White House sneaks out two new climate-related programs
By John Siciliano | April 21, 2015 | 5:41 pm
Scientists say that emissions from the burning of fossil fuels is causing the Earth's climate to...
The Obama administration snuck in two new climate change-related programs when it rolled out a major new study on the nation's challenged energy system.
The first installment of a major four-part energy analysis, dubbed the Quadrennial Energy Review, was issued Tuesday morning after several months of persistent delays. Included with the 350-page review, which focused on the nation's energy infrastructure hurdles, were two new executive actions: one addressing climate change resilience, and another for clean energy improvements in rural America.
The administration hinted that the new initiatives may be part of a speech the president plans to deliver Wednesday in Florida on climate change.
The Energy Department will lead a climate change resilience partnership with a mix of the largest municipal, investor-owned and rural cooperative utilities in the country to address the energy problems caused by global warming.
Many scientists say that manmade emissions from the burning of fossil fuels is causing the Earth's climate to warm, resulting in extreme weather, flooding and drought. The increase in severe weather and its effect on electricity infrastructure is what the "Partnership for Energy Sector Climate Resilience" will examine, according to the White House.
In a fact sheet elaborating on the Quadrennial Energy Review, the White House says the new partnership will ramp up quickly. The first meeting is slated for April 30.
The partnership will comprise of 17 companies and the Energy Department. The fact sheet says it "will improve U.S. energy infrastructure resilience against extreme weather and climate change impacts with the leading providers of electricity services."
The utility companies include Xcel Energy, Con Edison, Dominion, Virginia Power, Entergy, Exelon, Great River Energy, Hoosier Energy, Iberdrola USA, National Grid, New York Power Authority, Pacific Gas and Electric, Pepco Holdings, Public Service Electricity and Gas, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, San Diego Gas and Electric/Sempra, Seattle City Light, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The second program would fund rural electric infrastructure through the Department of Agriculture's electricity program. The $72 million initiative "will support six new rural electric infrastructure projects including major investments to drive solar energy," according to the White House. The money will be used to provide loans for transmission line improvements that include advanced energy sensors and other technologies referred to as "smart grid projects."
"For nearly 80 years, [the Agriculture Department's] electric programs have financed safe, reliable and affordable electricity to help strengthen rural economies. Today's announcement reinforces that commitment," the White House fact sheet reads.
Meanwhile, three other agencies issued a statement recommitting the use of existing collaborations among the agencies to address the effects of global warming.
The Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recognized four collaborative partnerships across the country "where federal agencies will focus efforts with partners to conserve and restore important lands and waters and make them more resilient to a changing climate."
"Building on existing collaborations, these Resilient Lands and Waters partnerships — located in southwest Florida, Hawaii, Washington and the Great Lakes region — will help build resilience in regions vulnerable to climate change and related challenges," a joint statement read.
President Obama is slated to visit the Everglades on Wednesday to discuss his climate change strategy.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/white-house-sneaks-out-two-new-climate-related-programs/article/2563399
