Can Oregon Democrats learn from B.C.’s carbon tax?
By ERIK NEUMANNMay 12, 2021 GMT
In 2019 and again in 2020, Oregon Republicans walked out of the state Legislature to prevent a vote on cap-and-trade climate bills. The legislation was meant to drive down the state’s carbon emissions, but Republicans feared the bills would place the greatest burden of higher fuel prices on sparsely populated rural communities.
In 2008, the center-right party in British Columbia, actually named the Liberal Party, created a carbon tax to reduce emissions. More than a decade later, it has helped lower emissions without disproportionately hurting rural B.C. residents.
By GRANT SCHULTEMay 5, 2021 GMT
FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2021, file photo, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts speaks during a news conference at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Neb. Ricketts is ramping up his crusade for the meat industry Wednesday, April 5, 2021, by endorsing a new beef passport program to promote meat eating, a few weeks after he blasted Colorado s governor for a resolution encouraging its residents to eat less. (Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2021, file photo, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts speaks during a news conference at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Neb. Ricketts is ramping up his crusade for the meat industry Wednesday, April 5, 2021, by endorsing a new beef passport program to promote meat eating, a few weeks after he blasted Colorado s governor for a resolution encouraging its residents to eat less. (Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File)
Evacuation order lifted for area north of Chico hit by fire
Associated PressMay 9, 2021 GMT
CHICO, Calif. (AP) Authorities on Saturday evening lifted an evacuation order after they gained control of a wildfire burning amid hot, dry and windy conditions in a rural area north of Chico.
The fire, which started in a grassy field just after 2 p.m. Saturday, quickly grew to about 550 acres, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. At least one aircraft was sent in to drop retardant over the blaze to slow its spread.
The Butte County Sheriff’s office had ordered a residential area about 85 miles north of Sacramento to evacuate. No homes were damaged, CalFire said in a tweet.
GLOBE, Ariz. (AP) A route between metro Phoenix and the White Mountains in eastern Arizona's high country remained closed Saturday because of a wildfire burning along the highway. The Arizona Department of Transportation said a 60-mile (97-kilometer) stretch of US 60 was closed between the eastern outskirts of Globe and the junction with State Route 73 on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
Japan raises emissions reduction target to 46% by 2030
By MARI YAMAGUCHIApril 22, 2021 GMT
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, left, and Minister of the Environment Shinjiro Koizumi attend the global warming meeting at the prime minister s office in Tokyo, Thursday, April 22, 2021. Japan said Thursday it will raise its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target to 46% on 2013 levels from 26%, NHK television reported. Prime Minister Suga has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality in Japan by 2050.(Kyodo News via AP)
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, left, and Minister of the Environment Shinjiro Koizumi attend the global warming meeting at the prime minister s office in Tokyo, Thursday, April 22, 2021. Japan said Thursday it will raise its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target to 46% on 2013 levels from 26%, NHK television reported. Prime Minister Suga has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality in Japan by 2050.(Kyodo News via AP)