ENVIRONMENTAL MARKETS

Supreme Court Halts Clean Power Plan Over Concerns Of EPA Overreach

Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS

The Supreme Court’s unprecedented move to halt the Clean Power Plan is a major setback to a rule that forms the centerpiece of President Obama’s broader plan to address climate change and reflects the Court’s concerns over EPA overreach. State utility regulators now have to carefully decide whether to suspend or pursue compliance planning efforts given uncertainties over the outcome of the judicial review. Climate change, which has traditionally drawn little attention from voters, is likely to become a prominent factor in the 2016 presidential election.

Obama Administration Seeks Safeguards for Energy Reforms

Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: President Obama emphasized progress his Administration has made in renewable energy growth and climate action in his 2016 State of the Union address Newly proposed reforms to the federal government’s management of oil and coal resources would impose additional costs to reflect environmental impacts The Obama Administration is determined to safeguard climate policy…...

Record RGGI Carbon Auction Price Reflects Increasing Market Confidence

Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s (RGGI) latest auction sold allowances at a record high price of $7.50 each, reflecting sound market operation Rising allowance prices signify the potential for developing carbon offset projects to meet RGGI emissions reduction requirements RGGI’s power sector-focused program is increasingly recognized for its compatibility with the Environmental Protection…...

Utilities And Grid Operators Seek Clean Power Plan Compliance Despite Litigation

Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: The Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) has received support from 18 states and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple corporate associations, in recent motions to intervene State air quality regulators are devising their own strategies to avoid subjugation to a federal plan, which could be inconsistent with state abilities…...

Legal Challenges To Clean Power Plan Create Uncertainties For Utilities

Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: Litigation over the merits of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) rulemaking will affect compliance timelines for state implementation plans Uncertainty over the timeline and outcome of litigation will burden utilities to begin preparations for state plans before the 2016 deadline The potential for the CPP to be wholly or partially…...

New Ozone Rule Could Cost Oil and Gas Millions in Compliance Costs

Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will strengthen the requirements for ground-level ozone under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards States and local areas would strengthen emissions control for stationary and mobile sources to ensure their plans receive EPA’s approval Stronger ozone standards will increase the burden on sources of ozone precursors, including the…...

EPA Proposes Mandatory Methane Reduction Despite Declining Emissions

Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector would impose millions of dollars in annualized regulatory burdens despite substantial methane reductions driven by current market incentives The proposed regulations would add to the existing burden on oil and gas companies, which are currently suffering from low…...

Final Clean Power Plan Sets Tougher Emissions Reduction Goals Under Extended Timeframes

Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: The final Clean Power Plan relies on switching to natural gas and renewable energy generation to meet compliance obligations States have multiple options and broad discretion to meet compliance obligations through generation from nuclear and renewables, including wind, solar, hydro, and biomass New and incremental nuclear generation will be valued for both mass‐based…...

MATS Impacted by Supreme Court Decision, but Likely to Survive

Carbon Markets, Coal Power, Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS

Key Takeaways: The Mercury and Air Toxics (MATS) rule represented one of the most significant air pollution regulations in U.S. history when it was announced in 2011 The Supreme Court rejected the rule, ruling that the EPA should have considered costs initially when assessing whether the rule was “appropriate and necessary” The specific nature of…...

New York Set to Revive Renewable Energy Industry

Biofuels, Electric Vehicles, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Renewables, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Wind Power

Key Takeaways: The Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative seeks a fundamental restructuring of New York’s centralized utility model in response to technology advancements and customer trends that favor decentralized power generation The 2015 New York State Energy Plan provides a roadmap to implement the REV strategy through increased renewable generation, energy efficiency, and emissions…...

EPA Announces New Emissions Standards for Trucks and Trailers

Biofuels, Carbon Markets, Electric Vehicles, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, EnerKnol Research Reports, EnerKnol Research Webcasts, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Oil, PRODUCTS, Solar Power

Key Takeaways: The 2013 Climate Action Plan called for new standards to advance fuel economy and emissions reductions in the transportation sector Proposed Phase 2 standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles aim to achieve 24 percent improvement in fuel efficiency by 2027 The new standards will spur advancements in trucking technology, resulting in substantial costs…...

FERC Approves Reforms to PJM Capacity Market

Emissions, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Solar Power

Key Takeaways: PJM’s forced generation capacity outages in the 2013/2014 winter, along with long-term distributed generation trend, prompted PJM to propose capacity market reforms to ensure system reliability After requesting additional information in April, FERC approved PJM’s approval, allowing for inclusion in August Forward Capacity Auction Capacity Performance will impose stringent operational requirements and non-performance…...