DOE Chief Jennifer Granholm told Columbia U. summit the president is "obsessed" with project permit reform and expedited approvals—as G7 climate ministers agreed April 16 to pursue common goal of net zero through "various pathways," while still supporting natural gas development.
The U.S. Energy Dept. proposed a rule that would impact new and renovated federal buildings, while a first-time federal building performance standard would be applied to existing buildings.
Biden nominee for DOE chief, who cited 10M jobs goal when pressed on fossil-fuel impacts by wary Republicans, is set for full Senate vote this month, as is R.I. Gov. Gina Raimondo, Commerce Secretary designate and a clean energy proponent. Both cleared committees on Feb. 3.
EPA, Energy and Interior Dept. heads, once confirmed, and new White House advisers in boosted roles, will execute ramped-up climate-change mission, including Trump-era policy reversals.
