The electric revolution is on track
The race to bring electric vehicles to market has begun. It will profoundly change the way we think about transport and energy – even offering to turn the nation's vehicle fleet into a giant reservoir for renewable energy. 1 Sep 2009 7:00 AM

US climate change bill hits new Senate delay
Legislation delayed for weeks, to be unveiled later in September. 1 Sep 2009 6:12 AM

China Sunergy gets 10 MW Australian contract
Solar cell maker to supply solar modules to Nue. 1 Sep 2009 12:24 AM

Energy Information Administration - Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government
http://www.eia.doe.gov/
This is the federal agency that collects and makes available here data on supply, prices, forecasts, industry status, markets, and more.

Climate Change Legislation: Myths and Reality
Here are some quick “reality checks” on common misconceptions about climate change legislation in the United States.Cap & TradeMyth: Cap-and-trade will cost jobs Reality: climate and energy policy will create renewable energy jobs. Putting a price on carbon will make clean energy industries, such as solar and wind power, more competitive and create jobs in these clean tech sectors. According to a WRI report, the Renewable Energy Policy Project suggests national demand for wind and solar power systems could create more than 30,000 new jobs and more than $10 billion in total investment in the Southeast U.S. alone. Nationally, clean energy jobs have been growing at two and a half times the rate of the jobs overall. Reality: climate and energy policy will create energy efficiency jobs. According to a WRI report, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy estimates that a 20 to 30 percent gain in energy efficiency across the country could lead to a net increase of 500,000 to 1.5 million jobs by 2030. Reality: climate and energy policy will help keep energy dollars within communities/regions. Using local renewable energy and investing in energy efficiency reduces the amount of energy we import from overseas. For example, the southeast spent more the $1 billion in 2006 on coal imports from Colombia, Indonesia, Poland and Venezuela, according to a WRI report. Greater use of renewable energy would keep those dollars invested in local economies. Reality: climate and energy policy will produce home-grown innovation. The race to create breakthrough clean technologies has already started, and the U.S. is falling behind. Currently, only one of the world’s top five manufacturers for wind technology is American - General Electric. Only one of the ten largest solar panel producers, and two of the top 10 advanced battery manufacturers, are American. By comparison, China’s ambitious renewable energy targets will create 150,000 jobs through the deployment of 120 gigawatts of wind power by 2020 – an amount equivalent to today’s global total.

WRI Summary of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (Waxman-Markey)
This summary provides a concise overview of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act, as passed by the House of Representatives on June 26, 2009 (This summary applies only to H.R. 2454 as passed and not subsequent iterations).

Summary of S. 1502: The Carbon Storage Stewardship Trust Fund Act of 2009
S. 1502 would establish a program managed by the Department of Energy to create a trust fund to ensure prompt compensation for any damages from the geologic storage of carbon dioxide. Importantly, the bill also identifies the transfer of responsibility for stewardship of a geologic site to the Federal or State government following the receipt of a site closure certificate. Site closure certification and legislative clarity in the responsibility for post-closure stewardship activities were among the recommendations proposed in Guidelines for Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transport, and Storage.

Concentrating Solar Thermal Power: Clean Energy for the United States
In the Southwest United States, an enormous solar energy resource remains largely untapped. There is already more than 500 MW of concentrating solar thermal power in the United States and Spain primarily, but there is significant scope to scale up development. As Congress oversees the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy, a homegrown renewable energy technology—concentrating solar thermal power—can help cut emissions and enhance energy security with American resources.

Bottom Line on Regional Cap-and-Trade Programs
What is happening on the regional level and why is this significant?
Twenty-three U.S. states and four Canadian provinces are actively participating in the design and implementation of three regional cap-and-trade programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Participating U.S. states account for one-half of the U.S. population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and one-third of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The Canadian provinces account for more than three-quarters of the Canadian population and GDP, and nearly one-half of Canadian GHG emissions. These efforts are formally observed by another 14 states and provinces across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Regional cap-and-trade programs account for the most significant domestic greenhouse gas regulatory efforts to date. In developing these programs, the regions have demonstrated innovation in policy design and program implementation that will inform national climate policy development in the United States and Canada. For basic information on cap-and-trade programs, please see The Bottom Line on Cap-and-Trade.

North Carolina Sees Green in Stimulus Funds
The state will receive $75.9 M to promote efficiency and renewable power as it looks to lead the Southeast in green job creation.The U.S. Department of Energy recently approved North Carolina’s plan to use federal stimulus funds for the development of a clean energy economy—including more than $75 million to enhance energy efficiency, promote renewable power, and foster new technologies.

Rational Advice on ‘Carbon Act’ Censored
ON Friday President Barrack Obama praised the House of Representatives for passing the ‘Clean Energy and Security Act’. Everyone agrees that it’s far reaching legislation, and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made mention of the event as a reason for Australia to hurry-up with its own emissions trading laws.

The US Environment Protection Agency had one of its employees, Alan Carlin, critique the supporting technical documentation for the legislation. Mr Carlin’s report advised that the scientific hypothesis on which the draft legislation is based is seriously flawed.

US House passes landmark climate change bill
The US takes its first step towards reducing carbon emissions after the House of Representatives voted 219-212 to pass a bill that would set limits on the country's greenhouse gas production

APO Research

Environmental views and behaviour, 2007-08
Australian Bureau of Statistics Australian Bureau of Statistics 22 June, 2009 This survey presents information on people's views and practices on environmental issues, for people aged 18 years and over.

Marine litter: a global challenge
United Nations23 June, 2009 From discarded fishing gear to plastic bags to cigarette butts, a growing tide of marine litter is harming oceans and beaches worldwide according to this UN report, the first-ever attempt to take stock of the marine litter situation in the 12 major regional seas around the world.

Victorian climate change green paper
Department of Sustainability and Environment20 June, 2009 The Green Paper outlines in detail the risks facing Victoria and the likely impacts of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, and also proposes ways the state can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the impacts of climate change and become a leading low carbon economy.

Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Bill 2009
Senate Standing Committee on Economics Parliament of Australia 22 June, 2009 The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme bills have been introduced to the Senate and will be debated from 22 June 2009.

The US Waxman-Markey climate change bill
Julie Styles Information and Research Services, Parliamentary Library24 June, 2009 This paper outlines the main features of this major US bill, which wo

Is there a green fossil fuel?
The natural gas interests are interested in the being the first choice fuel in the American future. A report just issued from the Potential Gas Committee sure makes natural gas look like the best potential fuel for generating electricity in coming decades. The U.S. is actually adding to its estimated reserves. Unlike Peak Oil, there seems no fear that natural gas is in seriously dwindling supply. How can there be more natural gas? More sophisticated exploration techniques and more effective gas release technology. Of course, any exploited resource comes with a cost. From coal mining to obtaining minerals for lithium-ion batteries to casting solar panels, we have no energy source that does not exact some environmental toll. We need a...

Updated: Carbon Capture and Storage and The American Clean Energy and Security Act
The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACESA) provides a number of important provisions that will facilitate the demonstration and deployment of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technologies. Below is a brief overview of the most important of these provisions.

Fact Sheet: Climate Change, Forests and Finance
Reliable, long-term funding from the U.S. and other developed countries could help maintain forests and mitigate climate change.
Download fact sheet(PDF, 2 pages, 113 Kb).
Q: Why is preserving tropical forests essential to curbing and adapting to climate change?
A: Healthy forests are critical both to mitigating climate change and helping people and communities adjust to the impacts of climate change. Deforestation increases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change, but intact forests can store carbon and thus can be part of the solution.

World Resources Institute Releases

Fact Sheet: The Role of Adaptation
Examining the role of adaptation in U.S. climate legislation and an international climate agreement. Download fact sheet as PDF
Developed and developing countries are now grappling with ways to slow greenhouse gas emissions, but global warming is already causing more severe storms, unpredictable planting seasons, and melting glaciers around the world. Adaptation means learning to live with these changes – and preparing for other changes that are unavoidable – in order to minimize harm from climate change impacts.

The Biosequestration Challenge
WRI recently convened leading experts to examine the issues and policy options surrounding carbon biosequestration.
Projects that increase and maintain carbon sequestration in the forest and agriculture sectors are likely to play a significant role in national climate programs in the United States and Canada. Recent U.S. federal proposals have called for offsets from a variety of forest and agriculture projects that sequester carbon, such as afforestation and agricultural soil sequestration. Furthermore, all three North American regional trading programs (i.e., the Northeastern Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the Western Climate Initiative, and the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord) are all developing offset programs that have some role for biological sequestration projects.

Summary of S. 1013: Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Sequestration Program Amendments Act of 2009

1013 authorizes the Department of Energy to conduct a program to demonstrate ten commercial-scale integrated geologic storage projects, and provides a framework for selection criteria for these demonstrations. Importantly, the bill addresses the long term-stewardship challenges associated with demonstration, including both long-term monitoring requirements and liability protection.Overview of BillAuthorizes the Department of Energy to conduct up to 10 commercial scale demonstrations of geological storage. The bill states that such demonstrations should inject over 1 million tons of carbon dioxide each year from an industrial source for a period of 10 years. These demonstrations would be selected competitively and awarded as cooperative agreements by DOE. Requires sufficient geologic information to prove that the storage will be safe and permanent. The bill specifies that project selection be based on geological site information, including characteristics of the storage reservoir, identification of potential leakage pathways and a plan for measurement, monitoring and verification during and after injection. The bill also requires that, prior to selection, project operators demonstrate their ability to obtain necessary environmental permits. Provides liability protection and Federal indemnity for these demonstration projects. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Energy to indemnify projects for personal, property and environmental damages that might be above what is covered by insurance or other financial assurance measures; with the exception of liability that is caused by gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Upon receiving the closure certificate, the site may be turned over to the Federal government for long-term site management and ownership. Addresses need for proving legal rights property rights. The bill requires proof of possessing land or land interests for injection, storage, monitoring and closure prior to project selection. Requires compliance with existing relevant laws for environmental protection. The bill requires compliance with applicable existing regulations for well construction and operation. Ensures that operators maintain financial assurances. The bill requires that project operators maintain financial assurances after injection until the Secretary of Energy issues a certificate of closure. Requires the operator to remediate any leaks. The bill requires remediation of any carbon dioxide leaks that might pose danger to human health or natural resources. Outlines criteria for site closure certification. The bill provides details on requirements for long-term monitoring, including monitoring for at least 10 years after operations cease and the injected carbon dioxide stabilizes. Proof of certification includes demonstration of four criteria: 1. location and extent of the project footprint (injected and displaced fluid) 2. no leakage of injected or displaced fluid that would endanger public health, drinking water or natural resources 3. the injected or displaced fluids are not expected to migrate in the future in a manner that would encounter a leakage pathway 4. the injection wells at the site are plugged and abandoned in accordance with applicable lawsIncludes provisions for siting the demonstrations on public land. The bill authorizes the siting of a demonstration on public land, with the potential transfer of property rights, jurisdiction, and responsibility for long-term monitoring to another Federal Agency (such as the Department of Energy). Establishes a training program for state regulators. The bill establishes and authorizes funding appropriations for a training program for state agencies involved in permitting, and oversight of carbon capture and storage demonstrations.

Bottom Line on Regulating Greenhouse Gases Under The Clean Air Act
How can the EPA regulate GHGs? Doesn’t the Clean Air Act only apply to air pollutants?
An April 2007 Supreme Court decision (Massachusetts v. EPA) ruled that GHGs are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The court instructed the EPA to decide whether GHG emissions endanger public health and/or welfare, or if current science is too uncertain to make a reasonable judgment. In response to the Supreme Court decision, the EPA found in April 2009 that GHG emissions do indeed endanger public health and welfare. This "endangerment finding" was made under section 202 of the Clean Air Act, which applies to motor vehicles. The EPA also made a "cause or contribute finding" that GHG emissions from motor vehicles contribute to the problem of climate change. This cause or contribute finding is the next step towards regulating GHG emissions from motor vehicles after the endangerment finding. If both findings are finalized, the EPA is required to move forward with regulatory rulemaking procedures.

Sharpening The Cutting Edge: Corporate Action for a Strong, Low-Carbon Economy
The window of opportunity to effectively respond to climate change is now. Leading scientists warn that global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must begin to decline in ten years if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The United States is at a clear decision point. The scale of the climate challenge, paired with the investments needed to respond to a deep global recession, represent a unique opportunity to shift to a low-carbon economy that can provide a stronger, safer and more sustainable future. As users and producers of goods and services, businesses are central to an effective climate change response.To be successful in a low-carbon future, companies must become expert in today’s best practice, emerging innovative practice and tomorrow’s “next” practice. This report can help guide corporate actions over the next few years, as companies and policymakers accelerate the pace of responding to climate change. It offers guidance on six key actions:

Australian Government Media Releases

US President hosts climate change reception
Minister for Climate Change and Water - Media Statement - 28-04-2009

Strong response to $435m energy program
Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Tourism - Media Statement - 28-04-2009

Brief Summary of the Waxman-Markey Discussion Draft

This summary provides a concise overview of the Discussion Draft released by Chairmen Markey and Waxman on March 31, 2009. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (herein referred to as the Waxman-Markey Discussion Draft or just "draft") is a draft comprehensive energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction bill consisting of four titles:

Title I, Clean Energy
Title II, Energy Efficiency
Title III, Reducing Global Warming Pollution
Title IV, Transitioning to a Clean Energy Economy

This summary roughly follows the structure of the bill. In some cases this summary deviates from this structure and groups together related components in a more orderly fashion. For more information on specific components of the draft, please refer to the actual legislative language as referenced by section and page number in this document. In addition, as this is a discussion draft some sections are intentionally left blank or multiple potential options for legislative language are included.

http://www.wri.org/stories/2009/04/brief-summary-waxman-markey-discussion-draft