Center for Climate and Energy Solutions: February Newsletter: Policy Guide and Climate Leaders

FEB. 2013 In this Issue: Climate Leadership Reducing Flood Risks Schools Challenge and more... C2ES in the News Eileen Claussen discusses climate change with Rep. Henry Waxman and other experts on NPR's Science Friday program. Eileen Claussen talks on C-SPAN2 with the Georgetown Climate Center's Vicki Arroyo on business' role in addressing climate change. Elliot Diringer tells Zócalo that preparing for the unavoidable impacts of climate change is important, but only half the equation. Mark Your Calendar Elliot Diringer will speak about how to move the climate agenda forward March 6 at the 2nd US-China Coal Value Chain Conference at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C.		Federal options on climate, clean energy With the start of a new Congress and presidential term, a new C2ES policy guide outlines actions federal policymakers can take to protect the climate and meet America's energy needs. Steps the administration can take on its own include new standards to boost energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions from power plants. Working together, Manik Roy tells the National Journal, the president and Congress can also advance clean energy technologies and help make communities more climate-resilient. 2nd annual Climate Leadership Awards Seventeen companies, four local governments and two individuals were honored for their exemplary leadership in addressing climate change at the second annual Climate Leadership Awards. Winners came from a wide array of sectors, including construction, finance, defense, transportation, retail, energy and technology. The awards – given by EPA in collaboration with C2ES and two other nonprofits – were presented at the 2013 Climate Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. Conference headliners included Bank of America Chairman Chad Holliday, Acting EPA Administrator Bob Persciasepe, and former EPA Administrator Bill Reilly. More on Business President Obama makes the case for action Eileen Claussen applauds President Obama's call in his State of the Union address for stronger climate action, and his recognition that market-based approaches are the best way to reduce carbon emissions. In an E&E TV interview, Elliot Diringer notes the importance of the president's declaration that if Congress doesn't act, he's prepared to move forward on his own. A carbon tax primer A new C2ES policy brief outlines issues to consider in designing a carbon tax and looks at existing carbon taxes in the U.S. and around the world. The brief also summarizes congressional proposals for a federal carbon tax, including a new bill introduced by Senators Bernie Sanders and Barbara Boxer. More on Federal Policy Buy-outs could reduce future flood risk Concerned about the threat of more intense, more frequent storms driven by climate change, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed helping victims of Hurricane Sandy get out of harm's way. The governor wants to use up to $400 million in federal Sandy relief funds to buy damaged homes within flood plains from owners willing to sell. Future development would be barred, allowing the land to serve as a natural buffer. Joseph Casola notes these buy-outs have worked elsewhere, and could ultimately save billions of dollars. More on Science and Impacts Northeast states tighten carbon cap The nine states in the northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative took an important step this month to reduce power plant emissions and increase funding for energy efficiency and clean energy. RGGI will tighten the emissions cap in its cap-and-trade program while increasing compliance flexibility for businesses. Judi Greenwald praises the move and explains its significance. California holds second auction California this month held a second successful auction of emission allowances in its greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program. The price of $13.62 per ton for 2013 allowances was up slightly from the first auction. Launched in January, California's carbon trading program is the world's second largest and aims to reduce emissions 16 percent by 2020. The next auction is slated for May. More on States and Regions Middle schools compete to save energy Seven middle schools will compete in the third annual Change Our 2morrow (CO2) Schools' Challenge, a month-long program that encourages students, parents and the community to use energy more efficiently. Schools are vying for a $5,000 grand prize or one of several $1,000 grants from the Alcoa Foundation. In last year's Schools' Challenge, 9,000 students, parents, and community members supporting eight schools pledged to reduce 10.7 million pounds of carbon dioxide More from Make an Impact
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