Energy Exchange

Photo courtesy of North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s proposed Phase 3 Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards are poised to add yet another spark to the medium- and heavy-duty truck industry’s acceleration toward low- and zero-emission trucks.

Whereas many of the incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act are intended to spark demand for zero-emission trucks, EPA’s proposed truck rule, when finalized, could help to ensure there will be a robust supply of low- and zero-emission solutions for fleets. In EPA’s proposal for these technology-neutral performance standards, the agency projects manufacturers could meet the standards through increasing market shares for zero-emission trucks. For example, in 2030, this could help ensure that 27% of medium-duty vocational trucks – like parcel delivery step vans, and 20% of tractor-trailer day cabs will be ZEVs.

Read More »

This summer, many of the world’s largest asset managers publicly disclosed their voting records from this spring on climate shareholder resolutions, and the results indicate a worrisome trend. Many failed to support ambitious climate proposals — and some stumbled even on the simple ones, like calling for better methane emission data. Read More »

The Department of Energy has announced the list of selectees under its $7 billion Hydrogen Hubs program. If they successfully conclude final negotiations with DOE, projects will receive funding to create close-proximity networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure as part of the Biden administration’s ambitious climate and clean energy effort.

Read More »

A pumpjack (oil derrick) and oil refinery in Seminole, West Texas.

Coming off yet another summer of record-breaking heat, it’s clear that climate action can’t wait. The world is hunting for solutions that can deliver on speed and scale, so there is more and more international attention on reducing oil and gas methane emissions as a crucial part of our climate approach.

The International Energy Agency just released a new report confirming that in order to prevent the worst impacts of climate change we must rapidly cut oil and gas methane emissions alongside reducing demand. Oil and gas methane is set to be a hot issue at COP 28, and the Environmental Protection Agency will soon finalize new regulations for reducing industry emissions.

Read More »

Hirono thermal power plant in Hirono, Fukushima, Japan

By Sofia Esquivel-Elizondo and Ilissa Ocko

Companies are announcing plans to use ammonia to decarbonize the power sector, because they view it as a carbon-free fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide and other carbon-based air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, when combusted.

But there are serious issues with this strategy, primarily because it doesn’t take ammonia production — which often requires fossil fuels — into account. Depending on how it is made, using ammonia for power generation can increase greenhouse gas emissions and be incompatible with temperature targets. And, even when production is clean, co-firing ammonia can be expensive, dangerous and worsen air quality.

Read More »

By Dana Rodriguez

Today marks the celebration of World Maritime Day. This year’s theme — ‘MARPOL at 50 — Our commitment goes on’. This theme spotlights the 50^th anniversary of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, and encourages discussions on the next phase of the International Maritime Organization’s work to promote a just transition to sustainable shipping.

The MARPOL Convention was adopted in response to a series of tanker accidents in 1976 and 1977 that caused millions of gallons of fuels to spill into our oceans. Since 1973, MARPOL has evolved into a fundamental aspect of the international framework for protecting oceans, and today, it covers the prevention of pollution from ships to the marine environment.

In keeping with the theme of Maritime World Day, Environmental Defense Fund is reflecting on its global shipping work one year into its consultative status at the IMO. Through engagement, collaboration and an array of scientific research, EDF has been a strong proponent of ambitious decarbonization targets, and of implementing solutions to achieve those targets in an equitable and just manner. The organization also advocates for specific mandates to adopt alternative means of propulsion and non-fossil-based fuels for the shipping sector to contribute to limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels, in alignment with the Paris Agreement.

Read More »