Follow-up: Supreme Court Blocks Obama's Limits on Power Plants

<> Follow-up: Supreme Court Blocks Obama's Limits on Power Plants - The Supreme Court on Monday blocked one of the Obama administration's most ambitious environmental initiatives, an EPA regulation meant to limit emissions of mercury and other toxic pollutants from coal-fired power plants. SCOTUS Blog complete case details and background EPA Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) website Opinion analysis: Power plants stymie smokestack controls Michigan LCV responds to Supreme Court ruling on mercury standard Supreme Court Ruling Emboldens GOP on Climate Regs - (The Hill) The Supreme Court emboldened opponents of the Obama administration's environmental agenda Monday with its ruling against a major air pollution rule. Why the Supreme Court Could Spell Trouble For Obama's Agenda - Monday's ruling could compel agencies to take costs into account when deciding to regulate. Is the Supreme Court's Mercury Decision Pointless? - The ruling is probably not going to change the mercury regulations; it's probably not going to have any effect on the power sector; it probably won't establish any significant legal precedents; the most likely outcome of the ruling is ... nothing much. The Supreme Court throws a wrench in the EPA's crackdown on mercury pollution Upton & Whitfield Comment on Supreme Court Decision on EPA'S Unlawful MATS Rule McConnell Welcomes the Supreme Court's EPA Ruling Sen. Murkowski Welcomes Supreme Court Decision on EPA Rule Markey Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on EPA's Mercury Rule

U.S. Supreme Court decides Michigan v. EPA

<> U.S. Supreme Court decides Michigan v. EPA - 6/29/15. In the U.S. Supreme Court, Docket Nos. 14–46, 14–47, and 14–49. SCALIA, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which ROBERTS, C. J., and KENNEDY, THOMAS, and ALITO, JJ., joined. THOMAS, J., filed a concurring opinion. KAGAN, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which GINSBURG, BREYER, and SOTOMAYOR, JJ., joined.       5-4 decision indicates that EPA unreasonably refused to consider costs in determining whether it is appropriate to regulate hazardous air pollutants emitted by electric utilities. SCOTUS Blog complete case details and background EPA Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) website Supreme Court shoots down EPA power plant rules - MI Attorney General Bill Schuette, whose office argued the case before the court, called it a "victory for family budgets and job creation in Michigan."

Senator Boxer's Statement on the Path Forward on TSCA Reform Legislation

<> Senator Boxer's Statement on the Path Forward on TSCA Reform Legislation - Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), reached out to Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, on the near unanimous passage in the House of Representatives this week of his toxic chemicals reform bill, the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015 (H.R. 2576) -- Senator Boxer informed Congressman Shimkus that because of the clarity, simplicity, and overwhelming bipartisan support in the House for H.R. 2576, she would push for the Senate to take up the House bill with a few perfecting amendments. H.R. 2576: TSCA Modernization Act of 2015

Speaker Boehner Signs Bipartisan Trade Legislation

<> Speaker Boehner Signs Bipartisan Trade Legislation - A short while ago, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) signed H.R. 2146, the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act, which now goes to President Obama's desk for his signature. H.R. 2146 - This bill became the vehicle for passage of Trade Priorities and Accountability Act Pelosi Statement on Senate Passage of Trade Promotion Authority ACC Applauds Advancement Of Trade Promotion Authority Sierra Club Statement on Senate Fast-Track Vote

G-7 Commissioned Report on Climate and Fragility Risks

<> G-7 Commissioned Report on Climate and Fragility Risks - A press statement from Secretary of State John Kerry indicates that climate change is a threat multiplier for instability throughout the world — and the report released this week further illustrates this -- climate change has far-reaching political and economic implications, and poses a serious threat to global security. A New Climate for Peace: Taking Action on Climate and Fragility Risks - An independent report commissioned by members of the G7, identifies seven compound climate-fragility risks that pose serious threats to the stability of states and societies in the decades ahead.

American recycling is stalling, and the big blue bin is one reason why

<> American recycling is stalling, and the big blue bin is one reason why - Once a profitable business for cities and private employers alike, recycling in recent years has become a money-sucking enterprise -- the business of American recycling has stalled -- and industry leaders warn that the situation is worse than it appears. NWRA Issues White Paper on Residential Waste Management Processing Facilities

Fuel Efficiency Improvements: Saving Money, Oil, and the Planet

<> Fuel Efficiency Improvements: Saving Money, Oil, and the Planet - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took another positive step forward by proposing new standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, the vehicles that work in our communities and transport goods all over our country. EPA, DOT Propose Greenhouse Gas and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Heavy-Duty Trucks  More details on DOT's and EPA's notice of proposed rulemaking  Senator Boxer's Statement on Proposed Carbon Pollution Standards for Heavy Duty Trucks Inhofe Statement on EPA and NHTSA Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Pope Francis Aligns Himself With Mainstream Science on Climate

<> Pope Francis Aligns Himself With Mainstream Science on Climate - If anything, environmental scientists say, the pope may have bent over backward to offer a cautious interpretation of the scientific facts. Pope Francis, in Sweeping Encyclical, Calls for Swift Action on Climate Change - The vision that Francis outlined in the 184-page encyclical is sweeping in ambition and scope -- He described a relentless exploitation and destruction of the environment, for which he blamed apathy, the reckless pursuit of profits, excessive faith in technology and political shortsightedness. 10 key excerpts from Pope Francis's encyclical on the environment U.S. Energy Secretary Moniz' Statement on Papal Encyclical on Climate Change ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI' OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME

Sen. EPW Oversight Hearing On EPA Final Rule to Regulate Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals

<> Sen. EPW Oversight Hearing On EPA Final Rule to Regulate Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals - Statements, witness testimony & webcast

Pope Francis warns of destruction of Earth's ecosystem in leaked encyclical

<> Pope Francis warns of destruction of Earth's ecosystem in leaked encyclical - Vatican condemns early release of document in which pontiff calls on people to change their lifestyles and energy consumption or face grave consequences Full copy of the Pope's expected "climate encyclical" leaked, with translated sections Pope Francis blasts global warming deniers in leaked draft of encyclical - A draft of a major environmental document by Pope Francis says "the bulk of global warming" is caused by human activity and calls on people — especially the world's rich — to take steps to mitigate the damage by reducing consumption and reliance on fossil fuels.

World Energy Outlook Special Report on Energy and Climate Change

<> World Energy Outlook Special Report on Energy and Climate Change - A peak in global energy-related emissions could be achieved as early as 2020 and at no net economic cost, the International Energy Agency said today in its new report The World Energy Outlook Special Report on Energy and Climate Change

Governments Shift Gear To Deliver Paris Agreement

<> Governments Shift Gear To Deliver Paris Agreement - The road map to a new universal climate agreement will step into a higher gear over the next two months as the world works towards Paris in December -- negotiations in mid-July will begin shaping what will be the Paris agreement -- the so called 'Paris Package' Non-State Actors to Curb Emissions Can Help Win the Fight against Climate Change - New UN Report - savings of close to 1.8 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) in 2020 are possible

Administration Announces Actions to Bring Jobs and Clean Energy to Rural America

<> Administration Announces Actions to Bring Jobs and Clean Energy to Rural America - Financing Hundreds Of Projects To Reduce Carbon Pollution In Rural Communities President Obama is committed to combating climate change to protect future generations while supporting a strong rural economy.

Global Citizens' Views on Climate Change

<> Global Citizens' Views on Climate Change - 10,000 sampled; almost 80 per cent of citizens across the globe are very concerned about the impacts of climate change, but close to 70 per cent also see action to combat it as an opportunity to improve their quality of life -- largest ever citizen consultation on climate change carried out by the more than 100 partners of the World Wide Views Alliance in the run up to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP 21), taking place this December.

Public-Private Partnership to Empower Climate-Resilient Developing Nations

<> Fact Sheet: Launching a Public-Private Partnership to Empower Climate-Resilient Developing Nations - The Obama Administration is announcing the launch of an international public-private partnership to empower developing nations to boost their own climate resilience -- Climate Services for Resilient Development, will provide needed climate services – including actionable science, data, information, tools, and training – to developing countries that are working to strengthen their national resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Both Sides Claim Victory Over EPA Fracking Study: NPR

<> Both Sides Claim Victory Over EPA Fracking Study: NPR - The EPA found no evidence that hydraulic fracturing has led to widespread, systemic pollution to drinking water -- Now, two important things there - first, it found no evidence -- That doesn't mean it's not happening, just that in this big study of the science available, the EPA didn't find evidence. Just Released Fracking Study is First Step in "Putting Drinking Water First" - The Assessment includes literature review and new research on dozens of topics related to how fracking threatens drinking water; and "smashes the myth that there can be oil and gas development without impacts to drinking water." EPA's draft assessment – [See eNewsUSA blog post for links to all details] NRDC Statement on EPA Draft Study of Fracking & Drinking Water Risks EDF Statement on EPA's Water Study of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas EPA Confirms that Fracking Poses a Risk to Drinking Water API: EPA hydraulic fracturing review confirms safety Upton Comments On EPA's Hydraulic Fracturing Assessment Markey Statement on EPA's Draft Assessment of Hydraulic Fracturing and Drinking Water Bishop: EPA Study Damaging to Administration's Push for Federal Fracturing Rule Smith: EPA Report Backs Fracking Inhofe Statement on EPA's Report Confirming Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing Sen. Murkowski: EPA Study Confirms Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing

EPA Releases Draft Assessment on the Potential Impacts to Drinking Water Resources from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities

<> EPA Releases Draft Assessment on the Potential Impacts to Drinking Water Resources from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities - The assessment, done at the request of Congress, shows that while hydraulic fracturing activities in the U.S. are carried out in a way that have not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources, there are potential vulnerabilities in the water lifecycle that could impact drinking water -- the water used for hydraulic fracturing from water acquisition, chemical mixing at the well pad site, well injection of fracking fluids, the collection of hydraulic fracturing wastewater (including flowback and produced water), and wastewater treatment and disposal  EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources Also released today were nine peer-reviewed EPA scientific reports Science Advisory Board Review Public webinar: Today, Friday, June 5, 2015 at 2PM EDT

House Hearing EPA Regulatory Overreach: Impacts on American Competitiveness

<> House Hearing EPA Regulatory Overreach: Impacts on American Competitiveness - Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) opened saying, "Over the last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released some of the most expensive and expansive regulations in its history -- these rules will cost billions of dollars, place a heavy burden on American families and diminish the competitiveness of American industry around the world. [Charter, statement, testimony & webcast] Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) American Chemistry Council (ACC) statement

OMB Responds to GOP Reduced Priority Spending Levels

<> OMB Responds to GOP Reduced Priority Spending Levels - OMB says House and Senate Republicans have started to show how they plan to budget at discretionary levels that are the lowest in a decade, adjusted for inflation -- compared to the President's Budget, their budget will force cuts in areas critical to the economy and the middle-class, ranging from research to education to environmental protection, as well as in national security priorities, ranging from homeland security to peacekeeping and foreign assistance to the base defense budget. OMB's letter to House Chairman Rogers On Energy & Water Development OMB's letter to Senate Chairman Cochran On Energy & Water Development

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EPA Climate Plan Sent to White House For Review

<> EPA Climate Plan Sent to White House For Review - U.S. EPA has sent its rules on carbon emissions for existing power plants to the White House Office of Management and Budget for a final review before being finalized in August Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units EPA Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule website OK Governor Mary Fallin Issues Order Standing up to EPA Overreach – 4/28/15. Order states that Oklahoma will not file a State Implementation Plan (SIP) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulating carbon dioxide emissions produced by Oklahoma power plants.

 

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Next Round of UN Climate Negotiations,Bonn, June 1-11

<> Next Round of UN Climate Negotiations,Bonn, June 1-11 - Work on the text of the Paris 2015 universal climate agreement will continue in Bonn as of Monday, June 1, at a 10-day meeting to continue progress on addressing the most effective ways to raise climate action before 2020, which is when the new agreement would come into effect. Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2015 Live & On-Demand webcasts