Can simple government programs effectively promote voluntary initiatives to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions? This paper by Matthew J. Kotchen provides an evaluation of how the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities program affects household decisions to voluntarily purchase “green” electricity, which is electricity generated from renewable sources of energy. The results suggest that, within participating communities, subsidizing municipal...
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Three United States senators – Sens. Lindsay Graham, Orrin Hatch and James Inhofe – last week demonstrated continued confusion about the scientific support for climate change. Senator Graham, R-SC: “The science about global warming has changed. I think they’ve oversold this stuff, quite frankly. I think they’ve been alarmist and the science is in question.” Senator Hatch, R-Utah:...
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The US Federal Regulatory Commission gave the green light on a proposed river tidal demonstration project in the state of Maine recently, declaring that the the facility does not require a license to operate since it will not be connecting with the grid. The order (DI10-1) allows the Maine Maritime Academy to proceed with testing underwater power...
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Two BP refineries in the U.S. account for 97 percent of “egregious willful” violations given by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), according to a study by the Center for Public Integrity. The study found that the violations occurred in the last three years in BP’s Texas City, Texas refinery and another plant...
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Evo Morales, President of Bolivia Text of Speech before United Nations I have come here to share the conclusions of the First World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, held last April 20th to 22nd in Cochabamba, Bolivia. I convened this Conference because in Copenhagen the voice of the...
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Climate Change and the Integrity of Science We are deeply disturbed by the recent escalation of political assaults on scientists in general and on climate scientists in particular. All citizens should understand some basic scientific facts. There is always some uncertainty associated with scientific conclusions; science never absolutely proves anything. When someone says that...
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On April 29, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a set of regulatory proposals under the Clean Air Act that address emissions from boilers, process heaters, and certain solid waste incinerators. The proposed emissions regulations would cut U.S. mercury emissions by more than half and significantly reduce emissions from boilers, process heaters and solid waste incinerators, according to...
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Democratic lawmakers floated legislation that would promote U.S. exports of clean technology on Tuesday, according to Reuters. The proposed legislation would create a $15 million fund administered by the Commerce Department to increase the competitiveness of the U.S. clean technology industry, boost exports and promote policies aimed at reducing production costs and encouraging innovation and investment in...
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