Category — Operations

On April 18, 2013, the Commission dismissed a self-recertification filed by an Exempt Wholesale Generator (“EWG”), Prairie Breeze Wind Energy LLC (“Prairie Breeze”). The Commission provided additional guidance regarding self-recertification for EWGs, and specifically what constitutes a “material change in facts” prompting the need for self- recertification. [Read more →]

On March 29, 2013, several environmental advocacy groups (“Petitioners”) filed a Writ of Certiorari with the Supreme Court of the United States (“Supreme Court”), requesting review of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit’s (“D.C. Circuit”) vacatur of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (“CSAPR”). Petitioners sought review on grounds that the D.C. Circuit exceeded its statutory authority in its decision, and its decision was inconsistent with court precedent.

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The Securities and Exchange Commission set regulatory precedent last month when it instructed a financial institution to publicly disclose a shareholder proposal which asked the bank to assess “the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from its lending portfolio.”  [Read more →]

On March 4, 2013, President Barrack Obama announced the nominations of Gina McCarthy for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), and Ernest Moniz for Secretary of the Department of Energy (“DOE”). If confirmed, Ms. McCarthy will replace Administrator Lisa Jackson, while Dr. Moniz will succeed Secretary Steven Chu. [Read more →]

The Economist (Mar 6th 2013, 18:13 by V.V.V. | SHANGHAI) – A CASUAL glance at the business headlines might suggest that China’s renewable-energy industry is an unstoppable juggernaut. Over the past decade, Chinese firms have used supportive government policies and lavish subsidies to leapfrog to the top of the world’s wind and solar industries. This has prompted political backlashes overseas—especially in America, where Chinese exporters have faced anti-dumping duties and worse. [Read more →]