Latest news with #Bernhardt
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Paper mills in Maine and across the U.S. releasing more greenhouse gases than federal data shows
Two of Maine's largest paper mills are among the dirtiest in the country, according to a new study on U.S. pulp and paper plants, putting their emissions on par with some oil refineries. The May report from the Environmental Integrity Project, a non-profit advocacy group, calls attention to the industry's overreliance on dirty fuels and the old, inefficient technologies they use to burn them. 'In Maine, there are several plants that are still burning coal and… tires,' said Courtney Bernhardt, EIP's director of research who co-authored the report. 'We wanted to raise awareness about that.' The group analyzed greenhouse gas emissions from 185 paper plants across the country, which Bernhardt says are undercounted by federal estimates because of a loophole in the reporting process: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency doesn't include greenhouse gas emissions from 'biogenic' fuel sources like biomass or black liquor, a wood byproduct of the chemical papermaking process, both of which mills burn to power their operations and can be dirtier than coal. The agency's rationale for excluding those sources from total emissions estimates in its Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, according to EIP, is 'because trees can grow back in the future' and offset the carbon emissions from biomass fuels. Until the EPA accurately reports and regulates all facility emissions, mill owners will have less of a reason to pursue energy efficiency upgrades that can both cut back reliance on dirty fuels and maintain profits, the report claims. The study's recommendations for tightening limits on the paper industry's emissions come as the Trump administration eyes drastic rollbacks of federal rules curtailing greenhouse gases and hazardous air pollutants released by American power plants, according to reporting from The New York Times. Maine is home to two of the last remaining paper plants in the country that burn tires as fuel. As other mills move away from so-called 'tire-derived fuels,' Maine plants have increased their use in recent years, adding to their output of harmful pollutants. The combination of coal, tires and other fuels burned by ND Paper's plant in Rumford made it the second-largest emitter of mercury out of the 185 facilities included in EIP's analysis of 2023 EPA data. The Sappi Somerset mill in Skowhegan, which also burns tires, was a top-20 emitter of hazardous air pollutants in 2020. Both plants' emissions have local and global effects. Common mill byproducts like nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and fine particulate matter all harm the respiratory system and can linger in the atmosphere, where nitrogen oxide creates acid rain. When biogenic fuel is taken into account, mill greenhouse gas emissions are almost as high as the dirtiest U.S. oil refineries, according to EIP. Sappi Somerset mill's total greenhouse gas emissions balloon from 316,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide to nearly 1.6 million when including biogenic fuel sources — a 400 percent increase. Nationwide, EIP found that paper mills' greenhouse gas emissions were 350 percent higher than public-facing EPA estimates. At the state level, these emissions are counted. Maine ditched the EPA's model and began including biogenic sources of carbon dioxide in a 2022 update on its climate change goals. Maine lawmakers recently codified a new 2040 deadline to reach net zero carbon emissions, and one effective way to do so nationwide, according to Bernhardt, is upgrading the inefficient boilers that many mills have relied on for decades to power operations. The EIP report estimates that 40 percent of all analyzed pulp and paper mills have a boiler that is at least a half century old, including the power boiler that Woodland Pulp's Washington County mill still uses 54 years after it was installed. A representative for Woodland Pulp said that the company's Baileyville mill has reduced its emissions over the past two decades by switching from fuel oil to natural gas. Mill energy needs are also supported by on-site hydropower. Although many boilers are upgraded and retrofitted to add pollution controls — including the one used by Woodland Pulp — EIP recommends replacing them with zero-emission industrial heat technologies where possible, reducing overall emissions and the amount of heat lost by inefficient boilers during the papermaking process. Sappi has pursued similar efficiency updates at its Somerset mill in recent years, according to Sappi communications manager April Jones. The company no longer burns coal and has reduced reliance on other dirty fuels, setting a 2030 deadline to reduce the mill's 2019 greenhouse gas emissions by 41.5 percent per ton of product. Sappi and Woodland Pulp also disputed EIP's claims that their total mill greenhouse gas emissions are underreported. Despite EPA's reporting framework, both companies stated that they still publish their mills' biogenic emissions. (ND Paper did not respond to requests for comment). The paper industry hasn't yet been targeted by rollbacks on hazardous air pollution limits the same way power plants have, according to Bernhardt, but broad changes in emissions regulations could impact industries across the board. Further greenhouse gas reductions may instead have to come from paper companies deciding to invest in clean technologies and reduce pollution. 'There's a real role for paper to play in a more sustainable economy,' Bernhardt said. 'It really comes down to dollars. Can companies afford it?'
NBC Sports
17-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Former Falcons WR Jared Bernhardt returns to lacrosse
Jared Bernhardt moved from lacrosse to football after a stellar collegiate career at Maryland and made it all the way to the NFL, but he's now back to his original path. Bernhardt won the Tewaarton Award as the country's top lacrosse player while at Maryland and then transferred to Ferris State to play wide receiver. He signed with the Falcons in 2022 and appeared in two games before going on the reserve/retired list in 2023. He returned to spend some time in the CFL, but is now playing in the Premier Lacrosse League. Bernhardt said he has no regrets about his circuitous route over the last few years. 'Some people may have all the speculation about leaving at the top of your game, but for me, I just feel that was the right move for me,' Bernhardt said, via Edward Lee of the Baltimore Sun. 'I wouldn't change it. As I said, a lot of great experiences, ups and downs and a lot of good people you meet along the way, and if I didn't do that, I wouldn't have had that stuff. So I'm fortunate enough to have been able to go through all of that.' Bernhardt has scored one goal in two games with the Denver Outlaws since his return.
Politico
02-06-2025
- Business
- Politico
Bernhardt hangs a shingle
With help from Katherine Long and Daniel Lippman FIRST IN PI — BERNHARDT STRIKES OUT ON HIS OWN: Former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is launching his own shop on K Street to help companies navigate the second Trump administration. Bernhardt, a longtime former lobbyist at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, was originally tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as deputy Interior secretary before moving up to lead the department in the second half of Trump's first term. — The Bernhardt Group will primarily provide strategic advice, but the former secretary said in an interview that the firm may do some lobbying work on an as-needed basis. — 'We're at an incredibly dynamic time right now where things are moving at an incredible pace in government,' Bernhardt told PI, and people 'are really seeking the need to identify creative solutions, figure out how to navigate a pathway and then be able to execute a strategy in a way that will have a durable and meaningful result.' — Bernhardt returned to Brownstein after Trump left office in 2021, and landed back at the firm earlier this year after taking time to, among other things, help steer Trump's transition team for the department Bernhardt once led. — Also this year, he took on an expanded role as executive vice president at the pro-Trump think tank America First Policy Institute, joined the board of Trump's social media company and teamed up with former Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette in an effort to promote Trump's energy agenda. — Several of his former colleagues at Brownstein will join Bernhardt as partners at the new firm. They include Bill McGrath, who also served as staff director for the House Oversight subcommittee that oversees the Interior department, Jon Hrobsky and Luke Johnson. — Kate Gonzales, who worked for former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), is joining as a vice president from Brownstein; Samantha Hebert, who worked under Bernhardt at Interior, is joining from Brownstein as a senior adviser; and Phoebe Miner, a former Sinema and Kurt Schrader alum, is joining from Brownstein as director of operations and administration. — A trio of Bernhardt alums is also coming over from RBW Group. Cole Rojewski, who is also a former chief of staff to top GOP lawmakers including former House Appropriations Chair Kay Granger, is joining as a partner along with Todd Willens, who was Bernhardt's chief of staff at Interior. Faith Vander Voort, a Hill GOP, Interior and Mike Pence alum, is joining from RBW as vice president of public affairs. — Bernhardt, who wrote a book in 2023 outlining his takeaways on the 'failing administrative state,' told PI that his new team's 'tremendous expertise' on both the legislative and regulatory fronts will allow the firm to draw on various policymaking tools across the government. The goal is that the results, he said, 'will stand the test of time and potentially stand the test of administrations changing.' — 'It's very different if you've been in the room, if you've made the decision, if you know what the decision maker is going to think about,' he said. 'I think that provides a unique perspective.' — Bernhardt declined to name any of the new firm's clients. But he said its work won't be limited to natural resources policy and could encompass a number of issues the firm's staff have been involved in, from telecom and privacy to financial services and appropriations. Happy Monday and welcome to PI. We hope you had a relaxing recess — now that you're back, send all the reconciliation tips. You can add me on Signal, email me at coprysko@ and be sure to follow me on X: @caitlinoprysko. BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE ADDS TRADE LEAD: Business Roundtable has tapped Nasim Fussell to serve as vice president of trade and international policy. Fussell joins the business lobbying organization at a time of growing uncertainty and concern over Trump's tariff plans. — Fussell previously served as senior vice president at government affairs and communications firm Lot Sixteen, where she led its international trade practice. She has also served as international trade counsel for the Senate Finance Committee and trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee. — According to Business Roundtable, Fussell will work with member CEOs to 'develop and promote trade and investment policies that support a competitive American economy.' — Fussell 'will play a critical role as we work with the Administration to advance policies that level the playing field for U.S. exporters, remove harmful tariffs and provide certainty for U.S. businesses,' Joshua Bolten, Business Roundtable's CEO, said in a press release. SCHUMER AIDE LANDS AT RESOLUTION: Resolution Public Affairs, the lobbying firm started by former Chuck Schumer aide Heather McHugh, has brought on another former longtime aide to the Senate minority leader. Meghan Taira has joined the firm as a principal after almost two decades in Schumer's office, most recently as legislative director. Before joining Schumer's office, Taira worked for Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) and as a lobbyist at Arnold & Porter and Avalere Health. THE ART OF NOT MAKING A DEAL: Big law firms that struck deals with the Trump administration to avoid punishment for perceived slights — in exchange for pro bono work on Trump-friendly issues — did so to avoid the glare of the spotlight and prevent an exodus by skittish clients. But folding amid the pressure, rather than fighting Trump in court, is beginning to impact firms' bottom lines anyway, The Wall Street Journal's Erin Mulvaney, Emily Glazer, C. Ryan Barber and Josh Dawsey found. — 'At least 11 big companies are moving work away from law firms that settled with the administration or are giving—or intend to give—more business to firms that have been targeted but refused to strike deals,' including Oracle and Morgan Stanley. — 'In interviews, general counsels expressed concern about whether they could trust law firms that struck deals to fight for them in court and in negotiating big deals if they weren't willing to stand up for themselves against Trump. The general counsel of a manufacturer of medical supplies said that if firms facing White House pressure 'don't have a hard line,' they don't have any line at all.' AND YET: 'Trump's attempts to punish law firms that employed his perceived foes or handled cases he disliked have been bitingly rejected by courts, with three federal judges lambasting them as retaliatory and unconstitutional. … But the president's court losses, with a fourth case pending, are only part of the story,' per The Washington Post's Mark Berman. — 'Lawyers say both the sanctions and the negotiated deals have had a chilling effect, with some firms declining to work on issues counter to the administration's goals, including on immigration.' FLYING IN: The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association is kicking off a fly-in tomorrow, during which members will lobby for the repeal of a Biden-era rule requiring financial institutions to submit information about the race, ethnicity and gender of small-business loan recipients. The association will also push for the restoration of full expensing of capital investments, immediate deductions of research costs and full deductibility of business interest in the reconciliation bill. AFP DROPPING $4M ON MEGABILL ADS: Americans for Prosperity is dropping another seven figures on an ad blitz to contain Republican defections on the House-passed reconciliation package and steer the bill through the Senate as lawmakers return from the Memorial Day recess. — The campaign, part of a $20 million commitment from the Koch-backed group, will include 'video and digital ads that will air on cable, connected TV, and other digital platforms' with the TV ads initially slated to run in North Carolina, Louisiana, Maine, Idaho and D.C., CBS News' Hunter Woodall reports. — ''The sooner the Senate advances the bill, the sooner Americans start seeing relief where they need it most,' said Brent Gardner, the organization's chief government affairs officer in a statement. The statement also noted the group is well aware that as the process being used to fast track the bill progressed 'the hill to climb was only going to get steeper.'' TRUMP VS. LEO: Trump openly attacked Leonard Leo, former Federalist Society chair, calling him a 'real sleazebag' in a Truth social post late Thursday evening. But Trump's allies have expressed discontent with Leo and his operation, which helped place hundreds of judges across the federal judiciary and tilt courts in conservatives' favor, long before Trump's public critiques, our Hailey Fuchs and Daniel Barnes write. — 'Frustration had been growing among Trump and MAGA loyalists as a series of court rulings have hampered elements of Trump's second term agenda — including by the Supreme Court, appellate courts and district courts — and by judges Trump installed on the bench during his first term with Leo and the Federalist Society's guidance.' —'On Thursday, Leo said in a statement, 'I'm very grateful for President Trump transforming the Federal Courts, and it was a privilege being involved. There's more work to be done, for sure, but the Federal Judiciary is better than it's ever been in modern history, and that will be President Trump's most important legacy.'' — 'Leo and the Federalist Society have been boxed out of the judicial nomination process as the second Trump White House has begun to name jurists for vacancies. But the Federalist Society had already been making moves in anticipation of some tension with Trump, given his recent rhetoric on the judiciary, said one person in conservative legal circles granted anonymity because of the sensitive dynamics.' ALL IN ON AUTONOMY: Elon Musk is working to garner support from members of Congress to clear the way for driverless vehicles, as the Tesla CEO recenters his priorities on his business empires following his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency, David Welch, Edward Ludlow and Kara Carlson write for Bloomberg. — Musk and those who work for him have been calling lawmakers in recent weeks to lobby on the effort, one that remains a large priority for electric carmaker company Tesla. He has also been weighing in on revisions to the 'Autonomous Vehicle Acceleration Act of 2025,' introduced May 15, which would begin implementation of a general framework for autonomous vehicles. — 'The Trump administration has said it's amenable to federal rules for AVs and Musk has used Tesla's earnings calls to advocate for a federal framework for self-driving cars.' — Musk will continue to advise Trump after his departure from DOGE. But his focus for Tesla remains largely on autonomy and robotics. — 'Tesla plans to launch its long-anticipated rideshare service in Austin on June 12, using a small fleet of existing Model Y SUVs, Bloomberg reported. Tesla also aims to add purpose-built Cybercabs, expected to reach volume production next year, to its rideshare service.' Jobs report — Monica Welt is joining the Retail Industry Leaders Association as general counsel of RILA and president of the Retail Litigation Center. Welt previously served as deputy general counsel at Big Lots. — Julia Schechter is now senior manager of policy comms at Snap. She previously was a PR manager at Apple. — Jamison Cruce is launching Cruce Capitol Consulting. He previously was vice president of government affairs at USA Rice. — Anna Newby is now director of global policy comms at Micron. She previously was director of comms at the National Nuclear Security Administration. — Justin Vail has rejoined Protect Democracy as counsel and head of coalition advocacy. He previously was special assistant to the president for democracy and civic participation in the Biden White House. — Brian Reich and Eric Hollister Williams are now senior vice presidents at One Strategy Group. Reich previously was deputy assistant secretary for strategic planning and director of speechwriting at HHS and is a Clinton White House alum. Williams previously was director of corporate communications at Apple. — Reilly McBride is now vice president of policy and advocacy communications at JPMorgan Chase. She previously was deputy communications director for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and is an Invariant alum. — Philip Bednarczyk is now director of the German Marshall Fund's Warsaw office. He previously was an adviser for Europe and Eurasia for the House Foreign Affairs Committee. — Maggie Sklar has joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as senior director of public policy and advocacy. Sklar was most recently a senior complex financial institutions policy specialist at the FDIC. — Christian Calvert is now press assistant for the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He previously was SEC program officer for campus advancement at Young America's Foundation. — Patty Stolnacker is joining Cohesity to stand up its global government affairs team. She was previously public policy head of U.S. and Canada for Google's platforms and devices team and is a George W. Bush and Rick Santorum alum. New Joint Fundraisers None. New PACs AMERICA FIRST AGRICULTURE ACTION INC. (Super PAC) Matthews First (PAC) Solar for American Energy Dominance PAC (Super PAC) Unbound PAC (PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Anndyl Policy Group, LLC: The National Association For State Community Services Programs Aquia Group, LLC: Podimetrics Ballard Partners: Can Community Health Ballard Partners: Composite Technology International, Inc. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: 3E, LLC Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Sterling Ranch, LLC Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP: Trajectory Energy Partners, LLC Chamber Hill Strategies: Let Lahaina Rebuild Coalition Colton Street Group: Recognition Music Group Hither Creek Strategies, LLC: Leonardo Drs, Inc Kelley Drye & Warren LLP: Ftc Modernization Coalition (Informal Coalition) K&L Gates, LLP: Federated Hermes, Inc. Miller & Chevalier, Chtd: American Staffing Assn Nestpoint Associates LLC: Anchor Hocking Company Nestpoint Associates LLC: Faraday&Future Inc. Nestpoint Associates LLC: Lawn And Garden LLC Ragnar Group LLC: Gypsum Resources Materials, LLC. Ragnar Group LLC: Redding Rancheria The Bennett Consulting Group: City Of Moab The Bennett Consulting Group: Salt Lake County The Bennett Consulting Group: Valid8 The Bennett Consulting Group: Vaquero Resources Tsg Advocates Dc, LLC: American Airlines, Inc. Tsg Advocates Dc, LLC: The Nemours Foundation New Lobbying Terminations Diroma Eck & Co. LLP: Konecranes Finland Corp. Invariant LLC: Solugen, Inc.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Paper plants can emit as much CO2 as oil refineries. They're flying under the radar.
For more than a century, Covington, Virginia has had one dominating feature: its paper mill. Smokestacks tower over the community of 5,500, many of whom work there. But according to a new report, the mill spews more nitrogen oxide, methane, and greenhouse gases than is generally known. 'The snow is not white here. It's ash, it's nasty, and it's all over the place all of the time,' Robin Brown, a 65-year-old resident who lives near the mill, told the researchers. 'And there's that funky odor, like rotten eggs. It's all you can smell.' The Covington mill is among the industry's worst polluters, according to a report the nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project, or EIP, released today. It detailed similar issues at 185 such facilities nationwide. And, because of Environmental Protection Agency reporting rules, the report found that climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions from those mills are being undercounted by some 350 percent. The EPA houses the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, where facilities report their emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. But EPA facility totals don't include what are called biogenic CO2 emissions, or those that come from 'natural sources' such as wood, which is a primary fuel for the paper industry. According to the EIP investigation, the 10 pulp and paper mills that reported the most greenhouse gases in 2023 were able to lower their reported 'total' emissions by between 61 and 90 percent each because they burned wood products. Biogenic emission data is buried deeper within EPA data and, when those emissions are included, the largest paper mills can emit as much as a large oil refinery, the report noted. 'It masks the true impact of the industry,' said Courtney Bernhardt, director of research for EIP and an author of the report. 'It hides the fact that there is an urgent need to address.' The American Forest & Paper Association, which represents the industry, did not respond to a request for an interview. The EPA told Grist it would review the report. Smurfit West Rock, which owns the mill in Covington, did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication. EIP also used data from the National Emissions Inventory, an annual estimate of the output of gases like sulfur dioxide, methane, carbon dioxide, and dozens of others. One of the major reasons that pollution levels are so high, Bernhardt explained, is that many paper plants continue using outdated equipment that is far less efficient than modern machinery. The boiler at the Covington mill, for example, is 85 years old. The average age across the 185 facilities that the report found data for was 41 years. The Clean Air Act effectively grandfathers in the equipment until it comes time to replace it, and the emissions reductions can be stark when that happens. Bernhardt cited the Ahlstrom's Thilmany Mill in Wisconsin as an example. The plant, built in 1883, replaced its boiler in 2020 and emissions of sulfur dioxide, a health-harming air pollutant, fell from 4,800 tons to 410 tons. A facility in Washington saw an 87 percent drop and one in Georgia plummeted 96 percent. 'There's going to be a large number of these plants that are going to need to install new boilers [in the next decade],' said Bernhardt. She would like them to move toward more efficient options, especially those that run on electricity derived from clean energy instead of natural gas. But it's unclear exactly how, or how quickly, any transition will unfold. 'Developing a technology that can both be financially attractive and reduce carbon dioxide emissions is not easy,' said Sunkyu Park, a professor at North Carolina State University who specializes in pulp and paper processing. His research focuses on trying to develop a more efficient 'recover boiler,' which accounts for the majority of CO2 emissions during production. He is studying electric options, as well as those that use less natural gas. His work remains at very early stages, but the goal is that 'eventually industry can implement that technology.' In the meantime, Bernhardt hopes the EIP's report can focus attention on cleaning up an industry that is often seen as an alternative to plastics, but carries its own baggage. 'We need paper. We need cardboard,' she said. '[But] there's a lot of greenwashing that makes paper seem cleaner than it really is.' This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Paper plants can emit as much CO2 as oil refineries. They're flying under the radar. on May 29, 2025.
Boston Globe
16-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Boston Globe
Staying true to blue: Sticking with original color scheme in playroom transformation
2 The wood veneer LZF pendant light is another shot of warmth and juxtaposes the metal chandeliers that are visible in the adjacent spaces. The descending sculptural form helps reduce the scale of the room which has very high ceilings. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 3 Paintings by local artist Patricia Busso lend an intimate moment beside the window seat, where a valance made from the same fabric as the drapes makes the room feel cohesive without obscuring the original moldings. 4 The swooped Bernhardt sofa upholstered in a high-performance velvet from Schumacher is harmonious with the bowed architecture and the circular rug continues the soft lines. Advertisement 5 The sturdy ottoman serves several purposes: coffee table, footrest, and extra seat. The gold color brings warm tones to the center of the space and the hexagonal form counters the curves. 6 The chairs swivel 360 degrees for maximum flexibility. While the interiors are done in the same solid-color upholstery as the sofa, a tweedy herringbone fabric covers the backs. 'We varied the pattern and texture so you're not looking at blue-blue-blue from the dining room,' Bonilla says. Marni Elyse Katz is a contributing editor to the Globe Magazine. Follow her on Instagram
