Complete list of press releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Washington DC – June 3, 2009)  Businesses across the country will gain insights and share ideas on innovative environmental strategies through regional meetings this summer. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Ashoka will host a series of “unconferences” that bring together professionals engaged in making their companies and industries more efficient and sustainable, keeping them on the cutting-edge of innovation.  The meetings will take place in Washington, DC, Boston, Silicon Valley and Austin. 

Unlike traditional conferences, the EDF/Ashoka events will not include formal panels or speeches.  Also known as “learning labs,” unconferences are organized in a participatory format in which all participants will have an opportunity to share, problem-solve, network, collaborate and learn, focused on the topics of greatest interest to them—from packaging and product innovation to supply chain sustainability to advances in operational efficiency and beyond.

“Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes, from employees at all levels within companies,” said David Witzel, director of the EDF Innovation Exchange. “The goal of these events is to capture the powerful energy and innovation that we’re seeing at the intersection of business and the environment, helping to drive industry-wide change.” 

Sign up for the EDF/Ashoka events is available at the links below:
June 11 in Washington, DC:  http://greeninnovators-dc.eventbrite.com
June 22 in Boston, MA:  http://greeninnovators-bos.eventbrite.com
July 17 in Silicon Valley, CA:  http://greeninnovators-sv.eventbrite.com
September 10 in Austin, TX: http://greeninnovators-aus.eventbrite.com

Participants will share new ideas for saving and making money while helping the environment; learn practical lessons about what does and doesn’t work in trying to make a company more sustainable; and develop new relationships with partners and colleagues in other businesses as well as non-profits, academics and government.

Designed to be accessible to all in these lean times, Green Innovation in Business unconferences offer registration fees that range from free to up to $75, depending on the location.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Lori Sinsley, (415) 293-6097-w, (415) 308-6970-c, lsinsley@edf.org

Congestion Pricing Is Most Effective When Fairness
Concerns Addressed Early, New Study Finds

Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis–St. Paul, San Francisco, Seattle Have Received Funding to Implement Congestion Pricing

(San Francisco – June 2, 2009) Congestion pricing to improve traffic flow is most effective when transportation planners incorporate equity goals into the early planning stages of a pricing program, according to a new study produced by the RAND Corporation and sponsored by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Congestion pricing is a proven, effective tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from traffic, to unclog city streets, and to finance a new generation of transportation infrastructure in cities worldwide, including London, Singapore and Stockholm.

The report is timely because the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Urban Partnership program recently began providing hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to six metropolitan areas – Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis–St. Paul, San Francisco and Seattle – willing to implement congestion pricing. Congress also must reauthorize the federal transportation bill before the current $286 billion bill expires on September 30.

“This study of all the literature on the subject shows that congestion pricing can reduce congestion, reduce air pollution and improve mobility and access for everyone. Planners just have to design the system with these goals in mind,” said Kathryn Phillips, an EDF transportation policy advocate. “Congress should give states and cities freedom to experiment with pricing on all roads to reduce traffic gridlock’s drag on the economy, reduce our oil dependence, and cut pollution, especially in communities with heavy traffic congestion.”

Transportation policymakers adopt congestion pricing – charging drivers more to travel particular routes at peak travel times – to reduce traffic gridlock and air and global warming pollution, and to raise money for transportation projects, especially mass transit. However, since these policies impose a cost on driving in a location that previously was free, critics often suggest that it will disproportionately impact lower-income drivers, so some would be “priced off” the roads.

Fortunately, these potential inequities can be offset. A study of New York City’s proposed cordon pricing system – a form of congestion pricing in which drivers would pay to enter a cordoned area (i.e., the central business district) – found it to be more fair geographically than the city’s current toll system, which allows people driving from some parts of New York to drive into Manhattan for free.

Since equity is so specific to individual regions, policymakers responsible for developing a congestion pricing proposal should:

1. Test it through modeling to determine who tends to pay charges and whether low-income or other transportation-disadvantaged groups are disproportionately affected.
2. Conduct sufficient outreach so that residents understand the proposal and have opportunities to offer suggestions.
3. Monitor equity after congestion pricing is implemented, and change the system periodically if the initial tools to promote equitable outcomes are not meeting their goals.

Three methods to promote equitable outcomes include:

1. Revenue Redistribution:
Among existing congestion pricing implementations, the most common way to redistribute revenues is through public spending on specific transportation-related improvements. London uses most of its congestion pricing revenues to fund enhanced bus service.
2. Discounts and Exemptions:
San Francisco is considering a congestion pricing plan that would exempt taxis from the fee, and offer discounts to low income and disabled drivers.
3. Other Tools:
New York City’s cordon pricing proposal included a recommendation for a residential parking-permit program and monitoring of its results to prevent residents of outer neighborhoods from driving into and parking in communities just outside the cordon to avoid the cordon fees.

###

Environmental Defense Fund, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense Fund has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. For more information, visit www.edf.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(San Francisco – June 2, 2009) Twenty-six business students will spend their summer break working with companies across the country to cut energy use, save money and enhance operational efficiency.

Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) innovative 10-week Climate Corps program trains MBA students in energy-efficient strategies and embeds them with leading corporations to analyze the most effective ways to consume less energy. Saving energy means less carbon dioxide pollution, the leading cause of global warming.

Climate Corps “fellows” will spend their summer working at companies including Accenture, Cisco Systems, Dell, EMC Corporation, HP, Intuit Inc., National Instruments, salesforce.com and Sodexo, among many others. The MBA students selected this year come from top-tier schools such as Cornell University, Rice University, the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University and Yale University. (A full list of 2009 Climate Corps companies and schools is available at edf.org/climatecorps.)

In 2008, Climate Corps fellows analyzed efficiencies in lighting, computer equipment and heating/cooling systems that could help host companies save $35 million in net operational costs over five years. Visit edf.org/climatecorps for the full results of last year’s internships.

“Climate Corps fellows will help companies look at their day-to-day operations with a green lens, finding cost-effective ways to reduce their energy use,” said Millie Chu Baird, EDF Climate Corps project manager. “Our host companies recognize that saving energy means saving money. The fellows bring a knowledgeable set of hands to turn opportunity into reality.”

To prepare the fellows for their summer positions, EDF recently held a three-day training in San Francisco where experts instructed the 2009 fellows in everything from energy units and conversions to lighting technology to leasing structures and implications.

“Cisco has a high level of commitment to reducing the impact of its operations and products on the environment. Much of our success in this area is due to the valuable contributions and commitment of our employees. With a Climate Corps fellow, our second in as many years, we are looking forward to further enhancing our green program effort,” said John Hailey from Cisco Systems. “Every step we take towards further eliminating inefficient energy practices is a step in the right direction.”

To identify and select fellows for the program this year, EDF partnered with Net Impact, a preeminent network of MBA students and corporate leaders using the power of business to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable world. Currently in its second year, the EDF Climate Corps program has almost quadrupled in size, from seven interns working with seven companies in 2008 to 26 interns working with 23 companies this summer.

“The rapid growth of the Climate Corps program is a powerful testament to the value these fellows provide to their host companies,” said Liz Maw, executive director, Net Impact. “At the same time, these interns gain superb experience in business operations, finance and environmental strategy that will help them develop into the next generation of business leaders.”

Climate Corps fellows will begin their internships within the next two weeks and will remain on site with their host companies through mid-to-late August. This year’s Climate Corps fellows will be sharing experiences and insights from their internships throughout the summer through the EDF Innovations Exchangeblog and also through Twitter. For more information on the program overall, visit edf.org/climatecorps.

Companies participating in the 2009 Climate Corps program include: Accenture, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), Ahold USA, Biltmore Farms, Cisco Systems, Dell, eBay Inc., EMC Corporation, Genzyme, Grubb Properties, Houston Rockets/Toyota Center, HP, Inuit Inc., National Instruments, North Carolina Central University, Raytheon Company, salesforce.com, Savvis, Shorenstein Realty Services L.P., Sodexo, Sony Pictures Entertainment, SunGard and TXU Energy.

###

All trademarks, including company names, are the property of their respective owners.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
Contact
Tony Kreindler, Environmental Defense Fund, (202) 445-8108, tkreindler@edf.org

(Washington – May 21, 2009) The House Energy and Commerce Committee today approved landmark climate change legislation with a mandatory cap on global warming pollution, successfully bridging regional differences among its diverse membership to produce a strong bill that can win broad support in the House and serve as a template for quick Senate action.

“The committee today put climate legislation on the path to the President’s desk,” said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund. “Chairmen Waxman and Markey have forged common ground on a common-sense, effective approach to capping carbon pollution.”  
 
The Waxman-Markey bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, draws on key provisions of a legislative blueprint negotiated by the 25 leading companies from every sector of the U.S. economy and the five non-profit groups in the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, including Environmental Defense Fund. Committee action on the bill also drew support from labor unions like the United Auto Workers and the Steelworkers, faith groups, and state and local officials.

“An extraordinarily broad coalition wants to enact a declining emissions cap this year, and this vote is a giant step toward that goal. Congress and the Obama administration are now in position to pass a declining cap that will begin to break our addiction to foreign oil and create new jobs for U.S. manufacturers,” Krupp said.

“As the President’s economic advisors said this week, a cap on global warming pollution is essential to our economic recovery and our long-term financial health. The economic benefits of a cap are too big to pass up, and the costs of inaction on climate are too big to ignore,” Krupp added.

The centerpiece of the Waxman-Markey bill is mandatory and declining cap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050. Strong short-term targets help ensure that we avoid dangerous and irreversible climate change, and they kick-start investment in clean energy technologies and new jobs for U.S. manufacturers.

The bill also includes a smart plan to protect consumers and keep electricity rates low. The bill makes the majority of the value of emissions permits available to end-use energy consumers through their regulated local utilities. EPA estimates that a well-designed cap that returns permit value to consumers can be achieved for as little as $98 per household per year – about a dime a day per person.

“Billions of dollars will flow to new energy projects and technologies when we give certainty to companies for their investment decisions.  By passing a bill this year, thousands of jobs will be created in the U.S. next year and for years to come,” Krupp said.

###

Environmental Defense Fund, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense Fund has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. For more information, visit www.edf.org.

FOR RELEASE

May 19, 2009     

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Contact
Tony Kreindler, Media Director (202) 445-8108, tkreindler@edf.org

 President Forges Common Ground with Diverse Regional Interests on Climate Security

Agreement Slashes Greenhouse Gases, Revs Up Drive to National Legislation

(Washington, D.C. — May 18, 2009).   Today, President Barack Obama forged an historic blueprint to carry out rigorous greenhouse gas emission standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks while giving the nation’s auto makers the certainty of unified regulatory standards.

The agreement achieves a pivotal break through in the debate to secure national climate legislation by addressing major concerns of Midwestern and coastal congressional representatives. The White House estimates the new federal car standards, to be implemented in model years 2012-2016, will reduce greenhouse gases by 900 million metric tons, comparable to removing 177 million cars from the road or retiring 194 coal-fired power plants.  

“The White House forged a new agreement by bringing together broad bipartisan geopolitical interests,” said Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense Fund. “By finding common ground with midwestern auto makers, heartland labor interests, coastal Governors, and environmentalists, the White House and Congressional leaders are bringing diverse interests together, adding momentum to the drive for comprehensive climate legislation.”

Major Progress Under Federal Standards. The new federal program would be expressed both in greenhouse gas emission standards administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and fuel economy standards administered by the Department of Transportation.   The White House estimates the standards would achieve a five percent annual improvement in fuel economy from today’s fleet average of 25.1 miles per gallon (mpg) to 35.5 mpg in 2016.   For passenger cars, the standards are increased from 27.5 mpg to 39 mpg, and passenger trucks increase 23.l to 30 mpg.  

California’s Clean Car Standards. The national fleetwide greenhouse gas emission standards in 2016 are comparable to those called for under California’s clean car standards.  Under the agreement, EPA would grant California’s request to enforce its state clean car standards while the U.S. develops harmonized national emission standards and fuel economy standards under federal law.   From model years 2012-2016, California would defer to the comparable federal program.   Significantly, the nation’s auto makers would drop long-standing litigation over the state clean car standards.  

History of the California Clean Car Program. In 2005, California asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to grant a preemption waiver under the Clean Air Act to enable California’s enforcement of the nation’s first ever program to reduce global warming pollution from motor vehicles.   Under federal law, EPA shall grant California’s request to administer more protective motor vehicle emission standards unless EPA affirmatively finds that the state does not need the standards to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions.   EPA denied California’s request in 2008, the first time in over thirty years EPA has issued a denial despite reviewing more than 50 waiver requests from California.

President Obama asked EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to re-consider this denial.   EPA is required to make a final decision by June 30th.

Thirteen states across the country have adopted California’s standards and are waiting final action by EPA action to enforce the greenhouse gas emission limitations, including:  Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.   Collectively, motor vehicles in these states comprise about 40 percent of the U.S. market.

The U.S. auto industry has undertaken extensive litigation challenging the states’ clean cars program in courts nationwide.

###

Environmental Defense Fund, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense Fund has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. For more information, visit www.edf.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Scott Anderson, Environmental Defense Fund, 512.691.3410-w or 512.699.1077-c
Media Contact: Chris Smith, Environmental Defense Fund, 512.691.3451-w or 512.659.9264-c or csmith@edf.org

(WASHINGTON D.C. – May 14, 2009) – Praising the initiative that a pending Senate bill provides on carbon capture and sequestration risk management and the development of corresponding market-based solutions, Senior Policy Advisor Scott Anderson with Environmental Defense Fund testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in support of S. 1013.

“We are pleased that this bill helps explain the difference between two geologic sequestration issues that are often confused,” Anderson said. The two issues are 1) the need for long-term site maintenance after sequestration sites are successfully closed; and 2) the need for project developers to manage the risk of liability for damages resulting from their activities.

Anderson was invited to testify on Senate Bill 1013, the Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Sequestration Program Amendments Act of 2009, and stated that EDF believes the bill offers a “measured response” to barriers faced by some early project movers at a time when private sector insurance options are not fully developed.

“In the long run, we believe a market-based solution for risk management should be our goal,” Anderson said. “This model is healthier for taxpayers, parties who may suffer damages, and the industry itself than would be a system where firms routinely depend on the government to absolve them of the consequences of their actions.”

While EDF supports CCS development, Anderson also testified, “We aren’t champions of coal, but we are realists. Since the transition away from fossil fuels is likely to take a very long time, we foresee a long-term need to deal with coal-based emissions.”

EDF considers CCS to be an important part of reducing the climate impact of coal, the world’s most abundant but most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and accommodating it to a carbon-constrained future.

Full testimony by Scott Anderson is available in PDF format at: http://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/9741_ccs-anderson-senate-testimony-2009-may-12.pdf
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Chris Smith, 512.691.3451-w or 512.659.9264-c or csmith@edf.org

(Austin – May 12, 2009) – Today the Texas Senate passed a bill that supporters say further positions the state to maintain its leadership in renewable energy – first from wind, now from solar and other renewables.

With wide-ranging support from industry and environmentalists, S.B. 541 calls for 1,500 megawatts of non-wind, renewable energy building upon the immensely successful Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) passed nearly a decade ago, and represents an important milestone as Texas transitions to a new, clean energy economy.

The undersigned organizations join in their support of a 1,500 megawatt ‘tier 2’ goal for renewable energy and now call upon the Texas House to quickly pass the bill so that Texas can immediately begin bringing in more green jobs:
Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA)
Texas Business for Clean Air
Bright Source Energy, Inc.
Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition
Environment Texas
Environmental Defense Fund
Public Citizen
Sierra Club

“Statewide businesses belonging to Texas Business for Clean Air (TBCA) are committed to bringing more renewable energy jobs and manufacturing to Texas, and we feel a market-driven, 1,500 megawatt RPS for emerging renewable energy is the most cost-effective approach, as the previous RPS has proven.” Texas Businesses for Clean Air

“Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition support Senator Watson’s RPS bill as an important step toward cleaning the air in Texas. S.B. 541 has the right combination of maximum customer protection, and maximum environmental impact by emphasizing renewable energy performance. This policy will offset over 7 Million tons of CO₂ by 2020 and have a significant impact on NOx and particulate matter emissions for the state of Texas.” Linda Koop, Dallas Councilmember and Chair of Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition

“BrightSource Energy and Tessera Solar, two significant concentrating solar energy companies, applaud Sen. Kirk Watson and the Texas Senate for passing legislation that would create a 1,500 MW non-wind RPS goal to be achieved by 2020 and believe it will accelerate the development of large-scale solar projects in Texas. We believe utility-scale solar power can harness the power of the sun for all Texans and bring the value of renewable energy diversity to the Lone Star State.” Official Joint Statement, BrightSource and Tessera Solar North America

“Texas Renewable Energy Industry Association (TREIA) and its broad membership base strongly support an RPS for all renewable technologies that were not able to compete in the original program. As the state has shown in its leadership with wind generation, the RPS model works well and effectively in Texas and is the most market-driven of incentive programs.” Bob Webb, President, Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association

“As industry and environmental advocates, we are confident that the Watson bill represents the right mix for Texas business, economy and environment, and we’re excited to support this pro-business, pro-environment solution.” Jim Marston, Regional Director for Environmental Defense Fund

“Emerging Renewable resources such as solar can lead to lower costs for consumers in four ways: by reducing peak power costs, reducing the amount of natural gas being used for electricity, reducing costs for industrial and agricultural consumers; and by reducing pollution costs.” Tom “Smitty” Smith, Director of Public Citizen’s Texas Office

“Texas has fallen behind in the development of emerging renewable energy technologies such as solar, geothermal and biomass power. We’re tied with Wisconsin and Washington for ninth place in solar and don’t even register in the top rankings for biomass and geothermal. That’s not just a blow to Texas pride, that’s the potential loss of billions of investment and tens of thousands of jobs.” Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas.

“While Texas has installed more renewable energy than any other state because of large-scale wind development in West Texas, Texas trails other states like New Mexico, California, New York and Colorado in the development of biomass, geothermal and solar energy. A second-tier renewable portfolio standard like the Texas Senate has just passed with SB 541 would help jumpstart these industries in Texas and prepare Texas for the expected federal Renewable Electricity Standard and carbon cap and trade legislation currently being debated in Congress.” Cyrus Reed, Conservation Director of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

• Provide technical support to state, local, and tribal health departments in forecasting local effects, developing preparedness plans, and communicating with the public about the health effects of climate change;
• Develop training programs for public health professionals on the health risks and interventions related to climate change;
• Enhance domestic and international tracking capacity for infectious diseases and environmental health indicators;
• Contract with the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine to prepare a report that assesses the needs for health professionals to prepare for and respond to climate change impacts on public health and recommends programs to meet those needs. The report would be due within 18 months after the bill becomes law.