ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS

Business Roundtable Releases Report Outlining Recommendations for Energy Policy

Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Environmental Markets, Natural Gas, Oil, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Wind Power

Chief executives of leading U.S. companies released a report outlining recommendations for a comprehensive energy policy framework that would capitalize on the nation’s strengths to enhance self-sufficiency, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. On February 25, 2013, Business Roundtable, a national association of corporate executives, released a report outlining recommendations to devise a comprehensive energy policy…...

California’s Second Carbon Allowance Auction Signals Increasing Market Certainty

Carbon Markets, Environmental Markets

Results of California’s second carbon allowance auction signal marked success for the landmark cap-and-trade program, owing to strong market participation and a higher than expected settlement price. On February 19, 2013, California Air Resources Board (CARB) held its second auction for 2013 vintage allowances (Current Auction) and 2016 vintage allowances (Advanced Auction).  The results of…...

Policy Institute Petitions for Broader Application of Clean Air Act

Emissions, Environmental Markets

A New York-based environmental law group petitioned EPA to broaden its regulatory approach via specified Clean Air Act provisions, including stipulations that would require all states to regulate carbon emissions.   On February 19, 2013, the Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University’s School of Law petitioned EPA to utilize provisions under the Clean Air…...

SOTU 2013: President Obama Pushes For Climate Change Action

Biofuels, Coal Power, Electric Vehicles, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Oil, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Wind Power

President Obama outlined bold actions to combat climate change, elaborating on his inaugural vow to address the issue.  Obama further pledged to use his executive power to tackle climate change challenges if Congress denied action. At his State of the Union (SOTU) speech on February 12, 2013, President Obama cast a bold vision on climate change…...

Climate Change Debate Intensifies

Biofuels, Coal Power, Electric Vehicles, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Oil, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Wind Power

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…...

Federal Court upholds EPA’s decision to permit E15

Biofuels, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Oil, Renewables

A federal court decision on January 15, 2013 denied petitions challenging an EPA ruling that permits the use of  a 15% ethanol fuel blend (E15) for light-duty gasoline-fueled vehicles.  The step is a major victory for the biofuels industry, with several facilities just beginning to reach commercial production levels.  The decision will also help the industry…...

NY-Sun Initiative in for a Major Expansion

Energy Efficiency, Environmental Markets, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Smart Grid, Solar Power

New York Governor Andrew M Cuomo, at his 2013 State of the State address, proposed a major expansion of the successful NY-Sun program, announcing $150 million in annual funding through 2023.  The expansion intends to steer progress in the solar power industry by making solar installations for homes and businesses more affordable.  The proposal, part…...

Cuomo Announces New Plan to Boost New York’s PEV Charging Infrastructure

Electric Vehicles, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Markets, Power & Utilities, Renewables

As part of state goals to further a clean tech economy, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Charge NY Plan, a new initiative intended to create a comprehensive charging network for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in New York.  The proposal calls for a $50 million investment spread over five years, as part of…...

NY Governor Cuomo Proposes Tougher RGGI Carbon Cap

Carbon Markets, Environmental Markets

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, in his State of the State address, proposed a tougher carbon cap for states covered under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) cap-and-trade program.  The proposal underscores RGGI’s opportunity for achieving even greater emissions reductions in future years, as its current carbon cap remains significantly higher than actual emissions produced in…...

California Ratepayers to Receive Cap-and-Trade Dividend

Carbon Markets, Environmental Markets

California regulators will direct the state’s largest utilities to return 85% of cap-and-trade proceeds to ratepayers.  The move, which comes about a month after the successful completion of California’s first carbon allowance auction, aims at offsetting higher electricity costs resulting from the cap-and-trade program, by providing a “climate dividend” on utility bills. On December 20, 1012,…...