Energy Department rejects 'social cost of carbon' challenge

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Washington Examiner:

The Obama administration will not revisit a new rule based on its revised "social cost of carbon" estimate, setting the table for a potential legal challenge from industry groups who say the White House has assessed too high a monetary value for benefits from reducing carbon pollution.

 

At its core, the issue at hand is the Obama administration's update to the social cost of carbon -- a monetization of savings from reducing carbon pollution -- that's used in cost-benefit analyses when crafting new rules. Industry groups contend the higher estimate the administration is using will make it easier for federal agencies to justify more aggressive regulations. It's drawn lobbying attention in recent months from electric utility and oil firms, underscoring the perceived reach of the change.

 

Officially, the Energy Department denied a petition from the Landmark Legal Foundation, a conservative group, to reconsider a new standard for microwave ovens, it said in a notice to be published in Tuesday's Federal Register. The new social cost of carbon estimate was first revealed in the new federal microwave standards. DOE's denial of the petition establishes a right to challenge the decision in court.