Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

Whitehouse bill could pave the way for a bipartisan carbon emissions price

Jean Chemnick, E&E reporter • • Posted 2014-11-19 06:46:35

The carbon pricing bill Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse will release later today is virtually assured to attract support only from the chamber’s Democrats. But backers of the Rhode Island Democrat’s approach — a carbon “fee” levied on emitters with revenue returned to the public — said they hope it will help pave the way for the most elusive of legislative achievements: a bipartisan climate change bill. [ read more … ]

Company sues Interior to block release of bird death data to press

AP/London Guardia • • Posted 2014-11-19 06:46:57

Hoping to block the release of information about bird kills from wind turbines, a Portland, Ore., energy company is suing the Interior Department. PacifiCorp, which operates at least 13 wind energy facilities across three states, is trying to stop the Obama administration from releasing data about birds found dead at its facilities. The Associated Press requested the information from the Interior Department in March 2013 under the Freedom of Information Act. [ read more … ]

Obama sprints into his final years with an expanding climate message

Evan Lehmann, E&E reporter • • Posted 2014-11-19 06:47:16

President Obama is charging into his term’s fourth quarter in a climate sprint. In the last week, he talked about cutting gasoline subsidies in Asia, urged young Australians to pressure skeptical politicians and accepted a knotty adaptation report for U.S. cities. Those efforts came amid major announcements on a pact with China to control greenhouse gases and a $3 billion proposal to strengthen poor countries against climate impacts. Together, it signals the maneuvering of an administration that’s trying to take a lead role in upcoming international climate negotiations. It also marks a challenge to the rising Republican majority in Congress. [ read more … ]

Federal watchdog to probe agency’s enforcement program

Hannah Northey, E&E reporter • • Posted 2014-11-19 06:47:34

At the heart of the scuffle was a hedge fund, Powhatan Energy Fund LLC, that publicly fumed over FERC’s investigation of it over accusations that it gamed the energy markets. Kevin and Rich Gates, identical twins who manage the fund in Pennsylvania, warned that FERC’s foray into investigations under the direction of Bay — best known as the director of FERC’s Office of Enforcement since 2009 — was too ambitious and misplaced at times. Separately, William Scherman, FERC’s former general counsel and a partner with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, penned an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal saying the Gateses’ experience with FERC was just the “tip of the iceberg.” Scherman, notably, has been critical of FERC for not clarifying what constitutes market manipulation. [ read more … ]

Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.

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	November 19, 2014
Whitehouse bill could pave the way for a bipartisan carbon emissions price Jean Chemnick, E&E reporter • • Posted 2014-11-19 06:46:35 The carbon pricing bill Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse will release later today is virtually assured to attract support only from the chamber’s Democrats. But backers of the Rhode Island Democrat’s approach — a carbon “fee” levied on emitters with revenue returned to the public — said they hope it will help pave the way for the most elusive of legislative achievements: a bipartisan climate change bill. [ read more … ] Company sues Interior to block release of bird death data to press AP/London Guardia • • Posted 2014-11-19 06:46:57 Hoping to block the release of information about bird kills from wind turbines, a Portland, Ore., energy company is suing the Interior Department. PacifiCorp, which operates at least 13 wind energy facilities across three states, is trying to stop the Obama administration from releasing data about birds found dead at its facilities. The Associated Press requested the information from the Interior Department in March 2013 under the Freedom of Information Act. [ read more … ] Obama sprints into his final years with an expanding climate message Evan Lehmann, E&E reporter • • Posted 2014-11-19 06:47:16 President Obama is charging into his term’s fourth quarter in a climate sprint. In the last week, he talked about cutting gasoline subsidies in Asia, urged young Australians to pressure skeptical politicians and accepted a knotty adaptation report for U.S. cities. Those efforts came amid major announcements on a pact with China to control greenhouse gases and a $3 billion proposal to strengthen poor countries against climate impacts. Together, it signals the maneuvering of an administration that’s trying to take a lead role in upcoming international climate negotiations. It also marks a challenge to the rising Republican majority in Congress. [ read more … ] Federal watchdog to probe agency’s enforcement program Hannah Northey, E&E reporter • • Posted 2014-11-19 06:47:34 At the heart of the scuffle was a hedge fund, Powhatan Energy Fund LLC, that publicly fumed over FERC’s investigation of it over accusations that it gamed the energy markets. Kevin and Rich Gates, identical twins who manage the fund in Pennsylvania, warned that FERC’s foray into investigations under the direction of Bay — best known as the director of FERC’s Office of Enforcement since 2009 — was too ambitious and misplaced at times. Separately, William Scherman, FERC’s former general counsel and a partner with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, penned an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal saying the Gateses’ experience with FERC was just the “tip of the iceberg.” Scherman, notably, has been critical of FERC for not clarifying what constitutes market manipulation. [ read more … ] Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.
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