Congressional Research Service Report Released: Update on Controlling Greenhouse Gases from International Aviation

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), the public policy research arm of Congress, just issued the report Update on Controlling Greenhouse Gases from International Aviation (Nov. 19, 2012). The 10-page report authored by Jane A. Legget discusses the,

European Union’s (EU’s) decision in 2008 to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international flights under its Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS),effective January 1, 2012, has been contentious among nations, prompting threats of noncompliance and retaliatory trade actions. The U.S. Administration and other national governments have objected to the EU law for intruding on national sovereignty with regard to its application to flight operations outside EU airspace. Strong industry opposition has led both the U.S. House and Senate to pass a bill (S. 1956) that directs the Secretary of Transportation to prohibit U.S. airlines from participating in the EU ETS if he determines that doing so is in the public interest. The EU has refused to eliminate the international aviation provisions but has proposed to suspend enforcement on flights to and from EU countries until September 2013. This “stopping the clock” is intended to allow time for nations to agree on equivalent, global actions under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Details of the proposed EU amendment are not yet available. The EU ETS inclusion of international aviation, the reasons leading to it, its costs, and other aspects are discussed in CRS Report R42392, Aviation and the European Union’s Emission Trading Scheme. This report summarizes a few recent developments in the continuing debate over whether and how to address GHG emissions from international aviation.

 

 

The Road to Commercialization: Advanced Biofuels in the Public and Private Sectors -- PEW Conference

The Road to Commercialization: Advanced Biofuels in the Public and Private Sectors -- A Pew Charitable Trust Conference

Date: March 8, 2012
Location:
The Pew Charitable Trusts
901 E St. NW

Washington, DC 20004
Description:
The United States imports almost 50 percent of the oil it consumes and sends $1 billion a day overseas—some of it to regimes hostile to U.S. interests. Advanced biofuels, currently being tested and used by the Department of Defense as well as several commercial airlines, offer the nation a real opportunity to diversify and increase its use of domestic fuels while positioning U.S. companies and farmers to be global leaders in the industry. The departments of Defense, Agriculture, and Energy are working with the private sector to spur more production of advanced aviation and marine biofuels to power military and commercial transportation. This session will focus on the important role the public and private sectors can play in bringing these fuels to market in order to enhance security and provide widespread economic benefits.

Special Guest:

The Honorable John W. Warner
Panelists Include:

• Jim Rekoske, vice president of renewable energy and chemicals, Honeywell
• Jonathan Wolfson, CEO, Solazyme Inc.
• Nancy Young, vice president of environmental affairs, Airlines for America

When:

Continental breakfast, 8:30 a.m.
Program, 9-10:30 a.m.
RSVP:
Click here.

Media Contact:

Tracy Schario, 202.540.6582

o Aviation and the Environment: Systematically Addressing Environmental Impacts and Community Concerns Can Help Airports Reduce Project Delays

This Government Accountability Office Report (GAO-10-50) dated September 2010, addresses (1) airports’ actions to reduce their environmental impacts, (2) the extent airports believe environmental issues delay development or operational changes, and (3) the strategies airports can adopt to address environmental issues. GAO reviewed pertinent federal laws and regulations; interviewed airport officials, state and local regulatory agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, and community groups for 10 selected airports, as well as federal officials and national industry and advocacy groups; and surveyed the 150 busiest airports as measured by the number of operations. This report does not contain recommendations.