Environment & Energy

Our planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, threatening ecosystems, species, coastal communities, and all too often, human life itself. Heading the list of threats is climate change, with its promise of drastic environmental, economic, and cultural upheaval. But we also face persistent problems of air and water pollution, toxic wastes, cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and other Great Waters, and protecting natural resources and wildlife.

Central to the environmental health of the nation and the planet is decreasing our dependence on energy derived from burning fossil fuels. Our continued reliance on these sources is literally endangering the planet's ability to sustain life as we know it. Yet many policymakers, with the financial and rhetorical support of energy companies bent on making a profit at the cost of the planet's health, continue to resist desperately needed reforms. Read about CPR’s work protecting the environment in reports, testimony, op-eds and more. Use the search box to narrow the list.

CPR Perspective: Environmental Justice and Climate Change: Incorporating Environmental Justice into Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Programs

A well-designed cap-and-trade program could increase incentives for alternative energy and for new emissions-reduction technology. Traditional regulations generally take a facility’s basic production technology as a given and then impose rate-based emission reduction requirements in light of that production technology.   In contrast, a cap-and-trade program would put a price on carbon and, if the price signal is successful, would create an ongoing incentive to reduce overall emissions. An effective trading program could give facilities incentives to use less carbon-intensive energy sources and production technologies, not simply reduce end-of-the-stack emissions to comply with a set standard.

Type: Reports (July 1, 2009)
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Author(s): Alice Kaswan
The IRIS Information Roadblock: How Gaps in EPA's Main Toxicological Database Weaken Environmental Protection

The IRIS Information Roadblock: How Gaps in EPA's Main Toxicological Database Weaken Environmental Protection, CPR White Paper 904, June 2009.

Type: Reports (June 11, 2009)
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Author(s): Rena Steinzor, Wendy Wagner, Matt Shudtz
Catherine O'Neill Testimony on the Mercury Pollution Reduction Act

Catherine O'Neill Testimony on the Mercury Pollution Reduction Act, May 12, 2009

Type: Legislative Testimony (May 12, 2009)
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Author(s): Catherine O'Neill
Tough caps would likely curb pollution and cool warming

Tough caps would likely curb pollution and cool warming, by William Buzbee and Victor Flatt

Type: Op-Eds (May 6, 2009)
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Author(s): William Buzbee, Victor Flatt
What's Next

What's Next (for New Orleans, one year after Katrina), op-ed by Rob Verchick

Type: Op-Eds (May 6, 2009)
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Author(s): Robert Verchick
Climate bill good first step in long and arduous trip

Climate bill good first step in long and arduous trip

Type: Op-Eds (April 24, 2009)
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Author(s): William Buzbee, Victor Flatt
Letter to Interior and Commerce Secretaries on Endangered Species Act Consultation Regulation.

Letter on Endangered Species Act Consultation Regulation. April 1, 2009 letter to Interior Secretary Salazar and Commerce Secretary Locke

Type: Letters to Agencies (April 1, 2009)
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Author(s): Robert Glicksman, Alejandro Camacho, Dan Rohlf, Margaret Giblin
CPR Perspective: Mountaintop Removal

CPR Perspective: Mountaintop Removal, by Sandi Zellmer. CPR's Perspectives Series is a set of monographs by CPR Member Scholars on timely and important health, safety, and environmental topics. Each Perspective provides a thumbnail sketch of the competing arguments concerning a substantive or procedural principle for developing appropriate health, safety and environmental policies, and closes with the Member Scholar-author's proposed approach to the issue.

Type: Reports (March 1, 2009)
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Author(s): Sandra Zellmer

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