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Obama’s nominee for chairman to face tough questions
Norman Bay, nominated by President Obama for the chairman spot on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, will be asked about energy policy, enforcement and the direction of his agency tomorrow as he faces the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The confirmation hearing for Bay and FERC’s acting chairwoman, Cheryl LaFleur, will be watched closely for clues to the nominees’ positions on liquefied natural gas exports, transmission policy and renewable power. [ read more … ]
Extenders bill is newest casualty of Senate procedure war
While the extenders bill suffered a setback, it is not the end of the line for the $84 billion package. Reid voted “no” on the cloture motion to allow him to bring it back at a later date. Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said he was open to a deal that would let Republicans secure at least a handful of votes on amendments related to the extenders package, but he said they have not yet presented a list of priorities to allow for such negotiations to proceed. “I’m going to do everything I can to bring about some agreement between the parties,” Wyden told reporters after the vote yesterday evening, predicting a path forward could be clearer as soon as next week. [ read more … ]
Obama Said to Consider Power-Plant Rule That Tests Law
The Obama administration is considering cutting greenhouse-gas emissions from power plants by reaching beyond the plants themselves — an unusual approach that could run afoul of anti-pollution laws. People familiar with the discussions say the administration is seeking steep reductions — as much as 25 percent — that could be met if power plant owners expand renewable energy, improve the efficiency of their grids or encourage customers to use less power. There’s disagreement even within the administration about what’s allowable under the Clean Air Act, the law that gives it the authority to curb emissions. Some administration attorneys are warning that the government could lose a legal challenge if it seeks to regulate beyond a plant’s smokestack, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the rule is still being written. [ read more … ]
California plans to double down in fight against climate change
California is raising its game against climate change as the stakes get higher, girding for a long-term battle with carbon dioxide that will stretch through at least 2050.
The state is planning to bring more of its regulatory muscle to bear on greenhouse gases, working to set a “midterm” 2030 emissions target, and is preparing to broaden its focus on electric-sector emissions, transportation and short-lived climate pollutants, among other areas. The proposals are among updates to its climate change policies contained in a “scoping plan” set for approval next week. The document is the state’s official blueprint for tackling greenhouse gases, as set out in the 2006 law, A.B. 32. [ read more … ]
Md. governor to veto bill that threatens giant turbine project
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) will buck the wishes of senior members of his state’s congressional delegation and will veto legislation designed to delay — and possibly kill — a wind energy project on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, his top energy adviser told the Associated Press today. O’Malley is expected to release a letter explaining his decision later this afternoon, Abigail Hopper, director of the Maryland Energy Administration, told the AP. [ read more … ]
Absent climate policies, widespread use of natural gas is unlikely to curb greenhouse gases — study
An oft-heard comment about America’s natural gas boom is that it has led to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Insofar as natural gas replaces coal in electricity generation, this claim is probably true. But step back and look globally and into the future, and widespread use of natural gas fails to significantly alter the world’s current global warming trajectory, a new study finds. “In the absence of [emissions reduction policies] there’s no guarantee that natural gas will reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Richard Newell, a Duke University researcher and expert in environmental economics who led the study, which was published recently in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.