Trump’s national energy emergency allows roll back of environmental rules
During President Donald Trump’s inaugural address, he unveiled plans to declare a national energy emergency, and emphasized his administration’s intent to prioritize domestic fossil fuel production. The declaration of a national energy emergency, if implemented, would grant the president additional executive powers, including the ability to suspend certain environmental regulations.
“The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices, and that is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency,” Trump said. “We will drill, baby, drill.”
While no president has ever declared a “national energy emergency,” there is historical precedent for regional energy emergencies. In the 1970s, during a period of fossil fuel shortages, then-President Jimmy Carter allowed state governors to temporarily lift certain environmental regulations. However, Carter urged state government leaders to use this authority sparingly and only as a “last resort.”
Unlike the circumstances of the 1970s, the U.S. today is a net exporter of fossil fuels, with oil and gas production at record levels. Despite this, Trump has expressed a desire to expand drilling and roll back federal regulations, aiming to encourage further growth in the oil industry.
Through the promotion of increased oil production, the president has pledged to lower energy costs. However, experts suggest that the 50% reduction in prices he discussed on the campaign trail may be challenging to achieve.
Trump could also use emergency powers to keep certain gas-fired and coal power plants operational, particularly those slated for closure due to environmental or economic considerations. Details on the administration’s next steps regarding this national energy emergency remain unclear, but such a declaration, if it happens, could mark a significant shift in U.S. energy policy.
Canada weighs own tariffs, oil export limits to US in response to Trump threat
Canada is considering its own tariffs on U.S. goods in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threat. As part of a potential retaliatory move, Canada could impose tariffs on up to $150 billion worth of U.S. products. The possibility of limiting oil exports to the U.S. is also reportedly under consideration.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is stepping down by March amid political turmoil, has indicated he is open to a “dollar-for-dollar” response. This means any U.S. tariffs would likely be met with similar measures targeting U.S. imports from Canada.
Some products, such as orange juice, could be on the list of targeted goods but more significant items, including oil exports, are also part of the discussion. However, Canadian politicians are divided on whether to limit oil exports to the U.S. The Canadian province of Alberta, a major energy producer, plays a key role in the debate.
Trudeau acknowledged that such retaliatory actions would ultimately hurt both Canadians and Americans. He met with Canadian provincial leaders on Wednesday, Jan. 15, to discuss how the country should respond if Trump moves forward with a 25% tariff on Canadian goods.
While most provincial leaders agreed that oil export tariffs should remain on the table to pressure Trump, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who attended a meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend of Jan. 10, disagreed.
Smith, who represents Alberta’s energy interests, stated that she would not support export tariffs on the province’s energy resources.
I had a constructive discussion with my fellow Premiers on how best to deal with the threat of tariffs from the incoming U.S. administration. We agreed on several strategies and I look forward to continuing to work with them on this critical issue.
Canada exports 80% of its oil to the U.S. The U.S. also relies on Canada for more than half of its oil imports.
Trump has cited the need for better border security and the U.S. trade deficit with Canada as reasons for the proposed tariffs. In response, Canada has increased its border security personnel and technology, including the deployment of Blackhawk helicopters and more drones.
Trump will be inaugurated Monday, Jan. 20, with Alberta’s premier expected to attend.
BP to slash thousands of jobs in cost-cutting move
British Petroleum, the U.K.-based oil and gasoline company commonly known as BP, is cutting nearly 5,000 jobs worldwide. Those cuts get even bigger when you factor in that the corporation is also slashing 3,000 contractors.
Last fall, BP announced that it had identified $500 million in cost-saving cuts this year, as part of a larger plan to reduce spending by $2 billion, by the end of 2026.
The Associated Press obtained an email from CEO Murray Auchincloss to staff, in which he said the company is focusing its resources on “our highest value opportunities.” He noted that 30 projects had stopped or been delayed since last June.
BP has underperformed compared to European rivals. In a report released on Tuesday, Jan. 14, BP said weaker refinery margins and turnarounds, which refers to maintenance, repairs and upgrade work on facilities or plants, led to a $100 to $300 million blow to profits in the fourth quarter in 2024. Further declines are expected in oil production.
BP is now trying to increase digital capabilities in its business as artificial intelligence takes on a greater role in engineering and marketing. Auchincloss said the company is uniquely positioned to grow value through the energy transition. It has also scrapped plans to reduce oil and gas output by 40% by 2030.
The job cuts amount to about 5% of BP’s entire workforce. Many contractors have already been let go. The current workforce stands at about 87,800.
Wildfires force thousands to evacuate Southern California
Three massive wildfires are burning out of control in Southern California, putting thousands of homes at risk. And President-elect Donald Trump shares his plans to acquire Greenland, the Panama Canal and bring Canada as the 51st state. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
Southern California wildfires force thousands to evacuate
Three separate wildfires are burning in the Los Angeles, California, area, and there is no end in sight, as strong winds are fueling the flames. The most extreme of the three is the Palisades Fire, which spans nearly 3,000 acres and has already forced 30,000 residents to evacuate.
Cities surrounding Pacific Palisades, including Malibu, issued evacuation orders. Officials there told all residents to prepare to leave their homes, whether they were under evacuation orders or not since the inferno was moving so quickly.
All hands are on deck to fight the #PalisadesFire in Southern California. California is deeply grateful for the brave firefighters & first responders battling the blaze.
We will continue to mobilize resources and support local communities as they respond to this severe weather. pic.twitter.com/JZrYy85e4z
The neighboring city of Santa Monica also issued an evacuation order for the northern part of the city. It also closed the area to the public, warning of an immediate threat to life.
As thousands of firefighters continue to battle the flames, authorities work to find the fire’s cause.
A second wildfire, dubbed the Eaton Fire, burns near Pasadena. A city spokeswoman said it has “created its own firestorm” with flying embers igniting at least a dozen other spot fires.
So far, the Eaton Fire has consumed about 1,000 acres. It engulfed homes and forced more than 100 people to evacuate from a nursing home — some in wheelchairs and on gurneys. A federal disaster declaration is now in effect for the Eaton Fire.
Crews are also battling the Hurst Fire about 100 acres in the San Fernando Valley, which is in the northern part of Los Angeles County. The Hurst Fire also prompted evacuation orders.
The Los Angeles County canceled schools in 19 districts Wednesday, Jan. 8. Plus, more than 200,000 people are without access to power, either because of the powerful Santa Ana winds or because a utility provider turned off electricity to prevent additional fires.
The forecast called for the winds to continue for days, producing gusts that could top 100 miles per hour in the mountains and foothills.
Biden administration asks federal appeals court to block 9/11 plea deals
The Biden administration asked a federal appeals court to block a plea agreement for accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The controversial deal would spare Mohammed from the death penalty for his role in planning the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
The deadly attack rocked the U.S. and began the war on terrorism.
In court filings Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Justice Department argued the government would be irreparably harmed if the guilty pleas were accepted for Mohammed and two co-defendants in the 9/11 attacks.
It said the government would be denied a chance for a public trial and the opportunity to “seek capital punishment against three men charged with a heinous act of mass murder that caused the death of thousands of people and shocked the nation and the world.”
The Defense Department negotiated and approved the plea deal but later revoked it.
However, attorneys for the defendants argued the deal was already legally in effect and that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who began the administration’s efforts to throw it out, acted too late.
Mohammed is set to enter his guilty plea on Friday, Jan. 10, if the appeal is not granted. His co-defendants, accused of lesser roles in 9/11, are due to enter theirs next week.
Harris, Johnson deliver eulogies for President Jimmy Carter
The 39th president died last week at the age of 100.
Carter’s body had been lying in repose since Saturday, Jan. 5, at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta before being transported Tuesday morning to Washington D.C.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson each delivered a eulogy during Tuesday’s ceremony
“We all know that his care for humanity didn’t stop at building homes,” Johnson said. “In the face of illness, President Jimmy Carter brought lifesaving medicine. In the face of conflict, he brokered peace. In the face of discrimination, he reminded us that we are all made in the image of God. If you were to ask him why he did it all, he would likely point to his faith.”
Harris highlighted Carter’s faith. She said, “James Earl Carter, Jr. loved our country. He lived his faith. He served the people. And he left the world better than he found it.”
Carter’s body will lie in state through Thursday morning, Jan. 9, and then be taken to the National Cathedral for a state funeral. Biden is expected to deliver a eulogy.
Trump suggests using military, economic force to expand America
In a wide-ranging press conference from Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump touched on a bunch of topics, including a $20 billion foreign investment to build data centers in the U.S. He also talked about his plans to revoke Biden’s recent ban on offshore oil and natural gas drilling as well as expansion strategies for the United States.
Trump reiterated his goals of acquiring the Panama Canal, which has been under Panama’s sole control since 1999, and Greenland, a territory of Denmark.
Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., is leading an American delegation currently in Greenland, though the country’s prime minister said he is there as “a private individual.”
The Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump’s remarks Tuesday, saying Greenland was not for sale.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede reiterated this point, saying “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. Our future and fight for independence is our business.”
A reporter asked the president-elect if he can assure that he would not use any military force to take control of either the Panama Canal or Greenland.
“I can’t assure you, you’re talking about Panama and Greenland,” Trump replied. “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two but, I can say this we need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for a military. I’m not going to commit to that now.”
In response to those remarks, the prime minister of Denmark called the United States its country’s “closest ally” and did not believe the U.S. would use any force to secure Greenland. Panama’s foreign minister repeated earlier comments from the country’s president that the sovereignty of the Panama Canal is not negotiable.
“[I’d use] economic force because Canada and the United States — that would really be something,” he said. “You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like. It would also be much better for national security. Don’t forget, we basically protect Canada.”
Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his response in a post on X saying, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”The president-elect also spoke of one more geographical goal of his in the upcoming term: to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, saying it “has a beautiful ring to it.”
Not long after his remarks, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said she directed her staff to begin drafting legislation for the name change.
Police: Former soldier used AI to plan Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion attack
New details are emerging about the man who blew up a Tesla Cybertruck outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day. Las Vegas police said Tuesday the attacker used generative AI, including ChatGPT to plan the attack.
An investigation into former soldier Matthew Livelsberger, 37, found his search history on ChatGPT included questions about firearms and explosives. Straight Arrow News reporter Lauren Taylor has more details on the investigation into the Cybertruck explosion.
Girl Scout cookie season begins, 2 flavors discontinued
Girl Scout cookie season has arrived. The annual tradition is meant to teach young girls about entrepreneurial skills through selling boxes of cookies.
Almost everyone has a favorite, of course, but if yours is Girl Scout S’mores or Toast-Yay! Cookies — bad news. The Girl Scouts plan to retire those two flavors later this year.
The organization said discontinuing those two flavors may lead to something new and delicious.
New York aims to make fossil fuel companies pay $75 billion for pollution
A new law in New York is aiming to make fossil fuel companies pay up for pollution. State lawmakers, including Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said these oil, gas and coal companies are now on the hook for projects to reduce the effects of climate change.
Hochul signed the bill into law on Thursday, Dec. 26, under which fossil fuel companies will be fined $75 billion over 25 years for damage caused to the climate.
The money will reportedly go into a fund to pay for infrastructure projects related to mitigating the effects of climate change or a so-called “Climate Superfund” starting in 2028.
Democratic lawmakers are praising the legislation.
“The companies most responsible for the climate crisis will be held accountable,” State Sen. Liz Krueger, D-NY, said.
Fossil fuel companies will be charged based on the amount of greenhouse gases they released into the atmosphere between 2000 and 2018.
The law applies to any company the New York Department of Environmental Conservation deems responsible for more than one billion tons of global greenhouse emissions.
However, the law will not begin fining companies right away.
First, the state must come up with rules to identify the biggest polluters and then notify the companies of the penalties. Afterward, the state must determine the infrastructure projects the funds will go toward.
Oil, coal and gas companies are reportedly expected to challenge the law in court.
The American Petroleum Institute, which is the oil industry’s top lobbying group, responded to the law in a statement.
“This type of legislation represents nothing more than punitive fee on American energy, and we are evaluating our options moving forward,” the statement said.
New York is now the second state to pass such legislation fining fossil fuel companies for pollution. Vermont became the first this summer.
Trump’s EU ultimatum: Buy more US oil or face ‘TARIFFS all the way’
President-elect Donald Trump is threatening tariffs on another U.S. ally. This time, it’s the European Union.
Trump said he told the EU “they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way!!!”
If the EU were a country, they’d be the second-largest purchaser of U.S. goods behind Canada, and the largest supplier of goods to the U.S., beating China.
In services, the EU leads on both sides as the biggest purchaser of U.S. services and the biggest supplier of services to the U.S. The U.S. has a trade services surplus with the EU at $71.2 billion in 2022.
European Commission Spokesperson Olof Gill has already responded to Trump’s “frequent comments” about trade between the EU and the U.S.
“We need to be very clear about the facts here. So the facts are that the EU and US have deeply integrated economies with overall balanced trade and investment,” Gill said. “The EU has a substantial trade in good surplus with the US, whereas the U.S. has a substantial trade in services surplus vis-à-vis the EU.”
“And that is not always reflected in some of the types of posts you’re referencing,” Gill added, seeming to reference Trump’s posts. “We are ready to discuss with President-elect Trump how we can further strengthen an already-strong relationship, including by discussing our common interests in the energy sector. And as you all know very well, the EU is committed to phasing out energy imports from Russia and diversifying our sources of supply.”
When it came to tariff threats on China, Mexico and Canada, Trump specifically tied those threats to immigration and fentanyl. For the EU, his tariff threat attacks the overall trade deficit and ties it to purchasing oil and gas.
The EU is already on its way to increasing those purchases. Data shows U.S. crude oil exports to Europe reached 2.2 million barrels a day over the past year as of June 2024, a 23% increase from the year before. That amount is more than half of all U.S. crude oil exports.
The surge in European purchasing came when the bloc agreed to sanction Russia and reduce reliance on their oil back in 2022. But analysts say the EU is now close to maxing out what they can bring in as far as U.S. crude.
The trade deficit the U.S. runs with the EU is one Trump has railed on for years.
“We need a reciprocal relationship, which we don’t have. The United States right now has a trade deficit with the European Union of $151 billion,” Trump said in 2018 during a joint press conference with then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “It’s been unfair. And I don’t blame the chancellor, and I don’t blame Germany. I don’t even blame the European Union. I blame the people that preceded me for allowing this to happen.”
Trump issued some targeted tariffs on European goods during his first term. It’s unclear what “tariffs all the way” would mean in a second term.
For other close U.S. trade allies Canada and Mexico, it’s been a 25% tariff threat for all imports.
Russian tanker breaks apart in storm, spills fuel in Black Sea
A Russian tanker carrying more than 4,300 tons of oil split apart during a severe storm in the Black Sea on Sunday, spilling an undetermined amount of its cargo near the Kerch Strait off the coast of Crimea. Officials said they are assessing the potential environmental impact.
The tanker, identified as the Volgoneft 212, split approximately five miles from shore amid heavy waves.
Emergency crews rescued 13 crew members; 11 were hospitalized for hypothermia, with two in serious condition. At least one crew member died, Russian officials said.
The waves cut the russian tanker "Volgoneft-212" in half near the coast of Kerch.
It was carrying four tons of fuel oil. 15 crew members ended up at sea. The ship is sinking quickly.
Investigators are examining possible causes of the accident, including structural damage from the storm and potential human error.
Videos shared on social media showed the tanker breaking apart as waves battered its deck. The video also showed the oil spreading across the water.
Officials have not yet determined the extent of the oil spill.
The Volgoneft 212, built in the 1980s, was primarily designed for river navigation and calm coastal waters. Reports suggested that modifications made in the 1990s may have weakened the vessel’s structure, making it more vulnerable to harsh sea conditions.
A second tanker, the Volgoneft 239, also sustained damage during the storm. It ran aground approximately 260 feet from shore near the Russian port of Taman. The crew remained onboard due to rough seas but has access to essential supplies, authorities said.
The Kerch Strait is a vital shipping route for Russian energy exports and grain shipments from areas of Ukraine under Russian control. The region has been tense since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the government to form a task force to manage rescue operations and address the spill’s aftermath. Emergency services deployed helicopters and tugboats to assist, but severe weather has hampered response efforts.
Ontario’s premier threatens to cut energy exports to the US over Trump tariffs
The leader of Canada’s largest province says he plans to fight back against President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to put tariffs in place. Ontario Premier Doug Ford was among the provincial premiers who met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
After the meeting, Ford threatened to cut energy exports to the United States if Trump slaps Canada with a 25% tariff.
Trump has threatened tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican imports on his first day back in office if the countries don’t get a handle on illegal immigration and drugs at the borders.
“We need to be ready to fight. This fight is coming, 100%, on January the 20th or January 21st,” Ford said. “We will go to the extent of cutting off their energy going down to Michigan, going down to New York state and over to Wisconsin. I don’t want this to happen, but my number one job is to protect Ontario, Ontarians, and Canadians as a whole.”
It’s been a busy day getting it done here in Ontario. Check out what we did today, Wednesday, December 11:
✅ I joined the prime minster and premiers from across the country to discuss a Team Canada approach to border security and how we need to be ready on day one of the…
Canada supplies more crude oil to the U.S. than any other country, making up about 60% of all American imports. Canada’s national statistics agency said 97% of the country’s crude oil exports go to the U.S.
Satellite images show Russian activity halts at key Syrian port
Satellite images and ship tracking data reveal a sudden stop in Russian military and commercial activity at the Syrian port of Tartus following the collapse of Bashar Assad’s government. Tartus, a strategic hub for Moscow’s Mediterranean operations since 1971, had been a center of naval and trade activity just days earlier.
Before Assad’s ousting, satellite imagery showed five Russian warships and a submarine docked at the port. By Tuesday, Dec. 10, those vessels had departed.
Two frigates remain off Syria’s coast, with their next moves unclear. Smaller Syrian naval vessels are still docked at Tartus. This has contradicted Israeli claims that recent airstrikes near Latakia destroyed Syria’s entire naval fleet.
Commercial shipping at Tartus has also ceased. Ship tracking data shows no vessels entering or leaving the port since Monday, Dec. 9.
Two grain carriers en route to Tartus altered course and are now idling near Cyprus. Additionally, an Iranian oil tanker carrying 750,000 barrels of crude oil reportedly turned back in the Red Sea after Assad’s removal.
Syria’s dependence on Iranian oil to fuel its refineries raises concerns about potential shortages. Analysts warn the disruption could soon result in diesel and gasoline scarcities across the country.
Cleanup and wildlife rescue underway after oil spill in Boston-area river
Bird rescues and cleanup efforts are underway after around 100 gallons of home heating oil reportedly leaked into the Muddy River on Sunday, Dec. 8, in the Boston area. Wildlife officials were still on the job on Monday, working to save dozens of geese and ducks covered in oil from the spill.
Zack Mertz of the New England Wildlife Center said, “Our process has been to get the most critically impacted ones help first. So, today, I think we caught about eight to 10. We had another truckload yesterday.”
Rescuers say it could take up to a month for all birds to be released back into the wild.
“So, we’re trying to balance rescuing them and getting them care without stressing them out too much,” Mertz said, “We don’t want to cause them to do any extra activity, especially if they have oil in their mouth or nose. We could do more damage, and the last thing we want is to scare them away to a place where we can’t get them anymore.”
Environmental investigators say initial findings show the oil coming from a storm drain under a nearby condominium complex, but they are still working to find the exact source of the leak.
Officials say the spill is currently contained and cleanup continues as they monitor the area.