February 4, 2014
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Supreme Court amicus brief on EPA’s PSD permitting case
On January 28, we filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court supporting the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources under its prevention of significant deterioration program. E&E News covered our brief, quoting Richard Revesz on EPA’s interpretation of its obligations to regulate air pollutants: “The truth of the matter is that EPA’s position has been consistent for 30 years.”
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EPA can create a cap-and-trade program for fuel
Also on January 28, we submitted comments to EPA on proposed 2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, suggesting a cap-and-trade program for vehicle fuels would complement and strengthen the RFS program. We argue that EPA has the authority under the Clean Air Act to implement cap-and-trade, the most efficient and effective policy for controlling greenhouse gas emissions from mobile sources.
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Comments on Con Edison storm hardening and resilience report
On January 10, Policy Integrity, along with NYU’s Guarini Center, submitted comments on Con Edison’s Storm Hardening and Resilience Report, urging that New York’s Public Service Commission extend the charter of its cost-benefit analysis working group. We recommend that the group be supported in its exploration of how to structure a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis in a resilience context while ensuring that all social costs and benefits of potential alternatives are incorporated.
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On the Docket: The social cost of carbon
We will submit joint comments next month with Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Union of Concerned Scientists on the Administration’s continued use of the social cost of carbon. The estimate is the best way to assess the costs and benefits of regulating carbon pollution. Watch for our website on the topic.
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Spotlight on Alumni: Inimai Chettiar
After serving as an inaugural legal fellow at Policy Integrity, Inimai went on to become counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union. There she was a lead architect of the Initiative to End Overincarceration. Now she is the director of the Justice Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School. Her recent report “Reforming Funding to Reduce Mass Incarceration,” proposes linking federal grant money to innovative crime-reduction policies. She said, “Policy Integrity transformed how I research and advocate for progressive change. I am grateful for this expertise and recommend it to any progressive group serious about change.”