1) Panel Orders EPA to Delay Cross-State Emissions Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must delay implementing rules on interstate air pollution on Jan. 1, a federal court ruled, siding with electric power producers seeking to defeat the new regulations. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Appeals Court in Washington granted a request by electric power producers and other challengers to delay the deadline for plants in 27 states to begin reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide while the court considers the rule’s legality. (Source: Bloomberg Businessweek, 2011-12-31)
2) EPA Faced Challenging 2011, Big Decisions Expected in 2012
Environmentalists swiped at the EPA for not doing enough to protect the environment and curb pollution, while conservatives say the agency is destroying American jobs. But they’re poised to reveal some big decisions in 2012. (Source: Public Radio International, 2011-12-27)
3) Wind Turbine Firms File Trade Complaint Against China, Vietnam
Four domestic companies that make most of the steel towers for wind turbines in the United States filed a trade complaint against China and Vietnam, seeking tariffs in the range of 60 percent. The action is a significant new skirmish in an emerging green energy trade war. (Source: The New York Times, 2011-12-29)
4) EU Court Approves Charging Biggest Airlines for Emissions
United, Continental and American Airlines and their trade association have failed to block a European Union law that charges airlines flying to EU destinations for their greenhouse gas emissions. The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that the EU law that brings aviation activities into the EU’s emissions trading scheme is valid.
(Source: Environment News Service, 2011-12-22)
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