EPA approves Occidental Petroleum CO2 storage in the Basin, stock in the spotlight
This includes three wells that will store about 722,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year at a depth of about 4,400 feet. According to the EPA, Class VI injection wells store carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground, either captured from an emissions source or the atmosphere.
In a statement from OXY, the company said 'the wells would store CO2 captured from STRATOS, which is the world's largest Direct Air Capture (DAC) facility in Ector County, Texas. Occidental has expressed intentions to build 100 DAC facilities by 2035.'
In a statement from EPA Regional Administrator Scott Mason, 'Oxy Low Carbon Ventures has demonstrated their ability and intention to operate these wells responsibly while creating jobs and supporting the Texas economy.'
Stay with ABC Big 2 news as we continue to follow the latest on this developing story. For your latest Energy Report, tune in Wednesday night's at 6pm for 'Powering the Permian' with Chris Talley.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Guatemala Wants American SHC Exports, Report Claims
American consumers generate 17 million tons of textile waste a year, according to an EPA estimation in 2018, with 66 percent buried and 19 percent burned; 14.7 percent is recovered. But how the United States' secondhand clothing exports move through the value chain in transit to Guatemala is actually a net-positive for Central America's largest economy—and its 'impoverished population,' a recent report found. Commissioned by the Atlanta-based clothing wholesaler Garson & Shaw, the report—a 'study of trade, distribution and local impact,' per the title—explored how Guatemala's secondhand clothing (SHC) sector plays a 'critical role' in supporting the country's economy. More from Sourcing Journal EU-Funded Project Makes Lignin Breakthrough in Biobased Research Kantmanto's Women Sellers Are Tired of Dealing With the Global North's Textile Trash UK Secondhand Shopping Will Top $6 Billion, Amazon Reports 'As domestic resale markets in the U.S. continue to develop, the export of SHC functions as a complementary channel that supports the extended use of garments beyond the domestic market,' reads the 'Secondhand Clothing Imports from the United States to Guatemala' report. 'Guatemala has become a prominent destination for such exports, where SHC contributes to meeting consumer demand for affordable apparel, stimulates economic activity in local markets, and provides livelihood opportunities. The findings, conducted by consultancy group Full Cycle Resource (FCR), suggest the 'thriving' reuse marketplaces reduce how much of the United States' textile waste gets burned and/or buried while also promoting local entrepreneurship and circularity to overall keep capital flowing through credential clothing. 'This report is significant because it shifts the conversation from waste to opportunity; it offers concrete evidence that global reuse systems are not only environmentally beneficial but also economically and socially valuable,' said Lisa Jepsen, CEO of Garson & Shaw. 'It highlights the need to integrate international reuse into U.S. waste and circular economy policy.' In 2023, Guatemala imported nearly 290 pounds of SHC under Harmonized System (HS) code 6309—a globally recognized classification for trade in used textiles and clothing—which represented 57 percent of total clothing import volume. Almost all of it—specifically, 98.6 percent—originated from the United States, the secondhand supplier found. 'Given the high level of market concentration, any analysis of quality and waste within Guatemala's SHC sector is largely indicative of the characteristics of United States exports under HS code 6309,' the report reads. 'The continued dominance of secondhand clothing, particularly in terms of affordability and accessibility, reflects its importance for low-income households amid persistent poverty and economic informality.' Within Guatemala's SHC trade are two leading players: the informal market and the formalized one. The former comprises micro-retailers and vendors—also known as pacas—while the latter contains large retail operations, like Megapaca. Either way, the supply chain starts with importers, who either sell unsorted clothing (known as 'rupa cruda' or the aforementioned credential) or sort it for distribution. That clothing is typically sold in three categories: ropa cruda (unsorted), clasificados (sorted clothing) and saldos (secondhand retail pull or retail excess from local markets), the Atlanta supplier said. 'A clear preference exists for importing unsorted clothing bales (ropa cruda), as it allows for local value addition through domestic sorting, pricing, and redistribution across formal and informal channels,' per the report. In turn, it 'avoids increased costs and reduced flexibility that would result from pre-sorting in high-wage countries like the United States.' SHC shipped to Guatemala goes through multiple layers of value extraction by local sorters, retailers and vendors, according to Jennifer Wang, founder of FCR and lead author of the report. FCR specializes in 'capturing' the global textile industry's economic and trade dynamics in an effort to bolster sustainability efforts like transparency and circularity. 'In fact, between 88-92 percent of clothing is sorted for reuse—what we found is that the activity of sorting locally was not only valued but vital,' Wang said. 'It adds economic value, creates jobs and ensures clothing can meet the specific needs of local markets.' Guatemala-based Megapaca—the largest importer and retailer of used clothing in Central America, sourcing primarily from the United States—underscored the importance of the trade. 'Unsorted bales are the backbone of what we do,' said Mario Peña, Megapaca's co-founder and general manager. 'They allow us to create thousands of jobs in our sorting centers and stores, while enabling us to meet demand across diverse markets and income levels.' For the United States, the report recommended that policymakers should strengthen upstream collection systems and improve donation practices. And preserve the option to import to countries like Guatemala to manage SHC flows in ways that maximize local economic and social benefits. For Guatemala, the report recommends recognizing SHC as a platform for women's economic empowerment. The sector surveyed found strong female participation, with nearly 61 percent of traders and about 57 percent of business owners identifying as women—higher than the national average of 27 percent, the supplier of wholesale secondhand clothing found. 'The SHC sector plays a significant role in advancing economic inclusion—particularly for women—by offering accessible pathways to entrepreneurship and income generation in contexts where formal employment opportunities may be limited,' the report reads. 'This disparity underscores the SHC sector's potential as a platform for female entrepreneurship, possibly due to its low entry barrier, flexible working conditions and lower capital requirements.' 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Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Trump's EPA puts California in its crosshairs with its proposed car rules
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent proposal to repeal its own 2009 finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health marks a major U-turn for the nation's climate progress. While it's impact will be felt nationwide, the plan takes direct aim at California. In supporting documents released in the wake of Tuesday's proposal, the nation's top environmental agency outlined the justifications for its plan to rescind the so-called endangerment finding and roll back its longstanding regulations for planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from all motor vehicles, including cars and trucks. 'As a result of these proposed changes, engine and vehicle manufacturers would no longer have any future obligations for the measurement, control, and reporting of [greenhouse gas] emissions for any highway engine and vehicle,' the agency wrote in its rule summary. But the documents, including an 80-page notice of proposed rulemaking and 60-page draft regulatory impact analysis, also contain several nods to California policies, referencing the state by name 27 times — by far more than any other state. That's largely because for more than 50 years, California has been granted unique authority from the EPA to set stricter tailpipe emissions than those mandated by the federal government. This authority, obtained through waivers issued by the EPA, has been critical to the state's efforts to address its notorious smog and air quality issues, which are driven partly by transportation emissions and by California's unique topography that traps pollutants in its interior basins. The waivers were also the basis for California's nation-leading plan to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035 and transition to electric vehicles. The EPA's documents repeatedly state that California's waivers have officially been repealed. 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In a statement this week, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin said repealing the endangerment finding would have economic benefits for the American people. 'If finalized, rescinding the Endangerment Finding and resulting regulations would end $1 trillion or more in hidden taxes on American businesses and families,' Zeldin said. According to the EPA, that $1-trillion savings would come from rescinding vehicle regulations built upon the endangerment finding. That includes the Biden administration's electric vehicles sales target, which the agency refers to as an 'EV mandate.' The EPA also said removing the endangerment finding would save Americans $54 billion in costs annually through the repeal of greenhouse gas standards. Busch said he could not readily see how the agency arrived at that figure based on the analysis provided. With California's rules repealed, 'you end up with fewer EVs, more gasoline cars, more demand for gas and higher gas prices,' he said. The EPA also argues that electric vehicles are sucking up energy that could be better used elsewhere — 'from factories to data-center servers to air-conditioning.' It uses California as an example of this perceived misappropriation of electricity, pointing to a 2022 memo from the California Independent System operator that urged people to reduce energy use, including EV charging, during a record-breaking heat wave. The EPA's announcement stunned many members of the environmental community who condemned it as a dangerous abdication of the agency's mission to protect human health and the environment. Among the agency's many claims are that no technology currently exists to reduce greenhouse gases enough to measurably affect global climate change concerns without risking greater harm to public health and welfare, such as increased vehicle prices. But major U.S. automakers such as GM and Ford have already committed to an electric future — as have international competitors such as China, which is investing heavily in electric vehicles. According to the California Energy Commission, about 22% of new vehicles sales in the state in the second quarter of this year were zero-emission vehicles. 'Despite Trump's full-on attack, Californians are choosing the clean simplicity of ZEVs,' read a statement from CEC Commissioner Nancy Skinner. 'Make no mistake: California is not backing down from its ZEV goals. We will continue to heavily invest in accessible and reliable ZEV infrastructure, making the ZEV driving experience better each day.' Busch said California has several tools at its disposal to defend itself and preserve its clean vehicle progress. In the heavy-duty space, the California Air Resources Board already has the Clean Truck Partnership — an agreement with nearly all truck manufacturers in the state to meet advanced emissions reduction targets. The state's heavy vehicle incentive program also provides funding opportunities for fleet owners to replace older heavy-duty diesel vehicles with zero-emission ones. There are also legislative possibilities, such as Assembly Bill 914, which would give CARB more authority to regulate indirect sources of pollution such as warehouses. One way those warehouses could meet those rules would be by increasing their electric truck fleets, Busch said. CARB also employs a clean-mile standard for transportation companies such as Uber and Lyft, which will see them gradually increase their zero-emission miles, and a similar tactic could be employed for the freight sector, he said. 'States have a lot of options still,' Busch said. 'There is a lot of momentum.' In a statement this week, CARB chair Liane Randolph described the EPA's proposals as 'the latest moves from this feckless federal government that choose polluter fantasyland over proven science.' 'Meanwhile, back on Earth, the planet continues to suffer from the consequences of unchecked carbon pollution as heatwaves, floods and wildfires threaten increasingly uninsurable communities everywhere,' Randolph said. 'Unlike this negligent administration, California won't turn our backs on what is happening right before our eyes. We choose reality, science and innovation — and we know we are not the only ones.'
UPI
2 hours ago
- UPI
Federal agency revokes $26M for D.C.-Baltimore maglev train
A maglev (magnetically levitating) train approaches its terminus in Shanghai, China, in 2008. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Friday he will revoke a $26 million grant to Maryland for a maglev train from D.C. to Baltimore. File Photo by Qilai Shen/EPA Aug. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Friday that the Federal Railroad Administration will cancel two grants totaling more than $26 million for the Baltimore-Washington maglev project. The department's press release about the Superconducting Magnetic Levitation Project said it has seen "nearly a decade of poor planning, significant community opposition, tremendous cost overruns, and nothing to show for it." The release called the project a "boondoggle." As part of its analysis, the FRA also determined the project would result in "significant, unresolvable impacts to federal agencies and federal property, including national security agencies," the release said. "We want big, beautiful projects worthy of taxpayer dollars -- including high-speed rail. This project lacked everything needed to be a success from planning to execution. This project did not have the means to go the distance, and I can't in good conscience keep taxpayers on the hook for it," Duffy said in a statement. "We'll continue to look for exciting opportunities to fund the future of transportation and encourage innovation." The Northeast Maglev would eventually connect Washington, D.C., and New York City. The train would be able travel at speeds of more than 300 mph to make the trip one hour long. Maglev is a system of rail transport whose rolling stock is levitated by electromagnets rather than rolled on wheels, eliminating rolling resistance. Compared with conventional railways, maglev trains have higher top speeds, superior acceleration and deceleration, lower maintenance costs, improved gradient handling, and lower noise. But they are more expensive to build, cannot use existing infrastructure, and use more energy at high speeds. Indirect effects of this project also would impair critical infrastructure and ongoing agency missions, the release said. Government agencies harmed by this project would have included: the National Security Agency, U.S. Department of Defense and Fort George G. Meade, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S Department of Agriculture, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Department of Interior -- Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service, and the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2015, the federal government gave Maryland a grant of $27.8 million to study a high-speed maglev train line that could connect Baltimore and Washington, D.C., in 15 minutes. Duffy is now canceling that grant. The funding for such a grant was authorized in 2005, when Congress set aside $90 million for maglev projects. In 2021, China unveiled a maglev train that it said can travel 373 mph. In July 2020, the government said it planned to build a network with as many as nine maglev lines that include 620 miles of track.
