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Enviros give a thumbs-up to Obama’s new climate chief

by arielbangkok Posted on November 11, 2013

Enviros give a thumbs-up to Obama’s new climate chief

By

Georgetownclimate.org

President Obama has picked Dan Utech, an experienced environment and energy wonk, to replace outgoing White House climate adviser Heather Zichal. The role doesn’t require Senate confirmation, so Utech got right to work today.

His transition shouldn’t be too difficult. Up until now he has served as the deputy director for climate at the White House, where he’s worked since 2010. Before joining the Obama administration, Utech worked for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and served as energy and environment adviser to then-Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y).

Utech worked with Zichal to help the Obama administration craft its second-term climate strategy, which includes stringent limits on carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. power plants as well as efforts to halt construction of new coal plants worldwide. In his new position, the L.A. Times explains, he “will also have to explain to the public the administration’s stand on often-contentious energy and environmental issues, such as the Keystone XL oil pipeline.”

Enviros seem to like the guy. Here’s praise from a couple of green leaders:

Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune: “Dan Utech has been engaged in critically important debates on energy and environmental issues for years, bringing with him a unique blend of hill experience and technical knowledge of the energy industry. A seasoned hand in the energy world, he has also helped implement some of the Obama Administration’s most significant actions on our climate crisis and has the experience needed to ensure a smooth transition following Heather Zichal’s exceptional service.”

Natural Resources Defense Council President Frances Beinecke: “Dan Utech is a leader, a seasoned expert, and the right person for this critical energy and climate post. He’s well-suited to carry forward the policies our country needs to expand clean energy, cut carbon pollution, address climate change and protect health. We are pleased the president has chosen him.”


Source
Obama appoints new energy and climate change advisor, L.A. Times

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.

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Enviros give a thumbs-up to Obama’s new climate chief

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Splitsville for Obama and his chief climate adviser

by Myrna Posted on October 8, 2013

Splitsville for Obama and his chief climate adviser

By

CSIS

Heather Zichal.

What two things do you say to Barack Obama’s climate and energy czar?

“Who are you?” and “Catch ya later.”

You might never have heard the name Heather Zichal (then again, being a Grist reader, you might very well have).

Zichal is the White House official who has done much of the president’s heavy lifting on climate policy. Which, despite promises made by Obama during the 2008 election campaign, had not been a particularly admirable amount. But then June 2013 rolled around, and Obama unveiled a far-reaching climate plan that had been crafted by Zichal — who by then had risen to become his senior climate and energy adviser. Zichal was also instrumental in developing new federal standards for the fuel efficiency of cars.

Sounds like preeminent, high-profile work, right? Wrong. Despite the headiness of the role, Zichal was never given the authority, profile, or resources that such important work deserves. Al Gore made a veiled reference to her post in June, complaining that Obama had just “one person” working on climate change “who hasn’t been given that much authority.”

And now, after five years, it’s splitsville for Zichal and the president. It’s not quite clear just yet what gig Zichal has lined up — but Reuters is reporting that it will be “non-government” work.

The Washington Post reports that the White House wanted Zichal to stay, but that it didn’t do enough to convince her to stick around:

In an effort to keep Zichal on board, White House officials raised the possibility of her chairing the Council on Environmental Quality in the event that its chair, Nancy Sutley, would leave, according to people familiar with the decision who demanded anonymity in order to discuss sensitive personnel issues.

Sutley’s departure has not been announced, but the people familiar with the situation said she would step down before the end the year.

In a statement, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough praised Zichal’s work.

“Heather is one of the president’s most trusted policy advisers,” McDonough said.

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Gina McCarthy said Zichal was “tremendously influential,” but that her departure will not affect how the administration’s climate action plan moves forward.

Obama has become adept at losing top environmental officials. Zichal joins former EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in parting ways with Obama during his second term.


Source
Obama’s climate adviser plans to step down, Washington Post
Obama climate adviser Zichal to step down: officials, Reuters

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.

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Splitsville for Obama and his chief climate adviser

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Coming soon: An Obama climate strategy

by dx1d3x0 Posted on June 20, 2013

Coming soon: An Obama climate strategy

By Claire Thompson

The White House

His big, new climate plan is coming any day now.

Rumors have been swirling that President Obama soon plans to unveil major new efforts to combat climate change. And today, White House officials confirmed that the announcement is coming soon — probably next month, but maybe as early as next week.

At a Washington, D.C., forum sponsored by The New Republic, Heather Zichal, White House coordinator for energy and climate change, said the president planned to unveil new policy initiatives and is “serious about making [climate change] a second-term priority.” She declined to give details, but according to The New York Times …

Ms. Zichal suggested in her remarks that a central part of the administration’s approach to dealing with climate change would be to use the authority given to the Environmental Protection Agency to address climate-altering pollutants from power plants under the Clean Air Act. …

The electric power sector is responsible for about a third of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, and any serious effort to address climate change will require steps to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other climate pollutants from coal-burning power plants.

The administration has already proposed regulations that would crack down on carbon pollution from new power plants, effectively barring them from burning coal. But those regulations are being delayed, reportedly to make them stand up better under court challenge. A number of states and green groups had threatened to sue over the delay, but this week they backed off, saying they’d wait to see what climate initiatives Obama actually does announce.

The next big step would be regulating emissions from existing power plants, which could lead to the shuttering of coal-fired facilities. Climate hawks have been pushing for this. Here’s David Roberts on the tactic back in December (emphasis his):

This chance to spur decarbonization in the power sector is Obama’s greatest second-term opportunity on climate change. How EPA designs and implements these rules will help define his legacy. There is nothing else with as much potential that does not require the imprimatur of intransigent minorities in Congress.

Though such regulations do not have to be approved by Congress to go into effect, they’re expected to be the target of legal challenges from industry groups, and of intense opposition from lawmakers aligned with industry or representing coal-dependent states. From The New York Times:

The issue of power plant regulation is sensitive because it will … put further stress on the coal industry, which is already suffering from a lack of demand as utilities switch to natural gas, which is cheaper.

More regulations and a death blow to coal — the GOP will love it!

Speaking of things the GOP loves (to hate), Obama’s climate plan will likely also include expanded renewable-energy development on public land and increased focus on energy efficiency in buildings and equipment.

Claire Thompson is an editorial assistant at Grist.

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