The Debate: How Can the U.S. Lead in Paris to Achieve a Climate Agreement We Can Live With?
Subtitle
Need Transparency and Review Mechanism
Avoid Falling Into Another Kyoto Trap
A Balanced, International Approach
A New Language for Diplomacy in Paris (and U.S.)
Senate Should Favor Accord This Time
A New Tag Line: "It's Global an It Will Work"
Author
Joseph E. Aldy - Harvard Kenny School
John D. Graham - Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Gary S. Guzy - Covington & Burling LLP
Bob Inglis - republicEn.org
Jennifer Morgan - World Resources Institute
Jake Schmidt - Natural Resources Defense Council
Harvard Kenny School
Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Covington & Burling LLP
republicEn.org
World Resources Institute
Natural Resources Defense Council
Current Issue
November/December 2015
Issue
32

In a few weeks, the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will convene in Paris to hammer out for the first time an accord that will have binding targets for almost all nations, industrialized and developing alike. We polled some of the leading thinkers and activists involved in the climate change negotiations, asking them what the United States needs to do to realize an agreement that we can live with — one that protects the environment and also wins favor in the Senate and among the American public.

Growing the Grid
Author
Peter Behr - EnergyWire
EnergyWire
Current Issue
November/December 2015
Issue
6

The Clean Power Plan’s success hinges on reformation of the transmission lines that link generators and consumers of electrical energy. Congress has the responsibility for creating a durable policy framework for the 21st century’s power infrastructure.

Navigating Shale Gas Development: A Guidebook for Local Government Officials in Pennsylvania
Author
James McElfish (Environmental Law Institute), Diana Stares (Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy & Management)
Date Released
July 2014

Shale gas development has raised concerns that local governments might be entering a “boom and bust” cycle.  ELI and the W&J Center have produced this practical guidebook for communities in southwestern Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale region to inform local officials and community organizations of some of their options to assure their communities receive long-term benefits from the development.

Getting the Boom Without the Bust: Guiding Southwestern Pennsylvania Through Shale Gas Development
Author
James McElfish (Environmental Law Institute), Diana Stares (Washington & Jefferson College Center for Energy Policy & Management)
Date Released
July 2014
Getting the Boom without the Bust: Guiding Southwestern Pennsylvania through Sha

Shale gas development has raised concerns that local governments might be entering a “boom and bust” cycle. This study examines the gas boom in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale, and explores best practices to forestall or mitigate a subsequent economic downturn or “bust.” A key focus of the study is the distribution and expenditure of state impact fees assessed on the gas industry.

Estimating U.S. Government Subsidies to Energy Sources: 2002-2008
Author
Adenike Adeyeye, James Barrett, Jordan Diamond, Lisa Goldman, John Pendergrass, and Daniel Schramm
Date Released
September 2009
Estimating U.S. Government Subsidies to Energy Sources: 2002-2008

The largest U.S subsidies to fossil fuels are attributed to tax breaks that aid foreign oil production, according to research released by ELI. The study, which reviewed fossil fuel and energy subsidies for Fiscal Years 2002-2008, reveals that the lion’s share of energy subsidies supported energy sources that emit high levels of greenhouse gases. Fossil fuels benefited from approximately $72 billion over the seven-year period, while subsidies for renewable fuels totaled only $29 billion.

Maryland Offshore Energy Framework
Author
James McElfish, Daniel Schramm, and Adam Schempp
Date Released
September 2009
Maryland Offshore Energy Framework

ELI’s Oceans and Land & Biodiversity staff analyze the tools available to Maryland’s Coastal Zone Management Program to address new energy activities in state and federal coastal waters. The report assesses Maryland’s existing laws and policies, interstate agreements, and federal laws, and identifies potential measures that can help Maryland create an Offshore Energy Framework.

Siting Wind Energy Facilities - What Do Local Elected Officials Need to Know?
Author
James M. McElfish Jr. and Judith M. Amsalem
Date Released
February 2013
Siting Wind Energy Facilities - What Do Local Elected Officials Need to Know?

Siting Wind Energy Facilities – What Do Local Elected Officials Need to Know? is a brief guide to aid local officials in understanding commercial-scale wind siting. Local government officials presented with potential wind energy projects in their municipalities often find that clear and concise answers to their citizens ’ concerns can be difficult to locate.

State Enabling Legislation for Commercial-Scale Wind Power Siting and the Local Government Role
Author
James M. McElfish, Jr. and Sara Gersen
Date Released
May 2011
State Enabling Legislation for Commercial-Scale Wind Power Siting and the Local

Wind power currently provides less than 2 percent of the nation’s electric power, but the U.S. Department of Energy plans for an increase to 20 percent within the next 20 years. Wind energy is a growing industry sector with the potential to transform much of the nation’s industrial and energy economy, while avoiding harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

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