Complete list of press releases

(Washington, D.C. – October 27, 2015) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and a broad group of other health and environmental organizations filed a motion in federal court today to intervene in litigation to defend America’s Clean Power Plan – a historic clean air measure that established the first-ever limits on climate-destabilizing pollution from the nation’s power plants.

The American Lung Association, EDF, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Clean Air Council, Clean Wisconsin, the Conservation Law Foundation and the Ohio Environmental Council all filed a motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to intervene in support of the Clean Power Plan in lawsuits filed by opponents including major emitters of harmful carbon pollution. The same coalition also filed a separate motion to intervene in support of related Clean Air Act rules establishing carbon pollution standards for new, modified and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired power plants. 

“The Organizations are committed to protecting their members and others from the impacts of dangerous air pollution from existing power plants, including climate change and other harms to public health and welfare,” the groups said in their motion. “The Clean Power Plan also will reduce existing power plants’ emissions of smog- and soot-forming pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particles … These pollution reductions will lower the rates of asthma attacks, respiratory disease, heart attacks, and premature death that occur each year as a result of exposure to such pollutants.”

The Clean Power Plan is the single biggest step America has ever taken to address the threat of climate change. Fossil fuel-fired power plants are the single largest source of carbon pollution in the United States, and the Clean Power Plan is expected to reduce this pollution to 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.  The Clean Power Plan builds on existing trends towards cleaner generation in the power sector that are helping reduce emissions while creating economic opportunities and saving consumers money.     

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which developed the Clean Power Plan on the basis of extensive technical and legal analysis, estimates it will save 3,600 lives and prevent 90,000 childhood asthma attacks when it’s fully implemented in 2030.

“The Clean Power Plan will lead to healthier air and a safer climate for all Americans, and it is firmly anchored in our nation’s clean air laws and a strong scientific record,” said Tomás Carbonell, Director of Regulatory Policy and Senior Attorney at EDF. “EDF is committed to vigorously defending the Clean Power Plan in court, and to protecting the vital health and climate security benefits it will deliver.” 

EDF was a party to earlier lawsuits against the Clean Power Plan. Several different courts threw out those lawsuits.

NEWS RELEASE

(BOSTON – October 22, 2015) Comcast Cable, Nestlé and JLL will lead the line-up of companies presenting at Environmental Defense Fund’s 6^th Annual Energy Solutions Exchange. The event gathers leaders from organizations that have utilized the EDF Climate Corps program to help them advance their energy management goals. All three companies will share how their initial energy management successes laid the foundation for larger improvements.

“Comcast, Nestlé and JLL are great examples of how companies are cascading one win into many and moving the needle on energy management,” said Liz Delaney, Program Director, EDF Climate Corps. “EDF Climate Corps is accelerating the adoption of clean energy innovation in these companies, lowering barriers and moving us closer to a low-carbon future.”

Comcast Cable: Scaling energy efficiency across 14 states

Comcast Cable has developed a multi-year financial model that enables the company to anticipate its long-term capital budgeting needs for energy efficiency investments. This summer, Comcast’s EDF Climate Corps fellow created an investment plan to scale the implementation of energy-efficient projects across its Northeast Division. These projects have the potential to reduce the division’s annual energy consumption by nearly 13 million kilowatt hours, which is equivalent to the annual electricity use of 1,200 homes.

“At Comcast, we know that investing in energy efficiency drives both environmental and economic benefits,” said David Newman, Senior Director, Environment, Health and Safety at Comcast. “Through strong financial modeling, we are able to gain the insights and internal support we need to scale projects beyond the initial pilot to make systemic change, and EDF Climate Corps has greatly advanced these efforts.”

Nestlé: Harnessing the power of renewables

As an RE100 signatory, Nestlé has committed to 100 percent renewable energy. Nestlé Waters North America operates in the United States and is developing a strategy to help get there. Building on previous work, Nestlé Waters retained the services of an EDF Climate Corps fellow to analyze the potential for off-site renewable power for certain facilities in Texas and Pennsylvania. The fellow also brought multiple Nestlé US companies together to help align on renewable purchasing strategies, thus increasing engagement, leverage and scale of potential future renewable power purchases.

It is estimated that just switching to renewable power at two of its facilities would position Nestlé Waters North America to save thousands of dollars per year in energy costs, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 42,000 tons and energy-related water consumption by 48 million gallons. Once implemented, these projects could increase Nestlé Waters North America share of renewable power by nearly 15 percent.

“Working with EDF Climate Corps has been a wonderful experience,” said Bob Viohl, Energy Purchasing Manager for Nestlé Waters North America. “Not only did our fellow provide the expertise we needed to help move our 100% renewables goal forward, we have developed a new process for working cross-functionally and across operating companies.  All of this work will help us reach our company-wide climate goals.”

JLL: Building on past success to engage tenants in energy management

Having already reduced base building energy consumption by more than 35 percent, JLL’s 77 West Wacker building in Chicago wanted to spur whole-building energy reduction through tenant engagement. Working with management and engineering to document and develop standards and guidelines for all renovation and new construction projects, the EDF Climate Corps fellow’s work is designed to help tenants understand the timing, environmental and financial implications of new, energy-efficient office designs. Ultimately, this documentation could help 77 West Wacker reach a nine percent whole-building energy reduction goal, putting it that much closer to its Retrofit Chicago goal of 20 percent energy reduction by 2018.

“In the commercial real estate space, we have to partner with a diverse group of tenants to reduce energy consumption in leased spaces,” said Myrna Coronado-Brookover, Senior Vice President and General Manager at JLL. “The work of our Climate Corps fellow will help us strengthen our communications with tenants about energy reduction and will help us continue to meet our energy goals.”

2015 Results: Accelerating clean energy projects

In addition to the work with the above companies, EDF Climate Corps worked with over 90 other host companies and organizations in 2015, supporting 117 fellows.

Fast facts from EDF Climate Corps 2015:  

• Fellows working on energy efficiency and clean energy projects identified opportunities for companies to save: $90 million dollars; 134 million kWh per year; and 130,000 metrics tons of CO2e per year, equivalent to the annual emissions of 27,000 cars.
• Fellows this year recommended over $60 million of new investment in clean energy technologies, including 30 megawatts of solar generation which is the equivalent of installing rooftop solar arrays on 6,000 US homes.
• The program placed seven fellows in China, who focused on reducing emissions in factories that supply goods to international companies.
• To date, EDF Climate Corps fellows have identified nearly $1.5 billion in energy savings, over 2.8 billion in annual kWh reductions, and 2 million metric tons of CO2e, equivalent to the annual emissions of over 420,000 cars.

(October 21, 2015 – Baton Rouge) Today, Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) board announced two major developments. First, CPRA recommended advancing both the Mid Barataria and Mid Breton sediment diversion projects in the Coastal Master Plan, which will reintroduce fresh water and sediment from the Mississippi River into its surrounding, collapsing wetlands and rebuild land over time. Secondly, the CPRA board voted to approve a new proposal to use Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) money, rather than funds previously committed to projects in the state’s Coastal Master Plan, for elevating Louisiana Highway 1.

The Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition – which includes Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society and National Wildlife Federation – issued the following statement in response:

“We are pleased to see CPRA leverage the most current and best-available science to move forward the Mid Barataria and Mid Breton sediment diversions projects into engineering and design. The urgency and severity of our collapsing delta requires that we use the most powerful tools at our disposal. Sediment diversions provide the best opportunity to restore the coast over time, preserving our communities, industries and entire way of life. We will continue to pursue and understand the science behind diversions, but there is no scientific uncertainty about our physical reality – we live in a landscape built by the river, disappearing because we have cut the delta off from the river.

“This announcement is an important step toward getting sediment diversions up and running. We’re in a race against the clock and forces of nature. We need to move forward at full speed while ensuring efficiency and transparency in the steps ahead.

“Louisiana Highway 1 is a critical corridor for our state and national economic vitality. We believe that the elevation of Highway 1 is eligible for GOMESA funding, and we join with the LA1 Coalition in pursuit of adequate funding for this and other coastal infrastructure projects. We support the development of a prioritization system that would allow for up to 10 percent of GOMESA revenues to be spent on coastal infrastructure projects, with a focus on projects that are directly impacted by coastal wetland loss. This system should reflect the significant role of coastal infrastructure projects such as Highway 1, which contribute to energy security, community resiliency, and the national, state and local economy. This is a long-standing and well-understood aspect of GOMESA and does not veer from any prior commitments to restoration.         

“We are gratified that the state has made the right decision in considering an appropriate funding source for this coastal infrastructure improvement project and has not moved forward with using oil spill funds it previously committed to the Coastal Master Plan.”

A recent poll found tremendous statewide support for coastal restoration:

• 94 percent indicate that a gubernatorial candidate’s commitment to protect and restore coastal Louisiana will be important to them when they vote.
• 90 percent want the next governor to ensure funds currently dedicated to coastal restoration are not spent on anything but coastal restoration.
• 87 percent want the next governor to work to identify and secure funding for future projects identified in the state’s Coastal Master Plan.
• 85 percent believe restoration of coastal Louisiana should be a high priority for the new governor.
• 95 percent want the new governor to commit to move quickly and get started building coastal restoration projects.
• 78 percent believe protecting and restoring coastal Louisiana is as important as other issues facing the state.
• Two-thirds (66 percent) indicate support for river diversions to build new land in Louisiana.

(HAVANA – October 21, 2015) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the Cuban government are joining forces to execute a historic plan that will put in place new protections for sharks in Cuban waters. Sharks, which have been in sharp decline in recent decades, play a crucial role in the health of the ocean and other sea life we depend on for our food and livelihoods.

Cuba’s National Plan of Action marks an important first step in the region for addressing shark conservation and sustainable management. Scientists believe that nearly 20 percent of the world’s 500 shark species swim in Cuba’s waters. As a part of this plan, Cuba will develop new measures to protect the most vulnerable and threatened species, and guard against overfishing of all shark species in Cuban waters. Because some sharks travel thousands of miles, protecting sharks in Cuba will likely help shark populations in the United States, Mexico and throughout the region.

Scientists from Cuba, EDF and other institutions developed the plan over two years through a collaborative research and design process that included data collection on sharks, and training for fishermen to collect critical data on species. The process was modeled after one used by the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization to address the conservation of vulnerable species.  

“This historic commitment by Cuba will have impacts beyond its borders and provide managers with the information they need to rebuild and sustain shark populations throughout the region,” said Daniel Whittle, Senior Director for Cuba with EDF’s Oceans Program. “This plan emphasizes Cuba’s focus on the importance of sharks, the threat of overfishing, and the need for international collaboration on science. We look forward to continuing work with our Cuban partners to fulfill these commitments.”

Cuba’s coral reefs, sea grass beds, and mangrove forests are some of the most intact marine ecosystems in the region. However, overfishing of sharks and many other species throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean region has significantly contributed to the decline of these once pristine ecosystems. Cuba’s plan of action aims to increase the understanding of sharks’ role in ecosystem health, curb overfishing and highlight the importance of sharks to the country’s growing fishing and tourism sectors.

Shark conservation can be a challenge due to the migratory nature of many shark species. Cuban officials recruited scientists from the United States and Mexico to help develop the plan and to train Cuban fishermen on how to collect critical data on species, locations, and frequency of shark catches.

“This plan is a huge step forward for Cuba and the rest of the region,” said Dr. Elisa Garcia, Director of the Office of Fishing Regulations and Science. “It lays the foundation for coordinated data collection to understand the threats sharks face and to take conservation actions by setting limits on fishing, establishing closures, and protecting juveniles and critical habitat.”

Today’s plan builds upon earlier actions taken by the Cuban government to study and protect sharks. Since 2010, scientists at the University of Havana’s Center for Marine Research have been working with fishermen in coastal communities on Cuba’s north coast to better understand which species are most common in Cuban waters and which are most vulnerable. Earlier this year, Cuban officials imposed a ban on the destructive and wasteful practice of shark “finning.”

“Getting fishermen involved in collecting data has been critical,” said Dr. Jorge Angulo, senior scientist with Cuba’s Center for Marine Research, who leads the research team. “The more we understand about sharks, the better we can manage and conserve them.”

Next steps include implementing a national system to gather data on sharks from fishing ports and adopting new regulations to protect juvenile sharks, set limits on total catch, and reduce shark bycatch. The plan also anticipates a series of protected zones aimed at safe-guarding critical shark habitats and other areas that are important for tourism.

“This plan brings together Cuban scientists and leaders who work in fishing, tourism and conservation under the common purpose of protecting sharks for the future,” said Dr. Garcia.

EDF has a long history of supporting marine science and conservation in Cuba. Over the last 15 years, EDF has worked with Cuban officials to design an ambitious network of more than 100 marine protected areas, has helped Cuban fishing communities develop new fishery management programs, and has supported the work of Cuba’s leading marine scientists and conservationists.

“To avert the worst impacts of climate change and achieve shared global prosperity, we need limits on climate pollution – and a price on emissions to drive reductions as efficiently and as fairly as possible. Today’s announcement is a welcome signal of the increasing support for carbon pricing at the very highest levels of government and business.

“The test of any climate policy is whether it will deliver the ambitious reductions that science demands, while sparking the innovation and jobs that can spur a low-carbon economy. With emission trading systems in effect in over 50 places that are home to nearly a billion people – from California to Europe to large parts of China – we have a wealth of experience to draw on in designing and implementing effective policies that put a price on climate pollution and deliver real reductions. 

“The panel provides an unparalleled opportunity to harness high-level government and business leadership on carbon pricing — and ensure that it translates into effective action. We are eager to work with the panel to get on with the urgent business at hand: turning the corner toward climate stability and a new era of clean, low-carbon prosperity.”

- Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund

(TRENTON – October 15, 2015) The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities today approved a pilot program to fuel private investment in energy efficiency in buildings through Environmental Defense Funds’ (EDF) Investor Confidence Project (ICP). New Jersey is the first state to incorporate ICP best practices and standards into an existing state energy efficiency incentive program.

EDF’s Investor Confidence Project standardizes the way energy efficiency projects are developed and brought to market, increasing confidence in predicted energy and financial returns that will increase investor confidence and help scale national and global energy efficiency markets. ICP offers a series of protocols that define industry best practices for energy efficiency project development and a credentialing system that includes third-party validation.

“Using smart engineering standards and best practices to help save energy in buildings creates local jobs, cuts pollution and saves New Jerseyans money,” said Mary Barber, EDF Director, New Jersey Clean Energy. “Buildings use nearly 40 percent of all energy in the U.S., so improving their efficiency is key to a clean energy future. Launching this pilot to standardize energy efficiency projects builds on the Garden State’s existing commitment to clean energy and pioneers innovative, cost-effective solutions that serve as a model for other states around the country.”

The New Jersey Clean Energy Program’s pilot will incorporate the Investor Confidence Project’s energy efficiency protocols into the state’s Pay for Performance (P4P) program. The P4P pilot introduces ICP as an alternative way for buildings to meet the pay-for-performance requirements.

One of the goals of the pilot is to assemble data over three years of participation that will provide project developers and the New Jersey Clean Energy Program with new information regarding project performance over an extended period of time; crucial information to insure that the predicted energy and environmental benefits are achieved and maintained.

For more information on the Investor Confidence Project, visit www.EEperformance.org.

For more information on this announcement, see our blog post on the Energy Exchange. 

NEWS RELEASE

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this morning in a case that will have far-reaching effects on America’s ability to provide clean and affordable energy.

The case, FERC v. EPSA, centers on demand response – a tool that helps lower power costs for people and businesses while strengthening reliability and protecting the environment and public health.

“Demand response lowers electricity bills, improves our grid’s reliability, and reduces pollution,” said Michael Panfil, an attorney with Environmental Defense Fund, which filed an amicus brief in the case. “FERC’s Order 745, which puts demand response to work around the country, improves the lives of millions of Americans. We believe the order is firmly grounded in law and science. We’re hopeful that the Supreme Court agrees and decides in its favor.”

FERC developed Order 745 in 2011, with extensive public input, to provide access for demand response in the nation’s wholesale energy markets. Demand response is a resource that relies on people and technology — not power plants — to manage stress on the electric grid during periods of peak energy demand. It pays people to save energy when it matters most, creating a win-win situation for people and the environment.  Order 745 effectuates FERC’s central responsibility under the Federal Power Act to ensure “just and reasonable rates.” 

A divided three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled against Order 745, with a vigorous dissent by Judge Harry Edwards. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in May of 2015.

U.S. Solicitor Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. will argue the case for FERC today; arguments are expected to last an hour. EDF and a broad group of other environmental organizations, states, state consumer advocates, and leading economists filed amicus briefs in support of FERC Order 745.

You can read more about demand response, and find all the case materials, on our website.

(AUSTIN – October 13, 2015) As a result of market trends already underway and an abundance of clean energy resources in Texas, compliance with Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan is well within the Lone Star State’s reach, according to a new report released today from Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

The report, Well Within Reach: How Texas Can Comply with and Benefit from the Clean Power Plan, shows that “business as usual” gets Texas 88 percent of the way toward compliance with the plan. Increased efficiency and greater use of cleaner power sources, like natural gas, wind, and solar, could carry the state across the finish line. Like every state in the U.S., Texas must decide soon how it will respond to the federal standards. This report can serve as a tool for leaders to put in place a successful strategy – rather than sue the federal government – that best utilizes Texas’ abundant natural resources and meets Texans’ growing electricity and water needs. 

“Texas is far along on a path to meeting new pollution standards, which will save water and lives, all while growing our state’s economy,” said EDF’s Texas clean energy director, John Hall. “Texas is already the leading producer of natural gas, combined heat and power, and wind energy in the U.S., and these new national standards can help us add solar and energy efficiency to that list. We have more abundant clean energy resources than any other state in the U.S. Let’s innovate – not litigate – to take full advantage of the multi-trillion dollar clean energy economy.”

The report explains how Texas’ electricity sector has been moving toward cleaner power over the past decade, largely driven by deregulation of the electricity market, the construction of the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone transmission lines, and technological progress within the clean energy sector. It breaks down Texas’ current energy mix and provides actions the state can take to fill the gap toward compliance, starting with retaining our existing electric market structure and related energy policies.

The report recommends steps Texas can take to meet the Clean Power Plan standards based on forecasts from Texas’ grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, and using an industry-vetted model from MJ Bradley & Associates. Results show the Clean Power Plan will serve to accelerate the existing trends toward a clean energy economy, benefitting Texas’ businesses and communities.

Moreover, Texas can truly seize the clean energy market momentum and realize economic benefits by going beyond compliance. The state could leverage excess energy resources to help other states meet their Clean Power Plan obligations, through exporting excess renewable energy or selling credits for example, thus creating local jobs and spurring the economy here at home.

The report includes:

• Analyses of how different generation mix scenarios contribute toward EPA’s target;
• Projections of massive potential water savings resulting from the transition to cleaner energy; and
• Recommendations for specific ways state policymakers can work toward meeting and capitalizing on Clean Power Plan goals.

(New Orleans – Oct. 9, 2015) A coalition of local and national conservation groups will sponsor paid print and online advertisements in newspapers across south Louisiana this weekend opposing Governor Bobby Jindal’s proposal to redirect money from the Coastal Master Plan to fund the elevation of Louisiana Highway 1.

The Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition – which includes Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society and National Wildlife Federation – implores in the ads “Protect our Coastal Master Plan funding. Tell the Governor NO.”

By asking the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to use any “excess” restoration funds to pay for elevating LA-1, Gov. Jindal is trying to walk away from the state’s commitment to preserve coastal funding for projects in the state’s Master Plan.

“While the money from the BP criminal and civil fines will jumpstart our efforts to restore the coast, it won’t come close to finishing the job. That is why it’s crucial to protect every dime of restoration money,” said Steve Cochran, campaign director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition. “Redirecting funds is a slippery slope that weakens our state’s credibility, threatens our ability to secure future funding and puts our future at risk.”

The print advertisements will run in the Times-Picayune, The Advocate, Plaquemines Gazette, St. Bernard Voice, Daily Comet, Houma Courier and The (Lafayette) Advertiser.

The coalition is also urging the public to write Gov. Jindal in opposition to his plan and to speak out against the proposal at the Oct. 21 meeting of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority in Baton Rouge, when the issue is scheduled to be considered. For more information, visit ProtectTheFunding.org.  

The Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition has also launched the “Restore the Coast” community engagement campaign to highlight the important role Louisiana’s elected officials play in coastal restoration. This multifaceted, nonpartisan education campaign asks voters to sign a pledge urging leaders to: be a voice for coastal restoration, protect existing and secure future coastal restoration funding, and support Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. Learn more at RestoreTheCoast.org.

Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coalition is a joint effort of non-profit organizations made up of science, public policy, economics and outreach experts working to raise awareness and build support for science-based solutions to restore Louisiana’s coast. 

In August of this year, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made history by finalizing the Clean Power Plan, which establishes the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants in the United States. Under these commonsense standards, national carbon pollution levels in the electricity sector will be reduced 32 percent from 2005 levels. As the nation’s #1 electricity consumer and carbon polluter, Texas will need reduce its carbon emissions from the power sector by 33 percent.

It came as no surprise when Texas leaders, such as Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, immediately denounced the plan and decried its failings to ensure reliable electricity at an affordable price.

But what these politicians aren’t acknowledging is: under current market conditions, the Lone Star State is already well on its way toward meeting the Clean Power Plan’s goal, as will be shown in EDF’s new report Well Within Reach: How Texas Can Comply with and Benefit from the Clean Power Plan out October 13, 2015.

Such remarkable progress is possible because Texas has already begun transitioning to a clean energy economy. The state’s abundant clean energy assets – more natural gas and wind power production than any other state, coupled with more potential for solar and energy efficiency – mean Texas can develop a compliance plan that will enable greater use of its own homegrown resources.

EDF’s new report is the result of a series of analyses to determine the Clean Power Plan’s achievability in the state, and outlines steps our leaders can take to cost-effectively comply with and capitalize on the rules, largely through amplifying current trends.

Please join us on Tuesday October 13 to discuss the findings of the report and what the results could mean for Texas’ economy. 

WHO:             
Jim Marston, Vice President, Clean Energy Program, Environmental Defense Fund
John Hall, Texas State Director, Clean Energy Program, Environmental Defense Fund

WHAT:
EDF will hold a telebriefing to go through the findings of and answer questions on a new report detailing how Texas can meet and go beyond the goals of the Clean Power Plan.

WHEN:
Tuesday, October 13^th   
11:00 a.m. Central

WHERE:
To participate, please dial: (888) 795-9722, Conference ID: 57.527.983

(NEW YORK, NY – October 8, 2015) New York Governor Cuomo, joined by Vice President Gore, today announced four major actions to combat climate change and spur clean energy across New York State.

“Governor Cuomo’s climate leadership is making New York a hot-bed of innovation and opportunity in the clean energy economy. The Governor’s commitment to work toward a North American carbon market underscores the importance of putting a price on carbon and highlights the effectiveness of existing cap-and-trade programs, including the nine-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the California-Quebec system. The Under 2 MOU solidifies New York’s ambitious long-term targets to cut pollution and deploy renewable energy, which will deliver tremendous benefits to businesses and communities in the state and set an example for others to follow.”

• Derek Walker, Associate Vice President, Global Climate

(SAN FRANCISCO – October 7, 2015) California Governor Jerry Brown made clean energy history today by signing Senate Bill 350 (SB 350 – De León), one of the strongest renewable power mandates in the country. SB 350 builds on California’s long legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship, requiring the state to double down on energy efficiency and draw half of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 while paving the way for more clean energy to be integrated throughout the regional electric grid.   

“Governor Brown and our legislative leaders are transforming the energy system today to help the world turn the corner on climate change tomorrow. SB 350 is a winning formula for communities, businesses, and the environment, and will serve as a model for other leaders around the country and the world.”

      ·         Diane Regas, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Fund  

NEWS RELEASE 

Data released today by the Environmental Protection Agency once again underscores the need for strong federal rules to reduce the seven million tons of methane pollution U.S. oil and gas operations release into the atmosphere every year. New figures from the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program showed a modest decline in methane emissions, with the largest reductions resulting from “green completion” practices required for new wells under federal clean air standards issued in 2012. The statistics also show an increase in overall greenhouse pollution from oil and gas activities. 

“This data shows that regulations work, and promises of voluntary action don’t,” said Matt Watson, Associate Vice President of EDF’s Climate & Energy Program. “The largest methane reductions come from a practice that is subject to national standards, while the biggest increases come from sources that remain largely unregulated.”

In August, EPA proposed new rules limiting methane emissions from new and modified oil and gas facilities, as part of an ongoing effort to achieve a national emissions reduction goal of 40 to 45 percent over the next 10 years. EPA also proposed guidelines for states to reduce harmful emissions from existing oil and gas facilities in areas that are not meeting national air quality standards for ozone.

“Industry says they can fix the problem on a voluntary basis. The data says they aren’t making anywhere near the progress they need to” Watson said. “Leading states have enacted similar rules for both new and existing oil and gas facilities, and industry has had no trouble meeting them. It’s time to put a national framework in place so operators in every state are taking common sense steps to protect public health and the environment.”

EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program is part of a law signed by President Bush in 2007. The program requires reporting by major industrial sources that emit 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent or more per year – the same amount as consuming 131 rail cars of coal or 58,000 barrels of oil. The data reported today show that about half of the nation’s wells are reporting to the program, and, while this doesn’t provide a comprehensive picture of emissions, the data can help understand emissions trends from significant sources. 

(Washington, D.C. – October 6, 2015) Today Environmental Defense Fund president Fred Krupp joined with a bipartisan group of Senators, leading health and environmental advocates and business representatives to call for swift Senate action on the Lautenberg Act to fix America’s chemical safety law.

“Thanks to the bipartisan efforts of the Senators here today, we’re on the cusp of an historic victory for public health,” said Krupp. “By fixing a chemical safety law that has been broken for almost forty years, the Lautenberg Act would make every American breathe easier about the safety of the products we use at home, at school, and at work. Forty years is long enough: It’s time for the Senate to make history and see to it that a strong bill gets to the President’s desk quickly.”

The bipartisan Lautenberg bill would overhaul the nation’s broken chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA), which turns 39 years old on Oct. 11. The proposal is named for the late Senator Lautenberg, who long pushed to reform TSCA. It currently has the support of 60 Senators – 25 Democrats and 35 Republicans – from 38 states and is ready for a vote on the Senate floor.

Additional resources can be found on EDF’s website, EDF’s Health blog and on fixTSCAnow.org.