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The Inflation Reduction Act and Other Climate Measures

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 8/15/22 4:09 PM

By Jeffrey Karp, Senior Counsel, and Edward Mahaffey, Legal Research and Writing Attorney

The Biden administration has been announcing a new series of actions to address climate change, relying on executive power due to insufficient support in Congress. On July 27, 2022, however, Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) unexpectedly agreed on a bill, the Inflation Reduction Act (“Act”), which would include many provisions intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alongside other policies such as deficit reduction and prescription drug price negotiation. The Senate passed the bill on August 7, 2022, followed by the House on August 12.

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Topics: Climate change, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Inflation Reduction Act

Greenhouse Gas Quantification Under FERC’s Pipeline Certification Process

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 7/30/19 11:43 AM

By  Jeffrey Karp and Maxwell Unterhalter

Since our last article discussing the way in which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC" or "the Commission") considers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate impacts in the pipeline certification process, the conflict has not abated. Presently, the Commission has just four members; a fifth member has not been appointed by the President since the death of Commissioner McIntyre on January 2, 2019.[1] With no nominee to replace the late Commissioner McIntyre, the remaining two Democratic and two Republican commissioners have stalemated over whether FERC is adequately fulfilling its National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) responsibilities in evaluating certification applications for natural gas pipelines.[2] The lack of consensus among the four commissioners has slowed the certification of proposed pipeline projects, leading to cancellation of at least one application.[3]

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Topics: Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Natural Gas, Energy Projects, FERC

U.S. EPA Earns Early Victory in Opponents' Challenge to Clean Power Plan

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 1/22/16 5:47 PM

On January 21, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) won an initial victory as the D.C. Circuit refused to grant opponents a stay of the Clean Power Plan (CPP or Rule).

The Rule, promulgated pursuant to section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), limits carbon dioxide emissions from existing fossil fuel fired electric generating plants (generating units).  The CPP’s goal is to cut emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, and each state is provided an emissions reduction target. Qualifying state emissions reductions under the Rule generally prompt the retirement of coal plants and the greater adoption of natural gas and renewable resources.  States must submit their implementation plans (SIP) in 2016 demonstrating that they will achieve the requisite emissions reduction by 2022, or request a two-year extension. However, if a state fails to submit an adequate implementation plan by the 2016 due date or request an extension for plan development until 2018, U.S. EPA will assign a federal implementation plan (FIP) that will enable that state to meet its emissions reduction target.

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Topics: Carbon Emissions, CPP, Clean Power, clean power plan, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, State of West Virginia v. EPA, EPA Victory, West Virginia, Stay of the Rule, Climate change, Clean Air Act, Section 111(d), Global Warming, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Stay

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The Environment & Energy Insights blog analyzes developments in the law, as well as provides updates and perspectives on trends and polices.

The material on this site is for general information only and is not legal advice. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage which may result from reliance on it. Always consult a qualified lawyer about a specific legal problem.

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