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A Clean Air Act Seminar Hosted by the Alliance and BCSE

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Date: Feb 25, 2011

Clean Air Act 101 Seminar Hosted by the Alliance and BCSE

The role of clean energy in Clean Air Act requirements is receiving increasing attention.  New EPA rules for both greenhouse gas (GHG) and non-GHG emissions increasingly point to energy efficiency and clean energy as effective compliance techniques. The Alliance and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) conducted an “EPA 101” seminar on Dec. 15, 2010 to help demystify the Clean Air Act and the role of clean energy solutions.

The seminar was moderated by Alliance President Kateri Callahan and BCSE President Lisa Jacobson, and hosted by McKenna & Aldridge. The occasion brought together a slew of business leaders for an educational session on the landmark law’s basic framework, its historic implementation, pending GHG and non-GHG rules, and potential impacts on clean energy in 2011 and the coming years.

Given the complexity of the Clean Air Act, a panel of expert speakers helped unravel key portions of the law, and highlight new and pending EPA actions, Including, among others, guidance to states on permitting GHG emissions from large industrial facilities, potential inclusion of energy efficiency provisions in hazardous air pollution standards for certain boilers, and rules for reducing interstate transport of pollution from power plants.

The panel addressed the major challenges that key industries will face in attempting to meet the new requirements, and the implications forthcoming regulations might have on clean energy sectors. Alliance Associates and BCSE members took part in the discussion on how clean energy businesses and organizations can help facilitate development of EPA’s regulatory scheme, and on the potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy to assist regulated industries and states in complying with their new Clean Air Act obligations. 

Challenge Turns Opportunity for Energy Efficiency and Renewables

Among important concerns over EPA regulatory action is the number of rulemakings that will impact the electricity sector.  Some critics have dubbed EPA regulatory actions as an approaching “train wreck” that may adversely affect electricity reliability and the economy, while others suggest that the rules will promote cleaner generation without adverse energy impacts. Some members of Congress have vowed to lead efforts to delay, defund, or de-authorize EPA regulation of GHG emissions and have criticized EPA actions on some non-GHG rules as well.  However, other members defend EPA. Unless Congress moves to block EPA regulation, the EPA is expected to continue to develop rules, in some cases in accordance with court order. 

 As the December Clean Air Act seminar came to a close, the experts noted that clean energy businesses and organizations can play an important role in the rulemaking process by reviewing EPA proposed rules, filing comments, meeting with the agency, getting involved in the legislative process, and working with public utility commissions, state environmental agencies, and state energy offices to ensure clean energy is part of a working solution. 

Seminar presentations, materials, further resources