Two hydropower bills were unanimously passed by the Senate to facilitate streamlined regulatory processes for hydroelectric projects. On August 1, 2013, the Senate unanimously approved two bills aimed at streamlining the regulatory processes for selected hydropower projects. Both the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act (H.R. 267) and the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs…
California Air Resources Board and Australia’s climate regulator have agreed to collaborate on emission reduction efforts, primarily by sharing information about market-based programs to address climate change. On July 30, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) signed an agreement to establish a collaborative framework to address climate change….
A U.S. appeals court has dismissed petitions from Texas, Wyoming, and industry groups against EPA’s greenhouse gas permitting requirements. On July 26, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting requirements, dismissing a suit from Texas, Wyoming, and industry groups claiming that…
EIA projects a 56 percent growth in world energy consumption by 2040, driven by economic growth in emerging countries. Over its 2010-2040 projection period, renewables and nuclear are the fastest-growing sources, though fossil fuels continue to supply 80 percent of energy consumption. On July 25, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its 2013 International…
A federal appeals court rejected petitions in opposition to EPA’s 2008 primary ozone standard and ordered a review of its secondary standard for violating the Clean Air Act. On July 23, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia denied petitions challenging the primary ozone standard of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)…
The oil and shale gas boom will not achieve U.S. energy security, according to senior military officials speaking at New York Energy Week. Instead, the shale boom could intensify national security problems if it leads away from investment in renewable energy development. Panelists who spoke at the Redefining U.S. Energy Security for the 21st Century…
Senate endorsement of House Bill 306 ascertains New Hampshire’s continued participation in RGGI by adopting proposed to RGGI Model Rule revisions. On May 23, 2013, the New Hampshire Senate passed House Bill 306 by a vote of 14-10 to adopt the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s (RGGI) updated Model Rule and authorize the state’s continued…
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…
