[Top News] from [REUTERS]
[Green Business]
Richard Cowan and Timothy Gardner
WASHINGTON
Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:26pm EST
SCENARIOS-How Obama can re-energize his climate policy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One year into his presidency, Barack Obama's ambitious legislative agenda, including environmental policy, is threatened by political setbacks and an electorate questioning his priorities in the midst of tough economic times.
The Democratic president came to office promising to seek comprehensive energy and environmental reforms, including the passage of a cap and trade bill to reduce carbon dioxide emissions blamed for global warming.
But the U.S. Senate -- historically a burial ground for many presidential initiatives -- hasn't yet responded to Obama's call.
Here are some possibilities for Obama regaining momentum:
* ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Senator John Kerry has been working with Republicans and independents in the Senate on a grand compromise bill that would include cap and trade, expanded domestic oil and gas drilling and added incentives for nuclear power.
But cap and trade has many opponents. It would require industry to reduce its carbon pollution over the next 40 years and require companies to hold permits for every tonne they emit. Those permits could be traded on a regulated market. Opponents say it will drive jobs abroad and raise U.S. consumer prices.
Some Democratic leaders are now raising the possibility of passing just part of a comprehensive energy policy -- the less controversial part, such as incentives for utilities and others to use more alternative fuels such as wind and solar power.
That would leave the door open for possibly debating cap and trade, or another approach to lowering carbon emissions, for another time.
* SCORE A VICTORY, ANY VICTORY
A special election Tuesday resulted in Republicans picking up a seat in the Senate and robbing Democrats of the supermajority of 60 that they needed to overcome roadblocks.
As a result, Obama is staring down the possibility that his leading initiative, healthcare reform, may not pass.
Some Congress-watchers think that as a result, Obama and his fellow Democrats in Congress should try to regain momentum in Washington by scoring a quick victory on something, such as an energy/environment initiative that recent polls show the public supports.
"If healthcare is not dead, it's awfully close to sleeping for a while and the agenda is going to have to focus on someplace they can win. They need to post some points and quick, no matter what. Time is running out," said Kevin Book, an analyst at ClearView Energy Partners in Washington.
As the year wears on, Democrats' hopes of getting major bills passed diminish as the November congressional elections further politicize debates.
* STICK WITH CAP AND TRADE
Some environmentalists argue that unlike in the healthcare debate, there at least are some Republicans willing to engage on cap and trade. Senator Lindsey Graham, for example, is dealing with Kerry on a climate bill and Senator Susan Collins has co-sponsored a Democratic bill calling for a carbon cap, but without the trading.
If Kerry, Graham and independent Senator Joseph Lieberman can strike a deal on a cap and trade bill, it could rise from the ashes.
* TALK JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
If recent events underscored anything, it is that the U.S. public is worried about the economic future in the face of a 10 percent unemployment rate, the highest in a quarter-century.
When Obama delivers his annual State of the Union address to Congress on January 27, he is likely to focus on jobs and expected to cast his environmental policy as a way to create jobs and stimulate the economy. "If you sell those arguments you've got a winning issue," Kerry argues.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid opened the first legislative session of 2010 Wednesday saying Democrats will work to create "new jobs, good paying, clean-energy jobs that can never be outsourced."
* EPA TAKES CONTROL
The Environmental Protection Agency has the power to act on climate change after the Supreme Court ruled that pollution threatens human health. Obama would prefer that Congress passes a climate law, but if it fails, EPA could crack down on emissions. Lawyers for emissions traders say the EPA could craft its own cap and trade program. But EPA action is vulnerable to potential moves by lawmakers and litigation from industry groups to stop the agency from regulating the gases.
(Editing by Eric Walsh)
[Green Business]
WASHINGTON
Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:54pm EST
Lafarge, Saint-Gobain settle U.S. clean air cases
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Glass maker Saint-Gobain Containers Inc and cement maker Lafarge North America agreed to settle allegations that they violated the Clean Air Act and will spend millions of dollars to reduce emissions and pay civil penalties, U.S. authorities said.
The two companies agreed to install pollution control equipment and technologies at all of their U.S. plants to limit emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, potentially 41,000 tons a year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department said.
U.S. officials said they were continuing to investigate possible violations by other cement and glass manufacturers as well as other sectors including coal-fired power and acid productions.
"If you are in violation of the law, you need to come into compliance with the law," Ignacia Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's environment division, told reporters. She also urged violators to come forward and negotiate a settlement with the government.
Saint-Gobain, the second-largest U.S. container glass manufacturer and a unit of Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA, agreed to spend $112 million for its 15 U.S. plants and pay a $2.25 million civil penalty.
The company, however, has closed two of those plants for other reasons.
The U.S. government had accused Saint-Gobain of building new glass furnaces or modifying existing ones without getting pre-construction permits or installing required pollution control equipment.
The company in a statement denied the allegations, but said it was "pleased to work with the EPA as the first glass container company to come to agreement under their glass enforcement initiative."
Meanwhile cement maker Lafarge, a unit of Lafarge SA, agreed to install pollution control technologies that could cost as much as $170 million at its 13 plants and pay a $5 million civil penalty.
The government's charges against Lafarge were similar to those levied against Saint-Gobain.
Sylvain Garnaud, head of Lafarge North America's cement division, said the company believed its plants operated in an "environmentally responsible manner and in compliance" with the law.
However, he added that the company agreed to settle and take the actions to "demonstrate that we want our plants to continue to minimize emissions to the atmosphere as much as possible."
(Reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky; Editing by Robert MacMillan, Steve Orlofsky and Richard Chang)
[Green Business]
Manolo Serapio Jr.
MANILA
Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:23pm EST
Green power to help save famed Philippine terraces
MANILA (Reuters) - Revenue from a small hydropower plant that cost little more than a supercar to build, will help preserve 2,000-year-old Philippine rice terraces dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World," conservationists say.
The crumbling ricefields that follow the contours of the mountains in northern Ifugao province and resemble a stairway are slowly being eroded by bad weather and limited upkeep.
On Friday, Philippine officials were handed the symbolic keys to the $1 million 200-kilowatt hydropower plant, which will meet 18 percent of the province's power needs.
It is projected to generate $70,000 in annual revenue for the Rice Terrace Conservation Fund, aimed at shoring up the famed ricefields that have been on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in danger since 2001.
"Many are abandoning the terraces. It's not economically feasible to plant rice because the farmers' land holdings are small," Carmelita Buyuccan, head of planning and development at the Ifugao provincial office, told Reuters.
Many of the farmers' children, after earning their college diplomas, also choose to either work in the city or overseas for better pay, added Buyuccan.
The hydropower plant was donated by e8, a non-profit organization consisting of 10 leading electricity firms from the G-8 countries that was also behind the first solar panels in Tuvalu and the first wind turbines on the Galapagos Islands.
Halting the deterioration of the terraces would require $400,000 a year, according to a 2004 study by Tokyo Electric Power Co, and project proponents hope the revenue from the power plant would inspire other donors.
Work would include restoring damaged terrace walls and rehabilitating the irrigation system, officials said.
A 10-year project that would go beyond and improve the condition of the terraces would require $11.8 million, said Yoshihiro Hatano, general manager at TEPCO.
(Reporting by Manolo Serapio Jr; Editing by David Fogarty and Sanjeev Miglani)
[Green Business]
Richard Cowan and Timothy Gardner
WASHINGTON
Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:26pm EST
SCENARIOS-How Obama can re-energize his climate policy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One year into his presidency, Barack Obama's ambitious legislative agenda, including environmental policy, is threatened by political setbacks and an electorate questioning his priorities in the midst of tough economic times.
The Democratic president came to office promising to seek comprehensive energy and environmental reforms, including the passage of a cap and trade bill to reduce carbon dioxide emissions blamed for global warming.
But the U.S. Senate -- historically a burial ground for many presidential initiatives -- hasn't yet responded to Obama's call.
Here are some possibilities for Obama regaining momentum:
* ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Senator John Kerry has been working with Republicans and independents in the Senate on a grand compromise bill that would include cap and trade, expanded domestic oil and gas drilling and added incentives for nuclear power.
But cap and trade has many opponents. It would require industry to reduce its carbon pollution over the next 40 years and require companies to hold permits for every tonne they emit. Those permits could be traded on a regulated market. Opponents say it will drive jobs abroad and raise U.S. consumer prices.
Some Democratic leaders are now raising the possibility of passing just part of a comprehensive energy policy -- the less controversial part, such as incentives for utilities and others to use more alternative fuels such as wind and solar power.
That would leave the door open for possibly debating cap and trade, or another approach to lowering carbon emissions, for another time.
* SCORE A VICTORY, ANY VICTORY
A special election Tuesday resulted in Republicans picking up a seat in the Senate and robbing Democrats of the supermajority of 60 that they needed to overcome roadblocks.
As a result, Obama is staring down the possibility that his leading initiative, healthcare reform, may not pass.
Some Congress-watchers think that as a result, Obama and his fellow Democrats in Congress should try to regain momentum in Washington by scoring a quick victory on something, such as an energy/environment initiative that recent polls show the public supports.
"If healthcare is not dead, it's awfully close to sleeping for a while and the agenda is going to have to focus on someplace they can win. They need to post some points and quick, no matter what. Time is running out," said Kevin Book, an analyst at ClearView Energy Partners in Washington.
As the year wears on, Democrats' hopes of getting major bills passed diminish as the November congressional elections further politicize debates.
* STICK WITH CAP AND TRADE
Some environmentalists argue that unlike in the healthcare debate, there at least are some Republicans willing to engage on cap and trade. Senator Lindsey Graham, for example, is dealing with Kerry on a climate bill and Senator Susan Collins has co-sponsored a Democratic bill calling for a carbon cap, but without the trading.
If Kerry, Graham and independent Senator Joseph Lieberman can strike a deal on a cap and trade bill, it could rise from the ashes.
* TALK JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
If recent events underscored anything, it is that the U.S. public is worried about the economic future in the face of a 10 percent unemployment rate, the highest in a quarter-century.
When Obama delivers his annual State of the Union address to Congress on January 27, he is likely to focus on jobs and expected to cast his environmental policy as a way to create jobs and stimulate the economy. "If you sell those arguments you've got a winning issue," Kerry argues.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid opened the first legislative session of 2010 Wednesday saying Democrats will work to create "new jobs, good paying, clean-energy jobs that can never be outsourced."
* EPA TAKES CONTROL
The Environmental Protection Agency has the power to act on climate change after the Supreme Court ruled that pollution threatens human health. Obama would prefer that Congress passes a climate law, but if it fails, EPA could crack down on emissions. Lawyers for emissions traders say the EPA could craft its own cap and trade program. But EPA action is vulnerable to potential moves by lawmakers and litigation from industry groups to stop the agency from regulating the gases.
(Editing by Eric Walsh)
[Green Business]
WASHINGTON
Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:54pm EST
Lafarge, Saint-Gobain settle U.S. clean air cases
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Glass maker Saint-Gobain Containers Inc and cement maker Lafarge North America agreed to settle allegations that they violated the Clean Air Act and will spend millions of dollars to reduce emissions and pay civil penalties, U.S. authorities said.
The two companies agreed to install pollution control equipment and technologies at all of their U.S. plants to limit emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, potentially 41,000 tons a year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department said.
U.S. officials said they were continuing to investigate possible violations by other cement and glass manufacturers as well as other sectors including coal-fired power and acid productions.
"If you are in violation of the law, you need to come into compliance with the law," Ignacia Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's environment division, told reporters. She also urged violators to come forward and negotiate a settlement with the government.
Saint-Gobain, the second-largest U.S. container glass manufacturer and a unit of Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA, agreed to spend $112 million for its 15 U.S. plants and pay a $2.25 million civil penalty.
The company, however, has closed two of those plants for other reasons.
The U.S. government had accused Saint-Gobain of building new glass furnaces or modifying existing ones without getting pre-construction permits or installing required pollution control equipment.
The company in a statement denied the allegations, but said it was "pleased to work with the EPA as the first glass container company to come to agreement under their glass enforcement initiative."
Meanwhile cement maker Lafarge, a unit of Lafarge SA, agreed to install pollution control technologies that could cost as much as $170 million at its 13 plants and pay a $5 million civil penalty.
The government's charges against Lafarge were similar to those levied against Saint-Gobain.
Sylvain Garnaud, head of Lafarge North America's cement division, said the company believed its plants operated in an "environmentally responsible manner and in compliance" with the law.
However, he added that the company agreed to settle and take the actions to "demonstrate that we want our plants to continue to minimize emissions to the atmosphere as much as possible."
(Reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky; Editing by Robert MacMillan, Steve Orlofsky and Richard Chang)
[Green Business]
Manolo Serapio Jr.
MANILA
Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:23pm EST
Green power to help save famed Philippine terraces
MANILA (Reuters) - Revenue from a small hydropower plant that cost little more than a supercar to build, will help preserve 2,000-year-old Philippine rice terraces dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World," conservationists say.
The crumbling ricefields that follow the contours of the mountains in northern Ifugao province and resemble a stairway are slowly being eroded by bad weather and limited upkeep.
On Friday, Philippine officials were handed the symbolic keys to the $1 million 200-kilowatt hydropower plant, which will meet 18 percent of the province's power needs.
It is projected to generate $70,000 in annual revenue for the Rice Terrace Conservation Fund, aimed at shoring up the famed ricefields that have been on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in danger since 2001.
"Many are abandoning the terraces. It's not economically feasible to plant rice because the farmers' land holdings are small," Carmelita Buyuccan, head of planning and development at the Ifugao provincial office, told Reuters.
Many of the farmers' children, after earning their college diplomas, also choose to either work in the city or overseas for better pay, added Buyuccan.
The hydropower plant was donated by e8, a non-profit organization consisting of 10 leading electricity firms from the G-8 countries that was also behind the first solar panels in Tuvalu and the first wind turbines on the Galapagos Islands.
Halting the deterioration of the terraces would require $400,000 a year, according to a 2004 study by Tokyo Electric Power Co, and project proponents hope the revenue from the power plant would inspire other donors.
Work would include restoring damaged terrace walls and rehabilitating the irrigation system, officials said.
A 10-year project that would go beyond and improve the condition of the terraces would require $11.8 million, said Yoshihiro Hatano, general manager at TEPCO.
(Reporting by Manolo Serapio Jr; Editing by David Fogarty and Sanjeev Miglani)
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