Inside Climate News

Thank you for supporting InsideClimate News. Updates from Today's Climate 04/03/2020 Above-Average Atlantic Hurricane Season Predicted, Including a Possible Major Hurricane Strike Researchers at Colorado State University expect an active 2020 hurricane season, with a high chance for a major hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. Warm sea surface temperatures and the lack of an El Niño in the Pacific Ocean are some of the factors supporting this prediction. (The Washington Post) Coronavirus Could Trigger Biggest Fall in Carbon Emissions Since World War II The coronavirus pandemic could result in a 5 percent drop in carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, significantly larger than the 1.4 percent drop during the 2008 recession. No crisis has affected the energy sector this much since World War II, Reuters reports.  (Reuters) San Francisco Bans Reusable Bags in Coronavirus Fight San Francisco, a city that prohibited single-use plastic bags in 2007, has now banned reusable bags in grocery stores in an effort to reduce coronavirus exposure.  (The Hill) California Uses Climate Cash to Cut Power Bills During Pandemic California uses a carbon cap-and-trade program as a climate change mitigation method. The state uses the proceeds to credit its utility customers twice a year in April and October. With homebound Californians racking up higher than normal utility bills, the state's regulators are considering moving up the October pay date to May and June.  (Bloomberg) EPA Threatens Legal Action Against Sellers of Fake Coronavirus Cleaners The Environmental Protection Agency is getting involved in the fight against bogus Covid-19 treatment products flooding the market. The EPA is seeing a surge in products like sanitizers and disinfectants that create false hope for buyers seeking to protect themselves against the pandemic, the New York Times reports. (The New York Times) Cleanup of Nuclear Waste Takes Back Seat as Virus Spreads Cleanup efforts at New Mexico nuclear waste sites were already slow-going, but now have been halted in an effort to protect workers from exposure to the coronavirus. Only essential monitoring of the site will continue during the crisis.  (Associated Press) Enbridge to Move Forward with Tunnel Permitting Amid Pandemic The energy transportation company plans to replace two pipelines beneath the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan's upper peninsula. To stay within set deadlines, Enbridge plans to move forward with permit applications, despite the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Tribal governments opposed to the project say it is impossible to provide proper comment and receive official consultation during this time.  (Interlochen Public Radio)