On November 8, 2016, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump achieved one of the biggest political surprises in the history of presidential elections. This month’s newsletter examines what short- and long-term impacts the incoming administration can have on the environmental regulatory landscape over the next four years. During the election, candidate Trump discussed repealing environmental laws […]
The Obvious but Critical Question: What happens to renewable energy under President Trump?
After eight years of steadfast support from the Obama administration, President-elect Trump and the Republican-led Congress appear eager to reduce or wholly eliminate various federal climate change efforts. This will negatively impact renewable energy development, but key support mechanisms will remain in place. Regardless, under the new administration, state-level incentives will emerge as the primary […]
Canadian Milestone: What the (apparent) success of Woodfibre LNG says about the current LNG market
In early November, Singapore-based Pacific Oil & Gas authorized financing for its 2.1 MMTPA (280 MMCFD) Woodfibre LNG project in Squamish, British Columbia. The announcement appeared to stop short of a full Final Investment Decision (FID), as it remains contingent on receipt of a few local and provincial approvals. While not guaranteed, those approvals are […]
EPA’s 2016 CSAPR Seasonal NOx Update Rule and its Effect on Coal Generation
On September 7, 2016 the EPA finalized an update to its Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) ozone season program. The CSAPR Update Rule adjusts state budgets to maintain the 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Ozone (75 ppb). While state budgets have increased for most states from the proposed rule, some states and […]
The CPP Goes to Court: Update on the litigation of EPA’s Clean Power Plan
After months of anticipation, EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) – one of the most watched environmental regulations coming out of Washington, DC – finally had its first day in court on September 27. This newsletter summarizes the Clean Power Plan and the legal issues at stake, previews the remaining schedule for the litigation, and highlights […]
New York’s Clean Energy Standard puts the state (back) at the forefront of fighting Climate Change
On August 1, 2016, New York’s Public Service Commission presented the Clean Energy Standard (CES). New York’s latest policy achievement to combat climate change will require 50% of the state’s 2030 electricity consumption to come from renewable energy sources and provide financial incentives to at-risk upstate nuclear power plants for their carbon-free electricity. The 50 […]
Trouble All Around: Results from the California Cap & Trade program’s latest auction hints at worrisome future
California’s cap-and-trade program, established under Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, which aims to reduce California’s GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, is facing significant legal, political, and financial troubles. The latest cap-and-trade allowance auction held in May displays worrisome results. Of the almost 78 million allowances available in the auction, […]