Climate change policy update: climate bill repeal, gas ban and zero ... - Lexology

Climate change policy update: climate bill repeal, gas ban and zero-emission trucks - Commentary - Lexology

Manchin threatens to support repeal of climate bill Biden resuscitates $40 billion project for Alaska's south coast Hochul announces first state-wide law banning gas in new buildings California to phase out diesel trucks Green transmission line scheduled stalled despite victories in court

This article outlines pertinent legal and policy climate change developments in the United States during the past week (for the previous update please see " Climate change policy update: energy-related jobs; water conservation funding and pollution").

Manchin threatens to support repeal of climate bill

Senator Joe Manchin threatened that he would support the repealing of the Inflation Reduction Act's (1) tax credits that are too great for the government to pay for them. This comes after the senator criticised the Biden administration's implementation of the climate bill.

Biden resuscitates $40 billion project for Alaska's south coast

To the disappointment of environmental groups and climate activists, the $40 billion project proposed for Alaska's south coast is the second major fossil fuel proposal in the state to have stalled under the Trump administration and then be resuscitated under President Biden.

Hochul announces first state-wide law banning gas in new buildings

Governor Kathy Hochul announced at the end of April 2023 that a deal had been struck to pass a law that bans natural gas in the majority of new buildings in New York. This compromise will take effect in 2026 for most new buildings that are seven or less stories high and in 2029 for larger buildings.

California to phase out diesel trucks

Last week, California's Air Resources Board unanimously approved an ambitious and contentious mandate to move big rigs and other trucks to zero-emissions. This decision is the first in the world to mandate a transition to zero-emissions among medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

Green transmission line schedule stalled despite victories in court

Despite the New England Clean Energy Connect's various court victories, its uncertain construction schedule emphasises the challenge that hampers clean energy development in the United States. While environmentalists are concerned about the project's land-use impact, the transmission line is evidence of New England's attempts to make its power supplies green by reducing the region's reliance on natural gas and drastically reducing its carbon dioxide emissions.

For further information on this topic please contact Kenneth J Markowitz, Stacey H Mitchell, Dario J Frommer or Christopher A Treanor at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP by telephone (+1 202 887 4000) or email ( www.akingump.com.

Leila Fleming, public policy specialist, assisted with the preparation of this article.

Endnotes

(1) P L 117-169.