U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, of Arizona’s 8th District, recently introduced legislation that would require the Department of Energy to develop a long-term plan for the research and implementation of solar energy technology. Today, the Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Technology passed the bill with bipartisan support.
Businesses Leaving U.S. Chamber of Commerce Over its Position on Climate Change
Three energy-sector businesses have recently left the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over its opposition to carbon legislation and its general stance on the issue of global climate change. The three businesses are Exelon Corp., the largest nuclear operator in the United States; PG&E Corp., a California utility; and PNM Resources Inc, an energy holding company …
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Village Green Commerce Center Receives Land Use Approvals
Alfredo Alonso, lobbyist, and Garrett Gordon, land use attorney, in the Lewis and Roca office in Reno, Nevada, recently obtained final land use approvals for an 80-acre environmentally conscious business and industrial park called the “Village Green Commerce Center”. The commerce center is designed to be energy efficient and potentially self-sufficient with roof-mounted photovoltaic solar …
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China’s President Expresses Intent to Address Climate Change
At a U.N. climate summit yesterday, President Hu Jintao discussed China’s willingness to reduce greenhouse gases including some specific proposals. Here is CNN’s article and here is one from MSNBC. Although he did not commit to any specific reductions, it seems like most observers are interpreting the President’s remarks as helpful to an American-Chinese agreement on reducing GHG emissions. …
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EPA Finalizes Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule
The rule identifies certain “source categories” such as power plants, petroleum refineries, and Portland cement manufacturers that must report emissions. In addition, any stationary source that emits 25,000 tons/year of CO2 equivalent must also report its emissions. EPA estimates that the 85% of total GHG emissions in the U.S. will be covered by the new …
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Goldwater Institute’s Position on Development of Renewable Energy
In this “Daily Email”, Clint Bolick of Arizona’s Goldwater Institute argues against the Corporation Commission’s Renewable Energy Standards. The Commission’s current rules require regulated utilities to provide 15% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025. The Goldwater Institute is challenging these rules as unconstitutional in a lawsuit started in 2008. The Commission recently won …
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Proposed Rule Would Improve Vehicle Fuel Economy
A rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the EPA would reduce GHG emissions by mandating better fuel economy for cars and light-duty trucks. The proposed rule requires automobile manufacturers to increase fuel economy by approximately 5% per year starting with model year 2012. The agencies estimate that the new program would conserve 1.8 …
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