Energy and Environment Update - April 3, 2011

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Energy and Climate Debate:

Amidst reports that crude oil futures rose to a 30-month high last week and predictions that domestic drivers will see $5 a gallon gasoline by Memorial Day, President Barack Obama announced a new energy goal March 30 to reduce the nation’s oil imports a third by 2025 by expanding natural gas and electric vehicles, developing advanced biofuels, making more fuel-efficient cars and trucks, and increasing domestic oil and gas production on existing leases.

The president’s speech signals the administration’s intent to take a more active role in trying to pass energy legislation in the 112th Congress. The administration’s top priorities will include a clean energy standard of 80 percent by 2035, which the president proposed in his State of the Union Address in January. The same day, the White House released its Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future, which summarizes what the administration has done over the past two years and what it hopes to do going forward, including providing tax incentives for efficient cars and trucks, helping entrepreneurs break ground on four next-generation biorefineries in the next two years, increasing fuel economy standards, and moving forward with its Better Buildings Initiative...

Congress:

e-KNOW Legislation Forthcoming; Markey to Float Nuclear Legislation; NG Vehicle Promotion Act Forthcoming; Gang Reconvenes; Hydro Legislation Marked Up First; and Legislation Introduced.

Upcoming Hearings:

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power will hold an April 5 hearing on China’s energy portfolio and its implications for domestic jobs and energy prices...

Administration:

Energy Town Hall Scheduled and Clean Fleets Partnership Announced.

Department of Energy:

EIA GHG Report Published; Credit Costs Could Reduce Funds; $12 Million for Advanced Biofuels; and America’s Next Top Energy Innovator.

Department of Interior:

NV Wind Project to Proceed; and BOEMRE Approves Permits.

Environmental Protection Agency:

AGs Ask EPA to Defer GHG Implementation; SO2 Limit Proposed; EPA Corrects Incinerators Standards Errors; Diesel Emission Reduction Mismanaged; Aftermarket System Certificates Streamlined; Stringent Fuel Standards Increase Profits; and LA Air Plan Upheld.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission:

Safety Concerns Raised.

Personnel:

Kenneth DeGraff, former legislative director for Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), will replace Karen Wayland as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) energy and technology policy adviser. Ms. Wayland recently left to become director of climate policy at The Nature Conservancy.

Miscellaneous:

U.S. Falls to Third Place; Support for Loan Guarantee Programs; CA Approves 33 Percent RPS; Canadian Energy Policy on Hold until May; Most EU Registries Reopened; Immediate Kyoto Successor Unlikely; BPC Energy Project Launched; Geothermal Industry Grows; UN Nuclear Conference Scheduled; CCS Opposition Foreshadows Expansion Problems; AFPA Unveils Sustainability Goals; German Nuclear Closings Causing Fallout; Transportation Sector Overhaul Needed; NAFTA Should Establish Freight Transport Forum; and Poorer Nations May Continue Free Allowances.

Please see full publication below for more information.

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DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.

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