On November 1, the President issued an Executive Order putting in place several policies to address preparedness for the impacts of Climate Change. The Executive Order states: “The impacts of climate change — including an increase in prolonged periods of excessively high temperatures, more heavy downpours, an increase in wildfires,…
The EPA today issued its final rule on stationary source emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs). In a press release the EPA noted: “EPA’s phased-in approach will start in January 2011, when Clean Air Act permitting requirements for GHGs will kick in for large facilities that are already obtaining Clean Air…
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued draft guidance on the consideration of GHG’s in the NEPA process. The memorandum issued by CEQ states in part: “NEPA demands informed, realistic governmental decision making. CEQ proposes to advise Federal agencies to consider, in scoping their NEPA analyses, whether analysis of the…
The Securities and Exchange Commission issued interpretive guidance on the application of existing regulations to the need to disclose the impacts of climate change on business. In a press release issued on January 27th the SEC provided examples of instances in which climate change or regulations related to climate change…
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued endangerment findings today formally declaring greenhouse gases (GHGs) to be a threat to public health and the environment. In a press release issued with the findings the EPA stated: “EPA’s endangerment finding covers emissions of six key greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide,…
Calling for a “coordinated and strategic response” to climate change resulting from global warming, on Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a proposed plan to address the impacts of climate change on fish and wildlife. In a statement released by the Director of the Service, he stated: “the…
Today the EPA reversed its prior determination on the request by California for a waiver permitting more stringent emission standards for model 2009 and later year motor vehicles. In reversing the prior determination and issuing the waiver the EPA Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson found tha the waiver was appropriate under…
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved a markup of the proposed American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 H.R. 2454 today. In a statement released by the committee, committee chair Waxman stated: ” “Today the Committee took decisive and historic action to promote America’s energy security and…
In a statement today, the President proposed new CAFE standards to bring about fuel efficiency and reduce emission of Greenhouse Gases. The President stated that through these new rules “we’re seeking to raise fuel-economy standards to an industry average of 35.5 miles per gallon in 2016, an increase of more…
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, subcommittee on Health, introduced a bill yesterday entitled the Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act, H.R.2323, aimed at addressing the health effects of climate change. The general purpose of the proposed law is to require that the: “Secretary of Health and Human…