fossil fuels
Porter Fox: Hurricane Milton shows supercharged storms are here to stay
As Hurricane Milton nears Florida with record winds of 180 mph, the rise in extreme storms is linked to fossil fuel-driven climate change and is expected to worsen, threatening regions far beyond the traditional hurricane belt.
In short:
- Hurricanes are becoming more intense, lasting longer, and reaching farther inland due to global warming, raising risks for areas previously unaffected.
- Studies suggest that storm patterns may shift, with tropical cyclones increasingly impacting the Northeast and even inland states like Michigan and Iowa.
- Recovery efforts often lag, as shown by the slow cleanup after Hurricane Helene, and unpreparedness could exacerbate damage from future storms.
Key quote:
“Supercharged hurricanes are no longer outliers, freak disasters or storms of the century.”
— Porter Fox, author and journalist
Why this matters:
Hurricanes fueled by climate change pose a growing threat, not just to coastal communities but to regions unaccustomed to such weather. Adapting infrastructure and disaster preparedness policies will be essential to reduce future damage and casualties.
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Fossil fuel forces are quietly sabotaging solar energy in Ohio
In Knox County, Ohio, a shadowy coalition of fossil fuel interests, aided by a local newspaper, has turned residents against a proposed solar farm, sowing misinformation and division.
In short:
- A so-called “grassroots” campaign, funded by fossil fuel executives, has fueled anti-solar sentiment through misinformation and local media manipulation.
- The local Mount Vernon News has been transformed into a mouthpiece for fossil fuel interests, publishing numerous anti-solar articles.
- This campaign has contributed to the defeat of pro-solar politicians and radicalized public opinion in a region already tied to the gas industry.
Key quote:
“People are so radicalized and they’re not thinking clearly.”
— Rich Piar, third-generation farmer
Why this matters:
With the local media on board, the Knox County misinformation campaign is driving a wedge through the community, pushing out pro-solar voices and reinforcing the grip of the gas industry. It's a reminder that the energy transition isn’t just about technology; it's about power, influence, and the stories people are told. Read more: Fractured: Distrustful of frackers, abandoned by regulators.
Oil company pressures Supreme Court to weaken environmental protections
A fossil fuel company tied to Justice Neil Gorsuch is urging the Supreme Court to approve a crude oil rail project and curb federal environmental oversight.
In short:
- Anschutz Exploration Corporation, linked to Gorsuch, seeks approval for an 88-mile rail line near the Colorado River, potentially risking a major water source for millions.
- The case could reshape how federal agencies enforce environmental laws under the National Environmental Policy Act, limiting their ability to review projects.
- Gorsuch’s ties to Anschutz, spanning decades, have raised concerns over impartiality, with calls for his recusal from the case.
Key quote:
“Now we have yet another case backed by yet another fossil fuel billionaire to undermine another court protection for our environment, our health, and our safety, and yet another MAGA Justice with financial ties to big oil.”
— Doug Lindner, senior director at the environmental nonprofit League Of Conservation Voters
Why this matters:
A Supreme Court decision siding with oil interests could jeopardize environmental protections that safeguard water, wildlife and communities from industrial risks. It may also embolden efforts to weaken regulatory authority across the U.S.
Related:
The US sees growth in clean energy jobs after climate law boosts investment
The Inflation Reduction Act has accelerated the expansion of the U.S. green energy economy, creating tens of thousands of new jobs, especially in electric vehicles, renewable energy and energy efficiency.
In short:
- The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, has led to $140 billion in private investments in over 340 clean energy projects, helping the US compete in a $20 trillion global market for green economy goods.
- The act spurred 149,170 new jobs in 2023, more than half of the energy sector's new positions, with electric vehicles making up a third of the projects.
- Clean energy projects are happening nationwide, including solar panel factories in Texas and battery plants in Georgia, benefiting local economies.
Key quote:
"This process will take time, but it has been an important start to diversifying clean energy manufacturing across the entire globe."
— Jack Conness, policy analyst at Energy Innovation
Why this matters:
The IRA is driving a transition to clean energy, creating economic opportunities and helping the U.S. reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. However, future political uncertainty could affect ongoing projects and climate goals.
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Oil supply concerns grow as Israel-Iran conflict escalates
The potential for a wider war in the Middle East is raising fears of a major oil supply shock that could disrupt global markets and push economies toward recession.
In short:
- Rising tensions between Israel and Iran have sparked concerns about global oil disruptions, potentially causing price spikes and economic instability.
- Iran might retaliate against Israeli strikes by targeting oil facilities or obstructing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial channel for global oil shipments.
- While the U.S. and other producers could increase output to stabilize prices, poorer nations dependent on oil imports could face severe economic hardship.
Key quote:
“This is an extraordinarily precarious global situation. The world is probably the most unstable that it’s been since the Cold War.”
— Kenneth S. Rogoff, former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund who is now a professor at Harvard University
Why this matters:
A disruption in oil supplies could strain global economies already dealing with other crises like the Russia-Ukraine war. Energy-dependent regions, especially in Europe and lower-income countries, would face heightened risks of inflation and recession.
Related:
Philly refinery explosion settlement sends a message to the industry
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a $4.2 million settlement with Philadelphia Energy Solutions over a 2019 refinery explosion, marking the largest Clean Air Act settlement of its kind.
In short:
- The 2019 explosion at Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) refinery led to a record $4.2 million settlement with the EPA, emphasizing the agency’s focus on preventing hazardous conditions in densely populated areas.
- PES failed to assess corrosion in a key pipe, leading to the explosion, but has not admitted liability. The funds from the settlement will go to the U.S. Treasury.
- The site’s cleanup continues under EPA and state oversight, while nearby residents still express concerns over lingering pollution, particularly benzene.
Key quote:
“The point is to make sure that you operate your facility in a manner that reduces risk to the population.”
— Tom Cinti, EPA Environmental Justice Division
Why this matters:
Residents were already grappling with toxic air long before the catastrophic explosion and years later, they’re still breathing in pollutants. The EPA’s settlement might sound like a win, but without concrete action to clean up the area, it's been largely ineffective. Read more: Cancer-causing benzene levels were cut in half at US refineries in 2023.
Kelly Armstrong’s deep ties to oil raise ethics concerns in North Dakota governor’s race
Kelly Armstrong, front-runner for North Dakota governor, would oversee state bodies that regulate the oil and gas industry from which he derives nearly all of his personal income.
Jacob Orledge reports for ProPublica in partnership with the North Dakota Monitor.
In short:
- Armstrong, who earns most of his income from oil and gas, would chair state bodies regulating the energy industry if elected governor.
- The Industrial Commission and Land Board, which he would lead, have faced criticism for supporting corporate interests over landowners.
- North Dakota has weak financial disclosure rules and its ethics commission only acts on filed complaints, lacking enforcement power.
Key quote:
"The mechanics of how we’ve done things in North Dakota don’t really make sense from an ethics standpoint."
— Scott Skokos, executive director of Dakota Resource Council.
Why this matters:
Armstrong’s potential conflict of interest raises questions about whether he can impartially regulate an industry from which he profits. With weak oversight rules, public trust in regulatory decisions may be jeopardized.
Related: North Dakota's diverse environmental views revealed in statewide poll
