Emissions – Global Power Law & Policy

Washington State Legislature Considers First of Its Kind State-Level Natural Gas Ban

Feb 04 2021

By: David Benson, Buck Endemann, Elizabeth Thomas, Sandra Safro, and Benjamin Mayer

Fossil-based natural gas may be headed for a reckoning, at least in Washington State. Not long ago, natural gas was seen by many as the key “bridge fuel” necessary to transition our society away from oil and coal. Natural gas has its upsides; most significantly, it burns more efficiently and emits fewer pollutants than coal.¹ Yet burning natural gas still emits greenhouse gases (GHG), including methane, a potent climate pollutant. According to EPA, methane accounts for approximately 10% of the GHG emissions in the United States.² That is a problem for states like Washington that have called for zero carbon emissions in the power sector by 2045 and have also enacted laws aimed at reducing GHG emissions throughout other sectors.

The Energizer – Volume 77

Oct 27 2020

By: Buck B. Endemann, Daniel S. Cohen, Molly K. Barker, Olivia B. Mora, Abraham F. Johns, Natalie J. Reid, Matthew P. Clark

A biweekly update on clean technology applications, distributed energy resources, and other innovative technologies in the renewable energy and clean transport sector.

There is a lot of buzz around cleantech, distributed energy resources (“DERs”), microgrids, and other technological innovations in the renewable energy and clean transport industries. As these innovations develop, energy markets will undergo substantial changes to which consumer and industry participants alike will need to adapt and leverage. Every other week, K&L Gates’ The Energizer will highlight emerging issues or stories relating to the use of DERs, energy storage, emerging technologies, hydrogen, and other innovations driving the energy and clean transportation industries forward.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Facebook and Carnegie Mellon Partner to Use AI for Storage Solutions
EPA Proposes Draft Rule Limiting Coal Plant Emissions
American Corporate Renewable Procurements Jump by 45% in 2020
Californian Community Choice Aggregators Lead the Way on Long-Duration Storage

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The Energizer – Volume 76

Oct 09 2020

By: Buck B. Endemann, Daniel S. Cohen, Molly K. Barker, Olivia B. Mora, Abraham F. Johns, Natalie J. Reid, Matthew P. Clark

A biweekly update on clean technology applications, distributed energy resources, and other innovative technologies in the renewable energy and clean transport sector.

IN THIS ISSUE:

FERC Finds ESRs Can Be a “Load-Shape Modifying Device” for Demand Response
Spanish Government Sets a New Standard for Hydrogen Industry Investment
Another Major U.S. Utility Commits to Net Zero Emissions By 2050
Floating Solar Panels Could Pair with Hydropower Projects to Increase Energy Generation

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The Energizer – Volume 75

Sep 25 2020

By: Buck B. Endemann, Daniel S. Cohen, Molly K. Barker, Olivia B. Mora, Abraham F. Johns, Natalie J. Reid, Matthew P. Clark

A biweekly update on clean technology applications, distributed energy resources, and other innovative technologies in the renewable energy and clean transport sector.

IN THIS ISSUE:

FERC Revises Analysis for Certification of Qualifying Facilities
Hawaiian Electric Seeks Approval for Largest Renewable Procurement to Date
World’s First Zero-Emission Passenger Planes to be Launched for Commercial Use by 2035
Morgan Stanley Announces Commitment to Reach Net-Zero Financed Emissions by 2050

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The Energizer – Volume 70

Jul 16 2020

By: Buck B. Endemann, Daniel S. Cohen, Molly K. Barker, Olivia B. Mora, Abraham F. Johns, Natalie J. Reid, Matthew P. Clark

A biweekly update on clean technology applications, distributed energy resources, and other innovative technologies in the renewable energy and clean transport sector.

IN THIS ISSUE:

British Government Announces New Investments in Small Nuclear Reactor Projects
States Pledge to Reduce Emissions from Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Portland General Electric Company Launches Pilot Virtual Power Plant Program
Federal Appeals Court Upholds FERC Order to Open Wholesale Market to Storage
Power Ledger Releases RENeW Nexus Report Discussing its Residential Energy Trading Pilot in Western Australia

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The Energizer – Volume 69

Jul 02 2020

By: Buck B. Endemann, Daniel S. Cohen, Molly K. Barker, Olivia B. Mora, Abraham F. Johns, Natalie J. Reid, Matthew P. Clark

A biweekly update on clean technology applications, distributed energy resources, and other innovative technologies in the renewable energy and clean transport sector.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Two Major Florida Utilities Begin to Transition Away from Coal
Pilot Program for Central American REC Market Completes First Stage
New California Regulations Transition Short-Haul Trucks to Zero-Emission Standards
Two More Major Western Utilities Commit to Close Coal-Fired Power Plants

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Executive Order Directs Federal Agencies to Reconsider Federal Initiatives Focused on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change

Apr 03 2017

By William J. Moltz, David J. Raphael, Sandra E. Safro, Ankur K. Tohan, Michael L. O’Neill

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on March 28, 2017, entitled “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth” (“Order”), which is designed to prompt reconsideration, and in some cases revocation, of the Obama Administration’s actions to address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. The Order directs several federal agencies to review, and possibly withdraw, specific policy initiatives like the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Clean Power Plan rulemaking and the U.S. Department of the Interior (“Interior”) 2015 and 2016 rules on oil and gas production on federal lands. In addition, the Order directs the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality (“CEQ”) to rescind its 2016 final guidance document regarding the consideration of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts in environmental reviews performed under the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). More broadly, the Order also directs all federal agencies to review “all agency actions” that “potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources.”

As discussed in greater detail below, the Order may have far-reaching implications for U.S. policy on energy production, greenhouse gas regulation, and climate change that could have spillover impacts for energy infrastructure development. A vigorous debate is certain to follow with interested stakeholders evaluating strategic options including notice and comment rulemaking, litigation, and legislative advocacy.

To read the full alert on K&L Gates HUB, click here.

Tag:Emissions