Energy Exchange

Turning COP26 methane promises into action

By Matt Watson / Published: November 11, 2021

One of the biggest accomplishments from COP26 is the global consensus around the urgent need to reduce methane emissions. More than 100 countries representing more than two-thirds of the global economy promised to collectively reduce 30% of man-made methane emissions by 2030.

The agreement follows recent analysis from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which warns there is no plausible pathway to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C without dramatic reductions in both methane emissions and carbon dioxide. We can’t get there through either pathway alone. We have to do both.

Also posted in Methane regulatons, Natural Gas / Comments are closed

What to look for as EPA readies landmark methane rules

By Rosalie Winn / Published: September 9, 2021

EPA is preparing to release proposed rules to cut oil and gas methane pollution from both new and existing facilities — one of the most critical and cost-effective actions we can take to immediately slow the rate of global warming and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Recognizing the importance of this opportunity, yesterday, over 70 community, health, tribal and environmental organizations sent EPA a letter expressing strong support for its efforts to develop methane pollution safeguards and urging the agency to propose protective and comprehensive standards for new and existing sources.

By leveraging advanced technologies and ensuring meaningful coverage, the rules can secure the substantial, science-based pollution reductions needed to help address the climate crisis and to ensure healthy communities.

Also posted in Air Quality, Methane, Methane regulatons / Comments are closed

Nuevo gobierno de Puerto Rico debe enfocarse en transformar el sector eléctrico

By Agustín Carbó / Published: December 2, 2020

En inglés

En los últimos años, hemos sido testigos de cómo se ha aprobado legislación que busca transformar el sector eléctrico en Puerto Rico. En el 2014 se aprobó la Ley de Transformación y ALIVIO Energético, que por primera vez crea un ente regulador independiente capaz de fiscalizar y darle cumplimiento a la política pública energética de Puerto Rico. Cinco años luego, en el 2019 se aprueba, y de manera bipartita, la Ley de Política Pública Energética, que en síntesis crea la meta de alcanzar un 100% de generación por fuentes renovables para el 2050.

Ahora que en Puerto Rico entramos en un nuevo ciclo político, tenemos la oportunidad histórica para ejecutar correctamente las políticas públicas capaces de transformar el sistema eléctrico del archipiélago y tener impactos positivos para las futuras generaciones. Por eso, es de suma importancia para los puertorriqueños que se implementen las directrices y metas trazadas en el Plan Integrado de Recursos (“PIR”) de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica (“AEE”) según lo modificó el Negociado de Energía. Esto garantizará que el sistema eléctrico sea uno limpio, confiable, resiliente y asequible para poder revitalizar la economía y mejorar la calidad de vida de todos los habitantes.

Also posted in Clean Energy / Tagged Puerto Rico | Comments are closed

Tax credits for carbon capture? Not without these 3 important rules.

By EDF Blogs / Published: August 27, 2020

By Adam Peltz and Scott Anderson

Removing carbon emissions from the air — a process known as carbon capture, utilization and sequestration — is one of the most important things we can do to battle climate change, and the Internal Revenue Service is currently developing regulations around tax incentives that could make or break the success of U.S. efforts to do this effectively.

CCUS is a suite of technologies that can capture carbon dioxide from the air and industrial sources. Companies can either reuse carbon dioxide or permanently store it in deep underground rock formations. The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2050, 9% of all necessary climate mitigation will come from CCUS activities. In other words, most versions of a carbon neutral economy will include a healthy amount of capturing carbon dioxide and putting it underground.

But CCUS can be a climate solution only if the carbon is securely stored once removed from the atmosphere. Any regulation or tax incentive offered to companies who practice CCUS must assure that.

Also posted in Carbon capture, Natural Gas / Comments are closed

Electrifying trucks and buses is an opportunity for lasting change, one we can’t afford to miss

By Jason Mathers / Published: July 6, 2020

The U.S. is still struggling to contain the spread of COVID-19 and quantify the human and economic consequences of this historic tragedy. But already, leaders are contemplating how we’ll restore our economies. Will we rebuild a replica of what we had, or will we invest in ideas that will make society more resilient, healthier, cleaner and more equitable?

The transportation sector is on the cusp of massive change, and one segment within it is ripe for reinvention: medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. These include everything from semi-trucks and delivery vans, to city buses and garbage trucks — the overwhelming majority of which are powered by diesel engines.

Electrifying this segment was an opportunity for lasting change before the COVID-19 economic crash. Now that countries are considering where to invest to rebuild their economies, it’s an opportunity we can’t afford to miss.

Also posted in Air Quality, California, Electric Vehicles / Tagged Electric Vehicles | Comments are closed

Three things California should do to prepare for more electric trucks and buses

By Larissa Koehler / Published: June 29, 2020

California is moving fast to replace dirty, gas-guzzling heavy-duty vehicles with cleaner, electric choices as a way to combat air pollution and climate change.

Both fleets and electric utilities need to rethink the way they build the charging stations needed to power these vehicles. Charging stations should be as affordable as possible, and help electric vehicles integrate more renewable energy into the grid. The California Public Utilities Commission is working with stakeholders to set out key guidelines, targets and metrics to reach those goals. This process, known as the Transportation Electrification Framework, is unquestionably a step in the right direction, but in order to maximize its impact there are some key things the CPUC should keep in mind.

Also posted in Air Quality, California, Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles / Comments are closed