Divided opinions over climate change issues delayed approval of the draft oversight plan in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Democrats called to amend the draft plan to hold hearings on climate change science, an issue that Republicans have long opposed. On February 6, 2013, democrats in the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced a…...
As part of the state’s 2013 energy package, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed a $1 billion “Green Bank” to draw in private sector money and spark investment in clean energy projects. The Governor also named a “Cabinet-Level Energy Czar” to advance cleantech strategies. The announcements are a step forward to promote renewable energy development…...
Congress extended the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) for another year under the 2012 American Taxpayer Relief Act passed on January 1, 2013. The current extension widens the scope of the credit, as it applies to facilities under construction in 2013, unlike previous PTCs that only covered facilities that would be under production by the…...
With the election over, President Obama’s energy priorities will emerge as new rules and regulations are finalized under existing law. The balance of power in Washington is the same as it was prior to the elections– President Barack Obama will serve another four years and Congress will continue to be divided with a Democrat-controlled Senate…...
Under President Obama’s second term, energy industry officials and analysts are keen on the Administration’s priorities for the energy sector, envisioning regulatory reforms and policies to advance the nation’s energy and economic security. Key areas to watch include Keystone XL Pipeline talks, recognizing the primacy of states in regulating oil and natural gas development, and…...
Sequestration refers to a package of automatic $1.2 trillion across-the-board spending cuts that is a part of the 2011 Budget Control Act (BCA), passed in August 2011. The spending cuts would affect some 1200 government programs, including those that fund energy research and development initiatives. The cuts are scheduled to begin on January 2, 2013…...
The 112th Congress recessed for the 2012 elections in late September and is expected to return for official business on November 13 for the remainder of the year. Several energy- related issues that have been contested during the presidential campaign will be affected by lawmaker action — or inaction — when Congress reconvenes. During this…...
According to a report released by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on August 27, 2012, applying a carbon tax at the rate of $20 per ton in 2013 and increasing it by four percent per year can raise $1.5 trillion over a span of 10 years. The report, which comes at a time when Congress…...