Green Options » energy politics

Utah’s Next Governor Doesn’t Buy Human-Caused Global Warming

Timothy B. Hurst — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:09:58 +0000

Herbert and Huntsman don’t see eye to eye on climate change

Just two weeks after President Barack Obama’s choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, was replaced by new Kansas governor, Mark Parkinson — who quickly ended a nearly two-year standoff by granting an air permit for a new coal-fired power plant in the southwestern part of the state — another one of the President’s high-profile political appointees will be replaced as governor by a politician less concerned about the environment.

After President Obama tapped Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, a Republican, as the next U.S. Ambassador to China, some attention shifted to his likely replacement, Utah Lt. Governor Gary Herbert, and the direction the new governor plans on taking the state. While observers don’t expect any sudden policy reversals, Herbert’s position on the human-causes of global warming stands in striking opposition to his predecessor’s.

Nag Congress Now on Renewable Energy Credits

Shirley Siluk Gregory — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:58:16 +0000

Amid the distractions of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, Sarah Palin surprises, Hurricane Gustav and beyond sits a vitally important and sadly too-neglected news item: investments in new projects for renewable energy are suffering because Congress hasn’t yet found a way to extend tax credits for such efforts.

The renewable energy tax credits for wind, solar and other clean energies is set to expire on Dec. 31.

The delay in extending those credits is hindering plans for new renewable energy projects. A study by Navigant Consulting, for example, warns that letting the tax credits expire could jeopardize $19 billion in renewables investment, as well as threaten 112,000 jobs in the clean-energy sector.

Group Sues EPA for Inaction on Coal Permit

Timothy B. Hurst — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:50:00 +0000

Giuliani Firm to Do Legal Bidding

A Navajo Nation enterprise has filed a lawsuit against the US Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday for dragging its feet on an air permit for a proposed coal-fired power plant. Dine Power Authority of the Navajo Nation and Houston-based Sithe Global Power have partnered to build the $3 billion, 1500 megawatt Desert Rock plant. The group filed for a permit back in 2004 and is still awaiting a final decision. “Time is money,” said Steven Begay, the general manager of DPA. Begay added, “Sithe is spending money, and we’re spending money. The longer we wait, the more money we spend … and we don’t want to do that. We want to move forward.”

Sithe has alredy invested about $20 million in the project and the lawsuit claims the tribe is losing $5 million per month in tax revenue for each month the permit is delayed. The investor group announced in January that they would be suing the agency, and that they would be represented by friend of ‘big energy,’ Giuliani and Bracewell. Apparently Rudy Giuliani will find ways to assert his political will, even if he can’t be President.