Tuesday, May 29, 2012
RemTec Launches New Website
Check out RemTec's new website! We have updated the look and and usability for the convenience of our customers and future customers. Thanks for visiting!
www.remtec.net
www.remtec.net
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Report on the Inaugural Meeting of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), a group of countries organized to address the short-lived climate pollutants of HFCs, black carbon, and methane, held its inaugural meeting April 23 and 24 in Stockholm, Sweden. The initiative was announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in February.
Since the announcement of the CCAC, Colombia, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, the European Commission, and the World Bank, have joined the inaugural members: the United States, Canada, Bangladesh, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden, and the UN Environment Programme. Several other countries, Australia, Denmark, Finland, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, were also present as interested observers that may become full partners.
At the meeting, the parties discussed 12-16 proposals for action across a number of initiatives in multiple focus areas. Of those proposals, they narrowed the list down to five areas of policy that they intend to initially work upon:
· HFCs -Accelerating alternatives to HFCs.
· Diesel emissions - Fast action on diesel emissions including from heavy-duty vehicles and engines.
· Brick Kilns - Upgrading old inefficient brick kilns that are a significant source of black carbon emissions.
· Landfill Methane - Accelerating the reduction of methane emissions from landfills.
· Oil and Gas Methane - Speeding up cuts in methane and other emissions from the oil and gas industry.
The Alliance was the only true representative of the private sector that attended the meeting, which was open to invited observers through much of the first day but subsequently closed. Though the CCAC’s press release noted the presence of “delegates from the private sector” aside from Kevin Fay the only observers were a representative from the Stockholm Environment Institute, a representative the International Council on Clean Transportation, and Durwood Zaelke, from the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development.
Furthermore, in discussion with EPA it appears there is scant evidence that the sectors targeted by these initiatives have been fully engaged with the proposals that were presented at the meeting, or in current plans about a path forward for those proposals. This is particularly concerning because, while participation in CCAC is voluntary for any country, the proposals under discussion could ultimately include mandatory regulatory initiatives. Therefore, while voluntary for countries to participate, the initiatives will not necessarily be voluntary for affected industries once agreed to by the group.
It also appears that there has been little definitive thought invested as to how CCAC will interact with many of the other international forums addressing climate such as the UNFCCC, the Major Economies Forum, and the G-20, or to the Montreal Protocol in the case of HFCs. There is a possibility that the coalition will have a side-event at the Rio +20 meeting in Brazil in June, but it is not expected to dwell on the specifics of any of the five initiatives.
A second meeting of the CCAC will be held in Paris during July at a date to be determined.
Attached is a draft of the concept paper developed by the United States on the HFC initiative. As you will note, it focuses on “promot(ing) climate-friendly, cost-effective alternatives and technologies for new and existing equipment; minimize(ing) HFC leaks through responsible management; and encourage(ment of) recovery, recycling, reclamation, and eventual destruction of existing HFC supplies.”
During the discussion in Stockholm, the World Bank asked if this could also be expanded to include CFC destruction as a component. The United States replied that it would welcome consideration of that as part of the initiative.
The US was designated to take the lead on the HFC initiative. It will be recalled that EPA and State Department representatives had presented this as a means to promote the North American amendment proposal, however, the paper does not address this nor was it discussed during the meeting. Representatives from EPA and the State Department will be invited to a future Alliance Board meeting to discuss their plans for this initiative.
The partnership contemplates a Secretariat operating out of the UNEP IE office in Paris. Current partners have pledged $18 million to date, including $12 million from the United States towards the secretariat and to get the partnership operational.
Dave Stirpe
Executive Director
Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy
2111 Wilson Blvd., 8th Floor
Arlington, VA 22201
phone: (703) 243-0344
website: www.arap.org
Executive Director
Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy
2111 Wilson Blvd., 8th Floor
Arlington, VA 22201
phone: (703) 243-0344
website: www.arap.org
A Letter To HARC Members from Tom Cortina
HALON
ALTERNATIVES RESEARCH CORPORATION
TO: MEMBERS
FROM: TOM CORTINA
SUBJECT: DURBAN BRIEFING
_____________________________________________________
Last week the State Department held a briefing to discuss the start of negotiations on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action, which was adopted at the 17th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in November. The briefing was hosted by Jonathan Pershing, Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change.
The Durban Platform calls for a new legally-binding climate change accord to be signed by 2015 and come into force in 2020. The new accord will include commitments for all countries, both developed and developing. As part of the Durban agreement progress was made on rules for monitoring and verifying emissions reductions, protecting forests, transferring clean technologies to developing countries, and other technical issues. In addition, a Green Climate Fund was launched under the UN that will provide $100 billion a year to developing countries by 2020 to mobilize low carbon investments, prevent deforestation, and assist vulnerable countries in adaptation.
One of the keys to convincing developing countries to approve the Durban Platform was the European Union (EU) agreeing to extend the Kyoto Protocol until 2017. As part of the amendment to extend Kyoto it is expected that the EU will commit to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a goal it is believed they can achieve under existing policies. Japan, Russia, and Canada did not agree to extend Kyoto, which means that the extended Kyoto Protocol will cover only about 14% of global GHG emissions.
Negotiations on a new international climate treaty will begin May 14-25 in Bonn, Germany under the newly-formed Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform (ADP). It is expected that the first few meetings of the ADP will consist of brainstorming sessions to explore the different options for the structure of a new legal instrument on climate. The Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA), where the previous negotiations on a pot-Kyoto climate treaty were held, is scheduled to close at the end of 2012.
We will provide an update on these issues at the June 11 HARC meeting.
TO: MEMBERS
FROM: TOM CORTINA
SUBJECT: DURBAN BRIEFING
_____________________________________________________
Last week the State Department held a briefing to discuss the start of negotiations on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action, which was adopted at the 17th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in November. The briefing was hosted by Jonathan Pershing, Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change.
The Durban Platform calls for a new legally-binding climate change accord to be signed by 2015 and come into force in 2020. The new accord will include commitments for all countries, both developed and developing. As part of the Durban agreement progress was made on rules for monitoring and verifying emissions reductions, protecting forests, transferring clean technologies to developing countries, and other technical issues. In addition, a Green Climate Fund was launched under the UN that will provide $100 billion a year to developing countries by 2020 to mobilize low carbon investments, prevent deforestation, and assist vulnerable countries in adaptation.
One of the keys to convincing developing countries to approve the Durban Platform was the European Union (EU) agreeing to extend the Kyoto Protocol until 2017. As part of the amendment to extend Kyoto it is expected that the EU will commit to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a goal it is believed they can achieve under existing policies. Japan, Russia, and Canada did not agree to extend Kyoto, which means that the extended Kyoto Protocol will cover only about 14% of global GHG emissions.
Negotiations on a new international climate treaty will begin May 14-25 in Bonn, Germany under the newly-formed Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform (ADP). It is expected that the first few meetings of the ADP will consist of brainstorming sessions to explore the different options for the structure of a new legal instrument on climate. The Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action (AWG-LCA), where the previous negotiations on a pot-Kyoto climate treaty were held, is scheduled to close at the end of 2012.
We will provide an update on these issues at the June 11 HARC meeting.
Fire Suppression Systems Assocation (FSSA) Save The Date for Annual Forum
Save the Date!
FSSA's 2013 Annual
Forum will be February
22 - 26, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita
Springs, Florida.
Check the FSSA website (www.fssa.net) often for updates on the schedule of events, registration information and sponsorship opportunities.
Check the FSSA website (www.fssa.net) often for updates on the schedule of events, registration information and sponsorship opportunities.
FIRE
SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION
5024 Campbell Blvd., Suite R, Baltimore, MD 21236-5974
P: (410) 931-8100 F: (410) 931-8111
http://www.fssa.net
5024 Campbell Blvd., Suite R, Baltimore, MD 21236-5974
P: (410) 931-8100 F: (410) 931-8111
http://www.fssa.net
Monday, May 14, 2012
Extinguish
The Heat
2012
FFEDA Annual Conference & Trade Show
June 8
– 9, 2012
Doral
Golf Resort & Spa – Miami, Florida
Register
Today!
If
you have not already made plans to attend the 2012 FFEDA Annual Conference and
Trade Show, be sure to register today! Please click
here to review the attendee brochure and form for more information and
registration options.
For
more information as it becomes available, please visit www.ffeda.com.
We look forward to seeing you in Miami!
FFEDA Annual Golf Tournament – Friday, June 8, 2012
The
2012 Tournament will be held on the Red Course at the Doral Golf Resort &
Spa. Please note that this year’s tournament is taking place in the
afternoon from 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The tournament includes practice
balls, green and cart fees and prizes for the Top 2 Teams, Longest Drive and
Closest to the Pin.
Hotel Information
Make
your hotel reservations directly with the Doral Golf Resort & Spa by
calling 855.878.6707 (**Please note this number has been changed from the original number
noted on previous marketing pieces. You must call this number to make
reservations at the Doral). Be sure to mention you are with the Florida Fire Equipment
Dealers Association to receive the special reduced rate of $119.00. Make
your reservations now because after May 23, 2012, the Doral Golf Resort
& Spa will no longer offer rooms to FFEDA at this reduced rate.
Please continue your support of the FFEDA Annual Conference &
Trade Show and all conference activities by staying at the Doral Golf Resort
& Spa, the appointed FFEDA host hotel.
FFEDA
325 John Knox Rd L103
Tallahassee, FL 32303
phone: (850) 224-0711
fax: (850) 222-3019
Website - www.ffeda.org
325 John Knox Rd L103
Tallahassee, FL 32303
phone: (850) 224-0711
fax: (850) 222-3019
Website - www.ffeda.org
RemTec International Customer Appreciation Extravaganza New Orleans NAFED
RemTec Customer Extravaganza Winners:
Beth Hayes: 2 dozen RemTec Titlest golf ballsEvan Bruck: Golf Balls
Gary Van: Golf Balls
Jason Schaefer: Golf Balls
Mark Driste: iPod Shuffle
Gillian Martin: iPod Shuffle
Gary Parsons: Kindle Fire
Bill Chadima: Nike club
Jeff DuBeau: Nike putter
Branon Hardy: Nike iron
Mike Champion: Nike driver
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