Trump revokes another Obama climate directive, signs efficiency order
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to streamline directives for federal agencies to use energy and water resources more efficiently and has rescinded President Barack Obama's 2015 order that had agencies perform sustainability analyses and implement plans relating to climate change.
New York proposes tougher CO2 limits on power plants as 2020 coal phaseout looms
A new draft proposal from New York state seeks to impose more stringent pollution controls on existing fossil fuel-fired power plants as Gov. Andrew Cuomo moves to completely phase out coal as a generation fuel within the state by 2020.
Investor activism makes inroads on climate issues at US oil, gas drillers
After shareholders of two U.S. oil and gas drillers ignored recommendations to vote down resolutions on environmental and governance issues, Chesapeake Energy Corp. negotiated a last-minute withdrawal of measures requiring reports on climate change risk and lobbying efforts before a May 18 vote at the company's annual meeting.
Mich. utilities agree to 25% renewable target in deal to end ballot campaign
Michigan's two largest electric utilities have agreed to meet at least 25% of their energy demand through renewables in a deal that would end a push by billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer for a state ballot initiative.
NC public staff contests approval of Duke Energy Progress coal ash recovery
The North Carolina Public Staff is the latest stakeholder to contest state regulators' approval of coal ash cost recovery in Duke Energy Progress LLC's rate case.
EPA science board says transparency rule restricts use of human health studies
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science Advisory Board determined that Administrator Scott Pruitt's science transparency rule "would limit the use of science based on human subject data" and was conducted without consultation from the scientific community.
Ceres: Many big companies fall short on sustainability oversight
Many of the biggest companies around the world claim their boards oversee sustainability in some way but a report by Ceres suggests that only a small percentage of those companies have robust practices.
IBM, Veridium team up to improve carbon market trading using blockchain
IBM Corp. is collaborating with start-up company Veridium Labs Ltd. with the goal of using blockchain technology to help companies measure their environmental footprint and trade carbon credits to offset their emissions.
Shareholders of Wis. utility MGE Energy reject environmental proposals
MGE Energy Inc. shareholders rejected three proposals that sought to have the company report on options for moving to 100% renewable energy supplies, study ways to promote the electrification of the transportation sector, and report on how its goals align with the Paris Agreement on climate change.
US House appropriators seek slimmer EPA budget, full repeal of Clean Water Rule
As part of a new spending bill, appropriators in the U.S. House of Representatives have proposed to shave $100 million off the EPA's budget and ensure the "full repeal" of the Obama administration's Clean Water Rule.