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Politico
2 days ago
- Business
- Politico
GOP spending cuts hit Reagan-era ozone treaty
Republicans are taking a hatchet to the 1987 treaty that played a key role in restoring the ozone layer. As part of the spending cut package passed by the House early Friday morning and heading to President Donald Trump's desk, lawmakers cut millions from the federal government's contributions to an international fund that helps poorer countries reduce their emissions of ozone-depleting gases. That fund is a crucial part of the Montreal Protocol and was established in 1991, and to date the United States has provided about a quarter of its funding. The cut is part of the $9 billion rescissions package Trump proposed in May. It's unclear exactly how much cash will be clawed back, our Sara Schonhardt reports. In the legislation, as well as in Trump's request, the Montreal money was part of $437 million in assistance for international organizations. The clawback could do real damage to the program's effectiveness, supporters of the treaty told Sara. 'The overall effect of this retreat from the Montreal Protocol, either via the clawing back of funding we had promised to give, or the other in-kind contributions ... is going to be bad for us environmentally [and] from a business standpoint,' Richie Kaur with the Natural Resources Defense Council said. Montreal has long enjoyed bipartisan support. Former President Ronald Reagan helped negotiate it, and both environmentalists and businesses have long seen it as an effective way to reduce pollution without hurting business. It's been credited with helping to restore the ozone layer by mandating reductions in ozone-harming substances such as chlorofluorocarbons. A 2016 addendum known as the Kigali Amendment, which the Senate ratified in 2022, targeted hydrofluorocarbons, a climate-warming pollutant. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) proposed an amendment to the rescissions package that would have undone the cuts to the Montreal fund and other international organizations, but it did not get a vote before the package passed, our Andres Picon reports. What now? Trump is likely to sign the rescissions legislation soon. Congress could choose to put money into the Montreal fund in future spending bills. But that would be an uphill battle, at least while Republicans are in charge. House Republicans this week advanced their 2026 appropriations bill for the State Department and other foreign operations, and that bill would also zero out Montreal money. The Senate hasn't released its 2026 funding proposal for State, but that's likely to happen in the coming weeks. The U.S. is likely to keep up its domestic obligations under the treaty, and when State releases a report next month on whether to exit certain international organizations and treaties, Montreal will probably be safe. But the Trump administration has shown no desire to contribute to the international fund, and staffing cuts at NOAA and NASA could threaten the assistance that those agencies have historically provided to the international community on ozone-depleting emissions. It's Friday — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO's Power Switch. I'm your host, Timothy Cama. Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to tcama@ Today in POLITICO Energy's podcast: Zack Colman and Josh Siegel break down the Trump administration's latest move on wind and solar energy. Power Centers Republicans question billion-dollar provision for fossil fuels The recently signed megalaw included $1 billion in Defense Production Act spending for fossil fuel plants, raising questions among some Senate Republicans, Kelsey Brugger writes. It's not clear who inserted the provision. Both Trump and Biden have used the act to boost domestic industries, citing national defense. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced an amendment after the bill's passage to strike the funding from the legislation. It failed. 'There are so many issues in that bill of which I have no clarity and no knowledge,' Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) told Kelsey when asked about the provision. Not a golden market for insuranceNewly released data shows it's now harder to find property insurance in California than Florida, Thomas Frank writes today. Florida's market is starting to benefit from laws enacted in 2022 after major storms put some insurers out of business, Tom writes. California, meanwhile, is still seeing insurers drop out of areas that have seen repeated wildfires, despite reforms this year to help the market. Nationally, insurers are continuing to withdraw from markets that have seen extreme weather driven by climate change. Knockout punch for wind and solar?A new Interior Department latest directive on wind and solar projects could have a ripple effect across the industry, Zack and Josh write. POLITICO reported Wednesday on a memo requiring Secretary Doug Burgum's personal approval for all aspects of wind and solar projects on federal land, a move seen as another attempt by the administration to squelch the industry. That has sparked concern on Capitol Hill. 'It is definitely playing favorites, and they've made it very clear they do not support continuation of new wind and solar projects,' Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said. In Other News That'll do: Virginia regulators approved Dominion Energy's 15-year energy plan that includes fossil fuel plants, saying it was 'legally sufficient' and asking for a new approach in its next plan to generate all clean energy by 2045. Subscriber Zone A showcase of some of our best subscriber content. Chevron completed its $53 billion purchase of Hess on Friday after an international commerce body blocked a bid that had slowed the deal. A White House report makes the case for fossil fuels spurring economic growth. California sued the Trump administration after it terminated $4 billion in federal grants for a high-speed rail project in the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is floating bill language that would make it easier to drill for oil in existing fields in California. That's it for today, folks. Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!


Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Cyclopentane Market worth $0.52 billion by 2030
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The report 'Cyclopentane Market by Function (Blowing Agent & Refrigerant, Solvent & Reagent), Application (Residential Refrigerators, Commercial Refrigerators, Insulated Containers, Insulating Construction Materials, Electrical), and Region – Global Forecast To 2030″, global cyclopentane market size is projected to grow from USD 0.39 billion in 2025 to USD 0.52 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. Browse in-depth TOC on 'Cyclopentane Market' 283 – Tables47 – Figures225 – Pages Download PDF Brochure: The global phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), driven by environmental agreements like the Montreal Protocol, is significantly boosting demand for cyclopentane. HCFCs, once widely used as blowing agents in polyurethane foam for refrigeration and construction, are being phased out due to their ozone-depleting and high global warming properties. In response, manufacturers are turning to cyclopentane, a more sustainable alternative with low global warming potential and zero ozone depletion potential. Its adoption is further supported by regulatory compliance needs and the global shift toward energy-efficient, eco-friendly building practices. This transition is creating growth opportunities for cyclopentane producers to scale up production, invest in advanced technologies, and develop higher-performance insulation solutions to meet evolving industry needs. Based on application, the insulated containers and sippers segment is expected to account for the largest share of the cyclopentane market, in terms of volume, during the forecast period The insulated containers and sippers segment is expected to hold the largest share of the cyclopentane market during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing consumer demand for high-performance thermal insulation in everyday products such as coolers and beverage containers. Cyclopentane's effectiveness as a blowing agent in polyurethane foam makes it an ideal choice for maintaining temperature control in these products. Additionally, rising awareness of energy conservation and sustainability is supporting the shift toward eco-friendly insulation materials, further boosting cyclopentane's adoption in this segment. Request Sample Pages: Based on function, the blowing agents & refrigerants segment is expected to account for the largest market share in terms of value during the forecast period Based on function, the blowing agents & refrigerants segment is expected to account for the largest share of the market during the forecast period. This is largely due to cyclopentane's growing use as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional ozone-depleting substances in refrigeration and insulation applications. Its favorable properties, such as low environmental impact and high efficiency, make it a preferred choice in manufacturing polyurethane foams and refrigeration systems. The increasing push for sustainable solutions across industries further strengthens the demand for cyclopentane in this segment. Asia Pacific is projected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period, in terms of volume and value Asia Pacific is expected to lead the market during the forecast period, in terms of volume and value, driven by rapid industrialization, urban development, and strong demand across key end-use sectors such as construction, refrigeration, and appliances. The region's manufacturing strength, coupled with growing environmental awareness and adoption of energy-efficient technologies, supports the increased use of cyclopentane. Additionally, favorable regulatory policies and rising investments in sustainable infrastructure further reinforce Asia Pacific's dominant position in the global market. Request Customization: Key Players Some of the leading players in this market include Haltermann Carless Group GmbH (Germany), Junyuan Petroleum Group (China), INEOS (UK), Zeon Corporation (Japan), Puyang Zhongwei Fine Chemical Co., Ltd. (China) and others. Get access to the latest updates on Cyclopentane Companies and Cyclopentane Market Size Browse Adjacent Market: Specialty Chemicals Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Refrigerants Market Blowing Agent Market About MarketsandMarkets™ MarketsandMarkets™ has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets™ is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines – TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies – helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore™ (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact:Mr. Rohan SalgarkarMarketsandMarkets™ INC.1615 South Congress 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445USA: +1-888-600-6441Email: sales@ Our Website: Logo: View original content:


Politico
4 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Democrats eye changes to climate spending clawbacks
But it could give Democrats yet another platform from which to bash the GOP for pursuing policies that they say will threaten energy security, raise electricity prices and further erode the United States' reputation as a global leader in the fight against climate change. 'Clearly, their idea of a good day is to get up in the morning and try to roll back the opportunity for some clean energy,' said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), ranking member on the Finance Committee. 'I think they're going to find that what they really get out of it is higher prices, because they're reducing choices and competition in private markets.' The Senate advanced the rescissions bill on two procedural motions Tuesday night — with Vice President JD Vance breaking 50-50 ties both times — and will kick off a marathon series of amendment votes as soon as Wednesday. It's not yet clear which, or how many, amendments could get votes. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) and fellow appropriators Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) voted against moving forward. Collins said in a statement, 'The sparse text that was sent to Congress included very little detail and does not give an accounting of the specific program cuts that would total $9.4 billion. For example, there are $2.5 billion in cuts to the Development Assistance account, which covers everything from basic education, to water and sanitation, to food security – but we don't know how those programs will be affected.' Republican leaders are hoping to pass the package and send it back to the House, where a previous version passed last month, for a final vote before the weekend. The legislation needs only a simple majority to pass, and it must get the president's signature by midnight Friday in order to rescind the funds in question. The legislation, championed by Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, would target the United States' fiscal 2025 contributions to multilateral environmental efforts such as the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Technology Fund.


E&E News
6 days ago
- Politics
- E&E News
House bill for State Department funding guts climate programs
The House Republican bill to fund the State Department targets climate programs and includes a deep cut to a key environmental treaty. The fiscal 2026 appropriations bill, released Monday, would zero out all funding to implement the Montreal Protocol, the major international treaty protecting the ozone layer. The United States is not expected to withdraw from the agreement, which was ratified in 1987 by 197 countries. But the State Department's contributions in the past decades have provided significant funding to help enforce the ozone pollution standards domestically and in poorer countries. Advertisement The new House bill has no funding for the international organizations and programs division, which includes the Montreal Protocol and other multilateral assistance programs.


E&E News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
5 things to know about Trump's attacks on the Montreal Protocol
As treaties go, the Montreal Protocol is often considered one of the most successful. But the United States' continued participation in the 1987 agreement to save the ozone layer is suddenly in question. President Donald Trump's proposed rescission package calls for eliminating funding to the Montreal Protocol, as part of a plan to claw back $437 million appropriated for international organizations and programs during the Biden administration. Advertisement The potential funding cuts coincide with a previously scheduled meeting next week in which treaty members will discuss technical aspects of the agreement. The U.S. has not confirmed whether it will attend, potentially escalating the Trump administration's policy of snubbing global environmental conferences. The White House directed questions to the Office of Management and Budget, which did not respond to a request for comment. Proponents say there is little question that the Montreal Protocol benefits America by creating new markets for U.S. goods and protecting people from the sun's harmful radiation. The treaty has cut pollutants that burn holes in the ozone layer and contribute to planetary warming. It is supported by every country — and American businesses, environmentalists and both political parties. But budget cuts that would deprive the treaty of funding — along with agencies like NOAA and NASA that help monitor whether countries are adhering to its provisions — could affect how well the treaty operates, experts argue. 'You need a monitoring network like we have, and improvements to it, to have the confidence that everybody's playing by the rules,' said David Doniger, a lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council. 'If the U.S. budget cuts were to threaten this network, it would be to our detriment.' Here are five things to know about the Montreal Protocol and how Trump's proposals could harm it. What is it? The 38-year-old agreement is the first United Nations treaty to achieve universal ratification, joined by 197 countries. Then-President Ronald Reagan called it 'a model of cooperation' after signing it in 1988. It helps to protect the ozone layer through binding commitments to eliminate the production and use of ozone-depleting chemicals once commonly found in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosol sprays. Unlike other climate pacts, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement, the Montreal Protocol requires countries to reduce pollution and restrict trade with nations that fail to meet the treaty's goals. 'It says these gases are bad, you shall not make them,' said Durwood Zaelke, president of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, a nonprofit that focuses on cutting short-lived climate pollutants. The protocol has a financial mechanism called the Multilateral Fund that helps poorer countries meet their commitments to phase out harmful chemicals. It's funded through contributions from the U.S. and other developed countries. What has the Montreal Protocol achieved? It has helped curb dozens of chemicals that degrade the ozone layer, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Many of the chemicals trap heat, so the treaty has also been a successful climate pact. The 2016 Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol goes further by targeting a class of coolants known as hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs. They were meant to replace CFCs because they don't have an ozone effect, but HFCs were found to be far worse for the climate than carbon dioxide. Scientists say the Montreal Protocol will prevent as much as 2.5 degrees of additional warming by the end of this century, with Kigali adding benefits. It has also helped protect forests and other ecosystems that suck up planet-warming carbon dioxide, making the ozone treaty a vital tool in combating climate change. 'It's been the most effective international mechanism by which we've avoided egregious human health impacts in the form of skin cancer [and] cataracts' but also the consequences of warming such as intensifying wildfires, hurricanes and droughts, said Richie Kaur, an advocate for superpollutant reduction at NRDC. Why has it earned bipartisan backing? Short answer: It's good for business. In 2020, during Trump's first term, Congress passed the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act, or AIM, which mandates the phasedown of HFCs and brings the U.S. in line with the climate goals of the Kigali Amendment. Two years later, President Joe Biden ratified Kigali with approval from the Senate, making the U.S. the 138th country to sign on. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was a leader in advancing those policies. 'Our message was that business is working on the transition, it's going to benefit the economy, it's going to open up access to markets, level the playing field for U.S. participation in those markets, and the economic story has continued to be a good one,' said Chuck Chaitovitz, vice president of environmental affairs and sustainability at the Chamber. Ratification of Kigali was driven by a rare collaboration between industry and environmental organizations. It was also pushed forward by a bipartisan group of senators who argued that ratifying it would 'help secure America's place as a global leader' in manufacturing by offering U.S. products an advantage in global markets. Is the treaty under threat? It's unlikely that the U.S. would withdraw from the Montreal Protocol, in part because it could hurt American businesses. The White House fiscal 2026 budget request for EPA would continue support for provisions of the Clean Air Act and the AIM Act that address domestic obligations to the Montreal Protocol. But cuts to international funding could hobble it. 'The U.S. needs to continue its domestic implementation programs as well as their support for the international process,' said Kevin Fay, executive director of the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, an industry coalition. 'And a key part of that international support is helping to promote U.S. technology and U.S. industry and jobs around the globe.' U.S. contributions to the treaty's multilateral fund help other countries meet their obligations under the Montreal Protocol. And when a country like India looks for air conditioners that are made without harmful chemicals, they often buy American-made products. 'The multilateral fund is critical to creating markets in developing countries for U.S. products,' said Josh Klein, a former senior Democratic staffer for international environmental policy on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. While the U.S. isn't the only country that contributes money to the fund, it has provided roughly a quarter of all funding since its establishment in 1991. The U.S. also offers experts to the protocol's scientific advisory panel. Staffing cuts at NOAA and NASA could affect that work. What's next? Officials from around the world will gather next week in Bangkok for a regular meeting to discuss issues that underpin the treaty, including funding and atmospheric monitoring. The State Department wouldn't confirm whether the U.S. was sending a delegation. A State-led review of whether the U.S. should withdraw from certain international organizations and treaties is expected in early August. The Montreal Protocol is likely to survive because of its popularity among business groups, but the president's planned budget cuts could degrade its ability to function, advocates said. 'We do know that it's up to Congress whether to approve these things, whether it's in the form of rescissions this year or the budget request for next year,' said Doniger, of NRDC. In the past when deep cuts have loomed over NOAA and NASA, they have been rejected by Congress. 'We're hoping that happens again,' Doniger added.