Regulations for Carbon Pollution

Regulations for Carbon Pollution Executive Summary In June 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a draft rule to regulate carbon pollution from existing power plants, as part of an action plan to address climate change. The rule is limited to existing power plants and does not address other sources of carbon pollution such as cars or industrial facilities. It is often referred to in short hand as the â€Å"111d rule,† because the agency used the authority found in Section 111d of the Clean Air Act to issue the regulation. The EPA gave each state a target of carbon reduction to reach at power plants by 2030, based on its assessment of each state’s unique characteristics. The average carbon reduction nationwide is 30% by 2030. Montana’s proposed target is a carbon emission rate reduction of 21%. The draft rule gives the states significant amounts of flexibility in how to meet the newly proposed standards for clean air. If the final rule by EPA provides the flexibility promised in the draft, Montana will have significant latitude to implement measures that are rooted in the states unique economic characteristics. This DEQ paper presents hypothetical scenarios that could emerge depending on how the state decides to respond to the rule the EPA eventually releases. This document only seeks to illustrate some of the measures that the state could undertake as part of its plan to meet the proposed reduction targets in the draft rule. There are, of course, a number of other pathways to meeting the proposed standard, but we hope to start a discussion through this paper that will lead to even more innovations. In addition, this paper does not address the options or challenges that other states may have in meeting their respective proposed reductions, which could have impacts on Montana. As can be seen in the discussion that follows, each scenario has its potential benefits, costs, and uncertainties. Importantly, none of the scenarios call for plant closures. All five scenarios evaluated in this paper not only keep the jobs that we currently have and meet the reduction target in the proposed rule, but strongly suggest that it would be possible to create new jobs and additional tax revenue, and to further strengthen the economy through the development of new renewable electricity generating capacity and increased investment in cost-effective energy efficiency. Background Context On June 2, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued draft emission guidelines for the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions – specifically carbon dioxide (CO2) – from existing electric generating units (referred to as power plants in this paper), relying on its regulatory authority under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. For all pollutants regulated under section 111, EPA is required to identify a â€Å"best system of emission reduction† and set targets for carbon reduction based on that system of controls. In the draft rule, EPA used four â€Å"building blocks† to determine the best system of emission reduction. They are based on the most likely sources of carbon pollution reductions. Section 111(d) provides significant flexibility to states to decide how to meet the established standards of performance. Consequently, the EPA’s building blocks would not require states to follow them in order to comply with the rule. The four building blocks the EPA used are: 1) Efficiency improvements at all coal-fired power plants; 2) A shift in total electricity generation from coal-fired power plants to existing natural gas combined cycle power plants; 3) Increased generation from low- and no-carbon renewable and nuclear energy options; and 4) Increased investment in energy efficiency. EPA applied this system of controls to each state to determine proposed targets for each state. Montana’s target is expressed in pounds of carbon emitted per megawatt hour (a rate-based standard) 1,771 lbs CO2/MWh by 2030, a reduction of approximately 21% from the 2012 emissions level of 2,246 lbs CO2/MWh. To meet the standards for clean air created by the new rule, the state has the option to convert the rate-based standard into a mass-based standard, which is an overall reduction of tons of carbon emitted annually. EPA uses the following specific data inputs for each building block to arrive at Montana’s target. In Building Block 1, EPA assumes a 6% efficiency improvement at all nine affected coal- fired units. EPA assumes Montana’s potential under Building Block 2 to be zero because Montana does not currently have any natural gas combined cycle power plants. In Building Block 3, EPA assumes that Montana will be able to increase renewable energy generation from its current 5% of total state generation to approximately 10% by 2030. In Building Block 4, EPA assumes that Montana will be able to increase the electricity energy savings from demand-side management programs beginning in 2017, ultimately more FOR DISCUSSIONS PURPOSES ONLY 4 than doubling current energy efficiency in the state. The net result would be a reduction of the state’s retail sales of electricity by 11.3% cumulatively by 2030, compared to what Montana would consume without energy efficiency programs. Although EPA used the above-described building blocks to set targets, section 111(d) and the draft emission guidelines afford states the opportunity to use any mix of controls, including methods not considered by EPA, to meet those targets. That is, Montana does not have to use the building blocks EPA used if it can find a different path to meeting the overall proposed carbon reduction target. After the final rule is released in June 2016, Montana must develop a state plan (individual or multi- state) in accordance with section 111(d) to implement and comply with the rule.1 Although the methods in the plan may differ from those described above, Montana’s plan must meet or exceed the final carbon reduction target calculated by EPA. Purpose of this Analysis This paper analyzes five scenarios that, if implemented, would meet the EPA’s proposed target reduction in carbon emission intensity. These scenarios are similar in that they all achieve EPA’s proposed target, but differ in the extent to which they rely on each of EPA’s proposed building blocks to meet or surpass the target. The scenarios are presented here to demonstrate the relative interplay and effectiveness of some of the options available to Montana for complying with the proposed emission guidelines. The following five scenarios are discussed in more detail throughout this paper: Scenario 1 – Existing Energy Generation plus Heavy Energy Efficiency Scenario 2 – Existing Energy Generation plus Lewis Clark Plant Co-Fire Scenario 3 – Existing Energy Generation plus Moderate Energy Efficiency and Heat Rate à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨Improvement Scenario 4 – Existing Energy Generation plus Heavy Renewable Energy Scenario 5 – Existing Energy Generation plus CO2 Sequestration Summary of Scenario Inputs and Results The five scenarios were modeled using a tool developed by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Each scenario results in compliance with EPA’s proposed rate-based emission target as well as Montana’s estimated mass-based target. The following table shows the extent to which each building block contributes to each of the five scenarios. This paper only considers opportunities and challenges for reducing carbon emissions through actions taken within the state’s boundaries and does not consider a multi-state or regional approach.

Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird Book Essay

Courage, you have probably heard of this word before but what does it actually mean? Well, according to dictionary.com, an online dictionary, courage means the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear. In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, courage is evidently portrayed when Atticus does what no white man would ever dare to do in those days, lest they be scorned by the community. Atticus had the courage to stand up for a Negro, a black, Tom Robinson. This happened in chapter 17 to chapter 22. Courage, to me previously was just being brave and nothing else. However, after reading about Atticus act of standing up for Tom Robinson, I realized that courage is actually more than bravery. It is also daring to do what no other person would have done. It is about taking risks, regardless of the outcome, that you will do your best. Atticus had himself subjected to the exile of majority of the white community after he took that risk of standing up for Tom Robinson. In To Kill a Mockingbird, courage is described in different ways. â€Å"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.† Chapter 11, Page 118. Harper Lee portrays courage in this manner, to explain for Atticus defending of Tom Robinson later on in the story. Harper Lee also portrays courage in this way, such that she tells the readers that courage is not of a physical thing, like shooting the mad dog, but rather, on a more intellectual scale. The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box. As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it – whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash. Chapter 23, Page 227. Atticus understands the lack of courage which most white men have in those days. They cheat black people everyday of their lives, for fear of being scorned by the community. As Atticus says, no matter how rich that WHITE man is, the moment he mocks a black, that lack of courage not to stand up for him, that man is trash. So it took an eight-year-old child to bring ’em to their senses†¦. That proves something – that a gang of wild animals can be stopped, simply because they’re still human. Hmp, maybe we need a police force of children. Chapter 16, Page 163. This is not a direct quote but rather an indirect quote to what Scout previously did. Scout had the courage to save her father. She stood up, an eight year old, against a gang of adults and brought a gang of wild animals to their senses. Scout did bravely what her father had no courage to do. It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived. Chapter 11, Page 106. Scout said this when Atticus was friendly towards Mrs. Dubose, one of the meanest ladies in Maycomb. Harper Lee, through this statement, portrays courage as being brave in the face of danger; this danger being Mrs. Dubose, who is not exactly fond of Atticus and is always criticizing him through his children. Neighbors bring food with death, and flowers with sickness, and little things in between. Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a knife, and our lives. Chapter 31, Page 284. Boo Radley had the courage to save Jem and Scout, he had GIVEN them their lives. Boos courage was probably one of the most tear-jerking moments in the story. Boo Radley was portrayed as a psychopath and one that would TAKE peoples lives. He did quite the opposite with Jem and Scout. Boo finally took the courage to prove wrong the citizens suspicions and went to the rescue of Jem and Scout. Boo was a hero. Finally, the setting of Maycomb contributes greatly to the theme of courage as Harper Lee portrays Maycomb as a Negro-hating society, one which has no one that bothers to stand up for Negroes and a psychopath that has a thing  for killing. Atticus and Boo himself break this spell of a scared Maycomb by Atticus standing up for a Negro and Boo saving the lives of the two children. The setting was probably most crucial in portraying courage as one of the main themes in the story. All in all, I think Harper Lee was trying to bring across the message that courage is not just about being brave, not just physically, but also being mentally strong and ultimately, daring to take the greatest of risks just like what Atticus did when he stood up for Tom Robinson. After reading the text, I am very convinced that Harper Lee was able to bring across a stirring ad convincing message that courage is not what we actually think of it and that there is much more to that. Source(s): http://www.dictionary.comTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Pushing Paper Can Be Fun Essay

A large city government was putting on a number of seminars for managers of various departments throughout the city. At one of these sessions the topic discussed was motivation—how to motivate public servants to do a good job. The plight of a police captain became the central focus of the discussion: I’ve got a real problem with my officers. They come on the force as young, inexperienced rookies, and we send them out on the street, either in cars or on a beat. They seem to like the contact they have with the public, the action involved in crime prevention, and the apprehension of criminals. They also like helping people out at fires, accidents, and other emergencies. The problem occurs when they get back to the station. They hate to do the paperwork, and because they dislike it, the job is frequently put off or done inadequately. This lack of attention hurts us later on when we get to court. We need clear, factual reports. They must be highly detailed and unambiguous. As soon as one part of a report is shown to be inadequate or incorrect, the rest of the report is suspect. Poor reporting probably causes us to lose more cases than any other factor. I just don’t know how to motivate them to do a better job. We’re in a budget crunch, and I have absolutely no financial rewards at my disposal. In fact, we’ll probably have to lay some people off in the near future. It’s hard for me to make the job interesting and challenging because it isn’t- it’s boring, routine paperwork, and there isn’t much you can do about it. Finally, I can’t say to them that their promotions will hinge on the excellence of their paperwork. First of all, they know it’s not true. If their performance is adequate, most are more likely to get promoted just by staying on the force a certain number of years than for some specific outstanding act. Second, they were trained to do the job they do out in the streets, not to fill out forms. All through their careers the arrests and interventions are what get noticed. Some people have suggested a number of things, like using conviction records as a performance criterion. However, we know that’s not fair—too many other things are involved. Bad paperwork increases the chance that you lose in court, but good paper work doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll win. We tried setting up team competitions based on the excellence of the reports, but the officers caught on to that pretty quickly. No one was getting any type of reward for winning the competition, and they figured why they should bust a  gut when there was no payoff. I just don’t know what to do.

First Woman to Vote under the 19th Amendment

An often-asked question: who was the first woman in the United States to vote -- the first woman to cast a ballot -- the first female voter? Because women in New Jersey had the right to vote from 1776-1807, and there were no records kept of what time each voted in the first election there, the name of the first woman in the United States to vote after its founding  is lost in the mists of history. Later, other jurisdictions granted women the vote, sometimes for a limited purpose (such as Kentucky allowing women to vote in school board elections beginning in 1838).  Some territories and states in the western United States gave women the vote: Wyoming Territory, for instance, in 1870. First Woman to Vote under the 19th Amendment We have several claimants to being the first woman to vote under the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As with many forgotten firsts of womens history, its possible that documentation will later be found about others who voted early. South St. Paul, August 27 One claim to first woman to vote under the 19th Amendment comes from South St. Paul, Minnesota. Women had been able to cast votes in a 1905 special election in the city of South St. Paul; their votes were not counted, but they were recorded. In that election, 46 women and 758 men voted. When word came on August 26, 1920, that the 19th Amendment had been signed into law, South St. Paul quickly scheduled a special election the next morning on a water bond bill, and at 5:30 a.m., eighty women voted. (Source::Minnesota Senate S.R. No. 5, June 16, 2006) Miss Margaret Newburgh of South St. Paul voted at 6 a.m. in her precinct and is sometimes given the title of  first  woman to vote under the 19th Amendment. Hannibal, Missouri, August 31 On August 31, 1920, five days after the 19th amendment was signed into law, Hannibal, Missouri  held a special election to fill the seat of an alderman who had resigned. At 7 a.m., despite pouring rain, Mrs. Marie Ruoff Byrum, wife of Morris Byrum and daughter-in-law of Democratic committeeman Lacy Byrum, cast her ballot in the first ward. She thus became the first woman to vote in the state of Missouri and the first woman to vote in the United States under the 19th, or Suffrage, Amendment. At 7:01 a.m. in the second ward of Hannibal, Mrs. Walker Harrison cast the second known vote by a woman under the 19th amendment. (Source: Ron Brown, WGEM News, based on a news story in the Hannibal Courier-Post, 8/31/20, and a reference in the Missouri Historical Review Volume 29, 1934-35, page 299.) Celebrating the Right to Vote American women had organized, marched, and gone to prison to gain the vote for women.  They celebrated winning the vote in August 1920, most notably with Alice Paul unfurling a banner showing another star on a banner signifying ratification by Tennessee. Women also celebrated by beginning to organize for women to use their vote widely and wisely.  Crystal Eastman wrote an essay, Now We Can Begin, pointing out that womans battle was not over  but had just begun.  The argument of most of the woman suffrage movement had been that women needed the vote to participate fully as citizens, and many argued for the vote as a way to contribute as women to reforming society. So they organized, including transforming the wing of the suffrage movement led by Carrie Chapman Catt into the League of Women Voters, which Catt helped create.