The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a new report on greenhouse gas emissions nationwide that ranks the top sources and measures how much they're offset by carbon sinks like forests. It found that overall emissions have increased 8 percent since 1990 despite a 14 percent increase in the amount of carbon that is getting absorbed by land and forests. Continue reading →

Filed under: Environment, Climate change, greenhouse gases

You know how Oregon imports coal-fired power from other states through the grid? Well, that could create a problem for regulators trying to stop utilities from buying coal-fired power, according to Thane Jennings. Continue reading →

Filed under: Energy, Coal, greenhouse gases, Hermiston Generating Station, Oregon Department of Energy

I spent a lot of time this morning trying to understand Oregon's new greenhouse gas emissions standard for utilities. A new set of rules triggered by a 2009 law is on its way through the Oregon Department of Energy and the Oregon Public Utility Commission. The idea is to control the greenhouse gases emissions associated with Oregon's electricity use by ... Continue reading →

Filed under: Energy, Coal, greenhouse gases, Oregon Department of Energy

Republicans have proposals in both the House and the Senate to ban the Environmental Protection Agency from using the Clean Air Act to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading →

Filed under: Climate change, Environmental Protection Agency, GOP in the House, greenhouse gases, Lisa Jackson

We're waiting on this anticipated newsmaker today: Anonymous officials tipped off the press to the House Republicans' plan to introduce a bill that would ban the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. From the AP: Continue reading →

Filed under: Climate change, Environmental Protection Agency, GOP in the House, greenhouse gases

Science Friday's Ira Flatow just had an interesting chat with Ralph Keeling, director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography's CO2 Program. Continue reading →

Filed under: Climate change, Carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

The Environmental Protection Agency has changed its tune on regulating greenhouse gases from biomass. Today, the agency announced it is is leaving biomass-fired and other biogenic energy sources out of its greenhouse gas regulations for three years while the agency studies how to treat the related emissions. The new rule exempts facilities that burn wood, crops, manure, sewage, landfill gas ... Continue reading →

Filed under: Renewable energy, Agriculture, Forestry, Biomass, Carbon dioxide, Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gases

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is taking the first steps toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon by expanding the list of who needs to report their emissions to the state. The Environmental Quality Commission voted to expand the reporting program in October to start laying the groundwork for state goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading →

Filed under: Climate change, greenhouse gases, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

Today a federal appeals court ruled against the state and industry challengers that were trying to stop the Environmental Protection Agency's new climate regulations from kicking in next month. Challengers say allowing the new greenhouse gas rules to start in January will lead to severe economic hardships. Continue reading →

Filed under: Climate change, Environmental Protection Agency, greenhouse gases