Project Development & Permitting Practice
VNF Policy Updates
Weekly Climate Change Policy Update - December 21, 2009
Kyle Danish, Shelley Fidler, Kevin Gallagher, Megan Ceronsky, Tomás CarbonellDecember 21, 2009
Through personal intervention in the negotiations, President Obama salvaged from the Copenhagen talks a 3-page accord. It achieves – in the geologic time scale of the international negotiations – a truly seismic shift: first-time emission reduction commitments from major developing countries, including China. The accord also includes a major package of funding for least developed countries. However, it is woefully short on specifics...
Weekly Climate Policy Update - December 21, 2007
Kyle Danish, Andrea Hudson, Shelley FidlerDecember 21, 2007
This week, President Bush signed an energy bill that significantly increases fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks, mandates greater biofuels production, and creates efficiency standards for buildings. Although the bill was not as comprehensive as earlier versions – which included a renewable portfolio standard and tax incentives for renewable energy production – it addresses a number of energy issues facing the U.S. The enactment of the bill and its increased fuel economy standards also contributed to EPA’s landmark decision to deny California’s request for a waiver to implement its vehicle CO¬2 emission standards. The denial marks the first time that EPA has denied such a waiver and sets the stage for a showdown between the state and the agency. The denial, and EPA’s reasoning for denying the waiver, may have important implications for the future of GHG regulation at the agency.
Weekly Climate Change Policy Update - November 2, 2007
Andrea Hudson, Kyle Danish, Shelley FidlerNovember 2, 2007
A Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee approved the Lieberman-Warner climate change legislation in a 4-3 vote. This milestone marks the first time that a Congressional committee has reported economy-wide climate change regulatory legislation and, in many respects, marks the official beginning of a long and arduous effort to enact such legislation.
Weekly Climate Change Policy Update - September 21
Andrea Hudson Campbell, Kyle W. Danish, Shelley N. FidlerSeptember 21, 2007
This week, publicly-traded companies faced inquiries from two different angles regarding disclosure of risks and opportunities related to climate change.