Polluting Democracy

How a utility’s silent spending to control energy policy might determine abortion rights in Florida

Over the past five years, the largest power company in the U.S. quietly financed groups working to restrict Floridians’ ability to change laws independent of the legislature.

Gulf Coast

St. John grain export facility opponents score win in court

Advocates working to block the development of a more than $200 million grain export terminal in St. John the Baptist Parish got another legal win recently when a state judge blocked the property rezoning needed to move the project forward.

Gulf Coast

Carbon-capture gold rush an ‘insult’ to locals in emissions-hit Louisiana

Millions of dollars of investments in new carbon capture projects in Louisiana – with more announced this week, are unwelcome developments to some environmental activists in the state.

Utilities

US utilities oppose Biden efforts to make gas power plants cleaner

Lobbying group’s pushback is out of step with voters and raises questions about industry commitment to reducing pollution

Gulf Coast

Property insurance disappears for Louisianans – but not for gas facilities

Oil and gas facilities along the Gulf coast have long been a major market for speciality insurance carriers.

Gulf Coast

Environmental group applauds proposed rule updates for flaring, idle wells

Proposed rules are being described by environmental advocates as a “critical step” toward reducing routine gas flaring of active oil and gas wells.

Gulf Coast

Residents in ‘Cancer Alley’ push for stricter emissions standards

Local activists want action after EPA drops civil rights investigation.

Gulf Coast

Carbon capture portrayed as a linchpin to Louisiana’s success, failure

More than 100 people testified this week on whether the state should have the responsibility for carbon capture wells.

Polluting Democracy

Maine power companies are spending millions to defeat a vote to dethrone them

This fall, Mainers could cut ties with their utilities. The companies are buying influence to try to stay in power.

Polluting Democracy

Power companies quietly pushed $215m into US politics via dark money groups

Donations have helped utilities increase electricity prices, hinder solar schemes and helped elect sympathetic legislators.

Gulf Coast

Lawmakers passed a bill to stop insurers from considering ESG criteria in setting rates

So-called environmental, social and governance policies are often adopted by companies to reduce their carbon footprints. The new Texas bill aims to stop insurers doing business in Texas from using ESG criteria, but it doesn’t include penalties for violations.

Gulf Coast

Texas has gone big with renewable energy. Why can’t it go all the way?

The biggest barriers to making Texas’ power grid 100% renewable have little to do with politics.

Gulf Coast

In ‘Cancer Alley’, US chemical giants mount campaign against grassroots organizers

Chevron and ExxonMobil are among the companies in a ‘sustainability council’ countering grassroots activists.

Gulf Coast

Offshore wind workforce a weak link in plan to build out renewables

A national push toward offshore wind energy could create thousands of well-paying domestic jobs in Louisiana and elsewhere.

Gulf Coast

Global banks pledged to cut emissions – but still invest billions on US gas exports

Many banks promised to work toward net-zero emissions – but their targets explicitly exempt liquefied natural gas projects.

Gulf Coast

Tax incentives start rush for carbon capture projects

Subsidies to capture and inject carbon underground doubled through last year’s federal Inflation Reduction Act. What happens when that money goes away?