EU Supports U.S. Congressional Climate Change Bill

From the "is this helpful or the kiss of death" file comes word from Brussels that Stavros Dimas, EU Environment Commissioner, is delighted with the Waxman-Markey climate change bill that has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The legislation, Mr. Dimas has said, is "really encouraging," according to the BNA International Environment Reporter. Mr. Dimas, who is a strong supporter of the EU emissions trading scheme, went on to say, "I am sure [the U.S.] will come up with even more ambitious [GHG reduction] targets. Let's see how the debate will evolve."

While congressmen and women generally like to have wide support for their proposals, attracting the enthusiastic support of a key EU official may not be what they had in mind.

No offense to Mr. Dimas, but this is sure to become a "talking point" for right-wing U.S. commentators.

The Precautionary Principle Comes to America?

The precautionary principle, a well accepted legal concept in the European Union as well as other places around the world, may become a topic of considerable discussion in America as the result of proposed federal legislation aimed at restricting the use of bisphenol A (BPA), which is used in beverage and food containers.
The precatuionary principle and the federal legislatsion were discussed this morning on National Public Radio's Morning Edition ( "Is 'Better Safe Than Sorry' Reason Enough for Law?" April 15, 2009).

EPA "GHG" Endangerment Finding Imminent?

As early as tomorrow, the U.S. EPA will issue an "endangerment" finding relating to greenhouse gas emissions, BNA's Daily Environment Report ("White House Clears EPA Proposed Finding on Danger of Greenhouse Gas Emission," April 15, 2009) said today. According to the report, on Monday the White House Office of Managment and Budget approved the proposed endangerment finding.

Major Peruvian Exploration Project Suspended by Nation's Top Court

The Supreme Court of Peru has ruled that all natural resources exploration in the Cordillera Escalera nature reserve, located in the northeast corner of the country, be suspended until an environmental "master plan" is undertaken by San Martin province regional authorities.

The ruling surprised many observers according to an article in the Financial Times ("Peruvians Try to Maintain Flow of 'Water Bank,'" April 14, 2009).

Jaime Bustamente, a lawyer for the town of Tarapoto, which is located near the nature reserve, said, "Never in Peru have we seen a decision like this. It's an important precedent. The tribunal said you can't favour the immediate exploitation of natural resources, particularly water, over the life of future generations."

The nature reserve includes areas where mineral concessions have been granted by the federal government to Talisman, a Canadian firm, Brazil's Petrobras, and Spain's Repsol, the FT reported.

American Utilities' Green Power Sales Surge in 2008

Green power sales by American utilities continued to surge in 2008 despite the economic travails in other sectors of the economy.

Last year, the sale of green power increased by 20% over 2007, according to a new report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).  Most of the green energy produced in the U.S. comes from wind power.  

Ranked by sales of renewable energy, the top utilities are:

• Austin Energy: 82.6 megawatts
• Portland General Electric: 77.9 megawatts
• PacifiCorp: 56.3 megawatts
• Xcel Energy: 41.3 megawatts
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District: 37.1 megawatts

Ranked by green power sales as a percentage of total retail electricity sales:

• Edmond Electric: 6.4% of load
• Austin Electric: 6.0%
• River Falls Municipal Utilities: 5.8%
• City of Palo Alto Utilities: 5.7%
• Portland General Electric: 3.9%

New U.S. Market for Energy Efficiency Credits?

The U.S. government and several states are considering establishing energy efficiency markets.

In this type of market, utilities would be directed to achieve a certain percentage of energy savings.  Credits would be issued when energy savings were achieved (e.g., by a utility company's customers).  If a utility did not achieve its target, then it could buy the credits to offset its lack of energy savings.  Once established, the credits could be sold on a secondary market.  

Today's Wall Street Journal (U.S. Plays Catch-Up in Efficiency Credits, April 13, 2009), reports that, "The nascent market for efficiency gains could explode if a federal program is created, but it is unclear whether Congress will act."

Currently, the state of Connecticut has such a program and several other states are considering similar ones.  

EPA Opens Comment Period for GHG Reporting Proposal

An EPA proposal for the first comprehensive U.S. national system for reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is now open for comment.

The Proposed Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule would cover about 13,000 facilities that account for nearly 85 to 90% of the nation's GHG emissions.  Some of the sectors covered by the system would include electricity generation, cement production, and iron and steel production.  All of these sectors are already covered now by the fully functioning European Union Emissions Trading Scheme.

Lisa Jackson, EPA administrator, said, "Our efforts to confront climate change must be guided by the best possible information.  Through this new reporting, we will have comprehensive and accurate data about the production of greenhouse gases."

The rule is being proposed under the authority of the Clean Air Act.

For those wanting to comment about the proposed rule, click here.  The 60 day comment period began April 10.