Legal & Regulatory

The backlash against renewable portfolio standards (RPSs) has begun in earnest. In more than 20 states across the country, efforts are afoot to freeze, water down, or repeal one standard or another.

A recent report from the Congressional Budget Office confirms that a carbon tax would mean substantial revenues for the government. But the impacts would be many, varied—and unequal.

The legal turmoil surrounding the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) continues as a federal appeals court has struck down another pro-labor ruling by the board, while challenging its authority to act at all. At the same time, in a directly related matter, the membership of the board and whether it has a legal quorum continues, with Congress getting into the act.

MANAGING POWER talks to energy veteran and president of Resources for the Future Phil Sharp about the complexities of energy policy.

The PTC has led to unprecedented growth in wind capacity. But the distortions it creates in the energy market are damaging future prospects for nuclear power.

Despite a broad-based assault across the country, state renewable portfolio standards have survived this round, with a few seeing expansion.

The transformative increases in current and expected future domestic natural gas production have spawned yet another energy debate: Should the U.S. should export natural gas?

The Wall Street Journal ( WSJ) recently reported that 14 of the 29 states that have adopted a renewable procurement mandate are currently considering legislation that would “water down or repeal” the renewable set-aside. Proponents of repeal describe their motivation as simple economics: Renewable power increases costs to electric consumers.

If you were hoping that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) defeat last summer on aggregating small emissions sources under Title V of the Clean Air Act (CAA) meant a less-aggressive stance going forward, the agency has some bad news for you.

The challenges of running a coal plant are many and varied. But putting one to bed for good can be just as big a job.