Obama unveils climate change plan; “less coal, for sure”; international, executive actions highlighted

Where’s the President’s full-text Georgetown speech?

You can find it here.

Is there a Digest version, one-fifth the size, available?

There sure is. Try our 1234 word version with all the juicy information intact and the rhetoric removed. 80% less fat and all the nutrition.

Is there anything new in the plan?

Long-discussed, the President is going to regulate CO2 emissions from power plants — which will ensure either a switchover to (increasingly abundant) natural gas, or the deployment of carbon capture technology on legacy plants. That plan will unfold over years, not months.

In other areas, the increasing emphasis on climate change mitigation efforts is notable — a sign that the Administration, which put the climate change tab at more than $100 billion for last year, is recognizing that preventative efforts may be early enough to prevent climate catastrophe, but will be too late to prevent major climate change impacts.

Where are biofuels in the plan?

The President re-affirmed his support for the Renewable Fuel Standard and for investment in advanced biofuels. But it is very, very hard to spot the word “biofuels” in the Administration’s speeches or the follow-up documents these days. Energy efficiency in vehicles and building, and the switch to natural gas, have proven to be more popular measures.

What about the President’s Energy Plan?

We have a 10-Minute Digest of that plan, here, including a preview of the Energy Security Trust. Little action on the plan is moving through Congress, and “calling on Congress to…” is a major feature of the plan.

Where’s the Fact Sheet on the Climate Change plan?

It’s right here – and includes a link to the full 21-page PDF version.

In today’s Digest, we highlight industry reaction, analysis from critics, look at the impact of money in the debate, and assess the bottom line. With infographics and charts to make for a fast read, all via the page links below.