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Wind Industry Surges in 2011
August 31, 2012The Energy Department released a new report on August 14 highlighting strong growth in the U.S. wind energy market in 2011. According to the 2011 Wind Technologies Market Report, the United States remained one of the world’s largest and fastest growing wind markets in 2011.
Fuel Efficiency Standards to Nearly Double by 2025
August 29, 2012The EPA and the NHTSA have finalized standards that will increase average fuel economy requirements for cars and light-duty trucks to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. When combined with previous standards set for 2011-2016 models, this move will nearly double the fuel efficiency of those vehicles compared to new vehicles currently on the road.
Improving Regulatory Performance through Ex Post Evaluation
August 28, 2012Wisconsin and the federal government are currently undertaking a review of existing regulations, so University of Pennsylvania Prof. Cary Coglianese’s timely blog discussing regulatory review methodology is an interesting read.
Court Strikes Down CSAPR
August 27, 2012In EME Homer City Generation LP v. EPA, a federal court vacated the EPA’s Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which would have required 28 states, including Wisconsin, to significantly curtail sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.
Regulations a Factor in WI Coal Plant Shuttering
August 17, 2012Alliant Energy plans to retire one of the three coal generators at its Edgewater Generating Station in Sheboygan and two others at its Nelson Dewey Generating Station in Cassville by 2015. The move comes as more restrictive state and federal regulations on coal plant emissions are scheduled to go into effect.
Alliant Energy, doing business as Wisconsin Power & Light Co., plans to spend $1.4 billion over the coming years to retool its generating fleet. The changes will mean Alliant will generate more megawatts from natural gas than coal when the projects are complete after more than doubling the amount of power the utility generates from natural gas and cutting back coal-power by 35%.
Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey to Study Frac Sand Mining
August 16, 2012The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey (WGNHS), in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has begun a 5-year study to evaluate the impact of frac sand mining and irrigated agriculture in western Chippewa County. The project was developed in response to citizen concerns about possible cumulative impacts of new sand mines and irrigation on local groundwater and stream levels.
Final Projects to Remove Sheboygan River Area of Concern from Great Lakes Cleanup List Funded
August 15, 2012The EPA and Sheboygan area officials are joining forces to kick off the final dredging work and habitat restoration projects needed to remove the Sheboygan River area of concern (AOC) from a list of toxic hot spots identified in the 1987 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The EPA is spending $57 million for the project while the state and the City of Sheboygan and Sheboygan County are contributing a combined $5 million.
DNR Implementing Chapter 30 Reforms
August 14, 2012The Department of Natural Resources is implementing changes to the state’s navigable waterways law that went into effect August 1. Updated information about recent waterway law changes, along with new permit application materials, are now available on the DNR website.
EIA Estimates 27 Gigawatts of Coal will Retire in Next Five Years
August 13, 2012Owners of power plants are reporting to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) that they are planning to retire 175 coal-fired power plants with an aggregate capacity of 27 gigawatts (GWs) in the next five years.
Regulatory Calendar
August 10, 2012Administrative agencies continuously promulgate new rules and often do so quickly. Tracking the various proposed rules can be time-intensive and complicated. The Foundation’s Regulatory Calendar includes the dates of important steps in the rulemaking process for various rules we are following at the state and federal level.