White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk told a group of think tank experts last week that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are capable of increasing oil production even more, according to the three U.S. sources who were on the call.
Why it matters: Urging Gulf countries to increase oil production was one of the goals of Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia.
In an innovative pushback against paper and plastic waste, eco-companies are starting to pump out cups, spoons and straws that you can eat after you use them — no need to recycle.
Why it matters: While the "edible" angle is a bit of a cheeky marketing hook, there's a serious trend here: A campaign to replace items considered biodegradable or recyclable with ones that are "home compostable" — toss them in your backyard pile, and they'll break down quickly and naturally.
The Biden administration launched Heat.gov on Tuesday, an interagency website that coordinates information on extreme heat.
Why it matters: Excessive heat events are the leading weather-related killer in the U.S. and disproportionately affect low-income communities. They are also expected to become more severe, frequent and longer-lasting as a result of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Record rainfall caused flash flooding across St. Louis metropolitan area, prompting multiple rescues and closing several roads.
The latest: City fire officials reported at least one death after a vehicle was submerged in water around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
A global coalition of more than 40 participants is launching the Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative Tuesday to advance the development of such technologies.
Why it matters: Using nuclear power to generate hydrogen gas is one route to being able to store energy to power trucks, factories, and other difficult-to-decarbonize sectors of the economy.
Uber says customers are enthusiastic about the ride-hailing company's newest option — Comfort Electric — which allows them to summon a ride in a Tesla or other premium electric car.
There's only one problem: Some Uber riders can't figure out how to operate the door handle of a Tesla, which lies flush against the car's body.
The massive wildfire near California's Yosemite National Park forced thousands more people to evacuate on Monday and had burned across more than 17,200 acres at 16% containment in the evening, per Cal Fire.
The big picture: The Oak Fire in Mariposa County, where a state of emergency has been declared, is now California's biggest blaze this wildfire season despite only igniting on Friday amid face hot, dry conditions.
The green group Climate Power plans to seize on this week's earnings reports from major oil and gas companies to blame them for high gas prices.
Why it matters: The $3 million ad campaign, encompassing broadcast TV, digital and billboards, is another indication that President Biden's allies know gas prices will be a key factor in the midterm elections.
