|
|
|
|
|
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brought to you by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Court Rejects Bush Fuel Economy Plan A California federal appeals court on November 15 rejected the pollution standards that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration set for most sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and vans, and ordered regulators to draft a new plan for these automobiles. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the plan from the Bush administration did not properly assess the greenhouse gas emissions from “light truck” models when it set minimum fuel efficiency standards for 2008 to 2011. Judge Betty Fletcher wrote that the administration “cannot put a thumb on the scale by undervaluing the benefits and overvaluing the costs of more stringent standards.” The court has also ordered that new rules be set as soon as possible, which automakers oppose because they argue that they are well into developing models based on the established standards. “Any further changes to the program would only delay the progress that manufacturers have made toward increasing fleet-wide fuel economy,” said Dave McCurdy, president and chief executive of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. A spokesman for the Justice Department has said that the administration was in the process of reviewing the decision, and will consider all options for moving forward. Click on the following links for more information: Nine Midwestern governors signed a pact November 15 to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and establish a regional cap-and-trade program. The pact includes the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, South Dakota, and the Canadian province of Manitoba, and pledges to push for more renewable energy, energy efficiency, and biofuels. Additionally, a regional cap-and-trade program will be developed and targeted for implementation by mid-2010. While all states agreed to reduce GHG emissions, Indiana, Ohio, and South Dakota did not sign into the cap-and-trade program. Other such programs have been set up among western and northeastern states, and the World Resources Institute reports that this third program now means approximately half of Americans are included in agreements to combat global warming. Additionally, as a region, the area covered in this latest agreement ranks fifth among the world’s largest GHG emitters. “We are a little smaller, more nimble than the federal government ... perhaps we can roll it up into part of a larger national policy,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who also is the current chair of the National Governors’ Association. Click on the following links for more information:
UN Reports Millions of Jobs at Risk from Climate Change UN officials reported November 12 that millions of jobs could be lost due to climate change, but that in the meantime jobs will be created in the environmental technology sector as industries work to avoid and lessen the effects of climate change. Speaking to diplomats, trade unionists and business representatives at the International Labour Organization, members of the United Nations Environment Program and World Meteorological Organization spoke of how climate change could cause several industries to experience huge employment losses. Specifically, jobs could be lost in the world’s fisheries and the tourism industry, as well as from people being displaced by the effects of climate change. However, UN officials also spoke of the wave of employment that could happen as a result of companies working to reduce the effects of climate change. “Global warming and the need to respond to climate change is becoming a major impulse for innovation and efficiency gains,” said UN Environment Program Executive Director Achim Steiner. Click on the following link for more information: On November 8, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) announced his plans to introduce a bill that establishes a moratorium on the approval of new coal-fired power plants until the EPA creates regulations to address greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. Waxman announced his legislation at a Congressional hearing with EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson. Under the Waxman proposal, a new coal-fired power plant could only receive a permit if it uses state-of-the-art technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These measures would also be required for any new plant to receive allowances under future climate change legislation. Click on the following link for more information: The House of Representatives purchased carbon credits on November 12 through the Chicago Climate Exchange. Credits for 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide were purchased for a price around $3 per ton, totaling approximately $90,000. The House purchased these credits to offset the carbon dioxide emissions each year from the Capitol Power Plant, which burns coal for electricity. “We are pleased to have the Chicago Climate Exchange provide a price transparency mechanism through this auction service to US House of Representatives as part of its ‘Greening of the Capitol’ initiative,” said Dr. Richard Sandor, chairman and CEO of CCX. Under this initiative, the House will purchase wind power and substitute natural gas for coal to generate the House's portion of the electricity produced by the Capitol Power Plant. The House will also purchase carbon offsets for the natural gas it uses. Funding for the purchase of these offsets was made available in the Chief Administrative Officer's Fiscal Year 2008 budget. Click on the following link for more information: The fourth report released this year by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will be officially adopted on November 17, followed by a press conference with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. In the report, the report warns that human activities “could lead to abrupt or irreversible climate changes and impacts.” This report will have little new data; instead, Bert Metz, of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, said the new report “integrates all the elements, the connections between [the three previous reports].” This report comes just a few weeks before a meeting in Bali, Indonesia, where negotiations will begin to create a climate change agreement to follow the Kyoto Protocol. “There is a growing consensus that Bali needs to achieve a breakthrough to put negotiations in place, and that's very encouraging,” said Yvo de Boer, the UN's top climate official. “But it's not going to be a piece of cake.” Click on the following links for more information:
EPA: Energy Efficiency Can Save Billions of Dollars While Fighting Climate Change On November 13, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its "National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency Vision for 2025," which provides a framework for states, utilities and other stakeholders to consider when seeking policies and programs to achieve all cost effective energy efficiency measures. More than 60 energy, environmental and other organizations--including 30 electric and gas utilities and 17 state agencies--collaborated on the report, which says energy efficiency measures could save Americans more than $500 billion in energy costs over 25 years and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 90 million vehicles. "Opportunities to increase and maximize energy efficiency in our homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities are both enormous and quantifiable and are a key component of the president's robust energy initiatives," said Kevin Kolevar, DOE assistant secretary for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. "The national action plan recognizes the role of prioritizing energy efficiency through incentive based programs and policies, which can reduce energy use, benefit our environment and add to a company's bottom line." Click on the following link for more information:
NARUC Sets New Policies on Climate Change The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), which met for its 119th Annual Convention in Anaheim, Calif. on November 14, approved two resolutions supporting federal climate change legislation. NARUC's passage of the climate resolutions is seen as a significant move for the conservative group that has historically moved cautiously on policy issues. The trade association represents state regulators of utility services, such as energy, telecommunications, transportation and water. "These new policies mark a significant step for this Association and State utility regulators across the country," said outgoing NARUC President Jim Kerr of North Carolina. "It positions NARUC to be a major player as Congress takes up climate legislation and ensures that our views, and the views of our constituent ratepayers, will be heard." The first resolution ("Resolution on Federal Climate Change Legislation and Cap-and-Trade Design Principles") denotes the NARUC's support for federal climate legislation and, while not specifically endorsing a cap-and-trade program, offers a series of principles that Congress should consider if it implements such a program. The second resolution ("Resolution on State Regulatory Policies Toward Climate Change") encourages State regulators to consider adopting policy approaches and regulatory tools that ensure continued electric system reliability and minimize economic dislocation and costs to consumers. Additionally, the resolution urges States to also consider addressing the likely transition to a carbon-constrained world through several policy options. Click on the following links for more information: On November 15, Australian scientists said that climate change is occurring quicker than UN officials recently reported at a public forum of the Climate Change Review in Australia. “This is not something that's affecting people in 10, 20 or 30 years' time. It's now,” said Graeme Pearman, former chief of atmospheric research for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). “The recent science has strengthened the concern that we may have underestimated the rate of change.” Scientists at the forum noted that the summer season has increased in the Northern Hemisphere by 12 days in the past century, but in some regions such as northern Norway, summer is now six weeks longer. Among the causes that scientists attribute to the accelerated pace of climate change’s effects is the economic growth of China and India. These countries are now predicted to emit 10 billion tons of carbon by 2030, compared to an earlier prediction of 6 billion tons in the same time. “You get a serious under-reading of what's happening in Asia,” said Peter Sheehan, the director of the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies at Victoria University. “Nobody could have predicted the size of what's going on.” Click on the following links for more information:
Environmental Study Estimates North American Carbon Debt On November 13, the US Climate Change Science Program released the results of a study that show North America produces three to four times the amount of carbon dioxide than it can absorb. The report which comes from the climate research arm of the Bush administration said 42 percent of the continent's emissions come from extracting and burning fossil fuels for electricity, while 31 percent of it comes from transportation exhausts. The United States produces 85 percent of the continent’s emissions, some of which is absorbed by forests, croplands, and wetlands. The remaining emissions remain in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. One of the authors of the report, Anthony King of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, said previous studies suggested North America was able to absorb more CO2, but this first net-carbon study shows that number is declining. Click on the following links for more information: The Center for Global Development, a US think tank, reviewed emissions from 50,000 power plants around the world and found that US power plants emit the most carbon dioxide (CO2), followed by China's power sector. According to the review, CO2 emissions by Chinese power plants are expected to surpass US utilities' emissions by 2017. "If we look ahead over the next 10 years China will overwhelmingly dominate the United States," said David Wheeler, the report's author and a former World Bank economist. "Globally, power generation emits nearly 10 billion tonnes of CO2 per year. The US with over 8,000 power plants out of more than 50,000 worldwide, accounts for about 25 percent of that total," the survey found. Click on the following links for more information:
Florida CFO Details Climate Change Initiatives Florida has announced two initiatives to help it prepare for possible financial fallout from climate change: disclosure requirements for the state's treasury investment managers and the exploration of the creation of a clean energy fund for Florida. "Florida has 1,300 miles of coastline that could be impacted by rising sea level, and millions of taxpayers who depend on us to safeguard their tax dollars and retirement funds," Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said. "It is my goal to help prepare Florida's economy for the effects of climate change, avoid potential risks and take advantage of the many financial opportunities." Click on the following links for more information: On November 13, European Union legislators voted to strengthen a plan to cap carbon emissions from aircraft flying to and from Europe. The proposal mirrors an existing carbon credit trading system that the EU uses to combat global warming and meet its emissions targets under the Kyoto Protocol. The new measures, approved by the European Parliament, drew immediate criticism from the US government and from the airline industry. They argued that the rules broke with international aviation practices, would cost companies billions of dollars and could lead to sharp increases in airline ticket prices. On the opposite side, some environmental groups criticized the measure--which still must be approved by individual EU states--as far too timid. Click on the following link for more information:
Australian Opposition Leader Would Set Aside $500m for Renewable Energy Projects Australian Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd, said Labor government would spend $500 million commercializing renewable energy research as part of its commitment to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. "We need to harness our enormous potential in solar, wind, geothermal and wave power. This fund will support projects that take renewable energy technology from the lab to the grid. I am determined to make Australia part of the global climate change solution, not just part of the global climate change problem," Mr. Rudd said. The research fund would get the same amount of money as a similar fund for so-called clean coal technologies announced by the Australian government earlier this year. The chief executive officer of the Climate Institute, John Connor, said the renewable energy announcement "more than balances out the funding allocated for research and development to dramatically reduce emissions from fossil fuels." Click on the following link for more information:
Sen. Cantwell Introduces Bill to Help States and Local Governments Address Climate Change On November 14, Senator Cantwell (D-WA) introduced the Climate Change Adaptation Act of 2007 (S. 2355) to require the President to develop a national strategy for addressing the impacts that climate change will have on US natural resources. It will also specifically require NOAA to conduct vulnerability assessments on the impacts of climate change on coastal and ocean resources, and to prepare adaptation plans for those resources. “The unfortunate reality is that even if we were somehow able to stop using fossil fuels today, a certain degree of warming and ocean acidification will still occur over the next two or three decades,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Right now, federal officials do not have the proper tools or guidance on how to take climate change impacts into account as they carry out their responsibilities of managing public resources. We’re making decisions and spending billions of dollars without taking into account how climate change might impact the efficacy of those long-term decisions. Planning for the future isn’t just common sense – it’s responsible government.” Click on the following links for more information:
Xcel Energy Plans to Double Renewable Generation by 2015 On November 15, Xcel Energy in Colorado announced that it would seek by 2015 to add approximately 1,050 megawatts of renewable generation, reduce current electricity demand by 694 megawatts through enhanced energy efficiency programs, and replace two older, coal-fired power plants with a more efficient, natural gas facility. The company’s Colorado Resource Plan (CRP) would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Xcel Energy by at least 10 percent by 2017, when compared with 2005 levels. “Xcel Energy fully supports ambitious efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in Colorado and throughout our service territory. But, it is important to balance these environmental objectives with the equally important goals of reasonable customer rates and a reliable electric system,” said Richard C. Kelly, Xcel Energy chairman, president and CEO. “Our proposal balances all of these components and takes an important first step on the path of achieving the goals of the governor’s Colorado Climate Action Plan.” Click on the following links for more information:
Gore, Schwarzenegger Plan Bipartisan Presidential Climate Forum Former Vice President Al Gore and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will take part in a bipartisan presidential forum on energy and climate change next month in New Hampshire, shortly ahead of the state's first-in-the-nation primary. Schwarzenegger spokesman Adam Mendelsohn says the forum is still being planned, but candidates from both major parties are expected to attend. Gore will handle the Democratic candidates at the forum. Schwarzenegger, who has said he wants to play a role in the 2008 contest by drawing attention to issues of special interest, including global warming, will handle the Republicans. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), a GOP presidential candidate said the climate change issue had not been discussed enough in the race, either by Republicans or Democrats. "I know the issue. I've been involved in it for many, many years. And I'm proud to have played a role in leadership on it." McCain plans to attend the forum. Click on the following links for more information:
Recent Congressional Hearings Senate Environment and Public Works Senate Foreign Relations House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
Events November 29, 2007 International Polar Year: Exploring the Changing Poles The polar regions are changing faster than any other part of our planet. Find out why with Dr. Robin Bell, chair of the International Polar Year. Learn about the goals of the International Polar Year, the research projects underway, and the challenges of working in the Antarctic and the Arctic. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Contact the Koshland Science Museum at 202-334-1201 or ksm@nas.edu to purchase tickets. For more information see:
December 5, 2007 Senate EPW Climate Bill Markup Senators on the Environment Committee will vote on the Lieberman-Warner climate bill (S. 2191) when the proposed legislation is marked up on December 5. For more information see: http://epw.senate.gov/public/ The Carbon Management Council hosts a conference entitled "Business in the Wilderness, Shaping Your Carbon Choices," on December 5-6 at the Omni Shoreham in Washington DC. The conference is a dialog around the challenges that will very likely change businesses: "Whether we create, use, or buy products and services, carbon will be a driver, not just an impact. Waiting for government to define our responsibilities and create a coherent framework may be a high cost strategy. Investment planning will require a new degree of discipline and detail as we consider energy consumption and pricing, future shareholder value, and capital deployment." For more information see: http://www.carbonmanagementconference.org
Quick Links * SUBSCRIBE to our newsletters and other products * ARCHIVE: Past issues of the newsletter are posted on our website under "publications" * SUPPORT EESI: This newsletter and EESI's other valuable work in energy, climate change, agriculture, transportation and smart growth are made possible through financial support from people like you. Please donate now.
Fredric Beck This EESI publication is a free, weekly electronic newsletter intended to inform interested parties, particularly the policymaker community, of the latest climate change-related news. Permission for reproduction of this newsletter is granted provided that EESI is properly acknowledged as the source. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by a bipartisan, bicameral group of members of Congress to provide timely information on energy and environmental policy issues to policymakers and stakeholders and develop innovative policy solutions that set us on a cleaner, more secure and sustainable energy path. |
|||
Printer-friendly version