Proposed pollution caps in the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) would result in reductions of total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. This is less than the 17 percent reduction from 2005 levels that the previous Waxman-Markey Discussion Draft as released would have achieved, according to a new analysis released by the World Resources Institute.
Location: WASHINGTON, D.C. and NEW YORK CITY, N.Y.
A path for financing smart economic development through strong institutions was announced today by a 14-person commission appointed to advise political leaders on climate change.
S. 1013 authorizes the Department of Energy to conduct a program to demonstrate ten commercial-scale integrated geologic storage projects, and provides a framework for selection criteria for these demonstrations. Importantly, the bill addresses the long term-stewardship challenges associated with demonstration, including both long-term monitoring requirements and liability protection.
H.R. 1689, the Carbon Capture and Storage Early Deployment Act, introduced by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) in March 2009, is designed to accelerate the development and early deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies by providing a funding mechanism for commercial-scale demonstrations that is outside the traditional appropriations process.
WHAT: The World Resources Institute (WRI), Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA), and Southface will hold a tele-press conference to discuss the third report in a three-part series on energy opportunities in the Southeast United States. Water and Watts examines the region’s heavy dependence on water for electricity produced at coal and nuclear power plants. The report shows how clean energy policies can protect diminishing freshwater supplies and meet the energy demands of a growing population.
Energy use is the largest driver of GHG emissions, primarily the burning of fossil fuels in the electricity generation, transportation, and industrial sectors.
In the Southeast from 1997 to 2006, total fossil fuel consumption increased approximately 14 percent, outpacing the national average rate of 5 percent growth.
As of 2006, the Southeast relied on fossil fuel sources for approximately 80 percent of its total energy consumption (see chart), a total that is similar to, but slightly below, the national average o
Energy efficiency is significantly cheaper than producing electricity with new power plants (see chart) and offers additional economic and environmental benefits.
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