REP. MARKEY UPS THE ANTE WITH OWN CLIMATE CHANGE BILL

For months all eyes were transfixed on the Energy and Commerce Committee where its Chairman, John Dingell (D-MI) had promised to introduce a climate change bill with his colleague, Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher (D-VA).  Rep. Dingell was considered a major deal broker for the EISA bill that ultimately raised Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards for the first time in three decades. 

To that end, the Committee has been releasing white papers that address and provide data on the effect of a cap-and-trade on the American economy as well as identify possible setbacks to its implementation.  As a result, Rep. Dingell has won some accolades from the other side of the aisle and some concerns from his side of the aisle. 

The Committee lacks the legislative jurisdiction to consider a bill to limit carbon emissions.  The Committee has been holding regular hearings.   

Now Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA), who chairs the Committee, has had enough of hearings and is ready to act.  Last week, he introduced a bill that would be the most aggressive to date, seeking to reduce emissions by 85 percent by 2050. The bill is entitled the "Investing in Climate Action and Protection Act" or iCAP.   

This bill would restrict construction of any coal fire plants after 2009 that did not have carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology that can capture 85 percent of its emissions.  It would auction 94 percent of emissions credits starting in 2012 and gradually go to 100 percent auction by 2020.  Revenues from the auction would go toward the development of clean energy technology and infrastructure.         

04/17/08

FutureGen Project remains stuck but some hopeful for a revival

Despite the Administration's decision to "restructure" FutureGen some are wondering what the next Administration would do with the languishing program.  This week, Undersecretary of Energy Clarence H. "Bud" Albright Jr. testified before the House Science and Technology Committee regarding the Department of Energy's decision to cancel construction of the FutureGen near-zero emissions plant. To read the press release for the hearing please click here.  In the meantime, Summit Energy Group is working to build a similar plant in Texas.

Cantwell, Ensign offer energy tax package extenders

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has teamed up with Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) to offer extensions to the renewable energy tax provisions for wind, solar, fuel cells and geothermal energy technologies that expire this year. 

The bill was offered as an amendment late last week to a federal housing bill, which irked Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CN).  The bill, which costs about $6 billion and is for one year, does not contain revenue offsets and is likely to encounter opposition in the House side, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi is committed to PAY-GO rules.

Ultimately, the renewable tax credits were passed as part of a national housing stimulus bill package.  Now it will head to the House where the Speaker has indicated that they plan to adhere to the PAY-GO rules.  Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) has also revealed to reporters that he is planning to unveil a large energy tax package shortly.  This will likely take the place of the energy tax package that was adopted to the Senate Housing bill.   

Kansas showdown over new coal fire plants highlights national struggle

Recently, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius vetoed legislation that would have allowed the construction of two new coal fire plants in the state. Governor Sebelius (D) vetoed the legislation on the grounds of climate change. On Monday, the Kansas state legislature introduced a new bill that attempts to address some of the objections that the Governor had with the original version. To read more about this bill please click here.

 Meanwhile, the Kansas state Senate feels that it has enough votes to override the Governor's veto and proceed with the original bill. To read more about this please click here. 

There is support and opposition to the new coal plants in Western Kansas. 

Elsewhere in the nation there appears to be fierce opposition to plants for Marshalltown, Iowa and Early County, GA. 

Nationwide, the coal industry continues to have a difficult time moving forward with new plants. A recent report by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) has likened Coal to the Nuclear industry in the 1970's. To read more about this please click here.

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