December 11, 2009

In an effort to give the Copenhagen conference momentum, the Obama administration has introduced its long-awaited policy declaring greenhouse gases dangerous to the environment and public health.

The move, of course, was expected. And his supporters are applauding the timing. To proponents, it's a bold measure that makes a clear statement to all concerned parties as to where the president stands on carbon reductions. To critics, however, it is an expensive endeavor that will hurt American businesses.

December 09, 2009

Despite the cries of foul play, the global community is working right now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the massive uproar from skeptics over global warming has diverted attention and dampened some of the enthusiasm in Copenhagen where those climate talks are occurring.

Global warming has always been a hot topic. For those who believe adamantly that the earth's temperature is gradually warming and threatening the planet's viability, it's principally a man-made issue. Critics, however, say that the science has shortcomings and that the earth's warming -- and cooling -- is all part of natural climate cycles. Now, though, they are arguing that the some of the leading climatologists who espouse man-made global warming have not been entirely upfront.

November 23, 2009

The U.S. coal-fired electric power industry is without doubt facing ever-increasing challenges in its efforts to remain a viable fuel.

Impending legislation and regulations concerning allowable carbon dioxide emissions, in whatever form these rules might ultimately take, are putting growing pressure on coal-burning utilities to invest in carbon-capture technology research and to diversify their energy portfolios.

November 20, 2009

Business has slowed. And so too has the demand for carbon emission allowances -- those credits that are traded among European nations and some American utilities as a way to motivate a transition to a carbon-free global economy.

If commerce were humming along, manufacturing and utility plants would be increasing production and thereby raising their emission levels. Because they are cutting back their operations, however, they are in essence keeping a lid on that pollution. In a world that is moving steadily toward pricing each ton of carbon released into the atmosphere, that dynamic has dampened the trading of carbon allowances.

November 18, 2009

Green technologies will soon get greater export assistance. The U.S. Export-Import Bank is touting its newfound policy, although it is the direct result of a lawsuit filed more than six years ago by environmentalists and cities.

At this point, the agency has provided few details as to how it would achieve its aims. It is now setting up a $250 million lending facility to back green exports as well as to improve the bank's transparency in the tracking and reporting of carbon emissions from projects that it supports. The move, which is part of the settlement reached in February, is not enough, say environmental and civic activists, who add that it does nothing to limit the institution's activities in the area of fossil fuels.