Headline News:

• “Congress Continues To Affirm That Climate Security Is National Security” • When the US Congress voted to override the president’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021, it marked the fourth year in a row in which both sides of the aisle have come together to pass the climate change provisions in the act. [CleanTechnica]

National security (USMC Lance Cpl Brian Bolin Jr, US DOD)

• “2020’s Top Wind Energy R&D Achievements” • The US DOE Wind Energy Technologies Office provides global leadership in fundamental wind energy science research, development, and validation activities that enable low-cost wind energy. Here are some of the most notable wind energy R&D accomplishments from 2020. [CleanTechnica]
• “Massachusetts Raises Offshore Wind Procurement Goal” • The Massachusetts state legislature increased the state’s offshore wind goal to 5,600 MW. An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy authorizes procurement of 2,400 MW more offshore wind capacity and raises the renewable energy target to 40% by 2030. [reNEWS]
• “Power Shift In Senate Could Bring Major Changes In US Science And Climate Policy” • Democrats appear to be likely to retake the US Senate after runoff elections in Georgia, with big implications for science and climate policy. Projections are that each party will have 50 seats, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris casting the deciding vote. [Science Magazine]
• “EPA Finalizes ‘Secret Science’ Rule, Limiting Use Of Public Health Research” • The EPA finalized a highly controversial rule that limits the types of studies that the agency can weigh when crafting its policies. The rule restricts the EPA’s ability to consider landmark public health research and other studies that do not make their underlying data public. [The Hill]

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