Climate change policy update: walk backs on gas deals, climate ... - Lexology

Climate change policy update: walk backs on gas deals, climate targets and Grand Canyon mining - Commentary - Lexology

Biden administration torn by walk backs of overseas oil and gas deals California and New York could miss their 2030 climate targets. Could permitting reform help? California and Chinese Province of Hainan partner to fight climate change Biden is expected to permanently block Grand Canyon mining Environmental groups to sue over Virginia's Withdrawal from Climate Initiative

This article outlines pertinent legal and policy climate change developments in the United States during the past week.

Biden administration torn by walk backs of overseas oil and gas deals

As the Biden administration walks back commitments to not fund overseas oil and gas projects, senior officials are divided over their commitment to climate change and the White House's diplomatic alliances to counter foreign threats.

California and New York could miss their 2030 climate targets. Could permitting reform help?

New York's comptroller office recently released a report outlining that, to achieve the mandate for climate targets, New York would have to triple its renewable energy capacity in just seven years. Similarly, California officials noted that California could fail its 2030 target, namely to reduce emissions by 48%.

California and Chinese Province of Hainan partner to fight climate change

Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese province of Hainan to address climate change. As Governor Gavin Newsom stated, the agreement:

outlines five areas of cooperation between California and Hainan: cutting air pollution, developing and implementing climate adaptation and carbon neutrality plans, advancing clean energy, accelerating zero-emission vehicles, and driving nature-based solutions.

Biden is expected to permanently block Grand Canyon mining

The Biden administration is slated to create a new national monument. Its aim will be to protect approximately 1 million acres around the Grand Canyon from uranium mining.

Environmental groups to sue over Virginia's Withdrawal from Climate Initiative

The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a notice on behalf of various green groups. These groups plan on suing Governor Glenn Youngkin's (R-VA) proposal to take Virginia out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative by the end of 2023.

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.