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Stories Archive: May, 2009

The American Clean Energy and Security Act: Key Elements and Next Steps

By John Larsen on May 28, 2009

WRI’s analysis of emissions caps, allowances, offsets, and other critical components of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

Countdown to Copenhagen: The U.S. Role in Climate Talks

By Polly Ghazi and Payson Schwin on May 27, 2009

As climate talks continue next week in Bonn, WRI President Jonathan Lash explains why the U.S. should actively take part in negotiations.

Darwin's Lessons for the Extractive Industry

By Kirk Herbertson and Janet Ranganathan on May 26, 2009

Environmental and social performance is shaping a new breed of oil, gas, and mining companies.

WRI Applauds Historic Step by the U.S. House of Representatives

May 22, 2009
Location: WASHINGTON, D.C.

Jonathan Lash, president of the World Resources Institute congratulates Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA), Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA), and members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on their historic vote this evening to approve The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACESA).

Statement by Deborah Seligsohn on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Strategically Important China Visit

May 21, 2009
Location: BEIJING, CHINA

National Journal reported that U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is organizing a congressional trip to China over the Memorial Day recess, with a focus on climate change.

A Victory for Transparency in the United Kingdom

By Lalanath de Silva on May 20, 2009

The resignation of the Speaker of the UK House of Commons demonstrates the power of transparency.

2009 National Summit on Transport and the Environment to be Held in Brasilia

May 20, 2009
Location: Brasilia, Brazil

WHAT:

The Center for Sustainable Transport in Brazil (CTS-Brasil), a member of the World Resources Institute’s EMBARQ Network, the National Confederation of Transport, and the British Embassy will host the 2009 Brazil National Summit on Transport and the Environment. About 60 representatives from government, the private sector and the public will attend the one-day event focusing on policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions from the urban transport sector in Brazil.

WRI Releases Analysis of Emission Reductions Under American Clean Energy Security Act of 2009

May 20, 2009
Location: WASHINGTON, D.C.

Proposed pollution caps in the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) would result in reductions of total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. This is less than the 17 percent reduction from 2005 levels that the previous Waxman-Markey Discussion Draft as released would have achieved, according to a new analysis released by the World Resources Institute.

“Common Sense” Climate and Energy Bill Praised by WRI President Jonathan Lash

May 18, 2009
Location: WASHINGTON, D.C.

The U.S. House of Representatives this week discusses a major climate and energy bill introduced by Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Edward Markey (D-MA).

Fact Sheet: The Role of Adaptation

By Heather McGray on May 18, 2009

Examining the role of adaptation in U.S. climate legislation and an international climate agreement.

New Hope for the Chesapeake Bay, Maybe

By Cy Jones on May 15, 2009

Presidential intervention has raised the stakes in a decades-long effort to clean up Chesapeake Bay.

Commission Proposes Plan to Battle Climate Change on the Ground

May 14, 2009
Location: WASHINGTON, D.C. and NEW YORK CITY, N.Y.

A path for financing smart economic development through strong institutions was announced today by a 14-person commission appointed to advise political leaders on climate change.

Energy Demands Drain Water Resources in Southeast U.S., Policies Needed

May 13, 2009
Location: ATLANTA, GEORGIA and WASHINGTON, D.C.

Stressed water supplies in the Southeast United States could be relieved by introducing energy and water conservation policies outlined in a report released today by the World Resources Institute, Southface and Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance.

Water for Watts in the Southeast

By Eliot Metzger on May 13, 2009

Public officials in the U.S. Southeast should recognize and carefully manage the relationships between energy and water.

Summary of S. 1013: Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Sequestration Program Amendments Act of 2009

By Sarah Forbes on May 11, 2009

S. 1013 authorizes the Department of Energy to conduct a program to demonstrate ten commercial-scale integrated geologic storage projects, and provides a framework for selection criteria for these demonstrations. Importantly, the bill addresses the long term-stewardship challenges associated with demonstration, including both long-term monitoring requirements and liability protection.

Summary of H.R. 1689: Carbon Capture and Storage Early Deployment Act

By Sarah Forbes on May 11, 2009

H.R. 1689, the Carbon Capture and Storage Early Deployment Act, introduced by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) in March 2009, is designed to accelerate the development and early deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies by providing a funding mechanism for commercial-scale demonstrations that is outside the traditional appropriations process.

MEDIA ADVISORY; Tele-press conference on Energy and Water Challenges in Southeast U.S.

May 11, 2009

WHAT: The World Resources Institute (WRI), Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA), and Southface will hold a tele-press conference to discuss the third report in a three-part series on energy opportunities in the Southeast United States. Water and Watts examines the region’s heavy dependence on water for electricity produced at coal and nuclear power plants. The report shows how clean energy policies can protect diminishing freshwater supplies and meet the energy demands of a growing population.

Discussion: Adaptation, Climate Change & Development

By Oretta Tarkhani on May 7, 2009
Location: Washington, DC

A new report focuses on adaptation to climate change and offers recommendations to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable countries and communities.

Policies Needed to Improve Energy Efficiency, Revive Economy in Southeast U.S.

May 7, 2009
Location: ATLANTA, GEORGIA and WASHINGTON, D.C.

Energy efficiency policies in the Southeast U.S. can help reduce electricity use by more than 10 percent over the next six years - saving the same amount of power generated by more than 30 coal-fired power plants, according to a report released today by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA), and Southface.

Uganda Wetland Maps Will Help Reduce Poverty, Boost Economy

May 5, 2009
Location: KAMPALA, UGANDA

Uganda’s leaders now have access to maps that will allow them—for the first time ever—to reduce poverty through better management of the country’s wetlands.