Bringing together 400+ experts to give Earth its annual climate checkup

<> Bringing together 400+ experts to give Earth its annual climate checkup - The State of the Climate is a rather huge report -- in the neighborhood of 270 pages -- that updates the status of major climate variables and recaps regional climate conditions around the world every year -- more than 400 authors and editors from 58 countries

Sources: EPA will ease deadlines on pollution rule to help states comply

<> Sources: EPA will ease deadlines on pollution rule to help states comply - The Obama administration has decided to give states more time to comply with proposed regulations that will require dramatic cuts in greenhouse-gas pollution from power plants, people familiar with the plans said Tuesday [7/28/15] "Enormous Potential" in the Imminent Clean Power Plan - Environmental Defense Fund reports: EPA will soon finalize the Clean Power Plan. The EPA's risky Clean Power Plant rule Low-Carbon Electricity Pathways for the U.S. and the South: An Assessment of Costs and Options - Modeling from Georgia Tech researchers suggests that Clean Power Plan compliance can be achieved cost effectively with a combination of renewable and energy-efficiency policies plus a modest price on carbon that could be expected to result from the Plan's implementation. Clean Power Plan Map - Businesses and investors in 29 states have endorsed a call for governors to implement the Clean Power Plan using the building blocks of renewable energy and energy efficiency – register & click on one of the states in purple to read the letter EPA's Proposed Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants

House, Senate move toward passage of ANOTHER transportation patch

<> House, Senate move toward passage of ANOTHER transportation patch - The House and Senate are moving toward passage of a three-month patch to keep federal highway and transit aid flowing to states while lawmakers seek the right mix of policy and revenue to achieve a long-term transportation deal -- midnight Friday deadline when authority for the Department of Transportation to process aid payments to states will expire -- the 34th extension since 2009. Roll Call Vote on cloture on H.R.22, as amended

House, Senate on Collision Course in Highway Debate

<> House, Senate on Collision Course in Highway Debate - Senators overruled heated conservative opposition Monday and added a measure reviving the federal Export-Import Bank to must-pass highway legislation. But House Republicans declared the Senate transportation bill dead on arrival. ·         By a vote of 62-32, cloture was invoked on the highway/transportation substitute amendment #2266, as amended. ·         Inhofe Responds to House Announcement that it won't take up DRIVE Act ·         Inhofe and Boxer Join Forces to Support DRIVE Act ·         Inhofe, Boxer Welcome the Support of Over 100 Mayors for DRIVE Act

White House Launches American Business Act on Climate Pledge

<> White House Launches American Business Act on Climate Pledge - Today at the White House, Secretary of State John Kerry and senior White House officials will host 13 of the largest companies from across the American economy who are standing with the Obama Administration to launch the American Business Act on Climate Pledge: Alcoa, Apple, Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Cargill, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, Google, Microsoft, PepsiCo, UPS, and Walmart. Business of Combating Climate Change is the Business of America Statement by Ceres President Mindy S. Lubber in response to White House Announcement

BSEE Approves Limited Drilling Activities in Arctic Waters

<> BSEE Approves Limited Drilling Activities in Arctic Waters - After extensive review and under a robust array of safety requirements, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director Brian Salerno announced that Shell has received conditional approval of two Applications for Permits to Drill (APD) to conduct limited exploratory drilling activities in the Chukchi Sea offshore Alaska -- the APDs limit Shell to drilling only the top sections of wells and prohibit Shell from drilling into oil-bearing zones Murkowski: Conditional Permit Approval Moves Shell Closer to Chukchi Program Sierra Club Responds To President Obama's Decision To Grant Conditional Approval To Shell To Drill In The Arctic

Committee Passes Grassley Priorities, Wind Energy, Biodiesel, Cellulosic Ethanol, Education Provisions in Tax Extenders Package

<> Committee Passes Grassley Priorities, Wind Energy, Biodiesel, Cellulosic Ethanol, Education Provisions in Tax Extenders Package - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) secured Finance Committee passage of tax incentives for wind energy, biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol in a bipartisan tax extenders bill. Open Executive Session to consider an Original Bill to Extend Certain Expired Tax Provisions Senate committee votes 23-3 to extend federal tax credits Thank You Sen. Grassley for Leading Charge On Wind Energy - The Environmental Law & Policy Center thanks Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) for leading the charge to include the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit in the Federal Tax Extenders Package Bill Statement on Senate Finance Mark-Up NAM Applauds Senate Finance for Moving Tax Extenders Package

Vision for Paris: Building an Effective Climate Agreement

<> Vision for Paris: Building an Effective Climate Agreement - This report outlines the emerging elements of a Paris climate agreement based on in-depth discussions among senior climate negotiators from leading countries. The report foresees a durable legal agreement that sets binding commitments for all parties, holds countries accountable, and works to progressively strengthen global ambition -- the Toward 2015 dialogue was organized by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES). Climate Talks Nearing Consensus in Behind-the-Scenes Meetings

Canadian Premiers Agree on Energy Strategy with Weakened Climate Goals

<> Canadian Premiers Agree on Energy Strategy with Weakened Climate Goals - Canada's premiers reached a deal on a Canadian Energy Strategy, hailing it as a "monumental" document that recognizes the importance of the country's energy industry to the economy but does so in an environmentally sustainable way -- strategy waters down commitments to fight climate change Implementing an Energy Strategy for Canada - Premiers released the Canadian Energy Strategy, a demonstration of their commitment to strengthening the economy, creating jobs, ensuring a secure supply of energy for all Canadians, supporting energy innovation and addressing climate change Premiers support joint action on climate change - All provinces and territories now support the commitments included in the declaration Declaration of the premiers of CANADA NRDC: Canadian Energy Policy Facilitates Tar Sands Pipelines, Not Carbon Reduction

International report confirms: 2014 was Earth's warmest year on record

<> International report confirms: 2014 was Earth's warmest year on record - In 2014, the most essential indicators of Earth's changing climate continued to reflect trends of a warming planet, with several  markers such as rising land and ocean temperature, sea levels and greenhouse gases ─ setting new records.  State of the Climate in 2014 report - released by the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and compiled by NOAA's Center for Weather and Climate at the National Centers for Environmental Information is based on contributions from 413 scientists from 58 countries around the world [large 288-page document, allow time to download] 2014 State of the Climate: Highlights Report

Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Oversight Hearing on Federal Fracking Standards

<> Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Oversight Hearing on Federal Fracking Standards – Background, witness testimony, statements & webcast Bishop vs. BLM on Federal Hydraulic Fracturing Rule Implementation - During the hearing Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) confronted Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Neil Kornze on the Bureau's utter lack of preparedness in anticipation of the impending hydraulic fracturing rule on federal lands

New Chemical Data : EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources

<> New Chemical Data : EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources - a supporting draft database containing information on the 1,173 hydraulic fracturing-related chemicals that were listed in the draft assessment [see downloads tab]. EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas website Comments due August 28, 2015

Climate Change: A Risk Assessment

<> Climate Change: A Risk Assessment - This report argues that the risks of climate change should be assessed in the same way as risks to national security, financial stability, or public health -- we should concentrate especially on understanding what is the worst that could happen, and how likely that might be. [policy brief & full report available]

President Obama Designates 3 New National Monuments, Protecting More than 1 Million Acres of Public Land

<> President Obama Designates 3 New National Monuments, Protecting More than 1 Million Acres of Public Land - The President's announcement of three new national monuments includes: Berryessa Snow Mountain in California, Waco Mammoth in Texas, and Basin and Range in Nevada.

House Science Committee Hearing "Examining EPA's Regulatory Overreach"

<> House Science Committee Hearing "Examining EPA's Regulatory Overreach" - Testimony of Gina McCarthy, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; background, opening statements and webcast [hearing began at 10AM today]

EPA chief: New climate rules are safe from courts, Congress

<> EPA chief: New climate rules are safe from courts, Congress - EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said the agency wrote its rules – which would cut US power plant emissions 30 percent by 2030 – with legal challenges in mind. [includes 1 hour+ video]

Administration Announces New Initiative to Increase Solar Access for All Americans

<> Administration Announces New Initiative to Increase Solar Access for All Americans - The executive actions and private sector commitments will help continue to scale up solar for all Americans, including those who are renters, lack the startup capital to invest in solar, or do not have adequate information on how to transition to solar energy.

Administration Takes a Big Step in Addressing Climate-Damaging HFCs

<> Administration Takes a Big Step in Addressing Climate-Damaging HFCs - The U.S. took decisive action on climate change by curbing the use of the potent greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).  EPA Finalizes Rule to Reduce Climate-Damaging HFCs Pre-publication Signature Version Final Rule - (signed July 2, 2015)

BP to Settle Federal, State and Local Deepwater Horizon Claims for up to $18.7 Billion With Payments to be Spread Over 18 Years

WIMS will not be publishing tomorrow, July 3, 2015, in observance of the Federal Independence Day holiday

<> BP to Settle Federal, State and Local Deepwater Horizon Claims for up to $18.7 Billion With Payments to be Spread Over 18 Years - The agreement with the states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas also includes settlement of claims made by more than 400 local government entities. BP Oil Disaster Settlement Brings a Measure of Justice to the Gulf Coast

In Perspective: the Supreme Court's Mercury and Air Toxics Rule Decision

<> In Perspective: the Supreme Court's Mercury and Air Toxics Rule Decision - Janet McCabe, Acting Assistant Administrator for U.S. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation comments on the Supreme Court decision on the MATS rule and indicates that while disappointing, "there are some important factors that make me confident we are still on track to reduce this dangerous pollution and better protect America's children, families and communities."