ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS
Earlier this month, California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a draft Update to the Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) Scoping Plan, describing the progress made towards objectives and defining priorities and activities to reduce emissions. Overview AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, created a…...
On October 15, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to review whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas regulations for motor vehicles should also result in regulations for stationary sources. The Court’s decision could have direct implications for the EPA’s rulemaking on future power plants and would affect President Obama’s timetable for existing plants and…...
A new study reveals that the U.S. tops the world in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) development and calls for a sharp increase in global CCS projects to achieve climate mitigation goals. On October 10, 2013, Australian research group Global CCS Institute released its annual report on the global status of CCS development. The report…...
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has released a report discussing the central role of carbon pricing for effective climate policy. On October 9, 2013, the OECD released a report discussing policy measures that governments must prioritize to tackle climate change. The report calls for credible and consistent carbon pricing to cost-effectively…...
EPA will solicit public input for its proposed carbon dioxide emissions standards for existing power plants through a series of scheduled listening sessions. On September 30, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a schedule of 11 public listening sessions across the U.S. to solicit input for its proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards for…...
Starting January 1, 2014, California and Quebec have signed an agreement to integrate their cap-and-trade programs. On October 1, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Government of Quebec signed an agreement defining the steps and procedures to link California and Quebec cap-and-trade programs. The agreement, a result of more than five years…...
On September 30, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Fifth Assessment Report on climate change, the latest installment in a series of reports examining global warming. The report for Policymakers was released September 27. Overview The IPCC report concluded with 95 percent confidence that human activity is contributing to climate…...
The California Air Resources Board has announced additional funding to expedite transformation of its heavy vehicle fleet to zero-emission technologies. On September 26, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced $72.5 million in funding for deployment of clean vehicle technologies through state programs. The incentive programs are designed to accelerate the purchase of advanced…...
On September 18, the House Energy and Commerce Committee heard testimony from EPA and DOE officials on the Obama Administration’s climate change policies and continued the debate over the requirement to require Carbon Capture and Sequestration technologies in future sources. On September 20, the EPA released its draft rule to set national emissions limits on…...
California Air Resources Board has announced issuance of the first carbon offset credits for cap-and-trade program compliance. On September 17, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced issuance of 600,000 compliance-grade carbon offset credits for use in the cap-and-trade program. The offset credits will be issued through the Compliance Instrument Tracking System for state-issued carbon…...
The biofuels industry has benefited from the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) since 2005. The standard has since expanded and been a source of debate largely centered on the reliance of U.S. fuel consumption estimates, the feasibility of production levels for various feedstocks, and reaching minimum greenhouse gas reduction levels when weighting direct and indirect greenhouse…...
California and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate efforts on low carbon development. On September 13, 2013, California Governor Jerry Brown and China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Vice Chairman, Xie Zhenhua signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate climate change efforts, promote efficient energy technologies, and advance low…...