Because the report from local weather teams Oil Change Worldwide and Earthworks particulars, gasoline certification isn’t but regulated, and its monitoring techniques usually miss methane leaks.
While you see an “all pure” label on a snack, you is perhaps tempted to suppose it’s a wholesome selection. However there’s no means across the details: natural potato chips simply aren’t nearly as good for you as a carrot.
An analogous advertising technique is popping up within the fossil gasoline trade. Because the world wakes as much as pure gasoline’ emissions influence, some producers are adopting a “licensed” or “accountable” label to persuade clients they’re a climate-friendly selection. However in accordance with a brand new report, it’s all a “rip-off.”
Gasoline producers have began working with third-party contractors they are saying will consider their gasoline extraction processes for leaks and “certify” these with a decrease methane emissions. As industries more and more hunt down clear vitality, gasoline producers hope this label will make them extra fascinating.
However because the report from local weather teams Oil Change Worldwide and Earthworks particulars, gasoline certification isn’t but regulated, and its monitoring techniques usually miss methane leaks. Dakota Raynes, an writer on the examine, summed up its findings to Inside Local weather Information: “Licensed gasoline is a greenwashing rip-off.”
A 3rd-party gasoline certifier disputed the report’s findings. However Democratic U.S. senators just lately got here to the identical conclusion, calling gasoline certification a “harmful greenwashing scheme” in a letter urging the Federal Commerce Fee to crack down on the trade claims.
“The fact is that gasoline certification schemes permit the oil and gasoline trade to justify the continued enlargement of methane gasoline use and undermine efforts in direction of a simply transition to renewables,” the senators stated.
— Kathryn Krawczyk
Extra clear vitality information
⚛️ In search of a magic bullet: Massive tech firms are betting on atomic fusion and different unproven vitality applied sciences to energy AI knowledge facilities, which critics say are already growing reliance on fossil fuels. (Washington Submit)
⚖️ A simply transition? Residents of a former Pennsylvania coal neighborhood say the federal authorities has forgotten about them as they wrestle to switch misplaced jobs and tax earnings, highlighting President Biden’s have to persuade related communities they received’t be left behind. (Washington Submit)
🥃 Distilling decarbonization: A rising variety of U.S. meals and beverage producers are utilizing warmth pumps to decarbonize the method warmth they should distill liquor and make different merchandise. (Canary Media)
☀️ Good locations: Researchers map hundreds of thousands of acres of deserted U.S. farmland that would probably be reused for renewable vitality initiatives. (Journal Sentinel)
⛈️ Retaining photo voltaic panels secure: Hailstorms will probably grow to be extra widespread because the local weather adjustments, however researchers say monitoring applied sciences and protecting tools can defend photo voltaic panels from hail harm. (Inside Local weather Information)
🛢️ Enjoying the reverse card: In New Mexico, oil and gasoline giants partnered with environmentalists and politicians to develop an deserted properly cleanup invoice, however turned towards the ultimate product and claimed it could “destroy” the state. (ProPublica)
📉 We’re lagging on clear vitality help: The world’s largest ever local weather survey finds 54% of Individuals need a fast transition from fossil fuels to scrub vitality, among the many smallest majorities amongst counties polled. (The Guardian)
📄 Making it occur: Advocates say the 18-year allowing saga for the SunZia transmission line within the Southwest is a hit story illustrating the challenges of constructing large-scale clear vitality infrastructure. (Heatmap)
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