What We're Reading in BPC’s Energy Project: April 28

We hope that you enjoy the following selection of readings this week. The views expressed in these articles do not necessarily represent the views of BPC’s Energy Project, its co-chairs, task force members or the Bipartisan Policy Center.

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Multi-State Responses to GHG Regulation Under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act
By Carrie Jenks, Christopher E. Van Atten and Tom Curry, M.J. Bradley & Associates LLC

“In October 2013, M.J. Bradley & Associates (MJB&A) released a report that explored options for the design of carbon pollution standards for existing fossil fuel power plants. This second report, released on behalf of the Clean Energy Group’s (CEG’s) Clean Air Policy Initiative member companies, examines the benefits of multi-state responses to EPA’s anticipated greenhouse gas performance standards under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.” Read the report.

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NOAA’s Arctic Action Plan: Supporting the National Strategy for the Arctic Region
By Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D., National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

“NOAA has many diverse and robust programs underway in the Arctic. NOAA’s Arctic Action Plan describes those efforts, how they implement NOAA’s Arctic Vision and Strategy, and how they support and harmonize with the National Strategy for the Arctic Region.” Read the action plan.

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Secretary Moniz Warms Up for Earth Day Pitch
By Marissa Newhall, U.S. Department of Energy

“Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz will be on hand to throw out the first pitch at tomorrow night’s Red Sox Earth Day game, a chance to highlight the Energy Department’s work to fight climate change.

“Secretary Moniz isn’t new to baseball. A Boston native and longtime Red Sox fan, he played center field in his younger years — and was once invited to try out for the Detroit Tigers.

“These days, Secretary Moniz is known best for being an accomplished nuclear physicist and public servant. But his arm’s still pretty good. See for yourself in the video above, shot while the Secretary practiced his Earth Day pitch after work one night last week.” Watch the video.

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Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment
By the Committee on Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment, National Research Council

“U.S. Arctic waters north of the Bering Strait and west of the Canadian border encompass a vast area that is usually ice covered for much of the year, but is increasingly experiencing longer periods and larger areas of open water due to climate change. Sparsely inhabited with a wide variety of ecosystems found nowhere else, this region is vulnerable to damage from human activities. As oil and gas, shipping, and tourism activities increase, the possibilities of an oil spill also increase. How can we best prepare to respond to such an event in this challenging environment? Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment reviews the current state of the science regarding oil spill response and environmental assessment in the Arctic region north of the Bering Strait, with emphasis on the potential impacts in U.S. waters.” Read the report.

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Innovation: The Government Was Crucial After All
By Jeff Madrick, New York Review of Books

“Both government research and entrepreneurial capital are necessary conditions for the advance of commercial innovation. Neither is sufficient. But the consensus among many economists and politicians doesn’t seem to acknowledge an equal role for government.” Read the review.

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Clean Energy Finance Through the Bond Market: A New Option for Progress
By Lewis M. Milford, Devashree Saha, Mark Muro, Robert Sanders and Toby Rittner, The Brookings Institution

“For 100 years, the nation’s state and local infrastructure finance agencies have issued trillions of dollars’ worth of public finance bonds to fund the construction of the nation’s roads, bridges, hospitals, and other infrastructure—and literally built America. Now, as clean energy subsidies from Washington dwindle, these agencies are increasingly willing to finance clean energy projects, if only the clean energy community will embrace them.” Read the report.