A change in global warming policy is coming.
Regular readers of Building Operating Management know this isn't news. Our October cover story pointed out that both John McCain and Barack Obama had committed to solving global warming by enacting a plan to cap and trade the emissions of carbon dioxide, one of several greenhouse gases scientists lists as a contributor to global warming. Skeptics might assume that the massive economic crash has shelved plans for a cap and trade plan as Obama focuses on reviving the economy. Not so fast. Just last week Obama restated his goal for a cap and trade plan that would aggressively cut carbon dioxide emissions. There are plenty of other signs that change is coming: In Utah, the EPA blocked an application for a new coal-fired power plant. Coal power plants emit more carbon dioxide than other types of power plants. As the New Republic points out, this decision is likely to freeze other applications for coal plants across the country. Separately, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, which regulates the state's utilities, denied a utility's request to build a 300-megawatt coal power plant. The reason? There is too much risk given uncertain costs of complying with future regulations to curb carbon dioxide emissions. Obama hasn't taken office yet, but the market is clearly taking him at his word to regulate carbon dioxide.