Electric Vehicles

Bipartisan Policy Center Releases Energy Policy Recommendations Report

A recent report from the Bipartisan Policy Center outlines common ground energy policy recommendations that build on energy abundance and efficiency accomplishments of the U.S.    On February 27, 2013, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) released a report proposing a set of recommendations intended to serve as a blueprint for establishing strong and diverse energy resource portfolios…....

SOTU 2013: President Obama Pushes For Climate Change Action

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

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…...

$1 Billion Green Bank to Advance New York’s Clean Energy Economy

As part of the state’s 2013 energy package, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed a $1 billion “Green Bank” to draw in private sector money and spark investment in clean energy projects.  The Governor also named a “Cabinet-Level Energy Czar” to advance cleantech strategies.  The announcements are a step forward to promote renewable energy development…...

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

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…...

Shape of the President’s Energy Agenda in the Second Term

With the election over, President Obama’s energy priorities will emerge as new rules and regulations are finalized under existing law. The balance of power in Washington is the same as it was prior to the elections– President Barack Obama will serve another four years and Congress will continue to be divided with a Democrat-controlled Senate…...

Energy Industry Anticipations in the Wake of Obama’s Re-election

Under President Obama’s second term, energy industry officials and analysts are keen on the Administration’s priorities for the energy sector, envisioning regulatory reforms and policies to advance the nation’s energy and economic security.  Key areas to watch include Keystone XL Pipeline talks, recognizing the primacy of states in regulating oil and natural gas development, and…...

Look Ahead at Congress: Effects of Sequestration on the Energy Industry

Sequestration refers to a package of automatic $1.2 trillion across-the-board spending cuts that is a part of the 2011 Budget Control Act (BCA), passed in August 2011.  The spending cuts would affect some 1200 government programs, including those that fund energy research and development initiatives. The cuts are scheduled to begin on January 2, 2013…...

MIT Study: Applying Carbon Tax Can Relieve US Budget Deficit

According to a report released by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on August 27, 2012, applying a carbon tax at the rate of $20 per ton in 2013 and increasing it by four percent per year can raise $1.5 trillion over a span of 10 years.  The report, which comes at a time when Congress…...

Washington Proposes New Support for Electric-Drive Vehicles

On May 19, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a full committee hearing to receive testimony on policies that promote advanced vehicle technologies and accelerated deployment of electric-drive vehicles. Witnesses discussed several bills that are now before the Senate that would advance vehicle technologies. Witnesses also noted that the President’s Budget…...