Clean Technologies Practice
Issue Alerts
Weekly Climate Change Update- May 12, 2008
Kyle Danish, Shelley Fidler, Kevin Gallagher, Alex LazurMay 12, 2008
The Lieberman-Warner bill continues to take center stage in Climate Change news, as it appears that Democratic Senators from manufacturing states may not vote for it. Provisions allowing the use of Clean Development Mechanism credits and credits from activities to reduce deforestation in developing countries might possibly be added to the Manager's Amendment. In addition, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change released a report reviewing the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme and how it might be helpful in designing a U.S. program.
Weekly Climate Change Update - May 5, 2008
Kyle Danish, Shelley Fidler, Andrea Campbell, Kevin GallagherMay 5, 2008
Over the last week, the biggest emerging question is what will be in the Manager's Amendment, an overhaul of the Lieberman-Warner bill designed to attract more votes. Meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration released its analysis of the Lieberman-Warner bill, showing allowance prices doubling from $30/ton to $60/ton between 2020 and 2030. Also, some Senate Republicans may endorse an alternative approach proposed by Senator Voinovich that focuses on tax incentives and other subsidies for clean energy technologies.
Weekly Climate Change Policy Update - April 28, 2008
Kyle Danish, Shelley Fidler, Andrea Campbell, Kevin GallagherApril 28, 2008
Noteworthy in Climate Change news this week was the "Manager's Amendment" drawn up by the staff for Senators Boxer, Lieberman, and Warner. In addition, Senator Voinovich (R-OH) is working on a bill focusing on technology incentives. Also, some Senators are considering ways to expand the Lieberman-Warner bill to target deforestation.
Weekly Climate Change Policy Update - April 21, 2008
Kyle Danish, Shelley Fidler, Andrea Campbell, Kevin GallagherApril 21, 2008
President Bush's Rose Garden speech on climate change policy was the topic of conversation in this week's climate change news, although it brought about less of an impact than anticipated. In addition, the Governors of 18 states signed a declaration requesting a federal-state partnership to address climate change. Also in the news were the two front-page articles in the Wall Street Journal on problems with the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism.
Weekly Climate Change Policy Upate - April 14, 2008
Kyle Danish, Shelley Fidler, Andrea Campbell, Kevin GallagherApril 14, 2008
It is expected that the Lieberman-Warner bill will be brought to the Senate floor on June 2nd, which will likely include a manager's amendment to the bill. Also in the news is the "cost containment" compromise that could be in the works with the help of the National Commission on Energy Policy, the Nicholas Institute, and the US Climate Action Partnership.
Articles
U.S. Climate Change Policy Will Drive Significant Investment Opportunities in Traditional and Alternative Energy
Ben McMakin and Janet AndersonManaged Funds Association Reporter
April 2008
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
Curt RichLos Angeles Daily Journal
December 7, 2007
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
This guest column first appeared in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on November 14, 2007.Curt Rich, Ben McMakin
November 14, 2007
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.
Seminars & Events
6th Annual Conference, The Green Business Summit: Adapt, Innovate, Transform
Fairview Park Marriott, Falls Church, VAJune 5, 2008
Van Ness Feldman's Tracy Nagelbush is attending this event.
The Future is Now: The Business, Technology and Politics of Global Energy
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VirginiaApril 24, 2008
Van Ness Feldman's Shelley Fidler will speak during the last session, "Curbing CO2 Emissions in the U.S.: Can Policy and Technology Make an Immediate Impact?" at 4 PM in room G004-A of Ruffner Hall.
Cleantech Forum XVI
Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CAFebruary 25, 2008
Van Ness Feldman's Curtis Rich and Ben McMakin will be attending.
Carbon Markets U.S. Forum
Point CarbonWashington, DC
January 2007
Van Ness Feldman's Bob Nordhaus spoke on legal and legislative developments and the firm exhibited at this conference, the first such event in the U.S. for leading global greenhouse gas media outlet and market advisory service Point Carbon.