Each week, we review the papers, studies, reports, and briefings posted at the “indispensable” RFF Library Blog, curated by RFF Librarian Chris Clotworthy.
Natural Gas: Federal Approval Process for Liquefied Natural Gas Exports
What GAO Found. Since 2010, of 35 applications it has received that require a public interest review, the Department of Energy (DOE) has approved 3 applications to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 6 applications are conditionally approved with final approval contingent on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) issuance of a satisfactory environmental review of the export facility. DOE considers a range of factors to determine whether each application is in the public interest. After the first application was conditionally approved in 2011, DOE commissioned a study to help it determine whether additional LNG exports were in the public interest. Since the 16-month study was published in December 2012, DOE issued 7 conditional approvals (one of which became final) and 1 other final approval (see fig. below). In August 2014, DOE suspended its practice of issuing conditional approvals; instead, DOE will review applications after FERC completes its environmental review. – via US Government Accountability Office
Sage Grouse Habitat Produces $1 Billion in Recreational Spending
[U-T San Diego] Visitors to federal rangelands with significant tracts of sagebrush pumped about $1 billion into the economy in 11 Western states last year, according to a study released Tuesday by advocates of protecting sage grouse across the region. The study is the first of its kind to examine the direct and indirect economic impacts of recreation spending tied to U.S. Bureau of Land Management property with habitat for sagebrush-dependent species, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. – via The Pew Charitable Trusts
[National Geographic] Scientists assigned a grade for global ocean health on Tuesday, giving the world’s waters a “D” on an annual oceans report card, citing overfishing, pollution, climate change, and lack of protections as key problems… But the score for nations’ territorial waters—generally those that are within 200 miles (322 kilometers) of shore—has improved since 2012, and scientists say the overall outlook for the ocean is better than many expected. The latest report card is part of the third annual update to the Ocean Health Index, which evaluates the state of the seas and the benefits they provide to people. – via Conservation International
[Opening] Some believe the most recent U.S. EPA greenhouse gas rules (111(d)) are a subtle way to create a national state energy plan or require states to develop their own. But, do state energy plans work and is there a right way to put one together? The EPA rules and the subsequent plans to adhere to them will impact all facets of energy generation and delivery. Today there are 38 states that have a state energy plan and, interestingly, these states developed them prior to the development and creation of EPA’s greenhouse gas rules. The Missouri Energy Initiative. The Missouri Energy Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to build collaborative partnerships between public and private entities to increase support for energy education, research, economic development, and better or consensus-driven policy development. As of early 2014, 18 states were updating or considering developing new energy plans. This retrospective analysis is MEI’s first attempt at looking at the common threads concerning state energy plans. We believe that more research needs to be done… – via National Association of State Energy Officials
Time to Update 1980s Air Quality Standards for Drilling in the Arctic
In late August, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or BOEM, released Royal Dutch Shell’s draft plan to explore for oil next summer in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea. The Center for American Progress has argued “that there is no safe and responsible way to drill for oil and gas in the Arctic Ocean.” However, both Shell and BOEM are moving through the regulatory process with the goal of approving exploratory drilling in the Arctic. Given this reality, federal regulators need to ensure that any offshore drilling proceeds as safely and as responsibly as possible… – via Center for American Progress
