EMISSIONS
The fourth California GHG allowance auction demonstrates continued program success with stable participation and clearing prices. On August 21, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) released the results of its fourth quarterly greenhouse gas (GHG) allowance auction held on August 16, 2013. ARB offered 13,865,422 allowances under Current Auction (2013 vintage allowances) and…...
3,200 buildings are competing for Energy Star recognition in EPA’s 2013 National Building Competition. On August 20, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched the fourth annual Energy Star National Building Competition to promote energy efficiency in commercial buildings. The 2013 competition has more than 3,200 participants – compared to just 14 participants in 2010 –…...
DOE will fund 12 projects to develop energy efficiency building technologies including open source software to monitor and adjust energy use. On August 14, 2013, The Department of Energy (DOE) announced 12 projects to enhance energy savings in residential and commercial buildings. DOE’s approximately $11 million investment will pair with $1 million private sector funding…...
NYSERDA has issued revenue bonds to finance loans for residential energy efficiency projects under its GJGNY Program. On August 13, 2013, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) issued $24.3 million in energy efficiency revenue bonds to finance residential energy efficiency improvement programs across the state. The revenue bonds were issued under…...
A U.S. appeals court has dismissed petitions from Texas, Wyoming, and industry groups against EPA’s greenhouse gas permitting requirements. On July 26, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting requirements, dismissing a suit from Texas, Wyoming, and industry groups claiming that…...
EIA projects a 56 percent growth in world energy consumption by 2040, driven by economic growth in emerging countries. Over its 2010-2040 projection period, renewables and nuclear are the fastest-growing sources, though fossil fuels continue to supply 80 percent of energy consumption. On July 25, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its 2013 International…...
A federal appeals court rejected petitions in opposition to EPA’s 2008 primary ozone standard and ordered a review of its secondary standard for violating the Clean Air Act. On July 23, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied petitions challenging the primary ozone standard of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)…...
President Obama’s second-term climate agenda includes sweeping measures to cut carbon emissions from power plants, boost renewable energy production, increase fuel economy standards, and advance international initiatives to combat climate change. On June 25, 2013, President Barack Obama outlined a comprehensive Climate Action Plan prioritizing measures to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to set a…...
WGA’s “10-Year Energy Vision” calls for collaborative interstate initiatives to achieve energy security by increasing energy production, improving energy efficiency, and expanding energy distribution infrastructure, among other energy goals. On June 28, 2013, the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) released the “10-Year Energy Vision,” a regional plan articulating the energy goals of 19 member states, American…...
U.S. and China have committed to take cooperative action to combat climate change using practical emissions reduction measures and low-carbon initiatives, setting a powerful example to the rest of the world. On April 13, 2013, the U.S. State Department announced the U.S. and China will launch a Climate Change Working Group, recognizing the need for…...
EPA’s new cleaner fuels and cars program aims to reduce sulfur in gasoline and tighten vehicle emissions standards while improving auto efficiency, but could result in higher prices at the pump. On March 29, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new standards for vehicles and fuels under its Tier 3 program to cut emissions…...
The finalized MATS rule for new power plants sets certain emissions limits at slightly higher levels than the original 2011 rule. On March 28, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for new power plants, revising emissions limits for mercury, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, and particulate matter,…...