Topic: climate legislation

STATEMENT: WRI Response to the State of the Union

Michael Oko — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:01:05 -0500

In his State of the Union address, President Obama presented his priorities for his second term, including addressing the threat of climate change.

New analysis by the World Resources Institute has identified four essential steps the Obama Administration can take to reach its national target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.

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

“President Obama made it clear that climate change is one of the great challenges of our generation. It’s a national priority that is essential for the country’s economic future and its global competitiveness. He announced that we ‘must do more to combat climate change.’ If the president puts these words into action, citizens of the United States will be better off, as will citizens around the world.

“The President declared that he will direct his Administration to cut pollution, prepare the country for the consequences of climate change, and shift to more sustainable energy– these policies will be good for people and the economy.

“The President also called on Congress to engage on this issue. This is important. While the President can and should act, the cost would be lower and the benefits greater with market-based legislation that would effectively put a price on carbon.

“Analysis by the World Resources Institute shows that the Administration can make significant progress in reducing emissions. It can start by enacting standards for existing power plants, which represent the largest portion of U.S. emissions. The U.S. can also make progress by cutting emissions of hydrofluorocarbons, tackling methane from natural gas systems, and enhancing energy efficiency.

“By reaching its emissions target, the U.S. can signal that it’s serious about tackling climate change at home while enhancing its credibility on the global stage. With more droughts, wildfires, and extreme weather events taking their toll around the globe, the world desperately needs more action. And, it needs the United States to be a leader on climate change.

“The Obama Administration has the tools. Now is the time to use them.”

–

Read an Op-ed by Andrew Steer in the Hill about how the Administration can reduce U.S. emissions.

Read more about WRI’s new report on U.S. emissions, “Can the U.S. Get There From Here?”

RELEASE: New Report Presents Pathway for U.S. to Reach 17 Percent Emissions Target

Michael Oko — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:10:44 -0500

Analysis finds U.S. is currently not on track to reach its 17% target, but has the tools to get there <!–break–>

New analysis by the World Resources Institute finds that the United States is currently not on track to reach its stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020 (below 2005 levels), but it has the tools to get there. The new report, “Can the U.S. Get There from Here?” explores specific steps the Administration and states can take to reduce U.S. emissions, without Congressional action.

“President Obama has put tackling climate change high on his agenda. Our analysis shows that with strong leadership and ambitious action the Administration can make a significant dent in U.S. emissions,” said Dr. Andrew Steer, President, World Resources Institute. “Meeting the 17 percent target would signal that the U.S. is serious about climate change at home and would enhance U.S. leadership on the international stage.”

The analysis finds that the Administration has the opportunity to move forward in four key areas:

Implementing strong standards for carbon dioxide pollution from existing power plants;
Reducing non-energy sources of emissions, including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are commonly found in refrigerators and air conditioners;
Limiting methane emissions from natural gas production; and
Increasing energy efficiency from industry and home appliances.

“The Administration has multiple ways to move forward with smart policies to reduce U.S. emissions. The best opportunity is to enact new standards for existing power plants, which represent one-third of all U.S. emissions,” said Nicholas Bianco, Senior Associate, WRI, and the lead author of the report. “The Administration has the ability to put the U.S. on track to meet its commitments, and can do so in a cost-effective and efficient manner.”

The report also finds that states can take meaningful action and can use their authority to supplement federal actions. Twenty-nine U.S. states have renewable energy standards and 20 have energy efficiency standards. Some states are moving forward with ambitious climate policies. For example, California just launched a cap-and-trade program that will cover 85 percent of the state’s emissions. California also has a target to produce 33 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. On the East Coast, nine states have capped emissions from the power sector through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

While meeting the 17 percent target is achievable, scientific authorities have found that it will take deeper reductions to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Reaching the longer-term goals will likely take additional action from Congress. In the meantime, there is much more the Administration can do to reduce U.S. emissions.

“In meeting its goal, the U.S. can join the global community in taking on the climate crisis. Reducing emissions will benefit U.S. citizens and encourage other countries to make greater reductions,” said Dr. Steer. “It’s clear that the longer the U.S. waits, the harder – and more expensive – it will be. The Administration has the tools. We look forward to seeing what steps they take to shift the country to a low-carbon pathway.”

NOTE: The full report can be found here.

Embed this graphic on your site.

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ADVISORY: Report Launch: Can the U.S. Get There From Here?

Michael Oko — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:40:33 -0500

WRI to release major new report on climate change and U.S. emissions

On Wednesday, February 6, the World Resources Institute will host an event at the National Press Club to release a major new report on climate and U.S. emissions: “Can the U.S. Get There From Here?” The report examines pathways for the United States to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using existing federal authorities and state actions.

In his inauguration, President Obama pledged to make climate change a priority in his second term. This report lays out the steps the Administration can take to make significant progress on climate change in the coming years.

The report explores whether the U.S. is on track to meet its commitment to reduce its emissions by 17 percent by 2020 (below 2005 levels). It looks at what steps the federal government and states can take to meet this goal, and to go further. And, it explains why this matters at home and overseas.

The event will feature commentary by Dr. Susan Tierney, Managing Principal of the Analysis Group, WRI Board member, and former Assistant Secretary for Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy; Dr. Andrew Steer, President, World Resources Institute; and Nicholas Bianco, Senior Associate, World Resources Institute, and the lead author of the report.

This analysis is an update to WRI’s seminal report from 2010, “Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the United States Using Existing Federal Authorities and State Action,” which focused on how the U.S. could reduce its emissions without Congressional action.

A continental breakfast will be served.

WHAT
Launch of “Can the U.S. Get There From Here?” a major report by WRI on climate change and U.S. emissions

WHO
Dr. Susan Tierney, Managing Principal, the Analysis Group and WRI Board Member
Dr. Andrew Steer, President & CEO, World Resources Institute
Nicholas Bianco, Senior Associate, World Resources Institute, and lead author

WHERE
National Press Club
First Amendment Room
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20045

WHEN
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. ET

CALL-IN INFO
Toll-free (U.S.): (888) 848-6714
Toll (Int’l): +1 (773) 756-4804
Passcode: “WRI”

Twitter hashtag: #usghg

Note: please arrive by 9:15 a.m. to register. The event will start promptly at 9:30 a.m.

RSVP Required: press@wri.org

STATEMENT: U.S. National Climate Assessment

James Anderson — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:46:50 -0500

A draft of the Third National Climate Assessment (NCA) was made for public review and will be released online today.

The NCA is being developed by the U.S. Global Change Research Program to document how climate change is impacting the United States, and how the nation is responding. The National Climate Assessment Development Advisory Committee, comprised of 60 members of scientists, business leaders, and other experts, is charged with producing this assessment. The final report is expected to be delivered to the President in 2014.

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

“The evidence is clear and mounting. The United States sits at the center of the climate crisis. Record heat is devastating crops, rivers are drying up, and storms are bearing down on our cities. Climate change is taking its toll on people and their economies, and will only become more intense without a strong and rapid response here in the United States and around the globe. It’s not too late to take action, but given lags in policy and geophysical processes, the window is closing.

“In his second term, President Obama has a chance to ensure his legacy as a leader on climate change. Now is the time for the Administration to move forward with new standards on power plants and other actions to put America on course to a low-carbon future.”

ADVISORY: WRI's Stories to Watch 2013

James Anderson — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:03:26 -0500

WRI will host its 10th annual Stories to Watch event on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Dr. Andrew Steer, WRI’s President & CEO, will present insights into the big environmental and international development trends and events that will affect people and the planet in 2013.

Topics will likely include: What will the Obama Administration do to address climate and energy? How will China’s new leadership advance its goal of “ecological progress”? What countries will emerge on the forefront of sustainability? And, how will financial constraints impact businesses seeking to shift to a more sustainable pathway?

A continental breakfast will be served.

WHAT
World Resources Institute’s Stories to Watch 2013

WHO
Dr. Andrew Steer, President & CEO, World Resources Institute.

Dr. Steer is a leading expert on economic development and environmental issues. He has three decades of experience working on international development and on the front lines in Asia and Africa, and at a senior level in international policy roles.

WHERE
National Press Club
Holeman Lounge
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20045

CALL-IN INFO
USA (Toll Free): (866) 803-2143
International (Toll): + 1 (210) 795-1098

Access code: “WRI”

WHEN
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
9:00 - 10:30 a.m. ET

Use #STW2013 on Twitter.

RSVP required to press@wri.org

STATEMENT: Climate Talks Wrap Up with a Deal in Doha

James Anderson — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 09:30:41 -0500

The climate talks (COP18) wrapped up today in Doha, Qatar, with package of decisions, including an agreement to move forward an international climate agreement by 2015.

Following are key developments:

The parties resolved the Second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol by adopting amendments;
They wrapped up and closed the long-term cooperative action (LCA) track, including rules around finance, accounting and review; and
They agreed to move forward with the core elements of the Durban Agreement, including a workplan for 2013 to begin negotiating the 2015 legally binding agreement.

Following is a statement by Jennifer Morgan, Director, Climate and Energy Program, World Resources Institute:

“It wasn’t pretty, but Doha delivered just enough to keep the process moving. By resolving the key issues, all countries are now on a single track to enter into a new international climate agreement by 2015.

“Yet, much more remains to be done. Over the coming year, negotiators need to step up their intensity and hammer out a plan that will lead to an agreement that is ambitious and fair for all. Moreover, they need to raise their level of ambition in the near term, even before a new agreement kicks in.

“Getting on the right track will take a greater commitment and sense of urgency than we saw in Doha. There were a couple of bright spots, including the EU countries that stepped up with important financial pledges. But the United Nations is primarily a reflection of the political will of its members– and right now we’re lacking leadership on climate from most world powers.

“Following President Obama’s re-election and the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, many people were watching to see if the United States would shift its strategy. The US made some gestures, but it didn’t significantly change course. All eyes will be on the administration to see what further action it takes to lower emissions at home. President Obama’s legacy– like all world leaders– will in part be measured by his response to the climate crisis.

“The stakes are high. Whether it’s events like Typhoon Bopha and Hurricane Sandy, or record-breaking droughts and rapidly rising seas, the dangers of a warming planet cannot be ignored.

“The door is now open. It’s up to all countries to step through and get on course to a strong and fair climate agreement.”

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the EU: An Overview of the Current Policy Landscape

Sarah Parsons — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:33:42 -0500

Executive Summary

In 2009, the European Union (EU) pledged a unilateral greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target of 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, rising to 30 percent if “other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emission reductions” (European Council 2009). The EU’s GHG target forms one pillar of a so-called 20-20-20 package that, in addition to the 20 percent GHG reduction, demands a 20 percent share of renewable energy sources in gross final energy consumption along with a 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency by 2020. In addition to its 2020 targets, the EU has also set a long-term GHG reduction goal of 80 to 95 percent from 1990 levels by 2050.

In the context of these goals, this report provides a summary of existing and emerging EU policies that are likely to reduce GHG emissions across the EU. Our analysis focuses on policies that are mandatory or provide a financial incentive, such as the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) – a cornerstone of EU climate policy – the Renewable Energy Directive, and the Biofuels Directive. We discuss the relationship of these policies to the EU’s GHG and energy targets, and identify key issues to watch in the EU’s evolving policy landscape.

This report draws on projections from the “Energy Roadmap 2050” to assess whether the EU is on track to reach its GHG, renewable energy and energy efficiency targets. We find that the EU is on track to surpass its 2020 GHG reduction and renewable energy targets based on current policies, but that additional measures will be required to meet the 2020 energy efficiency target and the 2050 GHG reduction goal.

New and emerging policies, including the Energy Efficiency Directive, reforms to the EU ETS, and a proposed Energy Taxation Directive, which aims to restructure taxes on energy products, provide options that can begin to bridge this gap. It will be important to monitor these developments, as well as the EU’s positioning in the international community vis-à-vis the possible strengthening of its 2020 target.

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the United States: An Overview of the Current Policy Landscape

Sarah Parsons — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:11:27 -0500

Executive Summary

In 2009, at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties, President Barack Obama pledged to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions “in the range of a 17 percent emission reduction by 2020 compared with 2005 levels.” To date, this pledge is not enshrined in or supported by any domestic law. However, a variety of federal policies and programs are directly and indirectly reducing GHG emissions. In addition, U.S. state and local governments have authority to adopt GHG-reduction policies, and some are taking noteworthy actions.

In the context of the U.S. GHG reduction goal, this report examines key existing and emerging federal policies that are likely to reduce GHG emissions in the United States. Pages 10-12 also provide examples of policy actions being taken by U.S. states. For federal policies, our discussion focuses on those that are mandatory or provide a financial incentive, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), tax credits for renewable energy, and new standards for passenger cars and trucks. These programs, and others that are considered in the pages that follow, will drive significant reductions in U.S. GHG emissions.

Will this be enough to meet U.S. GHG reduction goals? Although this report does not provide an exhaustive assessment of U.S. policies, U.S. government GHG projections suggest that additional policy action is likely to be necessary for the United States to achieve the president’s GHG reduction target and continue significant emissions reductions after 2020. At this time, no promising initiatives are being considered in the U.S. Congress to drive further reductions in GHG pollution.

However, federal agencies already have the authority to do more, and have begun to take action. Additional policies such as standards for existing power plants, additional energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment, and policies that reduce HFC consumption, can drive additional reductions in 2020 and beyond. WRI is conducting a separate analysis to quantify the possible reductions from these policies and to examine their impact on the United States’ 2020 reduction target. Moving forward it will be important to track action on these and other policies.

ADVISORY: Press Teleconference on Doha Climate Talks

Michael Oko — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:32:07 -0500

Full audio recording of WRI’s press call below:

With the U.S. elections just completed and the Doha climate talks fast approaching, this is an important moment to consider where progress can be made on international action to address climate change. The recent Hurricane Sandy, along with other extreme weather and climate events, has delivered a powerful wake-up call about the urgency of shifting to a low-carbon trajectory.

Listen to the audio recording of WRI’s press call here:

On Tuesday, November 13, leading experts from the World Resources Institute will participate in a press teleconference to discuss the state of play and key topics in Doha, including how to move forward with an ambitious climate agreement, the role of the U.S. and other countries in the international negotiations, how to accelerate climate finance, and more.

WHAT
Press teleconference on the UNFCCC climate negotiations in Doha, Qatar (COP18)

WHO
Dr. Andrew Steer, President, WRI

Jennifer Morgan, Director, Climate and Energy Program, WRI

Clifford Polycarp, Senior Associate, Institutions & Governance Program, WRI

WHEN
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. EST (DC)//14:00 GMT (London)

Media: Call-in 10 minutes prior to the start time

DIAL-IN
+(888) 566-6569 (Toll Free, U.S. only); or

+(517) 308-9326 (U.S. and International)

Access code: WRI

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!’”

COP 18: Doha

Kevin Lustig — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:09:59 -0400

WRI Experts at COP 18

WRI Events at COP 18

COP 18 Commentary

From November 26 to December 7, 2012, the United Nations will host the 18th Conference of the Parties (COP) in Qatar.

WRI experts will be in attendance at this latest meeting under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to help inform the talks. Here, you can find a variety of materials from the World Resources Institute that shed light on key areas of international climate policy.

WRI Resources for COP 18

STATEMENT: DC Court Supports EPA on Climate Change

Michael Oko — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:00:11 -0400

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit today upheld key actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gases, including the endangerment finding, vehicle emission standards, and the tailoring rule for stationary sources.

The appeals court noted that the Supreme Court had previously ruled that the agency “had a ‘statutory obligation’ to regulate harmful greenhouse gases,” and found that “[t]he body of scientific evidence marshaled by EPA in support of the Endangerment Finding is substantial,” and that “EPA’s interpretation of the governing CAA provisions is unambiguously correct.”

Following is a statement by Kevin Kennedy, Director, U.S. Climate Initiative, World Resources Institute:

“This important ruling re-affirms EPA’s authority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect people and the environment from climate change. The court ruling confirms the overwhelming scientific evidence underlying EPA’s action to control these emissions, as directed by the U.S. Congress.

“Specifically, the court ruling supports the fact that greenhouse gases “endanger human health and welfare,” as found by the U.S. Supreme Court in Massachusetts vs. EPA. It supports EPA’s action to advance stronger emissions standards for cars and light trucks, one of the most important steps taken by the United States to reduce harmful greenhouse gas pollution to date. And it supports EPA in limiting carbon pollution from the largest industrial emitters, while protecting smaller emitters (under the so-called tailoring rule).

“The scientific evidence underlying climate change and its impacts are clear. We see examples of how our world is changing all around from the record-breaking temperatures in the West to the rapidly rising seas in the Northeast.

“Today’s ruling takes away uncertainty by upholding EPA’s authority – indeed its obligation – to reduce the danger greenhouse gases represent to public health and the environment. With this ruling, EPA has strong support to continue its course.”

ADVISORY: WRI Hosts Panels on Business Strategies, Climate Change and Green Economy at Rio+20

Michael Oko — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 08:24:08 -0400

The World Resources Institute (WRI) will host a series of panel discussions, featuring leaders in business, government and civil society, that will focus on how businesses can advance low-carbon and climate goals in the context of Rio+20.

The three panels will take place on Sunday, June 17, from 1:30 – 6:00 p.m. BRT, at Copacabana Fort in Rio de Janeiro.

Topics include: moving forward with “next practices” in business strategy, developing clean technology policies, and measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions.

Note: The third panel will include a major announcement by the British Ambassador to Brazil about a new project to manage Brazil’s agriculture sector emissions.

WHAT
Panel discussions, with high-profile leaders in business, government, and civil society, on The Green Economy: Driving Business Value and Competitiveness

WHO

Welcome & Keynote (1:30 p.m.)
Manish Bapna, Interim President, WRI

Panel #1 (2:00 – 3:15 p.m.)
Peter Madden, CEO, Forum for the Future
Kersten-Karl Barth, Director, Sustainability, Siemens
Robert ter Kuile, Senior Director Environmental Sustainability – Global Public Policy, PepsiCo
Andrew Hobday, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mars
Jennifer Morgan, Director, Climate and Energy Program, WRI

Panel #2 (3:30 – 5:00 p.m.)
Jochen Flasbarth, President, German Federal Environment Agency
Michael Liebreich, Chief Executive Officer, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Dr. Emilio La Rovere, Head of the Center for Integrated Studies on Climate Change and the Environment at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Chief Scientific Advisor to CDKN, Brazil
I.H. Reham, Director, Social Transformation, The Energy and Resources Institute, India
Priya Barua, Research Fellow, WRI

Panel #3 (5:00 – 6:00)
Carlos Klink, Brazilian National Secretary on Climate Change and Environmental Quality
Alan Charlton, British Ambassador to Brazil
Wee Kean Fong, GHG Protocol, WRI
Kaleigh Robinson, GHG Protocol, WRI

WHERE
Copacabana Fort
Espaço das Ideias Circulantes
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

WHEN
Sunday, June 17, 2012;
1:30 – 6:00 p.m. BRT

-ENDS-

Read a blog post by Jennifer Morgan on climate change and Rio+20.

To schedule interviews, please contact: Michael Oko; Tel. (local cell): + 55 21 81 710258; moko@wri.org

An Updated Response to EEI’s Timeline of Environmental Regulations

Kevin Lustig — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:16:48 -0400

This fact sheet updates the analysis done in our earlier response to EEI’s timeline of environmental regulations.

EPA remains on track in issuing rules that provide a path to a cleaner power fleet.

After years of delay, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to reduce dangerous and toxic pollutants released to the air and water by electric power plants, as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA) and other statutes. Four key points about EPA’s actions are clear:

Clarifying EEI’s Timeline

Figure 1: Edison Electric Institute’s Timeline of Environmental Regulatory Requirements for the Utility Industry (Click to enlarge)

Figure 2: Modified Edison Electric Institute Timeline, Removing All But New Compliance Obligations (Click to enlarge)

Figure 3: Timeline of Actual Compliance Obligations for Electric Power Plants (Click to enlarge)

Contrary to assertions by industry groups, EPA is pursuing a realistic timeline over the next five to ten years to bring the electric power industry into compliance with the law.
In most cases, the electric power sector has been on notice for several years (in some cases several decades) that these pollutants would be regulated.
Without new regulations, these pollutants will continue to impair America’s waterways, heat the planet, perpetuate acid rain, and lead to preventable hospital visits and premature deaths.
In each of its rulemakings, EPA provides for an extensive, open, and evidence-based public process. This leads to more robust and fair rules for the electric power sector. As EPA finalizes each rule, it will establish an increasingly clear pathway for investments in an American electric generation fleet for the 21st century.

CEOs and other representatives of major electric power corporations have suggested that EPA’s regulatory timeline is unworkable. The largest industry trade group, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), produced a slide in 2010 (updated in May 2011) that purports to display an onslaught of new requirements for power plants. EEI has distributed this slide (reproduced in Figure 1) widely on Capitol Hill, where it presumably hopes to win lawmakers’support for additional delays in EPA rules or even a stripping of EPA’s regulatory authority.

WRI has identified four categories of EPA activities on the EEI timeline that are potentially misleading. When these activities are removed, only the timing of actual new compliance obligations is left. In Figure 2, “X”s (color coded for each filter in the screening process) have been applied to remove events from EEI’s timeline that are not consequential from a compliance standpoint.

Rules that have been remanded or vacated by court decisions that do not impose compliance obligations.
Rules that were already in effect when EEI circulated its chart, representing compliance obligations that already exist; there are no new requirements imposed by these rules.
Public input through the rulemaking process (which leads to more robust and fair rules for the electric power sector, and should not be conflated with new compliance obligations).
National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) rules for various pollutants that set standards for states to achieve. They do not establish new requirements for electric generation units.

The EPA regulatory process is far from a “train wreck.” EEI’s misleading timeline consists mostly of procedural events and activities that will not impose a direct compliance obligation on power plants. This serves only to spread confusion about EPA’s actual regulatory schedule.

Figure 3 shows a more accurate picture of the timeline for new requirements applicable to electric power plants.

EPA is carrying out the intent of Congress (through the passage of the bipartisan Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and subsequent amendments) to clean the nation’s air and water. These rules can help the United States transition to cleaner and more efficient power plants by establishing a clear pathway for investments in an electric generation fleet for the 21st century.

The CAA requires EPA and states to regulate and reduce harmful pollutants from major emissions sources, including power plants. To date, this framework has delivered substantial improvements in air quality and significant public health benefits estimated between $82 and $556 billion annually. Over the next decade, power plants will be subject to new rules under the CAA as well as the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to control substances that cause serious health problems and substantial damage to America’s natural resources. These rules will take effect after long lead times; in most cases industry has been on notice for years that these pollutants would be regulated.

Many of the regulations under consideration by EPA have been in the regulatory pipeline for over a decade. Due to administrative delays and litigation resulting in court decisions remanding or vacating previous rules, many of these rules have not been finalized or the final rules were reversed. In many cases Congress has set statutory deadlines for EPA to act, EPA has missed the deadlines, and courts have ordered EPA to act.

Download the complete fact sheet (includes additional figures, footnotes, and references) (PDF, 476 Kb)

Open Climate Network Analysis

Kevin Lustig — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:16:37 -0400

Topic: climate legislation

STATEMENT: WRI Response to the State of the Union

RELEASE: New Report Presents Pathway for U.S. to Reach 17 Percent Emissions Target

Embed this graphic on your site.

ADVISORY: Report Launch: Can the U.S. Get There From Here?

STATEMENT: U.S. National Climate Assessment

ADVISORY: WRI's Stories to Watch 2013

STATEMENT: Climate Talks Wrap Up with a Deal in Doha

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the EU: An Overview of the Current Policy Landscape

Executive Summary

Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the United States: An Overview of the Current Policy Landscape

Executive Summary

ADVISORY: Press Teleconference on Doha Climate Talks

STATEMENT: President Obama Elected to a Second Term

COP 18: Doha

WRI Experts at COP 18

WRI Events at COP 18

COP 18 Commentary

WRI Resources for COP 18

STATEMENT: DC Court Supports EPA on Climate Change

ADVISORY: WRI Hosts Panels on Business Strategies, Climate Change and Green Economy at Rio+20

An Updated Response to EEI’s Timeline of Environmental Regulations

This fact sheet updates the analysis done in our earlier response to EEI’s timeline of environmental regulations.

Clarifying EEI’s Timeline

Download the complete fact sheet (includes additional figures, footnotes, and references) (PDF, 476 Kb)

Open Climate Network Analysis

Use the list to the right to explore available analysis from the Open Climate Network »