Latest news with #EPW
The Hill
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Senate panel targets Biden-era green programs
The Big Story The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee released text for its portion of the Trump agenda policy bill that Republicans are trying to get across the finish line, becoming the first Senate panel to do so. © Greg Nash The EPW text appears similar to provisions passed by the House. It's not one of the committees that deals with thorny issues like Medicaid or energy tax credits that are more likely to undergo changes in the upper chamber. Like the House version of the bill, the text released by Senate Republicans on Wednesday repeals numerous green programs passed by the Democrats in 2022. This includes a $20 billion program that seeks to provide financing for climate-friendly projects and a $3 billion program that provides grants for underserved communities that want to fight air pollution and climate change. It also repeals other grant programs related to air pollution monitoring and reducing air pollution at schools — as well as a program that seeks to charge oil and gas companies for their excess methane emissions. Like the House version, the Senate bill also includes a provision criticized by Democrats as 'pay-for-play' that allows companies to pay for expedited reviews of energy or other infrastructure projects. And it seeks to repeal a Biden-era regulation that's expected to push the auto market toward selling more electric vehicles. The ultimate text could still change as the parliamentarian has to decide which programs can actually be passed through reconciliation – a process by which the Senate can pass legislation with a simple majority instead of the 60 votes it usually needs to advance bills. Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Duffy threatens to pull California's high speed rail funding The Trump administration notified California officials Wednesday that federal funding for the state's massive high-speed rail project is at risk of being pulled after a four-month review concluded the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has 'no viable path' to complete the project on time or on budget. Padilla puts blanket hold on Trump EPA nominees Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) is expanding his efforts to hold up President Trump's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominees in response to the Senate's move to revoke his state's electric vehicle mandate. Canadian wildfire smoke reaches northeast US Canadian wildfire smoke is reaching the northeastern part of the United States, with multiple National Weather Service (NWS) offices saying they are experiencing issues with the smoke. In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: South Florida meteorologist warns viewers NWS staff shortages will impact his hurricane forecasts A South Florida meteorologist warned viewers that National Weather Service (NWS) shortages will impact his forecasts. What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Trump's Permitting Boss Aims to Deliver on AI Data Center Plans (Bloomberg Law) White House proposes shutting down chemical safety agency (The Washington Post) On Tap Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: Trump calls for scrapping debt limit President Trump doubled down Wednesday on calls to scrap the nation's debt ceiling, pressing for bipartisan action to abolish it and finding common ground with Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.). Read more Haley on Trump call with Putin: 'A backhanded slap to all of our allies' Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley (R) sharply criticized President Trump on Wednesday for suggesting Russia could play a mediating role in nuclear negotiations with Iran. Read more Opinion in The Hill Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!
The Hill
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Senate Environment and Public Works panel releases ‘big beautiful bill' text
The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee released text for its portion of the Trump legislative agenda policy bill that Republicans are trying to get across the finish line, becoming the first Senate panel to do so. The EPW bill appears similar to provisions passed by the House. It's not one of the committees that deals with thorny issues like Medicaid or energy tax credits that is likely to undergo changes in the upper chamber. Like the House version of the bill, the text released by Senate Republicans on Wednesday repeals numerous green programs passed by the Democrats in 2022. This includes a $20 billion program that seeks to provide financing for climate-friendly projects and a $3 billion program that provides grants for underserved communities that want to fight air pollution and climate change. It also repeals other grant programs related to air pollution monitoring and reducing air pollution at schools – as well as a program that seeks to charge oil and gas companies for their excess methane emissions. Like the House version, the Senate bill also includes a provision criticized by Democrats as 'pay-for-play' that allows companies to pay for expedited reviews of energy or other infrastructure projects. And it seeks to repeal a Biden-era regulation that's expected to push the auto market toward selling more electric vehicles. The ultimate text could still change as the parliamentarian has to decide which programs can actually be passed through reconciliation – a process by which the Senate can pass legislation with a simple majority instead of the 60 votes it usually needs. However, since the green programs it seeks to repeal were passed in a similar manner in 2022, those are likely to make it into the final version. 'This legislative text puts in motion plans that Senate Republicans pledged to take, like stopping Democrats' natural gas tax and rescinding unobligated dollars from the so-called Inflation Reduction Act,' said EPW Chair Shelley Moore Capito ( in a written statement. 'I look forward to working with my colleagues to move our legislative package forward to enact President Trump's agenda, which the American people overwhelmingly support,' she added.
Broadcast Pro
08-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
ST Engineering iDirect leads Phase 2 of European Protected Waveform project
Backed by 35m from the European Defence Fund, Phase 2 unites 22 organisations from 12 EU nations to prototype a secure, interoperable waveform aligned with IRIS² and GovSatCom initiatives. ST Engineering iDirects EU Satcom Centre of Excellence, based in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, has announced the launch of Phase 2 of the European Protected Waveform (EPW) project. The initiative, led by Belgiums Ministry of Defence with ST Engineering iDirect Europe as the consortium lead, marks a major step forward in Europes pursuit of secure, resilient and autonomous satellite communication systems. The EPW project is a collaborative effort involving 22 organisations from 12 EU Member States, bringing together expertise from the public sector, industry and academia. Its objective is to develop an advanced, end-to-end waveform solution tailored to meet the complex demands of military and critical government communications, particularly in contested and evolving operational environments. Building on the foundational work completed in Phase 1, which laid the groundwork for the waveforms design, the second phase of the project will focus on prototyping and integrating the EPW system. A key aim is to ensure that the system is fully secure and interoperable, aligning with the strategic priorities of major European initiatives such as the upcoming IRIS² satellite constellation and the EUs GovSatCom programme. Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defence, said: 'Together with ST Engineering iDirect Europe, we are investing in the backbone of modern military operations: secure and reliable communication. With support from the European Defence Fund, we are advancing technological innovation, strengthening strategic autonomy, and enhancing the safety of our troops. In todays uncertain world, European cooperation in research and development is not a luxury its an absolute necessity. This project aligns perfectly with our broader mission to modernise Defence and deepen European collaboration in R&D.' Koen Willems, Vice President, EU Programmes, at ST Engineering iDirect Europe, added: 'The advancement to EPW Phase 2 underscores the strategic importance of this initiative to bolster European autonomy in secure satellite communications. This recognition by the European Defence Fund demonstrates the urgent necessity to address emerging threats and foster resilience for critical operations across Europe.' The total investment in the EPW project now stands at 65m, with 35m dedicated to Phase 2 following the 30m allocation in Phase 1. This investment highlights Europes commitment to advancing protected satellite communications and strengthening collaborative defence capabilities among its Member States.
Cision Canada
07-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
ST Engineering iDirect Leads the European Protected Waveform Consortium into Phase 2
Setting the EU standard for secure, adaptable and interoperable satellite communications to support military operations and the IRIS² constellation SINT-NIKLAAS, Belgium, May 7, 2025 /CNW/ -- ST Engineering iDirect's EU Satcom Centre of Excellence, ST Engineering iDirect Europe, based in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, today announced the advancement of the European Protected Waveform (EPW) project to its second phase. Under the leadership of Belgium's Ministry of Defence and with ST Engineering iDirect Europe as the consortium lead, this milestone marks significant progress in enhancing secure and autonomous satellite communications for Europe. The project brings together a consortium of 22 organisations from 12 EU Member States, encompassing experts from industry, government and academia. This collaborative effort aims to develop a comprehensive, end-to-end waveform solution designed to ensure resilient and secure communications for military operations and critical government needs in increasingly complex operational environments. With the foundation established during Phase 1 that laid the framework for the waveform's initial development, Phase 2 focuses on the prototyping and integration of the EPW system. The goal is to provide secure, interoperable systems that align with Europe's strategic initiatives, including the future IRIS² satellite constellation and the EU GovSatCom programme. "Together with ST Engineering iDirect Europe, we are investing in the backbone of modern military operations: secure and reliable communication," said Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defence. "With support from the European Defence Fund, we are advancing technological innovation, strengthening strategic autonomy, and enhancing the safety of our troops. In today's uncertain world, European cooperation in research and development is not a luxury — it's an absolute necessity. This project aligns perfectly with our broader mission to modernise Defence and deepen European collaboration in R&D." "The advancement to EPW Phase 2 underscores the strategic importance of this initiative to bolster European autonomy in secure satellite communications," said Koen Willems, Vice President, EU Programmes, at ST Engineering iDirect Europe. "This recognition by the European Defence Fund demonstrates the urgent necessity to address emerging threats and foster resilience for critical operations across Europe." The total investment in the EPW project now stands at €65 million, with €35 million dedicated to Phase 2 following the €30 million allocation in Phase 1. This investment highlights Europe's commitment to advancing protected satellite communications and strengthening collaborative defence capabilities among its Member States. The European Protected Waveform (Phase 2) is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of ST Engineering iDirect Europe only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. About ST Engineering iDirect Europe ST Engineering iDirect Europe, located in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, is ST Engineering iDirect's EU Satcom Center of Excellence specialising in the development of ground segment technology and solutions specifically for the EU. As a legal Belgian entity, ST Engineering iDirect Europe has its own board of directors to comply to the guidelines and conditions as put forward by the EU Commission and the Belgian Government. With over 35 years of experience, the ST Engineering iDirect portfolio of high-value product lines and services in addition to a dedicated team of domain specialists, and a ISO9001 certified manufacturing center the team has a portfolio of capabilities to cater to the specific needs of European funded satcoms programs.
