EPA’s Clean Power Plan replacement unlikely to have much impact on clean energy
The agency’s “Affordable Clean Energy” plan calls for changes to existing coal plants instead of a switch to gas and renewable energy. The impact on larger power markets is not likely to be significant, but one of the few things that can be said is that it will introduce more uncertainty.
From the editor: Pruitt’s departure is a win for clean energy
The resignation of Scott Pruitt is welcome news to renewable energy advocates. And while his replacement is a coal lobbyist who could be more effective, the momentum of change may be the most important factor.
EPA seeks replacements for Clean Power Plan
The move shows an EPA struggling to comply with the Supreme Court’s CO2 endangerment finding, while still favoring coal and other fossil fuel industries.
Missed opportunity: GTM Research weighs in on the Clean Power Plan
GTM Research Solar Analyst Colin Smith argues that the pending repeal of the Clean Power Plan represents a significant loss of “upside potential”.
From the editor: Clean Power Plan, policy and illusion
The Trump Administration’s pledge to repeal CPP should not distract us from the fact that this was not an ambitious policy to begin with.
Could a moderate influence be coming to the EPA?
Axios reporters Jonathan Swan and Amy Harder are reporting Scott Holmstead could be appointed as the deputy to Climate Change denier EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and that he might curb some of Pruitt’s worst instincts – but solar advocates shouldn’t be jumping for joy just yet.
Trump appoints fossil-fuel apostle to head renewable energy office
In keeping with his habit of appointing people who want to destroy the agencies they head, the president appointed outspoken renewables critic Daniel Simmons to Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
Trump Admin fires first shots in its new War on Science
Reports say the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy is under siege by the Department of Energy, with funds frozen and officials refusing to tell the researchers why. Should the scientists at NREL and Sunshot be nervous?
The slow walk: Interview with Nathan Serota of BNEF on Trump’s executive order
Yesterday U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to roll back federal regulations on the fossil fuel industry while ordering a review and a re-write of the Clean Power Plan. This morning pv magazine talked with Bloomberg New Energy Finance Senior Analyst Nathan Serota about what the solar industry should expect from this sea change in federal regulatory direction.
Back to the future: EPA’s proposed budget lowest since 1976
President Trump’s proposed budget, announced this morning, slashes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by 31%, making it the lowest inflation-adjusted amount spent on the agency in 40 years.
