Alerts & Events
Our lawyers and policy professionals are pleased to present timely, topical Issue Alerts on subjects of interest to our clients. To receive Alerts via email, please sign up here.
Also listed below (or accessed via the search boxes at left) are other articles and presentations by our professionals, and notices of our participation in industry conferences and events.
To read our weekly Climate Change Policy Updates, click here.
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.
Articles
Colorado River Management Plan Update
Jonathan SimonThe Grand Canyon River Runner
May 2008
On January 11, 2008, nearly a month and a half after the federal district court in Arizona wholly rejected their challenge to the new Colorado River Management Plan issued by the National Park Service (NPS) in February 2006, the plaintiffs in that lawsuit appealed that court's ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. While the NPS and other stakeholders hoped that the court's decision would provide a basis for the agency to move forward and work with all user groups in continuing to implement the new plan, the appeal ensures that the underlying issues will remain mired in controversy before the courts for some time to come.
Railroad Transportation of Nuclear Waste and Other Hazardous Materials
Michael McBrideThe Electricity Journal
April 2008
Railroads continue to have duties to shippers and the public, and they may not take the law into their own hands. Except for emergencies – and then only for the duration of the emergency – they must carry all commodities without regard to whether they are dangerous, unless the proper agency of the federal government has relieved them of that obligation.
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.
Seminars & Events
APPA 2008 Legal Seminar
The Broadmoor Hotel, Colorado Springs, COOctober 26, 2008
David Yaffe, Pam Anderson, and Rick Agnew are attending. Van Ness Feldman is a Diamond sponsor.
AGA Legal Forum & Golf Tournament
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines/Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course, San Diego, CAJuly 20, 2008
Van Ness Feldman is a sponsor of the golf tournament. Curt Moffatt and Paul Korman are attending.
Renewable Energy Finance Forum - Wall Street
The Waldorf Astoria, New York City, NYJune 18, 2008
Van Ness Feldman's Jay Ryan and Ben McMakin will be attending this event.
Carbon Trade and Finance Trends
Ritz Carlton, Washington, DCJune 13, 2008
Kyle Danish and Sam Kalen will be speakers at this conference. Van Ness Feldman is a Gold Sponsor.