Cal. Gov. Signs Law To Limit Excessive Oil Profits: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Tuesday, the first of its kind in the U.S., that could set limits on oil companies' profit margins. The law, passed by the state legislature just the day before, empowers the state Energy Commission to review and cap refiners' profit margins (revenue, minus fuel production costs) and impose penalties for exceeding that limit. “Three times in the last decade, the oil refining margin went over 50 cents per gallon … and two of them were in the last year alone,” Democratic Assemblymember Alex Lee said during Monday’s floor debate. Newsom dismissed threats of industry retaliation over the new law. “What are they going to do? Spend some of their billions of dollars, try to go after us, try to demean us, try to lie to you, try to manipulate,” he told reporters. “That’s status quo here. Give me a break. I’m just sick and tired of those guys.” (Newsom signing: Cal Matters, The Hill, KCRA Sacramento, Courthouse News, Axios, CNN; Legislative passage: E&E $, Los Angeles Times, The Hill, AP, San Francisco Chronicle, Bloomberg $)

Native Youth Run Across Texas, Call Out Colonial Legacy Of Oil & Gas: Native youth are drawing attention to the parallels between the colonial violence of early European conquistadors and modern oil and gas operations in what is now Texas. Those participating in the Bridge to the Ancestors Youth Walk, organized by the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, will travel by foot from the Monahans Sand Hills into the Big Bend, passing numerous significant sites and numerous oil and gas operations along the way. A group of Lakota youth also traveled to Texas to "run[] in solidarity with the Carrizo/Comecrudo relatives … to help carry on the traditions, spirituality, and to protect their sacred sites,” Lakota runner Danny Grassrope told deceleration. “We feel that it is very important that the indigenous communities across Turtle Island stand together to continue to protect our ways of life," Grassrope added. “[Spanish explorers and conquistadors] took the silver, the gold, whatever they could,” Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribal Chair Juan Mancias told deceleration. “It’s not right for a few nerds that run [Energy Transfer Partners], and Exxon, and Next Decade to decide what’s better for us. Because they don’t know. Because all of the stuff that’s coming out of here is still going overseas, just like all the gold and the silver.” (deceleration)

Study: Warming Will Make Tornado-Spawning Supercells More Frequent, Dangerous: Climate change will increase the frequency, severity, and danger of the supercell storms that spawn tornadoes like the one that devastated Rolling Fork, Mississippi, a new research shows. The study, published in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, estimates — in a mid-range warming scenario — supercells will become 6.6% more frequent nationwide and with a 25.8% increase in the area and time of the size and duration. The study also shows the most violent storms will strike farther east, in more populated regions. Broadly speaking, climate change increases the heat and thus energy available for storms to unleash. Supercell storms are “the dominant producers of significant tornadoes and hail,” lead author Walker Ashley, a meteorology and disaster geography professor at Northern Illinois University, told the AP. The storm that killed at least 26 people in predominantly Black Rolling Fork, Mississippi last Friday, is exactly the kind of storm the study predicts will become more common. “The data that I’ve seen has persuaded me that we are in this experiment and living it right now,” Ashley told the AP, three days before that EF-4 tornado struck. “What we’re seeing in the longer term is actually occurring right now.” More violent storms are expected later this week. (Study: AP; Rolling Fork: The Root: Storms forecast: Washington Post $)

(ENVIRONMENTAL) RACISM: 5 cities battling water insecurity (NewsOne)

CALIFORNIA FLOODS & SNOWPACK: They grow America’s strawberries. A vicious flood made them climate migrants (The Guardian, Democracy Now), California's looming snowmelt to resurrect lost Tulare Lake (Axios, Grist), California farmers flood fields to boost groundwater basin (AP), Record snowpack, nearly full reservoirs: Here’s the state of California’s drought after an epic winter (CNN), Second bomb cyclone in two weeks crashing into California (Washington Post $, AP, Axios)

FOSSIL FUELED ENERGY CRISIS: Europe’s gas buyers can’t quit Russian LNG (Bloomberg $), European LNG cargo glut looms amid French strike action (S&P Global), EU aims to give members option to block Russian LNG imports (Bloomberg $), European gas fluctuates as traders weigh supply uncertainties (Bloomberg $), Italy’s shift away from Russian gas clashes with its climate targets (FT $), Russia’s war in Ukraine inspires Turkish gas dreams (Energy Monitor), Chairman says Gazprom close to maximum gas supply to China (AP)

9:37 🚂 TO THE PETROCHEMICAL DYSTOPIA: East Palestine wastewater won’t be processed at Baltimore facility following mayor’s rejection (Baltimore Sun, Washington Post $, The Hill)

CLIMATE LITIGATION: 'Climate lockdown' anger drives Swiss grandmother to sue Bern at European court (Reuters, AP, Reuters Factbox), Climate fights at European court may ripple across the globe (E&E News, Politico Pro $)

(CLIMATE) DIPLOMACY: Corporate interests ‘watered down’ the latest IPCC climate report, investigations find (Inside Climate News), Arctic Council under pressure as Norway readies for Russian handoff (Reuters), Mexico is moving to power California and Arizona. But who will pay for it? (The Hill)

• US-JAPAN: US and Japan strike deal on minerals used in batteries for electric cars (Wall Street Journal $, E&E $, S&P Global, OilPrice, FT $, The Hill, Reuters)
• EU: EU countries approve CO2-cutting targets and expanding forest carbon sinks (Reuters), EU countries stand off over nuclear role in renewable energy goals (Reuters), EU takes key step toward ending era of combustion-engine cars (Bloomberg $, OilPrice)
• CHUTZPAH: Bangladesh must work with neighbours to cut pollution, says World Bank (Reuters)

DENIAL, DELUSION, AND URBAN PLANNING: He wanted to unclog cities. Now he’s ‘public enemy no. 1.’ (New York Times $)

IRENA REPORT: Energy agency chief warns transition to renewables is way off track, issues warning on stranded assets (CNBC, AP), Global energy transition investments must quadruple to $5T to reach climate targets: IRENA (Utility Dive), Investments in renewable energies must quadruple to meet climate target -IRENA (Reuters)

INFLATION REDUCTION ACT: Trudeau to lean on carbon capture in green-subsidy race with US (Bloomberg $)

SCOTUS: SCOTUS ruling gives Mont. landowners their day in court (E&E $), Supreme Court refuses appeal by lawyer [Steven Donziger] jailed for contempt in $9.5 billion Chevron environmental case (CNBC, Reuters), Heartbreaking: The worst Supreme Court justice you know just made a great point (Vox, Newsweek)

AGENCIES: Agencies fall short on Biden's jet fuel goals, GAO says (E&E $)

EPA: Colo. Dems urge EPA to launch review of Utah oil railroad (E&E $), Congressional Democrats call on EPA to tighten proposed soot standards (The Hill, E&E $), Enforcement nominee takes on new role at EPA (E&E $), Environmentalists praise the EPA’s move to restrict ‘forever chemicals’ in water and wonder, what’s next? (Inside Climate News), EPA prioritizes Del. cleanup over drinking water concerns (E&E $), EPA staff ozone recommendation faces pushback (E&E $), EPA cites 2 oil and gas firms over Permian Basin pollution (AP)

DOE: Dr. Tony Reames wants you to know the Energy Department is serious about equity (Energy News Network)

DOI: Haaland confirms 5-year offshore leasing plan release set for September (Politico Pro $), Haaland, GOP clash over critical minerals, Green New Deal (E&E News), BLM budget docs reveal plan to ramp up green energy permitting (E&E $), Court: Interior is required to hold regular lease sales (E&E $)

WHITE HOUSE: Biden tees up a supply-chain rethink with challenge to China’s EVs (Bloomberg $), Harris pitched green energy in Africa. Ghana's leader disagreed. (E&E $)

THE HILL: Bipartisan lawmakers join pro-Willow court brief (E&E $), Bipartisan lawmakers pressure Treasury ahead of EV guidance (E&E News), GOP demands speedy energy permits as price to boost debt limit (Bloomberg $), Willow draws bipartisan court backing from Alaska lawmakers (E&E $)

HOUSE: Republicans set votes on climate, gas stove amendments (E&E $), What is in House Republicans’ energy policy package? (The Hill), Why House Republicans are really prioritizing an energy package (Washington Post $), 'My very existence is disruptive': Rep. Ayanna Pressley on breaking the mold in Congress (The Root), Republican honestly states GOP plan for school shootings: ‘We’re not going to fix it’ (Rolling Stone, The Hill, New Republic, Black Wall Street Times, HuffPost, Salon, Truthout), GOP Rep Shrugs Off Nashville Shooting: ‘We Homeschool’ Our Daughter (Daily Beast, Jezebel), 

SENATE: Senate poised to vote on WOTUS resolution, fire bill (E&E $)

ELECTIONS: Clean Virginia offers endorsements, plans 8-figure spend (AP)

TRIBES: Judge: BNSF intentionally violated Swinomish tribe agreement (AP)

CITIES & STATES & DISENFRANCHISED COLONIAL TERRITORIES: A spill outside Philadelphia adds to the growing list of chemical accidents this year (Grist), What to know about Philly's tap water after chemical spill (Gizmodo), Cap-and-no-trade: Emissions cap policy faces budget fight in New York (Politico Pro $), Inside a $110M plan to turn NYC apartments into virtual power plants (Canary Media), Texas regulators question common reliability metric as they pursue new standard for ERCOT grid (Utility Dive), These US states are protecting gender-affirming care and abortion access (Prism Reports), Why Puerto Ricans are bracing for more blackouts (Politico)

WE DON'T DESERVE TEACHERS: Randi Weingarten fights back against classroom culture wars (Black Wall Street Times, The Root)

IMPACTS: A dangerous spring for severe weather gains momentum (Yale Climate Connections), ‘How will global warming change springtime?’ (Yale Climate Connections)

HEAT: India’s warm weather plans can’t take the heat, report says (AP)

DROUGHT: Coroner: Lake Mead body found in 2022 was 1974 drowning (AP)

DEFORESTATION: The cost of wellness: How collagen is driving Amazon deforestation (Atmos)

INSURANCE: Inflation, climate disasters squeeze US insurance market (E&E $), Stop insuring carbon projects 'immediately', activists tell bosses (Reuters)

RAMADAN: Some in dry Somalia break Ramadan fast with little but water (AP), A clean, green Ramadan (Yes Magazine)

RENEWABLES: China takes its climate fight to the rooftops (Bloomberg $), Meet the geothermal champions (New York Times $), Renewably generated electricity surpasses coal for the first time in the US (Gizmodo, The Hill), Spain clean energy case shakes confidence in EU investment (AP)

• WIND: Record new wind capacity to be installed by 2027 - industry report (Reuters), Offshore wind heads for meteoric rise, but crisis looms (E&E $)

"RENEWABLES": Ontario fund aims to turn cow waste into profit with Sevana deal (Bloomberg $)

BATTERIES: Home battery sales in Germany may surge 59% this year -study (Reuters), LG Energy Solution to invest $5.5B in Arizona battery complex (Utility Dive)

LNG: SocGen says it has pulled out of Texas LNG project (Reuters)

OIL & GAS: Will an oil racket destroy one of Africa’s most sacred places? (Rolling Stone), ‘Full investigation’ promised into UK wildlife haven oil spill (FT $), Investors push Norwegian government over Equinor climate planning (Reuters), Matador enters into $6.2 million settlement with NMED, EPA (New Mexico Political Report), Revealed: How Shell cashed in on dubious carbon offsets from Chinese rice paddies (Climate Home)

PIPELINES: Divisive CO2 pipeline advances in N.D. (E&E $)

COAL: New Mexico court weighs fight over coal-fired power plant (AP)

HYDROGEN: The great ​‘green hydrogen’ battle (Canary Media)

UTILITIES: PG&E, SCE detail plans to spend more than $23B through 2025 to prevent wildfires in their footprints (Utility Dive)

(ALLEGED) UTILITY CORRUPTION: FirstEnergy names new CEO as it tries to shake scandal (E&E $)

GRID: Deep freeze and data concerns test Southeast power market (E&E News), PJM plans capacity auction delays as it develops market reforms to bolster resource adequacy (Utility Dive)

EVs: If gas cars can become EVs, why aren’t more auto makers retrofitting? (Wall Street Journal $)

STEEL: Germany’s second-largest steelmaker on transitioning to green steel (Bloomberg $)

REDUCE, REUSE … : Can recycling metals from steel to lithium boost green transition? (Context)

BOOKS: Ravenous by Henry Dimbleby — hungry for change (FT $)

BUSINESSES: Post-pandemic deodorant sales pushed up Unilever’s emissions (Bloomberg $)

WILDLIFE: Endangered Komodo dragons hatch at Spanish zoo (Reuters), Why sea creatures are washing up dead around the world (Washington Post $)

INTERNATIONAL: Canada to ramp up clean-tech push in budget to level playing field with US (Reuters), First Solar and Reliance among winners of India’s green aid (Bloomberg $), German governing parties agree on energy, climate measures (AP)

• Eastern Kentucky needs flood relief, not another federal prison (New York Times, Sylvia Ryerson and Judah Schept op-ed $)
• Carbon credit rule-makers must engage Indigenous People (Climate Home, Joe Lo op-ed)
• Biden blew a winning oil bet after Silicon Valley Bank collapse (Bloomberg, Liam Denning column $)
• Avoiding a ‘clean power divide’  — creating national electrification co-ops for a just energy transition (Utility Dive, Audrey Zibelman and Victoria Harmon op-ed)

Sleazy Money: Eurocentrist And Fossil Fool Alex Epstein Is Now Hiring

It's a tough world out there, and not everyone is privileged enough to have an easy or ethical source of income, given the inherently unethical nature of extractive, exploitative, colonialism-derived, late-stage capitalism in which we all struggle to come up with the money necessary to stay alive. Some people, though, have really easy jobs. Creating and spreading disinformation, for example, has got to be one of the all-time easiest jobs in the world — you just make stuff up! 

But even that can get to be too much for some, such as Judith 'please don't put in the newspaper that I got mad' Curry and Anthony Watts, who's retreading failed old experiments and is desperate for young people to do his job for him. While Curry, a retired professor, and Tony Watts, a former TV weather presenter, are clearly on the tail end of their ignoble careers, a relative up-and-comer in the fossil fuel propaganda world is also too incompetent to do his own job. 

Although Alex Epstein has only been kicking around the disinfosphere for a decade or so, he's made quite a name for himself as the man who will tell the oil industry that they're actually the good guys. But now, he's hiring! So if you saw Rick Perry talk about fossil fuels preventing rape and thought "I could do better," now's your chance to provide talking points that might get put in front of "pro-energy, pro-freedom elected officials and staff from US Senate, US House, and Governor's offices." 

His latest "Energy Talking Points" post claims he's "receiving overwhelming demand from major elected officials (and staff) for usable 'energy freedom' policies," and because he's just a propagandist with a philosophy bachelor’s degree and not any kind of actual energy expert, he needs to find someone else to do the energy policy work while he begs real experts to debate.

Now, you might think that talking points would come after someone figures out their policy preferences, but for Epstein, it's of course the opposite, as the goal is denial, not policy. 

If you want to work for someone who thinks that "western" culture is superior and that Martin Luther King Jr. is responsible for Black crime, here's the Google form where you can submit an application to be an "Energy Policy Architect." Epstein graciously offers "a variety of arrangements," from part- to full-time, and "will also keep any communications entirely confidential, so feel free to apply knowing that we won't contact your current employer" (emphasis his). 

So, you know, if you want a little side hustle churning out the dumbest energy talking points you can come up with, get to submitting! (Though we're claiming the talking point that "fossil fuels smell great, and taste even better!") You can also just submit your own talking points with this other very official Google form if you're not trying to apply for the job and just want to waste some time. 

Before you do, though, bear in mind that while Epstein has boldly committed to not telling your employer that you're trying to work for him, he's not quite so generous with your efforts. Both forms include a requirement that you give him "unconditional permission to utilize" your submission and "if the work is publicly used, whether and how [the applicant is] publicly given credit" is up to Epstein's discretion. A note claims it's "necessary for us to review your content while protecting ourselves from the risk of getting sued."

He could instead just commit to not using the submitted work unless the author is compensated and agrees, as is (or at least should be) standard practice for positions requiring submitted original work.

But then again, maybe you shouldn't expect the most ethical hiring process, given the decidedly unethical nature of the job! 

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