Biden Inks Climate Deals

One of President Biden’s (D) signature Vlimate Initiatives is on the Clock.

The Department of Energy (DOE), is racing to close $25 billion in Pending Loans to Businesses Building Major Clean Energy Projects across the Country. The push is One of Biden’s Last chances to Cement His Climate Legacy, before Trump (R) takes Office next year, under the Promise of shredding Democratic Spending Programs.

The DSepartment’s Loan Programs Office, emerged as One of Biden’s most potentially Powerful Tools for Greening the Economy, making Billion-dollar DSeals, to Restart a Nuclear Power Plant in Michigan, Fund Lithium Mining in Nevada, and build Factories for churning out Electric Vehicle (EVs) Components in Ohio and Tennessee.

But it faces an uncertain Future under Trump, who as President backed only One Project under the Program and proposed Slashing the Office’s Budget. And Trump’s recent Pick to Lead DOE, Chris Wright, is a Fracking Executive who has Criticized the use of “large government subsidies and mandates”.

That sets up a High-Wire Act in the Closing Weeks of Biden’s Presidency, both for DOE and for Energy Companies seeking a Financial Lifeline from Washington.

Of the 29 Loans and Loan Guarantees the Administration has announced, 16 have yet to be Completed. They include $9.2 billion for an EV Battery Project in Kentucky and Tennessee, a $1.5 billion Guarantee for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production in South Dakota, and $1 billion for EVs Charging Infrastructure Nationwide.

“There’s nothing like seeing your own coffin to get you moving faster,” said Andy Marsh, President and CEO of the Hydrogen company Plug Power, which hopes to Close a $1.7 billion Loan from DOE. At the same time, Trump has Pledged to Dismember Biden's Climate Agenda.

Plug Power produces Electrolyzers and other Components needed to make Hydrogen from Electricity, a Zero-Emissions Source of Energy that could take a Hit under Trump. The DOE Loan would provide Funding to Help the Company build up to Six “Green Hydrogen” Plants.

Marsh said He’s aiming to Lock in the Loan Guarantee “before Jan. 20th”, when Trump will be Inaugurated. “We know that it’s in our best interest to have that resolved by then,” He said.

The pending Loans, some of which were announced almost Two years ago, Preview a potential Fight under Trump. Pitting efforts to Reduce U.S. Dependence on Chinese Imports against Republicans’ Desire to Cut Spending.

The Loans stem from Biden’s wider effort to Spur a Green Building Boom to Erode China’s Clean Energy Dominance and Slash Planet-Warming Pollution. Twelve Pending Loans and Loan Guarantees worth a combined $21 billion are in Republican Congressional Districts.

The Department also has a pile of 210 Active Applications, totaling $303.5 billion, as of October. The Office recently Adjusted its estimated remaining Loan Authority to nearly $400 billion across Several Programs, leaving hundreds of billions of dollars Available for the incoming Trump Administration, should it seek to use the Office.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Aims to Revive the Keystone XL Pipeline

Trump (R) is looking to Revive the Keystone XL Oil Pipeline, even though No Companies are trying to Build it anymore.

Trump believes declaring the 1,200-mile Canada-to-Nebraska Crude Project back on the table, would drive the Pro-Oil Message He delivered in His Campaign.

Trump also wants to show He can Defy President Biden (D), who Reversed Trump’s initial 2017 Approval of the Project, which was Strongly Opposed by the Climate Movement.

“It’s on the list of things they want to do first day,” said One of the People familiar with Trump’s Plan, who was Granted Anonymity because they were Not Authorized to Talk to the Media.

But Trump's Renewed Interest in the Pipeline, faces a sharply different Reality now than existed than, when He First entered Office.

The Pipeline's Permit to cross the U.S.-Canadian Border, was First Rejected in 2015 by President Obama (D). Trump in 2017 Reversed that Decision and Approved the Border Crossing, only to have that Decision revoked by Biden in January 2021.

After that, TC Energy, the Pipeline's Developer, said it would No longer pursue its Construction.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Names Ambassador to NATO

Trump named Hhis former Acting Attorney General, Matthew Whitaker, as the next Ambassador to NATO, selecting Him to fill the Role at a Crucial time amid Russia’s War in Ukraine and Tensions over Defense Spending across the Western Security Alliance.

In a Statement, Trump said Whitaker is a “strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended. Matt will strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability. I have full confidence in Matt’s ability to represent the United States with Strength, Integrity, and unwavering Dedication.”.

Whitaker was the Acting Attorney General for about Three months, during the middle of Trump’s First Term. He had been serving as Chief-of-Staff to Jeff Sessions, for a bit more than a Month, before Sessions Resigned as Attorney General in November 2018, opening the Role for Him.

He was previously a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, under President George W. Bush’s Administration.

Whitaker also served in Private Practice from 2009-17, before Rejoining the Department of Justice (DOJ).

He has been a Political Consultant for the past few years, and has Three Degrees from the University of Iowa.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Current House Races 2024 Results

Republicans at 218, and Democreata at 213, with Four Seats left to Call.

AK 1st District - Nick Begich (R) (48.6%), Mary Peltolad (D) (46.2%), Other (5.2%), with 98.3% of the Vote Counted.

CA 13th District - John Duarte (R) (50.2%), Adam Cray (D) (49.9%), with 97% of the Vote Counted.

IA 1st District - Mariannette Miller (R) (50.1%), Christiana Bohannan (D) (49.9%), with 99% of the Vote Counted.

IA 2nd District - Ashley Hinson (R) (57.1%), Sarah Corkey (D) (42.6%), Judy Puffett (D) (1.3%), with 99% of the Vote Counted.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Supreme Court Decision Regarding EPA's New Mandate on Power Plants

The Supreme Court delivered Promising News for Americans who want Cleaner Air and Lower Energy Bills.

In October, the High Court allowed a New Federal Rule Targeting Pollution from Power Plants, to move forward despite Challenges from 27 States and Industry Groups. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) New Rule requires Coal and Gas Power Plants to Significantly Reduce their Air Pollution over time.

Power Plants will need to Capture and Safely Store Carbon Dioxide, which Traps Heat in our Atmosphere, rather than Releasing it into the Air we breathe. This Matters because these Plants currently create a Quarter of All Climate-Warming Pollution in the U.S.

The Rule Specifically requires Coal Plants operating after 2038 and certain New Gas facilities to Cut their Pollution 90% by 2032.

While Industry groups claimed this Technology is still being prepared for Widespread use, the EPA Affirmed it's Proven and Feasible at the needed Scale.

This Decision, opens the door for Meaningful Progress in Cleaning up One of America's Biggest Sources of Air Pollution.

Power Plants don't just Contribute to a Warming Planet. Their Exhaust directly Hurts the Air Quality in nearby Communities, affecting People's Health and Well-Being. By Requiring these Facilities to Capture Harmful gases, we're Protecting both Human Health and Community stability.

The Rule builds on Decades of successful Clean Air Regulations, that have made our Air Healthier to breathe while spurring Innovation in the Power Sector. And as we've seen time and again, when Power Companies invest in Cleaner Technology, they often find ways to generate Electricity more Efficiently. Savings that can be Passed on to Consumers.

While the Supreme Court's Ddecision allows this Specific Rule to move forward, it's part of a Broader Transition toward Cleaner Power Generation that's already well underway.

Many Utility Companies are Investing heavily in Renewable Energy and Modern Grid Technology, finding it increasingly Cost-Effective compared to Older Plants.

For everyday Americans, this Ruling Reinforces the Benefits of Electrifying our Homes with Modern, Efficient, Appliances that Run on increasingly Clean Electricity.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

DHS Flies Illegal Migrants Back to China

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Deported a large number of Undocumented Chinese Migrants back to their Home Country on November 16th. 109 Chinese Nationals were Removed on a Charter Flight. It is the Third large Chartered Removal Flight to China, within Six months after more than 100 Migrants were Returned in June, and 131 Chinese Nationals were Deported in October.

"DHS is enforcing U.S. immigration laws and delivering tough consequences for those who enter unlawfully or without authorization," according to a Statement issued by Homeland Security Officials. "This removal flight is yet another example of the Department's ongoing cooperation with the PRC [People's Republic of China] and other international partners to reduce and deter irregular migration through enforcement of immigration law," the Statement reads.

The June Flight was the First Major Charter flight for Deportations since 2018, coordinated with China's National Immigration Administration. The Flight carried 116 Chinese Nationals who were Deported back to China, for living in the U.S. Illegally, marking the First Significant Deportation Flight of the year.

It came after outgoing President Biden (D) issued a Proclamation to Temporarily Suspend the Entry of Undocumented Migrants across the Southern Border. According to DHS, Border Patrol Encounters have Dropped by more than 52% following the June 4th Proclamation. Over the last year, DHS has removed Undocumented Citizens from Countries: China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Mauritania, Peru, Senegal, and Uzbekistan.

More Undocumented Migrants were Removed or Returned in the Fiscal Year 2024, than in any year since Fiscal Year 2010, according to DHS.

According to the Pew Research Center, in 2022, approximately 90,000 Chinese Nationals Entered the U.S., making China the Third-Largest source of Immigrants after Mexico and India. Human Rights Groups are concerned with the Dangers facing Vulnerable Ethnic Groups such as Uyghurs.

Carolyn Nash, Asia Advocacy Director at Amnesty International USA, said: "Amnesty is concerned with the resumption of deportation flights between the U.S. and China. CBP [Customs and Border Protection] does not track ethnicity, leaving authorities no way to confirm whether the U.S. is returning Hongkongers, Uyghurs, or other vulnerable minorities."

Nash said more Chinese People were coming to the U.S.-Mexico Border to seek Asylum. However the CBP One App run by Customs and Border Control, which is meant to allow Non-Citizens without Appropriate Documents who wish to enter the U.S., to submit Information at Land Points of Entry, lacks Chinese Languages. This creates Language Barriers for Chinese Nationals, "forcing" them to enter Illegally, according to Amnesty International.

"Under current border policies, the only way for people to seek safety is to wait months for an appointment in the CBP One mobile application. This app is only available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, making it entirely inaccessible for Chinese nationals who speak none of those languages. As a result, they are forced to cross into the U.S. irregularly, with an extraordinarily high risk of danger, crossing through deserts or over border walls," the Oorganization said.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

GOP Senators Reject Replacing FBI Background Checks for Trump Nominees

Trump’s Transition Team has Bypassed Traditional Background Checks for some of Trump's Cabinet Nominees, using Private Companies to Vet the Choices instead. Trump’s Team has Circumvented the FBI, because of Concerns it would move too Slowly and bog down the President-Elect’s push to Confirm His Cabinet quickly.

in late October that Trump’s Advisers circulated a Memo suggesting that if Trump Won, many of His Appointees should gain Security Clearances immediately without having to go through time-consuming FBI Background Checks. The Proposal was pushed by Boris Epshteyn, among others.

Epshteyn was One of the Trump Advisers who supported Trump's choosing former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL. 1st District) to serve as Attorney General, despite a House Ethics Committee investigation of alleged Sexual Misconduct and illicit Drug use by the Lawmaker.

Senate Republicans are Rejecting a Proposal floated by some Advisers to Trump, to take the job of conducting Background Checks for High-Level Nominees away from the FBI and give it to Private Investigators.

Doing so could make it easier for some Nominees to win Senate Confirmation, but GOP Senators say the FBI should retain its Leading Role in conducting Background Checks. They argue its Agents have Access to Criminal Information that Private Investigators simply can’t match. And while many Trump Allies don’t trust the FBI, many GOP Senators think the Agency sets the Gold Standard for Professionalism and Credibility in Law Enforcement.

The FBI also leads the Nation’s Domestic Counterespionage efforts, serving as the Lead Agency for Investigating and Preventing Foreign Intelligence gathering activities in the U.S. Republican Senators think that Role puts it in a good position to Vet Nominees who would have access to the Nation’s most Sensitive Secrets.

“The FBI should do the background checks, in my judgement,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who serves as the Ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and as a Senior Member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, argued that the FBI has Access to Information gathered by Law Enforcement on the Federal, State, and Local levels that Private Firms don’t. “If you wanted to supplement it with a private firm, I’d say OK. But the FBI does have access to information that probably a private firm wouldn’t have, even a really good savvy one,” He said.

Cramer said a Private Firm could help the FBI in its Background Investigations, but He “sure wouldn’t leave it” entirely outside the FBI’s hands.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) argued “it’s just been routine” for the Nation’s Top Law Enforcement Agency to handle Background Checks for High-Level Appointments. “It is important to do these background checks, and the FBI has done this” for Decades, She noted. “It’s just been routine that they have been the one that has handled it. You don’t go to an outside private investigator, right?

“It’s not just for the [executive branch] positions. If you’re a Senate staffer seeking to get that security clearance you go — we all go through — that same process,” She said. “I get there is distrust by some of different agencies and the FBI is not immune from that, but I do think it is vitally important, particularly from a national security perspective, that you have a level of vetting that is thorough,” Murkowski added. “What agenda does the private investigator have?” She asked.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) said Not having the FBI conduct Background Checks for High-Level Nominees, by the time Trump formally Appoints them next year “would come under scrutiny at the congressional level.” He said Lawmakers “would want to know the validity of those individuals doing the background checks. Just because the White House doesn’t request a background check out of the FBI wouldn’t then mean perhaps some committees might not ask for it,”.

Pete Hegseth, whom Trump Nominate to serve as Secretary of Defense, paid a Woman who accused Him of Sexual Assault as part of a Nondisclosure Agreement. A Lawyer for Hegseth said the Incident was Consensual.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump Nominated to Head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has been Accused by a former Harvard University Classmate of Selling Cocaine when they were Students. Kurt Anderson, a best-selling Author, claims that Kennedy poured out a line of Vocaine for Him to sample in a Dorm room, and He paid $40 for a Gram of Powder.

Another Trump Pick who might be Headed for a Lengthy Background Investigation, is former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (R-HI, 2nd District), who is slated to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Republican and Democratic Lawmakers want to know more about Gabbard’s Secret Four-Day Trip to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2017. Syria is on the State Department’s List of State Sponsors of Terrorism.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Il), who has Jurisdiction over the Justice Department (DOJ) and FBI, argued the FBI brings a Level of Credibility that Private Firms can’t match.

“The notion that we’re going to eliminate FBI background checks, we’re going to have recess appointments, no questions asked, is to ignore a body of experience in Congress and law that suggests that’s the height of irresponsibility. The bottom line is the FBI has been doing this for decades, and they’re credible, they’re an important part of the process. You pick a private firm, and I’ll tell you, you’ll find a conflict of interest,” He said.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker