The Trump administration has finalized a plan to open an Alaska wildlife refuge to drilling. The decision overturns five decades of protections for the largest remaining stretch of wilderness in the U.S. The administration’s push has been backed by Republicans in Congress and lawmakers in Alaska, who say that drilling could provide jobs and revenue for the state. Drilling opponents are expected to file lawsuits to try to delay or block the leasing plan. Also on the climate front, California finalized a legal settlement with four automakers — Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen — that binds them to follow the state’s stricter tailpipe emissions rules.

Source: New York Times August 17, 2020 21:45 UTC