US EPA Defers GHG Permitting Requirements For Industries Using Biomass

Producers and consumers of biomass energy can now breathe easy for three years. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has postponed the decision making on emissions from biomass–fired and other bio-genic sources from greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting requirements for CO2 emissions for three years, as per a Press Release by EPA. The rule making will be ready by July 2011, after consultation with independent scientific analysts. 

EPA will use these three years to critically examine and analyze ways to determine the treatment of the emissions from biomass under GHG permitting requirements.

According to EPA Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, the organization is trying to find scientific solutions that will address the issues of both producers and consumers for biomass energy. "In the coming years we will develop a commonsense approach that protects our environment and encourages the use of clean energy. Renewable, homegrown power sources are essential to our energy future, and an important step to cutting the pollution responsible for climate change," she said.

Read the Press Release on: EPA to Defer GHG Permitting Requirements 

"A Woman's Issue, A Children's Issue, An Economic Issue"

The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves was covered on “The Martha Stewart Show” to raise awareness about the unique role clean cookstoves play in saving lives, improving livelihoods, empowering women, and combating climate change. Martha encouraged her viewers to join the clean cookstove movement.

Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), appeared on the show to explain how clean cookstoves can deliver significant environmental and health benefits in the developing world. Jackson said, "This is a women's issue, a childrens' issue, and an economic issue."

Aaron Sherinian, representative of the Alliance of the United Nations Foundation stated that "Cooking shouldn't kill, but for many women and families around the world it does. Everyone can get involved and tell the world that this issue matters and should be at the top of the global agenda."

EPA and Peace Corps to Assist Clean Cookstove Distribution

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S Peace Corps have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to assist stronger institutional ties between the two organizations and explore opportunities to collaborate on a wide range of environmental issues -- including efforts to bring cleaner cookstoves to millions in the developing world – while connecting with the youth, enhancing the dialogue on environmentalism and supporting communities in problems in the United States and across the world, according to an EPA Press Release.

Under the MoU, EPA and the Peace Corps will delve into prospects to connect on issues such as distributing clean cookstoves. It will try to aid easy availability to fuel-efficient stoves, bio-digesters and solar ovens at the household and school levels so that the people are able to make informed decisions on issues that affect the environment.

EPA Administrator, Lisa P Jackson and Director of Peace Corps, Aaron Williams signed the MOU. “The partnership between EPA and the Peace Corps marks an important advance in the work and mission of both organizations,” said Jackson. “EPA and the Peace Corps can expand our efforts both here at home and throughout the world, combining our experiences and knowledge to tackle complex and pressing environmental issues confronting our global community.”

“Every day, thousands of Peace Corps volunteers around the planet work with local communities to find sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing environmental issues,” said Williams. “Our collaborative work with the EPA will help empower more communities to make environmentally friendly choices.”

The organizations will also work on environmental education, community monitoring, solid waste, waste water and safe water management, and climate change.

For the full press release: EPA and Peace Corps Sign a Memorandum of Understanding