CEQ Issues Draft NEPA Guidance on Consideration of the Effects of Climate Change and Green House Gas Emissions

On February 18, 2010, the Council on Environmental Quality released, for public review and comment, a draft “Guidance Memorandum” on the consideration of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts as part of compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

SEC Follows Through with Guidance Regarding Disclosure of Climate Change Risks and Opportunities

On February 8, 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) published an interpretive release to provide guidance to public companies regarding the Commission’s existing disclosure requirements as they apply to climate change. In late January, the SEC had voted 3-2 to issue such guidance.

SEC Issues Guidance for Disclosing Material Climate Change Risks

On January 27, 2010, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission voted 3-2 (along party lines) to issue an Interpretive Release intended to clarify existing disclosure requirements as they apply to “business or legal developments relating to the issue of climate change.”

FERC Launches Inquiry About Integration of Variable Energy Resources Into the Transmission Grid

On January 21, 2010, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a Notice of Inquiry to explore whether any of its standardized rules or procedures governing organized energy markets or operation of the transmission grid should be changed to eliminate barriers to the integration of Variable Energy Resources.

Weekly Climate Change Policy Update - January 19, 2010

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) sees a bipartisan climate bill on the floor of the Senate in the Spring . . . Reid and some other Senate Democrats are rallying in opposition to an expected amendment from Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), but it’s not yet clear whether she will offer an amendment and, if she does, what form it will take . . . The countdown is underway: January 31 is the deadline under the Copenhagen Accord for major economies to register their mitigation commitments. It will be a first test of the durability of the Accord.

Power Administrations Seek Increased Role

U.S. Climate Change Policy Will Drive Significant Investment Opportunities in Traditional and Alternative Energy

A new President and the likelihood of more Democrats in the House and Senate may tip the balance of power in energy debates from traditional oil and gas interests to proponents of new energy sources and cleantech goods and services. While we watch the election unfold, and as the rhetorical battles over energy policy continue in Washington, D.C., climate change legislation looms largest of all the energy debates.

Energy's Next Step

Once heralded as the lynchpin to America’s energy independence, ethanol is increasingly under attack as a flawed energy resource. The livestock and food industries criticize ethanol for the impact it has on the price of corn. Environmentalists point out that corn ethanol takes almost as much energy to make as it produces. Communities in more arid regions of the country worry about corn ethanol’s high demand for water.

Clean tech depends on federal policy

Curt Rich and Ben McMakin offer insight on why local leaders, companies with promising technologies, and venture capital and financial sectors must engage in both Washingtons if they want the promising clean-tech sector to thrive.

The Energy Bar Association: 64th Annual Meeting & Primer

Rich Bonnifield, Doug Smith and Lisa Epifani are speaking at this event.

Carbon Capture and Storage Legal Symposium

Bob Nordhaus is speaking at this event.

The Energy Bar Association: 13th Annual Midwest Chapter Energy Conference

Rich Bonnifield is speaking at this event.

Energy Daily Webinar: Energy Funding Opportunities in the Obama Administration

Jennifer Owen is speaking at this event.

The Energy Bar Association: 9th Annual Western Chapter Meeting

Rich Bonnifield is speaking at this event. Van Ness Feldman is a gold sponsor.