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…...
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which left at total of 8.5 million customers without power, the need for a smarter and more resilient grid has never been greater. To achieve this, the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force is partnering with affected states to rebuild smarter and stronger. The Sandy Supplemental Appropriation has allocated approximately…...
EPA will solicit public input for its proposed carbon dioxide emissions standards for existing power plants through a series of scheduled listening sessions. On September 30, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a schedule of 11 public listening sessions across the U.S. to solicit input for its proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards for…...
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 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…...