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On Energy-Saving Standards, States Lead, DOE Lags

A coalition group praised the states of California and New Jersey for advancing new energy-saving appliance standards this week. Meanwhile, in Washington, U.S. DOE announced yet another round of delays for new national standards for natural gas furnaces and other products. "The states are leading the way," said Andrew deLaski, Executive Director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project. "California's and New Jersey's new standards will cut energy waste, save consumers and businesses money, and reduce pollution starting as soon as 2006." On Wednesday, the California Energy Commission set new energy efficiency standards for 17 different products ranging from light bulbs to swimming pool pumps to large air conditioners. According to the CEC, the new standards will reduce energy costs for California businesses and consumers by more than $3 billion over fifteen years and will eliminate the need for three new power plants within ten years. "At their full effectiveness, these standards will save enough energy to power all the homes in San Francisco and eliminate global warming carbon pollution equivalent to taking 320,000 cars off the road," stated Noah Horowitz, Senior Scientist at the Natural Resources DefenseCouncil. In New Jersey, the State Senate on Monday approved legislation passed by the […]

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Nuclear Plants Say They Deserve Credit for 'Green' Energy

by Beth Daley As the nuclear power industry stages a nationwide comeback, New England is emerging as a major battleground in the industry's campaign to be recognized as a ''green" energy source. Last year, the Seabrook reactor in New Hampshire became the first nuclear plant in the country to win credits for not polluting the air. Emboldened by that success, nuclear plant owners are now pressing to receive similar credits under a nine-state plan to reduce greenhouse gases. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative may include clean-air credits for low-polluting power plants, and nuclear lobbyists have been pushing to be included. Many environmentalists oppose the idea, saying it would give a seal of approval for an industry that presents serious threats to the environment, including radioactive waste. "There is tremendous interest in what's happening here because [the regional plan] would stand as a model for other parts of the country," said Daniel Sosland, executive director of Environment Northeast, an advocacy group that opposes giving nuclear power any clean air credits. For years, states and the federal government have relied on market-based systems for reducing the pollutants that cause smog and acid rain. The systems place limits on power plants' total emissions, […]

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