Monday, June 23, 2014

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/23/14

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National / International News

<> [OP-ED] The Coming Climate Crash - Lessons for Climate Change in the 2008 Recession - There is a time for weighing evidence and a time for acting. Op-Ed by Henry M. Paulson Jr. is the chairman of the Paulson Institute at the University of Chicago who served as secretary of the Treasury from July 2006 to January 2009.

<> Open letter from the Chairman and President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development - Climate change is the most critical of all sustainable development challenges. Left unchecked, it will set back all other development objectives and pose athreat to all people, regardless of economic status, race, sex or. . .

<> NCDC Releases May 2014 Global Climate Report - The globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for May 2014 was the highest for May since 1880. . .

<> GOP Members Introduce H.R. 4899 - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) and 12 other GOP members have introduced The Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America that Works Act.

<> Report Reveals Companies That Dumped 206 Pounds of Toxic Chemicals Into Our Waterways - Environment America's report also reveals the top 10 states for toxic dumping. . .

<> As President Mandates Pollinator Protection, EPA Lags Behind Science - (Beyond Pesticides, June 23, 2014) During the close of National Pollinator Week, the White House issued a Presidential Memorandum on pollinator health to the heads of federal agencies requiring action to "reverse pollinator losses and help restore populations to healthy levels."

<> Energy Department Invests $3.2 Million to Support Clean Energy Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs - June 20, 2014Energy Department Invests $3.2 Million to Support Clean Energy Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Secretary Moniz today announced $3.2 million to launch the National Incubator Initiative for Clean Energy. . .

<> Mayors Consider Climate & Energy Resolutions At Conference - The United States Conference of Mayors' 82nd Annual Meeting taking place June 20-23, 2014 in Dallas has the Mayors considering a number of climate and energy related resolutions. 

<> How 3D Printers Work - June 19, 2014How 3D Printers Work As part of our How Energy Works series, learn everything you need to know about 3D printers, from how they work to the different types of systems to the future of the technology. . .


U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

<> Utility Air Regulatory Group v. U.S. EPA - 6/23/14. In the U.S. Supreme Court, Docket No. 12–1146. Appealed from the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit. The opinion indicates: "We must decide whether it was permissible for EPA to determine that its motor-vehicle greenhouse-gas regulations automatically triggered permitting requirements under the Act for stationary sources that emit greenhouse gases." The Majority concludes: "We hold that EPA exceeded its statutory authority when it interpreted the Clean Air Act to requirePSD and Title V permitting for stationary sources based on their greenhouse-gas emissions. . . The judgment of the Court of Appeals is affirmed in part and reversed in part."

<> Latin Am. for Soc. & Econ. Dev., et al. v. FHWA, et al. - 6/20/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, Case Nos. 12-1556/1558. The Panel explains: "Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development and other plaintiffs sued the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and certain FHWA officials challenging the FHWA's Record of Decision (ROD) selecting the Delray neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan as the preferred location alternative for a new international bridge crossing between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. Plaintiffs claim that the ROD and preceding process violated the National Environmental Protection Act, Administrative Procedures Act, principles of environmental justice, and other federal laws. 
The district court granted the defendants' motion to affirm the ROD. For the reasons that follow, the decision of the district court is affirmed.

<> Sacramento Municipal Utility District v. U.S. DOE - 6/20/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, Case Nos. 2013-5086, -5087. SMUD agreed to pay $40 million into the Nuclear Waste Fund and DOE promised to begin accepting and disposing of SMUD's spent nuclear. The Panel reversed the combined judgment of $38,845,398 for the period of 1992–2009 and reinstated a prior $53,159,863 award for the period of 1992–2003.


Federal Register Highlights 

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


1. Water - Notice. Request for Scientific Views - Extension of Request for Scientific Views for Updated National Recommended Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Human Health PDF | Text |

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

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