WRI Stories Feed: U.S. Climate & Energy Legislation

U.S. Energy Policy Should Take a Lesson from Germany’s Energiewende

Jennifer Morgan — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:59:51 -0400

This post originally appeared on Bloomberg’s “The Grid” blog.

This…

U.S. Natural Gas Exports: Friend or Foe?

James Bradbury — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:00:47 -0400

U.S. natural gas production is booming. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), production grew by 23 percent from 2007 to 2012. Now—with production projected to continue…

The Race Against Climate Change

Kevin Kennedy — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:32:50 -0400

This post originally appeared on the National Journal’s Energy Experts blog. It is a response to the question: “What’s…

STATEMENT: President Obama Commits to Climate Change Action In Second Inaugural Address

Sarah Parsons — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:46:20 -0500

Following is a statement by Andrew Steer, President and CEO, World Resources Institute:

“Today, in his second inaugural address, President Obama set a clear priority for America: address climate change and become a global leader on renewable energy development. Actions toward this end could play a transformative role in promoting America’s future prosperity, and could also help bring about a truly global response to the challenge of climate change. We agree with the president when he said that ‘outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time.’

“In the coming months, we look forward to the Administration following through on the president’s ringing call to action. It will be particularly important to move forward with emissions limits on existing power plants and to use other existing federal authorities to reduce greenhouse gases and drive clean energy technologies. The president has already committed to launch a ‘national conversation’ on climate change—this discussion will be critical for communicating global warming’s risks and building momentum, both locally and nationally. In addition to national action, we look forward to a strong foreign policy agenda with climate playing a key role — including bringing a serious, ambitious plan to the UNFCCC international climate negotiations.

“Meeting these goals—in line with the Administration’s existing target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020—will be key if America is to become a global leader on renewable energy and climate action.”

By the Numbers: The Hottest Year on Record

James Bradbury — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:20:51 -0500

This blog post was co-written with Forbes Tompkins, an intern with WRI’s Climate and Energy Program.

According to new data, 2012 was a chart-topping year for the United States – but not in a good way.

The National…

3 Climate Change Action Items for the Second Obama Administration

Kevin Kennedy — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:19:08 -0500

With President Obama’s re-election, he has the opportunity to extend his legacy and take on big challenges. Climate change stands high on the list of…

STATEMENT: President Obama Elected to a Second Term

Michael Oko — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 23:04:46 -0500

Following is a statement by Andrew Steer, President, World Resources Institute:

“With his re-election, President Obama has the opportunity to fulfill the promise of his campaign and tackle the greatest challenges of our generation. At the top of the list should be climate change—which is already taking a serious toll on people, property, resources and the economy.

“After a long and bruising battle, it’s time for elected officials to get off the stump and get back to the job of governing. It’s time for America’s leaders to come together and find common ground on vital issues for people and the planet.

“In its first term, the Obama administration made real progress to reduce harmful emissions and shift the country toward cleaner energy. The administration implemented historic clean vehicle rules, proposed standards for greenhouse gas emissions for new power plants, and directed unprecedented investments in clean energy, among other achievements.

“But, these actions aren’t enough. The reality is that the Obama Administration has not yet put the country on a pathway to truly confront the climate crisis. First off, the United States needs a strong national climate and energy strategy. The president should begin by re-engaging a dialogue on climate change and identifying the actions needed to address the crisis. The president should work with Congress on national-level policies, including putting a price on carbon, to get the country on a low-carbon trajectory. In addition, the EPA, in particular, has the ability to implement new standards to reduce dangerous greenhouse gases from existing power plants. The president should reject proposals that would over-exploit America’s resources, decimate its lands, or increase its dependence on high-carbon fuels.

“Many leading businesses are looking for greater clarity to stay competitive in the global economy and take advantage of the emerging $2.3 trillion clean energy market. They need to set long-term goals, which are currently being undercut by America’s piecemeal approach on climate and energy.

“In the international arena, the Administration should take a more constructive role around the climate negotiations. President Obama has shown the power of bold leadership on big international issues—and he has the opportunity to make an ambitious international climate agreement part of his legacy.

“Since he took office, President Obama has been a champion of transparency and good governance. In particular, he spurred the creation of the Open Government Partnership, consisting of over 40 countries, to promote transparency and citizen engagement around the world. In his second term, he can help ensure that access to information and citizen engagement in government will continue unabated.

“Just last week, Hurricane Sandy delivered a crippling blow, reminding us what climate change looks like. Climate change is here and its impacts are being felt today. In its aftermath, we have seen how people can come together in times of need, set aside their differences, and focus on the big picture. We need to learn from these lessons and turn them into action.

“President Obama’s legacy will be shaped by his ability to take on big challenges, including climate change, clean energy, environmental protection, and sustainability. The next four years will determine if we will truly be able to say that this presidency moved the country ‘Forward!’”

4 Key Issues Surrounding Climate Policies, Carbon Markets, and Competitiveness

James Bradbury — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:19:52 -0400

Even in the absence of an international framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, several countries, states, and provinces are developing and implementing climate policies…

EPA’s New Source Performance Standards: A Positive Step Toward Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Kevin Kennedy — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:41:31 -0400

On June 25, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the 2012 Annual Energy Outlook (2012 AEO) – the same day the public comment period closed on the Environmental Protection Agency…

Projected Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions from the Power Sector under the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012, S. 2146

Nicholas Bianco — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:50:26 -0400

This analysis provides an assessment of the projected power sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions from S. 2146, the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012 (CESA), introduced by Senator Bingaman and eight cosponsors on March 1, 2012. CESA establishes a standard for clean energy generation in the United States through 2035. In 2035 covered utilities must supply 84 percent of their total annual sales of electricity from clean sources. CESA defines “clean” on the basis of a generator’s greenhouse gas emissions intensity, and thus can drive significant reductions in emissions.

Download the Complete Analysis (PDF, 646 Kb) (includes footnotes and references)
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Findings

CESA can reduce GHG emissions from the power sector approximately 12-18 percent (295-428 million metric tons CO2e) below 2005 levels in 2020 and 49-56 percent (1,194-1,357 mmtCO2e) below 2005 levels in 2035, assuming that affected utilities meet their obligations under the program by generating electricity from clean sources or purchasing credits from other clean sources. The figure also compares the projected reductions from CESA to the power sector reductions that were predicted to occur under the American Clean Energy Security Act (ACESA, or Waxman-Markey), which is the only comprehensive climate bill to pass either house of Congress and would have reduced total U.S. GHG emissions (i.e., economy-wide) 17 percent below 2005 levels in 2020.
The GHG reductions from CESA are significant, but not sufficient to reduce U.S. economy-wide GHG emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels in 2020 without ambitious greenhouse gas abatement measures from other sectors.