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…...
Results of California’s second carbon allowance auction signal marked success for the landmark cap-and-trade program, owing to strong market participation and a higher than expected settlement price. On February 19, 2013, California Air Resources Board (CARB) held its second auction for 2013 vintage allowances (Current Auction) and 2016 vintage allowances (Advanced Auction). The results of…...
A New York-based environmental law group petitioned EPA to broaden its regulatory approach via specified Clean Air Act provisions, including stipulations that would require all states to regulate carbon emissions. On February 19, 2013, the Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University’s School of Law petitioned EPA to utilize provisions under the Clean Air…...
A new Senate bill introduces a national carbon tax that aims at cutting carbon emissions to 80% below 2005 levels by 2020. The bill comes days after President Obama’s State of the Union speech set the stage for bold climate change action. On February 14, 2013, two U.S. Senators introduced a carbon emissions tax bill to achieve an…...
A federal court decision on January 15, 2013 denied petitions challenging an EPA ruling that permits the use of a 15% ethanol fuel blend (E15) for light-duty gasoline-fueled vehicles. The step is a major victory for the biofuels industry, with several facilities just beginning to reach commercial production levels. The decision will also help the industry…...
California Governor Jerry Brown’s 2013-2014 budget proposal lays out the spending plan for $600 million in cap-and-trade. The budget estimates total program revenue of $200 million in 2013, a far miss from the $1 billion revenue forecast one year ago, reflecting weaker-than-expected demand in the November auction. On January 10, 2013, California Governor Brown released…...
New York Governor Andrew M Cuomo, at his 2013 State of the State address, proposed a major expansion of the successful NY-Sun program, announcing $150 million in annual funding through 2023. The expansion intends to steer progress in the solar power industry by making solar installations for homes and businesses more affordable. The proposal, part…...
As part of state goals to further a clean tech economy, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Charge NY Plan, a new initiative intended to create a comprehensive charging network for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in New York. The proposal calls for a $50 million investment spread over five years, as part of…...
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, in his State of the State address, proposed a tougher carbon cap for states covered under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) cap-and-trade program. The proposal underscores RGGI’s opportunity for achieving even greater emissions reductions in future years, as its current carbon cap remains significantly higher than actual emissions produced in…...
California regulators will direct the state’s largest utilities to return 85% of cap-and-trade proceeds to ratepayers. The move, which comes about a month after the successful completion of California’s first carbon allowance auction, aims at offsetting higher electricity costs resulting from the cap-and-trade program, by providing a “climate dividend” on utility bills. On December 20, 1012,…...
by Angelique Mercurio, Energy Solutions Forum California regulators have named two major carbon offset registries, American Carbon Registry and Climate Action Reserve, as approved participants under the state’s cap-and-trade program. The approval authorizes permanent carbon offsets from sectors that are not covered under cap-and-trade, and allows regulated entities to reduce compliance costs by using tradable offset credits…...
