In the previous three months, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has provided preliminary exclusion from federal regulations to 16 different hydropower projects, facilitating growth in renewable electricity generation and providing access for new hydroelectric markets. Overview President Obama signed the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 (H.R. 267) in August 2013 to facilitate hydroelectric…...
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced an award of $4.8 million for innovative advanced technology projects reducing energy consumption in buildings throughout New York State. Today’s award of $4.8 million is the second of six rounds of funding released under New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Advanced Buildings Program. NYSERDA will provide $25…...
The BLM has approved the majority of a 990-mile high-voltage transmission line in Wyoming and Idaho, facilitating a stronger Western grid with more renewable energy integration. On November 12, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced approval for eight segments of the proposed 10-segment Gateway West Transmission Line that could deliver up to 1,500…...
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard shows increasing state adoption of energy efficiency measures to save energy costs, spur innovation, and promote growth. On November 6, 2013, ACEEE released its 2013 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard report, ranking states on energy efficiency policy and program efforts, and providing…...
A new analysis shows that California needs significant policy and technology changes to meet its 2050 GHG reduction target. On November 4, 2013, the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released a report analyzing the impact of existing policies and technologies on California’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction targets. The state’s GHG reduction initiatives aim to reduce…...
On September 23, the EPA updated its 2012 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) rule, which indirectly regulates fugitive methane emissions at the production phase of oil and natural gas development. Data from the rule will determine whether the EPA will directly regulate methane from oil and…...
Florida has approved contracts to build its third natural gas pipeline – from Southwest Alabama to South Florida. On October 24, 2013, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) prudence review request for contracts to construct a $3.5B, 591-mile, interstate natural gas pipeline. PSC determined that the pipeline will provide…...
2012 EIA data show that U.S. energy-related emissions dropped to lowest levels since 1994 due to a decline in energy consumption and overall carbon intensity. On October 21, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its 2012 report on U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The report, derived from EIA’s monthly energy data, highlighted that 2012…...
Earlier this month, California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a draft Update to the Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) Scoping Plan, describing the progress made towards objectives and defining priorities and activities to reduce emissions. Overview AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, created a…...
The New York Public Service Commission has approved new power lines as part of its Indian Point contingency plan. On October 17, 2013, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) approved three transmission projects to maintain grid reliability if Indian Point Energy Center (IPEC) closes due to license expiration in 2015. IPEC’s nuclear reactors,…...
On October 15, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to review whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas regulations for motor vehicles should also result in regulations for stationary sources. The Court’s decision could have direct implications for the EPA’s rulemaking on future power plants and would affect President Obama’s timetable for existing plants and…...
A new study reveals that the U.S. tops the world in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) development and calls for a sharp increase in global CCS projects to achieve climate mitigation goals. On October 10, 2013, Australian research group Global CCS Institute released its annual report on the global status of CCS development. The report…...
