EPA has released its Clean Power Plan proposal, outlining the first emission guidelines for existing fossil fuel-fired power plants, with a goal to reduce power sector emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. On June 2, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Clean Power Plan proposal to address greenhouse gas emissions…...
DOE has proposed to suspend its practice of issuing conditional decisions on LNG export applications involving non-FTA countries before completing the review required under National Environmental Policy Act. On May 29, 2014, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy published a Notice of Proposed Procedures for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Export Decisions concerning…...
The New York State Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative aims to answer the question of how to proceed with New York’s energy future in the face of aging electric generating plants and the need for a more resilient energy infrastructure. Overview The initiative – announced by Governor Cuomo in April 2014 – tasks the…...
Despite the recent surge in domestic crude oil and natural gas production, diesel-fueled passenger vehicles and natural gas-fueled fleet vehicles still face challenges in achieving large-scale adoption. Overview Diesel-fueled vehicles provide an option for manufacturers to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration average fuel-efficiency standards of 54.5 miles…...
In response to Superstorm Sandy, DOE has announced the first federal regional gasoline reserve to create one million barrels of gasoline storage in the Northeast. On May 2, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced establishment of the first regional refined petroleum product reserve creating one million barrels of gasoline storage in the Northeast. The action,…...
Since the turn of the century, increased scrutiny has been placed on the U.S. electric grid. The threat of weather disruption, physical and cyber-attacks, and decreased regional power generation capacity due to emissions regulations are key factors framing the debate over how to achieve power security and supply. Overview In 2012, Hurricane Sandy exposed electric…...
The Supreme Court upheld EPA’s air pollution rule that regulates cross-border emissions of 28 upwind states to address downwind states’ compliance with air quality standards. On April 29, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), reversing an August 2012 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals…...
The American shipping industry has become less competitive in the global market, leading to questions on whether domestic restrictions still make economic sense. High cost of living in outlying U.S. states and territories and high energy prices are bringing the Jones Act under scrutiny. Overview The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act…...
U.S. petroleum product exports increased by ten percent from 2012-2013, reflecting a significant boost in domestic crude oil and natural gas production. On April 22, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report showing that 2013 U.S. petroleum product exports averaged 3.5 million barrels per day (MMbbl/d) increasing by ten percent from 2012 levels…....
The Alaska Legislature has approved a measure directing negotiations for state partnership in the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline project. On April 20, 2014, Alaska Legislature passed SB 138, allowing negotiations to establish state partnership with the major North Slope producers – BP, ConocoPhillips, and ExxonMobil – and pipeline company TransCanada in the proposed large-diameter Alaska…...
EPA and Texas have issued the first joint greenhouse gas permit in the State. On April 16, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued a final greenhouse gas (GHG) permit to Equistar Chemicals to expand and modify an existing petrochemical plant. The permit is the first to be drafted…...
A federal appeals court upheld EPA’s regulation to limit emissions of mercury and hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants. On April 15, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) for coal- and oil-fired electric utility steam…...