The DOE has announced four research projects focused on advanced technologies to improve gasification systems for greater power generation efficiency and environmental performance. On November 6, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced funding for four projects focused on next-generation gasification systems that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The research projects will develop technologies that…
The EPA has announced the largest penalty under the Clean Air Act, requiring automakers Hyundai and Kia to pay $100M for violating tailpipe GHG emission standards. On November 3, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement resolving alleged Clean Air Act violations of Hyundai and Kia for…
The White House has released federal agencies’ sustainability and climate plans outlining methods to incorporate energy and climate considerations into their decision-making. On October 31, 2014 – the fifth anniversary of the 2009 Executive Order on Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance – the White House released federal agencies’ sustainability and climate change adaptation plans, detailing…
On October 16, 2014 the FERC ruled New England Transmission Owners’ base ROE unjust and unreasonable, and lowered the base rate to 10.57 percent. The rate reductions and refunds are not currently considerable financial burdens to NETO companies, however the lower ROE may impact future transmission infrastructure investments. With tightening capacity reserve margins and a shifting…
The BLM has released the final environmental review of the proposed GMT1 project, facilitating the first commercial oil and gas activity on NPR-A. On October 29, 2014, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued the final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the proposed Greater Mooses Tooth Unit 1 (GMT1) project, facilitating the first commercial…
N Governor Cuomo has announced the establishment of a strategic fuel reserve in Upstate New York to address potential emergency supply gaps. On October 29, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Upstate Strategic Fuel Reserve Program to address potential disruptions in fuel supply during storms and emergencies. The reserve comprises six terminals…
The EPA has issued a supplemental proposal to the Clean Power Plan to address power plant emissions in Indian Country and U.S. territories. On October 28, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a supplemental proposal to the June 2014 Clean Power Plan to limit carbon emissions from electric generating units (EGUs) in Indian Country…
2013 Year-over-year GHG emissions rose 2.5 percent and are projected to rise an additional 1.1 percent over the course of 2014, mainly due to harsh 2014 winter conditions. If energy efficiency, demand response, and renewable resources are not increasingly developed, the U.S. power sector will be challenged to affordably meet emissions goals if extreme weather…
A federal appeals court has lifted the stay of EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule which addresses interstate transport of air pollution that affects downwind states’ ability to meet air quality standards. On October 23, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) motion to lift…
New York’s first energy management network operations center will provide statewide public facilities with real-time energy use data to improve building performance. On October 21, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the launch of NY Energy Manager (NYEM), the state’s first energy management network operations center, at the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and…
The DOE has issued a final rule establishing standards for green building rating systems that provide certification for federal buildings. On October 10, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final rule establishing standards for green building certification systems to strengthen federal buildings’ energy management through enhanced energy use measurement and energy efficient design….
According to EIA, the share of imports in U.S. energy consumption for the first half of 2014 reached the lowest level in 29 years. On October 10, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report showing that net U.S. energy imports as a share of consumption for the January-June 2014 period reached the lowest…
