Top 10 Environmental & Energy Headlines from North America Adaptation – An adjustment in natural or human systems to a new or changing environment. "Adaptation to climate change" refers to an adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climate change or its effects that serves to moderate harm (or vulnerability to harm) or exploit beneficial opportunities. The electricity industry’s movement toward renewable energy development presents a unique opportunity for owners and developers of large-scale real property (e.g., warehouses and distribution centers). A massive 821-page bill aimed at improving U.S. energy independence and curbing domestic greenhouse gas emissions was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, September 30. On October 7, 2009, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a solicitation inviting the submission of applications for loan guarantees for “commercial technology renewable energy” (CTRE) projects. The Senate, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the courts are all pushing the U.S. closer to controls on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at power plants and large industrial sources. Three recent federal court decisions have split 2 to 1 over the viability of suits seeking damages arising out of green-house-gas (GHG) emissions and global warming impacts. On October 7, 2009, the Ministry of the Environment (“MOE”) released a draft Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) Emissions Reporting regulation (the “Regulation”), which the Ontario Government envisions will form the basis of a provincial cap and trade system. Over the month of September, 2009, the government of Ontario introduced a total of 16 regulations under the “Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009” (“GEA”). While Congress continues to work on new US climate change legislation, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is rapidly cranking out greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations under the existing Clean Air Act (CAA). On September 30, 2009, Senators John Kerry (D–Mass.) and Barbara Boxer (D–Calif.) introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (the Kerry–Boxer bill). | 
