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Climate Legislation Uncertain in Congress
The House of Representatives last year passed the Waxman-Markey energy legislation and the Senate Environment and Public Works committee reported favorably on the Boxer-Kerry bill before Senate Democrats lost their 60th, filibuster-safe seat, said Brad Penney, director of government relations for the Alliance to Save Energy. Both bills call for cap-and-trade regimes and significant cuts in greenhouse gas emission by 2050.
In the new political environment, the fate of both of these bills is questionable, with many factions characterizing them as essentially taxes on energy, Penney said before the Association of Energy Engineers.
Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman have been discussing new forms of legislation for climate change. But the political deadline of the November election is approaching, and, Penney said, if viable legislative ideas do not emerge around the time of the spring recess the 2010 political calendar may be too short for passage of legislation before the elections. It is possible that there would be a stand-alone energy bill that does not address climate change, he continued.
But the climate bill negotiations that are underway are seeing a shift in the debate. Some have proposed adding offshore drilling and nuclear power funding as integral parts of the bill as sweeteners to induce the votes necessary for passage. However, Penney noted, those provisions could be so objectionable to others that they might cause a loss of support.
One new idea that has gain interest has been called "cap and dividend" in which the money received from carbon credits will be refunded to citizens. The idea is already the centerpiece of pending bills in Congress. But Penney said that lawmakers have started thinking of rolling in a carbon fee-then rebate strategy into new legislation. One idea would have most of the fees return to the public soon, with increasing amounts of rebates in future years.
Climate Legislation Uncertain in Congress
GlobalResourcesNews.com - 2010-03-31
Aid Continues to Flow into Haiti
- 2010-03-30
Carbon Trading in Flux as Stakeholders Wait for Policy
- 0000-00-00
Carbon Trading in Flux as Stakeholders Wait for Policy
Cap and trade legislation has become stalled in the US Senate, and the White House has tried to move climate legislation forward. But it has become such a tender issue that proponents have started using a new term: pollution reduction.
The climate bill that passed the US House would set the stage for a market in which cleaner firms sell credits to dirtier firms. The logic is that carbon emissions overall would be lowered without requiring expensive retooling. A managing director of Warburg Pincus said the value of the market could range from $3 trillion to $13 trillion.
President Outlines 'Cash for Caulkers' Program
GlobalResourcesNews.com - 0000-00-00
President Outlines 'Cash for Caulkers' Program
Called the HOMESTAR program, the Federal subsidy would give point of purchase rebates for new appliances and home renovations.
The White House said that unemployment in the construction industry is about 25% and that this $6 billion program would provide jobs for workers in that sector.
Its first level would be called Silver Star, and would receive $1,000 to $1,500 for purchases such as insulation work or energy-efficient refrigerators, up to 50% of the purchase price.
A more extensive Gold Star program would provide $3,000 in rebates when an energy audit is conducted and a plan is implemented that would cut home energy use by 20%. Additional monies could be available for programs that reduce energy use by more than 20%.
Also, the government said it would apply quality standards for the products and contractors who were eligible for the rebate-qualifying work.
The certification to show competency in energy retrofit work can cost between $800 and $1,000, the Christian Science Monitor quoted an expert as saying. Start-up investment for providing the services could be about $5,000, it continued.
Renewable Technology Conference 2010
- 2010-02-17
Copper Prices Stable After Earthquake, Mines Reopening
GlobalResourcesNews.com - 2010-03-01
Copper Prices Stable After Earthquake, Mines Reopening
An 8.8 earthquake struck Chile 3:34 a.m. Feb. 27, epicentered on the coast north of Concepcion. More than 700 deaths have been reported.
The Red Cross and other relief organizations began coordinating emergency efforts. The US State Department linked to a Web-based peoplefinder.
Two copper mines, Los Bronces and El Soldado owned by Anglo American Plc, were shut and two Coldelco-owned mines suspended their operations. Reuters published a Factbox of the status of copper mines, refineries and ports. The earthquake affected 5% of the world's copper production, an expert told Bloomberg.
Chile mines about a third of the world's copper, producing 5.4 million metric tons last year. Copper accounts for most of Chile's exports. Last year, copper exports brought in $26.9 billion to Chile, down from the $32.8 billion it had earned in 2008 when prices were higher.
Copper prices rose last week, reaching $3.284 a pound in New York and $7,196 a tonne in London. Commodity traders are following events and production levels closely. High grade copper had fallen in January after a big gain in 2009.
Haiti stills suffers from its Jan. 12 magnitude 7 earthquake. Read more
British Industry Group Looks at Peak Oil
GlobalResourcesNews.com - 2010-02-25
British Industry Group Examines Peak Oil
A British industry group has issued a forecast for world oil production
that is significantly below that declared by the International Energy Agency.
The group's report predicts that no more than 92 million barrels of
oil a day can be pumped from the earth due to a variety of constraints. At present, the
world is producing about 87 million barrels per day (mbd), but the
report asserts that production will hit its 92 mbd limit in about five years. By constrast, the International Energy Agency,
in its 2009 World Energy Outlook report, projects that the world
will be consuming 105 mbd by 2030.
Read more
Blizzard Cuts Power, Takes Toll on Trees
GlobalResourcesNews.com - 2010-02-07
Blizzard Cuts Much Power, Takes Heavy Toll on Trees
North of the blizzard zone, tragedy struck in Connecticut when a natural gas power plant exploded, killing five people. The plant, designed to produce 620 megawatts, was being tested and was under construction.
Snow emergencies were declared by most major jurisdictions in the region of the snow. Snow laden branches tumbled from trees, taking a toll on city trees and downing electrical lines as they fell. A branch fell on a vehicle in a motorcade following President Obama. Throughout the region hundreds of fender-benders were reported, but few vehicle deaths. A hangar roof at Dulles International Airport collapsed.
The damage to economic and natural infrastructure is still being assessed, and more snow is expected in the region on Tuesday. GlobalResourcesNews.com invites you to share your experiences by e-mailing witness@globalresourcesnews.com
Sustainable Rebuilding of Haiti
GlobalResourcesNews.com - 2010-02-05
Physicians for Social Responsibility Report on Coal's Health Effects
globalresourcesnews.com - 2010-01-18
News and Link Feed on Copenhagen and its Aftermath
- 2010-01-17
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Copper Prices Stable Earthquake, Mines Reopen
Renewable Energy Technology 2010 Conference
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