Biden administration moves forward with measuring nature's economic impact

Feb 2, 2024
At a recent ocean biodiversity summit, federal officials touted the plan to quantify the country’s natural assets and the services provided by healthy ecosystems, like tree canopies that can cool urban areas or kelp forests that prevent coastline erosion.
Go mountain biking and things like lodging and dining will be counted in GDP, but the fact that a pristine natural setting prompted that spending will not be.
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White House is taking a closer look at the impact of liquefied natural gas exports

Jan 26, 2024
Though the U.S. is the world’s top LNG exporter, the administration is considering effects on the climate crisis and energy security.
National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi discusses the Biden administration's policy on LNG exports.
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New Biden administration rules aim to unsnarl FEMA relief for disaster victims

Jan 23, 2024
The rules include up-front housing vouchers and broader access to flexible, critical-needs payments in the aftermath of a disaster.
Two years after the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history, hundreds of victims are still waiting on FEMA payouts. Updates to FEMA’s regulations are meant to cut through red tape.
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New government rule restricts who can be considered an independent contractor

Jan 10, 2024
The likely outcome of the rule is to designate more people as employees. That has some employers through the gig economy worried.
The new Biden administration rule could put more pressure on app-based gig economy companies, such as Uber, that relies heavily on independent contractors.
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High-speed rail — environmentally friendly and popular worldwide — has a hard time in the U.S.

Dec 8, 2023
The Biden administration's pouring billions into it, but that's a drop in the bucket compared to the total cost.
Though high-speed rail is common in Europe and Asia, most Americans lack access to it.
Bastien Inzaurralde/AFP via Getty Images

The Biden administration wants to ban quit fees for cable customers

Nov 22, 2023
The move is part of the White House effort to get rid of “junk fees” for consumers. Cable TV is already struggling with defections.
Now that consumers can be more selective about the content they have access to through streaming, many have canceled their cable TV bundles.
Emmanuel Dunand/AFP via Getty Images

What you need to know about President Biden's new student loan forgiveness plan

Nov 3, 2023
While the Department of Education is focusing debt relief on five broad categories, the finalized details of the plan are still being ironed out.
President Joe Biden's new student loan forgiveness plan is still in its early stages, so whether it will include full or partial forgiveness is unclear.
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Biden signs wide-ranging executive order on AI safeguards and regulations

Oct 30, 2023
This executive order attempts to set new standards for how we develop, test, and use AI — in government as well as within private industry.
President Biden's recent executive order about artificial intelligence contains orders for government agencies and suggestions for the private sector.
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The Biden administration is investing in hydrogen hubs, but roadblocks remain

Oct 24, 2023
The promise of hydrogen fuel is that it could cut emissions in industries that have proven difficult to decarbonize. It’s a lot of pressure for an industry that’s barely off the ground.
Inflation is pushing the costs of infrastructure, like production plants, to support the hydrogen fuel economy. Above, a hydrogen production plant in Germany.
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Registered apprenticeships are having a moment. The Biden administration wants there to be more.

Sep 29, 2023
The programs meet Department of Labor standards and have been around since the 1930s.
Amber Riskey operates a skid steer as part of her work for a paving company in the Milwaukee area. She's on her second registered apprenticeship.
Courtesy Amber Riskey