In my last post I discussed corporations that are using a vast array of accounting methods to calculate carbon footprints. An article in the Seattle-Post-Intellegencer discussed variations found in outputs from household on-line carbon footprint calculators.
While US EPA’s forthcoming rule will address measuring emissions of greenhouse gases from large industrial sources, it certainly appears there are
Have you measured your company’s carbon footprint yet? Don’t worry if you haven’t, in the wild west that is climate change sometimes it pays to wait and see how things shake out. For instance, who would have thought just picking an accounting method for measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would be so complicated.
There is
For the first time a court has revoked a permit due to concerns over C02 emissions and climate change. While there have been previous instances where states have denied permits due to concerns with C02 emissions, this is the first time a court has revoked a previously issued permit. Notably, the Court did not base its decision on state law, rather it ruled the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires analysis and control of C02 emissions.
Other courts are currently hearing similar challenges. If this decision is a trend it will have major implications for any new facilities seeking an air permit. In a future blog post I will discuss the implications of using the Clean Air Act, specifically the New Source Review provisions, to regulate CO2. Much speculation has been made as to whether CO2 will be regulated even without action by Congress on comprehensive climate change legislation.
The CO2 decision was issued on June 20, 2008 in Georgia’s Fulton County Superior Court. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division had approved a permit for the construction of a proposed 1200-megawatt coal-fired power plant. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, challenged the permit saying the plant’s emission of 8-9 million tons of CO2 had to be considered. Siding with the Sierra Club, the Court overturned the State’s issuance and sent the permit back to perform the analysis it said was required under the CAA.
Note: According to Sourcewatch, between 2007 and 2008, plans for 69 coal plants have been canceled.Continue Reading First Court Revokes Air Permit Over CO2 and Clean Air Act
Dave Douglas, Chief Sustainability Officer for Sun Microsystems, recently wrote an article in which he predicts the United State’s hit peak carbon in 2007 (meaning emissions will now trend downward). Here is a quote from his article:
So, now my prediction: Peak Carbon occurred in the US in 2007.
Yep, I’m predicting that annual GHG emissions in the US
Everyday we are bombarded with stories of rising gas and energy prices. The USA Today recently had a front page article on the increases in electricity rates due to the rise in fuel costs. The article said utilities are raising rates up to 29% due to soaring fuel cots. Its not just oil that