NASA’s 2013 global temperature data show continued long-term climate warming trend with atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) at its highest level in 800,000 years. On January 21, 2014, the National Aeronautics Space Administration’s (NASA) Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) in New York released a report analyzing 2013 global surface temperatures. The report showed that the…
The 2013 Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act would reform Superfund hazardous waste cleanup regulations by increasing state participation in imposing remediation provisions. On January 9, 2014, the House of Representatives approved the 2013 Reducing Excessive Deadline Obligations Act (H.R. 2279) aimed to increase the role of states in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund hazardous…
The nine RGGI states have announced the first carbon allowance auction under the tougher 2014 emissions cap of 91 million tons. On January 13, 2014, the nine member states of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) announced the new 2014 carbon cap of 91 million tons, approximately 45 percent below the previous cap of 165…
EPA’s proposed standards for new residential woodstoves and heaters aims increase efficiency of next-generation appliances by approximately 80 percent. On January 3, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed updated emissions standards that would require woodstoves and heaters manufactured in 2015 or later to reduce particulate matter emissions by approximately 80 percent relative to existing…
EPA has issued final Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations to conditionally exclude carbon dioxide (CO2) streams in geologic sequestration activities from the definition of hazardous waste. On January 3, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final revisions for hazardous waste management under RCRA to conditionally exclude CO2 streams from the definition of…
On December 10, 2013, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) proposed the 2013 Bipartisan Budget Act, a two-year budget agreement that would provide $63B in sequester relief and reduce the fiscal deficit by $20B to $23B. Overview Lawmakers now have several weeks to appropriate the budget…
U.S. and Japan have announced a 2014 launch date for an innovative satellite that will provide enhanced knowledge of weather and climate impacts. On December 26, 2013, the U.S. National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced February 27, 2014 as the launch date for a Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM)…
On February 7, 2013, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) released the Updated Model Rule, which lowers the emissions cap from 165 million short tons CO2 in 2013 to 91 million short tons CO2 in 2014. The lower cap aligns with current emissions levels, and has revived the stagnant RGGI CO2 allowance market. Overview The…
EIA’s latest Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projects a 56 percent increase in natural gas production by 2040, overtaking coal as the largest share of U.S. electric power generation. On December 16, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the AEO 2014 Early Release Overview presenting updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2040. The AEO…
EPA’s annual report on average fuel economy shows that MY 2012 vehicles achieved record-high fuel economy and record-low carbon emissions. On December 12, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its annual report on average fuel economy, emissions, and powertrain technology of new U.S. personal vehicles, including passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans, pickup…
Massachusetts has finalized RGGI regulation amendments to implement a new emissions cap of 91 million tons per year, starting in 2014. On December 9, 2013, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued final amendments to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Pursuant to the RGGI Updated Model Rule…
New York State has won the “Deal of the Year for Small Issuer Financing” award for its innovative residential energy efficiency financing through revenue bonds. On December 6, 2013, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Environmental Facilities Corp. (EFC) announced the award of “Deal of the Year for Small Issuer…
