Climate Regulation Without Congressional Action,
2010
Columbia Law School
Climate Regulation Without Congressional Action, Michael B. Gerrard
Faculty Scholarship
The apogee of congressional support for comprehensive climate change legislation came on June 26, 2009, when the House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy Security Act (Waxman-Markey) by a vote of 219 to 212. Its Senate counterpart, the American Power Act, known first as Kerry-Lieberman-Graham and then just Kerry-Lieberman, never gained traction, and in July 2010 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) announced he would not bring it to the floor this year.
Many observers believe Republicans will take control of the House and possibly of the Senate after the Nov. 2, 2010, elections. Republican leadership in both chambers …
Model Green Building Ordinance Proposed For Adoption By New York Municipalities,
2010
Columbia Law School
Model Green Building Ordinance Proposed For Adoption By New York Municipalities, Michael B. Gerrard, Jason James
Faculty Scholarship
After failing to pass in the 111th Congress, comprehensive federal climate legislation appears stalled until at least 2013. Regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under existing federal law, while progressing, has encountered challenges. Even state initiatives, such as California's A.B. 32, lie on less than certain ground. But not all action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must be taken on the federal or state level. Through regulating buildings, municipalities can play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving the health and welfare of their local communities.
In 2009, the residential and commercial building sector was responsible for more …
