Energy Efficiency

61 posts

The Air Quality vs. Electricity Grid Reliability Debate

By Shelley Welton, Deputy Director An ongoing battle over the potential tensions between air quality regulations and electric grid reliability has picked up steam recently, as two EPA air pollution regulations near the implementation phase: the cross-state air-pollution rule and the mercury and air toxics standard. Congressional Republicans and many […]

New York Law Provides Innovative Mechanism for Building Energy Efficiency Improvements

On June 22, 2011, the New York State Legislature passed The Power NY Act of 2011 (A. 8510/S. 5844) (PNY Act).[1] Governor Cuomo is expected to sign it.  The new law, once enacted, would do two very important things:  (1) provide a mechanism to allow owners of residential and non-residential […]

The Power New York Act of 2011 Reauthorizes and Modernizes Article X of the Public Service Law

By Danielle Sugarman Fellow On June 22, 2011, the New York State Legislature passed The Power NY Act of 2011 (A. 8510/S. 5844) (PNY Act).   Governor Cuomo is expected to sign it.  The new law, once enacted, would do three very important things:  (1) provide a mechanism to allow owners […]

What Cities Can, and Can’t, Do in Fight Against Climate Change

by Michael B. Gerrard This article first appeared on the Asia Society’s blog, ReAsia. Cities have at least four central roles in the fight against climate change. In most countries: 1. Cities write and enforce building codes, which, by determining energy efficiency standards and heating types, help determine greenhouse gas […]

Out of the Fire and Into the Frying Pan: Congress Passes a Final Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2011

By: Danielle Sugarman On Thursday, April 14, Congress approved a bipartisan agreement that will fund the government through the end of the fiscal year. The trillion-dollar continuing resolution (CR) passed the House on a 260-167 vote, with 108 Democrats and 59 Republicans in opposition, before moving to an 81-19 approval […]

Early Clean Air Act Greenhouse Gas Permitting Decisions Offer a Preview of EPA’s Implementation Strategy

Gregory E. Wannier Deputy Director In the secondary round of activity regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stationary sources, EPA has sought to establish permitting programs under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) section of the Clean Air Act, in conjunction with individual states through their State Implementation Plans (SIPs).  […]