Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire: Clean Air Act

Showing posts with label Clean Air Act. Show all posts

Monday, December 27, 2010

EPA Moving Unilaterally to Limit Greenhouse Gases Amid congressional stalemate on global warming, administration seeks to limit greenhouse gases

EPA moves to curb greenhouse-gas emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency said it plans to develop new greenhouse-gas emissions standards for refineries and power plants. The agency is also moving to release Clean Air Act permits directly to industrial facilities in Texas because the state is reluctant to follow new emissions rules. "We are following through on our commitment to proceed in a measured and careful way to reduce GHG pollution that threatens the health and welfare of Americans," said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. ABC News/The Associated Press (12/25) , Houston Chronicle

Monday, October 18, 2010

A clean air revival 20 years ago, Congress and the president took on acid rain with stunning success. Could such a thing happen today?

To understand why the acid rain program succeeded, and what the implications could be for the global warming debate, the Globe retraced a journey taken 20 years ago, when it published a series of stories about the impact of clean air legislation. That meant a return to the Ohio power plant that was considered the single largest cause of acid rain, and to a Vermont pond that had been devastated by the pollution.

Through this lens — of the power plant and the pond — the story that emerges is one of unexpected victories, unintended consequences, and crucial lessons. More at: http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2010/10/17/washing_away_of_acid_rain_offers_lesson/

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Obama reshapes administration for a fresh strategy

President Obama Said to Be Moving Toward Executive Action on Energy

New White House appointments were said to target enabling President Obama to achieve goals, including climate issues, by executive action, rather than through legislation, the Los Angeles Times reported. An administration official, who requested anonymity, was quoted as saying: "The ambition is to get a reasonable start" on regulatory changes.

The Times wrote: "One area of likely administration action is climate change. Legislation curbing emissions that cause global warming is stalled in Congress. Such efforts have a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 17 percent below 2005 levels over the next decade. The Obama administration does not think it can achieve the same reductions through regulation alone." However, added the Times, EPA "is determined to use its regulatory power under the Clean Air Act to begin lowering emissions, in the absence of congressional action."

Los Angeles Times, Oct. 6.