WIMS Environmental HotSheet 4/9/14

National / International News

 

<> Testimony of EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy Before the Senate Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Appropriations - EPA's budget request of $7.890 billion for the 2015 fiscal year starting October 1, 2014 reflects our ongoing efforts to meet the challenges facing the agency today and into the future.

• Interior, Environment Hearing: FY15 EPA Budget webcast

<> Energy and Power Subcommittee Vote on H.R. 6, The Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act - H.R. 6 would expedite the export of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) to our allies.

• API praises congressional action on natural gas exports - April 9, 2014 ─ API President and CEO Jack Gerard applauded today's vote on legislation to fast track U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The measure, H.R. 6, was approved
• DEMS website with background, amendments & statements

<> States Achieve Big Savings with Energy Efficiency Targets - Energy efficiency targets implemented in half of U.S. states in 2012 saved enough electricity to power 2 million homes for a year. The findings of Energy Efficiency Resource Standards: A New Progress Report on State Experience, by ACEEE. . .

<> EPA to Work with Ports to Improve Environmental Performance / Clean diesel grants and new ports initiative will advance sustainable technologies - U.S. EPA is hosting the -- Advancing Sustainable Ports -- summit to mark the kickoff of a new EPA initiative to recognize ports that take action to improve environmental. . .

<> Energy Department Invests More than $3 Million to Advance U.S. Competitiveness in the Fuel Cell Market - April 8, 2014Energy Department Invests More than $3 Million to Advance U.S. Competitiveness in the Fuel Cell Market In support of President Obama's all-of-the-above energy strategy, the Energy Department today awarded more 

<> Urbanization Provides Unprecedented Opportunities to Transition to a Green Economy, Says New Report - A new report launched jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Cities Alliance at the 2014 World Urban Forum finds that the rapid pace of urbanization represents an opportunity to build more sustainable, innovative and equitable towns and cities, and to use the world's natural resources more efficiently.

<> Legislative Hearing on Bills To Amend Endangered Species Act - Statements, testimony, webcast, bill details: H.R. 4315, H.R. 4316, H.R. 4317, and H.R. 4318

<> Bills of the 113th Congress Concerning Climate Change - From C2ES a nice summary of the bills, resolutions, and amendments of the 113th Congress dealing with climate change by categories

<> The U.S. Military Goes Green - The Navy's Roger Natsuhara Discusses Efforts to Run Ships on Biofuel, Adopt Cutting-Edge Technologies and More

<> New Report Recommends Strategies for Reducing Fuel Consumption by Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles - Expanding the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and regulations requiring the use of aerodynamic devices on trailers are two strategies for reducing fuel consumption by large trucks, buses, commercial vehicles. . .

<> On Fracking Front, A Push To Reduce Leaks of Methane - Scientists, engineers, and government regulators are increasingly turning their attention to solving one of the chief environmental problems associated with fracking for natural gas and oil – significant leaks of methane, a potent. . .

<> How to Think Like the Dutch in a Post-Sandy World - Can Henk Ovink sell Americans on a new approach to flooding: to let the water in?

<> Carbon trading in China: short-term experience, long-term wisdom - Last week, Hubei Province became the sixth jurisdiction in China to launch a pilot carbon emissions trading program, joining Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, and Guangdong Province. In the coming months, two additional. . .

<> The Obama Administration's Enthusiasm for Coal Sales Undermines Its Climate Program - When it comes to the Obama administration's Climate Action Plan, there's a big carbon-breathing elephant in the room. . .

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Wednesday, April 9, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Nothing We're Highlighting Today (click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)