Complete list of press releases

(WASHINGTON – December 13, 2017) The U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources voted to advance two pieces of legislation (H.R. 200 and H.R. 3588) today that threaten fish populations and the people who depend on them. Departing from a 40-year tradition of building consensus around federal fisheries laws, the bills failed to attract any meaningful bipartisan support and have faced opposition from conservationists, fishermen, chefs, scientist and other groups. The following is a statement Matt Tinning, Senior Director, US Oceans Program Environmental Defense Fund. 

“The Magnuson-Stevens Act is a remarkable bipartisan success story. It has fueled the recovery of America’s fisheries over the last decade, one of the great environmental achievements of our time. Unfortunately, rather than build on this progress, the House Natural Resources Committee today moved forward with a partisan mark-up that ignores the serious concerns of fishermen, chefs, scientists and conservationists. 

“H.R. 200 would exempt key fisheries from science-based catch limits, undermine the recovery of depleted fish populations, take management options away from local fishery leaders, and stifle innovation by fishing communities. 

“H.R. 3588 would weaken science-based catch limits in the Gulf red snapper fishery – a critical component of the current management system that has enabled quotas for recreational and commercial fishermen to more than double. We agree that management of private recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico is badly broken and needs to change. We support efforts to find solutions that provide flexible access to anglers, but they must include real safeguards for conservation.”

You can find more detail on these bills here. 

Nearly one million Californians living within half-a-mile of the state’s 54,000 active oil and gas wells may face elevated health risks due to pollution from those operations. But a report released today by Environmental Defense Fund says a new wave of lower-cost digital monitoring technology could give them new peace of mind by allowing companies and regulators to keep a 24-hour lookout for leaks and other dangerous emissions.

The report includes 11 recommendations for state and local officials, communities and businesses to accelerate the deployment of real-time monitoring solutions at oil and gas facilities, starting in historically underserved communities and communities facing the highest risk from nearby oil and gas operations. They also encourage operators to share their knowledge and experience with monitoring solutions.

“Reliable, inexpensive new technologies give us power we didn’t have before to track and measure pollution at these sites, and to spot emergencies like the Aliso Canyon disaster before damages start to pile up,” said Timothy O’Connor, Director of EDF’s Oil and Gas program in California and lead author of the report. “People shouldn’t be kept in the dark about their air quality, or have to wait for another disaster to see some action. Companies and safety regulators have a laundry list of reasons to start using these solutions now and help ensure clean operations.”

The EDF report, along with a comprehensive new technical analysis by the consulting firm Ramboll Environ, looks at the industry and community benefits of deploying continuous pollution monitors in California, particularly in Southern California where nearly 600,000 people live within half a mile of one of the region’s 3,500 active oil or gas facilities. Recent studies indicate oil and gas facilities can emit significant amounts of volatile organic compounds and benzene that are often difficult to spot but which can cause health problems like asthma and cancer. The facilities also emit methane, a potent climate pollutant.

Regulators typically track air pollution at a regional level, and require pollution reporting from only the largest facilities, which means hotspots and other acute issues at the local or neighborhood level are easily overlooked. Localized measurements are sometimes taken by concerned citizens or as a result of litigation, but only on a very limited scale for limited periods of time. As a result, many communities are calling for new pollution data from oil and gas sites to be made public.

Full time monitoring might have been considered too difficult or expensive in the past. But just as breakthroughs have transformed computers and cell phones, new monitoring technology is changing the equation, making it possible to continuously monitor pollution at the facility level.

EDF and its partners are responsible for two initiatives – the Methane Detectors Challenge and Mobile Monitoring Challenge – that help accelerate development and deployment of new monitoring technologies to keep watch for pollution at oil and gas facilities.

These vast new data streams open up new and better ways to reduce emissions and health risks.

“Policy that actually requires polluters to have monitoring and make that data publicly available, that would be a game changer,” said Paul Robinson, a medical geographer and professor at the Charles R. Drew University School of Public Health in Los Angeles. “It’s not until you place continuous monitoring that you can actually determine real exposure in a particular community.”

Reducing Risk

After the massive 2015 gas leak at the Aliso Canyon storage facility pumped over 100,000 tons of methane and other pollutants into the Southern California skies — forcing residents to evacuate and sending many to seek medical care — regulators began requiring the state’s 12 gas storage fields to install continuous pollution monitors. These have already helped detect unexpectedly high concentrations of methane, but the report says that similar regulations for tens of thousands of active oil and gas wells in the state are practically non-existent.

Leveling the Playing Field

Due to the extreme proximity of many oil and gas sites to people, the Los Angeles and Central Valley areas are in immediate need of widespread, continuous air pollution monitors. A part of Los Angeles is located on the country’s largest urban oilfield – and the number of people living in close proximity to an active oil or gas site is three times higher than the national average. The majority of these facilities are located in traditionally underserved, lower-income communities, with minimal resources to address health concerns related to oil and gas pollution.

“I hope the air we’ve been breathing for years isn’t hurting us, but I just don’t know and I’m taking a gamble right now,” said Lloyd Duvernay, a resident of Gardena California who lives just a few feet from an active oil well. “If there was something that could tell [regulators] there was a problem, so it wasn’t on me to call, I think that would be a good thing.”

To learn more about the benefits of installing continuous pollution technology, watch the Technology for Change video series at edf.org/TechForChange.

Paris, December 12, 2017 – Today, on the occasion of the One Planet Summit, government leaders of Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, México, the Governors of California and Washington, and the Premiers of Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec launched the Carbon Pricing in the Americas cooperative framework.

Recognizing that climate change is a global, national and local threat, these American leaders are reaffirming their commitment to the Paris Agreement by pledging to implement carbon pricing as a central policy instrument for climate change action; deepen regional integration of carbon pricing instruments across the hemisphere; and develop carbon policies that support competitiveness, encourage innovation, create jobs, provide healthy environment for their citizens, and deliver meaningful emissions reductions.

With this declaration, leaders from across the continent introduce their shared vision of regional cooperation on carbon pricing in the Americas and commit to collaborate towards strengthening systems for measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emissions with the ultimate goal of setting the necessary foundations to link their carbon markets.

This renewed commitment to share lessons and improve technical capacity around carbon pricing, comes at a pivotal time: with eight new or enhanced carbon pricing initiatives in place since early 2016 – three  quarters of them in the Americas (Colombia, Chile, and several Canadian provinces)– there are now 42 national and 25 sub-national jurisdictions putting a price on carbon emissions.

Today’s declaration builds on the sustainability commitments established by member countries of the Pacific Alliance and the ongoing efforts of Canada and California to accelerate efforts towards clean growth, and will allow countries in the region to address the climate challenge using the most cost-efficient path: collaboration.

Going forward, the working group, Carbon Pricing in the Americas (CPA) will serve as a platform for cooperation among jurisdictions and, with support from varied stakeholders – including, businesses, financial institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and civil society – will aim to identify opportunities to increase alignment of carbon pricing systems and promote carbon markets that build on already successfully implemented initiatives, such as the Partnership for Market Readiness (PMR), among others.

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The Carbon Pricing of the Americas collaborative platform drives action to strengthen the implementation of carbon pricing as a central policy instrument for climate action and the shift to clean energy, innovation and the promotion of sustainable economic development. This initiative strengthens the alignment of carbon pricing systems and introduces harmonized systems for measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of greenhouse gas emissions, as a necessary foundation for regional cooperation, and development, of carbon markets within the Americas.

Quotes from Leaders:

Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile

Our economies cannot deny climate change and its impact on people’s lives. By implementing a carbon price, we allow market forces to push climate action at a lower cost. When economic and environmental objectives are aligned, sustainable development is inevitable. For this reason, we are happy that carbon price is spreading across the Americas, this way more people will benefit from climate mitigation.

Enrique Peña Nieto, President of Mexico

“The pilot phase of our carbon market is scheduled to initiate on the second half of 2018. This is an unprecedented step in Mexico and Latin America. By adopting this Declaration, we recognize the enormous potential of collaboration in the continent, to continue broadening, deepening and linking our carbon markets.”

Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada

“Carbon pricing can help stimulate innovation; encourage businesses to reduce emissions; and support global efforts to address climate change. Canada understands that a clean environment and a strong economy go hand-in-hand. Cooperation among governments in the Americas supports the competitiveness of our economies, the protection of our environment, and the well-being of our citizens.”

Jerry Brown, Governor, California

"California has put a price on carbon and at the same time our economy has grown to the 6th largest in the world. We'll work with states and countries across the Americas - and beyond - to expand the effort."

María Angela Holguín Cuellar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombia

Carbon Pricing is a one of the most important economic instruments for Colombia and is part of our National Climate Change Policy. We recognize the importance to strengthen the technical dialogue between our governments in order to enhance the climate action in our region.

Manuel Gonzalez Sanz, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Costa Rica

“Costa Rica has a long history of recognizing the economic value of environmental services as key aspect of our environmental policy, both at home and abroad. We are proud to adopt this Declaration and look forward to continue working with our friends and colleagues to find ways to strengthen the connections between carbon pricing, transparency and ambition in support of the goal of the Paris Agreement.”

Kathleen Wynne, Premier, Ontario

“Fighting climate change is about saving our whole planet. We have to be in this fight together. Through cooperation we can have the most impact at the lowest cost. The Carbon Pricing in the Americas Cooperative Framework is another huge step forward. It shows that we will not let future generations suffer the consequences of inaction. Together, we will win this fight.”

Philippe Couillard, Premier, Québec

In Québec, we chose a carbon market because it is the most flexible and efficient economic tool to guide businesses in the energy transition and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors. Today, Québec, California and Ontario, together, make up the second biggest carbon market in the world.  Our market has inspired many others and is a carbon pricing tool shared with a growing number of partners in the four corners of the globe. In joining this Declaration, Québec adds to the many actions, partnerships and alliances that have been created to support the introduction of a price on carbon in the world’s economies, and in particular, to promote carbon markets.

Iain Rankin, Environment Minister, Nova Scotia

“Nova Scotia has worked hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We can be proud of what we’ve accomplished, and through our new cap and trade program, we will keep contributing to the global effort on climate change. We are happy to be working with other countries, states and provinces to reduce greenhouse gas emissions”

Quotes from leaders supporting Carbon Pricing in the Americas:

Emmanuel Macron, President, France

“I acknowledge these regional leaders for laying the foundation stone for a multilevel cooperation on carbon pricing. It sends a clear signal and shows that working together can deliver concrete results to achieve major and ambitious goals following the Paris path.”

Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank Group

“As the world comes together to reaffirm its commitment to the Paris Agreement, we welcome the Carbon Pricing in the Americas cooperative framework. Carbon pricing provides the most stable, cost-efficient and predictable path for transitioning countries toward low-carbon economies. The World Bank Group stands ready to support countries in the Americas as they work together to implement carbon pricing for ambitious climate action.”

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General

“Carbon pricing can unleash innovation and provide the incentives that industries and consumers need to make sustainable choices.  As we strive for greater ambition in implementing the Paris Agreement, I urge all governments and stakeholders to ramp up action on this key instrument for meeting the climate challenge and seizing the opportunities of a resilient and low-carbon future.”

Christiana Figueres, Former Executive Secretary, UNFCCC, Vice Chair, Global Covenant of Mayors Climate Leader, World Bank Group

"Carbon pricing is a powerful tool for collaboration and translating urgency into action. Launched on the 2-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement this initiative could not be more timely and shows that the political will for climate action in the Americas remains strong”

Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations

“Carbon pricing is a critical quantum jump for the much-needed transformation to a low-carbon future. The Carbon Pricing of the Americas platform will unleash market forces to drive climate innovation and solutions. This unique initiative should lead the Global Coalition for Carbon Pricing as was called for in 2015 by the Paris Climate COP President Hollande."

Kofi A. Annan, Chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation, former Secretary-General of the United Nations

“I welcome this engaging initiative for climate change action. By putting a price on carbon, we are setting the right incentives to green our economies and accelerate the shift towards clean and efficient sources of energy.”

Feike Sijbesma, CEO of Royal DSM, World Bank Climate Leader and co-chair of the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition

“The collaboration of leaders across the Americas is an important milestone. A famous expression is “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Fortunately, when governments collaborate on carbon pricing, this incentivizes the private sector to go not only further, but faster too! Many companies in the Americas are already future-proofing their business by putting an internal price on carbon, and I would encourage more to join us. At DSM, we apply already an internal price of €50/ton CO2. A price on carbon unlocks the potential of the private sector, like business and investors to contribute more and faster to addressing climate change by ensuring an economic incentive.”

Dirk Forrister, President and CEO, International Emissions Trading Association (IETA)

“IETA wholeheartedly supports the commitment of governments across the Americas to form a cooperative framework to integrate their carbon markets in the future. The rising interest in market based solutions around the world will help mobilize business to advance the Paris Agreement’s goals while preserving competitiveness. IETA congratulates the signatories for their vision and pledges to help the signatories meet the objectives of this important declaration.”

Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)

“Coming two years to the day after the Paris Agreement was adopted, the Carbon Pricing Declaration of the Americas shows what the Paris accord made possible: A new model of international cooperation that brings countries together with states and provinces to raise global ambition on climate action and move the world closer to a future of low-carbon prosperity. Carbon pricing is already working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and spur clean energy innovation in California and Quebec. This declaration paves the way to spread those benefits throughout the Americas, positioning the region as a leader in the fight against climate change. Environmental Defense Fund applauds the signatories for their leadership and looks forward to supporting the implementation of the Declaration.”

Ben van Beurden, CEO, Royal Dutch Shell plc.

“This commitment by Heads of Government to implement carbon pricing throughout much of the Americas is both bold and very welcome. We expect, in the medium to long run, it could drive efficiency and economic benefits to all countries involved as they seek to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The creation of a cooperation platform and the expansion of the underpinning carbon markets is exactly the sort of ambitious outcome that Article 6 of the Paris Agreement is seeking.”

Isabelle Kocher, CEO, ENGIE

“Putting a price on carbon is clearly the key decision-making signal we need to make the right choices and meet the less-than-2°C Paris Agreement target. We definitely welcome and associate with this declaration.”

Geisha Williams, CEO and President of PG&E Corporation

“Carbon pricing plays a foundational role in driving investments around climate action. PG&E was an early proponent of carbon pricing through California’s multi-sector cap-and-trade program, and we strongly support the adoption of carbon pricing in other jurisdictions to mitigate the climate impacts that continue to occur. We look forward to working with key stakeholders in strengthening international and regional collaboration on this issue in the years ahead.”

Juliana Lopes, CDP, Latin America Director

“Carbon pricing is an important part of the toolkit to manage carbon emissions and drive low-carbon investment in a market friendly and cost-efficient manner. By putting in the building blocks for future carbon market linkages like this, the governments of California, Chile, Canada, Colombia, Mexico and Peru are demonstrating their leadership on climate change and their desire to create the right incentives for forward-looking companies and investors. We look forward to supporting them in making this carbon market in the Americas a reality”

José Oriol Bosch, CEO, Mexican Stock Exchange

"Climate change is a global threat that affects all economies. An emissions trading system is one of the most cost-effective and smartest way to tackle climate change, strengthen and preserve our competitiveness. Linking our markets under the Carbon Pricing in the Americas will be key to reduce costs and provide flexible mechanisms to all companies throughout the region. We welcome this initiative and hope to work together to secure the development of sound carbon markets".

Marina Hermosilla, Directora Ejecutiva, CLG, Chile

We welcome the efforts of Chile and other American countries, and jurisdictions, that culminated in the creation of the Carbon Pricing in the Americas initiative and we call on political leaders, legislators and business peers, nationally and internationally, to show their leadership and commitment to climate action and sustainable development, and we commit to work together with them to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

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Media Contact:

In Mexico, Víctor Espíndola, +52 1 55 5504 9355 victor.espindola@semarnat.gob.mx

In Washington, Isabel Saldarriaga, +1 (202) 812-1533 isaldarriaga@worldbankgroup.org

EDF Senior Director of Strategic Planning Elgie Holstein Released the Following Statement in Response to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's announcement of Superfund sites targeted for cleanup.

"Secretary Pruitt’s announcement is little more than holiday wrapping paper around words.

"It doesn’t propose a dollar more to help large and complicated cleanups move forward—and it doesn’t change the fact that Pruitt and the Trump Administration are working to slash the program’s budget by 30% and enforcement efforts by 37%, and are also working to eliminate the jobs of public health experts and engineers who help solve these highly complex problems.

"There are real and desperately needed ways to improve Superfund. This doesn’t come near passing the test.”

(New Orleans, LA – December 7, 2017) The RESTORE Council voted unanimously Wednesday evening to name the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as chair of the Council. Restoration groups including Environmental Defense Fund, the National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Ocean Conservancy, and The Nature Conservancy – released the following statement on the announcement:

 

“After a devastating season of natural disasters, the people of the Gulf Coast are counting on the RESTORE Council to continue moving restoration projects forward to make the region more resilient.

 

“This appointment comes at a critical juncture for Gulf Coast restoration. The RESTORE Council plays a crucial role in coordinating and executing meaningful, large-scale restoration projects to make Gulf Coast ecosystems stronger and healthier – which in turn help protect communities far into the future.

 

“The Council has already made important progress with clear direction on restoration. We look forward to working with the state and federal Council members, and the EPA as the new chair, to build on that momentum for the Gulf Coast environment and the people who depend on it.”

(Washington, DC) Department of the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke today placed on hold until January of 2019 a  suite of protections issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that require oil and gas companies operating on federal and tribal lands to take common-sense measures to reduce preventable leaks and venting of methane, the primary component of natural gas. 

After similar efforts were rejected by both the courts and Congress, the Trump administration is trying once again to suspend rules to protect taxpayers and Native American tribes from the needless waste of their natural gas resources. The rules will also reduce emissions of other damaging air pollutants, including smog-forming volatile organic compounds, and hazardous air pollutants like benzene, a known human carcinogen.

“Once again, we see Secretary Zinke and the Trump Administration catering to the most poorly-operated companies in the oil and gas industry, at the expense of taxpayers and tribal communities and to the notable disadvantage of companies that are trying to reduce waste and operate responsibly” said EDF Associate Vice President of Climate and Energy Matt Watson.

With this delay, Secretary Zinke will allow at least an additional $330 million of taxpayer-owned natural gas to continue to be wasted. That’s enough natural gas to meet the heating and cooking needs of 1.5 million American homes for a year.

Inaction is already hurting the American taxpayer. Since development of this rule began in 2013, more than $1.8 billion worth of American taxpayer-owned natural gas has been wasted largely due to avoidable leaks, flaring and intentional releases of methane. The BLM waste reduction standards, adopted in January, were modeled after policies pioneered in Western states like Colorado and Wyoming with the support of local elected officials, leading oil and gas companies and environmental groups. 

Just last month, with the support of both industry and environmental groups, Colorado strengthened its nationally leading methane reduction rule, and Pennsylvania took key steps to adopt methane reduction standards.

“While states are moving forward to implement and strengthen their rules on methane, Secretary Zinke is running backwards,” said Dan Grossman, National Director of State Programs for EDF.

More than 80 percent of Western voters, who live and work near public lands, support this rule, and more than two-thirds of votersacross the country want to keep the rule in place.

Despite that support, opponents of the standards asked a federal district court in Wyoming for a preliminary injunction, which would have put the standards on hold indefinitely. In January, the court denied that request.

In May, opponents attempted to repeal the standards using the Congressional Review Act, but after an outpouring of support for the rule from across the country, the effort was rejected by a bipartisan majority of the U.S. Senate.

In June, Secretary Zinke attempted to unilaterally suspend many of these same protections, without providing any opportunity for public comment and without considering the additional wasted gas or harmful air pollution that would result from his actions. A federal district court in California struck down this decision in October 2017, in response to legal challenges filed by the states of California and New Mexico and separate challenges filed by EDF and a broad coalition of environmental conservation and public health organizations.

You can find more information – including all legal documents – on EDF’s website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A European Parliament vote by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) moved the EU Commission a step closer to developing a methane reduction strategy. Methane is responsible for about a quarter of today’s planetary warming. It is also the main ingredient in natural gas. An estimated 3.5 trillion cubic feet of methane escapes into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations worldwide each year and the EU is the 7th largest global emitter.

“When it comes to taking action to address climate risk speed and cost are two key parameters – addressing methane emissions from industry offers low cost, quick action at a significant scale – we need to focus on getting to these quick wins in Europe. The IEA recently estimated that just the cost positive and neutral actions on oil and gas methane emissions alone would be equivalent to closing all of China’s coal fired power stations.

“Todays’ vote in the European Parliament is a sign that policymakers see methane as a climate opportunity not to be missed.

“Major EU energy producers are already stepping up to reduce oil and gas methane emissions but there is still more to do to accelerate action across Europe and around the world We look forward to working with the many individuals and groups who have helped achieve this outcome today.”

- Bryony Worthington, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Fund Europe

(WASHINGTON D.C. – December 6, 2017) Making smart investments to upgrade our outdated electric grid is foundational for climate change progress, according to a new report released today by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). The report shows how a modern grid can help the U.S. mitigate and adapt to climate change and accelerate the clean energy future.

“Upgrading our electricity system is critical to fighting climate change and keeping the lights on for more people during future storms,” said Ronny Sandoval, EDF grid modernization director and author of the report. “Many utilities across the country are now investing in grid upgrades. In addition to improving resiliency, these investments should make how our country produces, moves and uses electricity cleaner, cheaper and more efficient.”

The electric grid Americans rely on each day to power their lives and economy is in need of an upgrade. After record-breaking hurricane and wildfire seasons, that need – and the urgency to meet it – has never been clearer. EDF’s new report, Grid Modernization: The foundation for climate change progress, highlights six ways a modern grid that relies on cleaner energy and harnesses new technologies can cut pollution, save customers money and boost our economy:

1. Sensing and monitoring for enhanced system awareness
2. Intelligent integration of diverse distributed resources
3. Maximizing the role of renewable energy
4. Electrification of transportation systems
5. Access to actionable energy data
6. Efficient transmission and distribution management

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today released a new report detailing clean energy financing options that could help advance Governor-elect Phil Murphy’s 100 percent clean energy goals. The report, Financing New Jersey’s Clean Energy Economy: Pathways for Leadership, produced by the Coalition for Green Capital and Quantified Ventures for EDF, is a roadmap for accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean transportation in the state.

New Jersey has made notable strides to increase renewable energy generation throughout the state. While these efforts have led to the Garden State having the 5^th most installed solar capacity of any state, only 5 percent of New Jersey’s electricity is generated from renewable sources, far below the national average. Solar and wind power are sleeping giants of economic potential, with solar alone representing a $40 billion investment opportunity that could help bring down the cost of residential power for New Jerseyans who currently pay more for electricity than 41 other states in the U.S. The yet untapped offshore wind potential of 300 terawatt-hours/year is far greater than the entire state’s current consumption.

“Governor-elect Murphy’s goal to catalyze New Jersey’s clean energy economy is possible with the right policies. The opportunity lies in combining existing programs or institutions with specific financing tools to attract private capital and finance a clean energy future. A dedicated institution, created new or by expanding current entities, would do just that to accelerate market-ready solutions – and lead us closer to achieve state goals,” said Mary Barber, Director of New Jersey Clean Energy at Environmental Defense Fund.

Given the scale of investment required to meet New Jersey’s energy and efficiency goals, the state will need to leverage private investor capital to accelerate the deployment of its investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean transportation. With transportation accounting for 50 percent of the state’s emissions, the deployment of electric vehicles and associated infrastructure represents an additional compelling investment opportunity that can drive down emissions and improve air quality. Fortunately, innovative financing approaches demonstrate the potential for smart state policies to catalyze renewable energy markets. In just five years, New York’s Green Bank has enabled nearly $1.4 billion in investment, leveraging $3-4 of private capital for every public dollar invested.

“Community solar, once implemented by the legislature, has the potential to open the solar economy to all New Jerseyans. With the addition of a clean energy financing authority such as a state bank, we can ensure that community solar can deliver on Governor Elect Murphy’s promise of a ‘stronger, fairer economy that works for every family,” said Hannah Masterjohn, Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Affairs of the Clean Energy Collective.

Successful green financing programs in the U.S. and the UK have accelerated clean energy expansion, reduced energy costs, and spurred job growth. In applying the lessons learned from existing financing systems, the report recommends that New Jersey consider:

• Creating a green investment mandate within a new public State Bank;
• Expanding the NJ Environmental Infrastructure Trust (EIT), or;
• Developing a new, stand-alone Green Bank, an institution dedicated to financing clean energy and sustainable infrastructure in partnership with private lenders.

“Green financing solutions can be tailored to fit specific states. Through the Connecticut Green Bank, we attracted $7-10 of private investment for every public dollar spent. This example demonstrates the opportunity for public-private partnerships to reduce the burden of energy costs on families and business,” said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank.

“This year’s devastating storm season should serve as a sharp reminder of the importance of a resilient energy system. EDF’s new report provides critical analysis for determining the best path forward to grow New Jersey’s clean energy economy and secure a smarter energy future by leveraging public resources to mobilize private investment,” said Dakota Gangi, Sustainable Finance Manager at EDF+Business.

The report assesses New Jersey’s existing mandate, rebate and investment programs, including: the Environmental Infrastructure Trust (EIT); New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program; Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE); and the renewable portfolio standard (RPS). Financing tools such as Green Bonds, Environmental Impact Bonds, and Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds are evaluated as mechanisms for attracting global private investment.

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Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a leading international nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships. Follow EDF+Business on Twitter for updates, and connect with us on Facebook, and our Energy Exchange blog. 

Today the American Petroleum Institute (API) announced a set of voluntary steps for industry to reduce methane emissions from across the oil and gas supply chain.

“The last several months have produced a number of good examples of what leadership in reducing methane looks like. The API program falls well short of these industry led efforts and doesn’t reflect best practice in reductions or disclosure. At a time when API is aggressively putting its full weight into tearing down federal methane rules, this weak initiative does little to show that API is serious about tackling the methane problem.”

Matt Watson, Associate Vice President, Climate and Energy, Environmental Defense Fund

(Washington, D.C. – December 4, 2017) A broad coalition of public health, environmental, and community groups – including Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) – filed a lawsuit against Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt today to compel him to carry out his duties under the law and implement America’s health-protective smog standard.

“Smog is a dangerous pollutant that causes or exacerbates a wide array of serious heart and lung diseases,” said EDF Senior Attorney Graham McCahan. “EPA is failing to protect more than 100 million Americans from smog. For the EPA Administrator to blatantly ignore that responsibility is legally unacceptable and morally unconscionable. American families and communities deserve cleaner, safer air to breathe.”

The Clean Air act requires EPA to establish health-based standards to limit the amount of ground-level ozone – more commonly known as smog – in the air. Areas with smog levels that violate the health-based standards must clean up their air, and areas whose pollution contributes to poor air quality in downwind communities must reduce that pollution.

EPA strengthened America’s smog standard in 2015 based on an extensive scientific record showing that earlier standards were inadequate to protect public health and welfare. EPA estimates that when communities meet the 2015 smog standard it will save hundreds of lives each year, prevent 230,000 asthma attacks in children each year, and prevent 160,000 missed school days for kids each year.

EPA faced a legal deadline of October 1, 2017, to identify the areas that have unhealthy pollution levels and must clean up their air because they violate the 2015 smog standard – formally known as finalizing the initial area designations.

In June 2017, Administrator Pruitt announced that he intended to delay finalizing the initial area designations. EPA later withdrew its plan to delay and reinstated the October 1, 2017 deadline in response to a legal challenge filed by EDF, numerous state Attorneys General, and others.

The October 1 deadline has now passed, however, and EPA has not acted. So today the coalition of health, community and environmental groups filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California:

“All areas of the country are legally entitled to healthy, clean air. Not all areas have it … More than 100 million of the roughly 323 million people in the United States live in the hundreds of counties that remain as of this date without designations under the 2015 standards.” (Complaint, pages 1 and 11)

The American Lung Association, American Public Health Association, American Thoracic Society, Appalachian Mountain Club, Earthjustice, Environmental Law & Policy Center, National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and West Harlem Environmental Action joined EDF in filing today’s lawsuit. Collectively, the groups represent more than two million Americans in all 50 states and Washington D.C.

(Washington, D.C. – December 4, 2017)  EDF joined dozens of Americans at a public hearing in Washington, DC today to oppose Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s proposed rollback of emission limits for high-polluting heavy-duty freight trucks.

EDF Senior Attorney Martha Roberts was among those calling on Pruitt to end his efforts to create a legal loophole for super-polluting glider trucks, and instead to start putting the health of American families first. 

“America has made tremendous progress in reducing tailpipe pollution, using made in America solutions. We have protected our children’s health and positioned American companies as world leaders in pollution control innovations,” said Roberts. “Pruitt’s actions put this progress at risk, imperiling our families and communities through unprecedented rollbacks at a time when we should be moving forward to save lives and create jobs.”

Today’s hearing addresses standards for glider trucks, which are heavy-duty freight trucks that typically lack modern pollution controls. Glider trucks can emit harmful soot and smog-causing pollutants – including oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, as well as cancer-causing diesel particulate – at a rate forty times that of new freight trucks. 

EPA took action in the 2016 Clean Truck Standards to curb emissions from these super-polluting freight trucks, but Pruitt is now trying to reopen a loophole and allow glider trucks to evade modern pollution controls.

More than sixty people signed up to testify at today’s hearing, including representatives from the American Lung Association, the American Thoracic Society, and Moms Clean Air Force – whose members testified about the impact this rollback would have on their children’s health.

Representatives from the heavy-duty freight truck industry also opposed Pruitt’s proposed rollback at today’s hearing – including speakers from Volvo, the Engine Manufacturers Association, the American Trucking Association, and the Heavy Duty Fuel Efficiency Leadership Group. Freight truck manufacturers have raised concerns that allowing glider trucks to evade pollution standards creates an unlevel playing field that disadvantages companies that have responsibly invested in pollution controls.

Many of those testifying today also expressed support for the Clean Power Plan and other clean air standards that protect American families and communities. Pruitt’s efforts to repeal lifesaving pollution limits – not only for dirty trucks, but also for power plants and other sectors – puts the health and well-being of all Americans at risk. 

EDF was also represented at today’s hearing by Erin Murphy, Surbhi Sarang, and John Bullock. You can read full testimonies from each of them here:

• Martha Roberts
• Erin Murphy
• Surbhi Sarang
• John Bullock

EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed repeal of the safeguards against glider truck pollution until January 5^th.

(COLUMBUS – December 1, 2017) The Ohio Environmental Council, Environmental Defense Fund, and Environmental Law and Policy Center today appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's (PUCO) bailout for utility giant FirstEnergy. Last year, the PUCO approved a plan to provide FirstEnergy with more than $600 million over a three-year period in no-strings-attached subsidies for its uneconomic coal and nuclear plants.

Since the PUCO's ruling Ohioans have already paid over $120 million of the $600 million bailout to FirstEnergy. While FirstEnergy will keep the money they've already collected even if the Supreme Court overturns the PUCO's ruling, we are filing our appeal to the Supreme Court to protect Ohio ratepayers from further unjustified bailout payments.

"Last year, when Ohio regulators tried to hand FirstEnergy $4 billion to keep its outdated, uneconomic power plants operating, federal regulators came to the rescue and blocked the deal. But the utility giant is relentless and devised a new bailout plea that didn't require federal oversight, which state regulators quickly rubber-stamped. We are confident the Ohio Supreme Court will recognize Ohioans should not be responsible for FirstEnergy's bad business decisions, and overturn the $600 million bailout."

• Dick Munson, Midwest Policy Director, Clean Energy, Environmental Defense Fund

"With an abundance of renewable energy opportunity in the Buckeye State, it doesn't make sense that our state regulators agreed to raise Ohioans' electric bills to subsidize plants that are old and expensive. These consumer-funded subsidies distort trends in the market that would otherwise be pushing electric utilities to innovate, creating cleaner, more efficient generation options. I'm confident that the Ohio Supreme Court will side with the customers, ensuring a cleaner, prosperous future for all."

• Trish Demeter, Vice President of Policy, Ohio Environmental Council

"We are challenging this bailout because it raises electric bills for Ohio families to pay off FirstEnergy's shareholders, and provides no benefits to customers. Instead of bailing out failing coal plants, we should help lower customer bills and pollution through energy efficiency."

• Madeline Fleisher, attorney with the Environmental Law & Policy Center

(Harrisburg, Pa. -  Nov. 30, 2017) – In an important and positive step for public health and the environment, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced plans to finalize new permits that require natural gas companies to reduce methane and other harmful pollutants from new facilities and equipment.

Pennsylvania is the nation’s second largest gas producing state. Recent research shows operators are emitting large amounts of methane – the primary component of natural gas and a powerful climate pollutant - from facilities around the state. Pennsylvanians are rightly concerned about the excessive waste of an important domestic energy resource as well as the climate and health impacts of industry’s emissions.

DEP’s new general permits, once implemented, will help control the industry’s methane emissions by requiring that all operators regularly check for and fix leaks at new unconventional gas wells, transmission stations and gas pipelines. These requirements are a critical piece of the administration’s methane reduction strategy, which aims to limit methane emitted at both active and newly built oil and gas facilities.

“By addressing methane pollution from new natural gas facilities, Governor Wolf is demonstrating real leadership in mitigating the environmental and health impacts of drilling. There is much more work to be done, including finalizing these permit requirements and moving quickly to address pollution from the tens of thousands of existing oil and gas facilities in Pennsylvania. But today is a big step in the right direction," said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund. “Pennsylvanians want and expect basic safeguards from the pollution from drilling happening around them – today’s action will help deliver the clean air protections all Pennsylvanians deserve.”

(Charleston, WV – November 28, 2017)  EDF joined hundreds of Americans at a public hearing in Charleston, West Virginia today for the Clean Power Plan – America’s only nationwide limit on carbon pollution from existing power plants. EDF testified in support of the historic climate protection, and called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to hold more public hearings so more Americans can make their views known. 

EPA has planned only one hearing, which began today. Almost 300 people have signed up to testify, including Ben Levitan, a fourth-generation Kentuckian and EDF attorney.

“Repealing the Clean Power Plan would be deeply harmful to the health and well-being of communities nationwide,” said Levitan in his testimony. “EPA has a legal and moral responsibility to protect Americans from air pollution that destabilizes our climate and damages our health. EPA’s proposal to repeal the Clean Power Plan — especially without committing to any meaningful replacement — would put more Americans in danger.”

Levitan testified about the enormous health and economic benefits of the Clean Power Plan, which could prevent as many as 4,500 deaths from air pollution each year and support America’s booming clean energy sector – a rapidly growing, $200 billion sector employing more than three million people. He also testified about the need to support coal communities that have been losing jobs because of market forces, including competition from low-cost natural gas and increased automation.

“These trends have taken a significant and personal toll on communities throughout West Virginia, my home state of Kentucky, and other coal-intensive states. But the Clean Power Plan didn’t cause these problems, and repealing the Clean Power Plan won’t solve them,” said Levitan. “Rather than tear down climate and clean air protections that benefit all Americans, we need to find real solutions that ensure the clean energy economy brings jobs and economic prosperity to coal communities. All Americans – including Americans living in coal-producing regions – deserve to enjoy healthier air and a safer climate, and to share in the benefits of the clean energy economy.”

Levitan also called on EPA to hold more hearings across the country. More than eight states and five cities that have requested them.

“When EPA proposed the Clean Power Plan, it held four public hearings in different regions of the country, in addition to eleven public listening sessions that preceded the proposal. Before repealing the Clean Power Plan — and depriving Americans of its health and climate benefits —EPA owes the American people at least that level of outreach,” said Levitan.

You can read Levitan’s full testimony here.