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After reporting <keyword id="21767878" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="record-profits" source="keywords">record profits</keyword>, state-owned <keyword id="20459282" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="fuel-retailers" source="keywords">fuel retailers</keyword> <keyword id="19908045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Oil-Corporation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Oil Corporation" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Indian Oil Corporation">Indian Oil Corporation</keyword> (<keyword id="6354733" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IOC" source="Orion">IOC</keyword>), <keyword id="19908646" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BPCL" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BPCL" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="BPCL">BPCL</keyword> and <keyword id="20052221" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HPCL" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="HPCL" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="HPCL">HPCL</keyword> posted up to 90 per cent slump in their June quarter earnings as margins fell and they booked under-recovery on the sale of domestic cooking gas LPG at government-controlled rates. IOC, the nation's largest oil firm, reported 81 per cent drop in standalone net profit in April-June - the first quarter of current 2024-25 fiscal year - to Rs 2,643.18 crore as opposed to a profit of Rs 13,750.44 crore a year back, according to a company filing. Net profit also declined sequentially, when compared to an earning of Rs 11,570.82 crore in March quarter. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) posted 90 per cent drop in profit to Rs 633.94 crore as compared to an earning of Rs 6,765.50 crore in April-June 2023 and Rs 2,709.31 crore in the preceding March quarter. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) net profit dropped to Rs 2,841.55 crore in April-June from Rs 10,644.30 crore a year back and Rs 4,789.57 crore in January-March, its filing showed. The three fuel retailers made extraordinary gains from holding petrol and diesel prices despite a drop in cost. The price freeze was justified in the name of recovering losses they had suffered in the previous year when they did not raise retail prices despite a surge in cost. The gains arising from the price freeze were eroded with petrol and diesel prices being cut by Rs 2 per litre each just before general elections and a fall in refining margins. Also, the three had uncompensated <keyword id="20866844" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="LPG-subsidy" source="keywords">LPG subsidy</keyword> - IOC booking under-recovery of Rs 5,156.23 crore in April-June, BPCL Rs 2,015.10 crore and HPCL Rs 2,443.71 crore, according to the filings. As per an order of the oil ministry, when market determined price (MDP) of LPG cylinders is less than its effective cost to customer (ECC), oil marketing companies (OMCs) have to retain the difference in a separate buffer account for future adjustment. However, as on June 30, 2024, the three firms had a net negative buffer as the retail selling price was less than MDP. The three retailers IOC, BPCL and HPCL had reported record profits totalling about Rs 81,000 crore in FY24 (2023-24), which was far more than their annual earnings of Rs 39,356 crore in pre-oil crisis years. This is because they resisted calls to revert to daily price revision and pass on softening in rates to consumers on grounds that prices continue to be extremely volatile - rising on one day and falling on the other - and that they needed to recoup losses incurred in the year, when they kept rates lower than cost. IOC in 2023-24 posted a standalone net profit of Rs 39,618.84 crore compared to Rs 8,241.82 crore in 2022-23. While the company could argue that FY23 was impacted by the <keyword id="21626914" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oil-crisis" source="keywords">oil crisis</keyword>, the FY24 earnings are higher than even the pre-crisis years - Rs 24,184 crore net profit in 2021-22 and Rs 21,836 crore in 2020-21. BPCL posted a net profit of Rs 26,673.50 crore in FY24, higher than Rs 1,870.10 crore earnings in 2022-23 and Rs 8,788.73 crore in FY22. HPCL's 2023-24 profit of Rs 14,693.83 crore is compared with a Rs 8,974.03 crore loss in FY23 and a profit of Rs 6,382.63 crore in 2021-22, according to the filings. The losses in FY23 had led to the finance minister announcing Rs 30,000 crore equity infusion in the three firms. Mid-way through the year, that support was halved to Rs 15,000 crore. The support was to happen by way of equity infusion via a rights issue. But after the record profits of 2023-24, the equity infusion plan has now been scrapped. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on February 1 last year, while presenting the annual Budget for the 2023-24 fiscal (April 2023 to March 2024), announced an equity infusion of Rs 30,000 crore in IOC, BPCL and HPCL to support the three state-owned firm's energy transition plans. In the interim budget that the finance minister presented in February this year ahead of the general elections, the capital support to the three oil companies was halved to Rs 15,000 crore. In the full budget for 2024-25, both plans have been scrapped. While other state-owned oil companies like Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and GAIL (India) Ltd too have lined up billions of dollars of investment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, the equity support was limited to the three fuel retailers, which had suffered huge losses in 2022 when they held retail petrol, diesel and cooking gas (LPG) prices despite a spike in raw material (crude oil) prices, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The board of IOC and BPCL had last year approved rights issues to raise to Rs 22,000 crore and Rs 18,000 crore, respectively. The government was to participate in the rights issue. The three companies, which control roughly 90 per cent of India's fuel market, 'voluntarily' have not changed petrol, diesel and cooking gas (LPG) prices, resulting in losses when input costs were higher and profits when raw material prices were lower. They posted a combined net loss of Rs 21,201.18 crore during April-September 2022 despite accounting for Rs 22,000 crore announced but not paid LPG subsidy for the previous two years. Subsequent softening of international prices and government giving out LPG subsidies helped IOC and BPCL post annualised profit for 2022-23, but HPCL was in the red. In FY24, things changed dramatically, and the three firms posted record earnings.

After record profits, state-owned fuel retailers Indian Oil, BPCL and HPCL see profit slump in Q1

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The House GOP passed a bill to bar federal regulation of gas stoves.</li><li>Republicans framed efficiency rules for stoves as government overreach in conservatives' kitchens.</li></ul>Venturing back into the nation's culture wars, the Republican-controlled House is taking up legislation that GOP lawmakers say would protect gas stoves from overzealous government regulators.A bill approved Tuesday would prohibit use of federal funds to regulate gas stoves as a hazardous product, while a separate bill set for a vote Wednesday would block an Energy Department rule setting stricter energy efficiency standards for stovetops and ovens.The White House said the administration "has been clear that it does not support any attempt to ban the use of gas stoves,″ but GOP lawmakers say rules on gas stoves represent classic government overreach."It's not a petty concern to the hard-working Americans who will be impacted,″ said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. "The last thing they need is to have the Biden administration's Green New Deal regulatory assault reach their kitchen appliances."The bill targeting regulation of gas stoves as hazardous was approved, 248-180.President Joe Biden opposes both GOP bills as blocking "common-sense efforts to help Americans cut their energy bills,'' the White House said in a statement. Neither bill is expected to advance in the Democratic-controlled Senate.The House bills were set for approval last week, but action was postponed after House conservatives staged a mini-revolt in retaliation for Speaker Kevin McCarthy's leadership on a measure to raise the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-ceiling-biden-mccarthy-default-negotiations-cb0646c6301f1df97211896897df3723" target="_blank" rel="noopener">debt ceiling</a>. Led by outspoken members of the House Freedom Caucus, 11 Republicans <a href="https://apnews.com/article/gas-stoves-republican-revolt-freedom-caucus-1952006c4f6fa7a727cf635208d851d1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broke with their party on an otherwise routine procedural vote</a> that threw the House schedule into disarray for a full week.McCarthy appeared to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-republicans-impasse-spending-gas-stoves-aba009853861b06937ed4cab042482be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resolve the dispute late Monday</a> after promising more meetings with GOP holdouts and seeking to reduce future federal spending.Dozens of Democratic-controlled cities, including San Francisco and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/berkeley-california-natural-gas-ban-overturned-court-3546acbaec5db011c89a610baa42cebc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Berkeley, California,</a> have moved to ban new buildings from using gas stoves as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve indoor air quality <a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-gas-ban-stoves-612319f94b42b035921bf30aad141780" target="_blank" rel="noopener">. New York state approved a law last month banning natural gas stoves and furnaces</a> in most new buildings.Fears of a national ban grew after a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-united-states-government-us-consumer-product-safety-commission-ap-fact-check-texas-2003dcf8d0bee8ddf45080186b2e0c7b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">member of the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in January that "any option is on the table" when it comes to regulating gas stoves,</a> which have been linked to poor indoor air quality and health harms such as asthma. The remark prompted online images of the government dragging four-burner cooktops from homes, as social media users and GOP lawmakers vowed to defend the popular appliances.Debate reignited after the Energy Department proposed a rule requiring both gas and electric stoves and cooktops to use more efficient designs and technologies.The Energy Department rule, which has not yet been finalized, could ban about half of gas stove models currently sold in the United States as of 2027, according to an Energy Department analysis. The rule would apply only to sale of new appliances and would not affect stoves already in homes or businesses.House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington state, called the DOE plan "just the latest in a long line of power grabs by the radical left and Biden administration.''The rule is "not about public safety. It is about telling the American people the federal government knows best and will decide what kind of car they can drive, how they can heat their house and now how they're allowed to cook food for their families,'' McMorris Rodgers said.Forcing Americans to switch to more expensive alternatives to natural gas will increase costs while disproportionately harming the poor and low-income families, she said.Democrats called those concerns overheated."This is nothing more than a conspiracy theory cooked up to embroil Congress in culture wars that shed more heat than light on the issues facing our nation,'' said Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pennsylvania."Contrary to the heated rhetoric from our colleagues across the aisle, the federal government has not proposed to remove appliances from Americans' homes,'' Scanlon said. The proposed Energy Department rule would save consumers up to $1.7 billion and cut down on emission that are dangerous to children's health, she added.The bill blocking regulation of unsafe gas stoves threatens the government's ability to identify and regulate appliances with design defects that could cause injury or death, Scanlon said, noting that that the consumer safety panel recently recalled gas stove models that placed consumers at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.An Energy Department spokeswoman said the proposed rule is "intended for nothing more than increasing energy efficiency and promoting innovation, without sacrificing the reliability and performance that Americans have come to expect.''Eliminating the energy efficiency rule would "deny the American people the savings that come with having more efficient new appliances on the market when they choose to replace an existing appliance,'' the White House said, while approval of the other bill "would undermine science-based Consumer Product Safety Commission decision-making.''

GOP burns for another culture war fight, pushing bills to 'save' gas stoves

The success of the 'Give-It-Up' campaign on <keyword id="1734460" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="cooking-gas-subsidy">cooking gas subsidy</keyword> has prompted the Indian government to ask Indian citizens to voluntarily forego the subsidy they get on railway tickets. The scheme would be launched next month by the railways plans, under which it would offer two "slabs" to surrender 50% and 100% of the subsidy amount. Presently, the national carrier bears 43% of the cost of all rail fares, leading to a loss of about Rs 30,000 crore per year because of the subsidies. Just so the travellers know why they are being asked to give up their subsidy, the railways had started printing a message, that "<keyword id="6355455" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Railways">Indian Railways</keyword> recovers only 57% of cost of travel on an average" on computerised tickets. However, unlike the cooking gas subsidy, giving up the railway fare subsidy would be a burden on the passenger’s pocket, because of the huge difference in the cost of the ticket. As per rough estimates, if the cost of a 3AC ticket from New Delhi to Mumbai on a superfast train is Rs 1570, it could rise up to Rs 2,750 after giving up the subsidy. Similarly, a ticket in 2AC in a similar train will cost around Rs 3,990 after giving up subsidy instead of the subsidised price of Rs 2,275.

Consider giving up your rail fare subsidy, says the government

<ul><li>The <keyword id="3351117" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ujjwala-scheme">Ujjwala scheme</keyword> which provides free cooking gas connections to poor Indian homes has been a big vote gatherer for Narendra Modi.</li><li>The Indian Prime Minister wants to expand the programme to cover 8 million more households in the first 100 days of his second term.</li><li>So far, 72 million households in India have received free cooking gas connections from the government under the subsidy programme launched 3 years ago.</li></ul>The Ujjwala scheme, which provides free cooking gas connections to poor Indian homes, has been a big vote gatherer for Narendra Modi. The Indian Prime Minister wants to expand the programme to cover 8 million more households in the first 100 days of his second term. The scheme, which targets female members of below poverty line families that used conventional coal as cooking fuel, was launched on May 1, 2016 and has covered 72 million homes. The original target was 80 million, which the government wants to cover in the first 100 days. In addition, another 10-20 million new LPG connections would be given in subsequent months to cover all poor households as part of a Cabinet decision taken late last year, the IANS reported. There are about 5-6% of India's household which still do not have access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking, according to government data. The flip side While this move from the government has been lauded by many as a transformational step, it has also been criticised as just half a step. Poor people may have received a free connection and escaped the deadly pollution from the coal used for cooking earlier, the subsequent refills of LPG cylinders have proven too costly. And that may be the focus in the next phase of this programme-- ensuring that people do get a refill and do not go back to coal. The government is also toying with the idea of providing smaller LPG gas cylinders weighing about five kilogrmas (kg) compared to the current one which is 14.2 kg, according to a news agency. This may bring down the cost of refill as well as the burden on the exchequer if the government decides to cover the cost and transfer the money under the direct benefit transfer scheme. Currently, every LPG cylinder costs anywhere between ₹600 and ₹650 in the metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. After the subsidy under Ujjwala scheme, the cost comes down to a little less than ₹500 per cylinder. The subsidy is transfered directly to the eligible beneficiaries' bank accounts. The money Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), gas connections are provided to BPL families with a support of ₹1,600 for each connection. The LPG connection is provided in the name of the female member of the family. A sum of ₹8,000 crore was allocated for the scheme to start with but was later expanded to ₹4,800 crore as the target homes increased from 50 million to 80 million. In December, the Union Cabinet also decided to cover all poor households under the scheme that would further increase the number of new connections by 10-20 million. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/transportation/indian-railways-will-spend-nearly-a-billion-dollars-to-cut-travel-time-between-delhi-mumbai-and-delhi-howrah-by-5-hours/articleshow/70254817.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Indian Railways will spend nearly a billion dollars to cut travel time between Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah by 5 hours</a>

Narendra Modi aims to offer 8 million more cooking gas connections in the first 100 days of his second term-- and follow it up with smaller cylinders to encourage refills

New Delhi, Apr 1 () The price of non-subsidised LPG, or market-priced cooking gas, on Wednesday was cut by Rs 61.5 per cylinder in line with a fall in benchmark international rates. The price of non-subsidised LPG, which a domestic household consumer buys after exhausting his quota of 12 14.2-kg cylinders at below-market price rates, was cut to Rs 744 in Delhi. This is the second reduction in rates since March, according to a price notification issued by state-owned oil firms. On March 1, non-subsidised LPG price was cut by Rs 53 per 14.2-kg cylinder. This was preceded by a massive Rs 144.5 per cylinder hike in February. The two reductions have not yet brought LPG rates to pre-February hike levels. Cooking gas is available only at market prices across the country. Eligible users, however, get subsidy in their bank account for buying LPG cylinders at subsidised rates. Domestic LPG users are entitled to buy 12 bottles of 14.2 kg each at subsidised rates in a year. Price of 19-kg LPG cylinders, used by commercial establishment, came down to Rs 1,285 from Rs 1,381.50, the notification said. ANZ HRS

Non-subsidised cooking gas price cut by Rs 61.5 per cylinder

<ul class="summary-list"><li>About 1 in 5 Americans live in areas with policies for decarbonizing buildings, <a href="https://buildingdecarb.org/resource/innovation-acceleration" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored">an analysis</a> found.</li><li>A multiyear push to eliminate fossil fuels from new construction has spread to nearly 100 cities.</li></ul>This article is part of Insider's weekly newsletter on sustainability, written by Catherine Boudreau, senior sustainability reporter. <a href="https://newsletter.businessinsider.com/click/639a388c36f47a829b0ccf3f/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnVzaW5lc3NpbnNpZGVyLmNvbS9zdWJzY3JpcHRpb24vbmV3c2xldHRlci9pbnNpZGVyLXN1c3RhaW5hYmlsaXR5/62616365333b7cf6e7074d68Bfb7029c5" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored nofollow sponsored">Sign up here</a>.Policies across the US aimed at eliminating fossil fuels from new homes and buildings have piled up fast since Berkeley, California, became the first US city to ban gas hookups in 2019.Similar policies have spread to <a href="https://buildingdecarb.org/zeb-ordinances" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored">nearly 100, mostly liberal, municipalities</a> in 11 states that either require or encourage the switch to electric heating, cooling, and cooking, <a href="https://buildingdecarb.org/resource/innovation-acceleration" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored">according to an analysis</a> published this month by the Building Decarbonization Coalition. As of this year, one in five Americans — some 72.5 million people — live in areas covered by those policies."We finally had a chance to take a breath and look at how fast things are changing," Panama Bartholomy, the executive director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for eliminating fossil fuels from buildings to combat the climate crisis, told Insider. "I am really surprised and impressed by this movement."The report came shortly after a debate over gas stoves captured national attention when <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gas-stove-asthma-childhood-secondhand-smoke-lung-health-2023-1" rel="nofollow sponsored">a federal official floated the idea of banning them</a> over public-health concerns. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it wouldn't ban the appliance but that it was looking for ways to reduce hazards from pollutants like carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Meanwhile, the Biden administration, under the Inflation Reduction Act, is set to hand out billions of dollars to states later this year so they can offer rebates and tax breaks to consumers who want to make the switch to electric and help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#commercial-and-residential" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored">Buildings account for 13% of US emissions</a>, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency.The electrification push might already be having an influence on the market, Bartholomy said. While most Americans — an estimated 62% — <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=53439#:~:text=Nationwide%2C%20electricity%20is%20the%20most,fuel%20used%20for%20outdoor%20grilling." target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored">already cook with electricity</a>, the same isn't true for heating. But last year, for the first time, US shipments of electric heat pumps consistently outpaced gas furnaces, the coalition's analysis found. Heat pumps both warm and cool a home or building by circulating heat from indoors to outdoors and back again. They are more energy-efficient than furnaces that run on gas or fuel oil and <a href="https://neep.org/blog/looking-winter-proof-heat-pumps?utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Insider%20Sustainability%2C%20Jan.%205%2C%202023&amp;utm_term=INSIDER%20SUSTAINABILITY%20SEND%20LIST" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored">can save people money on their utility bills</a>.Maine might be partially responsible for the trend. The state has already surpassed a goal set in 2019 to install 100,000 heat pumps in homes and businesses. So far, 116,000 have been installed, according to Efficiency Maine, a quasi-state agency. The effort is part of Maine's broader goal to be carbon-neutral by 2045. About <a href="http://climatecouncil.maine.gov/strategies/buildings#:~:text=Heating%2C%20cooling%20and%20lighting%20of,commercial%20buildings%20are%2011%20percent." target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored">30% of the state's emissions</a> are from buildings, the majority of which burn fuel oil for heat.States like California, Washington, and Colorado have gone even further. California and Washington, as of this year, have building codes that require new buildings to support all-electric appliances. A Colorado law set a 20% emissions-reduction target for buildings by 2030.Still, headwinds remain for the electrification push. GOP-controlled legislatures in 20 states passed laws banning local governments from banning natural-gas hookups. These states <a href="https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/states-that-outlaw-gas-bans-account-for-31-of-us-residential-commercial-gas-use-70749584" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored">account for almost one-third of US natural-gas demand</a> for buildings, an S&amp;P Global analysis found, saying existing gas demand wasn't at risk.Bartholomy said he wasn't deterred, especially now that Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York <a href="https://www.eenews.net/articles/n-y-weighs-east-coasts-first-statewide-building-gas-ban/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored">has proposed a statewide ban</a> on gas in new buildings."California and New York together have an outsized role in demand for gas supplies and appliances," Bartholomy said.

About 1 in 5 Americans live in areas where policies encourage a switch to electric heating, cooling, and cooking

New Delhi, Mar 2 () Jet fuel (ATF) prices were on Monday slashed by a steep 10 per cent, the second straight reduction in rates in as many months, as international oil prices slumped on fears of the spread of coronavirus. Simultaneously, the rates of non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) were cut by Rs 53, wiping away a third of the record Rs 144.50 per cylinder price hike effected last month, according to a price notification issued by state-owned oil firms. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) price was cut by Rs 6,590.62 per kilolitre (kl), or 10.3 per cent, to Rs 56,859.01 per kl in Delhi. This is the second straight cut in ATF rates. Prices were cut by Rs 874.13 per kl with effect from February 1. The rate of non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) was also reduced to Rs 805.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder from Rs 858.50 previously. Domestic LPG users are entitled to buy 12 bottles of 14.2 kg each at subsidised rates in a year. Since international oil prices have fallen, the government's subsidy payout will fall by almost Rs 50 per cylinder to Rs 240. Cooking gas is available only at market prices across the country. Eligible users, however, get subsidy in their bank account for buying LPG cylinders at subsidised rates. Price of 19-kg LPG cylinders, used by commercial establishment, came down to Rs 1,381.50 from Rs 1,466, the notification said. ANZ RVK

ATF price cut by steep 10 pc; non-subsidised cooking gas costs Rs 53 less

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Lactose intolerance symptoms include bloat, diarrhea, and gas shortly after eating dairy products.</li><li>If you have a hard time digesting lactose, try an enzyme supplement like Lactaid before eating dairy.</li><li>You can also combat lactose intolerance with dairy-free alternatives like oat milk and cashew cheese.</li></ul><a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7317-lactose-intolerance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">About 36% of Americans</a> have some degree of lactose intolerance — a digestive disorder that <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/symptoms-causes/syc-20374232" target="_blank" rel="noopener">occurs</a> when the small intestine does not produce enough of the enzyme lactase necessary for breaking down the natural sugar (lactose) in milk.Many people with lactose intolerance can still consume low to moderate portions of lactose, but some individuals may need to eliminate it from their diet completely to avoid experiencing symptoms like bloating and gas."The amount of lactose that causes symptoms in someone who is lactose intolerant is variable," says Anna Maria Bittoni, RD, a registered dietitian at <a href="https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center</a>. "It depends on many factors, including how much lactase your body produces, how quickly food moves through the gastrointestinal tract, and the bacterial makeup of your intestines."Here are the symptoms of lactose intolerance and how you can avoid them by making some simple dietary changes.<h2>Symptoms of lactose intolerance</h2>People with lactose intolerance may experience the following <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/symptoms-causes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">symptoms</a> about <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/symptoms-causes/syc-20374232" target="_blank" rel="noopener">30 minutes to two hours</a> after consuming food or drinks containing lactose:<ul><li>Bloating</li><li>Diarrhea</li><li>Stomach cramps</li><li>Nausea</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Gas</li><li>Stomach growling or rumbling</li></ul>Note: Populations who have long depended on unfermented milk products as a vital food source, such as people of Northern European descent, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/lactose-intolerance/#frequency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seldom</a> develop lactose intolerance. It tends to be more common among people of East Asian, West African, and Arab descent.The symptoms of lactose intolerance can be similar to other digestive disorders such as <a href="https://www.insider.com/do-i-have-ibd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inflammatory bowel disease</a> (IBD) or <a href="https://www.insider.com/do-i-have-ibs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">irritable bowel syndrome</a> (IBS). It is important to distinguish between these conditions for proper treatment.One way to tell if it's lactose intolerance or something else, like IBS, is that symptoms of lactose intolerance are triggered only by dairy products whereas IBS can be <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">triggered</a> by many different foods or stress. See your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of these conditions, particularly if they are persistent, severe, or there is blood in your stool as it may be a sign of IBD or another serious condition.<h2>How to combat lactose intolerance with dairy-free replacements </h2>Although lactose is found in foods that we consume on a daily basis, such as milk and other dairy products, there are plenty of lactose-free alternatives you can try in order to <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374238" target="_blank" rel="noopener">avoid</a> the symptoms of lactose intolerance.You can also try supplements that contain lactase — the enzyme that helps break down lactose. Brands like Lactaid and Colief have a series of chewables and pills you can take at the start of your meal to help you digest dairy and reduce, or prevent, symptoms.<h3>Milk</h3>"Studies <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26713460/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suggest</a> that most adults [with lactose intolerance] can tolerate up to 12 grams of lactose — approximately the amount in 1 cup of cow's milk — without symptoms," says Bittoni.However, if you can't tolerate any amount of lactose at all, you can try other <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-you-need-to-know-when-choosing-milk-and-milk-alternatives/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-dairy milk alternatives</a>, such as:<ul><li>Cashew milk</li><li>Soy milk</li><li>Oat milk</li><li>Rice milk</li><li>Almond milk</li></ul>There's also Lactaid milk, which is made from cow's milk. The difference is that a synthetic form of the lactase enzyme has been added to the milk to break down all of its lactose, so there's none left to cause any gastrointestinal comfort. As a result, the milk may taste <a href="https://www.lactaid.com/frequently-asked-questions#does-lactaid-milk-contain-all-the-nutrients-of-regular-milk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slightly sweeter</a> than regular cow's milk, according to the manufacturer.<h3>Cheese</h3>"Go for more aged cheeses as they have low lactose," says <a href="https://www.adventhealth.com/find-doctor/doctor/kalyani-meduri-md-1558513168" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kalyani Meduri, MD</a>, a gastroenterologist at AdventHealth Zephyrhills. Natural bacteria break down the lactose as cheese ages during the process of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26184823/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fermentation</a>, that's why fresh cheeses have higher lactose content.For instance, 100 grams of ricotta cheese has <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808885/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">4 grams of lactose</a>, while Parmigiano Reggiano has virtually none. Hard cheeses like <a href="https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/328637/nutrients" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cheddar</a> and <a href="https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/746767/nutrients" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Swiss cheese</a> also contain very little to no amount of lactose. You can also opt for the following dairy-free alternatives to everyday cheese products, most of which you should be able to find in your local grocery:<ul><li>Egg whites or tofu are often used to replace cottage cheese.</li><li>Almond or cashew cheese can replace feta cheese in common dishes.</li><li>Soy and nut-based cream cheeses are great alternatives to regular cream cheese.</li><li>Vegan cheese spreads work just as well with bread as dairy cheese spreads do.</li></ul><h3>Yogurt</h3>A hundred grams of yogurt contains about <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808885/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3.2 grams of lactose</a>. Greek yogurt — where yogurt is strained to remove whey — contains only <a href="https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/330137/nutrients" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2.6 grams of lactose</a> per 100 grams.People with lactose intolerance can usually <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808885/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tolerate</a> yogurt with live cultures because the bacteria <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24695892/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">assist</a> in digesting lactose, which makes symptoms less likely. However, you may still prefer dairy-free alternatives such as:<ul><li>Dairy-free yogurt</li><li>Soy yogurt</li><li>Coconut yogurt</li><li>Almond yogurt</li><li>Cashew yogurt</li></ul><h3>Ice cream</h3>The lactose content in ice cream generally <a href="https://med.virginia.edu/ginutrition/wp-content/uploads/sites/199/2014/04/Lactose_Content_of_Common_Foods-11-2017.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">varies</a> per brand and recipe, but a cup of regular vanilla ice cream is estimated to contain about <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/lactose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9 to 10 grams</a> of lactose.If you have lactose intolerance, try the following alternatives instead:<ul><li>Lactose-free ice cream from brands like Lactaid and Breyers</li><li>Vegan ice cream from brands like Daily Harvest and Oatly</li><li>Sorbets</li><li>Frozen fruit bar</li><li>Lactose-free gelato or pudding</li></ul><h3>Butter</h3>Unlike most dairy products, butter contains <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/better-than-butter-separating-ghee-fact-from-fiction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">very little lactose</a>. There are about <a href="https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/790508/nutrients" target="_blank" rel="noopener">0.58 grams of lactose</a> in 100 grams of butter, so people who can tolerate small amounts of lactose are likely to consume butter with no problem.However, if you're looking for alternatives, here are several options you can explore:<ul><li>Ghee is a type of clarified butter but is <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/better-than-butter-separating-ghee-fact-from-fiction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">usually tolerated better</a> by people with lactose intolerance because it <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/better-than-butter-separating-ghee-fact-from-fiction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contains</a> little to no lactose, generally <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5471386/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lower</a> than butter.</li><li>Vegan butter is a plant-based substitute specifically made to taste like regular dairy butter. Brands like Milkadamia and Earth Balance make it.</li><li>Coconut oil is naturally lactose-free and you can use it in cooking, baking, or even spread it on your toast.</li><li>Unsweetened applesauce can be a viable substitute for butter in baked goods.</li></ul><h2>Getting enough calcium</h2>Individuals with lactose intolerance <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6521087/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may be susceptible</a> to a <a href="https://www.insider.com/calcium-deficiency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">calcium deficiency</a> since Americans typically get <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">about 72% of their calcium</a> from dairy products.Adults aged 19 to 50 typically need about <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1,000 mg of calcium</a> per day to meet nutrient requirements. Adolescents and older adults usually require more, approximately 1,000 to 1,300 mg per day.Here are several dairy-free <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sources of calcium</a>:<ul><li>A cup of calcium-fortified orange juice: 349 mg of calcium (25% Daily Value)</li><li>3 ounces of sardines canned in oil: 325 mg (25% DV)</li><li>3 ounces of canned pink salmon: 181 mg (14% DV)</li><li>1/2 cup of cooked soybeans: 131 mg (10% DV)</li><li>1/2 cup of boiled and drained spinach: 123 mg (9% DV)</li></ul>Milk and other dairy products are also a good source of <a href="https://www.insider.com/vitamin-d-deficiency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vitamin D</a>, which helps the body absorb and use calcium. If you avoid consuming dairy due to lactose intolerance, you <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/eating-diet-nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may not get</a> enough of the calcium and vitamin D that you need."People who avoid dairy products should check with their doctor if they need to take a calcium or vitamin D supplement," says Bittoni. "A registered dietitian nutritionist can help create an individualized plan to best control your symptoms while making sure that you are still meeting 100% of your protein, vitamin, and mineral needs."<h2>Quick tips to manage lactose intolerance</h2><ul><li>Don't eliminate all sources of dairy immediately. Try avoiding different foods in varying amounts to see which ones cause symptoms. Some people notice an improvement after eliminating just one or two foods, says Bittoni. </li><li>Consume lactose with meals. Consume lactose with meals rather than by itself or on an empty stomach to slowly release lactose in the small intestine, which may reduce symptoms, says Meduri.</li><li>Distribute lactose consumption throughout the day: For better tolerability, spread out the lactose content throughout the day rather than consuming a large amount all at once, experts say. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate 12 grams of lactose in one sitting, but up to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26713460/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">18 grams</a> if spread throughout the day.</li><li>Read nutrition labels. If you get symptoms after consuming even small amounts of lactose, you should always read nutrition labels. Many non-dairy foods also <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/eating-diet-nutrition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contain</a> lactose, such as bread and baked goods, processed meats like hotdogs and lunch meats, breakfast cereals, instant soups, and instant potatoes. </li></ul> If symptoms persist even after restricting lactose products, or you experience symptoms that are not typically associated with lactose intolerance such as rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or intense and worsening abdominal pain, you should seek medical care, says Meduri.<h2>Insider's takeaway</h2>People with lactose intolerance tend to experience diarrhea, bloating, gas, and stomach cramps after eating foods with lactose, such as cheese, milk, and ice cream. Although the digestive disorder comes with a lot of dietary restrictions, many dairy-free alternatives are easily available."A diagnosis of lactose intolerance is not the end of the world," says Meduri. "You can still enjoy your favorite foods with the right strategies."

Telling signs that you're lactose intolerant and tasty dairy-free substitutes to combat gas and bloat

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11897862" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="elon-musk" source="Orion">Elon Musk</keyword>, the world's richest person, was named TIME's 2021 person of the year. </li><li>He said in an interview he does not think the government should be involved in people's assets.</li></ul>Elon Musk — the world's richest person and <a href="https://time.com/person-of-the-year-2021-elon-musk/">TIME's 2021 person of the year</a> — is biting the hand that feeds him.With a net worth of $297 billion, Musk is a vocal opponent of increased taxes on the rich, including government involvement in all of his financial assets. He responded to Senate Finance Chair <keyword id="11931195" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ron-wyden" source="Orion">Ron Wyden</keyword>'s "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/senate-democrats-leave-out-billionaires-tax-biden-spending-plan-wealth-2021-12">billionaire's tax</a>" proposal — a tax on wealthy people's assets — with a <a href="https://twitter.com/RonWyden/status/1457110175932846080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1457497438474981384%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es2_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedailybeast.com%2Felon-musk-tweets-vulgar-crack-at-sen-ron-wyden">vulgar response</a> to Wdyen's appearance on Twitter. He's remained firm in his stance that the government should stay out of his <keyword id="11921347" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="wealth" source="Orion">wealth</keyword>."They're basically saying they want control of the assets," Musk said in a recent interview with TIME. "This does not result in, actually, the good of the people. You want those who are managing <keyword id="36749" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="capital" source="Orion">capital</keyword> to be good stewards of capital. And I think the government is inherently not a good steward of capital."However, government subsidies are largely to thank for the mountains of money Musk holds today. As the founder of electric vehicle company <keyword id="11900744" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tesla" source="Orion">Tesla</keyword>, the Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviews/out?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsj.com%2Farticles%2Fhow-tax-credits-and-government-subsidies-have-aided-the-electric-vehicle-market-11637583826">reported</a> that Musk received a $465 million loan from the Energy Department in 2010 that was paid back in 2013. The government's $7,500 tax credit has also made purchasing Tesla vehicles cheaper for consumers, although that credit phased out for the company last year.Musk's space program has gotten a boost, as well. NASA <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/as-artemis-moves-forward-nasa-picks-spacex-to-land-next-americans-on-moon">selected</a> <keyword id="11908743" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="spacex" source="Orion">SpaceX</keyword> — Musk's aerospace company — in April to work toward landing "commercial" humans on the moon with a contract award value of $2.89 billion. Despite the early government support Tesla received, Musk has still spoken out against government subsidies, writing in a recent tweet that it "has always been Tesla's view that all subsidies should be eliminated."President Joe Biden's infrastructure bill recently signed into law included $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging infrastructure — something Musk also <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/07/tech/elon-musk-wsj-government/index.html">opposed</a> during a Wall Street Journal summit."Do we need support for gas stations? We don't," Musk said. "There's no need for support for a charging network. I would delete it. Delete."Despite his resistance to government involvement, it has helped Musk grow his fortune, and his stance remains unchanged even as progressive lawmakers continue to slam his wealth and demand he pay his fair share in taxes. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/democrats-propose-ultra-millionaire-tax-on-wealthiest-americans-2021-3">spearheaded</a> a tax on the ultrawealthy, wrote on Twitter that when someone like Musk "makes it big," they should be held accountable for paying all their taxes. And in response to a tweet last month from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders demanding the wealthy pay what they owe in taxes, Musk <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-bernie-sanders-twitter-extreme-wealth-2021-11">responded</a>: "I keep forgetting that you're still alive."

Elon Musk rips the political class again, saying 'government is inherently not a good steward of capital' even though his companies thrived from government subsidies

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Afghan <keyword id="11892913" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="women" source="Orion">women</keyword> say they were tear-gassed and beaten at a women's rights protest in Kabul.</li><li>"Women are as educated [as men]," one protester said. "How can they remove us from this society?"</li><li>The <keyword id="11892778" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="taliban" source="Orion">Taliban</keyword> also fired shots into the air to disperse the crowds.</li></ul>Afghan women protesting the Taliban on Saturday say they were <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/stay-silent-afghan-women-vow-protest-taliban-humanitarian/story?id=79829636&amp;cid=social_twitter_abcnpbcnp">tear-gassed and beaten</a> on the streets of Kabul. Scores of women demonstrated outside the Defense Ministry building in Kabul, ABC <keyword id="11893589" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news" source="Orion">News</keyword> reported. The Taliban fought back against the women, <a href="https://www.insider.com/taliban-forces-fired-into-air-women-protesting-for-equal-rights-2021-9">firing into the air</a> to disperse the crowds. Sudaba Kabiri, a 24-year-old university grad told ABC News that armed Taliban militants formed a barricade around the protesters and hit them with stun guns and tear gas. "They stood in front of our protest. They did not allow us to continue our protest, because they want to eliminate the power of women. They don't want to hear from the women," Kabiri said. "They [govern] as if this country just belongs to men. Women are nothing. It's our country as well. Women are as educated [as men]. How can they remove us from this society? We are a part of this society. We protest to announce: 'We are here.'"The Taliban took over <keyword id="11892774" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="afghanistan" source="Orion">Afghanistan</keyword> following President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops from the region. In its takeover, the Taliban <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-declares-islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan-2021-8">renamed the country</a> to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reverting back to the same name used during the last time the regime took power, in 1996.Under the Taliban's rule at that time, women were severely oppressed, facing restrictions like being barred from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-rules-for-women-during-last-afghanistan-takeover-2021-8">working or attending schools</a>.While the militant group has promised to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-trying-to-pose-as-moderates-after-years-terror-tactics-2021-8?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">respect women's rights</a> "within Islamic law," <a href="https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-08-17/kabul-taliban-starts-governing-declares-amnesty">human rights activists</a>, <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/middle-east-north-africa/570588-afghan-women-hold-protest-demanding-education">Afghan women</a>, and the <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/08/17/u-s-evacuation-flights-restart-kabul-taliban-declare-amnesty/8162247002/">White House</a> have been skeptical.It's not clear yet what rules the Taliban will implement for women. But already there have been clear signs that women stand to face harsh consequences under their control.Soon after their seizure of Afghanistan's government, Taliban fighters reportedly set an Afghan woman on fire for feeding them "bad cooking," Insider's Joshua Zitser <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/afghanistan-taliban-set-a-woman-on-fire-for-bad-cooking-2021-8">reported</a>.Taliban fighters also instructed a reporter from CNN to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-tells-cnn-reporter-kabul-stand-aside-because-shes-woman-2021-8">step aside</a> while reporting on camera because she's a woman. One Afghan woman pleaded with an American soldier, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-shows-afghan-woman-pleading-for-help-from-american-soldier-2021-8">begging for help</a>. The woman was behind bars trying to communicate with the soldier. "Help, help," she said, crying and in between gasps. "I want to help family. Taliban coming for me."Another woman who was a judge in Afghanistan told Reuters she was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/female-afghan-judge-says-men-she-jailed-are-hunting-her-2021-9">being hunted down</a> by the very same men she had once put in prison.

The Taliban barricaded and hit Afghan women protesting in Kabul with tear gas and stun guns, protesters say

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="3828720" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="President-Donald-Trump">President Donald Trump</keyword> attacked former Vice President <keyword id="99719" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Joe-Biden">Joe Biden</keyword> during Thursday night's debate for promising to "transition from the <keyword id="34539" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="oil-industry">oil industry</keyword>."</li><li>Biden argued that the oil industry, which he said "pollutes significantly," should no longer receive federal subsidies and needs to be replaced by renewable energy "over time."</li><li>Trump claimed that Biden is "going to destroy the oil industry" and a slew of Republicans attacked Biden over his comments. </li><li>The idea that Democrats want to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources is nothing new. </li><li>Polling shows Americans are increasingly concerned about <keyword id="6361617" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="climate-change">climate change</keyword>, think Trump hasn't done enough to address the issue, and want more drastic action to be taken going forward.</li></ul>President Donald Trump attacked former Vice President Joe Biden during Thursday night's debate for promising to "transition from the oil industry" as part of his plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Biden argued that the oil industry, which he said "pollutes significantly," should no longer receive federal subsidies and needs to be replaced by renewable energy "over time.""Basically what he's saying is he is going to destroy the oil industry," Trump interjected.The president then warned voters in states with large fossil fuel industries that Biden is coming for their jobs. "Will you remember that Texas? Will you remember that Pennsylvania? Oklahoma? Ohio?"Notably, Trump won all four of these states in 2016, but polling shows Biden is narrowing the gap in <a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/texas/">Texas</a> and <a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/ohio/">Ohio</a> and outperforming Trump <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/21/politics/cnn-polls-pennsylvania-florida/index.html">in Pennsylvania</a>. Biden may have regretted his wording, as he clarified his position after the debate, telling reporters he meant he would wean the oil industry off of federal subsidies, but not immediately eliminate fossil fuels. "We're not getting rid of fossil fuels," Biden said. "We're getting rid of the subsidies for fossil fuels, but we're not getting rid of fossil fuels for a long time." But the idea that Democrats, including Biden, want to eventually fully replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources is nothing new. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/americans-increasingly-see-climate-change-as-a-crisis-poll-shows/2019/09/12/74234db0-cd2a-11e9-87fa-8501a456c003_story.html">A slew</a> of recent <a href="https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2020/9/2/voters-want-to-cancel-fossil-fuels">polling</a> shows that Americans are increasingly concerned about climate change, think Trump hasn't done enough to address the issue, and want more drastic action to be taken going forward. In <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/10/06/how-important-is-climate-change-to-voters-in-the-2020-election/">an October Pew poll</a>, 68% of Americans said climate change will play a very or somewhat important role in determining who they'll vote for in the upcoming election. Republicans were quick to target Biden over his comments on fossil fuels. Texas Republicans like Gov. Greg Abbott, former Gov. Rick Perry, and Sen. Ted Cruz sought to weaponize the remarks and warned Biden's policies would eliminate fossil fuel jobs. "Hey Texas and Pennsylvania, @JoeBiden just admitted he would transition from the oil industry, effectively killing an estimated 11 million jobs," Rick Perry, Trump's former Secretary of Energy and the former GOP governor of Texas, <a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorPerry/status/1319468769744400384">tweeted</a>. Some vulnerable Democrats also publicly distanced themselves from Biden's position. "I disagree with VP Biden's statement tonight," Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, who represents a rural swing district in New Mexico, <a href="https://twitter.com/XochforCongress/status/1319489170784608256">tweeted</a> on Thursday night. "Energy is part of the backbone of New Mexico's economy. We need to work together to promote responsible energy production and stop climate change, not demonize a single industry." Kendra Horn, a Democratic candidate for the House in Oklahoma, <a href="https://twitter.com/HornForCongress/status/1319474800901951493">tweeted</a> that Democrats "must stand up for our <keyword id="43177" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Oil-and-gas">oil and gas</keyword> industry.""We need an all-of-the-above energy approach that's consumer friendly, values energy independence, and protects OK jobs," she said. Trump has long denied the threat of climate change, even calling it a "hoax" perpetrated by the Chinese, and his administration has aggressively rolled back regulations and other policy designed to protect the <keyword id="6356826" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ENVIRONMENT">environment</keyword> and slow climate change. The Trump administration had reversed or eliminated at least 70 environmental regulations and 30 additional policy reversals were in progress as of mid-July, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks.html">a New York Times report</a> found. Biden, who calls climate change an "existential threat," says he doesn't support the Green New Deal -- a sweeping progressive bill spearheaded by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez -- but his campaign website refers to the proposal as a "crucial framework." "We're told by all the leading scientists in the world we don't have much time," Biden said on Thursday. "We're going to pass the point of no return within the next eight to 10 years. Four more years of this man … will put us in a position where we'll be in real trouble." Trump and his allies have aggressively attacked the Green New Deal, and Trump said Ocasio-Cortez and three other freshman congresswomen of color who support the proposal "know nothing about the climate" during Thursday's debate.

Trump seized on Biden's promise to 'transition away from oil,' but the move away from fossil fuels is nothing new

New Delhi, Feb 1 () Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday laid down plans for expansion of national natural gas pipeline network to 27,000 km from the present 16,200 km and pricing reforms as the government looks at boosting use of environment friendly fuel.
 The government has set a target of raising the share of natural gas in primary energy basket to 15 per cent by 2030 from current 6.2 per cent. Connecting gas sources to consumption hubs is a key to achieving this.
 Presently, most of the gas pipelines are concentrated in the western and northern part of the country with a few lines in the east and south.
 In her speech while presenting the Budget for 2020-21, Sitharaman said more gas pricing reforms are in the offing.
 "To deepen gas markets in India, further reforms will be undertaken to facilitate transparent price discovery and ease of transactions," she said.
 Presently, the price of natural gas produced domestically is fixed by a formula that averages out rates in gas surplus nations such as Russia and the US.
 "Further, it is proposed to expand the national gas grid from the present 16,200 km to 27,000 km," she said without giving a timeline.
 Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Budet lays emphasis on creating next generation financial markets, boosting income and investment and several infrastructural reforms for accelerated economic growth.
 Commenting on the Budget, Nitin Prasad, Chairman, Shell Companies in India said, "The policy reforms announced in the Union Budget by the Finance Minister sustain the Prime Minister's vision for India's journey towards a climate resilient and clean energy society under pinned on electro-mobility, a gas based economy and renewable power delivered through accelerating innovation from start-ups."
 Raju Kumar, Tax Partner, Oil &amp; Gas practice, EY India said the budget announcement of planned increase in natural gas pipeline network and plan to facilitate transparency in price discovery is likely to strengthen the natural gas market in India. "This will also support further expansion of city gas distribution."
 "We are happy that the government has taken a categorical note of the pressing air quality issues in India," said Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC). 
 "While the intent is positive and clear, yet it is important to note that the goal can be met only with more and more vehicles adopting to cleaner fuels such as Auto LPG. The absence of any immediate declaration of incentives for state governments who have been working towards the goal or intend to do so in near future can delay the adoption of cleaner fuels as state level governments may just prefer a 'wait and watch' approach," Gupta said.
 Pankaj Kalra, CFO &amp; Head-Strategy, Essar Exploration &amp; Production, said expansion of gas grid will definitely be a huge opportunity for players in the unconventional hydrocarbon sectors whose assets are mostly classified as stranded because of lack of evacuation infrastructure.
 "As conventional hydrocarbon resources are dwindling and new resource accretions are few and far between, unconventional hydrocarbons, like CBM (as an established source) and Shale Gas (in the long run) will assume greater significance," he said 
 "The gas grid expansion, coupled with the liberal policies introduced over the last few years, will revive investor confidence in the upstream sector," Kalra added.
 K. Ravichandran of ICRA said the Budget proposals for oil and gas industry are positive, which include sufficient allocation of subsidy for the downstream sector, policy support for gas economy and abolition of dividend distribution tax.
 Subsidy provided for cooking fuels for 2020-21 is Rs 38,781 crore, which will leave the downstream oil industry with a backlog of around Rs 11,600 crore by the end of fiscal 2020-21, significantly lower compared to the backlog of Rs 33,000 crore at the beginning of fiscal 2019-20.
 This is on account of lower subsidy required due to fall in oil prices and substantial reduction in kerosene allocation. Actual subsidy required for FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21 is expected to be Rs 23,600 crore and Rs 27,500 crore, respectively.
 "Abolition of dividend distribution tax (DDT) is a positive as the PSU oil and gas companies pay large dividend and any savings in this regard will be beneficial for them, unless they hike the dividend rate further," he said. ANZ RVK

You Searched For "cooking gas subsidy eliminated" and got 12 results

After record profits, state-owned fuel retailers Indian Oil, BPCL and HPCL see profit slump in Q1

PTI

GOP burns for another culture war fight, pushing bills to 'save' gas stoves

Matthew Daly, Associated Press

Consider giving up your rail fare subsidy, says the government

BI India Bureau

Narendra Modi aims to offer 8 million more cooking gas connections in the first 100 days of his second term-- and follow it up with smaller cylinders to encourage refills

Sriram Iyer

Non-subsidised cooking gas price cut by Rs 61.5 per cylinder

PTI

About 1 in 5 Americans live in areas where policies encourage a switch to electric heating, cooling, and cooking

Catherine Boudreau

ATF price cut by steep 10 pc; non-subsidised cooking gas costs Rs 53 less

PTI

Telling signs that you're lactose intolerant and tasty dairy-free substitutes to combat gas and bloat

Carla Delgado,David Seres

Elon Musk rips the political class again, saying 'government is inherently not a good steward of capital' even though his companies thrived from government subsidies

Ayelet Sheffey

The Taliban barricaded and hit Afghan women protesting in Kabul with tear gas and stun guns, protesters say

Yelena Dzhanova

Trump seized on Biden's promise to 'transition away from oil,' but the move away from fossil fuels is nothing new

Eliza Relman

Gas grid to be expanded to 27,000 km, pricing reforms in offing

PTI

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