Regulation
California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard–& a Paean to Applied Scholarship
Jonathan Zasloff has previously written about the California Air Resources Board’s pioneering decision last week to mandate carbon-based reductions in state transportation fuels. These regulations, known as California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), are the first of their kind in the United States. More importantly, the LCFS is an integral part of CARB’s ambitious plan …
Continue reading “California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard–& a Paean to Applied Scholarship”
CONTINUE READINGRuling by Justice Scalia Makes it Easier to Repeal Bush-Era Rules
Ironically, an opinion by Justice Scalia will indirectly help the Obama Administration repeal Bush-era environmental rules.
CONTINUE READINGThe fat lady is warming up — make that singing
UPDATE 4/28: The Secretaries of Interior and Commerce have announced that they are revoking the Bush administration’s midnight rule on ESA section 7 consultation. They apparently are not revoking the special rule on the polar bear (as they were also authorized to do under the omnibus spending bill). We will have more when the formal …
Continue reading “The fat lady is warming up — make that singing”
CONTINUE READINGPutting a Price on Carbon: Is It Needed? Is It Enough?
The bottom line seems to be that we need to get the price of carbon right — or as close to “right” as possible — but we need subsidies for R & D and we need direct regulation of the major categories of emitters.
CONTINUE READINGMore Free On-Line Courses
These classes are very popular with Berkeley students. They’ve had thousands of downloads already. Law 270.7 – Renewable Energy & Alternative Fuels – Steve Weissman (Fall 2008): http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=214AD3BA0B8D3FBA Law 270.6 – Energy Regulations and the Environment – Steve Weissman (Spring 2008): http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8256AD22B9C1CE53 Law 271 – Environmental Law and Policy – Holly Doremus (Spring 2008): http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=4A26CE52D23C831D
CONTINUE READINGCalifornia Adopts Low-Carbon Fuel Standard
Good. The California Air Resources Board has adopted the nation’s first mandate to lower the carbon in fuel. As these things go, it’s pretty mild: a 10% reduction in carbon footprint by 2020. That hasn’t stopped the oil industry from complaining, of course, stating that CARB is “moving too fast.” When will it not be …
Continue reading “California Adopts Low-Carbon Fuel Standard”
CONTINUE READINGCars, Obama and Climate Change
There’s big news coming out of Washington and Detroit this week about the fate of U.S. automakers. Rumors surfaced yesterday that G.M. will furlough its U.S. factories for most of the summer due to declines in auto sales. And the Obama Treasury Department is said to be pressuring Chrysler to prepare for bankruptcy, to be filed as …
Continue reading “Cars, Obama and Climate Change”
CONTINUE READINGFlexing Obama’s administrative muscle (& a victory on home furnaces)
Just after the election, the environmental group Earthjustice published a list of six easy things the Obama administration could do to help the environment. On the list was the suggestion that Obama back off from defending Bush-era failures to ramp up the efficiency of home furnaces–a topic that sounds narrow but has remarkable implications for saving …
Continue reading “Flexing Obama’s administrative muscle (& a victory on home furnaces)”
CONTINUE READINGNanopolicy Bumps in California
California continues to lead the way nationally on nanotechnology regulation, despite some bumps along the way. Most recently, the Department of Toxic Substances Control issued a request for information regarding analytical test methods, fate and transport in the environment, and other relevant information from manufacturers of reactive nanometal oxides. Substances covered include aluminum oxide, silicon …
Continue reading “Nanopolicy Bumps in California”
CONTINUE READINGClimate Change and Environmental Impact Statements
Government agencies are struggling with how to fit climate change into the process of environmental review. At one level, this is a no-brainer. Greenhouse gases contribute to climate change, and climate change is the biggest environmental impact of all. But as always, the devil is in the details.
CONTINUE READING