The plastics industry says chemical recycling can help solve the plastic waste crisis and address climate goals, environmentalists disagree. The industry has made roughly 11 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950. Most of it ends up in landfills. apnews.com/article/b9f202…

1st lease sale to be held for offshore wind on West Coast (from The Associated Press) apnews.com/article/45834c…

Biden admin looks to floating platforms in the deep ocean to expand offshore wind power is US. WH plan targets sites in the Pacific Ocean off Calif, Oregon coasts, and in Atlantic in Gulf of Maine.

My story with Jennifer McDermott

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The impacts of climate change have been felt in the Northeastern US with rising sea levels, heavy precipitation and storm surges. This summer has brought severe drought. Prof Michael E. Mann explains how climate change can lead to a “stuck jet stream” pattern. apnews.com/article/floods…

Vermont farmer Brian Kemp: “Farming is challenging, and it’s becoming even more challenging as climate change takes place.” Most of New England is experiencing drought. Areas of eastern MA outside of Cape Cod and much of southern and eastern RI are now in extreme drought.

The climate bill headed to the president offers a big bonus for carbon-free electricity generators that build in coal communities. The nuclear industry thinks its next generation of reactors can repower coal. apnews.com/article/9f7d0f…

At least a dozen governors refuse to cooperate with other states' law enforcement actions on #ABORTIONS . N.C.'s governor says he's trying to protect people from 'cruel right-wing criminal laws passed by other states.' With Geoff Mulvihill Hannah Schoenbaum apnews.com/article/aborti…

Utilities that are members of Nuclear Energy Inst. project they could add 90 gigawatts of nuclear power, combined, to the US grid, with the bulk of that coming online by 2050. That translates to about 300 new small modular reactors, estimates NEI President Maria Korsnick. apnews.com/article/techno…

From Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis hearing: James E. Clyburn blamed the Trump administration for problems in a pandemic loan program, amid revelations that tens of billions of dollars may have been awarded to fraudsters. Steve Scalise says Trump + Congress saved jobs. apnews.com/article/covid-…

Pandemic Fraud: Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) committee is limited to administratively prosecuting fraudsters for $150,000 or less and the Department of Justice is too busy for cases under $1 million— a gap that must be closed, the committee chairman says. apnews.com/article/covid-…

The U.S. energy secretary and Ørsted U.S. want American union workers to build offshore wind farms to dot the U.S. coastlines — workers who could otherwise be left out of a transition to renewable resources. Secretary Jennifer Granholm: “That’s what we’d like, all union.” apnews.com/article/politi…

Surfer Dan Fischer created the One Last Wave Project Project to use the healing power of the ocean to help families coping with loss, like he was: There’s always another wave to catch before heading in, like there’s always another opportunity to honor a loved one. apnews.com/article/sports…

Energy secretary ⁦Secretary Jennifer Granholm⁩ to visit nuclear plant in Connecticut with ⁦Rep. Joe Courtney⁩ today as they both work on changing the way spent nuclear fuel is stored nationwide. There’s roughly 89,000 metric tons, according to ⁦Nuclear Energy Inst.⁩ apnews.com/article/cd9cda…

Pandemic fraud: U.S. GAO questions FEMA's COVID-19 funeral assistance awards. GAO says fraudsters likely targeted the fund and some of it is data entry errors. FEMA says this isn't large-scale fraud + the amount of assistance at-risk was relatively small. apnews.com/article/covid-…

Following up on yesterday's exclusive about Biden's #nuclear industry bailout: Michigan Gov. wants a nuclear power plant there to stay open and she’s asking the federal government to pay for it. But it may be too late, the plant is weeks away from closing. apnews.com/article/climat…