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From a North Carolina field visit to a national map of flood patterns, new research shows wetlands reduce flood damages, and losing them has increased insured losses. The post New research shows what’s at stake when wetlands disappear  appeared first on Market Forces.

EDF-led research finds wetlands act as natural infrastructure, reducing riverine flood damage and helping guide smarter land use and insurance policy.

The Trump EPA recently claimed that air pollution in certain U.S. cities comes from Asia — and therefore, U.S. cities don’t have to try to clean it up. We asked a global air quality expert to explain what’s really happening.  

“Cap-and-Invest is California’s signature climate policy with a proven track record of delivering cost-effective pollution cuts and billions (...)"

EDF will vigorously oppose rolling back the rule, which would threaten the financial security of workers and retirees, among others.

"EPA’s proposal is contrary to the text and purpose of the Clean Air Act and would result in financial and health costs for communities across the country"

By David Lyon, PhD The second annual Appalachian Methane Initiative report offers two different tales for one basin: several operators of higher-producing, unconventional wells have successfully mitigated their methane emissions, while operators of lower-producing conventional wells have disproportionately high loss rates.   According to the study: unconventional wells have an average loss rate of just ... The post Low-producing, conventional wells’ high loss rates drag down Appalachia’s energy industry   appeared first on Energy Exchange.

EU plans to use international carbon credits hinge on ensuring strong quality, clear eligibility rules, and robust governance for credibility.

Over the last decade, the number of warehouses across the nation has exploded. In Illinois alone, there are almost 7,000 warehouses larger than 30,000 square feet with a combined area of more than 1 billion square feet. More than one in four people in Illinois now live within half a mile of a warehouse.   The new Illinois Warehouse Boom report examines the impact these truck-attracting warehouses have on ... The post New EDF report: Nearly 4 million Illinois residents live within half a mile of a warehouse   appeared first on Energy Exchange.

How can we keep moving forward in dark times? Words of wisdom from a Zen Buddhist priest who’s also a climate scientist.  

Protection from PFAS chemicals linked to cancer and infertility just got a lot weaker under the Trump administration.

Results were released today for the year’s second auction of the California-Québec carbon market, known as the Western Climate Initiative. This is the last auction before the California Air Resources Board votes on new regulations regarding the implementation of this program, at their hearing scheduled for tomorrow and Friday. If CARB approves the draft regulations ... The post California’s latest Cap-and-Invest auction shows what’s at stake with upcoming CARB vote appeared first on Climate 411.

Residents of Lindsay Heights, a neighborhood in Milwaukee, are rebuilding homes, planting community gardens and tracking air quality to build hope for the community.

The Trump EPA is dismantling a series of clean air protections that reduce dangerous pollution from cars and trucks, power plants, oil and gas facilities, and other sources. And thanks to a policy quietly adopted earlier this year, the agency isn’t even bothering to estimate the overwhelmingly harmful health impacts of these actions. For instance, just last week EPA proposed delaying life-saving protections against soot and smog ... The post EPA’s many rollbacks of pollution protections ignore the value of lives saved  appeared first on Climate 411.

New York state legislators adopted significant rollbacks to the state’s landmark climate law.

Colorado’s latest move to adopt emissions control regulations is a significant step forward for public health, especially as national protections regress. By Meagan L. Weisner and Ben Showalter, MD, EDF Fellow What’s new: Colorado just joined a growing number of states seeking to fill a federal gap in community protections from cancer-causing air pollutants. Last ... The post A breath of fresh air: Building an air toxics framework in Colorado, step by step first appeared on Global Clean Air.

After years of chronic underfunding, today the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission unanimously approved increases to permit and emissions fees to fund

Diesel prices are at record highs, squeezing truckers and driving up freight costs nationwide. Prices in parts of California have climbed above $7 a gallon. These escalating costs can force independent drivers off the road and push major carriers to impose fuel surcharges.  Fuel is one of the trucking industry’s largest and most volatile costs. When diesel prices spike, margins shrink, small operators get squeezed, and higher costs ripple through ... The post California can clean up trucks and cut diesel costs when we need it most  appeared first on Climate 411.

The only way to make sure we have clean air, clean water and healthy communities is to hold our leaders accountable and drastically cut pollution too.

California is building a vital corporate climate disclosure program that will foster greater transparency and economic resilience. The decisions made now will determine how clearly investors, companies and the public can understand where greenhouse gas emissions occur, how risks and opportunities are evolving and where solutions can scale. In comments recently submitted to the California ... The post California’s climate disclosure opportunity: getting it right from day one appeared first on Climate 411.

"Legislation introduced in North Carolina House Energy and Commerce Committee today would mandate the state's continuing reliance on aging and (...)"

Co-Authored by Harish Makarim, EDF Legal and Regulatory Extern Electrification is accelerating across the United States. Homes are switching from gas to electric appliances, electric vehicles are scaling rapidly and new clean energy projects, data centers and manufacturing are facilities coming online. But in many places, long grid connection times have become a major bottleneck ... The post How better tracking can reduce grid connection delays  appeared first on Energy Exchange.

By Chelcie Henry-Robertson  Across major economies, from the U. S. to Germany and India, governments and industry are working to scale low-emissions hydrogen as a substitute for fossil fuels in hard-to-abate sectors such as fertilizers, refining, shipping and aviation.   Low-emissions hydrogen remains a critical option for energy security and deep decarbonization. Yet despite widespread interest and clear use cases, many projects are stalling before final investment decisions because offtake commitments and bankable market structures have not kept pace with market ambitions. Delayed action risks ... The post Four levers that can unlock hydrogen demand today appeared first on Energy Exchange.

Electricity prices across the country are spiking. But a new power market in the American West is creating opportunities to keep costs down, utilize cheap, clean energy now going to waste and keep the lights on. 

Wyoming can turn methane mitigation into a competitive edge by pairing verified low-emissions gas with trusted measurement standards. The post A roadmap for methane action in Wyoming: Jobs, competitiveness, and a changing energy market appeared first on EDF+Business.