No, we’re not Microsoft, but I’ve got some news you should be getting, if not critical software updates.
Smart Grid – Smart idea for US energy policy is the title of the recent editorial from the “FT.” They say that the smart grid “would be a national asset comparable to the interstate highways launched by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s.” They note that the new US Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, is one of the strongest supporters of building out the smart grid. The excellent “Smart Grid News” has a story here about the economic stimulus package wending its way through the legislative process in Washington.
When I wrote an article, Current Concerns, about the smart grid for “Planning,” I highlighted the work of Xcel Energy and Boulder. Here’s a recent TV segment from “NY1 News” on an integral component of the smart grid in Boulder , the smart house.
Keeping Up the Pace – I’ve noted here that the new Obama administration is getting out of the starting blocks fast on climate change and energy. (See Hitting the Ground Running and Hitting the Ground Running – Part Deux.) Now Barbara Boxer, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has announced that her committee is going to be moving quickly to create a cap-and-trade system. See this from the “Washington Post” today and this from “The Hill.” The latter reports on Boxer’s statement of principles:
The other key Congressional entity for climate change legislation is the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The new chair, Henry Waxman, announced his intention a few weeks ago to move “quickly and decisively.” See Waxman promises quick action on climate change from the AP via “USA Today.” Waxman held hearings last month and took testimony from a number of the nation’s leading environmentalists and business leaders, all members of the US Climate Action Partnership. USCAP has called on Washington ” to quickly enact strong national legislation to require significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Regulatory Track – It’s really up to the Congress and the President to come together on a portfolio of energy and climate laws that will change the trajectory toward catastrophe that we’re on now. But there are also measures that the new administration can take administratively. For one thing, as you already know, the EPA can allow states like California to pursue aggressive action. (See this from the blog last week.)
A recent editorial from the “NY Times” suggest that the Obama administration take The Next Step on Warming. “The logical next step would be for Mr. Obama to quickly address the Supreme Court’s 2007 decision ordering the Environmental Protection Agency to examine the effects of greenhouse gases and to regulate them if necessary.” (See this on that critical decision from April 2007.) For her part, new EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson is unequivocal. In a recent memo to EPA employees, she said: “EPA will stand ready to help Congress craft strong, science-based climate legislation that fulfills the vision of the President. As Congress does its work, we will move ahead to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision recognizing EPA’s obligation to address climate change under the Clean Air Act.” You go, girl!
The thoughtful David Roberts had this piece, The fierce urgency of now, at the nearly perfect “Gristmill” in December. In it he offers “some thoughts on the merits of regulating greenhouse gases via the Clean Air Act.” Check it out if you are a wonk or a WIT.
Efficiency – We have looked at the marvels of energy efficiency a number of times, most recently here under Less is More. Take a look at these letters to the editor in response to another recent “NYT” editorial. Bottom line, as Tom Casten (super genius) notes: “Policies to induce the capture of wasted energy could profitably cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent and greatly enhance manufacturing competitiveness.”
