IES 211 Midterm Review
What does the government use scientific discoveries and insights from experts to establish?
1.) Regulations and standards --> emissions, effluents 2.) Thresholds 3.) Anticipate magnitudes of risk or harm
Besides carbon dioxide emissions and related global warming impacts from the combustion of coal for energy, what are other environmental and social impacts from using coal?
Environmental: 1.) Smog 2.) Acid Rain 3.) Water Pollution Social: 1.) Respiratory Illness 2.) Cancer 3.) Indiscriminate granting of mining licenses 4.) Inequities over local farmers
What is a highly publicized event that brings an environmental issue to the forefront?
Focusing Event
Identify one policy that reflects a precautionary approach and be able to explain why.
The Paris Agreement reflects a precautionary approach because it anticipates greater impacts and evidence of such in the future. It attempts to mitigate environmental damage by being proactive and preventative.
What is the current concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
The global average atmospheric carbon dioxide in 2019 was 409.8 parts per million
What does the U.S. Energy Information Administration project for U.S. dry natural gas production up until 2050?
US dry natural gas production is predicted to increase in tight/shale gas, lower 48 offshore, other lower 48 onshore, and other gases.
What was the latest legislative action for drilling in ANWR?
"For four decades, Democrats thwarted efforts to open the area to oil and gas development even as other nearby lands on Alaska's North Slope were the scene of an oil boom. But with the election of President Trump, Republicans who controlled both houses of Congress saw an opening, inserting language in the 2017 tax bill that framed the issue as a way to raise revenue for the Treasury. That bill passed on a party-line vote."
What is the basic idea of the precautionary principle?
"Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation." It attempts to mitigate environmental damage by being proactive and preventative.
Who are key stakeholders regarding the Keystone XL pipeline? Describe their positions toward the proposed permit approval and potential benefits and impacts.
"Yes" Side: Shell Offshore Inc Alaskan residents AK policy makers, including Sen. Murkowski "No" Side: Environmental Organizations Native Alaskans
Know the policy process model and be able to define each of the steps.
1.) AGENDA SETTING (How problems are perceived and defined, attract attention in the media, are seen as important by interest groups and the public, and are considered by policymakers) 2.) POLICY FORMULATION (The design and drafting of policy goals and strategies for achieving them. Using current environmental and economic science to inform alternatives.) 3.) POLICY LEGITIMATION ("Justifying and authorizing government action." Giving legal force to decisions such as through a majority vote in a legislature or a formal bureaucratic or judicial decision.) 4.) POLICY IMPLEMENTATION (Provision of institutional resources for putting programs into effect within a bureaucracy. Work is preformed by regulatory agencies and at all administrative levels.) 5.) POLICY AND PROGRAM EVALUATION (Measurement and assessment of policy and program effects, including success or failure. Assessing how well policy measures have been carried out and how well public involvement was integrated, equity of benefits and costs, etc.) 6.) POLICY CHANGE (Modification of policy goals and means in light of new information or a shifting political environment. Sometimes policies can be terminated completely.)
Be able to identify the different presidential powers and how they affect the law.
1.) Congressional action (Proposes legislation, Publicly supports bills-- or threatens to veto--, and Veto power) 2.) Treaty Making (If approved by Congress then the treaty supersedes any state law) 3.) Executive Orders (Directives to administrative agencies. Can be canceled by new president) 4.) Signing Statements (revise, interpret, or disregard legislative measures)
What are the three branches of government in the American legal system? What is the role of each branch of government?
1.) Legislative (creates legislation through statutes) 2.) Executive (enforces the laws) 3.) Judicial (interprets the laws)
Be able to explain the 10 step process that a bill goes through in the Legislative Process.
1.) Legislative proposal (a.k.a. Bill) introduced to either House or Senate by one of its members, 2.) Bill generally referred to a committee, which has jurisdiction over the subject matter (then to a subcommittee), 3.) Subcommittee has hearings (listens to testimony from all concerned parties, 4.) Bill drafted in precise form and subcommittee votes on it, 5.) If it passes, goes to full committee (Options: accept it, put hold on bill, or reject it), 6.) If accepted, brought to full House or Senate for a vote. 7.) If approved, then goes to the other chamber for it's approval 8.) Often two different versions of the Bill might come out of the House and Senate (1.Sent to Senate-House Conference Committee for compromise and reconciliation. 2.If it works, the committee will produce a single Bill, that will be sent to each congressional chamber for a vote) 9.) Passed Bill goes to the President for approval (Options: Sign it into law, veto the bill, or pocket veto) 10.) If President signs the Bill, it becomes a Law (statute)
In a broad sense, what other issues aside from specific energy sources are important to take into account in respect to energy policy?
1.) Media framing and agenda setting 2.) Political mobilization by elites and advocacy groups is critical in influencing climate change concern.
What are two factors that influence public opinion?
1.) Media framing of issues 2.) Agenda setting
What specific aspects of the hydraulic fracturing process were reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2016) for impacts to drinking water resources?
1.) Water acquisition 2.) Chemical mixing 3.) Well injection 4.) Flowback and produced water (wastewaters) 5.) Wastewater treatment and disposal
Be able to identify other potential impacts from hydraulic fracturing.
1.) Water withdrawals for hydraulic fracturing in times or areas of low water availability, particularly in areas with limited or declining groundwater resources 2.) Spills during the management of hydraulic fracturing fluids and chemicals or produced water that result in large volumes or high concentrations of chemicals reaching groundwater resources 3.) Injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into wells with inadequate mechanical integrity, allowing gases or liquids to move to groundwater resources 4.) Injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids directly into groundwater resources 5.) Discharge of inadequately treated hydraulic fracturing wastewater to surface water resources 6.) Disposal or storage of hydraulic fracturing wastewater in unlined pits, resulting in contamination of groundwater resources. 7.) Earthquakes can be induced by fracking.
What are the top five producing coal states?
1.) Wyoming 2.) West Virginia 3.) Pennsylvania 4.) Illinois 5.) Kentucky
What is a carbon footprint calculator? How can it be used to address carbon management strategies?
A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases—primarily carbon dioxide—released into the atmosphere by a particular human activity. It is usually measured as tons of CO2 emitted per year. When calculating a carbon footprint, a lot of factors are taken into consideration. Although adding up one's individual carbon footprint can be difficult, online calculators can do some of the work for you, giving a rough estimate of your carbon footprint based on the size of your household, the efficiency of your appliances, how much you drive or fly, what you eat, and how much you recycle. It also shows carbon management methods you can use in each area to alter some behavior or action and reduce the amount of carbon you release into the atmosphere each year.
How has energy consumption changed in the U.S. from the 1800s to the present?
A typical American family from the time our country was founded used wood (a renewable energy source) as its primary energy source until the mid- to late-1800s. Early industrial growth was powered by water mills. Coal became dominant in the late 19th century before being overtaken by petroleum products in the middle of the last century, a time when natural gas usage also rose quickly. Since the mid 20th century, use of coal has again increased (mainly as a primary energy source for electric power generation), and a new form of energy—nuclear electric power—emerged. After a pause in the 1970s, the use of petroleum and natural gas resumed growth, and the overall pattern of energy use since the late 20th century has remained fairly stable.
Define energy. Identify two units it is commonly measured in.
Ability to do work (Power x time). Units: •calorie •kilocalorie or Calorie (food calorie) •BTU •Joule •kWh (kilowatt-hour)
What is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions?
Burning fossil fuels --> transportation
What evidence do we have that global warming is due to human factors, primarily the combustion of fossil fuels?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the heat-trapping gas in our atmosphere responsible for most of the warming measured over the past several decades. It's released during cement manufacturing and when coal, gas, and oil are burned—something humans started doing a great deal of during the Industrial Revolution through to today. In fact, measurements from ancient ice cores show that CO2 is now at its highest levels in over 800,000 years.
The class covered three administrative rules finalized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that specifically address carbon dioxide emissions from stationary sources. What regulation was developed by the U.S. EPA to address carbon dioxide emissions from stationary sources?
Clean Air Act
What is the role of administrative agencies?
Congress creates these agencies and delegates authority to them to make rules because an agency focused on a particular mission can govern better. They develop regulations to carry out legislation.
What impacts were assessed in the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Keystone XL pipeline permit?
Considers the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts related to the Manline Alternative Route, and identifies any potential mitigation measures to minimize adverse effects.
What is a risk assessment?
Determining possibility of adverse effects to the environment from human-caused activities
What are the recent and projected trends for energy sources used for U.S. electricity generation?
EIA expects the share of U.S. electric power generated with natural gas will average 36% in 2021 and 35% in 2022, which is down from 39% in 2020. The forecast natural gas share declines in response to a forecast increase in the price of natural gas delivered to electricity generators from an average of $2.40/MMBtu in 2020 to $3.46/MMBtu in 2021 (a 44% increase). Coal's forecast share of electricity generation averages 23% in both 2021 and 2022, up from 20% in 2020. Electricity generation from renewable energy sources rises from 20% in 2020 to 21% in 2021 and to 23% in 2022.
Describe the role of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
FERC is an independent agency in the Dept of Energy that regulates the interstate transmission of natural gas, oil, and electricity. It also regulates natural gas and hydropower projects.
What are the arguments for and against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)?
For: 1.) Reduce our dependence on foreign oil supply 2.) Revenues to Alaska and Federal Treasuries (Money could be used to protect other lands or enhance nearby habitat) 3.) Jobs would be created 4.) Cheaper gas prices for a period of time 5.) Alaskans in favor of oil drilling; supportive 6.) New drilling technologies Against: 1.) 95% of the Arctic Coastal plain is already open to oil drilling 2.) Prudhoe Bay's poor environmental record 3.) Oil spills, irreparable soil impacts, vegetation degradation 4.) Debate about amount of oil in ANWR 5.) Can save as much by conserving energy and raising CAFE standards for vehicles 6.) Native tribes impacted (food sources, influx of people) 7.) Porcupine Caribou herd- main calving grounds 8.) Massive increase in infrastructure → damage
Be familiar with the key components of the Paris Climate Agreement (COP 21).
Goal was for developed countries to take the lead in supporting less developed and more vulnerable countries financially, technically, and with capacity-building.
What are the key components of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007? U.S. Energy Discussion (Notes available in the Regulatory Timeline Module)
Goals: 1.) Greater energy independence and security through renewable fuels 2.) Increased efficiency 3.) Increased corporate average fuel economy standards Promoted research for solar and geothermal energy and GHG capture and storage Results: 1.) Failed to adopt federal renewable energy portfolio standards 2.) Failed to reduce fossil fuel tax subsidies 3.) Supported traditional fossil fuels
What is hydraulic fracturing and how has it changed energy production in the United States?
Hydraulic fracturing is the forcing open of fissures in subterranean rocks by introducing liquid at high pressure, especially to extract oil or gas. How it has changed energy production in the US: 1.) The country has gone from heavily relying on foreign oil to producing enough for its domestic consumption and international exports. 2.) The shale revolution has lowered prices, strengthened the U.S. geopolitically and made entrepreneurs and landowners very wealthy.
Know the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
IPCC is charged with providing policymakers the scientific information to design policies
The electric utility market generally falls under two primary types of structures: vertically integrated and independent system operators or regional transmission operators. Be able to broadly describe each.
In states with vertically integrated electric utilities, Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) regulate generation, transmission, and distribution to customers. Regulated monopolies, with utility companies owning the generation, transmission, and distribution assets for their service territory. Competitive markets are generally administered by independent system operator (ISO) or a regional transmission organization (RTO), which controls participating utilities' transmission system and ensures non-discriminatory access to market participants.
What type of utility market is the Electric Reliability Council of Texas?
Independent systems operator
Who might be involved in policy formulation?
Interest groups, general public, policy analysts, regulatory agencies, elected officials, international officials, NGOs, various experts and scientists
Be familiar with the Clean Air Act of 1970.
It is the most comprehensive/complex statute in the US. Key components include... 1.) Cleaning up commonly found air pollutants 2.) Cars, trucks, buses, and non-road equipment 3.) Interstate and international air pollution 4.) Clearing the air in national parks 5.) Reducing acid rain 6.) Reducing toxic air pollutants 7.) Protecting the stratosphere ozone layer 8.) Permits and enforcements 9.) Public participation
Briefly explain what the Mandatory Oil Import Quota Program (MOIP) was. What organization was formed as a result of this program?
It significantly limited the amount of oil that could be imported from other countries. This was done to augment national security, and had negative economic consequences including inflated oil prices for the consumer as well as depletion of domestic oil reserves. It also prompted a number of middle eastern countries to form OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) an economic cartel which controls 40% of the world's petroleum reserves and often manipulates prices.
Describe the trends of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere from 800,000 years ago to present day.
Levels today are higher than they have ever been in 800,000 years. Small peaks and valleys track ice ages.
How does the media set the agenda for topics relating to energy, policy and the environment?
Media sources don't tell us what to think, but are effective in telling us what to think about. The more we hear or read about an issue, the more we think it must be important.
Provide at least one example of community or organizational action to address clean air protection in the film.
One example of community or organizational action to address clean air protection is the filing of lawsuits by individuals or community establishments when it is believed that the Clean Air Act is not being rightfully upheld. Communities also would hold marches and protests in response to failure to obey the regulations presented by the act. One in which was held at Louisiana's St. John the Baptist Parish, as the chemical company Dupont/ Denka failed to meet levels set by the EPA.
As the film demonstrates, the burden of air pollution is not evenly shared. Lower-income communities and communities of color are among those who often face higher exposure to pollutants and as a result, disproportionate harm to their health. Describe at least one example of environmental injustice that is described in the film.
One example of environmental injustice described by the film is depicted in 1969 when chemical giant Dupont/ Denka announced the bold decision to start producing neoprene at its plant in Louisiana's St. John the Baptist Parish. The residents of the surrounding area were at extreme risk (the highest in the country during that time) of cancer from the created air pollution. This was even backed with supporting evidence provided by the National Air Toxics Assessment when it was released in December of 2015. The community consists of a small minority population that has been struggling economically and displays numerous vacant houses. Current residents are challenged tremendously when attempting to sell their homes and to move away from the dangerous location, but there is little to no interest in investing in property in their community. Due to the composition and condition of their town, residents believe that their voices are not being heard as equally and loudly as they should be when addressing this crisis.
What are National Ambient Air Quality Standards and what are the six main criteria pollutants that these standards address?
Permissible concentrations of chemicals in the air that are set by the EPA, regardless of costs, to achieve standards SO2, NO, O3, CO, Pb, Particulate Matter (PM)
What is the term used to describe an individual who invests political resources (time, energy, money, reputation) in linking a problem to a solution and forging alliances to advance policy or change?
Policy Entrepreneur
What is often considered the weak link within the policy process model?
Policy and Program Evaluation. Program evaluations happen less often than they should.
What is the definition of policy?
Policy is a plan, course of action, or principles intended to influence and determine decisions, actions, and other matters.
Describe at least one action by a policymaker to strengthen air quality protection in the United States that was covered in the film.
Rep Henry Waxman, a member of the Subcommittee for Health and Environment, pushed for more regulations after he saw standards were failing to be met. Finally, in 1990, he helped encourage Congress to strength the Clean Air Act by passing a revision.
Define energy policy.
Society's collective agreement to pursue certain energy goals, plans, or actions (or not) and to use certain tools to achieve them.
How successful has the Clean Air Act been?
Some of the success of the Clean Air Act identified by the film include (1) the dramatic reduction of pollutants across the country and improved overall air quality; (2) the generation of over $22 trillion in economic benefits from improved human health; (3) the encouragement of later policies and reports, such as the National Air Toxics Assessment (2015); (4) increased involvement and participation by local communities; and (5) the transition away from fossil fuels to more renewable energy sources.
Know the sources of energy and sectors of the economy that they are consumed by. Role of Science in Policy: Climate Science
The United States uses and produces many different types and sources of energy, which can be grouped into general categories such as primary and secondary, renewable and nonrenewable, and fossil fuels. Primary energy sources include fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal), nuclear energy, and renewable sources of energy. Electricity is a secondary energy source that is generated (produced) from primary energy sources. There are 5 energy use sectors: 1.) Electric power 2.) Transportation 3.) Industrial 4.) Residential 5.) Commercial In 2019, the electric power sector accounted for about 96% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation, nearly all of which was sold to the other sectors.1 The transportation, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors are called end-use sectors because they consume primary energy and electricity produced by the electric power sector. Total energy consumption by the end-use sectors includes their primary energy use, purchased electricity, and electrical system energy losses (energy conversion and other losses associated with the generation, transmission, and distribution of purchased electricity) and other energy losses.
Generally know the key provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. What energy and policy assumption was EPAct 2005 designed to address?
The energy and policy assumption that is was designed to address was that the more energy is produced, the healthier our economy will be. - Incentivized the development of petroleum resources and the construction of new electric transmission facilities. - Benefited the coal industry - Provided limited production credits for renewable energy resources like solar, wind, geothermal, etc
Be able to describe how the US pollution levels have changed over the past 20 years.
Up until 2018, a graph in the notes indicates that pollutant levels in the atmosphere have gradually been declining.
Provide an example of a policy or law from Tomain's regulatory timeline that demonstrates support for a particular form of energy.
With the passing of the Atomic Energy Act in 1954, Eisenhower moved nuclear energy use and regulation out of military and government control and into the public sector. Nuclear energy was promoted as being a cheaper and efficient energy alternative and its' intended purpose was for electrical generation.
What is a natural monopoly?
a monopoly that arises because a single firm can supply a good or service to an entire market at a smaller cost than could two or more firms
In your own words, explain what the framing of a particular issue does in the agenda setting process.
particular 'spin' that tells a compelling story (for or against)
Describe what the window of opportunity phase of agenda setting is.
when policy changes are likely to occur
What are some benefits of the precautionary principle?
•Anticipatory and preventive actions •Increases rather than decreases options •Can be monitored and reversed in light of new scientific findings
