It's a goal the White House insists the U.S. can meet even if Congress rejects Biden's calls for trillions of dollars in green infrastructure spending.President Joe Biden pledged Thursday to slash U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases in at least half by 2030 | Doug Mills/Pool/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden pledged Thursday to slash U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases in at least half by 2030 — an ambitious target that will require retooling the world’s largest economy in an effort to put the U.S. at the forefront of the international campaign to slow climate change.It’s a goal the White House...…It's a goal the White House insists the U.S. can meet even if Congress rejects Biden's calls for trillions of dollars in green infrastructure spending.President Joe Biden pledged Thursday to slash U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases in at least half by 2030 | Doug Mills/Pool/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden pledged Thursday to slash U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases in at least half by 2030 — an ambitious target that will require retooling the world’s largest economy in an effort to put the U.S. at the forefront of the international campaign to slow climate change.It’s a goal the White House...WW…

Despite deep skepticism from union allies, Democrats are determined to make their “Just Transition” away from fossil fuels work.The remains of a shuttered coal mine are left to decay on Aug. 23, 2019, near Whitesburg, Ky. Many communities in eastern Kentucky that rely heavily on a coal economy are seeing that lifeblood rapidly slip away. | Scott Olson/Getty ImagesAfter years of watching their standing erode in energy-producing states, Democrats under President Joe Biden have accepted the challenge that’s vexed them for a decade: convincing fossil fuel workers that they will still be okay...…Despite deep skepticism from union allies, Democrats are determined to make their “Just Transition” away from fossil fuels work.The remains of a shuttered coal mine are left to decay on Aug. 23, 2019, near Whitesburg, Ky. Many communities in eastern Kentucky that rely heavily on a coal economy are seeing that lifeblood rapidly slip away. | Scott Olson/Getty ImagesAfter years of watching their standing erode in energy-producing states, Democrats under President Joe Biden have accepted the challenge that’s vexed them for a decade: convincing fossil fuel workers that they will still be okay...WW…

Some question the effectiveness of paying farmers to sink more carbon into their soil, while others worry it could let polluters off the hook.A tractor plows under what would have been Spring Mix. | Brent Stirton/Getty ImagesThe Biden administration’s ambitious plan to create a multibillion-dollar bank to help pay farmers to capture carbon from the atmosphere is running into surprising skepticism, challenging Agriculture Department officials to persuade the industry to get behind the massive climate proposal.“There’s a balance between moving really quickly and also being deliberate enough...…Some question the effectiveness of paying farmers to sink more carbon into their soil, while others worry it could let polluters off the hook.A tractor plows under what would have been Spring Mix. | Brent Stirton/Getty ImagesThe Biden administration’s ambitious plan to create a multibillion-dollar bank to help pay farmers to capture carbon from the atmosphere is running into surprising skepticism, challenging Agriculture Department officials to persuade the industry to get behind the massive climate proposal.“There’s a balance between moving really quickly and also being deliberate enough...WW…

The social cost of carbon could have ripple effects throughout industry.President Joe Biden delivers remarks in the East Room of the White House. | Anna Moneymaker-Pool/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden on Friday restored an Obama-era calculation on the economic cost of greenhouse gases, a step that will make it easier for his agencies to approve aggressive actions to confront climate change.But the administration stopped short, for now, of boosting the cost figure to higher levels that economists and climate scientists say are justified by new research.The interim figure — $51 for every ton...…The social cost of carbon could have ripple effects throughout industry.President Joe Biden delivers remarks in the East Room of the White House. | Anna Moneymaker-Pool/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden on Friday restored an Obama-era calculation on the economic cost of greenhouse gases, a step that will make it easier for his agencies to approve aggressive actions to confront climate change.But the administration stopped short, for now, of boosting the cost figure to higher levels that economists and climate scientists say are justified by new research.The interim figure — $51 for every ton...WW…

The Department of Energy is poised to play an essential role as the Biden administration looks to leverage clean energy investments.President-elect Joe Biden speaks at The Queen theater, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. | AP Photo/Andrew HarnikTwelve years ago, the Department of Energy was so central to the incoming Obama administration’s stimulus plans that DOE staffers were among the first through the doors at the transition headquarters, helping the Secret Service take the plastic wrap off tables and chairs so they could get to work.Now, DOE is poised to again play an...…The Department of Energy is poised to play an essential role as the Biden administration looks to leverage clean energy investments.President-elect Joe Biden speaks at The Queen theater, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. | AP Photo/Andrew HarnikTwelve years ago, the Department of Energy was so central to the incoming Obama administration’s stimulus plans that DOE staffers were among the first through the doors at the transition headquarters, helping the Secret Service take the plastic wrap off tables and chairs so they could get to work.Now, DOE is poised to again play an...WW…

The Senate-confirmed post would mark a return to the office for Brenda Mallory.Brenda Mallory, President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee to chair the Council on Environmental Quality. | Stephanie Gross/Southern Environmental Law CenterPresident-elect Joe Biden will tap Brenda Mallory to lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality, according to two people familiar with selection, which would put the veteran environmental lawyer in charge of an office with sweeping purview over how the federal government assesses environmental effects of policies, permits and infrastructure projects.The...…The Senate-confirmed post would mark a return to the office for Brenda Mallory.Brenda Mallory, President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee to chair the Council on Environmental Quality. | Stephanie Gross/Southern Environmental Law CenterPresident-elect Joe Biden will tap Brenda Mallory to lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality, according to two people familiar with selection, which would put the veteran environmental lawyer in charge of an office with sweeping purview over how the federal government assesses environmental effects of policies, permits and infrastructure projects.The...WW…

Granholm, who served two terms as Michigan's governor, is experienced in dealing with the auto industry.Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm speaks onstage at Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Calif. | Steve Jennings/Getty ImagesPresident-elect Joe Biden will pick former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to run the Energy Department, the agency that would play a key role in helping develop the technologies needed fulfill his pledge to move the country off fossil fuels.Granholm, who served two terms as Michigan’s governor, is experienced in dealing with the auto industry — a...…Granholm, who served two terms as Michigan's governor, is experienced in dealing with the auto industry.Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm speaks onstage at Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, Calif. | Steve Jennings/Getty ImagesPresident-elect Joe Biden will pick former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to run the Energy Department, the agency that would play a key role in helping develop the technologies needed fulfill his pledge to move the country off fossil fuels.Granholm, who served two terms as Michigan’s governor, is experienced in dealing with the auto industry — a...WW…

Michael Kuperberg had worked as executive director of the U.S. Global Change Research Program.President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House. | Evan Vucci/ AP PhotoThe White House has removed the head of the program that produces the federal government’s most definitive scientific report on climate change, according to three sources with knowledge of the move.Michael Kuperberg had worked as executive director of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, which produces the National Climate Assessment. The move comes just days after the White House tapped Betsy Weatherhead...…Michael Kuperberg had worked as executive director of the U.S. Global Change Research Program.President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House. | Evan Vucci/ AP PhotoThe White House has removed the head of the program that produces the federal government’s most definitive scientific report on climate change, according to three sources with knowledge of the move.Michael Kuperberg had worked as executive director of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, which produces the National Climate Assessment. The move comes just days after the White House tapped Betsy Weatherhead...WW…

But Democrats in the Rust Belt state shrugged.Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during the last presidential debate Thursday at Belmont University. | Patrick Semansky/AP PhotoPHILADELPHIA — Joe Biden’s plan to move to a clean energy economy isn't new to those who've been paying attention: For months, he's promised to put the country on a path to be carbon-neutral by 2050.But Biden, who's been extraordinarily cautious throughout the campaign while talking about fossil fuels, clearly believes he botched his own strategy on Thursday night.Within minutes of the debate, where he...…But Democrats in the Rust Belt state shrugged.Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during the last presidential debate Thursday at Belmont University. | Patrick Semansky/AP PhotoPHILADELPHIA — Joe Biden’s plan to move to a clean energy economy isn't new to those who've been paying attention: For months, he's promised to put the country on a path to be carbon-neutral by 2050.But Biden, who's been extraordinarily cautious throughout the campaign while talking about fossil fuels, clearly believes he botched his own strategy on Thursday night.Within minutes of the debate, where he...WW…

The move throws the lobbying voice of corporate America behind efforts to combat climate change.The fires in the western United States have been blamed on climate change. | David McNew/Getty ImagesThe Business Roundtable, a major trade association that includes the heads of some of the largest and most influential companies in the U.S. as members, is endorsing a “market-based mechanism” as part of a plan to sharply curb greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change,The move, which was first reported by POLITICO on Tuesday, throws the lobbying voice of those executives from companies...…The move throws the lobbying voice of corporate America behind efforts to combat climate change.The fires in the western United States have been blamed on climate change. | David McNew/Getty ImagesThe Business Roundtable, a major trade association that includes the heads of some of the largest and most influential companies in the U.S. as members, is endorsing a “market-based mechanism” as part of a plan to sharply curb greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change,The move, which was first reported by POLITICO on Tuesday, throws the lobbying voice of those executives from companies...WW…