“We think the [EV charging planning] process is flawed and rigged against Black communities, Black businesses and other frontline communities of color,” said Denise Abdul-Rahman, Indiana state chair for the NAACP’s environmental justice program. “We want the economic benefits of these chargers too, the modernized grids so we don’t have so many power outages, to get our school buses off diesel. We don’t want two Indianas and two Americas, one with roundabouts and clean air and charging stations and another riding around in fossil fuel cars and breathing in all the pollution. We want a just transition.”
CLEAN ENERGY
Must Be Equitable
Unions see opportunity in the clean energy industry. With new federal policies catalyzing the growth of the domestic clean energy industry, union leaders are seeking to ensure their members can make gains in emerging sectors like EVs and battery production. The Detroit News features AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler discussing how auto unions like the UAW are adapting to the market, including organizing workers in the South where automakers are building new facilities. Yale Climate Connections also writes that organizations like the Green Workers Alliance are working to improve labor standards across the clean energy industry, which often relies on temp labor and pays inconsistent wages. (The Detroit News $, Yale Climate Connections)
Indiana NAACP urges equitable EV charging plans. As the federal government begins distributing billions to cities and states to develop EV charging infrastructure, advocates like the Indiana NAACP are warning that the current approach risks leaving marginalized communities behind. The Guardian writes that Black communities have been sidelined in EV charging plans because their adoption rates are fairly low due to the relatively high cost of EVs, and are at risk of being left without accessible charging. One example of this is the Indiana Department of Transit, which failed to meaningfully consult communities of color on EV charging issues, as reported in the Indiana Capital Chronicle. Now advocates are now urging the department to incorporate equity provisions in its plans. (The Guardian, Indiana Capital Chronicle)
CLEAN ENERGY
Is A Good Investment
Clean energy investment is booming thanks to the climate bill. In the weeks since President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. has seen a major boost in investment in clean energy sectors. Automakers are investing billions in U.S. EV and battery factories, solar panel manufacturers are building new plants, and mining companies are looking to open new domestic lithium mines to meet rising demand for battery minerals. Analysts say challenges remain, such as the need for more transmission infrastructure, and caution that many of these projects are years away from completion. But they also affirm that these investments signal long-term interest in building out American clean energy supply chains. (New York Times $)
Strong EV demand helped Ford’s August sales rise 27 percent. That represents a fourfold surge in EV sales driven in large part by interest in the automaker’s flagship electric truck, the F-150 Lightning. On average, Ford reports that those trucks are being sold within eight days of arriving at dealerships — the fastest rate of any of the company’s vehicles. This growth in sales came even as Ford has begun raising prices for the F-150 Lightning, citing the rising prices of key materials. (Wall Street Journal $)
CLEAN ENERGY
Is Replacing Fossil Fuels
California passes aggressive new climate measures. In a last-minute session, California legislators passed key climate and energy bills meant to accelerate the state’s energy transition. The bills codify the state’s target of carbon neutrality by 2045 with an even more aggressive timeline for emissions reductions. It also sets interim targets for clean energy generation, establishes buffer zones around oil and gas wells, and sets targets for nature-based carbon removal solutions. Energy and climate investments are especially critical in California, which is experiencing extreme heatwaves, drought, and wildfires that threaten grid reliability. (CalMatters)
Offshore wind industry is building a workforce. With offshore wind power gaining momentum across the U.S. and the Biden administration targeting 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030, the industry is beginning to train workers for the jobs of installing and maintaining turbines. One course offered by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy is already drawing prospective workers looking to secure jobs that are expected to pay an average of $80,000 per year. Many trainees will head to work on the Vineyard Wind project off the Massachusetts coast, which is on track to be the first commercial-scale offshore wind project in the U.S., expected to provide enough energy to power 400,000 homes. (Associated Press)
CLEAN ENERGY
Is Challenging
Permitting issues are complicating the energy transition. Having passed the largest climate bill in U.S. history, Congress will soon face another flashpoint of the energy transition: How to build it all fast. A new permitting reform effort, spearheaded by Senator Joe Manchin III (D-WV) as part of the deal struck over the IRA, is seeking to speed up the federal permitting apparatus to accelerate the buildout of clean energy and fossil fuel infrastructure alike. But despite general consensus among environmentalists and climate groups around the need to build critical clean energy projects more quickly, there is widespread debate over what kinds of reforms would best help streamline projects without sacrificing public participation in the process and environmental and community protections. (Washington Post $)
MULTIMEDIA
Video: Inflation Reduction Act could push workers toward the climate industry
