On January 2, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission officially entered into two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). The MOUs will provide solutions for overlapping jurisdiction and sharing information of mutual interest. Overview On March 5, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced…
More than 23,000 buildings across the U.S. have earned EPA’s Energy Star Certification, saving more than $3.1B on utility bills. On April 10, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the sixth annual list of top 25 U.S. cities with the most Energy Star certified buildings. The cities demonstrate economic and environmental benefits achieved from…
DOE has released a five-year Strategic Plan outlining priorities to address the nation’s energy, security, economic, and environmental challenges. On April 7, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) released its Strategic Plan for 2014-2018 to advance its mission of enhancing U.S. security and economic growth through transformative science, technology, and market solutions to address energy,…
On February 19, 2014, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) held its sixth carbon allowance auction. Auction results over the first year show that compliance entities are becoming more comfortable with program and that investor market confidence is growing. Similarly, a secondary allowance market is also developing as market confidence grows. Overview The California Air…
On March 4, 2014, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) held the first carbon allowance auction under the new Model Rule. Auction prices reached record levels and high market participation and allowance demand exhausted the 5 million allowance Cost Containment Reserve. Overview The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the nation’s first mandatory market-based cap-and-trade…
For the first time, EPA has secured a bond to satisfy future Clean Air Act violations. On March 27, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement agreement with American Lifan Industry, Inc., an Ontario, California-based vehicle and engine importer for illegally importing and selling approximately 28,000 China-made vehicles and engines that did not…
The New York Power Authority has released its updated strategic plan outlining actionable initiatives to attain a transformed energy system. On March 26, 2014, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) released its Strategic Vision 2014-2019, an updated strategic plan aimed to boost economic growth by providing more value to NYPA customers. Through the plan, NYPA…
Despite the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster, U.S. nuclear energy research and development continues undeterred. Despite new plant construction, nuclear energy byproduct storage and disposal remains a highly-debated topic in congress. Overview For the first time in more than 30 years, new nuclear reactors are under construction in the U.S. The construction consists…
The traditional electricity power grid is undergoing a historic shift with the emergence of decentralized power generation. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is charged with overseeing complex state, regional, and local transmission laws and regulatory environments, which can vary significantly. This variance, combined with a more open transmission project market may lead to increased…
On March 4th, 2014 New York Power Authority (NYPA) released the first Build Smart New York (BSNY) Program Progress Report. In December 2012 Governor Cuomo created the BSNY program via Executive Order 88 (E.O. 88), mandating all New York State agencies to improve energy efficiency in buildings 20% by April 2020. The order directs New…
The first RGGI carbon credit auction under the new 2014 cap sold allowances at $4 each, the highest since RGGI began its cap-and-trade program in 2008. On March 7, 2014, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) member states announced results of their 23rd carbon credit auction held on March 5. The auction was the first to…
For the third time since 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing the EPA’s regulation of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) under the Clean Air Act. Overview On February 24, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments over the case Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on whether EPA is ultimately legitimized…
