ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS
On September 30, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider a major challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s implementation of greenhouse gas regulations under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act, a hearing that could affect President Obama’s timetable for existing power plants and state implementation plans. The EPA will likely face ongoing litigation on most…...
Allowances offered at RGGI’s 21st carbon auction cleared at $2.67 each, generating $102.5 million. On September 6, 2013, the nine Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) members released results of their 21st quarterly auction held on September 4. The auction offered 38,409,043 carbon allowances that were bid in the range of $1.98 to $12.85 each. All allowances sold…...
The overwhelming number of public comments to the recent Department of Interior (DOI) hydraulic fracturing rule is an indication of the increased role regulatory policy – and the rulemaking process – is playing in environmental policy during the second term. Overview A large number of industry representatives opposed the rule during the public comment period,…...
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…...
Two hydropower bills were unanimously passed by the Senate to facilitate streamlined regulatory processes for hydroelectric projects. On August 1, 2013, the Senate unanimously approved two bills aimed at streamlining the regulatory processes for selected hydropower projects. Both the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act (H.R. 267) and the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs…...
California Air Resources Board and Australia’s climate regulator have agreed to collaborate on emission reduction efforts, primarily by sharing information about market-based programs to address climate change. On July 30, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) signed an agreement to establish a collaborative framework to address climate change…....
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)…...