Personnel note: Energy veteran Laura Schepis takes helm at PACE
The Alabama-based Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) — a coalition of working people, business owners, environmentalists, and trade organizations who are fighting for fair, responsible energy policies — has named energy veteran Laura Schepis as the group’s new Executive Director. Schepis, a government relations and strategic communications expert, will assume leadership of the organization on July 1st. With two decades of experience in energy advocacy on the federal level, she’s quarterbacked federal lobbying efforts on cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and telecommunications and contributed to efforts on many other issues, including transportation appropriations, commodity trading rules, energy efficiency and renewable energy standards. She also designed and led national grassroots and political campaigns for electric utilities on climate change. “We are extraordinarily pleased to have Laura Schepis lead our efforts to promote responsible energy policy and advocate for energy customers,” says PACE Board Chairman Cline Jones. “Laura’s wealth of experience in this area and passion for the cause of affordable, reliable energy will carry on the tradition PACE has built over the past decade.” After practicing law in Georgia, Schepis relocated to Washington, DC, in 2000. There, she worked for the National Association of Development Organizations, the American Public Gas Association, and the American Public Power Association. For three years, Schepis served as Vice President of Political Affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, where she led national messaging and political strategy on priority issues and presidential campaigns, designed and executed NRECA’s first significant presence at national political conventions, and delivered 1.2 million public comments to EPA on the Clean Power Plan. Schepis lives in Virginia with her husband and daughter.
Groups, lawmakers come together to urge court to rule on Clean Power Plan
Tuesday, Lance Brown, the Executive Director of the Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) released a video calling for the court to rule on the controversial Clean Power Plan — the Obama administration’s flagship policy for cutting carbon dioxide emissions at power plants. Finalized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in August, the plan aims to cut power plant emissions by 32 percent in 2030 compared to 2012. While the plan sets individual targets for each state, it leaves many of the details for reaching those targets to each state legislature. “The EPA’s so-called Clean Power Plan won’t change global temperatures, but it will change power bills,” said Brown in the video. “That’s why the courts need to rule on this bad policy before we spend billions to comply with it.” Brown’s opinion is echoed by a chorus of other groups and lawmakers in the video. Senator Gerald Allen of Alabama calls the rule “a power grab by the Obama administration that will have zero impact on the global climate.” The plan is “an unprecedented attempt by EPA to set energy policy for the entire country,” said Regional Business Coalition of Greater Atlanta. National Black Chamber of Commerce says the plan will “lead to lost jobs, lower incomes, and higher poverty rates for the 128 million blacks and hispanics living in America.” Seniors advocate 60 Plus calls the rule “absolutely devastating for seniors.” These opinions should come as little surprise to those following the Clean Power Plan. Only hours after the president introduced the final version, attorney generals from 15 states across the country announced that they planned to sue the EPA over the rule, and lawmakers in over 35 states, like Alabama’s own Rep. Martha Roby stand in opposition to plan. Back in August, Roby wrote, “It’s no surprise that the EPA is once again going beyond its authority, pushing for overly burdensome regulations that have the potential to significantly affect our economy, discourage investment and stifle job creation. This agency is one of the most egregious offenders of ‘backdoor legislating’ by frequently attempting to circumvent Congress to set policy.” Roby continued, “Through the appropriations process thus far, we have used the ‘power of the purse’ to prevent the EPA from implementing harmful regulations like the ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule, which will cost Alabamians greatly. Also included in our Fiscal Year 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill are provisions to prohibit implementation of the Clean Power Plan.” That’s exactly the kind of action Manufacture Alabama‘s Director of External Affairs, Molly Cagle is hoping for. In the video Cagle explained “the EPA’s Clean Power Plan is a step backwards for manufacturers.” “The President and federal lawmakers need to reverse this plan before it’s too late,” Cagle concluded. You can watch the full video here:
Energy group launches emissions testing at University of Alabama
The Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy, or PACE, announced Wednesday it has teamed up with the University of Alabama Student Government Association to provide emissions testing for UA students’ cars free of charge. The pro-traditional energy consortium – which bills itself as a “coalition of working people, business owners, environmentalists, and trade organizations who are fighting for fair, responsible energy policies” – is calling its new initiative PACECAR. The effort allows students and faculty to test their cars for excessive levels of emissions for free. If their vehicles are found to be in need of repair, the PACECAR program will give vouchers for repairs up to $250. Registering with the program also makes them eligible for free tuition for the next semester. The testing takes place in UA’s automotive garage facilities. According to PACE executive director Lance Brown, it has so far been a resounding success. “The reception from students was very positive and they welcomed the chance to learn more about their vehicle’s emissions profile and earn a chance to win tuition,” said Brown in a recent statement. “We expect our numbers to increase on future testing dates as more students learn about the program.” University officials concurred Wednesday. “The University of Alabama is committed to environmental stewardship, and we are always open to projects that empower our students and faculty,” said Deborah Lane, Associate Vice President for University Relations. “We are proud to support this joint effort between the Student Government Association and PACE to provide free vehicle emissions testing for those who call our campus home.” At this juncture, four dates are planned for the Fall and Spring semesters.
