Energy & Environment

The Big Story

Senators want to address 'forever chemicals' pollution, but activists aren't sold on the push

A bipartisan pair of senators is working on what they see as a compromise to address a persistent pollution problem, but their draft bill faces pushback from green groups — who say it may actually make the problem worse.

Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) are looking to tackle a class of chemicals called PFAS that are known to linger in the environment and have been linked to health issues including cancer, weakened immune systems and high cholesterol.

Some Republicans, meanwhile, are trying to exempt various industries from liability for the substances, and negotiations on this issue are ongoing.

Nevertheless, the duo says that Congress needs to do something to address the chemicals, which have been found to be pervasive in U.S. waterways and in the blood of 97 percent of Americans.

"This fall, Congress has an opportunity to address an issue that impacts the health and safety of many of our constituents," Capito wrote in a September op-ed. "We shouldn't hesitate to deliver solutions that clean up and reduce risks posed by PFAS in a scientific, bipartisan, and responsible manner."

Earlier this year, Carper and Capito released the draft bill, which looks to set a definition for the sprawling class of chemicals, allowing states to assist individual well owners dealing with contamination, and sets a hard deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize an in-progress rule that would set drinking water standards for a few specific PFAS.

Read more in a full report next week at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

This newsletter is taking a break for Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday. We'll see you next week!

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.

Essential Reads

How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:

New Jersey to phase out new gas-powered vehicles by 2035

New Jersey will phase out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, joining states such as California and New York, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced Wednesday.

Full Story

Severe storms, snow threaten Thanksgiving travel

Severe storms and possible snow is expected to snarl Thanksgiving travel.

Full Story

Fossil fuel industry keys in on unproven recycling methods to prop up plastics

For decades, the fossil fuel industry has urged recycling as an alternative to bans or cuts in the single-use plastic filling world landfills and oceans.

Full Story

In Other News

Branch out with a different read on The Hill:

Stellantis recalls more than 32,000 hybrid Jeep Wrangler SUVs because of potential fire risk

Automaker Stellantis on Wednesday announced a recall of more than 32,000 of its hybrid Jeep Wrangler SUVs because they pose a potential fire risk.

Full Story

On Our Radar

Upcoming news themes and events we're watching:

Wednesday:

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold hearings to examine the Water Resources Development Act of 2024
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce's Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials will hold a hearing titled "America Leads the Way: Our History as the Global Leader at Reducing Emissions"
The House Committee on Natural Resources's Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a legislative hearing on H.R. 6285, the Alaska's Right to Produce Act of 2023

Thursday:

The Senate Energy & Commerce Committee will hold hearings to examine opportunities and challenges associated with advanced nuclear reactor commercialization.

The House Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs will hold a hearing titled "Digging Deeper: Ensuring Safety and Security in the Critical Mineral Supply Chain"

What We're Reading

News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

U.S. Gas Prices Plunging as Holiday Travelers Hit the Road (The New York Times)
A triple win for renewables and electrification (Axios)
A radioactive threat found in the middle of America's fourth largest city raises alarm (USA Today)

What Others are Reading

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Former Trump Organization controller breaks down in tears at trial

The former corporate controller of the Trump Organization broke down in tears Tuesday while testifying in former President Trump’s civil fraud trial, saying he “gave up” on his job because of the company’s mounting legal woes. Read more