The Energy Electranet

Al Gore discusses decentralized energy networks (analogous to how the internet is decentralized), only not in a boring way like I just made it sound: My Turn: The Energy Electranet.

Think it'll happen?

Countering Urban Sprawl -- Car-free Living

New German community models car-free living

Could this concept work in Boston?

BBA Meeting on Mass v. EPA

Environmental Law Section Meeting: Arguing Massachusetts’ Clean Air Act Case in the U.S. Supreme Court - 12/21/06

click here for more details and to RSVP

Thursday, December 21, 2006, at 12:30 p.m.

Boston Bar Association
16 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108

Jim Milkey, Chief of the Environmental Protection Division of the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, will discuss his recent argument to the United States Supreme Court in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA, No. 05-1120. In the case, Massachusetts and 28 other petitioners are challenging EPA's refusal to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the federal Clean Air Act.

I'll be there -- hope to see some of you there, too!

New Outlook for Climate Change on Capitol Hill

New Outlook for Climate Change on Capitol Hill

Sen. Boxer will be taking over as chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which has been chaired by Sen. Inhofe -- he's the one who called blogal warming the "greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people."

If you read the portion on S.3698:

(4) to establish a motor vehicle global warming pollution emission requirement;

-- That's Mass v. EPA right there;

(10) to promote, through leadership by the United States, accelerated reductions in global warming pollution from other countries with significant global warming pollution emissions.”

I wonder if that means signing Kyoto, or a similar subsequent protocol? How would a "market-based emission control system administered by the EPA" fit with this item #10? Or would they not?

Water War Brewing Along Mexican Border

Water War Brewing Along Mexican Border

There's a canal across part of California, and the current Administration is requesting it be lined with concrete, to stop seepage (therefore, retaining water for U.S. use). Mexican farmers on the other side of the border are less than thrilled.

Looks like there's some interesting questions:

All three judges suggested during oral arguments in the case Monday that people in Mexico might not have legal standing to assert a claim for the water in U.S. courts.

"How does a constitutional barrier against takings of property in the United States apply to somebody's property in Mexico?" Judge John Noonan asked.