Online Articles

Scientific Data and Computer Center (SDCC) at Brookhaven Lab

Preparing Financial Market Utilities for the Emergent Threats of Climate Change

April 9, 2024 by Andrew Lloyd Bellah Climate change Regulations

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System published new changes to Regulation HH pertaining to systemically-important Financial Market Utilities (FMUs) that clear and settle large-scale transactions between banks and other financial institutions in the United States. In this blog post, GELR Senior Editor Andrew Bellah highlights new operational risk management requirements for FMUs in Regulation HH that have become relevant due to emergent threats arising from climate change. While the amendments to Regulation HH don't explicitly mention climate change, their emphasis on the risk of severe weather and other tail-end scenarios denotes the seriousness of preparing critical financial market infrastructure for a warming world.

New York City traffic jam.

New York City’s Congestion Pricing Toll- How Will It Affect New York’s Air Pollution?

April 8, 2024 by Jack Hatzimemos Air Regulations State and Local

After years of years of roadblocks and anticipation, New York City is scheduled to introduce its controversial Congestion Pricing toll in June. The congestion toll, which will charge drivers of standard vehicles $15 to enter parts of lower Manhattan, aims to reduce traffic build up and air pollution in the city. However, the toll has been met with tremendous scrutiny, particularly on the true environmental impact of the project.

This chart shows the photovoltaic power potential in the Middle East, demonstrating the potential for a clean energy transition.*

The Energy Transition in the Middle East: Navigating Through Change

April 4, 2024 by Can Cao Climate change Energy International Natural Resources Oil and Gas Renewable Energy

This article explores the Middle East's shift away from oil dependence towards renewable energies, highlighting how this energy transition has resulted in regional collaboration, economic diversification, and global implications.

Wind turbines and solar arrays stand in the foreground, with transmission lines and a grid substation in the background.

Transmission Now!

April 2, 2024 by Aidan Bassett Energy Renewable Energy

To deploy renewables and meet its climate targets, the U.S. will need new transmission and grid-enhancing technologies to get the most from its existing power infrastructure.

Bike lanes, low speed limits, sidewalks protected from drivers by parked cars and trees, and crosswalks improve safety and comfort for walking and biking in this D.C. neighborhood.

“Please Don’t Hit Me!” Making Cities Safer for Pedestrians & Bikers

March 25, 2024 by Alexis Gorfine Climate change State and Local Sustainability

The healthiest and happiest communities are walkable, bikeable, and provide equitable transportation options for all. D.C. policymakers must put cars in their place and take steps to promote pedestrian safety. By slowing down drivers, improving infrastructure to promote pedestrian awareness, and encouraging mass transit alternatives, we can make our city more friendly to both the environment and its habitants, workers, and visitors.

An array of different sized white cylindrical hydrogen tanks.

Making Sense of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Credit

March 21, 2024 by Stefan Koester Energy Regulations Renewable Energy Sustainability

IRS comment period for the 45V clean hydrogen tax credit guidance closed on February 26, 2024. This credit provides a tiered production tax credit for clean hydrogen depending on its emissions intensity. The draft guidance relies on three pillars to ensure emissions integrity – additionality, temporal and geographic matching. Judging by some comment responses, controversial reactions to each of these pillars were significant, with many commenters suggesting that the courts will have the final say on how these tax credits will be finalized. Will all this uncertainty derail the clean hydrogen economy?

Smoke from Taylor Creek Fire in 2018, as seen from just outside of Grants Pass, Oregon. USFS/Darren Stebbins.

Dual Hazards of Homelessness and Climate Change

March 7, 2024 by Kayla Minton Kaufman Climate change Public Lands State and Local

Climate change and the legal punishment of homelessness together create intersecting hazards. Homelessness, therefore, is a community issue and an environmental issue.

Field of solar panels absorbing sun to generate energy.

The Villars Framework: Can International Trade Break Its Own Climate Curse?

March 1, 2024 by Kennedy Pivnick Climate change International Sustainability

Aligning trade policies with environmental objectives is imperative to efforts to address the mounting global climate crisis. The Villars Framework offers a groundbreaking approach to environmentally-conscious trade policy.

FERC Headquarters, an independent federal agency with regulatory authority over interstate electricity, natural gas, and oil transmission.

Updates from FERC’s Feb. 15 Open Meeting

February 27, 2024 by Nathan Tatum Energy Regulations State and Local

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) held its February open meeting on Feb. 15, 2024, addressing a number of items including cold weather reliability standards, hydropower permitting, and natural gas exports.