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Biden pairs ‘down payment’ on climate crisis with rebuilding infrastructure
Updated, 6:04 p.m. with comments from Whitmer The sprawling $2 trillion infrastructure and jobs proposal President Joe Biden laid out Wednesday in Pennsylvania includes significant spending to address climate change, providing what conservationists say is an important “down payment” to address the crisis. A 25-page outline calls for $10 billion for a Civilian Climate Corps, […]
Increases in royalties paid by oil and gas producers, lease rates targeted in Biden review
Interior Department officials indicated last week the Biden administration would change some federal oil and gas policies in an effort to roll back the aggressive fossil fuel agenda of former President Donald Trump. Interior leaders at an online forum Thursday said that rates the oil and gas industry pays for leasing, royalties and bonding could […]
U.S. House panel divides on party lines over how to better conserve public lands
In a preview of the arguments likely to be repeated as the Biden administration and Congress work toward conservation goals, Democrats on a U.S. House panel last week outlined what they say is a need for aggressive action on climate. But Republicans worried increased federal involvement would be counterproductive to conservation goals while hurting rural […]
4 big questions about the feds’ scrutiny of oil and gas leasing on public lands
In his first week in office, President Joe Biden paused new oil and gas leasing on federal lands as his administration reviewed fossil fuel development policy. Now that Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has taken office, the administration is gearing up to begin that process. A forum comprising the energy industry, conservation groups, labor organizations and […]
Haaland confirmation vote for Interior on tap, despite GOP opposition
The Senate is expected to vote within days on the confirmation of U.S. Rep. Debra A. Haaland to lead the Interior Department, despite procedural barriers Republicans from Montana and Wyoming announced Tuesday. Republican Sens. Steve Daines of Montana and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming placed holds on Haaland’s nomination, meaning the chamber now must take an […]
Biden Interior secretary pick likely to face rocky confirmation hearing
U.S. Senate Republicans may use this week’s Interior confirmation hearing for U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland to air their grievances about the Biden administration’s energy policies, running the risk of alienating Native Americans in Western states. GOP U.S. Sens. John Barrasso of Wyoming and Steve Daines of Montana sit on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, […]
Biden makes Granholm pick for Energy official
President-elect Joe Biden will nominate former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to head the Energy Department, his presidential transition team said Thursday night. The Democrat also tapped and North Carolina’s top environmental regulator, Michael Regan, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Rep. Debra A. Haaland to lead the Interior Department. The selections were announced as […]
‘I just don’t trust the system any more’: Voters on edge as election nears.
WASHINGTON — Widespread anxiety and confusion around voting, compounded by the pandemic that has spread to millions of Americans, including President Donald Trump. A vastly underfunded and decentralized electoral system that could take days and possibly weeks to certify results. Attempts to suppress voting, interfere with elections and cast doubt on the integrity of mail-in […]
‘You just have to act’: 1000s outraged by police brutality rally at March on Washington
WASHINGTON – On the 57th anniversary of the original March on Washington and in the throes of a pandemic, thousands of demonstrators on Friday joined Democratic lawmakers on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to demand Congress act on police brutality and voter suppression. The event, organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, […]
‘Extremely frustrating’ mail delays for prescriptions hit veterans, rural areas
Jan Stowe, a Vietnam War veteran from Traverse City, says she was unable to move her head and neck for several days last month after going without medication to treat extreme muscle spasms. Stowe, a Department of Veterans Affairs patient who receives her medication through the U.S. Postal Service, said in an interview with the […]
Whitmer invokes auto bailout in DNC speech given from Lansing union hall
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer championed autoworkers and the former Obama administration’s record during the last economic crisis on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday. Appearing live via video feed from a United Auto Workers hall in Lansing, Whitmer praised presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s record as vice president, when he and […]
Trump’s $400 a week jobless aid could be just $300. It depends on where you live.
Governors, lawmakers and state unemployment agencies on Monday wrestled with confusion created by President Donald Trump’s executive action extending unemployment benefits, and it appeared some states could settle for $300 a week in benefits instead of the $400 that the president touted. State leaders from both political parties remained unsure how much they’d have to […]