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May 15, 2012
by Ari Natter
The Department of Energy would continue to be barred from enforcing new energy efficiency standards for incandescent light bulbs under a planned House amendment that pits bulb manufacturers against the tea party movement. The amendment, which Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) has vowed to introduce to an upcoming appropriations bill, would prohibit funding to enforce standards that require the 100-watt light bulb, and eventually other bulbs, to be about 30 percent more efficient. Bulb manufacturers, who say they have spent millions of dollars retooling factories to comply with the standards, oppose measures such as Burgess's, saying they open the door for imports of cheaper, less efficient bulbs.
May 14, 2012
by Regina Cline
In Congress, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a hearing Thursday on the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012 (S. 2146), which would promote a range of low- and zero-carbon electricity generation sources. The bill would require utilities to obtain 24 percent of electricity from "clean" sources starting in 2015, increasing 3 percent per year through 2035.
May 10, 2012
by Avery Fellow
The Coca-Cola Co., Nike, and more than 30 other companies have cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 100 million metric tons since 1999 under a partnership agreement with the World Wildlife Fund, according to a new report. The reductions are equal to double the current annual emissions of Switzerland.
May 8, 2012
by Ari Natter
Electronics manufacturers are threatening to drop out of Energy Star, saying recent changes have made participation in the federal government's voluntary energy efficiency labeling program too costly.
Among the chief complaints is a requirement that companies seeking an Energy Star label have their products' energy usage tested in third-party labs. Previously, companies were allowed to conduct the tests themselves after signing an agreement "committing" that their products met Energy Star specifications.
May 4, 2012
by Regina Cline
A water and energy spending bill could come to the House floor this week. The measure would provide nearly $1.4 billion for the Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for fiscal year 2013.
In the courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Circuit is scheduled to hear argument Friday on motions to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to require the federal government to place an immediate cap on greenhouse gas emissions.
May 2, 2012
by Regina Cline
Could Congress pass legislation to speed up rare earth mining here in the U.S.?
According to the April issue of the Materials Research Society Bulletin, a bill may be enacted if mitigating risk of supply chain interruptions remains a priority for Congress.
Concern over the supply chain of rare earth minerals—which are not rare, but are found in small concentrations—heated up when China, which accounts for 97 percent of the world’s production, curtailed exports in 2010.
For the growing green tech industry, the 17 rare earth minerals on the periodic table are vital in the production of wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries, fuel cells, and energy-efficient lighting. They are also important in the production of dozens of other high-tech products, like computers, cell phones, and medical equipment.
April 30, 2012
by Regina Cline
The Environmental Protection Agency will take questions May 3 via a webinar on its draft strategy outlining actions to manage water programs and invest resources aimed at reducing adverse effects of climate change on water resources.
The draft strategy, which builds upon EPA's first climate change and water strategy released in 2008, focuses on five key areas: infrastructure, watersheds and wetlands, coastal and ocean waters, water quality, and tribal programs. The draft strategy also describes geographically based strategic issues and actions.
The agency is accepting comments on the draft water-climate strategy until May 17.
April 25, 2012
by Avery Fellow
The federal government and the private sector have launched new efforts to determine ideal sites for solar and wind energy projects in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Department launched new tools April 25 to evaluate contaminated lands and underutilized sites for solar and wind energy potential. A Virginia satellite imagery company said April 19 it is planning to map every commercial and residential rooftop in the United States for its solar potential.
April 24, 2012
by Regina Cline
Diesel engines and burning of biomass for fuel are responsible for the lion's share of black carbon emissions in the United States, according to an EPA report to Congress on emissions of the carbon particulates. EPA's report on black carbon--the most effective form of particulate matter, by mass, at absorbing solar energy--holds some interesting facts in regard to the largest U.S. sources.
April 23, 2012
by Regina Cline
The House Appropriations Committee is expected to markup a $32.1 billion energy and water appropriations bill in the week ahead for fiscal year 2013. As detailed in an April 18 World Climate Change Report article, the bill would provide $26.3 billion for the Energy Department, a reduction of $358 million from current funding levels.
Elsewhere in D.C., an EPA advisory workgroup will hold a closed session April 24 to discuss options to streamline the greenhouse gas permitting process under the Clean Air Act.