On August 20th, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) proposed administrative rules for the implementation of Ohio’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard. Approximately 26 states have enacted renewable portfolio standards (RPS) that mandate a certain percentage of electricity supplied in the state come from renewable sources. Only one other State, Pennsylvania expanded the mandate
CAIR UPDATE: U.S. EPA granted more time to seek rehearing
As reported in Platts, the Court of Appeals has granted US EPA until September 24th to determine whether to pursue rehearing of the ruling that struck down the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR).
The US Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia announced
….it was giving EPA more time to file any
Ohio Utilities Commission Proposes Mandatory Reporting for Greenhouse Gas Emissions
On August 20th, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio proposed rules governing greenhouse gas reporting and carbon dioxide control planning. Parties wishing to file comments have until September 6th to file comments.
The most interesting aspect of the rule is it proposes to mandate all electric generating facilities in Ohio become participating members in
Brownfield Redevelopment Could be Covered by Ohio’s Prevailing Wage Law
This picture may be one of the last of the "big three" (Strickland, Husted, and Harris) holding hands over Clean Ohio. Governor Ted Strickland’s administration is proposing to mandate prevailing wage for all construction that occurs on land for which the State has funded environmental remediation. A key political debate is shaping up as to how
U.S. EPA’s Fine Particle Designations Impact County Economic Development Efforts
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Yesterday, U.S. EPA announced its proposed non-attainment designations for counties not meeting the new P.M. 2.5 (fine particle) pollution standard. Ohio was second only to California in total counties designated non-attainment with 28 total counties.
A county’s designation as non-attainment makes economic development efforts more difficult and increases competitive pressure on existing businesses. The
$8 Million in Ohio Diesel Emission Reduction Grants Awarded
You don’t often hear Buckeye’s saying they need to be more like Longhorns, but Ohio would do well to imitate the Texas approach to reducing diesel emissions in its state. Back in 2001, Texas established the Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP) that has approximately $500 million in funding to help reduce diesel emissions.
Why has
Sustainability, take note of fuel and energy saving opportunities
Here is a sampling of sustainable practices that can directly improve your company’s bottom line. As you can see from the descriptions, these practices involve large Fortune 500 companies. However, there is no reason they can’t be implemented by smaller companies. The examples in this post can help save fuel and reduce energy costs. With ever increasing prices for both the incentives
Overhaul to Endagered Species Act Detracts from the Global Warming Debate
MSNBC reported today that the Interior Department has proposed changes to the rules governing required reviews under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). From the news report is appears the two most significant proposed changes are:
- Removal of the requirement to "consult" with Fish and Wildlife or other federal experts as part of the required review
Food vs. Fuel: Round 1 goes to Fuel
Governor Perry of Texas had filed a request to waive 50% of the national volume requirements for the renewable fuel standard (RFS). The Governor’s Waiver Request cited to the following factors to support issuance of a waiver:
- Since ethanol mandates were instituted, more of the U.S. corn crop is being diverted to produce fuel
- 25%
(August 08) Ohio Environmental Regulatory and Incentive Update
PTIO Program is Launched- Effective June 30, 2008 Ohio EPA finalized this new permit program which combines the Permit to Install (PTI) and Permit to Operate (PTO) into a single permit for non-Title V facilities. Facilities will no longer have to apply for a separate PTO. This program is intended to deal with Ohio EPA’s backlog