
Energy and Environment News
January 22, 2015
Top Stories
Climate Change. The Senate voted yesterday on three nonbinding amendments addressing the scientific consensus of climate change, and rejected the most politically contentious amendment stating that climate change is real and that human activity significantly contributes to it. While the amendments have no chance of becoming law in light of a veto threat from President Obama, the votes nevertheless contributed to a strategy by Democrats to put Republicans on record about an issue that divides the party. WSJ
Oil. Anna Mikulska and Jim Krane warn against making long-term energy-related decisions based on recent falling oil prices, which are likely a short-term phenomenon. They cite three specific examples where consumers and policymakers appear to be reacting to low oil prices: (1) recent spikes in low fuel-economy, large-model car sales (2) proposed legislation involving a hike in gasoline prices; and (3) popular sentiments that Keystone XL pipeline is no longer necessary. Forbes
Climate Change. Given that the Obama administration is expected to make its final emissions-cutting targets for the power industry this summer, two charitable groups – the Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Heising-Simons Foundation – are donating $48 million over the next three years to help states reduce emissions from electricity production. The money will likely provide technical assistance, including economic forecasting and legal analysis, to roughly twelve states that have demonstrated interest in ambitious clean-energy plans. NY Times