Friends,

Hope everyone had an enjoyable few days rest over Thanksgiving. We were right back in the action on Friday; not shopping, but filing our comments on the EPA's Climate ANPR. Got to get those important views in for consideration so people can continue to affordably and reliably spark up all the Christmas lights, Chanukah candles and holiday cheer.

So many interesting items and events happening this week. Please see below. With the holiday season upon us, this week also starts off the holiday party fare, so we'll see you at the usual events. Remember, you have to pace yourself when eating those little egg rolls and chicken tenders (both are always my undoing). It is why I must double my efforts to get to the gym...Please call with questions – especially on midnight regulation stories, transition issues, next year's agenda or anything related to the recent EPA EAB decision on Deseret or the climate ANPR.

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

c. (202) 997-5932

IN THE NEWS

ANPR Comments Deadline Passes – The deadline for comments on EPA's ANPR was Friday and numerous groups submitted their views on whether CO2 should be regulated. Scott Segal is making a few key points in the ERCC Comments: 1) The existing architecture of the Clean Air Act is an improper mechanism to address carbon dioxide. The regulatory mechanisms of the Act are too inflexible and would result in a massive extension of regulatory authority never contemplated by the drafters of the Act and its amendments. The EPA and state and local agencies would have to grow by tens of thousands of regulators and millions in budget dollars. 2) If Clean Air Act authority were used to diminish the role of coal in our nation's energy mix, the result would endanger the reliability and affordability of over half of the electricity consumed by American households, businesses, schools, and hospitals. 3) Unilateral carbon regulation would not ensure actual reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions, however. Instead, productive US manufacturing capacity would likely move overseas to areas not subject to such carbon controls. The net result would be continued emissions under conditions even less protective of the global environment. 4) There are constructive roles the EPA can play. First, the Agency should work closely with the next Administration and the US Congress to formulate appropriate legislative principles that take into account environmental objectives, cost containment, international competition, and other critical elements of successful policy. Second, the EPA should finalize its work on the clarification of the new source review (NSR) program in order to remove real or perceived impediments to energy-efficiency improvements at power plants and manufacturing facilities. Energy efficiency is best way to address greenhouse gas emissions by lowering the amount of fossil fuels necessary to generate electricity or make goods. I have the comments of the following groups in PDF: Council of Industrial Boiler Owners (I think the most unique of the bunch), American Chemistry Council, American Petroleum Institute, American Environmental Coalition, US Chamber of Commerce, Aluminum Association, Joint Industry Letter (includes state/local CoC's, etc). Most the comments are reasonable in length with the exception of the US Chamber's comments – a stem-winder that covers science and policy issues and clocks in at 220 pages.

Bracewell Experts Sound off on Deseret Decision – Bracewell clean air experts Richard Alonso, Scott Segal, Jason Hutt and Jeffrey Holmstead said the EPA Environmental Appeals Board decision on CO2 controls for Utah's Deseret project avoids the key question and creates significant uncertainty for utilities and consumers. The group said "It appears that the EAB's Deseret decision is carefully designed to leave open for the next Administration the question of whether CO2 will be regulated under a key EPA permitting program. On the one hand, EAB sided with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), agreeing that EPA is not required to treat CO2 as "subject to regulation" for purposes of the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permitting program. On the other hand, EAB found that EPA could exercise its discretion to treat CO2 as "subject to regulation," and thus require permit limits for CO2 based on the "best available control technology" (BACT). Under the Bush Administration, EPA has made it clear that, for both legal and policy reasons, it does not want to treat CO2 as "subject to regulation" under the

Act. The EAB found, however, that the Deseret permitting record was not adequate to support this position. It then remanded the permit back to the Agency with instructions that will make it very hard for EPA to respond to the remand until the new Administration takes office. In doing so, the EAB has created significant uncertainty for anyone planning to construct virtually any type of commercial building or industrial facility. In the end, the EAB found no Congressional intent in the Act that would require EPA to apply BACT to "pollutants" that are merely subject to "monitoring and reporting" requirements. The EAB also noted that in reconsidering its conclusions regarding CO2 BACT requirements, the EPA should be allowed to exercise discretion in interpreting what constitutes a "pollutant subject to regulation" under the Act. However, because the record did not support EPA's current reasoning for failing to include a BACT limit for CO2 in the permit, the EAB remanded Deseret's permit. In issuing the remand, the EAB noted that EPA has discretion to interpret the term "subject to regulation under the Act," an interpretation that will determine whether BACT is required to limit CO2 emissions. The BandG team also said the Deseret decision creates enormous uncertainty for virtually any significant building project in an area of the country in which EPA is the permitting authority. Under the Clean Air Act, the permitting authority cannot choose to treat CO2 as subject to regulation for some types of sources and not others. If CO2 is "subject to regulation" under the Clean Air Act, then any source that emits more than 250 tons per year of CO2 would need a PSD permit. EPA analysis has indicated that virtually all schools, hospitals, apartment buildings and commercial buildings have CO2 emission above this threshold. They also add that "projects with a PSD permit issued after the underlying permit decision in Deseret may fare differently on appeal to the EAB because the Deseret ruling focuses somewhat myopically on the underlying permit record established by EPA. In more recent PSD permits, EPA has included in the permitting record a much more robust explanation of its rationale for construing the existing Clean Air Act authority as not subjecting CO2 to regulation." For the full analysis, please let me know and I will forward it or connect you with the authors.

Valero Invests in Algae-Based Biofuels – In case you missed this, Valero Energy Corp. is participating in the development of algae-based biofuel with Solix Biofuels in Colorado. Valero is contributing part of the more than $10 million in funding Solix has secured to develop the technology. Solix is working to construct an algae-biofuel facility near Durango, Colorado. The Southern Ute Alternative Energy, a project of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe is among other investors. Solix's algae cultivation consumes substantial quantities of carbon dioxide, potentially helping to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases believed to contribute to global climate change. The Solix system has the ability to capture emissions directly from power plants and factories.

EU Emissions Increasing – A PricewaterhouseCoopers report says carbon emissions from EU power producers rose in 2007 by the same amount as the previous five years due to more coal use and more production overall. Germany is one of the larger users of coal, yet they say they are meeting their Kyoto targets. According to a study of the most recent numbers collected by its "national emissions inventory," which keeps tabs on Germany's CO2 emissions, the country has already lowered its emissions to the level set out by the Kyoto Protocol agreement. In 1997, Germany pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 21% by 2012 relative to 1990 levels. New numbers indicate that the country has managed to reduce emissions by 22.4%. Of course, much of those reductions are phantom reductions that occur only because the high-polluting Eastern Bloc economy collapsed in the early 1990s. The study also points to the mild winter of 2006-2007 as being a factor in Germany's recent emissions decline, as well as reductions from home conservation and fewer emissions from cars and trucks on its roads. Problems lie ahead though as higher prices for power have driven German utilities to use more coal to reduce consumer costs. As well, Germany is shutting down a number of its nuclear energy facilities as part of the country's turn away from nuclear power. Back to the PwC report, Germany's RWE was the top overall emitter among Europe's electricity producer, while Greece's Public Power Corp. (PPC) and Dutch utility Nuon had the highest carbon factors. Last year, the top 22 utilities in the EU generated 3,183 terawatt hours of electricity and emitted 800 million tons of CO2, representing 53% of the total carbon emissions in the 27-nation EU energy sector. Their emissions rose by 23 million tons or 3 percent over 2006, and by 46 million tons above 2001. Czech power generator CEZ saw the biggest increase in emissions, jumping by 29% to 46.9 million tons on a rise in total power produced and a shift towards burning more coal, PwC said. Finland's Fortum, Austria's Verbund and British Energy were named the least emitting utilities, as they produce most of their power from low-emitting nuclear, or from renewable sources like wind or hydro.

Refiners, Enviros Spar Over Tightened Refinery Emissions Standard – The Environmental Protection Agency held a public hearing on its proposal to tighten hazardous emissions standards for petroleum in Research Triangle Park, NC just before Thanksgiving. Of course, the rule spurred two separate and unique views of the rule. Enviro groups attacked the rule for not being tough enough and under estimating emissions and health risks from refineries. Of course, refiners defended the rule referencing a 90% reduction in hazardous air pollutants between 1990 and 2002, far greater than EPA's original forecast of 59 percent when it first issued the rule in 1995. In testimony, refiners continue to point to vehicle emissions rather than refinery emissions as the largest cause of hazardous pollutants. The comment period closes on December 26.

WV Approves AES Wind Project – The West Virginia Public Service Commission has approved a proposed $250 million wind farm along the Laurel Mountain ridgeline. The PSC says AES Laurel Mountain has to establish a decommissioning fund, obtain additional permits and satisfy other conditions contained in the order approving construction. Arlington, Va.-based AES Laurel Mountain plans to build up to 65 wind turbines along 8 miles of the ridgeline in Barbour and Randolph counties and would power up to 35,000 homes. It is the state's fifth approved project with two currently in operation.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:

CAP to Discuss Green Recovery – The Center for American Progress (CAP) held a discussion on "Green Recovery" and how each step of an economic recovery package (stabilization, stimulus, recovery, and growth) can be greened and explore national and state perspectives on policy solutions towards transforming our economy to a low-carbon model today at CAP at Noon. Speakers were expected to include Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa.; Albright Group LLC Principal Carol Browner; Thomas Friedman, columnist at the New York Times and author of "Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution-and How It Can Renew America"; and CAP Senior Fellow Joseph Romm.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference Set for Poznań Poland – The United Nations will hold its annual climate conference in Poznań Poland starting today and running through December 12. The Poznań Climate Change Conference is attempting to draw together nations toward important deadline set for negotiations in 2009 in Copenhagen. At COP 14/CMP 4 in Poznań, Parties are expected to 1) agree on a plan of action and programs of work for the final year of negotiations after a year of comprehensive and extensive discussions on crucial issues relating to future commitments, actions and cooperation, 2) Make significant progress on a number of on-going issues required to enhance further the implementation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol 3) Advance understanding and commonality of views on "shared vision" for a new climate change regime 4) Strengthen momentum and commitment to the process and the agreed timeline. Important continuing issues will be capacity-building for developing countries, reducing emissions from deforestation, technology transfer and adaptation.

Sustainable Transportation Expo Set – The Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) will hold the Powering Sustainable Transportation Conference and Exposition at the Washington Convention Center on starting tomorrow. EDTA is the trade association for battery, hybrid, plug-in and fuel cell electric drive vehicles and infrastructure. This conference brings together the industry's diverse players of automotive and other vehicle manufacturers, utilities, battery suppliers, technology developers and many more. Pre-Conference activities on December 2, including the Energy Policy Roundtable, Exposition and Ride and Drive, are open and free to all. The 2:00 p.m. Energy Policy Roundtable on Tuesday, December 2^nd will discuss industry needs, what policymakers should do, and what is likely to happen in Washington next year. Speakers will include Brookings expert David Sandalow, American Honda's Ed Cohen, Ford's Nancy Gioia, EEI's Tom Kuhn, GM's Tony Posawatz and Mary Ann Wright, CEO of Johnson Controls-Saft. The full agenda, speaker and exhibitor lists, and registration info is at www.edtaconference.com.

CATO Forum to Discuss Amazon Development Issues – The Cato Institute will hold a policy Forum tomorrow at Noon on the state of the Amazon with leading experts from the US and Brazil. Blairo Maggi, Governor of Mato Grosso, Brazil and RFF's Roger Sedjo will join CATO's Jerry Taylor to discuss the fierce tug-of-war over the Amazonian Rainforest, which has played out between those who wish to protect the rainforest from economic development and those who wish to exploit the rainforest for its agricultural, timber and mineral resources. The former believe that the diverse biological riches of the Amazon and the services the rainforest renders the planet as a global carbon sink are generally more valuable than are the resources that might be developed there. The latter, of course, for the most part disagree. Many support an optimal mix of conservation and development, but there is little consensus about what that might be. Blairo Maggi, governor of the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil and owner of the Andre Maggi group, the world's largest producer of soybeans, will discuss the competition for Amazonian resources and the implications of that competition for Brazilian development. Roger Sedjo, a forest economist and senior fellow at Resources for the Future, will discuss the ecological costs of deforestation and possible remedies.

DOE to Host Energy Biomass Research Meeting – The Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will hold a meeting of the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee to provide advice and guidance that promote research and development leading to the production of bio-based fuels and products tomorrow and Wednesday at the DoubleTree Hotel-Directors Room, 1515 Rhode Island Ave. The agenda includes: Update on USDA Biofuels Activities; Update on DOE Biofuels Activities; Meeting with the Biomass RandD Board to discuss FY2008 Recommendations; Subcommittee/Interagency Working Group Report-Outs; Presentation on Office of Basic Energy Science Biofuels Activities and Budget; Presentation on National Science Foundation Biofuels Activities and Budget.

Forum to Look at Transportation, Health Costs – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) will hold a briefing Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in 2212 Rayburn to examine health impacts and costs associated with transportation in the United States. The briefing will address how federal policies regarding transportation infrastructure, in addition to policies concerning vehicles and fuels, can play an important role in improving public health and reducing health care costs. Panelists will include: USC Keck School of Medicine's Director of Environmental Health Dr. John Peters American Public Health Association's Georges Benjamin MD, Thomas Gotschi of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and RFF's Elena Safirova. The transportation sector is associated with multiple risk factors for public health. Exposure to air pollution from vehicles has been linked to increased mortality, cancer, lung ailments, and other health problems. Limited options to walk or bike have been shown to be a factor in obesity cases, which have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Many of these impacts, asthma and obesity in particular, disproportionately affect children. Recent studies and an emerging body of research have documented local, regional and national health impacts associated with our transportation system -- adding costs to the national health care bill estimated in the billions of dollars. In addition, climate change, driven in part by carbon emissions from the transportation sector, is projected to exacerbate a variety of public health concerns.

Claussen to Address JHU SAIS Forum on Climate – The Johns Hopkins University Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will hold a discussion on "The Prospects for Climate Change Policy in a New Administration," with Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change in its Bernstein-Offit Building (1717 Massachusetts Ave) Room 500 1:00 p.m. With the on-going UN talks and closing of the ANPR, there will be plenty to discuss.

Ag Summit to Discuss Biofuels, Trade – The Farm Foundation and Farm Journal will host a Food and Agriculture Policy Summit tomorrow through Thursday at the Westin Washington D.C. City Center. Expect Ethanol and biofuels to be a part of the discussion in addition to global trade and other ag issues.

Brookings Forum to Look At Carbon-Constrained Smart Growth – The Brookings Institution will hold a policy forum on smart growth and public transportation issues that will focus on remaking the Suburbs in a Carbon-Constrained World at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Brookings. The discussion will be a case study of Maryland's Purple Line, a proposed Metro expansion that will connect Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties north of Washington DC. Speakers will include Charles Ebinger of the Energy Security Institute; Robert Puentes of the Metropolitan Policy Program; Marc Elrich of the Montgomery County Council; David Horner, deputy assistant transportation secretary for policy; and Maryland Secretary of Transportation John Porcari.

Pickens, WSJ's Moore to Headline Energy Event – The White House Writers Group (WHWG) will host a discussion on "The Future of America's Energy Security: What the U.S. Government Should Do" tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. at the Sofitel in Washington, D.C. Speakers include Stephen Moore of the Wall St. Journal; Boone Pickens, chairman of BP Capital Management and author of the Pickens Plan; and Daniel Oliver of the WHWG.

WCEE to Feature Sen. Murkowski at Leadership Event – The Women's Council on Energy and the Environment's Women in Leadership Speaker Series will feature a holiday breakfast event with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the incoming ranking Republican of the Senate Energy Committee, on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. at the Cosmos Club.

FL PSC to Analyze Renewable Options – The State Public Service Commission (PSC) has received a report from Navigant Consulting regarding options for meeting 20% renewable by 2020 requirement issued by Gov. Charlie Crist. Earlier in the year, the first draft from the PSC staff would only have achieved that goal by 2041. The Commissioners didn’t accept that draft and contracted Navigant Consulting, Inc. to assess the potential for renewable energy in Florida. On Wednesday, the Commissioners will hold a hearing on the Navigant Study and proceed with a recommendation to the legislature by February, 2009. Navigant says the 2020 goal can be achieved using solar rooftop PV, offshore wind and a variety of biomass technologies, but it will cost considerably more than new nuclear power and natural gas (and way more than the proposed Glade Coal plant that was rejected), the main sources of power for present customers of Florida Power and Light. Biomass -- things like plant waste, wood chips and garbage -- will be a financially viable source in all scenarios, but wind isn't likely to be much of a factor in Florida. Power from ocean currents -- still in a very basic experimental stage -- could be producing power that's competitive with solar by 2017. Navigant set up a series of scenarios describing how certain “drivers” might accelerate the transition. Higher conventional energy prices, carbon cap and trade and renewable standards could all influence the pace toward achieving a 20% goal. To see a copy of the study, go to: http://www.psc.state.fl.us/utilities/electricgas/RenewableEnergy/Assessment.aspx

RFF Seminar to Look at Organizing Govt to Address Climate Change – Resources for the Future (RFF) will hold its First Wednesday Seminar on Wednesday at Noon to address how the Federal government should organization to meet the challenges of climate change. Congressional and other proposals to address climate change assign new responsibilities to existing federal agencies and in some cases, suggest governmental reorganization or wholly new agencies. Some plans would move climate-related activities of the federal government well beyond those provided under the 1990 Global Change Research Act and embodied in the current Climate Change Science Program and Climate Change Technology Program. The panel will discuss how best to organize federal agencies for effective governance in addressing climate change, and will also cover regulation, diplomacy and international engagement, science and information, and economic policy. RFF's Molly Macauley will moderate a panel of experts John H. Gibbons, former Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, American Meteorological Society Policy Director William Hooke, EPA Climate office head Dina Kruger and RFF scholar and climate consultant Nigel Purvis.

Friedman to Headline ACORE Renewable Forum – Thomas L. Friedman, world-renowned author, journalist, and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, will keynote the Phase II of Renewable Energy in America National Policy Forum on Capitol Hill on Wednesday and Thursday. The 7^th annual event is sponsored by ACORE and conveys the contribution of renewable energy to the nation's energy needs by bringing together high-level speakers to discuss the energy policy issues concerning renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable development, the environment and related fields. For more, go to: http://www.acorephaseii.com/

Horner to Discuss Climate Alarmism at Heritage Event – The Heritage Foundation will hold a forum on global warming titled "Red Hot Lies: How Global Warming Alarmists Use Threats, Fraud, and Deception to Keep You Misinformed" on Thursday at Noon at Heritage's Lehrman Auditorium. Speakers will include our friend never at a loss for words CEI's Chris Horner, who authored the book "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming (and Environmentalism)" and Heritage's energy and climate expert David Kreutzer, who also recently released some research on energy issues.

AWEA To Hold Webinars on New Wind Agenda – The wind industry recently released it’s newest publication, Wind Energy for a New Era, which provides an overview of the policy agenda to key policy-makers on the transition team, in the new Administration and in Congress. The policies it addresses are designed to help wind energy remain on the pathway to 20% wind power by 2030. They include a national RES, a long-term PTC extension, measures to promote an interstate transmission highway designed to maximize deployment of renewable energy, climate legislation that appropriately values carbon-free electricity generation, an initiative to facilitate wind power project and transmission siting and accelerated research and development. The Wind Energy for a New Era overview and other supporting resources are available at www.awea.org/NewWindAgenda. To respond to questions, AWEA will host two webinars to discuss the new wind agenda. Sessions will be Thursday at 3:00 p.m. (register at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/553446484) and December 9, 1:00 p.m. (register at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/864388738).

House Financial Services to Look at Auto Cos Plans – The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing on Friday at 9:30 a.m. in 2128 Rayburn to discuss the Auto Industry Stabilization. The Full committee will review industry plans to stabilize the financial condition of the American automobile industry. Expect Company execs and analysts.

Energy Department to Host Briefing on Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing – The Department of Energy will hold a meeting of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program (ATVMLP) to address inquiries from potential loan applicants on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the Forrestal Building in Room 4A-104. A larger public meeting will be held tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.

Lautenbacher to Headline CSIS Climate Science Forum – The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) will hold a discussion on "Climate Change, Security and Earth Observations." Featuring outgoing former Commerce undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Vice Adm. Conrad Lautenbacher on science issues and climate change on Friday at 9:00 a.m. Other speakers will include Northrop Grumman CEO Ronald Sugar, Ana Unruh Cohen, deputy staff director of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, Sharon Burke of the Center for New American Security and Sarah Ladislaw of CSIS.

USGS Study To Highlight Key Water Quality Issues – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) will hold a briefing on drinking water quality on Friday at 9:30 a.m. in 345 Cannon. The US Geological Survey (USGS) will release new data collected at sources of public drinking water at nine sites across the country. The water was tested for more than 260 compounds, mostly man-made, including pesticides, solvents, gasoline hydrocarbons, personal care and household-use products, disinfection by-products, and manufacturing additives. Many of these chemicals have been found in surface water for years, but this study specifically analyzed contaminants at drinking water intake locations, as well as the quality of the drinking water after treatment. To discuss the implications, speakers include USGS's Greg Delzer, chief scientist in charge of the USGS studies and Thomas Jacobus, General Manager of the Washington Aqueduct Authority, the District of Columbia’s drinking water treatment agency. Tim Miller, Chief of the USGS Office of Water Quality will moderate the event.

MD Solar Energy Conference Set in Annapolis – Solar Energy: Focus 2009 will hold its second annual conference and expo at the DoubleTree Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland on Friday and Saturday. Topics include more about the future of solar energy in the Chesapeake and National Capital region. Friday includes a day of conferences, company workshops, professional development and an exhibit hall. Speakers will include Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and MD Energy Administration head Malcolm Wolff. Specific training and workshops will follow on Saturday.

THE WEEKS AHEAD:

OH Gov. Strickland Headlines AWEA Supply-Chain Conference – The American Wind Energy Association’s Second Supply Chain Workshop will be held in Cleveland, Ohio on December 8-9. The event has a powerful program where attendees will learn the fast facts on wind turbines – the parts needed and how companies can start supplying this growing industry. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, Governor of Ohio, as well as Ohio State House Speaker Jon Husted will be participating in this workshop program. In addition, prior to the workshop, on Monday, December 8, there will be a pre-conference seminar that will detail the anatomy of a turbine and help suppliers see first-hand where they themselves can enter into the wind industry supply chain. To see the complete program agenda visit: http://www.awea.org/events/supplychain2/agenda.html.

Interior to Hold Meetings on OCS Issues – The Department of Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) will hold a meeting of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Policy Committee on December 9-10 at the Washington Dulles Crowne Plaza Hotel. Agenda includes MMS Environmental Studies. This presentation will provide an update on environmental studies awarded by the MMS in FY2008 and those proposed for FY2009; OCS Scientific Committee Update. The meeting will also focus on the current and future domestic energy supply, unconventional onshore and deepwater potential, as well as a 5-Year Program 2010-2015. Oil and gas leasing offshore for 2010 to 2015 will also be discussed, as well as revenue sharing and former moratoria areas.

Enviros Session to Address National Carbon Tax – Several environmental groups will hold a briefing on a phased-in, national carbon tax as a policy option for addressing climate change on Tuesday, December 9 at 9:00 a.m. in B318 Rayburn. The briefing is sponsored by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), the Carbon Tax Center, the Climate Crisis Coalition, Friends Committee on National Legislation and Friends of the Earth and will focus on the environmental, economic, economic-efficiency, logistical and political benefits of a national carbon tax, particularly one that is phased-in and revenue-neutral. Many economists have called for enactment of a carbon tax as the simplest, easiest to administer and most transparent approach to carbon pricing, despite the conventional wisdom that a "cap and trade" regime is key to a political consensus. Indeed, there have been numerous cap and trade bills introduced in the Congress, including the Boxer-Lieberman-Warner bill that was brought to the Senate floor for a vote late last spring. Speakers for this event include on CT Rep. John Larson, muzzled, noted "Tax expert" James Hansen of NASA's Goddard, James Hoggan of Canada's David Suzuki Foundation, Gilbert Metcalf of Tufts University and former U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs Robert Shapiro. The Session will be moderated by Brent Blackwelder of Friends of the Earth.

China's Oil Industry Focus of WCEE Event – The Women's Council on Energy and the Environment's will host Bo Kong, a rapidly rising star in the field of Chinese energy policy at a brown bag lunch forum on Thursday December 11^th at the US Energy Assn at 8:00 a.m. to discuss Chinese energy policy with an emphasis on the oil sector and the challenges that it is facing as it looks to expand worldwide. Kong, who recently was awarded his PhD from John Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), is currently the Director of SAIS's Global Energy and Environment Initiative and an Adjunct Professor with the University. Mr. Kong also serves as a columnist with ChinaStakes.com and as a consultant with Ayrlie Partners, LLC and the Sentia Group where he provides expert analysis on the economic, political, and security dimensions of Chinese energy policy. In addition to studying at SAIS, Mr. Kong has also holds degrees from Chinese Universities in Nanjing, Beijing and Tianjin. Mr. Kong is also the author of several journal articles, op-eds, and reports and will be releasing his first book "China's International Oil Policy" in 2009.

Virtual Energy Forum Set For Second Run – The Virtual Energy Forum is a two day online-only event that will be held on December 10 and 11^th and will focus on how leading companies can adopt better energy management practices to cut costs, while at the same time adopting clean energy alternatives -- presenting alternative energy technologies, policies, and best practices in a live, interactive environment. The event is designed to meet the needs of corporate energy executives in a way that is not possible with physical events, webinars or other means. The first Virtual Energy Forum, which took place on June 10th and 11th, received extremely positive responses from attendees, sponsors and partners alike and was featured in CNN's Situation Room. Speakers for this month's event include FERC Chair Joe Kelleher, Duke's Jim Rogers and National Grid's David Manning, among many others. For more information, go to: http://www.virtualenergyforum.com/

Coal Symposium Set for Purdue-Calumet – Purdue University in Calumet's Energy Efficiency and Reliability Center in conjunction with the PU-West Lafayette's Energy Center at Discovery Park and the Indiana Center for Coal Technology Research will hold a Coal Symposium December 11-12 at PU-Calumet's Conference Center in Hammond, Indiana. I will be speaking at the conference as well. U.S. produced coal supplies 49% of the basic energy needs for the nation's total electricity demand, providing secure, sustainable, and cheap supplies for the U.S. economy. In Indiana coal supplies 95% of the energy needs to fuel the state's electric power generators. As we look towards diversifying power generation technologies and the sources of basic energy supplies the dependence on coal will be staying with us for many decades yet to come, until alternative, appropriate, safe designs are operational. How to promote therefore the use of clean coal technologies in coming years is of importance to us all. To see more information, go to: http://www.purdue.edu/dp/energy/events/CCTR_Meetings_Dec_2008/

Commissioners to Look at Changes for PA Wind Project – Last week, the Fayette County Planning Commission voted unanimously to amend the County Zoning Ordinance that will enable wind projects to be built within the county and keep with current industry standard requirements. Earlier this year, a county panel rejected changes which has now become a lawsuit. A summary of the changes include Tower heights of up to 300’ as opposed to 250’, property line setback issues and sound levels not to exceed 55 dBA/dBC down from 70dB, among other issues. County Commissioners are expected to vote on enacting the planning commission's recommendations during their monthly meeting in mid-December. We'll keep you posted.

AGU Sets Fall Meetings for San Francisco – The American Geophysical Union will hold its annual Fall meeting in San Francisco on December 15-19 at the Moscone Center. The event is always chalk full of science and climate related events and usually includes some major announcements. Here is a link: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm08/

CA's Nichols Climate Event Rescheduled – Resources for the Future and the Commonwealth Club of California has rescheduled a discussion entitled “A New Climate of Change” from Tuesday November 18 until sometime in next January. The event will still be held in Washington, DC. The full-day event will include a keynote address by Mary D. Nichols, chairman of California’s Air Resources Board.