WIMS Environmental HotSheet 5/27/14

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National / International News

<> Pebble Partnership Lawsuit Targets Overreaching EPA Pre-emptive Veto Process - The Pebble Limited Partnership (PLP) filed suit in U.S. District Court for Alaska seeking an injunction to stop EPA's process to preemptively veto the Pebble Project under Section 404(c) of the U.S. Clean Water Act (CWA).

• Earthjustice denounces the lawsuit - The organization said waste from a massive proposed copper and gold mine would damage the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery

<> CO2 concentrations top 400 parts per million throughout northern hemisphere - For the first time, monthly concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere topped 400 parts per million (ppm) in April throughout the northern hemisphere. This threshold is of symbolic and scientific significance. . .according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Atmosphere Watch network. . .

<> New Ranking Shows All Major Auto Companies Boosted Green Performance - the Union of Concerned Scientists' (UCS) latest Automaker Rankings report, which found that Hyundai-Kia has unseated Honda to become the group's new "Greenest Automaker."

<> Americans care deeply about 'global warming' – but not 'climate change' - Read the full story in The Guardian. Yale researchers have found that the two terms, often used interchangeably, generate very different responses. The full report, What's In A Name? Global Warming vs Climate Change, is available. . .

• What's In A Name? Global Warming vs Climate Change

<> Wind energy is one of the biggest, fastest, cheapest ways states can meet carbon pollution rule for existing power plants - A just published Am Wind Energy Asso white paper, "The Clean Air Benefits of Wind Energy," finds that wind energy is a widely-available, affordable, reliable, and rapidly scalable source of carbon emissions reductions.

<> New Study Finds Strong Carbon Pollution Standards Improve Air Quality, Environment, and Health - New study by Syracuse and Harvard universities shows potential for reductions of more than 750 thousand tons of other harmful air pollutants across continental U.S.

<> Climate Change Accelerates Hybridization between Native and Invasive Species of Trout - Summary: USGS scientists have discovered that the rapid spread of hybridization between a native species and an invasive species of trout in the wild is strongly linked to changes in climate. . .

<> International Conference on Sustainability in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus - a Call to Action for policy makers, practitioners and researchers around the world to start developing and implementing strategies that jointly address water, energy, and food in a comprehensive nexus approach.

<> EPA Requires Mining Company to Restore Damaged Streams in Kentucky - U.S. EPA Region 4 has reached an agreement with Nally and Hamilton Enterprises, Inc. (Nally), for filling streams at two coal mining sites in Kentucky. . .

<> Science Advisory Board Teleconference Meeting - 06/19/2014. Panel for the Review of the EPA Water Body Connectivity Report – "Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence"

• Background, meetings & documents

<> California Moves to Ban Plastic Mircobeads in Personal Care Products - Bill passed by state assembly sets a national precedent for holding companies liable for products that harm aquatic species. . .

<> Obama Administration Announces $6.7 Million to Hire Young People to Work on Public Lands Across the Nation - The grants, the latest in the Obama Administration's efforts to develop a 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) and expand employment opportunities for young people and veterans, will provide jobs resulting in paid. . .

<> China to scrap six million cars in toxic smog drive - China's government has underlined its determination to tackle toxic urban smogs by ordering six million high-polluting cars off the road by the end of 2014.

 

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

 

<> Center for Biol. Diversity v. U.S. EPA - 5/27/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, Case No. 12-1238. Petitioners claim that EPA's failure to issue a new multi-pollutant rule in 2012, violated the Clean Air Act. EPA explained at length that the uncertainty it faced was unusually profound. Petitioners question that conclusion, but as between petitioners' critique and EPA's scientific analysis, EPA's judgment prevails -- "the petition for judicial review is denied."

<> Electric Power Supply Assoc. v. FERC - 5/23/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, Case No. 11-1486, consolidated with 11-1489, 12-1088, 12-1091, 12-1093. Electric Power Supply Association and four other energy industry associations petition the court for review of a FERC final rule that seeks to incentivize retail customers to reduce electricity consumption when economically efficient. Petitioners say the new rule goes too far, encroaching on the states' exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the retail market. The Panel agreed and vacated the rule in its entirety.

• NRDC Says: Court Deals Setback to Cleaner Electric Transmission Grid

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Tuesday, May 27, 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)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 5/23/14

Have a safe & enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. WIMS will resume publication on Tuesday, May 27, 2014.

 

National / International News

 

<> GAO-14-430, Freshwater: Supply Concerns Continue, and Uncertainties Complicate Planning, May 20, 2014 - Key issues related to freshwater availability and use. According to state water managers, experts, and literature GAO reviewed, freshwater shortages are expected to continue into the future. In particular, 40 of 50 state water managers expected shortages in some portion of their states under average conditions in the next 10 years

<> As Congress Derails Energy-Efficiency Bill, Bipartisan Policy Center Releases Second Video in Series Encouraging Americans to Join Movement to Help End Political Dysfunction in Washington - May 23, 2014. /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This week the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) released a new "Lip Service" campaign video illustrating the partisan rhetoric on energy policy as efforts to pass an energy-. . .

<> EPA and Duke Energy enter Agreement to Cleanup Coal Ash Release in the Dan River - ATLANTA – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed an enforceable agreement with Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (Duke) to perform a comprehensive assessment, determine the location of coal ash deposits. . .

<> SAB Advice on Advancing the Application of CompTox Research for EPA Chemical Assessments - May 22. EPA established the Computational Toxicology (CompTox) Research Program to explore and develop ways to exploit modern advances in molecular biology, chemistry, exposure science and computer science to more effectively and efficiently assess chemical hazards and along with exposure information, their risks.

• Access SAB Background, Meetings & Documents

<> Clean energy business community urge Congress to pass the EXPIRE act after holiday break - A letter was delivered to Senators earlier in the week from a broad spectrum of the business community urging speedy passage of the EXPIRE act to continue clean energy economic development in the U.S.

<> FEMP Offers New eTraining Core Course on Fundamentals of Life Cycle Costing for Energy Conservation - May 22, 2014. FEMP presents a new e-Training Core Course that providing skills to improve Federal economic-based. . .

<> How the National Labs Help Us Understand the Inner Workings of Power Plants - How the National Labs Help Us Understand the Inner Workings of Power Plants Learn more about research at the National Energy Technology Lab that's helping us understand more about what happens inside power plants.

<> Contractor sentenced to prison for environmental crime - United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that David Braswell was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for violation of the Clean Air Act -- six months in prison, six months house arrest, three years supervised release and a $10,000.00 fine.

<> Survey: Climate Change Now More Divisive Than Abortion, Gun Control & Death Penalty - The University of New Hampshire didn't anticipate such a large gap. . .

<> Renault and LG sign MOU on development of next-gen long-range EV batteries - Renault and LG Chem signed an MOU to develop the next-generation of Li-ion batteries for longer-range electric vehicles (EV), reportedly with an eye to doubling current range (e.g., from about 90 miles to about 180.) LG Chem 

<> 'A Government Of Thugs': How Canada Treats Environmental Journalists - I attempted to enter Canada on a Tuesday, flying into the small airport at Fort McMurray, Alberta, waiting for my turn to pass through customs. "What brings you to Fort Mac?" a Canada Border Services Agency official asked. . . "We might have to send you back to the States," the official said, after asking if I had working papers.

<> Are you being SLAPPed? How corporations and governments try to silence public debate - The lawyers at Greenpeace International are a creative, dedicated team who tackle a wide range of duties. Part of our work is preparing legal strategies and defence for cases against Greenpeace International. 

<> Conservation Groups Urge Hillary Clinton to Speak Out Against Keystone XL - letter was signed by leaders of 30 conservation groups from around the country, including the Center for Biological Diversity, 350.org., CREDO Mobile and Friends of the Earth.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Friday, May 23, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Toxics - PR. U.S. EPA. - Receipt of Several Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities PDF | Text |

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 5/22/14

National / International News

 

<> Leaders from Across the Nation Join Unprecedented Effort to Take Action on Climate Change - A diverse group of high-profile leaders, including climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, named one of Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People," is joining more than 140 leaders from faith, business, health, education and communities to develop actionable solutions to climate change at the MomentUs Leadership Summit onMay 21 and 22 in Chicago.

<> EPA Recognizes Over 400 Federal Facilities for Achieving $42 Million in Cost Savings and Environmental Benefits - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing federal facilities for their efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of facilities across the country. As part of the Federal Green Challenge. . .

<> Comments on EPA's Formaldehyde Emissions Standards for Composite Wood Products - The U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) submits the following comments in response to Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) April 8, 2014 notice reopening the. . .

• Access the EPA docket for this rulemaking

<> Better Buildings Neighborhood Initiative Upgrades 100,000 Buildings, Saves $730 Million on Energy Bills - Building on President Obama's Climate Action Plan and the Administration's Better Buildings Initiative, the program worked with 41 competitively selected state and local governments and their partners to upgrade the energy efficiency of homes and local buildings and leverage early federal funds to launch sustainable community-based programs.

<> Energy Department Announces $2 Million to Develop Supply Chain, Manufacturing Competitiveness Analysis for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies - May 21, 2014. The Energy Department today announced up to $2 million to develop the domestic supply chain for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and study the competitiveness of U.S. hydrogen and fuel cell system and component manufacturing.

<> Remarks by Secretary of State Kerry  at CleanTech Challenge In Mexico - ". . .we are deeply committed to elevating our partnership with Mexico on innovation, entrepreneurship, and clean energy."

<> New Pilot Program Offers Coverage for Fruits and Vegetables, Organic and Diversified Farms - May 21, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new risk management option that will be available for fruit and vegetable growers and producers with diversified farms. The policy, called. . .

<> Energy Department Announces Projects to Advance Cost-Effective Concentrating Solar Power Systems - The Energy Department announced $10 million for six new research and development projects that will advance innovative concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies. . .

<> Secretary Moniz's First Year - Secretary Moniz's First Year Check out our new interactive timeline to recap top moments from Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz's first year in office.

<> Minnesota Bans Hazardous Antibacterial (Triclosan) in Consumer Personal Care Cleaning Products - (Beyond Pesticides, May 22, 2014) The highly toxic and controversial antibacterial/antimicrobial pesticide. . .

 

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

 

<> Larry Klein v. US DOE - In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, Case No.13-1165. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan at Marquette. Frontier Renewable Resources sought funding from the Department of Energy to build a plant in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that would convert lumber into ethanol. Larry Klein and the Sierra Club sued to stop the project. The district court rejected the claims because the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring them and because the Department of Energy at any rate permissibly found no significant impact from the proposed plant. We reverse in part and affirm in part. The Appeals Court indicated that Klein had standing to sue, but, "In the final analysis, the Department completed a thorough environmental assessment of the Frontier plant and reasonably described the environmental impacts the assessment identifies as not significant. The National Environmental Policy Act requires no more."

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Thursday, May 22, 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)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 5/21/14

National / International News

<> Rahall Praises Passage of Water Bill - U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced that the House has passed the Conference Report for H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) [by a vote of 412-4]. . .

• Legislative details for H.R.3080

<> Evolution of the International Climate Effort – C2ES brief looks at different ways the climate effort has evolved over the years, and potential implications for the current round of international climate negotiations.

• Links to additional C2ES reports and policy briefs on the Durban Platform talks and key issues

<> NDPC study finds Bakken crude similar to other light sweet crudes, no greater rail transport risk - Bakken crude is similar to other North American light, sweet crudes and does not pose a greater risk to transport by rail than other transportation fuels, concluded a study

<> NCDC Releases April 2014 Global Climate Report - The globally averaged temperature for April 2014 tied with 2010 as the highest since record keeping began in 1880.

<> GAO-14-274, Chemical Safety: Actions Needed to Improve Federal Oversight of Facilities with Ammonium Nitrate, May 19, 2014 - What GAO Found Federal data provide insight into the number of facilities in the United States with ammonium nitrate but do not provide a complete picture because of reporting exemptions and other data limitations.

<> Secretary Moniz Announces Members to New Commission on National Labs - May 20, 2014. A congressionally-mandated committee that will evaluate the effectiveness of the Energy Department's 17 national laboratories.

<> Energy Department Announces New Prize Challenge to Drive Down Solar Costs - May 20, 2014. To kick off the SunShot Initiative's Grand Challenge Summit and Peer Review, the Energy Department announced SunShot Catalyst, a new prize competition. . .

<> FERC Staff Issues Energy Infrastructure Update for April 2014

<> NCDC Introduces the VIIRS Climate Raw Data Record - NCDC is now providing online access to an easy-to-read version of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) raw data.

<> Special May Newsletter on the Best New Resources for Adaptation, Development, Sustainability and Nonprofit Programs - From The Center for Sustainable Development, specializing in providing sound, evidence-based information, tools and training for humanitarian development professionals worldwide.

<> Stephen Ross Makes Over $30 Million Gift to WRI to Advance Sustainable Cities - a world-recognized business leader, real-estate developer, and philanthropist announced today a $30.5 million contribution to the World Resources Institute (WRI) to galvanize action that will help cities grow smarter and more sustainably in developing countries around the world.

<> Two Counties in Oregon Ban Planting of GE Crops - Coast to Coast Victories for the Food Movement as Political Power Swells Voters in both Josephine County and Jackson County, Oregon overwhelmingly approved ballot measures to prohibit the cultivation of genetically engineered. . .

<> China's Thirst for Coal is Drying Up - As the 'airpocalypse' news that is coming out of China continues to grow, what we predicted more than a year ago is now increasingly more obvious - China's seemingly endless coal demand is in fact a myth, and the Chinese coal boom is over. . .

• China, Russia sign $400 billion gas deal - China signed a long-awaited deal for Russian natural gas Wednesday, giving China a new energy source and Russia a diplomatic boost in the face of sanctions and condemnation for its aggressive actions in Ukraine.

<> India's New Leadership: 400 Million People Will Have Power In 5 Years With The Help Of Solar - An official of India's newly elected Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, recently said that his government wants every home to be able to run at least one light bulb by 2019.

<> Water Resources Bill: Missed Opportunity For Our Nation's Waters - National Wildlife Federation: "Tough choices are looming, but provisions in this bill undermine how we sort out the beneficial projects from the boondoggles."

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Wednesday, May 21, 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)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 5/20/14

 

National / International News

 

<> EPA Finalizes Standards to Protect Fish, Aquatic Life from Cooling Water Intakes - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today finalized standards to protect billions of fish and other aquatic life drawn each year into cooling water systems at large power plants and factories.

• Vitter: EPA's Cooling Water Rule Newest Attack on Base Load Power

<> USDA Announces Availability of Loans and Grants to Support Rural Economic Development - May 20, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Department is accepting applications for loans and grants to support community development projects, business expansion and job. . .

<> Insurer's Climate Change Class Actions: More to Come? - Source: Reuters - A major insurance company is accusing dozens of localities in Illinois of failing to prepare for severe rains and flooding in lawsuits that are the first in what could be a wave of litigation over who should be liable for the possible costs of climate change.

<> EDF Climate Corps Expands Internationally, Focuses on Top Energy-Saving Opportunities - expansion into China, the world's largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions -- places specially trained graduate students in companies, cities and universities to save energy, money and the environment

<> Energy Department Awards $7 Million to Advance Hydrogen Storage Systems - The Energy Department announced $7 million for six projects to develop lightweight, compact, and inexpensive advanced hydrogen. . .

<> Vitter to McCarthy: EPA Must Correct Data Before Revising Ozone Standard - memoranda announcing that the Agency will not have the results of an analysis to be included in scientific assessments in support of EPA's lowered ozone standard before the Clean Air Act Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Ozone Panel meeting.

<> GAO-14-618T, Nanomanufacturing and U.S. Competitiveness: Challenges and Opportunities, May 20, 2014 - Forum participants described nanomanufacturing as an emerging set of developments that will become a global megatrend: a technological revolution that is now in its formative phases but that man. . .

• House Subcommittee on Research and Technology Hearing

<> GMO Myths and Truths – Second Edition - Genetically modified crops and foods are neither safe nor necessary to feed the world, a new report by genetic engineers shows. Click to download report (5.5mb PDF) The second edition of GMO Myths and Truths

<> Shimkus: Yucca Mountain Should Move Forward - Last Friday marked a milestone for the Department of Energy's management of nuclear power. The agency ceased collecting nuclear waste fees from ratepayers in response to a court order that found DOE was not complying. . .

<> Hidden Greenland Canyons Mean More Sea Level Rise - Scientists at NASA and the University of California, Irvine (UCI), have found that canyons under Greenland's ocean-feeding glaciers are deeper and longer than previously thought, increasing the amount of Greenland's estimated. . .

<> GAO-14-435, Arctic Issues: Better Direction and Management of Voluntary Recommendations Could Enhance U.S. Arctic Council Participation, May 16, 2014 - What GAO Found The Arctic Council (Council) is a voluntary intergovernmental forum for Arctic States, with involvement of indigenous organizations and other stakeholders, to address various environmental and economic issues. . .

<> SEEC & Senate Environmental Groups to Host Event on Climate Threats - Washington, D.C. – May 20 evening, the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) and Senate Climate Action Task Force will host a panel discussion on the threat climate change poses to our health, security. . .

 

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

 

<> People of the State of California v. US Dept. of the Interior - 5/19/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Case Nos. 12-55856 & 12-55956. The panel affirmed the district court's summary judgment in favor of federal defendants and intervenor water districts in an action challenging an environmental impact statement prepared by the Secretary of the Interior that analyzed the effects of water transfer agreements on the Salton Sea in southern California.

<> BP denied rehearing by 5th Circuit – 5/19/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, Case No. 13-30315 & consolidated cases. the Petition for Rehearing En Banc is DENIED. In the en banc poll, five judges voted in favor of rehearing.

• Additional information from The Legal Examiner

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Tuesday, May 20, 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)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 5/19/14

National / International News

 

<> Major U.S. public companies from all economic sectors now facing climate change related risks and costs - A new report from CDP indicates S&P 500 companies are seeing climate-change-related risks increase in urgency, likelihood and frequency, with many describing significant impacts already affecting their business operations. . .

<> Obama Bid to Cut Greenhouse Gases Divides Utility, Coal Industries - Bracing for greenhouse-gas rules from the Obama administration, two industries are staking out different positions. Coal companies are pledging to sue. Electric utilities are ready to talk.

<> Green Groups: Leaked Energy Text Exposes Trade With European Union Endangers Action on Climate - A draft negotiating text of energy provisions in the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the U.S. and the European Union was leaked online today, just as the fifth round of negotiations began in Washington, DC.

<> Exelon Pins Nuclear Hopes On Small Modular Reactors - Exelon CEO Chris Crane: "New nuclear plants being built in a competitive market is not in our future, unfortunately."

<> How Much Greenhouse Gas is Your State Emitting? - Climate change is an ever-growing concern for our planet. It is not a problem that is easily quantifiable or solvable, but we can start with awareness. We thought it would be interesting to see how much each state was contributing. . .

<> What Will the Supreme Court's Latest Climate-Change Case Mean? - David Doniger, Director, Climate and Clean Air Program, Washington, D.C. Sometime in the next few weeks, the Supreme Court will decide its third case on climate-changing carbon pollution in the last seven years. 

<> Appropriations Committee Releases the Fiscal Year 2015 Agriculture Appropriations Bill - The House Appropriations Committee today released the fiscal year 2015 Agriculture Appropriations. . .

<> Shell dismisses Carbon Bubble concept as 'alarmist' - Letter from senior executive to shareholders says oil and gas likely to dominate energy mix till 2050s

<> Billionaire Democrat Sets Eye on Senate Races - Tom Steyer, whom Republicans have depicted as a one-man special interest group, plans to raise $100 million to run campaigns on climate issues and efforts to block the Keystone XL pipeline.

<> Gov. Jerry Brown Discusses Role of Climate Change in California's 10 Wildfires in the Past Week - About 25,000 acres of land were scorched by the fires, causing. . .

<> Press Release: Secretary Jewell Announces $20 Million in WaterSMART Funding for Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects in Drought Stricken California - As part of the Obama Administration's continued effort to bring relief to California communities suffering from the historic drought, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced today that the Bureau of Reclamation

<> New Game Consoles to Cost U.S. Consumers $1 Billion in Annual Electric Bills - (May 16, 2014) – The latest-generation game consoles are on track to cost American consumers $1 billion annually in utility bills--$400 million of that in standby mode when no one is using them. . .

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Monday, May 19, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

1. Water, Energy - Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA. Hydraulic Fracturing Chemicals and Mixtures PDF | Text |