ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS
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…...
Senate endorsement of House Bill 306 ascertains New Hampshire’s continued participation in RGGI by adopting proposed to RGGI Model Rule revisions. On May 23, 2013, the New Hampshire Senate passed House Bill 306 by a vote of 14-10 to adopt the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s (RGGI) updated Model Rule and authorize the state’s continued…...
A Congressional Budget Office study examines the economic impact of imposing a carbon tax and suggests revenue-use options that would offset costs of implementing the tax while reducing emissions. A new study released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on May 22, 2013 finds that a carbon tax could boost federal revenues and curb carbon…...
California’s third carbon allowance auction raised approximately $280 million at an increased settlement price of $14.00 per allowance. On May 21, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released results of its third quarterly auction, held on May 16, 2013. The auction offered Current Auction (2013) vintage allowances and Advanced Auction (2016) vintage allowances. All…...
Energy tax reform proposals released by the House Ways and Means Committee outline potential modifications to federal tax code for fossil fuel production, renewable energy tax credits, and energy efficiency provisions. On May 6, 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released the Joint Committee on Taxation report detailing tax reform suggestions to 11 Tax…...
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…...
Based on findings that ARB met necessary state requirements, California Governor Brown gave the go-ahead to continue efforts to link with Quebec’s carbon market. On April 8, 2013, California Governor Edmund “Jerry” Brown sent a letter to California Air Resources Board (ARB), confirming that the agency had met the minimum requirements to link its emissions…...
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,…...
A group of Senate Democrats requested the Administration to reconsider EPA’s proposed emissions regulations that would essentially ban construction of new coal-fueled power plants in the U.S. Four Senate Democrats, led by Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), wrote to President Obama seeking amendments of EPA’s proposed New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new power plants. The letter — released…...
House Democrats released draft carbon-pricing legislation, soliciting feedback on a potential per-ton fee for emissions, annual rate of fee increase, and revenue spending. On March 12, 2013, House Democrats released a draft plan for carbon-pricing legislation that would impose a fee on greenhouse gas emissions from the nation’s largest polluters, such as power plants, oil…...
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) released a list of 25 carbon offset projects that, if approved, have the potential to generate up to three million offset credits for California’s carbon market. On March 8, 2013, California ARB released a list of 25 early action carbon offset projects that would be considered for use in…...