Event Calendar

September 2010
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Sen. Lugar to propose climate bill alternative

Reuters
A senior Republican in the Senate next week will propose energy and climate legislation that aims to cut emissions of planet-warming gases, but with far lower goals than President Barack Obama seeks.
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A First Look at the Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act

B&D Consulting
On May 13, 2010, Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman formally introduced their comprehensive climate change and energy bill, the American Power Act (APA). This legislation represents months of work between the lead sponsors and their outreach to various interest groups.

Summary of the American Power Act

Title I: Domestic Clean Energy Development
This section has provisions for encouraging new nuclear power generation, increased offshore oil and gas exploration, deployment of carbon capture and sequestration for coal-fired power plants, renewable energy, energy efficiency and cleaner transportation through electrification. In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon accident, Senators Kerry and Lieberman decided not to drop the increasing offshore drilling provisions with revenue-sharing, although new drilling would not occur until after the investigation into the accident is complete. Part of the revenue is directed to fund state and Federal Land and Water Conservation Funds, while granting a portion to the home state as well. Furthermore, states are authorized to enact laws to prohibit leasing within 75 miles of their coastline.

Title II: Global Warming Pollution Reduction

This section modifies the Clean Air Act to incorporate a cap-and-trade mechanism in which two-thirds of the revenues raised from auctions are paid back to electricity ratepayers in the form of refunds. Like the House’s American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) counterpart, APA sets goals of reducing domestic greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) 17 percent in 2020 and 83 percent in 2050, plus freely allocates …
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Nobel Prize-Winning Scientists and Economists Call On Senate to Address Climate Change Now

Enewspf.com
WASHINGTON–March 11 - Nobel Prize-winning economists and scientists will deliver a letter to the U.S. Senate today, urging lawmakers to require immediate cuts in global warming emissions. The letter was signed by more than 2,000 prominent U.S. economists and climate scientists, including eight Nobel laureates, 32 National Academy of Sciences members, 11 MacArthur “genius award” winners, and three National Medal of Science recipients. Read More

Lugar drafting practical energy plan

Lugar.senate.gov
U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar said today that he is drafting a practical energy plan that would meet many climate improving goals, without cap and trade, by conserving energy and saving people, businesses and government money. Lugar is among the senators meeting with President Obama on energy and climate this afternoon at the White House.
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Groups fight cap-and-trade legislation

Istockanalyst.com
Mar. 11–Leaders of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corp. were part of a 26-county delegation from Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois lobbying congressional leaders this week…Read More

Indiana business leaders advocate for comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation in Washington, DC

Press Release by TINA D. NOEL

During visit to DC, group emphasizes need for bill that limits carbon emissions

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Business leaders representing Indiana are in Washington, DC this week, meeting with their members of Congress on the urgent need for comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation.  In particular, they are descending on Capitol Hill to illustrate the importance a strong limit on carbon emissions has on future investments and job growth.

Entrepreneurs, business leaders and investors who support strong climate and clean energy legislation are convinced that a limit on emissions is the only market-based tool that will create the kind of demand needed to create new business opportunities and jobs for America They see it as vital to long-term economic competitiveness, as clean energy will unleash a flurry of new investments leading to the creation of new jobs and the restoration our country’s technological edge.

Executives from the following companies are in Washington right now, representing Indiana interests:

Axis Architecture, Indianapolis
Carbon Solutions Group, Chicago
Green Alternatives, Inc., Kokomo
Rudd Asset Management, Valparaiso
Vela Gear Systems, Indianapolis
Wind Stream Technologies, Calif. company currently building a facility in New Albany
Xylogenics, Indianapolis

“The United States has all the tools to be the global leader in the clean energy marketplace,” said Dan Bates, president and CEO of Wind Stream Technologies, a manufacturer of small scale wind turbines that is adding 260 high-paying jobs to Southeast Indiana’s economy.  “Thousands of business leaders like me know that unless we move quickly, we risk losing the progress we’ve made on clean energy technology.”

The business leaders visiting Washington say limits on carbon emissions are fundamental to create the kind of long-term market signal for widespread investment in clean energy technologies and the jobs that will follow as a result.

“We represent a growing number of businesses, both big and small, that want solutions, not band aids, to the economic problems we now face,” said Mike Neibler, CEO of Xylogenics, which is commercializing a breakthrough technology that improves ethanol production by 50 percent.  “With the investments that come with comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation, our companies will continue to expand and that means more jobs for the Hoosier state and a boost to Indiana’s bottom line.”

TINA D. NOEL
Media and Public Relations Consultant
4730 N. Park Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Office: 317.925.7328
Cell: 317.709.3103
Email: tinanoelpublicrelations@yahoo.com
www.twitter.com/tinanoelPR

The Future of Indiana`s Climate, Butler University Woods Science Lecture Series

March 4, 2010
7:30 pmto9:30 pm

Where: Butler University: Atherton Union Reilly Room, Indianapolis, IN
Cost: Free

Do We Need a New Coal-Fired Plant in Indiana? 5 Speakers from Duke Energy, Purdue, Butler, Hoosier Environmental Council, Citizen’s Action Coalition, Indiana Board of Environmental Management.
Katharine Hayhoe, Texas Tech University atmospheric scientist, assesses regional impacts of climate change across a range of sectors including water resources, human health, agriculture and natural ecosystems. She leads the climate impact assessments for the U.S. Midwest and the Eastern Mediterranean and serves as a lead author for the U.S. Climate Science Program`s upcoming report, “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States.”

Securities and Exchange Commission Issues Interpretive Guidance on SEC Disclosure Requirements Relating to Climate Change

Barnes & Thornburg LLP
On Jan. 27, 2010, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted 3-2 to clarify that environmental compliance requirements, environmental risks, and potential future regulations, as well as how these developments may affect profitability and business developments, must be included in annual filings to the SEC. Download a PDF of this entire Securites/Climate Change Alert

GREENHOUSE GAS OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS IN INDUSTRY AND REAL ESTATE

February 18, 2010
9:00 amto12:30 pm
A discussion of sustainability programs and investment opportunities

Where: Barnes & Thornburg LLP offices Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Elkhart, Ind.; South Bend, Ind.;
Cost:This seminar will be presented free of charge. *Note* The seminar will be held LIVE in the Minneapolis office, and will be broadcast via video conference in all other offices. When registering for this event, please indicate which location you’ll be attending.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) regulation proposed in the U.S. house and Senate and by the EPA may greatly affect commercial businesses and building owners.
According to the Department of Energy, the average U.S. commercial building emits up to 15 lbs/sq.ft of CO2 directly, and even more CO2 emissions are attributable to building energy use. Demand for energy is expected to grow - and with it, CO2 emissions from commercial buildings are projected to grow faster than any other sector. CO2 regulation proposed in the U.S. House and Senate and by the EPA may affect commercial and industry building owners. This seminar will spotlight risks and opportunities for commercial businesses and real estate owners and investors associated with carbon policies and regulation.

TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:

  • The Drivers Behind Climate Change Risks and Opportunities - Susan Bodine, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, and formerly Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Solid Waste & Emergency Response.
  • “Carbon Long or Carbon Short” - Ideas, Strategies and an Overview of Best Practice to Comply and Profit from Carbon Markets - John Borgersen, Tetra Tech, a leading provider of consulting, engineering, and technical services worldwide.
  • Cost of Carbon (and other) Environmental Impacts - Malcolm Fox, Director of Sustainability, NSF International, a global leader in management systems registrations, including verification and validation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventories and projects.
  • University of Minnesota Sustainability Program Overview - University of Minnesota, Sustainability and U
  • Discussion on Corporate Sustainability Program Experience

RSVP:Please register for this event no later than Friday, Feb. 12 to btrsvp@btlaw.com, or by calling Jodie Daugherty at (317) 261-7922.

Indiana and climate change

Ibj.com by PrivyDomain
Frank Luntz, who early in the past decade counseled Republicans to play up the lack of scientific consensus on global warming, now is telling the party to get on the green bandwagon—but by using pro-growth terminology.   Read More