On September 30, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Fifth Assessment Report on climate change, the latest installment in a series of reports examining global warming. The report for Policymakers was released September 27. Overview The IPCC report concluded with 95 percent confidence that human activity is contributing to climate…...
On September 18, the House Energy and Commerce Committee heard testimony from EPA and DOE officials on the Obama Administration’s climate change policies and continued the debate over the requirement to require Carbon Capture and Sequestration technologies in future sources. On September 20, the EPA released its draft rule to set national emissions limits on…...
California Air Resources Board has announced issuance of the first carbon offset credits for cap-and-trade program compliance. On September 17, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced issuance of 600,000 compliance-grade carbon offset credits for use in the cap-and-trade program. The offset credits will be issued through the Compliance Instrument Tracking System for state-issued carbon…...
The biofuels industry has benefited from the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) since 2005. The standard has since expanded and been a source of debate largely centered on the reliance of U.S. fuel consumption estimates, the feasibility of production levels for various feedstocks, and reaching minimum greenhouse gas reduction levels when weighting direct and indirect greenhouse…...
California and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate efforts on low carbon development. On September 13, 2013, California Governor Jerry Brown and China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Vice Chairman, Xie Zhenhua signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate climate change efforts, promote efficient energy technologies, and advance low…...
On September 30, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider a major challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s implementation of greenhouse gas regulations under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act, a hearing that could affect President Obama’s timetable for existing power plants and state implementation plans. The EPA will likely face ongoing litigation on most…...
Allowances offered at RGGI’s 21st carbon auction cleared at $2.67 each, generating $102.5 million. On September 6, 2013, the nine Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) members released results of their 21st quarterly auction held on September 4. The auction offered 38,409,043 carbon allowances that were bid in the range of $1.98 to $12.85 each. All allowances sold…...
The overwhelming number of public comments to the recent Department of Interior (DOI) hydraulic fracturing rule is an indication of the increased role regulatory policy – and the rulemaking process – is playing in environmental policy during the second term. Overview A large number of industry representatives opposed the rule during the public comment period,…...
The fourth California GHG allowance auction demonstrates continued program success with stable participation and clearing prices. On August 21, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) released the results of its fourth quarterly greenhouse gas (GHG) allowance auction held on August 16, 2013. ARB offered 13,865,422 allowances under Current Auction (2013 vintage allowances) and…...
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…...