U.S. Climate Change Strategies without a Clear Legislative Signal
02 December, 2009 | (01 hr)
Even as the Senate takes up climate change legislation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the green light to pursue regulation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions sources. The EPA is already in the process of developing regulation of vehicle emissions, corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, based in part upon the proposed California standard. The finding that GHG endangers human health, however, means that the EPA can regulate emissions from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA). On September 30th the EPA announced a proposal to require permits for large existing industrial facilities and new sources of GHGs under the CAA, estimated to cover 70% of the largest U.S. sources of GHG emissions. This webcast will show participants how an EPA-driven climate change policy will be significant not only for U.S. business and a U.S. carbon market, but also for the U.S. position in international negotiations in Copenhagen this December. The webcast includes an overview of the EPA’s Endangerment Finding for GHG emissions, an update of vehicle emissions regulation and standard development, and a discussion of regional cap and trade programs without a federally mandated scheme.
This webcast will discuss:
- How GHG emissions regulation under the Clean Air Act will be applied to other sections of the economy beyond vehicles
- How key special interest group demands will impact climate change policy
- How the outcome of climate change legislative efforts will affect the U.S. negotiating position at the December 2009 UN meeting
- Whether EPA regulation can support the transition to a low-carbon economy as effectively as a Congressional bill
Speakers
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Dr. John C. Dernbach
John C. Dernbach is Distinguished Professor of Law, focusing on administrative law, environmental law, property, international law, international environmental law, sustainability and the law, climate change and sustainable development. He has ser... Full Bio |
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Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat
Ambassador Eizenstat heads the firm’s international practice. His work at Covington focuses on resolving international trade problems and business disputes with the US and foreign governments, and international business transactions and regu... Full Bio |
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Franz Litz
(Moderator)
Franz Litz leads the World Resources Institute’s state and regional climate change efforts and has considerable experience in the design of cap-and-trade programs. He has played an active role in advising the major regional climate change in... Full Bio |