EPA Finalizes GHG Reporting Requirements for Large Emitters
U.S. Treasury, DOE: $550M for Renewable Energy Projects
DOT, EPA Propose Fuel Economy, GHG Reduction Policies
DOE Loans $5.9B to Ford, $528.7M to Fisker for Efficient Vehicles, Plug-Ins
DOT: Supports Clean Energy at 43 Transit Agencies
DOE: $36M to PA. for Energy Efficiency Projects
DOE: $144M for Smart Grid Training
EPA Finalizes GHG Reporting Requirements for Large Emitters
The U.S. EPA finalized its reporting system for large emitters of greenhouse gases on Tuesday. When the program takes effect on January 1, 2010, it will apply to roughly 10,000 facilities, covering about 85% of the nation's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Only the following facilities will be required to report annual GHG emissions: fossil fuel suppliers, industrial suppliers of greenhouse gases (such as bottled CO2), motor vehicle and engine manufacturers, and facilities that emit GHG equal to or greater than the equivalent of 25,000 metric tons of CO2.
The new reporting system will provide a better understanding of where GHG are coming from and will guide development of policies and programs to reduce emissions. It will also allow businesses to track their emissions, compare them with similar facilities, and identify cost-effective ways to reduce emissions. See the EPA press release and the full rules for the reporting system.
The EPA announcement came as President Obama addressed the Climate Change Summit at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. He reiterated, "the threat from climate change is serious, it is urgent, and it is growing. Our generation's response to this challenge will be judged by history, for if we fail to meet it-boldly, swiftly, and together-we risk consigning future generations to irreversible catastrophe."
President Obama noted that climate change impacts every nation, and although the world has been slow to address it, including the U.S., that is changing now with significant investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as fuel economy standards. See the president's speech on the White House Web site.
U.S. Treasury, DOE Award $550M for Renewable Energy Projects
The U.S. Treasury Department and DOE awarded $550 million in ARRA cash assistance to renewable energy developers in lieu of earned federal tax credits. The awards are designed to provide additional upfront capital for renewable energy projects, enabling companies to create jobs and begin construction on projects that may have been stalled until now.
This second round of cash awards, announced on Tuesday, follows the $502 million announced by DOE and Treasury on September 1, bringing the current total to over $1 billion. Overall, the program is expected to provide more than $3 billion in financial support for clean energy projects by providing direct payments rather than federal tax credits.
The 25 projects qualifying for this round include five large wind farms, as well as biomass, solar, and geothermal energy facilities, plus a project that uses microturbines for combined heat and power.
The largest is the Pyron Wind Farm in Roscoe, Texas, which will receive nearly $122 million. The 166 turbines at this E.ON Climate & Renewables site will generate 249 megawatts (MW) of power. Other large projects include the 180-MW Bull Creek Wind Farm in Borden County, Texas ($91.4M); the 160 MW Barton Wind Farm in Kinsett, Iowa ($93.4M); the 146 MW Farmers City Wind Farm in Tarkio, Missouri ($85M); and the 120-MW Barton Chapel Wind Farm near Jacksboro, Texas ($72.6M). See the DOE press release.
DOT, EPA Propose Improved Fuel Economy, Lower GHG
Building on a vision laid out in May by President Obama, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and U.S. EPA announced details on September 15 of a proposed joint rule establishing a national program for greatly improved fuel economy and reduced GHG.
Their proposal presents coordinated national fuel efficiency and emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks, with the goal of saving 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reducing GHG emissions by nearly 950 million metric tons. For vehicles in model year 2016, the proposed rules would save the average car buyer over $3,000 in fuel costs over the life of the vehicle.
