Complete list of press releases

(NEW YORK/ LIMA – Dec. 1, 2014)  Delegates meeting in Lima, Peru for this year’s United Nations climate conference (COP-20) will be seeking to build on the momentum created by the recent US-China bilateral agreement, as well as the efforts launched at the Climate Summit held in New York in September, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) said as the talks opened today.

“Lima signals the bell lap in the current round of talks leading to a climate agreement in Paris next year,” said Nathaniel Keohane, vice president for international climate at EDF and a former economic adviser in the Obama administration. “Countries won’t finalize an agreement in Lima, but they should make progress in setting out fundamental elements of such an agreement.”

An important area for discussion concerns the framework that the 2015 agreement will put in place to support and promote ambitious actions by countries to address climate change. An effective framework will elaborate key integrity standards for transparency and environmental efficacy, create incentives for early emissions reductions before 2020, and facilitate the use of well-designed carbon markets to help nations take ambitious action to reduce emissions.

The Lima conference rounds out a year of positive developments in tackling climate change. Last month’s pact between China and the United States to cut their national emissions demonstrated a positive new dynamic of bilateral cooperation between the world’s two largest emitting nations. September’s Climate Summit 2014 hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon served as the launch pad for broad commitments among governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society to curtail climate change. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency introduced the groundbreaking Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the current fleet of U.S. power plants, which account for almost 40 percent of U.S. carbon emissions from energy. The state of California cut by 4% emissions covered by its cap while its gross domestic product grew 2%.

“No single UN agreement will solve climate change,” said Keohane. “What an agreement in Paris can do is build a structure that spurs countries to be more ambitious, makes them accountable for their progress, and gives them the confidence that other countries are taking action as well.  The talks in Lima can lay the groundwork for such an outcome.” 

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Sharyn Stein, 202-572-3396, sstein@edf.org
Elena Craft, 512-691-3462, ecraft@edf.org 

(Washington, D.C. – November 26, 2014) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today took an important step toward protecting millions of Americans from smog.

EPA unveiled a proposal to update our national air quality standards for ground-level ozone, which is more commonly known as smog.

“As we gather with family and friends for the holidays, all Americans can be especially thankful for this important step to reduce smog and secure healthier and longer lives,” said Fred Krupp, president of EDF. “Smog is a dangerous air pollutant that is linked to asthma attacks and other serious heart and lung diseases. Our nation has the innovation and the determination we need to follow the medical science, and protect our children and communities from dangerous smog pollution.”

EPA is proposing updating our national smog standards from their current level of 75 parts per billion to 65 to 70 parts per billion. EPA is also seeking comments on establishing a health standard of 60 parts per billion, and the scientific record shows that this level would provide the strongest public health protections for Americans. EDF recommends that EPA carry out its responsibility under our nation’s clean air laws to follow the science and adopt the health-based standards that will adequately protect all Americans from dangerous smog. 

60 to 70 parts per billion is the health-based range recommended by the statutorily-established Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, an independent panel of the nation’s leading scientists.

Reducing smog consistent with EPA’s proposal would, in the year 2025:

• Prevent up to 4,300 premature deaths
• Prevent up to 960,000 asthma attacks among children
• Prevent up to 2,300 cases of acute bronchitis among children
• Prevent up to one million days when kids miss school
• Provide up to $38 billion in public health benefits

EPA will also accept comments on keeping the existing smog standard, which is 75 parts per billion. However, an extensive body of scientific evidence — including the recommendations of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, and the recommendations of leading medical and health associations like the American Lung Association and the American Thoracic Society – finds that lowering the allowable levels of smog pollution is necessary to protect human health, and finds that exposure to ground-level ozone at the current level of 75 parts per billion can cause serious threats to human health.

The U.S. has already taken steps over the past few years that help to cost-effectively reduce smog pollution and help restore healthy air. Those protections include the Tier 3 tailpipe standards, supported by the U.S. auto industry, which will slash smog-forming pollution from new cars beginning in model year 2017, and EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan which will reduce smog-forming pollutants from power plant smokestacks nationwide.

There will be a 90-day comment period on the proposed updated smog standards. EPA is expected to issue a final decision by Oct. 1, 2015. Read more about today’s proposal on EPA’s website.

The Florida Public Service Commission, the agency charged with regulating utilities in the Sunshine State, this week terminated a program that provided incentives to customers for purchasing solar panels for their homes and businesses.

“Florida uses more electricity than most other states. Including more solar power in Florida’s energy mix could help the state meet its rising energy needs while reducing harmful pollution and creating jobs at the same time. By discontinuing incentives for solar energy, the state is limiting the opportunities for Floridians to reap the many benefits of a clean energy economy.

“The solar industry should be booming in the Sunshine State, but instead Florida is taking a step backward.”

·        Michael Regan, Senior Director, Clean Energy

NEWS RELEASE 

Contact:
Vickie Patton, 720-837-6239, vpatton@edf.org
Sharyn Stein, 202-572-3396, sstein@edf.org

(Washington, D.C. – November 25, 2014) The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will review an April decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholding the historic protections against mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants, granting requests for review that were submitted by the National Mining Association, the Utility Air Regulatory Group, and various states.    

Environmental Defense Fund is a party to this case and presented oral argument in defense of these protections in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

The landmark U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards were upheld by that court in April.

“Mercury and other air toxins from coal-fired power plants are a threat to public health, and all Americans must be protected from them,” said Vickie Patton, General Counsel for Environmental Defense Fund. “EPA’s life-saving limits on mercury, arsenic and acid gases from smokestacks are thoroughly anchored in law and science, and we look forward to presenting a compelling case for these vital clean air safeguards to the Supreme Court.”

The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards set the first-ever national limits on some of the most dangerous types of air pollution emitted by power plants, including mercury, arsenic and acid gases. Power plants are responsible for more than half of the mercury, arsenic and acid gases emitted in America.

Those substances are all highly toxic to humans; mercury, in particular, causes brain damage in children.

When implemented, EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards will prevent up to 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks and 130,000 asthma attacks every year. Every dollar spent on complying with the rule will result in as much as nine dollars in health benefits for Americans.

Most power plants in the U.S. are already on track to comply with these life-saving standards. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that by the end of 2012 (which is more than two years ahead of the April 2015 compliance deadline),“64.3% of the U.S. coal generating capacity in the electric power sector already had the appropriate environmental control equipment to comply with the MATS [Mercury and Air Toxics Standards].”

In spite of that, industry and other groups challenged the standards. EPA defended them, along with a coalition of 16 states and the District of Columbia, power companies, medical and public health advocates, and environmental organizations – including EDF.

On April 15, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favor of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

You can find more about the history of the case and all the legal briefs on EDF’s website.

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Sharyn Stein, 202-572-3396, sstein@edf.org 

(Washington, D.C. – November 19, 2014) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) applauds Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) for their work to address the dangers of climate change.

The Senators introduced the American Opportunity and Carbon Fee Acttoday. The bill would reduce emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas and also cover the largest emitters of non-fossil-fuel sources.

“This legislation would make a big difference to reduce climate pollution, protect our children’s future, and boost job-creating clean energy solutions. We look forward to working with the sponsors and all Members of Congress to help make good climate bills even better,” said Elizabeth Thompson, EDF Vice President, Climate and Political Affairs. “Senators Whitehouse and Schatz are rising to the challenge by introducing their new bill. Their action is the kind of leadership that Americans need from Congress.”

We are very pleased that the Senate has rejected an attempt to bypass the rigorous review process that both Republican and Democratic administrations have used for decades, and force approval for the Keystone pipeline. We believe the pipeline is the wrong choice for America, a step in the wrong direction at a time when we need a rapid shift to clean energy in order to safeguard the climate and our economy.

(AUSTIN – November 17, 2014) The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) released a report today that looks at the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed carbon pollution standards, or “Clean Power Plan.” The Clean Power Plan is a critical step to reduce climate pollution emitted from U.S. power plants, one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases in the world.

In the report, ERCOT, which manages 90 percent of Texas’ electric grid, claims that the changes needed to electric grid infrastructure and the shift toward low-carbon energy resources pose reliability concerns. However, innovative power companies in the state are already proving that a low-carbon energy portfolio does not equal an unreliable power grid. Several electric utilities in the state have been preparing for a low-carbon future by retiring inefficient, water-intensive coal plants, installing more solar energy, and adopting more energy management programs. Today they are reaping the benefits of fixed, low energy prices, now and into the future.      

The good news is that Texas is able to deploy flexible compliance mechanisms, many of which can be added very quickly, such as energy efficiency and demand response, as well as increase the utilization of lower-emitting generation sources, such as Texas’ abundant renewable energy and responsibly-drilled natural gas. Some recent, notable clean energy milestones in Texas include:

• Austin Energy’s 150-megawatt solar energy project priced at $0.05/kWh (which is cheaper than $0.07/kWh for natural gas, $0.10 /kWh for coal, and $0.13 /kWh for nuclear);
• The Competitive Renewable Energy Zone that could lead to 7.5 gigawatts of new wind generation over the next three years and potentially up to 16 gigawatts of new wind generation over time; and  
• The 25 gigawatts of new wind projects currently in ERCOT’s planning process.

“Texas boasts one of the most competitive electric grids in the nation, primarily because it values a diverse energy portfolio and robust infrastructure. EPA’s Clean Power Plan presents another opportunity for ERCOT to lead the nation by amplifying current trends, namely harnessing more West Texas wind energy and natural gas, tapping into the state’s solar energy potential, and building out its energy efficiency programs. The Plan also offers enough flexibility for a ‘Made in Texas” solution designed to achieve much-needed carbon reductions without hindering reliability.”

“But Texas needs action today, not continued foot-dragging, to seize this opportunity and design a compliance plan that ensures the state’s energy resources are reliable and fully sufficient. Reliability of the power grid is best protected when state utility commissions and state air agencies are empowered with flexible standards to craft customized solutions. Texas needs more leadership from ERCOT to prove, once again, it has the ingenuity to implement new technologies on the power grid and keep the state humming.”

• Jim Marston, Director of EDF’s Texas Office 

EDF applauds President Obama for the United States’ pledge of $3 billion dollars to the Green Climate Fund. Building on the Administration’s landmark agreement with China earlier this week, the President is demonstrating U.S. leadership that can ultimately help bring the world together to tackle a unifying problem – global climate change.   

This pledge builds upon the momentum from President Bush’s commitment of $2 billion dollars to the World Bank’s Climate Investment Fund in 2008, along with the Obama Administration’s $6 billion in Fast Start Climate Finance over the period 2010-2012. In line with earlier funding, the Administration’s new pledge will advance America’s national interest by helping developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.  

The fund, which is being established by contributions from countries around the world, is managed by an independent board that includes a Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury, along with representatives from the private sector and civil society.

Addressing climate change is every country’s responsibility. With this week’s events, we have taken a great step toward that united effort.

NEWS RELEASE 

Contact:
Lauren Whittenberg, 512-691-3437, lwhittenberg@edf.org
Sharyn Stein, 202-572-3396, sstein@edf.org

(Washington, D.C. – Nov. 14, 2014) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today signed two actions that will increase the accountability and rigor of measures requiring oil and gas companies to report methane emissions annually to its Greenhouse Gas Reporting program.

“These new EPA reporting requirements enhance the transparency and rigor of publicly available methane emissions data. But these important reporting requirements are not a substitute for action to reduce emissions. It is critical that EPA move ahead with commonsense clean air measures to reduce methane emissions from the nation’s largest industrial source and to protect the health of our communities,” said Peter Zalzal, senior attorney at Environmental Defense Fund.

In the first action, EPA finalized a rule eliminating certain monitoring methods for oil and gas sources (known as “Best Available Monitoring Methods” or BAMM), which had allowed the use of unreliable reporting methods to calculate emissions. Under the new requirement, all sources must deploy standardized monitoring methods that will enhance the rigor and transparency of methane emissions data from the oil and gas sector.

EPA’s second action proposed methane reporting requirements for additional, important emissions sources in the oil and gas sector — including gathering and boosting equipment, completions at oil wells, and certain transmission sources. The proposal also invites comment on cutting-edge, advanced monitoring methods, which can help promote real-time understanding of methane leaks.   

Methane is more than 80 times more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide after it is released over the short-term.Targeting achievable reductions would provide a significant climate benefit over the next 20 years, equivalent to eliminating the carbon dioxide pollution from about 90 coal-fired power plants. Methane pollution controls would also bring important public health benefits for communities located near oil and gas development, by simultaneously cutting smog-forming and cancer-causing pollutants from the oil and gas sector.

Extensive scientific analysis shows that the U.S. needs to adopt commonsense emission standards for the oil and gas industry to eliminate waste and protect human health and the environment. Cost-effective solutions are at hand that will eliminate methane leaks, and create jobs at the same time. 

In March of 2014, a report by ICF International found that proven, low-cost technologies could cut methane emissions by 40 percent while also reducing smog-forming and carcinogenic air pollutants.

Another report, released in October, demonstrated that American companies and workers are ready, willing, and able to provide the technology and services oil and gas companies will need to deploy these solutions.   

A broad set of stakeholders—from labor unions to financial institutions—have already urged strong actions to mitigate methane pollution.

Earlier this year, the White House announced the President’s Methane Strategy, which indicates that EPA will decide how to best pursue additional methane reductions from the oil and gas sector by fall of 2014.

(NEWARK, November 12, 2014) Governor Christie’s Administration, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and the New Jersey Institute of Technology today host the first-of-its-kind Resilience Finance Symposium, convening leaders in the energy, finance, and public policy fields to discuss innovative ways to finance resilient energy systems that can help protect vulnerable regions from the loss of electric power due to devastating extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy. The symposium will focus on financing solutions that increase the resilience of energy infrastructure such as microgrids, energy storage, and on-site, distributed generation.

“Rebuilding stronger and more resiliently has been a hallmark of the Christie Administration’s strategy for recovering from Superstorm Sandy,” said Terrence Brody, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding. “Maintaining power at critical facilities during major storms is crucial to ensure the health and safety of New Jersey residents during future storms. The Administration created the New Jersey Energy Resilience Bank to help fund innovative energy technologies that will remain operational during blackouts, and we continue to seek partnerships that will enhance New Jersey’s defenses against powerful storms such as Sandy.”

More than 150 attendees from the public, private, and non-profit sectors will hear keynote remarks from Ken Alston, Senior Advisor for Finance in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy.

“Since Superstorm Sandy, New Jersey has been working hard to increase the resilience of the state’s energy infrastructure with the expanded use of microgrids and energy storage. As today’s gathering of thought leaders from the public and private sector shows, momentum is building for a smarter, more efficient energy infrastructure that can hold up when New Jerseyans need it most,” said Mary Barber, EDF Director, New Jersey Clean Energy. “We look forward to continue working closely with the Governor’s office on resilient energy solutions.”

Mr. Brody and Mitch Carpen, Executive Director of the New Jersey Energy Resilience Bank, will discuss the considerable progress New Jersey has made in making its energy infrastructure more resilient in the two years since Superstorm Sandy. Alfred Griffin, President, NY Green Bank, and Bryan Garcia, President and Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Green Bank, will discuss the key role private sector capital can play in financing clean energy and resiliency solutions.

“The Center for Resilient Design at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is thrilled to host the Resilience Finance Symposium. As we continue to rebuild and recover two years into the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, our College of Architecture and Design students and faculty are dedicated to creating and promoting resilient designs and infrastructure that can withstand both natural and man-made disasters,” said Thomas G. Dallessio, director of NJIT’s Center for Resilient Design. “The New Jersey Energy Resilience Bank is critically needed to provide the financing necessary to design and build the next generation of resilient, energy-efficient infrastructure.”  

(BEIJING – November 12, 2014)  Environmental Defense Fund welcomed the continued dialogue on climate change between President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Beijing, calling US-China cooperation essential to achieving the deep emissions reductions that climate science tells us are urgently needed.

 “We’re seeing the emergence of an enormously positive new dynamic between the U.S. and China: bilateral cooperation that includes specific actions within each country,” said EDF President Fred Krupp.

“As we look ahead to the Paris climate talks in late 2015, this level of cooperation between the two largest emitting nations is unprecedented—and essential. But more leadership will be needed. The focus between now and the Paris meeting should be to ensure that commitments from the US, China and all countries are equal to the urgency and magnitude of the problem.”

Separately, APEC issued a Leader’s Declaration announcing the creation of a Cooperation Network on Green Supply Chain, designed to build capacity and share information among APEC members and stakeholders. EDF hailed the endorsement of Tianjin Green Supply Chain Service Center, which EDF helped establish, as the first pilot center for this Cooperation Network.

“Given the growth of trade – both within Asia and between Asia and the rest of the world – using energy efficiency improvements to green the supply chain is a critical step in reducing the carbon footprint of trade,” said EDF China Program Director Zhang Jianyu. “It is also is a practical step forward to green development in the region.”

(BOSTON – November 10, 2014) The National Marine Fisheries Service announced an emergency measure today that will prohibit cod fishing in a large portion of the Gulf of Maine starting November 13, 2014 through May 12, 2015. The action was taken in response to an updated assessment of the cod population’s health that shows continued declines. 

Statement from Matt Mullin, northeast regional director, Oceans, Environmental Defense Fund:

“It is clear that Gulf of Maine cod are in crisis and moving towards collapse. Only bold and immediate action can give hope to this fishery, and all who depend on its long-term health. The alternative – a collapse in the fishery like we saw in Newfoundland – is not acceptable for the industry, or for the environment. No one wants to see fishermen put out of business.

“EDF supports the emergency measures implementing time and area closures for all commercial and recreational boats in the Gulf of Maine. But closures alone are not enough. While we acknowledge that trip limits are intended as a short-term fix only, they will not work and put fishermen in an impossible situation. Today we are calling for a significant change to address a fundamental flaw in New England fisheries management: we must act immediately to secure 100 percent monitoring of groundfish fishing boats and bring New England groundfish management into line with national best practice.

“Right now, New England has only 20 percent of fishing boats monitored. That has proved to be a management failure, leaving us unsure what is being caught, and what is being thrown back into the sea.  Full monitoring of this fishery won’t be without budgetary and administrative challenges. But this fishery and this moment are too important not to rise to this urgent challenge. The time for tinkering at the edges is over.”

WHAT:
Governor Christie’s Administration, Environmental Defense Fund, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology to host a Resilience Finance Symposium, featuring Ken Alston, Senior Advisor for Finance in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Solutions that increase the resiliency of energy systems like energy storage and on-site, distributed generation help protect vulnerable regions from the loss of electric power due to devastating extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy. This symposium will convene senior Christie administration officials and other leaders in the energy, finance, and public policy fields to discuss innovative ways that New Jersey and other states in the country are currently financing resilient energy systems that can withstand the effects of future extreme weather events.

WHEN:
Wednesday, November 12^th at 8:00AM (ET)

WHO:             
Ken Alston, Senior Advisor for Finance in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy
Terrence Brody, Executive Director, New Jersey Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding
Mitch Carpen, Executive Director of the New Jersey Energy Resilience Bank
Cheryl Roberto, Associate Vice President, Clean Energy, Environmental Defense Fund
Alfred Griffin, President, New York Green Bank
Bryan Garcia, President and Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Green Bank

WHERE:        
New Jersey Institute of Technology, College of Architecture and Design, Weston Hall
University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102 

(BRUSSELS – November 5, 2014) Environmental Defence Fund Europe/UK today introduced the Investor Confidence Project Europe to boost private capital investment in European energy efficiency renovation projects, a move that could help Europe meet its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 90% from buildings by 2050.

“The potential for renovating buildings in Europe to save money, reduce carbon emissions, and create jobs is huge and largely untapped,” said Panama Bartholomy, Director, Investor Confidence Project Europe. “We are working with European industry leaders to help fuel the growth of the energy efficiency market by removing barriers to investment so that Europe can achieve its carbon targets quickly and affordably.”

Estimates project that large-scale European energy efficiency efforts could reduce carbon emissions by 932 million metric tons, equivalent to taking nearly 200 million cars off the road, and creating more than a million jobs in the building industry by 2050.

The Investor Confidence Project Europe is designed to establish standard protocols for developing and measuring energy efficiency projects in Europe. Standardisation will streamline energy renovation transactions and increase the reliability of projected energy savings, resulting in lower operating costs, higher market value, and a significantly lower carbon footprint. Over the long-term, the initiative aims to create a unique asset class that will enable capital markets to invest in energy efficiency projects.  

“The Investor Confidence Project Europe will address some of the larger barriers that have prevented projects from reaching their investment potential by providing key decision makers in business and finance with clear business cases and confidence in performance measurement and risk management,” said Stephen Hibbert, Global Head of Energy and Carbon Efficiency, ING Commercial Banking. “We are enthused to be a member of the steering group and look forward to sharing our experience and playing our part in building an effective market for energy efficiency finance.”

Other steering group advisors include: Green Investment Bank, Plus Ultra Asset Management, eu.ESCO, Climate Strategy, Siemens, ARUP, European Association of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings, RdA Climate Solutions, E.ON, Building Performance Institute of Europe, and United Kingdom Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The Investor Confidence Project Europe grew out of demand from the European investment and energy efficiency communities and is modeled after a similar Environmental Defense Fund programme in the United States. The Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group – convened by the European Commission and United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative – identified the U.S. program in its report, Energy Efficiency - the first fuel for the EU economy, as a model industry best practice and called for a similar initiative across Europe.

The U.S.-based program currently partners with hundreds of private sector allies, including energy service providers, building owners, and finance companies. Building on the success of this approach in the United States, the Investor Confidence Project Europe will help scale this initiative globally by bringing together key stakeholders in the energy efficiency industry to establish standard protocols for developing energy efficiency projects in Europe. For more information on the Investor Confidence Project Europe, visit www.EEperformance.org/europe.