A Congressional Budget Office study examines the economic impact of imposing a carbon tax and suggests revenue-use options that would offset costs of implementing the tax while reducing emissions. A new study released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on May 22, 2013 finds that a carbon tax could boost federal revenues and curb carbon…
California’s third carbon allowance auction raised approximately $280 million at an increased settlement price of $14.00 per allowance. On May 21, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released results of its third quarterly auction, held on May 16, 2013. The auction offered Current Auction (2013) vintage allowances and Advanced Auction (2016) vintage allowances. All…
Energy tax reform proposals released by the House Ways and Means Committee outline potential modifications to federal tax code for fossil fuel production, renewable energy tax credits, and energy efficiency provisions. On May 6, 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released the Joint Committee on Taxation report detailing tax reform suggestions to 11 Tax…
Based on findings that ARB met necessary state requirements, California Governor Brown gave the go-ahead to continue efforts to link with Quebec’s carbon market. On April 8, 2013, California Governor Edmund “Jerry” Brown sent a letter to California Air Resources Board (ARB), confirming that the agency had met the minimum requirements to link its emissions…
A group of Senate Democrats requested the Administration to reconsider EPA’s proposed emissions regulations that would essentially ban construction of new coal-fueled power plants in the U.S. Four Senate Democrats, led by Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), wrote to President Obama seeking amendments of EPA’s proposed New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for new power plants. The letter — released…
House Democrats released draft carbon-pricing legislation, soliciting feedback on a potential per-ton fee for emissions, annual rate of fee increase, and revenue spending. On March 12, 2013, House Democrats released a draft plan for carbon-pricing legislation that would impose a fee on greenhouse gas emissions from the nation’s largest polluters, such as power plants, oil…
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) released a list of 25 carbon offset projects that, if approved, have the potential to generate up to three million offset credits for California’s carbon market. On March 8, 2013, California ARB released a list of 25 early action carbon offset projects that would be considered for use in…
In his Saturday Keynote speech at the 2013 MIT Energy Conference, Bill Richardson, former Governor of New Mexico, stressed the importance of connecting science and politics to fill the climate change knowledge gap, and proposed a macro-regional American collaboration to promote energy innovation and renewable energy diffusion. In the presence of recently appointed energy secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz, MIT…
At a well-attended 2013 MIT Energy Conference, an expert panel explored the “big picture” questions surrounding climate change, providing updated insights on pros and cons of available actions. While Sandy has made clear the critical state of the environment – more so than 4 years worth of IPCC reports, notes Dr. Kerry Emanuel (Professor of…
In the last 20 years, energy innovation has become a global process in terms of education, finance, technology, and markets. At the 2013 MIT Energy Conference a panel of experts discussed pros and cons of innovative energy solutions in emerging markets. Emerging markets provide attractive opportunities for innovative energy systems. The competitive advantage of renewable…
On March 2nd, at the 2013 MIT Energy Conference, experts gathered from academia, government, and the business community for a lively discussion about CHP. Below, we highlight key takeaways from both technology and regulatory perspectives. Combined heat and power (CHP) systems are 30% more efficient than conventional separate heat and power (SHP), thus representing major efficiency opportunities to commercial…
Chief executives of leading U.S. companies released a report outlining recommendations for a comprehensive energy policy framework that would capitalize on the nation’s strengths to enhance self-sufficiency, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. On February 25, 2013, Business Roundtable, a national association of corporate executives, released a report outlining recommendations to devise a comprehensive energy policy…
