WIMS Environmental HotSheet 5/29/14

National / International News

 

<> White House Releases Report on the Administration's All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy as a Path to Sustainable Economic Growth - Today, the White House released a report, "An All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy as a Path to Sustainable Economic Growth," detailing the President's all-of-the-above energy strategy and the profound transformation in the domestic energy sector since the President took office.

• Access the 43-page report

<> EPA Report Shows Impact of Changing Climate on Americans' Health and Environment - U.S. EPA released the third edition of a report, Climate Change Indicators in the United States. The report pulls together observed data on key measures of the environment, including U.S. and global temperature and precipitation, ocean heat and ocean acidity, sea level, length of growing season, and many others.

<> President Said to Be Planning to Use Executive Authority on Carbon Rule - President Obama's proposed regulation to cut pollution from coal-fired power plants by up to 20 percent would be the strongest action taken by an American president to tackle climate change.

<> A Pushback on Green Power - Opponents of government policies that have spurred the growth of renewable energy are pushing back on mandates nationwide.

<> EPA Selects 171 Communities for New Brownfield Investment Grants - 171 communities will receive 264 grants totaling $67 million in brownfields funding to clean and redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies and leverage jobs while protecting public health and the environment [includes 5 MI communities]

<> EPA Funds Universities For Cleaner Fuel Burning in Developing World - $9 million IN new funding for six universities to research cleaner technologies and fuels for cooking, lighting, and heating homes that will help improve air quality and protect the health of Alaska Natives and people across the developing world.

<> EPA's Catalog of Federal Funding Updated wIth FY 2014 Funding Data - EPA's online catalog of federal funding sources for watershed protection was recently updated to include the latest information about FY2014 federal funding allocations for programs focusing on watershed protection and restoration.

<> Study: Crude exports yield economic benefits across 50 states - May 29, 2014 ─ A new state-by-state analysis shows that 18 U.S. states could gain over 5,000 jobs each in 2020 from exports of U.S. crude oil, said API Vice President for Regulatory and Economic Policy Kyle Isakower.

<> Everything You Need to Know About Agricultural Emissions - The Greenhouse Gas Protocol launched a new guidance this week to help agricultural companies measure and manage their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from crop and livestock production. 

<> EPA Plan To Reduce Corn Ethanol Mandate Would Cut Carbon Emissions - An EPA proposal to cut the amount of corn ethanol required in gasoline would lower greenhouse gas emissions by 3 million metric tons, according to a new report released by the Environmental Working Group

<> GAO-14-628R, Surface Transportation: Actions Needed to Improve Documentation of Key Decisions in the TIGER Discretionary Grant Program, May 28, 2014 – In A Management Report to Anthony Foxx, Secretary of Transportation, GAO found the Department of Transportation (DOT) did not document key decisions made in evaluating grant applications and selecting projects during the fifth round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 

<> Wisconsin scientists release climate change scenarios for 2070 - A group of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers released Yahara 2070, an iniative to explore possible futures for the people, lakes, and ecosystems of Wisconsin's Yahara Watershed.

<> EPA Has Not Implemented Adequate Management Procedures to Address Potential Fraudulent Environmental Data - EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, May 29, 2014, Report No. 14-P-0270

<> Draft Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee Report - May 27. CASAC Review of the EPA's Integrated Review Plan for the Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Sulfur Dioxide (External Review Draft - March 2014)

• Background, meetings, & documents

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

 

<> US v. Certified Environmental Services, Inc. - 5/28/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, Case No. 11-4872. The defendants, consist of an asbestos air monitoring company, five of its employees, and an employee of an asbestos abatement contractor, were convicted, collectively. The Appeals Court ruled the judgments of conviction as to CES, and 4 of the employees are vacated. The case is remanded for a new trial as to CES, and two employees and for resentencing for two employees.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Thursday, May 29 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

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