Carper urges tough US rules barring gas-powered cars by 2035
By HOPE YEN and TOM KRISHERApril 30, 2021 GMT
WASHINGTON (AP) A top Senate Democrat is urging U.S. anti-pollution standards that would follow a deal brokered by California with five automakers and then set targets to end sales of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, a goal that reaches farther than President Joe Biden’s climate plan.
In a letter sent late Thursday to the Environmental Protection Agency, Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, says the administration must move forcefully in the auto sector to achieve Biden’s plan of slashing America’s greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.
Bill to kill up to 90% of Idaho wolves heads to governor
By KEITH RIDLERApril 28, 2021 GMT
BOISE, Idaho (AP) The Idaho House on Tuesday approved legislation allowing the state to hire private contractors and expand methods to kill wolves roaming Idaho a measure that could cut the wolf population by 90%.
Lawmakers voted 58-11 to send the agriculture industry-backed bill to Republican Gov. Brad Little. The fast-tracked bill that allows the use of night-vision equipment to kill wolves as well as hunting from snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles, among other measures, passed the Senate last week.
Backers said changes to Idaho law could help reduce the wolf population from about 1,500 to 150, alleviating wolf attacks on cattle, sheep and wildlife.
Democrats move to reinstate methane rules loosened by Trump
By MATTHEW DALYApril 28, 2021 GMT
FILE - In this undated file photo the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska is shown. Congressional Democrats are moving to reinstate regulations designed to limit potent greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas fields. It s part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to combat climate change.(AP Photo/Al Grillo, file)
FILE - In this undated file photo the Trans-Alaska pipeline and pump station north of Fairbanks, Alaska is shown. Congressional Democrats are moving to reinstate regulations designed to limit potent greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas fields. It s part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to combat climate change.(AP Photo/Al Grillo, file)
China says coal will play less-dominant energy role
By HUIZHONG WUApril 27, 2021 GMT
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) China, the world’s biggest coal user, said Tuesday the fossil fuel will play a less dominant role in its energy mix and that, despite plans to build new coal-fired power plants, the country won’t use it on a wide scale.
The comments by Li Gao, the director general of the Department of Climate Change in China’s Environment Ministry, follow pledges at last week’s climate summit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to work with the United States in cutting emissions.
“In the past, it (coal) was the main source of power. In the future it will play the role of providing flexibility for the power grid,” Li said at a press conference.
Vermont ready to remove bald eagles from endangered list
April 26, 2021 GMT
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) Vermont’s population of bald eagles has grown to the point that the state is ready to remove them from the endangered species list.
Hunting, habitat loss and pesticide poisoning pushed the birds of prey to extinction, Vermont Public Radio reported on Monday. No eagles had nested in Vermont for decades.
Since a breeding pair took up residence in the state in 2008, the birds’ recovery has been has been strong and steady, said state wildlife biologist Doug Morin, the bird project leader at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.