Policy & Enforcement Briefing: Arkansas GHG Plan

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The EPA has approved Arkansas’ program for permitting new and modified facilities that emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases – making the state the first in the region to replace a federal implementation plan with its own state program. This means businesses need to seek air permits from one regulatory agency instead of two, the EPA said. The agency says Arkansas serves as a model for other states in developing state-lead GHG permitting programs. Arkansas’ authority to issue GHG air permits will start in April.



The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology has recommended the implementation of carbon standards for existing sources of emissions, along with expansion of shale gas production, as two means to combat climate change. It also called for infrastructure planning to integrate climate risks, and measures to decarbonize the economy, the Hill reported.



The Senate voted - in favor of building the Keystone XL oil pipeline, in a non-binding vote on a bipartisan amendment. The Washington Post says it is unclear how CG Leads much the vote will sway President Obama, whose state department has the final say on TransCanada’s application.



Two other non-binding and largely symbolic Senate votes on Friday showed that both Republicans and centrist Democrats are standing against fees on GHG emissions, the Hill reported. Senators voted - against Sheldon Whitehouse’s (D-RI) proposal that revenue from any carbon tax be reimbursed to taxpayers through deficit reductions, rate cuts and other means. Meanwhile, Roy Blunt’s (R-MO) plan to require a -vote majority for passage of carbon tax legislation itself needed votes to pass, and only got – but that included eight centrist Democrats.







And in another symbolic vote, Senators voted - against James Inhofe’s (R-OK) proposed ban on federal greenhouse gas regulations. The EPA published draft carbon emissions standards for new power plants a year ago, but the timescale for the rules’ completion is unclear, the Hill said.



President Obama has nominated Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairman Allison Macfarlane for a new, five-year term. She took over the position last summer after then-chairman Gregory Jaczko resigned, amid allegations of bullying, the AP reports.

[TBustah!]

Obama? I think you're a bit late to the party here. The current "president" is the guy constantly sh*tting his pants and letting your government do whatever the hell it wants.