Australian multi-party climate change committee proposes a national carbon price mechanism to launch in 2012. The program would start with a fixed carbon price within an emission trading scheme and convert to a cap-and-trade system after 3-5 years. The country’s climate advisor recommends starting with a carbon price of approximately C$20-30/tonne CO2e.
US Senate Energy Committee releases a White Paper on a Clean Energy Standard, posing questions to the public about key elements of the proposed requirement for 80% of electricity to be sourced from clean energy generators by 2035. Public responses closed April 11 and plans for their release have not been announced.
Industry Canada amends national patent rules to speed up approvals for green patents. The changes are expected to aid commercialization of technologies which mitigate environmental impacts and conserve the environment and natural resources.
New Mexico legislature adjourns session without repealing any climate change-related legislation even with six proposed motions aiming to reverse the state’s greenhouse gas reduction rule. Gov. Susana Martinez (R.) had looked to reverse the rule and soften the renewable portfolio standard. The legislature will not reconvene until January 2012.
EPA extends the 2010 greenhouse gas reporting deadline to September 30, 2011 from March 1. The agency and reporting entities will use the extension to further test and become comfortable with the reporting tool itself. The EPA will host training and testing sessions for the Electronic Greenhouse Gas Reporting Tool (e-GGRT) in June 2011.
Saskatchewan announces renewable diesel fuel production incentives to complement a new mandate of 2% renewable content for distributors’ average annual diesel fuel pool. The province will provide a 13 cent/litre subsidy to qualifying producers of diesel substitutes made from renewable materials such as vegetable oil, waste cooking oil, animal fat and fish oil, and potentially from agriculture- and forest biomass-sourced cellulosic feedstock harnessed by acceptable methods. The incentive program begins April 1, 2011 while the renewable diesel requirements come into effect July 2012.
Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord (MGGRA) disbands as Midwestern governors quietly dispose of plans for regional cap-and-trade in favour of energy efficiency, bio-economy and transportation, advanced coal with carbon capture and storage, and renewable electricity initiatives.
By Cheryl Johnson, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
