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One of the great ironies of climate change is that more extreme weather will require more resilient infrastructure. A more resilient infrastructure requires more concrete, and concrete releases large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere that contribute to global warming.
This means that one of the most resilient and cost-effective ways to adapt developed areas to extreme weather and sea level rise is actually exacerbating climate change.
The Biden administration says it has found a way to break this vicious cycle. At the president’s request, General Motors, Starbucks, and other major companies have committed to using more climate-friendly materials in construction and manufacturing. This will be in high demand thanks to massive federal infrastructure investment.
“We are the United States of America. If we work together, nothing is beyond our capabilities,” President Joe Biden pitched his Infrastructure Act at Thursday’s event. In Pittsburgh, Mr. Biden addressed the Fern Hollow Bridge, which collapsed earlier this year and has become a symbol of the roads and bridges of a crumbling nation.
Kelsey Brugger, E&E News reporter for POLITICO, says the concrete industry alone accounts for 8% of global warming pollution, lagging other carbon-intensive sectors in tackling the environment, according to proponents. I’m here.
this is friction: Concrete is virtually indestructible. It will not rot, rust or burn and can be molded into any building shape. However, the cement used to bind concrete and make it stronger produces carbon dioxide that traps a lot of heat. About 1 tonne of CO2 is emitted for every tonne of cement produced.
However, there are ways to reduce the emissions associated with cement production. Advances in technology have created alternatives to the cement used to bind concrete. It is also becoming common to add other materials to concrete as needed, such as highway paving.
Earlier this year, the federal procurement department imposed new limits on carbon-intensive building materials for all major projects. The move is catalyzing change in the construction industry. General Services Administration oversees $75 billion in annual contracts and its real estate portfolio comprises over 370 million square feet of her.
The administration now plans to use its vast purchasing power to boost progress in low-carbon materials. The Department of Transportation, for example, says 25 states will receive their first highway “climate change grants” to support sustainable pavement.
thank you today is friday — thank you for matching POLITICO power switchI am your host. Ariana Skivel. The power switch is provided by the journalist behind E&E News When Politico Energy. Tips, comments and questions [email protected]
On today’s POLITICO Energy podcast: Josh Siegel analyzes the Democratic Party’s campaign trail strategy of blowing up Big Oil because of rising gas prices, and why it can be somewhat misguided.
Six flooded EVs burst into flames Days after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida, Andrés Picon wrote:
It was my first time. A hurricane storm surge flooded thousands of vehicles with saltwater, and the devastating fires added challenges to fire departments already overwhelmed with search and rescue efforts after the deadly storm.
The fire has also become a political target for electric vehicles.
water war
A Dallas-based oil and gas company is asking the EPA to allow millions of barrels of wastewater from thousands of planned wells to be injected into deep aquifers in Wyoming, Heather Richards says. writes.
State regulators approved the proposal in 2020 despite concerns that it would jeopardize drinking water supplies by contaminating viable aquifers. This proposal is now being directed to the EPA.
winter is coming
The top US energy regulator has warned consumers will “suffer” this winter as energy costs continue to rise, writes Miranda Willson.
According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, factors such as high global fuel prices and slow growth in natural gas production in the United States are driving energy costs to skyrocket.
Treaty departure
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will withdraw from the difficult EU energy treaty, making it the largest economy to announce withdrawal, writes Karl Mathiesen.
The agreement, which allows international companies and investors to sue governments for interventions that hurt the interests of energy projects, is increasingly seen as a threat to national climate plans.
first blood, now a flood: These farmers are fighting bandits and climate change.
Russian war: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged residents to reduce their electricity usage following Russian attacks on infrastructure.
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Today is up to here. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
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