The EPA issued today its final rule – known as the “tailoring rule” – which sets the thresholds for greenhouse gas permitting requirements for stationary sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Specifically, the new rule sets thresholds for GHG emissions that define when permits under the New Source Review Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and […]
Kerry-Lieberman Climate Change Bill Unveiled
Date Thu, May. 13, 2010 - 8:53am By Hamilton
U.S. Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) introduced yesterday their much anticipated climate change legislation. Dubbed the “American Power Act,” the sweeping legislation covers 987 pages. To view a summary of the bill, click here. The centerpiece of the bill is a cap-and-trade system that would levy a tax on large emitters of […]
Study Casts Doubt on EPA’s Plan to Increase Ethanol Content in Gasoline
Date Wed, May. 5, 2010 - 8:22am By Hamilton
A New York Times article discusses a new study that finds that a proposed plan by the EPA increasing the amount of ethanol mixed into gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent would damage cars and increase pollution. According to the article: Half of the engines tested so far have had some problems, said C. […]
Wisconsin Legislature’s Final Day of Session
Date Thu, Apr. 22, 2010 - 4:45pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislature is wrapping up its final day of the 2009-10 legislative session. The Senate adjourned earlier today, meaning that a number of high-profile bills officially died. Most notably, the global warming legislation (the so-called “Clean Energy Jobs Act”) did not pass the Senate. The Assembly bill (AB 649) passed out of committee, but did not have […]
Climate Change Bill Amended
Date Tue, Apr. 13, 2010 - 4:03pm By Hamilton
The authors of the global warming bill (AB 649/SB 450) unveiled the long-awaited changes to the legislation. The substitute amendment, encompassing 150 pages, removes controversial provisions such as the low carbon fuel standards and California’s low emission vehicle standards. However, the legislation still includes the most controversial provision — the renewable energy mandate. The legislation […]
Legislature Considers Prior Injury Cover-up Act
Date Fri, Apr. 2, 2010 - 6:19am By Hamilton
In the waning days of session, plaintiffs’ attorneys are attempting to ram through sweeping legislation that would severely undermine a defendant’s ability to perform discovery in civil actions. If enacted, AB 815/SB 628 would tip the scales of justice overwhelmingly in favor of plaintiffs by limiting a defendant’s ability to access a plaintiff’s medical records […]
EPA/NHTSA Announce New Regulations Creating Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for New Vehicles
Date Thu, Apr. 1, 2010 - 12:25pm By Hamilton
The EPA and National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced its final rule establishing federal regulations creating greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy standards for new cars and trucks. The regulations will apply to passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles, covering model years 2012 through 2016. The new regulations require these automobiles to […]
EPA Issues Final Notice Setting Stage for Regulating Greenhouse Gases under Clean Air Act
Date Mon, Mar. 29, 2010 - 12:52pm By Hamilton
The EPA today announced its final plans to move forward to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. In its final notice titled, “Reconsideration of Interpretation of Regulations that Determine Pollutants Covered by Clean Air Act Permitting Programs,” the EPA explained that the agency will implement the first national rule controlling CO2 and other […]
Hamilton News Clips
Date Mon, Mar. 29, 2010 - 12:02pm By Hamilton
Politicians use health care law to court donors: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mar 26. 2010. Political operatives on both sides agree on this: The issue can attract significant campaign donations. Legislature still has time to fix budget process (opinion): Appleton Post-Crescent, Mar. 26, 2010. Clean up the special-interest mess that the budget process has become. Read […]
Political Tidbits
Date Fri, Mar. 26, 2010 - 1:08pm By Hamilton
The March 26 issue of Hamilton Consulting Group’s Political Tidbits highlights recent political and policy developments in Wisconsin. See Tidbits for the following articles: Bill Limits Employer Meetings with Workers During Union Organizing Campaigns Survey Ranks Wisconsin 22nd in Nation for “Lawsuit Climate” Supreme Court Accepts Challenge to Milwaukee’s Paid Sick-Leave Ordinance Study Finds High […]