August 28, 2009
In This Issue
New Policy Brief Examines Size Thresholds for Greenhouse Gas Regulation
Institute's Durham Office Moves to Larger Quarters
New Analysis Eyes Strategies for Improved Water Management in Ganges River Basin
Institute in the News
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New Policy Brief Examines Size Thresholds for Greenhouse Gas Regulation 

The American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June, would require compliance from a small portion of businesses but would cover the majority of carbon pollution, according to a new policy brief from the Nicholas Institute. "Our study indicates that only very large emitters would fall under the new regulation, which creates a nationwide cap on greenhouse gas emissions that would apply to firms that emit more than 25,000 metric tons per year of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases," says David Cooley, associate in policy and research. "These large-scale polluters are responsible for a supermajority of greenhouse gas emissions, so we can get enormous environmental benefits while regulating a small percentage of firms."

 

The new brief finds that 4,724 of America's more than 350,000 manufacturing facilities would be covered by a 25,000-ton emission threshold. Most are large factories with many employees. Certain types of manufacturing would be almost completely exempt from regulations: less than five percent of all food and beverage facilities, pharmaceuticals and textile plants would be covered; as would less than a third of iron and steel mills, aluminum, rubber, and plastics plants. Almost all petroleum refineries and lime manufacturing plants would be affected, as would a majority of pulp mills and flat glass manufacturers. The 25,000-ton threshold would not affect the vast majority of farms and commercial buildings, and would cover only about half of electric power plants. "It is critical to understand what type and size of business entities might be subject to regulation, both to allay concerns and to design policy that can assist those most affected," Cooley says. "Our study is intended to answer these questions."

Institute's Durham Office Moves to Larger Quarters

To accommodate our growth in recent months and our need for greater space, the Durham office of the Nicholas Institute has moved to a new address on Duke University's campus. It now occupies three consecutive West Campus spaces at 2101, 2111, and 2117 Campus Drive. The new address for all U.S. Postal Service mail is: Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University, Box 90335, Durham, NC 27708-0335. The new shipping address for FedEx, UPS and other non-Postal Service deliveries is 2117 Campus Drive, Durham, NC 27705. Our main phone number, (919) 613-8709, and fax number, (919) 613-8712, remain unchanged. Staff members' phone numbers and email addresses also remain the same.


New Analysis Eyes Strategies for Improved Water Management in Ganges River Basin

A new Nicholas Institute working paper examines the effects of human-induced climate change on water resources and opportunities for adaptation in the densely populated and trans-boundary Ganges River basin. The paper, issued along with a companion policy brief, highlights existing or potential strategies for adaptation in the river system, a basin vital to the security, economy and environment of South Asia. "Practices and policies for improving water management in the Ganges basin, and in other river basins for that matter, are fundamental to viable adaptation strategies," says Peter McCornick, director of water policy at the Institute. "Our aim is to advance the understanding of this key issue, and help policymakers and managers identify strategies for managing this critical limited resource." McCornick presented key findings from the paper and policy brief at the 2009 World Water Week conference in Stockholm, Sweden, earlier this month, and he has been invited to participate in a regional climate conference, "From Kathmandu to Copenhagen: A Vision for Addressing Climate Change Risks and Opportunities in the Himalaya Region," hosted by the Government of Nepal later this month. Researchers at the Nicholas Institute, the Nicholas School of the Environment, and the International Water Management Institute contributed to the new working paper and policy brief.  

Institute in the News

Institute staff members regularly are cited by the media for their informed, unbiased expertise on environmental policy and economics. Among recent placements, Brian Murray, director for economic analysis, was cited by USA Today in an article about how the climate bill passed by the House of Representatives in June would spur the planting of about 18 million acres of new forests in the U.S. to help combat climate change. An op-ed about political opposition to climate change legislation in the United States, written by Eric Roston, senior associate in the Institute's D.C. office, garnered international attention when it was published by the influential British daily newspaper The Guardian and also appeared in the editorial pages of the Taipei Times. Closer to home, Bill Holman, director of state policy, was quoted by the Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer, North Carolina's two largest daily newspapers, in articles about how urbanization and changing demographics in the state are affecting economic and environmental legislation. You can access these and other Institute media clips online here.

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