Environment

Emissions Reduction Fund Passed by Australian Parliament

By Jenny Mee, Renee Thomlinson | K&L Gates LLP

General Views Of Hazelwood Power Station

On 24 November 2014 the Australian Parliament passed the Carbon Farming Initiative Amendment Bill 2014 (Bill) which puts in place the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). The ERF is the cornerstone of the Australian Government’s Direct Action Plan climate change policy for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It will provide AUD2.55 billion in financial incentives over four years for companies to voluntarily reduce emissions. The Government says its Direct Action Plan climate change policy will mean that Australia will meet the five percent emissions reduction target by 2020.

 /  Published December 2, 2014 at 4:00 PM

Over/Under Regulated: Venting on Taxes and Fracking

By Elie Mystal

Fracking In California Under Spotlight As Some Local Municipalities Issue Bans

Ed. note: This is a new weekly column by Elie Mystal, Managing Editor of http://www.atlredline.com Above the Law Redline. This space will focus on the laws that exist, should exist, and should be put out of their misery. OVER-REGULATED Gaseous Emissions:  The Bureau of Land Management is trying to figure out whether to tax the venting and… Keep reading →

 /  Published November 28, 2014 at 3:00 PM

I’m Still a Cockeyed Optimist When It Comes to Climate Change

By Seth Jaffe | Foley Hoag LLP - Environmental Law

Climate Change And Global Pollution To Be Discussed At Copenhagen Summit

Last week, NRG Energy announced plans to reduce CO2 emissions 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2050. And this reduction is not from a 1990 or 2005 baseline; it is from 2014 emissions. NRG’s statement indicated that it had already reduced emissions by 40% since 2005. By my math, that means that the 2030 and 2050 reductions would be 70% and 94%, respectively, below 2005 emissions.

 /  Published November 27, 2014 at 4:00 PM

Baker Botts Year-End Perspectives: Bill Bumpers

By Baker Botts

Congress Struggles With Funding Repairs To U.S. Capitol Dome

This is the third in a series of six Q&As with Baker Botts partners addressing the most significant developments in their practice areas this year, as well as their outlook for 2015. The Q&As will be posted throughout the remainder of the year.

Bill Bumpers is Head of the Global Climate Change practice group at Baker Botts. His practice focuses on the Clean Air Act and climate change issues.

 /  Published November 26, 2014 at 4:00 PM

2014 Midterm Elections: Implications For U.S. LNG Exports

By Michael O'Neil, Sandra Safro, James Sartucci, David Wochner | K&L Gates LLP

As Default Deadline Nears, Congress Continues Debate Debt Ceiling Plan

Federal elections held nationwide on November 4 ushered in Republican control of the U.S. Senate and expanded the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Republicans now hold majorities in both houses of Congress, but because their majorities will not overcome a veto by President Barack Obama, a Democrat, Republicans will not wield unlimited legislative power. Although Congress is likely to remain deadlocked on major issues, the election may signal significant shifts in priorities for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export policies in the 114th Congress.

 /  Published November 24, 2014 at 4:00 PM

PA’s ReliabliltyOne Awards, Highlighting Technological and Regulatory Change

By Conor O'Sullivan

Coal Remains Main Source Of German Energy Supply

The PA Awards ceremony held last week at the New York Academy of Sciences brought together industry leaders and consultants to discuss and review emerging trends and challenges of the utility industry. The evening involved an Executive Forum, “How technology and regulatory change is driving a customer-centric transformation of the utility.” Panelists included Robert Schimmenti, Senior… Keep reading →

 /  Published November 24, 2014 at 1:00 PM

U.S. Pledges $3B for Green Climate Fund

By Enerknol Research

President Obama Speaks On Energy Efficiency At Mountain View Walmart

The U.S. has announced a $3B commitment to the Green Climate Fund – the largest single pledge to date. On November 15, 2014 – eve of the 2014 G-20 Summit in Australia – U.S. President Barack Obama announced that the U.S. will contribute $3B to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the financial support mechanism aimed… Keep reading →

 /  Published November 24, 2014 at 10:30 AM

Ozone Regulation and the Nation’s Economic Health

By Energy Tomorrow Blog

The EPA Proposes Stricter Standards For Smog Limit

A couple of data points to remember with EPA poised to propose new, lower ground-level ozone standards, perhaps as soon as next month: Air quality is and has been improving under the current, 75 parts per billion (ppb) standards, which are still being implemented across the country. EPA reports national average ozone levels have fallen… Keep reading →

 /  Published November 21, 2014 at 2:00 PM

Denton Becomes First Texas City to Ban Hydraulic Fracturing

By Adam Garmezy | Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Governor Cuomo Speaks On His State Of The State And Budget Message

On Tuesday, November 4, 2014, 59 percent of voters elected to ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing (“fracing”) in the city of Denton, which sits on top of the hydrocarbon-rich Barnett Shale. Although the ban does not prevent conventional drilling operations, the ban essentially forbids fracing, effectively expelling the drilling industry from city limits. Other municipalities sitting on top of the Barnett Shale—such as Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington—have grappled with urban drilling as well, but Denton’s complete prohibition marks the first of its kind in Texas.

 /  Published November 20, 2014 at 4:15 PM

Choosing American Energy This Election

By Energy Tomorrow Blog

Early Voting Begins In Iowa For Presidential Election

Energy Wins The Hill (Jack Gerard): With zero precincts reporting, we can confidently project American energy is a landslide winner in the 2014 midterm elections. In many races, both Republican and Democratic candidates have gone out of their way this year to embrace pro-energy policies – to the point that it’s been almost impossible to tell… Keep reading →

 /  Published November 4, 2014 at 2:00 PM
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