Environmental Law and Policy Center » North Dakota

Midwest Scientists United on Need for Climate Action

pgray — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:53:23 +0000

Scientists from Michigan, Wisconsin and North Dakota have come together to emphasize the scientific consensus behind global warming and to urge Congress to pass strong legislation that will reduce global warming pollution and avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Read the scientists’ letters to Congress.

ND Climate Solutions Partnership forms Science Advisory Group

elpc — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:58:34 +0000

The North Dakota Climate Solutions Partnership announced Tuesday that it is forming a science advisory group. The science advisory group is made up of 20 North Dakota scientists who have all signed on to a statement of principles that states they “believe that the Earth’s climate is warming and that there is strong scientific consensus that human activity is a significant factor.”

The science advisory group will work to conduct outreach and public education on climate change in North Dakota. ELPC’s Mindi Grieve is a lead member of the partnership. “We want to make sure North Dakota is at the table and poised to take advantage of the new green economy,” Grieve said.

Read coverage in the Minot Daily News.

ELPC Commends EPA on Endangerment Finding

elpc — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:09:03 +0000

“We commend US EPA Administrator Jackson and the Obama Administration for today’s endangerment finding. Sound science makes it clear that greenhouse gas pollution is endangering our public health.

“We now call for the EPA to implement strong and fair standards that will reduce global warming pollution if Congress does not step up with legislation. Implementing effective global warming solutions, such as energy efficiency and renewable energy development and high-speed rail development can create job growth, spur economic development, and help to solve our global warming problems.”

- Statement from Howard Learner, Executive Director, Environmental Law & Policy Center

ELPC’s Mindi Grieve on Renewable Energy Opportunities in Great Plains

elpc — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:06:47 +0000

In an op-ed in Prairie Business Magazine, ELPC Government Relations Specialist Mindi Grieve describes the renewable energy opportunities available in the Great Plains. Heartland states have abundant resources to create clean energy from a variety of sources including wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and biofuels.

As with any young industry, supportive policies are critical to building up America’s clean energy capacity. In the op-ed, Mindi highlight some of the companies that are creating jobs and income from clean energy in the Midwest and outlines how smart policies can help move renewable energy development forward.

Read the full piece here.

Webinar: The Rise of Solar Power in the Midwest

jgeiger — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:07:59 +0000

Webinar: The Rise of Solar Power in the Midwest

ELPC hosted a special webinar on November 18th highlighting the potential for a solar power boom in the Midwest. Featured speakers included ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner, Staff Attorney Brad Klein and Policy Advocate Madeleine Weil. Listen to the webinar or download PDF slides.

ELPC Releases New Community Wind Financing Handbook!

jgeiger — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:43:55 +0000

ELPC’s newly updated Community Wind Financing Handbook is now available! This hot-off-the-press guide reflects new financing opportunities available from federal energy and economic stimulus legislation, the new Farm Bill, and state incentives.

Since ELPC published the first edition of the Community Wind Financing Guide in 2004, wind power has become the United States’ fastest-growing source of electricity. Community wind projects, which represent a small but growing share of the wind market, are largely owned by farmers and other local investors with a significant economic stake in the project. Such local ownership generates powerful economic and social benefits for rural areas.

The updated Handbook provides the latest information on financing community wind projects, including ownership structures, roles of financial intermediaries, sources of federal and state financial support and consultant/developer directories. Although building these projects has become somewhat easier over time, understanding and accessing financing opportunities remains perhaps the most important requirement for a successful project. Download the Community Wind Financing Handbook.[pdf file]

Strong Energy and Climate Legislation Will Boost Farm Income and Reduce Risk of Global Warming

jgeiger — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:08:55 +0000

The following is a statement by Howard Learner, ELPC’s executive director, following the hearing today of the Senate Ag Committee on how climate legislation affects agriculture.

We agree with the USDA’s recent study showing that actions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution can produce long-term gains for farmers. It’s time for strong energy and climate legislation that will boost farm income and reduce the risk of global warming.

The costs of inaction are high—farmers and agricultural industries are particularly vulnerable to changes in temperature, rainfall patterns and pests that will result from unchecked climate change. Federal climate solutions and clean energy legislation can help farmers and foresters tap into growing markets in carbon offsets, renewable energy generation, advanced biofuels and energy efficiency savings.

The USDA study, among others, shows that minimal short-term costs to farmers will soon be outpaced by significant long-term gains in income, job creation, and other rural development opportunities.

With a strong climate bill, including new investments in farm-based energy and conservation, the agricultural community can help lead efforts to protect and improve our health and environment while fueling our clean energy economy.

ELPC Government Relations Specialist Mindi Grieve Weighs in on Climate Change Bill

elpc — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:41:53 +0000

A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) study recently found that farmers and ranchers may benefit financially from the proposed climate change legislation.  USDA found that H.R. 2454, passed by the House of Representatives last month, would provide farmers the ability to earn billions of dollars annually.

ELPC Government Relations Specialist Mindi Grieve told the Crookston Daily Times, “While the study shows that farmers and ranchers may experience a brief and relatively small increase in operational costs due to climate change legislation, USDA predicts that farmers and ranchers may stand to earn an additional $100 million annually by 2012.”

Grieve says USDA’s study found that the agricultural sector could generate an additional $20 billion from carbon reducing measures by the year 2040. “The members of the North Dakota Climate Solutions Partnership recognize the importance of North Dakota’s agricultural sector and the need to mitigate economic concerns of producers and agricultural organizations. This study should ease some of the fears over the potential impacts of climate change legislation.”

Read the USDA study.

House Passes Historic Global Warming Solutions Bill!

jgeiger — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:11:19 +0000

Great news! Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed historic global warming solutions legislation, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (219-212). This was no easy victory – it was achieved in part through constituents’ many letters and phone calls asking legislators to vote “Yes” on the Waxman-Markey Bill. ELPC and our many partners are now turning our strategic attention to the Senate.

Read Grist story quoting ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner on the passage of the bill. “Today’s vote creates momentum for our country to reduce global warming pollution and advance clean energy solutions,” said Howard A. Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “We appreciate the Midwest and Great Plains legislators who stood up for the future and voted in favor of this vital legislation.”

North Dakota Can Lead on Energy

jgeiger — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:00:48 +0000

ELPC Government Relations Specialist Mindi Grieve, in ELPC’s Jamestown, North Dakota office, has an OpEd in the June 20th Grand Forks Herald. The opinion piece touts North Dakota’s strong clean energy resources and the state’s potential to benefit from clean energy legislation:

“Transitioning to a new clean-energy economy will create a bright economic future for North Dakota. In fact, the transition is already under way…North Dakota stands to gain a great deal from clean energy legislation. Our state has a huge potential for wind energy, clean biofuels and other energy sources.”

Read the full OpEd.