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The Hill
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Senate takes more flexible approach to green tax credits
The Big Story The Senate's version of President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' includes changes to green energy tax credits that are more flexible than those passed by the House — but it would still a significant rollback. © Michael Sohn, Associated Press file This flexibility is likely to please moderates in both chambers who felt that the House version was too stringent. However, it could be teeing up a collision with the conservative House Freedom Caucus, whose board said it will 'not accept' Senate changes that 'water down' its major cutbacks to the climate-friendly credits. The Senate text appears to eliminate the most stringent provision in the House bill, deleting a measure that would have required climate-friendly energy sources to start construction within 60 days of the bill's enactment to qualify for the credits at all. Instead, things such as solar panels and wind farms would need to begin construction this year to receive the full credit amount. Projects that begin construction in 2026 would get 60 percent of the credit, while projects that begin construction in 2027 would receive 20 percent. Projects constructed in 2028 or later would not be eligible for the credit. This, too, appears to be more flexible than the House text, which required projects to not just start construction but actually be producing electricity by the end of 2028 to qualify for the credit. Nevertheless, the Senate provisions are still a major rollback of the tax credits passed by Democrats in their 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Under that law, the credits would have lasted until either 2032 or when U.S. emissions from the electric sector are 25 percent lower than 2022 levels, whichever came later. Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Senate releases Trump tax and Medicaid blueprint Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) on Monday released the Senate's long-awaited version of President Trump's tax agenda, which would make the 2017 corporate tax cuts permanent, cut hundreds of billions of dollars in Medicaid spending and phase out renewable-energy tax cuts enacted under President Biden. Trump fires Democratic member of nuclear energy safety commission President Trump on Friday fired a Democratic member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which the commissioner says is illegal. When wildfire season coincides with threats to federal emergency support With peak wildfire season just around the corner, residents of California and the broader U.S. West are bracing not just for the blazes, but also for ongoing cuts to the federal programs that have long served as lifelines to a region in flames. What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: 80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories (Juneau Empire) What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: 5 takeaways from Trump's Army parade The nation's capital on Saturday was overtaken by the sight of tanks rolling down the street and Army helicopters buzzing in the sky for a military parade to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Read more Klobuchar condemns Mike Lee's posts about Minnesota suspect: 'This isn't funny' Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on Monday condemned social media posts from her colleague Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) spreading unfounded claims about the man suspected of killing a Minnesota Democratic lawmaker and her husband Saturday morning. Read more You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Why Amazon may ditch its own AI coding assistant for Cursor that CEO Andy Jassy says is behind explosion of coding agents
FILE - An Amazon company logo marks the facade of a building, March 18, 2022, in Schoenefeld near Berlin. AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File) Amazon is in advanced talks to roll out the popular AI coding assistant Cursor across its workforce, responding to growing internal pressure from employees seeking access to the development tool, according to internal company communications reviewed by Business Insider. An Amazon HR manager overseeing artificial intelligence adoption told staff via Slack that the company is working "asap" to formally adopt Cursor, though deployment hinges on resolving "a few high priority security issues" to meet Amazon's stringent security requirements. The potential deal represents a significant shift for Amazon, which typically discourages employees from using external AI tools when the company offers competing products. Amazon already provides its own AI coding assistant called Q and maintains an internal AI chatbot named "Cedric." Internal pressure mounts as 1,500 workers join cursor channel by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The discussions emerged after several Amazon employees actively lobbied for Cursor access through internal channels. A dedicated Slack channel for Cursor enthusiasts has attracted approximately 1,500 Amazon participants, demonstrating substantial employee interest in the tool. Internal polling within the channel showed more than 60 Amazon employees preferred Cursor over competing tools like Windsurf, with only about 10 choosing the latter option. Employees praised Cursor's speed and user experience, with one noting that "Cursor changes are almost instantaneous, whereas Q dev still takes minutes to make a change." Cursor's $9B valuation signals competitive threat to Amazon's Q The timing coincides with Cursor's meteoric rise in the AI development space. Anysphere , Cursor's maker, recently secured $900 million in funding at a $9 billion valuation, representing a dramatic increase from its $2.4 billion December valuation, according to reports from the Financial Times and TechCrunch. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy acknowledged Cursor's market impact during last month's earnings call, citing the company as a key driver behind the "explosion of coding agents." The potential adoption comes as Amazon develops its own advanced AI coding tool, codenamed "Kiro," designed to compete directly with Cursor's capabilities. iQoo Z10 Review: 7300mAh battery packed in a slim design AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Swimming world body to banish athletes and supporters of doping-fueled event in Las Vegas
FILE - Australia's James Magnussen smiles as he hold the gold medal he won in the Men's 100m freestyle final at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, on Aug. 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File) LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Swimmers and officials who compete in and support a doping-fueled sports event planned in Las Vegas will be banished from the sport, the governing body World Aquatics said on Tuesday. Organizers of the Enhanced Games scheduled next May promise $1 million bonuses for athletes who beat world record times over sprint distances in the pool or on the track. Weightlifting also is on the program. Advertisement A small group of past Olympic swimmers, including three-time medalist James Magnussen of Australia, are among athletes who signed up for the event that aims to push limits beyond the rules of clean sport. 'Those who enable doped sport are not welcome at World Aquatics or our events,' its president Husain al-Musallam said in a statement after the decision. The new rule targets those who 'support, endorse, or participate in sporting events that embrace the use of scientific advancements or other practices that may include prohibited substances and/or prohibited methods,' the world swim body said. 'This ineligibility would apply to roles such as athlete, coach, team official, administrator, medical support staff, or government representative.' Advertisement Enhanced Games organizers had a launch event last month for the inaugural event at a Vegas resort, with plans for a year-round training base. Athletes are not subject to doping tests though they should have their health monitored. The project also involves selling personalized programs of supplements and substances to people who pay a refundable $99 deposit. One investment group is backed by Donald Trump Jr. The World Anti-Doping Agency has criticized the idea first touted in 2023 as dangerous and irresponsible. ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Berlin presents bid to rehost Olympics with 100th anniversary of 1936 Games looming
FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 photo people walk down the stairs in the stands of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, file) FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 photo people walk down the stairs in the stands of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, file) BERLIN (AP) — Berlin formally presented its bid to rehost the Olympics on Tuesday in the same stadium where Jesse Owens starred during the 1936 Games under the Nazis. Berlin sports minister Iris Spranger said the city wants to put on a sustainable Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044, making use of existing sports venues. Advertisement But her announced plans to include the former airport Tempelhof are likely to be resisted by locals who already opposed any development of the popular city park in a 2014 referendum. Spranger envisaged beach volleyball at the Brandenburg Gate, and water sports in Grünau, a riverside locality which also staged water sports in 1936. Otherwise, Spranger gave few details during the presentation, saying the bid was still at concept phase. 'You'll have to be patient,' she told a journalist. Berlin's bid — titled 'Berlin+' with support from the states of Brandenburg, Saxony, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Schleswig-Holstein — is to be presented to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) before an end-of-month deadline. Advertisement It will be up to the DOSB to decide which Games to bid for. Los Angeles is hosting the 2028 Olympics and Brisbane the 2032 Olympics, so the next available edition will be 2036, the 100th anniversary of the Berlin Games. The DOSB previously said a German bid for 2040 was also possible. 'I believe that the 2036 Games, regardless of where they take place, will also focus on the Nazi Games of 1936. That's part of history and attention will be paid to it,' Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said. 'I have to tell you, I'm proud to be the governing mayor of a city that has changed in the last 100 years, that we no longer stand for dictatorship, exclusion, and mass violence, but that Berlin is now a cosmopolitan, international metropolis, a colorful, diverse city.' Wegner said it was 'important for Germany to make a bid. We're making an offer here today.' Advertisement Wegner, Spranger, and the governors from the other four states made their presentation in the same battle-scarred stadium, Berlin's Olympiastadion, where Adolf Hitler watched Owens, the Black American athlete, win four gold medals in the 1936 Games, dealing a blow to Hitler's notions of racial superiority. Hitler was personally involved in the design and construction of the 100,000-seat track-and-field stadium after the Nazis assumed power in 1933, two years after the Games were awarded to the city. ___ AP sports:
The Hill
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Hill
GOP phasing out green energy credits
The Big Story House Republicans on Monday announced they plan to repeal Democrats' tax credits for electric vehicles (EVs) and phase out those that apply to climate-friendly energy sources. © Michael Sohn, Associated Press file The green energy credits have long been in the GOP's crosshairs, as party leaders have decried climate spending. But they have also emerged as a point of conflict within the party, as Republicans whose districts house low-carbon energy projects have called for at least some of them to remain in place while Freedom Caucus members have called for a full repeal. In the text of their 'big beautiful bill' released Monday, Republicans called for terminating tax credits for pre-owned EVs purchased after the end of this year and new vehicles put in service after the end of next year. Meanwhile, the legislation also seeks to phase out credits for low-carbon energy sources. While these tax credits were expected to be a particular boon for wind and solar, they apply to any energy source that meets certain emissions thresholds. In the GOP's legislation, these credits will reduce to: After 2031, new projects will not be eligible for the credits. The bill also phases out tax credits for nuclear energy along the same timeline. Meanwhile, it ends a tax credit for hydrogen energy whose construction starts after this year, while Democrats would have had the credit apply for facilities whose construction begins before 2033. After this year, tax credits for EV chargers, home energy efficiency updates and home renewable energy like rooftop solar are also axed. Read more at Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: EPA tells scientists to apply for new jobs within the agency Political leaders at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have told scientists there to apply to new jobs, implying that those who do not may be fired, according to an official with a union representing the agency's employees. House Republicans cut green programs, boost fossil fuels in budget bill The House Energy and Commerce Committee's text for Republicans' 'big, beautiful bill' to advance President Trump's agenda and fund the government slashes a number of green programs and regulations — and seeks to bolster fossil fuels. Trump's firing of FEMA leader plunges disaster agency into uncertainty The dismissal of acting Federal Emergency Management Agency head Cameron Hamilton plunges an already fraught agency into deeper uncertainty. Energy Department proposes to cut 47 rules in 'largest deregulatory effort in history' The Energy Department has announced proposals to cut dozens of energy efficiency and other rules in what it is describing as the ''largest deregulatory effort in history.' What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: FEMA cuts emergency training under Trump as hurricane season looms (Reuters) First US Trial Over PFAS Injuries to Focus on Kidney Cancer (Bloomberg Law) How the Pacific Northwest's dream of green energy fell apart (Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica) On Tap Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: What Others are Reading Two key stories on The Hill right now: House panel releases sweeping GOP tax bill The House Ways and Means Committee on Monday released a fuller version of its part of Republicans' bill full of President Trump's legislative priorities, kicking off what is expected to be a showdown over the tax provisions in the sprawling measure. Read more Senate Democrats, worried about Fetterman, discussing ways to help Democratic senators are having private conversations about how to help Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) in the wake of an explosive report that the first-term Pennsylvania senator is behaving erratically and in a way that may pose a danger to himself or others, according to sources familiar with those discussions. Read more You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
