Environment Policy Review
Sept 07
Governor’s Advisory Group on Climate Change Poised to Push Aggressive Global Warming Agenda
Governor Blagojevich issued Executive Order No. 11 in 2006 creating the Illinois Climate Change Advisory Group, headed up by the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Doug Scott. While the advisory group consists of representation from business and labor groups, energy and agricultural leaders, scientists, and various environmental groups, the group’s agenda appeared pre-determined from the start with the Governor publicly pushing to adopt many of the aggressive emission standards being pursued by California. Although the group’s full list of recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is expected to be released next month, several news media outlets reported that the recommendations will include adopting California car emission rules, as well as a cap and trade system for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning power plants.
Eleven states have already adopted similar car emission standards with the auto industry fighting implementation of these standards across the board. The auto industry, however, was dealt a serious blow earlier this month after a federal judge in Vermont ruled that states do have the authority to pass emission reduction rules.
To read more about the Governor’s advisory groups upcoming recommendations and the Vermont case, click on the following links:
Indiana BP Oil Refinery Expansion Sparks Controversy in Illinois
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management approved a permit in June that would allow an oil refinery owned by British Petroleum in Whiting, Indiana to reconfigure, ultimately increasing its capacity and expand oil production in the Great Lakes region. The process by which BP followed to obtain their permit followed both state and federal law, not only garnering the approval of the Indiana lead agency on environmental issues, but also the federal EPA. Illinois officials, including US Senator Obama and Chicago Mayor Daley, however, did not characterize the BP permit as an opportunity to enhance commerce for the region, but rather as a move to increase pollution discharge into Lake Michigan. The move prompted an immediate response from Illinois officials at all levels, including Senator Obama, who decried the decision as flying in the face of the federal Clean Water Act and threatened a lawsuit. Although BP has since agreed to limit its release of pollutants, Illinois state officials are still fighting to force a modified permit for BP that will require greater discharge limitations that ultimately go beyond those set forth in law.
To read more about the BP controversy, as well as an analysis of the situation recently published in The Economist, click on the following links:
Federal Clean-Energy Legislation Moves Forward
The US House approved legislation in August that would dramatically change US energy policy by requiring national standards for renewable sources for the first time. Many business groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce, opposed the legislation as it strips away many crucial tax incentives for businesses. The legislation follows a Senate clean-energy bill that passed in June containing provisions to increase the average fuel-efficiency requirements for cars for the first time in 20 years. The Senate’s version of the bill, however, did not include a renewable energy requirement or remove oil industry tax breaks like the House bill.
The Economist Examines the Possible Revival of Nuclear Power
A series of articles published in the September edition of The Economist explore nuclear power and the increased role it could play in pursuing climate change policies. To read these articles, click on the following links:
Increased Ethanol Production Boosts Tensions
The following article examines the mounting tension between grain and food producers and the ethanol/biodiesel industry. Although ethanol production has allowed many small rural Midwestern towns to benefit economically, the increased production has also created a rift in the agricultural community as demands on corn have started to push prices up on food and other grain-dependent commodities.
International Efforts Strive for Cleaner Energy Standards
The following series of articles look at some of the efforts that are occurring on the global level to push for stronger emissions regulation and energy efficiency:
IERG to Host Briefing on The Climate Registry
The Illinois EPA (Ron Burke and Jim Ross) and the Lake Michigan Air Director’s Consortium (Mike Koerber) join IERG in hosting a briefing on The Climate Registry. The briefing will be held Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 1:00 pm at the Sangamo Club in Springfield, Illinois.
The Climate Registry is a collaboration between states, provinces and tribes aimed at developing and managing a common greenhouse gas emissions reporting system. It is managed by members from 38 states (Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott is Vice Chair), two Canadian provinces and one Mexican state. It is expected to become the standard for tracking GHG emissions in North America. Companies and organizations can join The Climate Registry and start reporting emissions data in January 2008.
The Climate Registry believes that membership affords the following benefits to its member companies:
The briefing on October 17 will be an opportunity to learn more about The Climate Registry and its accounting standards. It will also offer a chance to provide input into the technical framework being drafted.