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October 16, 2015
EPA’s Office of Inspector General to Investigate GHG Impacts of Renewable Fuel Standard
On October 15, the EPA’s Office of Inspector General announced that it would research the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The role of the RFS in reducing U.S. GHGs has been under intense scrutiny since EPA proposed reducing the statutory volumes of renewable fuels in 2013. Finalized volumes for the RFS for 2014, 2015 and 2016 are expected to be released November 30.
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DOE Warns That Climate Change May Disrupt Growth of Biomass Feedstocks
On October 9, the U.S. Department of Energy released a report about the threats posed by climate change to the U.S. electricity and fuels sector, U.S. Energy Sector: Regional Vulnerabilities and Resilience Solutions. Climate change and extreme weather will touch on all parts of the energy sector – water availability for cooling in power plants, the aging grid, water and energy needs for fossil fuel extraction and refining, and water needed to grow biomass feedstocks. Additionally, transport of fuels is vulnerable due to extreme weather events. According to the report, “an accelerated … approach to keep the U.S. energy system reliable and safe” is needed.
Headlines:
1) FAO and France Urge Including Agriculture in Global Climate Change Debate
2) Cumulative Revenue from Investment in Biogas Production Capacity Is Expected to Reach $25.8 Billion between 2015 and 2024
3) California Lawmakers Tell EPA Renewable Fuel Standard Is Critical to Advanced Fuels
4) Farm Groups Warn Renewable Fuel Standard Uncertainty Drives Down US Farm Income
5) Opinion: VW Scandal Reveals Major Cracks in EPA’s Emissions Reduction Strategy
Events:
1) Farming & Water Quality: Conservation Policies Working to Reduce Nutrient Loss
Monday, November 2 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Senate Visitor's Center Room 203-02 East Capitol St. NE & First St. SE
From the Gulf of Mexico’s dead zone to the Des Moines Waterworks lawsuit against drainage districts, water quality challenges are growing and the Farm Bill’s conservation programs are helping farmers in their efforts to reduce nutrient loss. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing examining these water quality challenges and how stakeholders are partnering to implement effective, voluntary, farm-level conservation practices that will provide multiple benefits both to rural and urban areas. The discussion will highlight Farm Bill conservation policies in action, which are helping advance best management practices that improve drinking water quality and farmers' bottom lines by enhancing in-field nutrient management. Farmers know that conserving nutrients makes both economic and environmental sense, but substantial work remains to achieve the widespread adoption necessary to address water quality and stave off regulation.
Please RSVP to expedite check-in.
2) 8th Annual Renewable Energy Finance Forum-West November 5-6, 2015 San Francisco, CA EESI is a sponsoring organization
With a focus on renewable energy development in the Western U.S., REFF-West will highlight financing trends in renewable power, energy storage, system integration, and transportation; review important developments in Western power market expansion and in the role of the emerging corporate customer market segment; and discuss renewable energy’s role in smarter resource use and response to the Western water crisis.
Visit www.reffwest.com to register now!
To Contact the Editor: Jessie Stolark at [email protected]
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