LAWMAKERS SPONSOR 3 HOUSE BILLS TO BLOCK EPA REGULATION OF CO2 EMISSIONS
Kathleen Hart UAE Weekly Energy BriefThree bills introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in the first days of the 112th Congress aim to prevent the U.S. EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted from coal-fired plants by delaying EPA actions for two years, blocking funds for EPA rules or amending the Clean Air Act.
"As my first piece of legislation in the 112th Congress, I have introduced a bill which seeks to delay for two years any action by the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide and methane gases under the Clean Air Act," Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said Jan. 6 in introducing H.R. 199, the Protect America's Energy and Manufacturing Jobs Act, in the House. "I cannot imagine an issue more timely or more relevant to the West Virginia economy than preventing the EPA's regulatory overreach from killing jobs and raising energy prices across the board."
Accusing the Obama administration of having an anti-coal agenda, Capito vowed to block EPA regulations of CO2 emissions from coal plants. "Although I do not believe the EPA should be granted this authority whatsoever, and I favor permanent suspension, I am confident that my bill has enough support to seriously hinder the EPA's power. As I've learned first-hand, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson is keenly committed to enforcing the administration's anti-coal agenda with no regard for the devastating effects on our local and national economies," Capito said in a Jan. 6 news release.
Noting that the EPA has already started implementing new greenhouse gas emissions rules, Capito said, "Time is of the essence. The Democrats failed to act in any way to stop the EPA from implementing new rules pertaining to greenhouse gas emissions on January 2, 2011. Without congressional action to say otherwise, the EPA will continue to dismantle energy and manufacturing industries through regulation." …….
COAL LOBBY EXPECTS MORE FAVORABLE CLIMATE IN NEW CONGRESS
Dan Lowrey UAE Weekly Energy BriefNational Mining Association President and CEO Hal Quinn said that despite President Obama's push to reduce coal use by the power generation industry, coal producers should expect a warmer reception from the recently elected Congress.
In a speech at the United States Energy Association's State of the Energy Industry forum in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 12, Quinn said, "I would suggest more people now — at the eastern end of Pennsylvania Avenue — do not view carbon as a problem and certainly not one deserving of any priority treatment."
While 2010 saw the end of climate legislation in Congress, new federal regulations are now being deployed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at power plants, limit mountaintop removal mining, limit coal ash disposal and tighten safety standards at mines. New rules being developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, such as the Clean Air Transport Rule, will require costly compliance measures that are expected to reduce the U.S. coal-burning power plant fleet by nearly one-fifth, according to consulting firm ICF.
Quinn referred to the rules as a "regulatory train wreck" and said their cumulative impact — from higher capital spending requirements to potential loss of electric generation capacity and higher energy prices — is "staggering."
After taking office in January, the newly elected Republican majority of the U.S. House of Representatives wasted little time fighting the new regulations, introducing several bills that seek to effectively handcuff the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from coal-fired plants.
Quinn said he expected the issue to take "laser focus pretty soon on Capitol Hill."
2010 INDUSTRIAL LEASING ACTIVITY UP 39 PERCENT
UB DailyThe Salt Lake City office of CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) announced that Salt Lake County's industrial leasing activity in 2010 was up 39 percent compared to 2009. Overall activity (both sales and leasing) is up 30 percent, activity not seen since the recession began in 2007. "Demand for big box warehouse space was a driving force in 2010," said Tom Dischmann, Senior Vice President of industrial properties at the Salt Lake City office of CBRE.
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