, however, the economic damage would be considerable.”Keller-Sutter was at the center of a government-orchestrated rescue of Credit Suisse by its larger rival UBS (UBS) earlier this month. They were designed to make it possible to wind down a big bank without destabilizing the financial system or exposing taxpayers to the risk of losses. Although some investors in Credit Suisse bonds lost everything, Swiss taxpayers are still on the hook for up to 9 billion Swiss francs ($9.8 billion) of potential losses arising from certain Credit Suisse assets. The rest is lent out at higher interest rates or invested, because that’s how big banks make most of their profit.

“I have argued for years that the biggest banks in the world are still too big to fail. In practice, however, the economic damage would be considerable.”Keller-Sutter was at the center of a government-orchestrated rescue of Credit Suisse by its larger rival UBS (UBS) earlier this month. Global standards for dealing with teetering “too big to fail” banks were key a part of the package of rules introduced after the global financial crisis. They were designed to make it possible to wind down a big bank without destabilizing the financial system or exposing taxpayers to the risk of losses. The rest is lent out at higher interest rates or invested, because that’s how big banks make most of their profit.

☆ People are so desperate to get an EV that they're putting deposits down on multiple and buying whichever one is built first
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Nora Naughton | Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Without dealers, startups are learning new lessons in customer service. "At this point I've pretty much made up my mind," Pao said, "I'm just going to cancel my Rivian order." EV startups learn customer serviceElectric vehicle startups are learning a tough lesson in customer service, Caldwell said, as they try to keep would-be buyers on the hook for years on end. Some of Rivan's order-holders are losing hopeInsider has spoken or corresponded with nearly three dozen current and former Rivian order holders in recent months. Are you a current or former Rivian employee, Rivian vehicle owner, or Rivian order holder?

☆ Justice Department sues Norfolk Southern over toxic Ohio derailment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Natasha Piñon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Drone footage shows the freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S., February 6, 2023 in this screengrab obtained from a handout video released by the NTSB. The Justice Department said Friday it filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern , aiming to hold the railway company accountable for alleged Clean Water Act violations that allegedly occurred due to an Ohio train derailment in early February. In February, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed near the Pennsylvania border in East Palestine, Ohio, causing a fire, collisions and local evacuations. Since the derailment, Norfolk Southern has been in hot water with state and federal officials concerning the environmental implications of the derailment. On Thursday, three senators introduced a new rail safety bill in a bid address long-standing concerns that became more acute in light of the Norfolk Southern derailment.

☆ Senate votes to roll back Biden administration clean water rule
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Senate has approved a resolution to overturn a Biden administration rule that would expand federal protections for the country's waterways, a measure Republicans have criticized as overbearing and burdensome to business. The vote comes after the Biden administration last year issued a rule that more broadly defined which types of waterways in the U.S. are eligible for federal water quality protections under the 1972 Clean Water Act. The White House said the revised rule is based on definitions that were in place before 2015, when the Obama administration sought to expand federal protections. The Biden administration argued that rolling back the rule would make federal regulations unclear for businesses and farmers and that increased uncertainty would threaten economic growth for agriculture, and local economies. However, a federal judge this month paused the Biden administration's waterway protections in Texas and Idaho, marking a victory for Republican challengers.

☆ Republicans want to cut $1 trillion in spending — and instead of introducing 1 bill, they've introduced 500 to do just that
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

GOP lawmakers published over 500 bills on different areas in which they want to cut spending. It comes as Biden has been urging Republicans to put forth a concrete budget. GOP budget chair Jodey Arrington said the budget could take months, and the primary focus should be raising the debt ceiling. Republican lawmakers just made their latest move in the ongoing drama to raise the debt ceiling and cut spending. Now, Republicans have some ideas — or rather, over 500 proposed bills for limiting funding to a slew of federal government programs and agencies.

☆ Electric cars I'd never buy, after driving 24 different models
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I've driven more than 20 different electric vehicles. Those models are the the GMC Hummer EV, Nissan Leaf, and ElectraMeccanica Solo. GMC Hummer EVThe GMC Hummer EV Edition 1. Nissan LeafFast-charging the 2022 Nissan Leaf. 2023 Nissan Leaf.

☆ I drove the $40,000 Kia Niro EV and found it's a solid electric SUV for people who want something more traditional than a Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I tested the 2023 Kia Niro EV, a $39,550 electric SUV. The 2023 Kia Niro EV is none of those things. The 2023 Kia Niro EV. The 2023 Kia Niro EV. The 2023 Kia Niro EV.

This valuation comes after a rich global history showcasing wars fought over salt, trade routes built for commodities, taxes levied against the mineral and even cities named in sodium's legacy. "You could not have an international economy if you didn't have salt," Mark Kurlansky, author of "Salt: A World History," told CNBC. "We're seeing that the majority is deicing salt," Seth Goldstein, equities analyst with Morningstar, told CNBC. However, if too much salt permeates our environment, the effects can be dangerous, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Runoff from deicing salts that keep our roads safe in wintry weather is the most obvious way that salt enters the environment.

Police sprayed protesters with water cannons on a highway in Tel Aviv. ReutersCivil unrest broke out in Israel’s major cities as protesters opposed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to overhaul the country’s judicial system. Tel Aviv: Protesters block highway and clash with policeThousands of protesters blocked Ayalon highway, the main highway in Tel Aviv, for several hours overnight, lighting bonfires along the road until the early hours of Monday morning. Yehuda Bergstein/EPA, via ShutterstockIsraeli police cleared the highway overnight, but protesters blocked it again on Monday as widespread protests continued. Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for The New York TimesProtesters scuffled with police outside the parliament as the rally grew on Monday.

☆ 4 reasons to buy Kia's super-quick $63,000 electric SUV and 3 ways it falls short
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I drove Kia's high-performance electric SUV: the 2023 EV6 GT. Pro: Impeccable styleThe 2023 Kia EV6 GT. Con: Stiff rideThe 2023 Kia EV6 GT. Tim Levin/InsiderThe EV6's saving grace is it offers some of the quickest charging on the electric-car market. Tim Levin/InsiderThe EV6 GT comes loaded with impressive features that make driving it feel safe and convenient.

☆ Fact Check-Video shows an aphid, not a genetically modified mosquito ‘released by Bill Gates’
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A video circulating online shows a small sap-sucking insect called an aphid, not a genetically modified mosquito with a number stamped on it released by philanthropist Bill Gates, as online posts claim. Bill Gates was very vocal about releasing millions of GMO [genetically modified organism] mosquitos into the public.”Another example can be seen (here). However, the video shows a small insect called an aphid, not a GMO mosquito. A representative for the Gates Foundation said the claim that the video showed a genetically modified mosquito with a number or barcode stamped on it released by the Gates Foundation was false. The video shows an aphid, not a mosquito with a number stamped on it and released by Bill Gates.

☆ ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Review: Keanu Reeves Keeps Killing
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Kyle Smith | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

According to one obsessive website, assassin extraordinaire John Wick has killed 299 people in his first three screen outings. Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers are slackers by comparison. Continuing on with “John Wick: Chapter 4,” the hit-man action franchise continues to excel at its job as well. We go to these movies to see hyperviolence choreographed with an intricacy that would shame a Broadway musical, and we are not disappointed. As the receipts generated by the films have grown, so has their scale, which was once somewhat modest but has now reached “Mission: Impossible” levels.

☆ Putin claimed the UK is ramping up nuclear tensions by sending Ukraine depleted uranium armor-piercing shells. The UK says that's nonsense.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The component: depleted uranium armor-piercing shells, which have no role in nuclear weaponry. Depleted uranium, a by-product of the nuclear enrichment process, is used in making penetrating tank shells because it is extremely dense. "There is no way that you could create a nuclear reaction or a nuclear explosion with depleted uranium." The UK MOD also cited research that it says shows the health risk of depleted uranium munitions is "likely to be low." Depleted uranium is much less radioactive than the original fuel.

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