Energy Exchange

The Inflation Reduction Act is a game-changer on methane. Here’s why.

By EDF Blogs / Published: January 25, 2023

The US Congress recently passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which takes bold action to address the climate crisis. Multiple independent analyses show the bill could reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, providing important support for President Biden’s goal of halving emissions by 2030.

Last week, the EPA requested public input on a key provision of the IRA — the Methane Emissions Reduction Program, MERP, — which works hand-in-hand with forthcoming EPA rules to cut methane from oil and gas operations through a fee on wasteful emissions.

Posted in Air Quality, Methane, Methane regulatons / Comments are closed

What DOE should consider as it makes decisions on Carbon Capture and Storage Demonstration Projects

By EDF Blogs / Published: January 20, 2023

By Jona Koka

Nearly $5 billion from the Department of Energy combined with the economic incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act represent the United States’ first major steps to building a domestic carbon management industry that supports our Paris commitments.

Posted in Air Quality, Carbon capture, General / Comments are closed

The building blocks are in place for a strong Advanced Clean Fleets rule in California

By EDF Blogs / Published: January 11, 2023

By Lauren Navarro & Pamela MacDougall

California air regulators are currently considering adoption of the Advanced Clean Fleets rule — a purchase requirement for medium and heavy-duty fleets to adopt an increasing percentage of zero-emission trucks. This rule has the potential to be transformative.

Posted in California, Electric Vehicles, General / Comments are closed

EPA methane proposal makes critical progress, but work remains to quickly finalize protective standards

By EDF Blogs / Published: January 10, 2023

By Jon Goldstein , Edwin LaMair, and Grace Smith

This week, EPA is holding public hearings on its recently proposed methane standards for oil and gas operations, which build on the agency’s initial proposal and represent a significant step forward for reducing methane pollution across the country.

Posted in General / Comments are closed

California paves the way to an electric vehicle future with new electrification framework

By EDF Blogs / Published: December 8, 2022

By Michael Colvin and Larissa Koehler

Last month California took another significant step forward in advancing the deployment of zero-emission vehicles, with the adoption of a Transportation Electrification Framework by the state’s Public Utilities Commission. The framework establishes a $1 billion, 5-year suite of programs, and it provides a pathway for the state’s large electric utilities to continue to build on what is far and away the most successful deployment of electric vehicles in the country.

Posted in California, Electric Vehicles / Comments are closed

Throwing Down the Gauntlet: The European Challenge to IMO on Carbon Pricing

By EDF Blogs / Published: December 8, 2022

By Sam Yarrow-Wright

The International Maritime Organization knows that the shipping industry needs to change course to address the climate crisis. By committing to the Initial Greenhouse Gas Strategy in 2018, which requires the shipping industry to reduce emissions by 50% by 2050, it formally recognized this. Such a declaration, despite being forged through difficult negotiations and missing the level of ambitions of many member states and NGOs, was broadly welcomed. Since then, there have been several agreements on the short-term measures. These measures have attracted their own share of criticism for lack of ambition or through lack of effective enforcement or implementation mechanisms. The EU countries have been an engaged and active part of this process, but that has not stopped them from considering action under their regional banner, in particular the recent inclusion of shipping within their Emissions Trading System.

Posted in Europe, General / Comments are closed