‘Renewable’ advocates lose nuke suit but gain an opening

“In an interesting decision issued last Friday, the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, in Beyond Nuclear v. NextEra Energy Seabrook, affirmed the decision by the NRC rejecting a challenge to Seabrook’s relicensing posed by a coalition of environmental groups. The decision seems clearly correct, but raises an important policy issue that is likely to recur as renewable energy technologies advance…”

So writes Foley Hoag partner Seth D. Jaffe in a blog post today sent to clients and friends.

To learn more about that “important policy issue” and what comfort the decision offers renewable energy advocates, read Seth’s full post at:

Can Wind Energy Serve As Baseload Power? The First Circuit Agrees with the NRC That, For Now, The Answer Is “Not Yet.”

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‘Renewable’ advocates lose nuke suit but gain an opening Read More »

Oyster Creek nuclear plant under Sandy spotlight tonight

The amount of energy generated by New Jersey environmental activists likely could power quite a few households if captured tonight at a public hearing in Toms River on the safety
of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.

Groups like the New Jersey Environmental Federation and the New Jersey Sierra Club will
be calling for the closure of the nuclear facility in Lacey Township, where a floodwater surge generated by Superstorm Sandy caused the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to issue an alert as the water came within four inches of backup pumps used to prevent a meltdown
of the plant.

Tonight’s meeting of the Oyster Creek Safety Advisory Panel will be held between 6 p.m.
and 7:30
p.m. in room 119 of the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08754.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) advises members of the public who would like to speak to fill
out a request card upon arrival. Each person will have
five minutes to address the panel.
Written comments will also be accepted.

Panel members are DEP Commissioner Bob Martin,
Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Edward Dickson and
independent consultant Dr. Adam Cohen.
The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in
November, but was rescheduled
due to Superstorm Sandy.

In an alert to its members, the Environmental Federation says that the nuclear plant
“has the exact same flawed and
antiquated water reactor design as Fukushima.”
The Federation is calling for additional protections at the plant and an updating of its evacuation plan.

The NJ Sierra Club, in a statement, said:“The NRC instead
of being a regulator has been a cheerleader for the industry. If they were
concerned about safety they would not give the oldest plant in the nation a 20
year license. This is the eighth incident at the
plant since it had been re-licensed There needs to be an independent
investigation not just the NRC to make sure that this is plant is safe.”

What do you think? Let us know in the comment box below. If one is not visible, activate it by clicking on the tiny ‘comments’ line.

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Should these enviro events be on YOUR calendar?

Oyster Creek nuclear plant under Sandy spotlight tonight Read More »

2013 alternative energy picture not bright in New Jersey

At the start of 2013, New Jersey‘s prospect for a greater reliance on alternative energy is far from promising.

The development of a wind-turbine farm off the coast is more doubtful than ever, the once high-soaring solar sector has gone into an eclipse, and an alternative energy vehicle policy hasn’t yet pulled away from the curb.

NJ Spotlight‘s energy and environment writer Tom Johnson surveys the landscape in
For Energy Sector, 2013 Brings Another Chance to Grapple With Unresolved Issues.

Across the border, New York State has announced that it is investing $250 million in alternative energy projects as part of its Renewable Portfolio Program. The chosen projects will be announced by early summer and are supposed to be generating electricity by May 1
of next year.

Related environmental news stories:
Tax-credit Extension Won’t Be Much Help to NJ Offshore Wind Farms
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The Solar Energy Outlook for 2013
Biomass Industry Outlook 2013: Dogged by Regulatory Uncertainty

Will a former NJ or PA DEP chief take over at the EPA?

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2013 alternative energy picture not bright in New Jersey Read More »

Fiscal cliff vote rescues tax credits for wind industry

Good news today for Pennsylvania’s (and the nation’s) wind industry.

The
federal Production Tax Credit, whose 2012 expiration has menaced the wind
industry for more than a year, has scored an extension in the tax deal to avoid
the fiscal cliff, according to Anya Litvak writing for Energy Inc.

The one-year extension is a bit different — and better, supporters say — than the original. It provides a tax credit of 2.2 cents for each kilowatt hour of electricity produced by wind projects whose construction begins in 2013. The old tax credit required projects to go online by Dec. 31, 2012, in order to qualify.

The American Wind Energy Association is thrilled. The organization estimates that there are 1,029 megawatts of wind capacity currently online in Pennsylvania, with another 310 MW under construction. It also calls the state a “manufacturing hub” for the industry with at last five production facilities in southwestern Pennsylvania.

See the full story here.

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Fiscal cliff vote rescues tax credits for wind industry Read More »

Will a former NJ or PA DEP chief take over at the EPA?

Nature abhors a vacuum but the Washington rumor mill thrives on it.

In the nation’s capital, where EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has announced she’s stepping down, there’s a lot of speculation about who will be named by President Obama to replace her. Two former DEP chiefs from New Jersey and Pennsylvania are on the list.

Bradley Campbell

Kathleen McGinty

The National Journal says that leading candidates for the job include Bradley Campbell, who served as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection under governors Jim McGreevey and Jon Corzine, and Kathleen McGinty who was Pennsylvania’s top environmental official under Governor Ed Rendell.

Both Campbell and McGinty had Washington experience early in their careers.

However, the Journal’s environmental reporter Olga Belogolova writes that the top-runner to replace Jackson is Bob Perciasepe, EPA’s deputy administrator and chief operating officer.

Others who may get a look from the White House include:

Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board
Gina McCarthy, the assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation at the EPA, and
Heather Zichal, the White House’s top aide on energy and climate issues.

Read the full story here.

Have an opinion about any of the candidates? Or maybe you’d like to suggest another? Use the comment box below. If one is not visible, activate it by clicking on the tiny ‘comments’ line.

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EPA’s Future Without Administrator Lisa Jackson
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For thorough coverage of environmental news, issues, legislation and regulation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, try a FREE subscription to EnviroPolitics, our daily newsletter that also tracks environment/energy bills–from introduction to enactment

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Will a former NJ or PA DEP chief take over at the EPA? Read More »

What will be the big legislative issues in 2013 in NJ?

Veteran State House reporter Michael Aron asks New Jersey legislative leaders what big issues they will be tackling in the first half of 2013. See the video below for their responses.

Watch What’s in Store for NJ Legislature in 2013? Four Lawmakers W on PBS. See more from NJToday.

What did they leave out? Tell us what you think should be a priority in 2013. Use the comment box below. If one is not visible, activate it by clicking on the ‘comments’ line. Signed responses are appreciated. We also welcome you shy, anonymous types.

****************************************************************************************************
For thorough coverage of environmental news, issues, legislation and regulation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, try a FREE subscription to EnviroPolitics, our daily newsletter that also tracks environment/energy bills–from introduction to enactment

***********************************************************************************************************

Our most recent posts:
Should these enviro events be on YOUR calendar?
Will Lisa Jackson next run NJ? Or Princeton?
Lisa Jackson announces she is resigning top EPA post
‘Recyclers’ guilty in illegal e-waste exports to China
Finance, not technology, drove solar energy in 2012

What will be the big legislative issues in 2013 in NJ? Read More »

‘Renewable’ advocates lose nuke suit but gain an opening

Can Wind Energy Serve As Baseload Power? The First Circuit Agrees with the NRC That, For Now, The Answer Is “Not Yet.”

Oyster Creek nuclear plant under Sandy spotlight tonight

2013 alternative energy picture not bright in New Jersey

Fiscal cliff vote rescues tax credits for wind industry

Will a former NJ or PA DEP chief take over at the EPA?

***********************************************************************************************************

What will be the big legislative issues in 2013 in NJ?

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