Daily on Energy: More from COP29, Burgum reactions, and a lead dust rule warning

Today, we take a look at a letter sent by nearly two dozen scientists, environmentalists, and climate policy leaders to UN officials criticizing the conference’s framework and its ability to lower greenhouse gas emissions. 

The newsletter also shows recent reactions to President-elect Donald Trump‘s pick of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Department of Interior. Meanwhile, there are updates on permitting reform legislation, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer saying he is open to moving a bill during Congress’s lame-duck session.

Welcome to Daily on Energy, written by Washington Examiner energy and environment writers Callie Patteson (@CalliePatteson) and Maydeen Merino (@MaydeenMerino). Email cpatteson@washingtonexaminer dot com or mmerino@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list.

COP29 – TOP ACTIVISTS QUESTION PURPOSE OF SUMMIT: Nearly two dozen scientists, environmentalists, and climate policy leaders have sent an open letter to the United Nations member states and executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat Simon Stiell, lambasting COP29 and the annual climate summit as a whole.

The details: The letter, led by the Club of Rome, noted that since COP first began, emissions have still been rising, carbon sinks degrading, and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is now more important than ever.

The letter states that COP’s “current structure simply cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity.”

The letter calls for a complete overhaul of the framework for future COPs, shifting the focus towards implementation of policy rather than negotiation.

Specifically, it calls for an improved selection process for summit hosts, smaller and more frequent meetings rather than a large two-week conference, improved accountability processes, boosted climate financing tracking, a permanent scientific advisory body, attention to the impacts on both ecological and social change, and equitable representation between lobbyists and other attendees from scientific institutions, indigenous communities and more.

Notable signers of the letter include former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Earth4All Executive Chair Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, and former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC Christina Figueres.

COP29 – TOP OFFICIAL SAYS CHINA SHOULD LEAD CLIMATE CHANGE FIGHT: On the sidelines of the climate conference, Politico reports that Stiell praised China’s investments in clean energy technology, stating they are “leading by example.” 

He said, though, that China should implement a plan to curb emissions, known as a nationally determined contribution (NDC). 

“A strong NDC would send an important signal to other countries that stronger targets drive investment, that courageous leadership pays off, that development and sustainability are not at odds — that they are compatible,” Stiell said. 

China is the largest greenhouse gas emitter but continues to lead the world in clean energy technology. Stiell added that this climate conference and the next, COP29 and COP30, will be “critical” for global efforts to limit rising temperatures. 

He added “We will need China’s continued leadership.”

COP29 – CANCELING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CREDITS BENEFIT CHINA, GRANHOLM WARNS: Eliminating U.S. electric vehicle tax credits would be “counterproductive,” U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said, allowing China to gain ground in the industry.

Reuters reported yesterday President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team plans to eliminate the $7,500 consumer tax credit for electric-vehicle purchases as part of a tax-reform legislation.

When asked about the repeal of the tax credit, Granholm told reporters at COP29, “It would be so counterproductive.”

“You eliminate these credits, and what do you do? You end up ceding the territory to other countries, particularly China,” she said. 

The tax credits were boosted as part of President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Republicans have debated the extent to which they’ll seek to pare back the climate legislation. 

Two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters billionaire Harold Hamm, founder of Continental Resources, and Republican North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, named yesterday as Trump’s pick for Interior Secretary, are leading the discussion in a Trump energy policy transition team.

…BUT WOULD BE ‘HUGE POSITIVE FOR TESLA’: A repeal of EV tax credits would be a boon to Elon Musk’s Tesla, even as it would hurt other manufacturers, since Tesla is already turning profits. 

“A Trump presidency would be an overall negative for the EV industry,” Wedbush analyst Dan Ives told the Financial Times. “However, for Tesla, we see this as a huge positive.”

Note that Musk himself, who has tied himself closely to Trump in recent weeks, has called for eliminating the subsidies. In the wake of Trump’s election victory, Tesla has added $300 billion in market capitalization, and Musk’s own fortune has eclipsed $300 billion.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT BURGUM FOR INTERIOR: American Petroleum Institute head Mike Sommers said on X, “As Governor of a top production state, @DougBurgum has demonstrated a keen understanding of the importance of harnessing America’s energy advantage.” 

“We look forward to working with him once confirmed to implement a pro-American approach to federal energy leasing, starting with developing a new five-year offshore leasing program and removing barriers to onshore leasing to fully leverage our nation’s natural resources,” Sommers added. 

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy said on X: “Gov. Doug Burgum comes from an energy state and understands the importance of production and lease sales to create better jobs and bolster our energy security. He will also be sensitive to preserving the environment for future generations. I look forward to supporting him in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee @EnergyGOP.” 

Energy and Natural Resources Committee ranking member Sen. John Barrasso said in a statement that “Governor Burgum knows what it takes to unleash American energy. He recognizes how important our federal lands are for energy and mineral production, grazing, and recreation.” 

He added “As North Dakota’s governor, he’s shown he can balance environmental stewardship with record energy development. President Trump and Governor Burgum will make America energy dominant.”

In response to Burgum’s pick, House Natural Resources Committee member Rep. Jared Huffman (D) told Politico, “Could be worse for sure.” He said “I look forward to trying to work productively with him.”

PERMITTING REFORM UPDATE – MANCHIN SAYS SCHUMER IS OPEN TO MOVING BILL: Sen. Joe Manchin said that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told him he was open to moving his permitting overhaul reform bill during the lame-duck period, Daily on Energy alum Josh Siegel reports. 

Manchin said that Schumer wants permitting done. He also said there are unspecified people who lobbied Schumer against the bill pre-election but now “understand it’s going to be by far much better than anything we’ve ever done before.”

Manchin’s reform bill, written with Barrasso, has industry support but has faced opposition from environmental groups. He said he is also in talks with House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman about changes to incorporate more reforms to National Environmental Policy Act procedures.

INDUSTRY SAYS LEAD DUST RULE COULD HINDER AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Industry groups are warning that the Environmental Protection Agency’s new zero-tolerance standards for removing lead dust in properties to prevent lead exposure for children could hurt affordable housing, Maydeen reports in a new story. 

The EPA last month finalized stricter standards for removing lead paint dust in pre-1978 homes and childcare centers. For the first time, the agency separated two standards for testing and clearing lead dust levels in a property, which industry groups said could be complicated and impossible for housing providers to meet. 

Here’s the problem they are flagging: In the final rule, the EPA considers any amount of lead to be hazardous, triggering a cleanup of the property. The EPA also set separate clearance levels that determine whether the cleaning work can be considered complete. 

Property owners only need to meet the EPA’s clearance levels to allow residents back onto the property. But those who do not completely remove all lead dust would still be required to disclose to inhabitants that there is known hazardous presence of lead in the property. They worry that could cause confusion among renters and investors, making it more difficult to manage affordable housing.

“We are operating in unknown territory but the concern is moving forward,” said Paula Cino, counsel for the National Multifamily Housing Council. “Does carrying lead hazard designation impact the lending on the property? Will it impact people’s appetite for investment in that property just because it now is labeled as a risk?”

Read more from Maydeen here. 

SMR PLANNED FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA: Appalachian Power said yesterday that it plans to build a small nuclear reactor near Lynchburg, Virginia. 

The utility has not identified a firm to build the reactor, and the project would take at least a decade, Cardinal News reported. 

Gov. Glenn Youngkin touted the announcement, saying that advanced nuclear power is at the “heart of Virginia’s All-American, All-of-the Above Energy Plan.”

RUNDOWN 

New York Times Nuclear Power Was Once Shunned at Climate Talks. Now, It’s a Rising Star.

Grist The question bringing COP29 to a halt: Who’s rich enough to pay for climate change?

Inside Climate News With NJ’s Tough New Environmental Justice Law in Place, Why Is Newark in Line for Another Power Plant?