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ARTICLE · 04 FEBRUARY 2009

Weekly Climate Change Policy Update - February 2, 2009

Van Ness Feldman LLP
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As expected President Obama has directed EPA to reconsider the denial of the Clean Air Act waiver to California; reversal of the denial would allow California and thirteen other states to implement GHG emission standards for new vehicles.

United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources

Article by Kyle W. Danish, Shelley N. Fidler, Andrea Hudson Campbell, Kevin M. Gallagher and Megan Ceronsky

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Commentary: As expected President Obama has directed EPA to reconsider the denial of the Clean Air Act waiver to California; reversal of the denial would allow California and thirteen other states to implement GHG emission standards for new vehicles. However, the President also directed the Department of Transportation to work on finalizing new fuel economy standards. Will the Administration attempt to coordinate these actions in order to avoid a "patchwork" outcome? . . . Stimulus packages continue to move forward in both the House and Senate with substantial new funding for energy initiatives. Controversial areas: "decoupling" provisions to incentivize energy efficiency investments by utilities, and substituting cash for tax credits for renewable

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