state politics
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Washington's cap-and-trade legislation gutted by Senate committee
So remember how I was all "your days are numbered, pollutey companies of Washington state! mwahaha" because the cap-and-trade bill "whizzed" through the House committee? Yeah, I might have spoken too soon, because not so much with the Senate version.
The Committee on Environment, Water, and Energy yesterday passed a version of the bill that makes the program voluntary, which kinda defeats the purpose, doesn't it? Still, hopeful enviros are quick to note that it's a "work in progress." Sigh.
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Washington's cap-and-trade legislation passes out of committee
Dear pollutey companies of Washington state, your days are numbered. House Bill 1819, backed by Gov. Chris Gregoire (D), has whizzed through committee and is on its way to a full vote.
The bill sets up a cap-and-trade system that would limit greenhouse-gas emissions and require companies to purchase the right to pollute further, while greener biz folk would profit by auctioning off their unused allowances. Hooray for rewarding the good guys!
The carbon trading market would extend to six other states and four Canadian provinces -- all part of the Western Climate Initiative -- once the bill is passed here and in the other jurisdictions.
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South Carolina governor joins Wisconsin's and Michigan's in pushing back against coal
Yesterday the governor of South Carolina -- yes, South Carolina -- announced that he is opposing construction of a new coal plant in his state.
Why? Because a weak economy has demand down, the cost of coal has nearly tripled, and the prospect of tougher mercury and CO2 regulations from the Obama administration threaten to as much as double the cost of the project.
Because it's an economic turkey, in other words.
The head of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources also came out in opposition, citing worries about mercury pollution in fish and increased CO2 emissions.
This comes a few days after Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle announced that the UW power plant would eliminate coal (replacing it with biomass) by 2012.
And that was about a week after Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm's state of the state address, wherein she outlined a plan to free her state from coal. (Technically, reduce reliance on coal electricity by 45% by 2020.)
Governors in South Carolina, Wisconsin, and Michigan, all working to free their states from the grip of the enemy of the human race.
Dirty friggin' hippies!
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Georgia legislator introduces bill that would restrict coal-fired power plants
If Georgia would consider restricting coal, maybe we are stumbling toward a new economic/energy paradigm?
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Kansas legislature reviving last year’s coal fight
The Kansas legislature is once again attempting to pass a bill to get two new coal-fired power plants built in the southwestern part of the state, an attempt to override state environmental officials. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has gone head to head with Sunflower Electric Power and the legislature on this issue. The battle began in […]
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Washington governor unveils green jobs legislation
Last night, NBC Nightly News aired a short segment on how hard the recession is hitting Seattle. It's quite depressing, especially amid the ever-gray skies ...
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) is not unaware of this fact and, as I've mentioned previously, is trying to boost the state's economy by putting monies toward major building projects and other job-creating ventures.
Yesterday, she announced a legislation package that focuses more concretely on the creation of "green jobs" -- as well as lowering the state's carbon footprint.
The legislation contains House Bill 1819 and its equivalent Senate Bill 5735. Both bills would implement a cap and trade system in partnership with six states and four Canadian provinces, which are part of a coalition called the Western Climate Initiative.
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In addition to the cap and trade bill, a proposed $455 million will be invested for projects that emphasize energy efficiency and clean-energy technology. These investments would help support 2,900 jobs for the next two years, according to the Office of Financial Management.There will be public hearings on both bills next Tuesday, and if passed, the cap-and trade-program would go into effect in 2012.
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More on Illinois' Clean Coal Portfolio Standard
Now that I've had time to review the legislation [PDF] that begat Illinois' Clean Coal Portfolio Standard, I offer a few tidbits.
Short version: We're not even going to pretend that coal is clean or cheap anymore. The bill actually defines "clean coal" as high-sulfur coal, and defines "cheap" as being that which doesn't raise electricity rates too fast.
Specifics:
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Oregon enviro group calls not for shutdown of coal plant, but for infusion of millions of dollars
I've been trying to explain why I'm ready to quit calling myself an "environmentalist," and this latest missive from the Friends of the Columbia Gorge, calling not for the shutdown of the coal-fired power plant that is ruining this national treasure, but for hundreds of millions of dollars to be spent on it, has just about put me over the edge.
So I wrote my own version of the Friends' canned letter to reflect what should really change.
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Legislature approves 'Clean Coal Portfolio Standards,' green-lights new coal plant
OK, we've got Obama in the plus column for the state of Illinois. But in addition to the gubernatorial craziness going on in my home state, we've now got this: Tenaska, an independent power company, has been seeking to build a coal plant in Illinois. The problem being of course, that new, coal-fired power plants are really, really, really, really lousy investments. Tenaska tried to change government rules to ensure they made money.
That in and of itself isn't inherently bad. Every company has a vested interest in tweaking laws to benefit their shareholders. But to ask is nobler than to receive. I wouldn't be a bad person if I asked the state to give me $1 million a year to support my crack habit, but if the state gave me that money and I accepted, we would both be complicit.
So how did the Illinois legislature respond? "Clean Coal Portfolio Standards." Seriously.