Posts from — January 2009

Confirmation hearings were held this week for President-elect Obama’s designations for EPA Administrator (Lisa Jackson) and head of the Energy Department (Steven Chu). The confirmation hearings now underway for these two designees provide an inside look at the policy choices that may soon become law once the Obama Administration takes over on Tuesday. [Read more →]

New Mexico Attorney General Gary King is hoping that a new Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) under Barack Obama’s administration will provide a fair hearing in his appeal of an air permit. On July 31, 2008, the EPA granted an air permit to the proposed 1,500 megawatt coal-burning plant, but King hopes that a new administration might force the EPA to reconsider. [Read more →]

A group of 29 environmental organizations submitted a plan, entitled “Transition to Green,” to Barack Obama’s transition team in late November. The 391-page report highlights current environmental issues and recommends critical actions that will protect the environment while creating jobs and stimulating the economy. [Read more →]

Yesterday, Congressman Ed Markey (D-Mass.) announced that he will take over as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment in the 111th Congress. Markey, who currently heads the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, will switch seats with Rep. [Read more →]

The Southwest Power Pool Inc. (“SPP”) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas Inc. (“ERCOT”) have each filed reports with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (“PUCT”) detailing the estimated costs and production cost savings of transferring Entergy Texas Inc. (“Entergy TX”) into each reliability region. [Read more →]