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Norris McDonald 2 days ago
New interactive tracking tools are now available on EPA’s Web site to help the public follow nation-wide changes in sulfur dioxide(SO2) emissions from coal-fired power plants. Using interactive charts and Google Earth satellite maps, the public can now observe recent changes in SO2 emissions and other indicators at individual coal-fired power plants in the Acid Rain Program. The Acid Rain Program was established under the 1990 Clean Air ActAmendments requiring power plants to reduce emissions of SO2 andnitrogen oxides (NOx)—the primary causes of acid rain. Since 1995, the program has achieved significant environmental and public health benefits. In 2008, electric generating units subject to the market-basedcap and trade SO2 program emitted 7.6 million tons of SO2, well below the current annual emission cap of 9.5 million tons. More information on the interactive tracking toolNorris McDonald 3 days ago
This study finds that a robust climate bill could boost the U.S. economy by about $111 billion by 2020 and create as many as 1.9 million jobs. The report, " Clean Energy and Climate Policy for U.S. Growth and Job Creation ," is by David Roland-Holst and Friedrich Kahrl of the University of California, Berkeley, in collaboration with Madhu Khanna of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Jennifer Baka of Yale University. Their findings run contrary to claims made by opponents of climate legislation in the U.S. Senate. The team's analysis issued in late October 2009 offers a state-by-state look at the economic implications posed by comprehensive federal climate policy. The study's key findings are: • "All 50 states can gain economically from strong federal energy and climate policy, despite the diversity of their economies and energy mixes. • "Contrary to what is commonly assumed, comprehensive national climate policy does not benefit the coasts ...Norris McDonald 4 days ago
Feedback from President Obama's Asia trip signalled that there will be no climate change agreement from the upcoming Copenhagen, Denmark United Nations conference. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has also announced that climate change legislation will not be brought to the Senate floor until at least the Spring of 2010. The next annual meeting of U.N. environment ministers is scheduled for December 2010 in Mexico. The U.N.'s existing Kyoto Protocol's curbs on emissions by industrialised countries ends on Dec. 31, 2012. In December 1997, the world agreed on the Kyoto Protocol in the Japanese city of the same name. That deal was then sent to national parliaments for ratification and 187 nations ratified the treaty. Washington never ratified it. One week of U.N. climate talks in Barcelona from Nov. 2 to 6, the Asia Pacific Economic Partnership (APEC) meetings in Singapore November 8-15 and the upcoming Copenhagen conference from Dec. 7-18 could not produce a framework for an ...Norris McDonald 4 days ago
President Barack Obama and China President Hu Jintao reaffirmed the goals of the recently-concluded Third Executive Committee Meeting of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership ( GNEP ) to promote the peaceful use of civilian nuclear energy, and “ agreed to consult with one another in order to explore such approaches-including assurance of fuel supply and cradle-to-grave nuclear fuel management so that countries can access peaceful nuclear power while minimizing the risks of proliferation.” GNEP promotes the peaceful use of nuclear energy in a manner that promotes safety, security and non-proliferation. At an October 2009 meeting of member country countries in Beijing, China , the Executive Committee reconfirmed that the use of nuclear energy is an effective measure against global warming and contributes to greater global energy security. The Executive Committee also recognized that the expansion of the peaceful use of nuclear energy will help lead to the creation of employment and ...Norris McDonald 5 days ago
EPA is proposing stronger air quality standards for Sulfur Dioxide emissions (SO2) that are more health protective, as opposed to being technologically based. The proposal also establishes a new national 1-hour monitoring standard, and revokes the current 24- hour and SO2 annual health standards. The Center participated in the EPA conference call to discuss the new SO2 standards People with asthma, children, and the elderly areespecially vulnerable to SO2’s effects. This new proposal is to establish a new national one-hour SO2 standard, between 50 and 100 parts per billion (ppb). This standardis designed to protect against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24 hours. Monitors would be placed in areas with high SO2 emission levels as well as in urban areas. The proposal also would change the Air Quality Index to reflect the revised SO2 standards. The Agency first set National Ambient Air Quality standards for SO2 in 1971. EPA set a 24-hour primary standard at 140 ppb ...
