There has been a wave of good and bad news this past week regarding the DOE’s Loan Guarantee Program. On the positive side, Secretary Chu announced on Friday that the Department would be adding an additional compliance period for the Innovative Solicitation. The current deadline for the Part I application under the program is August 24th. Secretary
Climate Change
Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force Issues Final Recommendations
By Chad Marriott on
On Monday, July 19, 2010, the White House Council on Environmental Quality ("CEQ") issued the Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force. The Final Recommendations are the culmination of a process that began on June 12, 2009 when President Obama formed the Task Force and tasked it with developing recommendations to enhance…
EPA Issues Proposed RFS2 Rules for 2011
By Graham Noyes on
The EPA has issued proposed RFS2 rules for 2011 that provide some indications that the agency is dedicated to jump starting the advanced biofuels industry.
Continue Reading EPA Issues Proposed RFS2 Rules for 2011
Discussion on Kerry Lieberman and EPA with William Brent
By Graham Noyes on
Here is a Q&A I did with William Brent, the head of Weber Shandwick’s cleantech practice and blogger at www.mrcleantech.com:
WB: I asked my friend Graham Noyes of law firm Stoel Rives who focuses his practice on bioenergy projects, federal energy incentives and carbon monetization for his thoughts on the Kerry Lieberman bill.
Q…
Washington Revising its State Energy Strategy
By John Laney on
Posted in Algae, Biofuels, Biomass, Climate Change, Geothermal, Hydropower, Ocean/Wave Energy, Renewable, Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Solar, Sustainable Development, Wind
The Washington State Department of Commerce (formerly the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development or CTED) has announced that it is attempting to revise Washington’s comprehensive energy plan (the “State Energy Strategy”).
The State Energy Strategy was last revised in 2003, and it does not serve current energy realities and forecasts. Therefore, the Washington State Legislature has tasked the Department of Commerce with updating the State Energy Strategy while taking account the following three goals and nine principles:Continue Reading Washington Revising its State Energy Strategy
DOT, EPA Boost Fuel Economy, Set GHG Emission Limits for Light Vehicles
By Janet Jacobs on
Posted in Climate Change
The U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) have established new federal rules for greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions standards for all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the US. The rules improve fuel efficiency, could save the average buyer up to $3,000 over the life of a 2016…
Tradable RECs Now Count Toward California’s RPS
By Chad Marriott on
Posted in Biomass, Climate Change, Geothermal, Hydropower, Nuclear, Ocean/Wave Energy, Renewable, Solar, Transmission, Wind
On Thursday March 11, 2010, the California Public Utility Commission (the "CPUC") created a market for tradable renewable energy credits ("TRECs") in the state. That’s big news. In its 149-page decision, the CPUC stated that investor-owned utilities ("IOUs"), energy service providers, and community choice aggregators may now use TRECs to comply with California’s ambitious renewable portfolio standard ("RPS"). These entities are now permitted to purchase a portion of their RPS compliance from generation sources other than those they own (e.g., distributed solar generation facilities within the state and certain out-of-state facilities).
Continue Reading Tradable RECs Now Count Toward California’s RPS
Conservation Advocacy Group Files Lawsuit to Force ESA Decisions on Dozens of Pacific Northwest Species
By William H. Holmes on
Posted in Climate Change
Last month, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon alleging that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by failing to take action on a number of listing petitions.
When a listing is petitioned, the Fish and Wildlife…
EPA Delays Regulation of GHGs as Stationary Source Emissions
By William H. Holmes on
Posted in Climate Change
From Stoel Rives partners Lee Smith and Krista McIntyre:
In response to a letter drafted by eight democratic senators and general industry adverse reactions, the EPA announced on February 22, 2010 that there would be delays to implementation of the regulation of green house gases as stationary source emissions under the Clean Air Act, …
SEC Adopts Interpretive Guidance on Disclosure Regarding Climate Change
By William H. Holmes on
As described in a previous alert, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") voted on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 to adopt an interpretive release to provide guidance on existing public company disclosure requirements as they apply to business or legal developments relating to climate change. The SEC has now distributed the interpretive release itself, which can…