GM to offer electrified Corvette as early as next year
GM has set a goal of building only electric passenger vehicles by 2035. It has pledged to have 30 electric vehicle models for sale globally by 2025.
Energy & Environment
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IndyCar, Indianapolis 500 announce plans to go green
Among the changes, all tires delivered to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be relayed by electric vehicles, and all electricity consumed at the speedway this May will be purchased through 100% renewable energy credits.
Tougher federal environmental review for big projects to be restored
A rule finalized Tuesday will restore key provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, an environmental law designed to ensure community safeguards during reviews for a wide range of federal proposals.
Biden launches $6B effort to save distressed nuclear plants
Owners or operators of nuclear power reactors that are expected to shut down for economic reasons can apply for funding to avoid closing prematurely. The first round of awards will prioritize reactors that have already announced plans to close.
Japanese e-vehicle battery company to build $2B Kentucky plant
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Envision AESC’s plan to build a 2,000-employee plant will help make Indiana’s southern neighbor the “undisputed electric battery production capital of the United States of America.”
Biden waiving ethanol rule in bid to lower gasoline prices
Administration officials said the EPA has begun analyzing the “emergency” step of allowing more E15 gasoline sales for the summer and determined it is not likely to have significant on-the-ground air quality impacts.
Could carbon credits help fund city’s public green space?
Local officials and not-for-profits are exploring the potential sale of carbon credits to finance the maintenance and preservation of city parks, and to purchase land for more.
Supreme Court reinstates Trump-era water rule, for now
The justices agreed to halt a lower court judge’s order throwing out the rule and sending it back to the Environmental Protection Agency. Four justices said they disagreed with the decision.
House Dems tell Postal Service to pump brakes on gas-guzzling truck contract
The Postal Service’s plan falls well short of White House goals to move the entire federal civilian fleet to electric vehicles by 2035. The mail agency’s 217,000 vehicles make up the largest share of the government’s civilian vehicles.
EPA rule would finally ban asbestos
The American Chemistry Council, a lobbying group for the chemical industry, slammed the EPA proposal, saying it could cause substantial harm to America’s drinking water supply by reducing the domestic supply of chlorine.
INDOT issues request for information for EV charging infrastructure plan
In its request for information released Monday, INDOT is soliciting feedback and recommendations from stakeholders, such as utilities and energy and fuel companies, for the planning, coordination and development of charging networks across the state.
Green progress is aim of SEC reporting proposal for public companies
The proposal would require disclosure of risks climate change pose to companies and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by companies and by their supply chain.
New vehicles must average 40 miles per gallon in 2026, up from 24 mpg
The new requirements increase gas mileage by 8% per year for model years 2024 and 2025 and 10% in the 2026 model year.
White River group pushes ahead with public access plans, fundraising
The group is launching an annual fundraising campaign to help pay for gravel parking lots, access roads, signage, security lighting and cameras, and boat ramps for areas along the White River in Hamilton, Marion and Morgan counties.
UPDATE: Biden tapping oil reserve for 6 months to control gas prices
The release of reserves in the U.S. could create pressures that could reduce oil prices, though Biden has already twice ordered releases from the strategic reserves without causing a meaningful shift in oil markets.
U.S. seeks new lithium sources as demand for batteries grows
The U.S. will need far more lithium to achieve its clean energy goals, but the industry that mines, extracts and processes the chemical element faces a host of challenges from environmentalists, Indigenous groups and government regulators.
Commerce investigation imperils solar industry, advocates say
Clean energy leaders said the investigation—which could result in retroactive tariffs of up to 240%—would severely hinder the U.S. solar industry, leading to thousands of layoffs and imperiling up to 80% of planned solar projects in the United States.
AES Indiana’s Martinsville plant back online after nearly a year of repairs
The power plant is one of three generating stations that provides electricity to about 500,000 AES Indiana customers in central Indiana. The utility said it has made a wide series of repairs since the plant conked out nearly a year ago.
Major restaurant chains commit to eliminating ‘forever chemicals’
The effort to stamp out the chemicals comes in response to an investigation by Consumer Reports that found toxic chemicals in a majority of the food wrappers and packaging from chain restaurants and grocery stores that were tested.
New corporate climate change disclosures proposed by SEC
The required disclosures would include greenhouse gas emissions produced by companies directly or indirectly—such as from consumption of the company’s products, vehicles used to transport products, business travel and energy used to grow raw materials.