The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Affordable Clean Energy Rule, which replaces the Clean Power Plan with less stringent emissions guidelines for power plants. Essentially, the final ruling “restores the rule of law,” letting states can their own carbon emissions standards for coal-fired power plants — which many see as a threat…
EPA updates mapping tool, improves renewables siting at hazardous sites
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing updates to a mapping tool under its RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative, that aims to help communities, developers, and other stakeholders site renewable energy on current and formerly contaminated lands, landfills, and mine sites. In addition to providing a pollution-free source of energy, siting renewable energy projects on…
EPA awards 10 “Green Power” leaders across the country
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its 18th annual Green Power Leadership Awards, recognizing organizations, programs and individuals that significantly advance the development of the nation’s green power sources. The winners for each of the three award categories are as follows: Green Power Partner of the Year Microsoft Corp. (Redmond, Wash.) increased its green…
EPA proposes Affordable Clean Energy Rule to replace Clean Power Plan
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed a new rule to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing coal-fired electric utility generating units and power plants across the country. This proposal, entitled the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule, establishes emission guidelines for states to use when developing plans to limit GHGs at their power…
EPA seeks public input on Clean Power Plan alternatives
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to announce that the Agency will solicit public input as it considers the next regulatory steps to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing electric utility generating units (EGUs), also known as power plants. “Consistent with our commitment to the rule of…
EPA honors 2017 Green Power Leaders
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces its 17th annual Green Power Leadership Awards, recognizing 19 Green Power Partners across the country for achievements in advancing the nation’s voluntary green-power market. The award winners are being recognized for their efforts in expanding the domestic voluntary green power market. From using enough green power to meet…
6 things Gina McCarthy wants you to know about the EPA’s Clean Power Plan
President Obama and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Clean Power Plan is a “historic” step to cut the carbon pollution driving climate change. Here are six key things every American should know, according to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy: 1. It slashes the carbon pollution fueling climate change. “Carbon pollution from power plants is our…
Strong support for Clean Power Plan voiced by business leaders across U.S.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today is releasing its final Clean Power Plan, which will cut carbon pollution from existing power plants by more than 30% in part through increasing renewable energy and energy efficiency. “This is the most significant environmental policy we’ve seen in recent years, and also a huge catalyst for economic…
Wind and solar industries release handbook to help states use low-cost, reliable renewable energy for compliance with EPA’s Clean Power Plan
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) have jointly published a handbook for states detailing how to incorporate renewable energy into state plans to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, the proposed regulation to cut carbon emissions from existing power plants. “Wind energy already cuts power…
EPA issues cooling water intake structure rule for existing facilities
Editor’s note: This article, from law firm Bingham Greenebaum Doll, is authored by Larry Kane and should be of interest to the wind industry. As the nation and California in particular, struggles with limited supplies of fresh water, it is instructive to remind readers that wind turbine need no fresh water for cooling. EPA’s…
AWEA supports the EPA’s proposed draft rule
The first-ever federal regulation on carbon pollution from existing electric-power plants can be an economic boon to wind-rich states if they meet them by developing more wind energy, the industry’s trade association will testify tonight in Washington, D.C. Electricity generated from a wind farm in one location lets a utility reduce generation from fossil fuels…
Tracking renewable energy for the EPA’s Clean Power Plan
Renewable energy is one of the four main building blocks outlined in the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, and states are likely to rely upon the production of renewable energy as a part of their efforts to control carbon in the electric sector. Air and energy regulators should understand that the existing tools used in the…
Study estimates 50,000MW coal power to go & up to $180 billion compliance costs
Editor’s note: Although the study discussed below assumes that the electrical power reduction caused by coal-plant retirements will be taken up by gas-fired plants, there is good reason to believe that wind power can provide significant capacity as well for the job. Even a modest 10% of replacement capacity would be 5,000 MW of new…
Texas power commissioner: EPA rules behind summer power problems
Barry Smitherman, a Commissioner with the Texas Railroad Commission, made the following testimony to a Washington investigative committee. The Railroad Commission was founded in the Texas Constitution in 1891, and we regulate the oil, gas, and lignite coal mining industries in Texas. We are recognized worldwide for our expertise in fossil-fuel regulation. Prior to my…
Brownfields’ bright spot: solar and wind energy
A few months ago, the EPA and U.S Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory announced their decision to join forces in evaluating sites that could be used for renewable-energy production. Since then, wind turbines have risen from abandoned toxic industrial sites, and solar panels have begun to catch rays over contaminated landfills. Here’s an…
EPA says some contaminated sites good for wind farms
It’s not often two government agencies get together to do something that is almost inspired. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have done that by joinin forces in their evaluation of sites that could be used for renewable-energy production. These can be Superfund and brown…
EPA says 12 environmental sites could be wind farms
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are evaluating the feasibility of developing renewable energy production on Superfund, brownfields, and former landfill or mining sites. Superfund sites are the most complex, uncontrolled, or abandoned hazardous waste sites identified by EPA for cleanup due to the…