Biden's hydrogen play, West Coast flooding, and a naughty squirrel.

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Today’s Big Story

Biden attempts climate-friendly hydrogen tax plan

The Biden administration released its proposal to give billions in tax credits to companies making hydrogen, hoping it can become a cleaner option than regular power from fossil fuels.

• Why it matters: Certain forms of hydrogen power are considered to be a clean energy source. However, administration officials have detailed production guidelines to ensure that the growth of the new business doesn’t undermine progress on reducing carbon emissions.

• Break it down: Hydrogen can be made by splitting water with solar, wind, nuclear, or geothermal electricity while emitting very little or no greenhouse gases. But most hydrogen is currently made from natural gas, which is not great for the environment. The administration's proposal would give more incentives to companies that produce clean hydrogen, pay good wages and have apprenticeship programs.

• Looking ahead: An issue in the proposal was how to handle the high electricity demand of clean hydrogen production. To avoid increased hours for coal or natural gas-fired plants, the guidance requires producers to track their electricity use with "energy attribute certificates" — the less energy used to produce hydrogen the higher the tax incentive. Some people like the plan, saying it's a good step and will drive new technology investment, but others think it might be too strict and could slow down the growth of the industry.

Saturday’s Quick Hits

• A federal appeals court has reinstated a lawsuit by Spencer Elden, the man who appeared naked as a baby on the cover of Nirvana's "Nevermind" album. Elden claims permanent harm, arguing that the band and others profited from the image. The lawsuit was thrown out last year, but was allowed to be refiled. (More)

• President Biden issued a proclamation pardoning those convicted of “additional offenses” related to marijuana possession and use under federal and D.C. law. He also called on governors to take similar action with possession-related state charges. The White House didn’t say how many people are now eligible for the pardons. (More)

• A slow-moving storm flooded parts of Southern California on Thursday, dumping a months worth of rain in one hour in towns west of Los Angeles. As a Friday, 26 million people were under flood watch from California to Arizona. (More)

• Duke University researchers have improved CRISPR technology, a gene-editing tool. The new method enables precise targeting of nearly every gene in the human genome, a serious upgrade from the original system that could only target 12.5% of the genome. The advancement will improve CRISPR's ability to treat a wider range of diseases. (More)

• Engine maker Cummins agreed to pay a record $1.67 billion penalty to settle claims that it illegally tweaked hundreds of thousand of pickup truck engines to fool emissions tests. The penalty would be the second-largest environmental fine ever paid. (More)

• The UN Security Council approved a resolution urging “immediate, safe humanitarian access” to Gaza and conditions for a “lasting end to hostilities.” The binding resolution passed after several delays by the U.S. over its language. Thirteen members voted in favor, while the U.S. and Russia abstained. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• A tech company from Vancouver created innovative earbuds that can control smart devices, navigate virtual worlds, and operate wheelchairs without the use of brain implants, hands, or screens. Time Magazine recognized these earbuds as one of the Best Inventions of 2023. They were tested by former Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan, who is quadriplegic, and he praised the technology as a “game-changer” for people with disabilities. (More)

• Last year, 11-year-old Isaac Winfield opened a food bank in his garden shed during COVID-19. Now, he's expanding to a "gift bank" for parents who can't afford presents. Isaac used his own money to fund the first meal center and started additional food banks in his hometown after realizing the community's need. (More)

• Reno, Nevada has successfully reduced its homeless population by 58% since 2021, thanks to the Nevada Cares Campus. Working with nearby Sparks and Washoe County, the city used a unique strategy with large tents and sleeping pods to offer shelter to over 600 people. (More)

• In 2017, Dominica faced the challenge of recovering from Hurricane Maria's widespread destruction. To rebuild and protect against future storms, the country has constructed thousands of storm-resistant homes. These homes are located in less crowded areas in the hills. Foreigners eager to become citizens have quickly funded the initiative by paying for the development of the homes in exchange for citizenship. (More)

Bonus Material

Ranked: Share of million-dollar homes in U.S. cities.

Serial-litterer turns out to be a squirrel.

Eighty-four sentences that shaped 2023.

Charting the decline in real Christmas trees.