WIMS Environmental HotSheet

Due to computer problems at WIMS, we are posting 

the complete Michigan Edition of the HotSheet 

on a temporary basis until the problems are resolved

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National / International News

 

<> EPA Releases Stakeholder Comments On Clean power Plan - Part One

• EPA Releases Stakeholder Comments On Clean power Plan - Part Two

<> Ministers Join Next Round of UN Climate Talks Kicking Off in Bonn June 4 - The next round of UN climate talks starts in Bonn on June 4, this time with the presence of ministers who will discuss key political issues which can be resolved ahead of a successful. . .

• China to limit carbon emissions for first time - Absolute cap to come into effect, climate adviser says on the day after US announces ambitious carbon plan

<> With Developing Worlds Policy Support, Global Renewable Energy Generation Capacity Jumps to Record Level - REN21's Renewables 2014 Global Status Report is the world's most frequently-referenced report on the renewable energy market, industry and policy developments

<> In Debate Over Coal, Looking to Lessons of '90s Tobacco Fight – The so-called War on Coal is reminiscent of the War on Tobacco, in which a truce took hold in large part because the states dependent on the. . . 

<> Final Arguments Conclude in Precedent-Setting Fracking Case - New York's highest court hears oral arguments in epic legal battle for the right of towns to ban oil and gas development within their borders. . .

<> Senate EPW Oversight Hearing Nuclear Safety – Testimony, statements & webcast including NRC's Implementation of the Fukushima Near-Term Task Force Recommendations and other Actions to Enhance and Maintain Nuclear Safety

<> Groups Fight to Protect Endangered Species From Dangerous New Pesticide - Conservation and food safety groups filed a lawsuit against U.S. EPA for failing to protect endangered species from a new, toxic pesticide called cyantraniliprole which the Agency's own assessment says it is "highly or very highly toxic" to scores of endangered species. . .

<> d-CON Agrees to Pull Super-Toxic Rat Poisons From Stores - d-CON agreed on May 30 to stop producing its super-toxic rat poisons and pull the products from store shelves by early next year. 

<> CASAC Review of the EPA's Health Risk and Exposure Assessment for Ozone - Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee peer review of the EPA report. . .

• Background, Meetings & Documents

<> Report offers alternative to eminent domain for transmission - The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA), based in Lyons, Nebraska, recently published a report in which it outlines an alternative to eminent domain.

<> BACKGROUND NOTE and facts about the EU's role and action G7 summit in Brussels 4 – 5 June - BACKGROUND NOTE and facts about the EU's role and action G7 summit in Brussels 4 – 5 June

<> Urgent action needed to safeguard genetic diversity of world's forests, UN study says - Urgent action to better manage the genetic diversity of forests – under pressure from climate change, exploitation and conversion for other uses – is needed to ensure that the. . .

<> DOE-Sponsored Project Shows Huge Potential for Carbon Storage in Wyoming - June 3, 2014. The Wyoming Rock Springs Uplift could potentially store 14 to 17 billion metric tons of carbon. . .

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Wednesday, June 4, 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)

 

Great Lakes News

 

<> IJC Report: Sixteen key physical, chemical, biological indicators recommended for assessing Great Lakes - Sixteen indicators of Great Lakes health, composed of 41 separate measures, are recommended as tools to assess progress toward cleaning up and protecting the lakes under The Great Lakes Ecosystem Indicator Project Report released by the International Joint Commission (IJC).

<> Algae blooms are bad news for Lake Erie anglers - Lake Erie will likely see another summer of miles-wide toxic algae blooms as heavy rainfall continues to pump phosphorus from farms and other sources into the lake.

 

Michigan News

 

<> Gov. Rick Snyder: The Detroit legislation is an example of a state pulling together, making tough decisions for a brighter future

• Michigan's $195M Detroit package wins final approval - A $195 million contribution to resolve Detroit's bankruptcy passed the Michigan Senate, which sent the legislation to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature

<> MDEQ new Renewable Operating Permit (ROP) applications, reports and comment periods

<> Au Sable hatchery poses resource, economic questions - A debate has sprung up among the Au Sable River's entrepreneurs, government agencies, fish experts and anglers over the expansion of an aquaculture hatchery.

<> Public invited to provide input on new Kirtland's Warbler Conservation Plan - In 1966, the Kirtland's warbler was listed as a federally endangered species; today, history is being made as this unique songbird may soon be delisted. Comments due by July 28.

<> Snyder makes appointments made to Citizen-Community Response Coordinating Council

<> DNR invites public to attend June 17 workshop on future management of Coldwater Lake State Park

<> Public meetings to review Menominee River State Recreation Area draft plan concepts set for June 11-12

<> State Bar of Michigan membership should remain mandatory, task force tells supreme court - The task force's report recommends a change to the state's administrative rules, making the bar association's authority clearer by removing language that would authorize issue. . .

<> See new photos of the first section of Flint-to-Lake Huron pipeline going in the water - The first section of a new pipeline that will bring water to Genesee County from Lake Huron is in the water.

<> State of Michigan considers rail line purchase to improve trail system -

ONTONAGON - State officials are considering acquiring 13 miles of inactive railway line in Ontonagon County to provide key trail connections for the area. The land involved totals 160.6 

 

Michigan Legislative Tracking 

 

Newly introduced bills and bills that are moving, if any, are listed below. Click on the bill number for complete status, full text, & analyses. Uppercase is Senate action; lowercase is House action. Otherwise, for a complete list of environmental legislation this session (click here).

 

   • SB 0020 of 2013 Environmental protection; permits; hazardous waste permit eligibility; restrict based on certain criminal convictions. Last Action: 6/3/2014 referred to second reading

   • SB 0444 of 2013 Natural resources; nonnative species; permits for treatment of aquatic invasive species; revise, and authorize certain local ordinances. Last Action: 6/3/2014 referred to second reading

   • SB 0613 of 2013 Natural resources; wildlife; game killed by a vehicle; allow salvaging of. Last Action: 6/3/2014 referred to second reading

   • SB 0795 of 2014 Natural resources; nonnative species; prohibited species violations; increase penalties.

Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-3

   • SB 0796 of 2014

Criminal procedure; sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for prohibited species violations; enact. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0797 of 2014 Natural resources; nonnative species; instrumentality of violations; provide for forfeiture of. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0799 of 2014 Natural resources; fishing; commercial fishing licenses; provide suspension procedures for aquatic prohibited species violations. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0800 of 2014 Natural resources; hunting; suspension of hunting, fishing, or trapping rights; provide for under certain circumstances. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0959 of 2014 Environmental protection; hazardous waste; liquid industrial waste site identification number user charges; remove sunset. Last Action: 6/4/2014 received on 06/03/2014

   • SB 0960 of 2014 Environmental protection; hazardous waste; manifest processing site identification, and hazardous waste management program user charge; remove sunset.

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/3/14

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National / International News

 

<> Remarks for Administrator McCarthy, Announcement of Clean Power Plan, Washington, DC - About a month ago, I took a trip to the Cleveland Clinic. I met a lot of great people, but one stood out—even if he needed to stand on a chair to do it. Parker Frey is 10 years old. He's struggled with severe asthma all his life. . .

<> Smith: New EPA Power Plant Regs 'All Pain, No Gain' - Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the following statement in response to the Obama administration's announcement of stringent new EPA carbon. . .

<> The Consensus on Climate Change: It's Time to Act - The crisis of climate change is felt across our nation and around the world.  Today, President Obama's Administration proposed a bold plan to responsibly reduce carbon pollution and safeguard our children's health

<> Recent trends in energy-related CO2 emissions vary across regions and states - (Tue, 03 Jun 2014) U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2013 were 10% below the benchmark year of 2005. . . Recently released state-level data through 2011, calculated from the State Energy Data System (SEDS) and aggregated here by Census regions...

<> Report Reviews Estimates of Costs and Benefits of Compliance with Renewable Portfolio Standards to Date - A new report, prepared by analysts from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), reviews estimates of the costs and benefits of compliance 

<> 2013 Annual Accomplishments Report - The report illustrates how NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC),continues to carry out critical climate science, develop new and better applications to enable climate data access, and monitor our changing planet.

<> China and the United States—A Comparison of Green Energy Programs and Policies – A 31-page report from the Congressional Research Service dated 4/30/14

<> Secretary Kerry's Call to Action to Help Protect Our Ocean - U.S. Secretary of State Kerry issued a call to action to people around the world to help protect our ocean, an encouragement as the Our Ocean Conference hosted by the Department of State in Washington, D.C., approaches on June 16-17.

<> EPA Rule on Treated Seeds Challenged, Activists Tell Lowe's to Stop Selling Neonics - (Beyond Pesticides, June 3, 2014) In a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) challenged EPA's position that seeds coated with pesticides. . .

<> World needs $48 trillion in investment to meet its energy needs to 2035 -

IEA World Energy Outlook special report sees rising role of governments in shaping investment decisions. . .

<> CO2 Levels Reach and Maintain 400 PPM - A Dubious Milestone in Human History - The World Meteorological Organization has reported that, for perhaps the first time in human history, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) eclipsed 400 parts-per-million (ppm) in the northern hemisphere for the entire month of April. . .

 

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

 

<> GenOn Power Midwest, L.P. v. Bell – In the U.S. Supreme Court, Docket No. 13-1013, Appealed from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The High Court denied the petition to appeal. Issue: Whether the Clean Air Act, which provides a comprehensive system for the regulation of air pollution in the United States and leaves "no room for a parallel track," American Electric Power Co. v. Connecticut, preempts state common law nuisance claims that would impose emissions restrictions different from those adopted pursuant to the Act and expose companies operating in compliance with all applicable emissions standards under the Act to liability for their emissions.

<> Venancio Aguasanta Arias v. Dyncorp – In the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, Case No. 13-7044. The Panel rules: "Appellants, a group of Ecuadorian provinces and individual farmers, alleged that they were injured by an anti-drug herbicide spraying operation in Colombia, conducted by an American company. In a series of rulings, the district judge dismissed all claims. Some of those are appealed. We affirm all but one."

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Tuesday, June 3, 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 6/2/14

Subscribe by June 30, 2014 to avoid disruption in service
(click here)

National / International News

 

<> EPA Proposes First Guidelines to Cut Carbon Pollution from Existing Power Plants - "Clean Power Plan" is flexible proposal to ensure a healthier environment, spur innovation and strengthen the economy

• Fact sheets and details about the proposed rule
• Weekly Address: Reducing Carbon Pollution in Our Power Plants - In this week's address, President Obama discussed new actions by the Environmental Protection Agency to cut dangerous carbon pollution, a plan that builds on the efforts already taken by many states, cities

<> The following are a few representative comments on EPA's Clean Power Plan proposal. . .

• McConnell: EPA Overreach 'a dagger in the heart of the American middle class' - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement regarding the Obama. . .
• Promise Made, Promise Kept: "Electricity Rates Would Necessarily Skyrocket" - House Speaker Boehner: President Obama has kept his promise: "Electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket"
• Senator Boxer's Statement on Obama Administration's Proposed Standards - "The President's proposal is a win-win-win for the American people, as it will protect our health, saving thousands of lives, create thousands of jobs. . ."

• EPA Must Consider Impact of Power Plant Rules on U.S. Energy System - The American Chemistry Council (ACC) issued the following statement in response to the EPA'S proposed rules
• New EPA Rule Will Threaten Manufacturers' Competitive Advantage - National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons issued this statement
• American wind energy can help states, consumers meet new carbon pollution standard and save money - American Wind Energy Association. . .
• Center for Climate and Energy Solutions Statement - EPA's proposal today to reduce carbon pollution from power plants is an important, and long overdue, turning point in America's response to climate change.
• EPA Moves to Curb Emissions from Existing Power Plants - In a historic step, the EPA today proposed the first-ever limits on carbon emissions from existing power plants fueled by coal and natural gas, with new analysis from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) finding that there . . .
• Environmental Defense Fund Hails EPA Proposal to Limit Carbon Pollution from Power Plants
• Sierra Club Applauds Plan To Curb Carbon Pollution

<> Domestic production satisfies 84% of total U.S. energy demand in 2013 - (Mon, 02 Jun 2014) Total U.S. energy production reached 81.7 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) in 2013, enough to satisfy 84% of total U.S. energy demand, which totaled 97.5 quads. Natural gas was the largest. . . (U.S. Energy Information Administration).

<> "Weak Management of a Climate Change Services Contract Creates Risk EPA Did Not Receive Services for Which It Paid" - EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG) new report; May 30, 2014, Report No. 14-P-0272

<> In response to warming, Eastern forests inhaling more carbon dioxide than they're exhaling - In response to recent decades' warming, forests in the eastern United States have been "inhaling" more carbon dioxide through photosynthesis than they've "exhaled" through respiration.

<> A New Strategy to Drive Down the "Soft Costs" of Solar - Earlier this month, President Obama announced that more than 300 organizations in the public and private sector have made commitments to advance the deployment of solar power and invest in energy efficiency.

• The DOE SunShot Initiative is a national collaborative effort to make solar energy cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by the end of the decade

<> DOE Publishes CALiPER Report on Cost-Effectiveness of Linear (T8) LED Lamps - May 30, 2014. DOE Publishes CALiPER Report on Cost-Effectiveness of Linear (T8) LED Lamps The U.S. Department of Energy's CALiPER program has released Report 21.3, which is part of a series of investigations on linear. . .

<> Department of State Office of the Science and Technology Adviser:  Fact Sheet - STAS provides scientific and technical advice and resources to bureaus and offices at the U.S. Department of State, building upon the Secretary of State's emphasis on utilizing "smart power," "economic statecraft," and "whole-of-society" approaches.

• Office of the Science & Technology Adviser website

<> FDA launches open FDA to provide easy access to valuable FDA public data - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched open FDA, a new initiative designed to make it easier for web developers, researchers, and the public to access large, important public health datasets collected by the agency.

<> Secretary Jewell Announces Award of First Oil and Gas Leases in Gulf of Mexico Subject to U.S.–Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbons Agreement - As part of President Obama's all-of-the-above energy strategy to continue to expand safe and responsible domestic energy production, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Acting. . .

 

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

 

<> National Environmental Dev v. U.S. EPA - 5/30/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, Case No. 13-1035. In December 2012, two months after EPA's petition for rehearing was denied in Summit Petroleum, the Director of EPA's Office of Air Quality and Standards wrote a directive to the Regional Air Directors of each of the ten EPA regions "to explain the applicability of the decision by the [Sixth] Circuit Court of Appeals." Applicability of the Summit Decision to EPA Title V and NSR Source Determinations (Dec. 21, 2012), reprinted in Joint Appendix ("J.A.")("Summit Directive").

    The Panel in this case grant the petition for review and vacate the Summit Directive.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Monday, June 2, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Air – Final Rule. U.S. EPA. Identification of Nonattainment Classification and Deadlines for Submission of State Implementation Plan (SIP) Provisions for the 1997 Fine Particle (PM2.5) [Including Michigan at Sec. 81-323] PDF | Text | 

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 5/30/14

Subscribe by June 30, 2014 to avoid disruption in service
(click here)

National / International News

 

<> A Proposed Change to the Energy Department's LNG Export Decision-Making Procedures - To reflect changing market dynamics, the Department of Energy is proposing a change in the way it reviews applications to export liquified natural gas to non-Free Trade Agreement countries.

• Sierra Club statement: New rules at Department of Energy for LNG export applications
• API urges rapid approval for LNG export applications - API Director of Upstream and Industry Operations Erik Milito urged faster action after the Department of Energy announced new procedures
• Upton and Gardner Respond to DOE's LNG Export Changes - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO), author

<> Slideshow from the White House Energy Datapalooza - Go behind the scenes of the Energy Datapalooza to see how entrepreneurs and government are working together to empower consumers and save energy

<> 8 State Alliance Releases Plan to Put 3.3 Million Zero-Emission Vehicles on the Road - Eight states located on the East and West Coasts released a collaborative Action Plan to develop infrastructure, coordinated policies, codes and standards and a consumer market primed to put 3.3 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on the road by 2025.

<> EPA Environmental Appeals Board Denies Fracking Injection Petitions - Three petitions challenged an Underground Injection Control (UIC) permit to Seneca Resources Corporation for a Class II injection well. The "Board denies Ms. Swanson's petition because it lacks the requisite specificity, denies Highland Township's petition as untimely, and denies Ms. Hudson's petition for lack of standing."

<> GAO-14-645T, DOE Loan Programs: DOE Has Made More Than $30 Billion in Loans and Guarantees and Needs to Fully Develop Its Loan Monitoring Function, May 30, 2014 –

• House E&C Committee Department of Energy Oversight: Status of Loan Programs - Statements, testimony & webcast

<> EWG To Ethanol Lobby: Tell the Truth on the Renewable Fuel Standard - Bob Dinneen, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, has issued a statement calling EWG's new report, "Ethanol's Broken Promise: Using Less Corn Ethanol Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions," "simply preposterous" and misrepresenting studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy.

• RFA Disputes Flawed EWG Report - (May 29, 2014) Today, the Environmental Working Group released a report titled "Ethanol's Broken Promise: Using Less Corn Ethanol Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions." Bob Dinneen, president. . .

<> Moms Tell EPA to Ban Glyphosate After Residues Found in Breast Milk - Beyond Pesticides, May 30, 2014) This week, a group of concerned mothers and environmentalists met with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials to discuss a recent pilot study that detected glyphosate residues. . .

<> 7 Groups Attacking The President's Plan To Cut Carbon Pollution, Even Though It Hasn't Been Released Yet - Tiffany Germain, Senior Researcher with the Center for American Progress Action Fund, contributed to this piece. . .

• McConnell to Introduce Legislation to Fight Back Against President Obama's Latest Attack on Kentucky Coal Jobs and the Commonwealth's Economy
• New Carbon Pollution Standards Can Save Americans $37.4 billion on Electric Bills, Create 274,000 Jobs - (May 29, 2014) – The first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants can save American households and business customers $37.4 billion on their electric bills in 2020 while creating more than 274,000 jobs
• NRDC: Door Slammed On McConnell's Anti-Climate Move
• GAO's Role and Responsibilities Under the Congressional Review Act

<> Energy Department Announces National Geothermal Data System to Accelerate Geothermal Energy Development - May 28, 2014Energy Department Announces National Geothermal. . .

<> USDA Awarding $6 Million to Prepare Farmers for New Farm Bill Programs - May 29, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $6 million to universities and cooperative state extension services to develop. . .

<> DOE Announces Webinars on Energy Efficiency Expert Evaluations, the Better Buildings Challenge and More - May 29, 2014DOE Announces Webinars on Energy Efficiency Expert Evaluations, the Better Buildings Challenge and More EERE offers webinars to the public on a range of subjects, from adopting the latest energy efficiency. . .

<> Wood-waste biofuel to cut greenhouse gas and transform shipping industry - A sustainable biofuel made from Norwegian forest wood waste could help transform the shipping industry and reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

<> GE Labeling Narrowly Defeated in California Senate - Center for Food Safety Vows to Continue to Push for the Right to Know California's SB 1381 (Evans) to label genetically engineered foods was narrowly defeated in the California Senate today, with 19 votes in favor and 16. . .

<> Legal Action Taken to Reduce Wildlife Poisoning - Groups intervene in lawsuit by d-CON producers fighting California's controls on super-toxic rat poisons. . .

<> The Future of Solar Economics and Policy - Solar power is at a unique place in history. It's growing rapidly, its price is falling precipitously. Within the next 10 years, it will compete favorably with utilities for electricity sales, on price, and without subsidies.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Friday, May 30, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Toxics - Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA. Lead - Framework for Identifying and Evaluating Lead-Based Paint Hazards From Renovation, Repair, and Painting Activities in Public and Commercial Buildings PDF | Text | 

 

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)