RGGI states have recommended that EPA develop a market-based emissions reduction program based on RGGI model success. On December 2, 2013, members of environmental and energy agencies within the nine Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) states submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions regulations for existing power…
The White House has published a new document explaining the derivation of the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC), reflecting May estimate updates. On November 26, 2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a request for comment on a new Technical Support Document (TSD) that explains the derivation of SCC, a monetary estimate of…
Allowances sold out again at California’s fifth carbon allowance auction, indicating market viability. On November 22, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released the results of its fifth quarterly carbon auction held on November 19. CARB offered 16,614,526 allowances under Current Auction (2013 vintage allowances) and 9,560,000 allowances under Advance Auction (2016 vintage allowances)…
In the previous three months, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has provided preliminary exclusion from federal regulations to 16 different hydropower projects, facilitating growth in renewable electricity generation and providing access for new hydroelectric markets. Overview President Obama signed the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 (H.R. 267) in August 2013 to facilitate hydroelectric…
California has issued the first carbon offset credits under its Forestry Protocol, enabling cap-and-trade entities to use forestry projects to offset emissions. On November 13, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced approval of the first carbon offset credits under the cap-and-trade forestry protocol. CARB issued 1.2 million offset credits to Willits Woods, a…
A Superior Court rejected lawsuits against California’s carbon allowance auction under the cap-and-trade program. On November 12, 2013, the Sacramento Superior Court rejected lawsuits by the California Chamber of Commerce and Morning Star Packing Company challenging California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) authority to auction carbon allowances under the cap-and-trade program. Petitioners contended that CARB exceeded…
EPA encourages contingency plans as Southwest, Lower Mississippi Basin, and Florida appear to be on unsustainable water use trajectories. EPA has issued a new report on the Importance of Water to the U.S. Economy with the aim of (1) raising awareness of water’s importance to U.S. economic welfare and (2) assembling critical information to sustainably…
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard shows increasing state adoption of energy efficiency measures to save energy costs, spur innovation, and promote growth. On November 6, 2013, ACEEE released its 2013 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard report, ranking states on energy efficiency policy and program efforts, and providing…
On September 23, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated its 2012 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) rule, which indirectly regulates fugitive methane emissions at the production phase of oil and natural gas development. Overview EPA will use outcome data from the NSPS NESHAP rule to determine…
A new analysis shows that California needs significant policy and technology changes to meet its 2050 GHG reduction target. On November 4, 2013, the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released a report analyzing the impact of existing policies and technologies on California’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction targets. The state’s GHG reduction initiatives aim to reduce…
On November 1, the Obama Administration released Executive Order (EO) 13231 to address climate change resilience in state and local communities. The EO directs Federal Agencies to include increased climate change criteria for issuing grant and contract awards. On the same day, the Environmental Protection Agency released 17 program and regional draft implementation plans, with…
President Obama has issued an executive order outlining multiple strategies to bolster climate resilience of states and local governments. On November 1, 2013, President Obama signed an Executive Order (EO) titled “Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change,” directing federal agencies to support climate resilience efforts in states and local communities. The…
