WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/24/14

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National / International News

<> Risky Business Report Finds That U.S. Regions and Business Sectors Face Significant Economic Risks From Climate Change - The American economy could face significant and widespread disruptions from climate change unless U.S. businesses and policymakers take immediate action to reduce climate risk, according to a new report released today.

• Official Statements From Members of the Risky Business Project Risk Committee About New Report - Michael Bloomberg, Hank Paulson, Tom Steyer, Henry Cisneros, Gregory Page, Robert Rubin, Donna Shalala, George Shultz, Olympia Snowe, & Al Sommer

<> Ten Ways to Strengthen American Democracy - By Olympia Snowe and Dan Glickman: Jun. 24, 2014. The current level of dysfunction in Washington is nothing like we could have ever imagined when we began our journeys in public service. . . [from the Bipartisan Policy Center]

<> Congressional Reaction To Supreme Court Decision:

• Upton and Whitfield Respond to SCOTUS Decision on Greenhouse Gases
• Vitter: SCOTUS Ruling Grants EPA Enough Leniency to Continue Making Up Numbers, Science
• Rep. Waxman Statement on Supreme Court's Decision in UARG v. EPA

<> Industry Reaction To Supreme Court Decision:

• ACC Welcomes Supreme Court Ruling in Greenhouse Gas Case (American Chemistry Council)
• API welcomes high court decision EPA carbon rules (American Petroleum Institute)
• NAM Applauds SCOTUS Ruling on EPA's GHG Regulations (National Association of Manufacturers)

<> Enviros Reaction To Supreme Court Decision:

• U.S. Supreme Court Holds that Large New and Rebuilt Industrial Emitters Must Use Best Available Controls for Climate Pollution When Discharging Other Major Pollutants (Environmental Defense Fund)
• Supreme Court Reaffirms EPA's Authority to Act on Climate (Sierra Club)
• Supreme Court Upholds EPA's Authority to Limit Carbon PollutionSupreme Court Upholds EPA's Authority to Limit Carbon Pollution (Earthjustice)
• Supreme Court Again Upholds EPA's Authority to Fight Global Warming (Center for Biological Diversity)
• Supreme Court Reaffirms EPA Authority to Curb Power Plant Carbon Pollution (Natural Resources Defense Council)

<> The Pipeline Safety Dilemma: The US Department Of Transportation's Slow ... - As of June 2014, even though nearly 30 months have passed since the 2011 Pipeline Safety Act was signed into law, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) has not promulgated any of the new substantive safety rules contemplated by the Act.

<> GAO-14-545, Advanced Reactor Research: DOE Supports Multiple Technologies, but Actions Needed to Ensure a Prototype Is Built, June 23, 2014 - The Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee has criticized the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy's (NE) approach, recommending that NE focus its efforts on a smaller number of technologies to help ensure that a reactor prototype is deployed.

<> Webinar: EISPC Energy Zones Mapping Tool Demonstration - A webinar demonstration of the Eastern Interconnection States' Planning Council (EISPC) Energy Zones (EZ) Mapping Tool, a free online mapping tool for identifying areas in all 39 EISPC states that may be suitable for new clean power generation.

<> BOEM Issues First Renewable Energy Lease for MHK Technology Testing in Federal Waters - The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued the first ever lease to test marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy devices in federal waters to Florida Atlantic University to deploy experimental demonstration devices in an area located approximately 10 to 12 nautical miles from the coast Fort Lauderdale, FL.

<> Secretary Jewell Applauds Designation of Poverty Point in Louisiana as Nation's 22nd World Heritage Site – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today applauded the decision by the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to inscribe the prehistoric Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point. . .

 

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

 

<> Asarco LLC v. Union Pacific - In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, Case No. 13-1435. ASARCO sought contribution from Union Pacific, et al defendants, under CERCLA. The district court ruled that ASARCO's direct contribution claim was time-barred under CERCLA and the Appeals Court Panel agreed.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

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

 

1. Water - Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA & Army Corpos of Engineer - Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Clean Water Act; Extension of Comment Period PDF | Text |

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/23/14

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National / International News

<> [OP-ED] The Coming Climate Crash - Lessons for Climate Change in the 2008 Recession - There is a time for weighing evidence and a time for acting. Op-Ed by Henry M. Paulson Jr. is the chairman of the Paulson Institute at the University of Chicago who served as secretary of the Treasury from July 2006 to January 2009.

<> Open letter from the Chairman and President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development - Climate change is the most critical of all sustainable development challenges. Left unchecked, it will set back all other development objectives and pose athreat to all people, regardless of economic status, race, sex or. . .

<> NCDC Releases May 2014 Global Climate Report - The globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for May 2014 was the highest for May since 1880. . .

<> GOP Members Introduce H.R. 4899 - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) and 12 other GOP members have introduced The Lowering Gasoline Prices to Fuel an America that Works Act.

<> Report Reveals Companies That Dumped 206 Pounds of Toxic Chemicals Into Our Waterways - Environment America's report also reveals the top 10 states for toxic dumping. . .

<> As President Mandates Pollinator Protection, EPA Lags Behind Science - (Beyond Pesticides, June 23, 2014) During the close of National Pollinator Week, the White House issued a Presidential Memorandum on pollinator health to the heads of federal agencies requiring action to "reverse pollinator losses and help restore populations to healthy levels."

<> Energy Department Invests $3.2 Million to Support Clean Energy Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs - June 20, 2014Energy Department Invests $3.2 Million to Support Clean Energy Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Secretary Moniz today announced $3.2 million to launch the National Incubator Initiative for Clean Energy. . .

<> Mayors Consider Climate & Energy Resolutions At Conference - The United States Conference of Mayors' 82nd Annual Meeting taking place June 20-23, 2014 in Dallas has the Mayors considering a number of climate and energy related resolutions. 

• All Proposed Resolutions (search Climate or Energy)

<> How 3D Printers Work - June 19, 2014How 3D Printers Work As part of our How Energy Works series, learn everything you need to know about 3D printers, from how they work to the different types of systems to the future of the technology. . .

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

<> Utility Air Regulatory Group v. U.S. EPA - 6/23/14. In the U.S. Supreme Court, Docket No. 12–1146. Appealed from the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit. The opinion indicates: "We must decide whether it was permissible for EPA to determine that its motor-vehicle greenhouse-gas regulations automatically triggered permitting requirements under the Act for stationary sources that emit greenhouse gases." The Majority concludes: "We hold that EPA exceeded its statutory authority when it interpreted the Clean Air Act to requirePSD and Title V permitting for stationary sources based on their greenhouse-gas emissions. . . The judgment of the Court of Appeals is affirmed in part and reversed in part."

• Complete background and details from the SCOTUS Blog
• NYT: "Justices, With Limits, Let E.P.A. Curb Power-Plant Gases"
• WSJ: "Supreme Court Reins In Some of EPA's Greenhouse-Gas Efforts"
• API welcomes high court decision EPA carbon rules - WASHINGTON, June 23, 2014 ─ API welcomed a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to curtail aspects of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from stationary. . .

<> Latin Am. for Soc. & Econ. Dev., et al. v. FHWA, et al. - 6/20/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, Case Nos. 12-1556/1558. The Panel explains: "Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development and other plaintiffs sued the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and certain FHWA officials challenging the FHWA's Record of Decision (ROD) selecting the Delray neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan as the preferred location alternative for a new international bridge crossing between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. Plaintiffs claim that the ROD and preceding process violated the National Environmental Protection Act, Administrative Procedures Act, principles of environmental justice, and other federal laws. 
The district court granted the defendants' motion to affirm the ROD. For the reasons that follow, the decision of the district court is affirmed.

• U.S. appeals court upholds Detroit-Windsor bridge plan - A three-judge federal appeals court panel Friday upheld a decision by the Federal Highway Administration to select the Delray neighborhood of Detroit as the preferred location for a new. . .

<> Sacramento Municipal Utility District v. U.S. DOE - 6/20/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, Case Nos. 2013-5086, -5087. SMUD agreed to pay $40 million into the Nuclear Waste Fund and DOE promised to begin accepting and disposing of SMUD's spent nuclear. The Panel reversed the combined judgment of $38,845,398 for the period of 1992–2009 and reinstated a prior $53,159,863 award for the period of 1992–2003.

Federal Register Highlights 

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

1. Water - Notice. Request for Scientific Views - Extension of Request for Scientific Views for Updated National Recommended Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Human Health PDF | Text |

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/20/14

 

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National / International News

 

<> Subcommittee Begins Oversight of EPA's Power Plan - The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), held a hearing to examine EPA's proposed new carbon dioxide regulations for existing power plants. . .

• GOP Hearing website with background, video, statements and testimony of Janet McCabe, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation
• DEMS Hearing website

<> EPW Republicans Request Hearing on President's Proposed Cap-and-Trade Rule - U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, along with all EPW Republican Senators sent a letter to EPW Chairman Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), requesting a Committee hearing, with federal witnesses, to examine the impacts of U.S. EPA's recently proposed regulations on carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants that is part of the President's Climate Action Plan.

<> NRDC: GOP Leaders Threaten Government Shutdown, This Time Over and Action - GOP lawmakers held the appropriation bills hostage with unrelated amendments -- riders would block EPA from addressing climate change and keeping pollution out of our water.

• House Republicans Are So Mad at the EPA that They Might Force Another Shutdown

<> New Analysis: America's Largest Companies are Jumping on Clean Energy Bandwagon and Saving More Than $1 Billion a Year - The nation's largest companies are leaving Washington gridlock on climate change behind and rapidly embracing renewable energy sourcing and greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts, according to a new report from. . .

<> Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Maintain Highway Trust Fund - U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) unveiled the first bipartisan proposal to shore up the Highway Trust Fund by making changes to the federal motor fuels tax, which funds improvements to roads, bridges and transit systems.

<> House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Clean Water Act Agricultural Exemptions - On Thursday, June 19, the Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry of the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing entitled, "A Review of the Interpretive Rule regarding the applicability of Clean Water Act. . .

<> Groups seek internal government documents detailing back-room dealings on power plant water pollution - Environmental groups are filing a complaint against the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to compel the agency to release additional information about the roles OMB played in weakening EPA's proposed rules to satisfy the concerns of power companies.

<> BTLaw Alert: EPA Proposes to Drop 2005 ASTM Standard from AAI Rule - On June 17, EPA proposed to remove reference to the 2005 ASTM Phase I environmental site assessment standard (1527-05) from EPA's "All Appropriate Inquiry" (AAI) rule under the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

<> ARPA-E Announces 13 New Projects at New York Energy Week - ARPA-E Announces 13 New Projects at New York Energy Week Today at New York Energy Week, ARPA-E Acting Director Dr. Cheryl Martin announced $33 million in funding for 13 new projects aimed at developing transformational fuel cell technologies for low-cost distributed power generation.

<> FERC Approves Cameron LNG Liquefaction-Export Project - Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) announced today that its subsidiary Cameron LNG has received authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to site, construct and operate a natural gas liquefaction and export facility at the site of the company's LNG receipt terminal in Hackberry, LA

• FERC issues its decision on Cameron LNG export project

<> New Report: Water and Climate Risks Are a Growing Threat to U.S. Corn Production - A new Ceres report released today shows that water and climate change risks are rising in the $67 billion U.S. corn sector, contributing to production and price volatility and growing concern by corn buyers that the nation's. . .

<> Spokane to Vote on Monday to Ban Neonicotinoids - (Beyond Pesticides, June 19, 2014) The city of Spokane, Washington is inching ever closer to a ban on neonicotinoid pesticides, a class of chemicals that has been linked to the global disappearance of honey bee populations.

<> Will Energy East be operational before the Northern Gateway pipeline? - June 19, 2014 - 3:42pm The short answer is no, our commitment is stop both pipelines. The Enbridge Northern Gateway is a 1,177 kilometre 525,000 barrels per day pipeline westbound to the Pacific coast, while TransCanada. . .

<> NERC's Summer Reliability Assessment highlights regional electricity capacity margins - (Fri, 20 Jun 2014) The North American Electric Reliability Corporation's (NERC). . .

<> DOE Announces Webinars on Hydrogen Fueling for Current and Anticipated Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, Net Metering for Tribes, and More

<> Environmental Organizations to Sue Companies Owned by Coal Giant Jim Justice for Clean Water Violations

<> Groups Say BLM's Powder River Basin Coal and Gas Plan Out of Step with National Climate, Clean Energy Goals

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Day, Month, date, 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 6/19/14

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National / International News

 

<> Department of Energy Releases Water-Energy Nexus Report - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a new 238-page report that frames an integrated challenge and opportunity space around the water-energy nexus for DOE and its partners and lays the foundation for future efforts.

<> Sen. Murkowski Calls for Quick Floor Action on Committee Approved Keystone XL Bill -  U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, R-Nev., to quickly bring to the floor legislation passed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approving the Keystone XL pipeline project.

• Senate Panel's Keystone XL Measure about Politics and Bad Policy - The Senate Energy Committee today considered yet another political ploy by some in Congress to force construction of the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, which will worsen climate 
• McConnell Comments on Keystone Political Show Vote - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement on the political show vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee regarding the  Keystone XL Pipeline
• Access the ENR Committee meeting considering the KXL approval bill

<> As EPA Opens the Official Comment Period, BPC Releases Dynamic, Interactive Map Including State Comments - June 19, 2014. The Bipartisan Policy Center's (BPC) Energy Project is pleased to announce an interactive map that tracks comments submitted on the EPA's Clean Power Plan and provides 

<> 83 Reps Call For Coal Ash Regulations – In a letter to the EPA, "We write to respectfully urge the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finalize strong federal standards for the safe disposal of coal ash under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) by the end of 2014."

<> OIG Report Generally Positive on NRC's FOIA Process But Suggests Some Improvements - Stephen Dingbaum Assistant Inspector General for Audits   The Office of the Inspector General's most recent report. . .

<> DOE Awards $100 Million for Innovative Energy Research - DOE Awards $100 Million for Innovative Energy Research U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz today announced the awarding of $100 million for Energy Frontier Research Centers to accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to build the. . .

<> Murray Energy Sues EPA Over New Carbon Rule - Ohio-based Murray Energy, the nation's largest privately owned coal company has made good on its threat to sue over the EPA's proposed new carbon emission rule.

<> Speaker's Staff Claim Obama Has "Other Green Agenda" - The House Speaker's Communications Advisor claims the delay in approving the Keystone XL project is about raising campaign cash Democrats

<> U.S. Forest Service Seeks Public Comment on a Proposed Rule Addressing Ski Area Water Rights on Forest Service Lands - The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on a proposal addressing water provided for ski areas on national forest lands through the permitting process. The proposal would help to ensure public 

<> Fact Check: Two Former EPA Administrators Agree U.S. Action Alone Will Not Impact Global Climate Change – Sen. EPW GOP claims: "Currently, China is the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter and has no official plans to cap their greenhouse gas emissions."

• Behind the Mask – A Reality Check on China's Plans for a Carbon Cap

<> China completes rollout of pilot carbon markets - China to decide on national carbon market, after completing regional pilots

• Carbon Briefing: What's going on with China's climate plans?
• China's Carbon Emission Trading: An Overview of Current Development

<> Legal Petition Calls for Return of Grizzly Bears to Vast Portions of American West - Center for Biological Diversity (press release)

<> Lawsuit Launched to Clean Up Lead Air Pollution Across United States - Three environmental groups filed a formal notice of intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency today for failing to ensure that people across the country are protected from dangerous lead in the air.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

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

 

1. Water - Final Rule. U.S. EPA. Analysis of Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act - Expedited Approval of Alternative Test Procedures for the Analysis of Contaminants Under the Safe Drinking Water Act; Analysis and Sampling Procedures PDF | Text |

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/18/14

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National / International News

 

<> Senate EPW Subcommittee hearing entitled, "Climate Change: The Need to Act Now." – Former EPA Administrators Ruckelshaus, Whitman, Reilly, Thomas; and others testify

<> First westbound natural gas flows begin on Rockies Express Pipeline - (Wed, 18 Jun 2014) The Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) announced on Monday that it expects service to commence as soon as today for the. . . -- see the U.S. Energy Information Administration's report

<> Secretary Jewell Announces $436.9 Million in PILT Payments to Support Vital Services in Rural Communities - Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced that about 1,900 local governments around the country are receiving a total of $436.9 million under the. . .

<> FACT SHEET: Leading at Home and Internationally to Protect Our Ocean and Coasts - President Obama announced new executive actions to preserve and protect the oceans including immediately considering how we might expand protections near the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument in the south-central Pacific Ocean, an area which contains some of the most pristine tropical marine environments in the world.

<> Harper approves Northern Gateway pipeline

• Regardless of Approval, Northern Gateway Tar Sands Pipeline Will Likely Never Be Built - With the announcement that the Canadian federal government would approve Enbridge's Proposed Northern Gateway tar sands pipeline to British Columbia, First Nations and environmental advocates. . .

<> API: Delays in setting ethanol mandates are unacceptable - June 18, 2014 – The Obama Administration's continued delays in setting ethanol requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are unacceptable, API Downstream Group Director Bob Greco told reporters. . .

<> New Report Reveals Clean Energy Solution To Energy Poverty - The Sierra Club released a report -- Clean Energy Services For All (CES4All) -- analyzing the future growth of the booming global off-grid solar market.

<> Whitfield Knocks President's "Green Dreams" Ahead of Thursday Hearing with EPA - FoxNews.com on Tuesday featured an article by Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) highlighting the true cost of the president's "green dreams." He explains, "President Obama wants to be viewed. . .

<> EPA Selects Six Universities to Help Find New Uses for Toxics Data - U.S. EPA announced today its selection of academic partners for the 2014 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) University Challenge, a project designed to find innovative ways to increase. . .

<> Varnum Law Firm Highlights Comment Extension For WOTUS Rule - Comment Period Extended for Proposed EPA Rule Substantially Expanding Federal Jurisdiction Over Waters of the U.S., Including Creeks and Ditches

<> Secretary Jewell, Governor Patrick Announced the Nation's Largest Offshore Wind Energy Area Available for Commercial Development - BOSTON, MA – Secretary of the Interior announced more than 742,000 acres offshore Massachusetts will be available for commercial wind energy leasing and will be the largest in federal waters -- nearly double the federal offshore acreage available for commerical-scale wind energy projects.

<> Ocean Conference Results In $1.8 Bilion In Pledges - Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the State Department's first "Our Ocean" Conference resulted in commitments from government and private sources valued at more than $800 million to conserve the ocean and its resources for future generations & Norway announced it will allocate $1 billion to climate change mitigation and adaptation assistance.

<> EPA and Partners Celebrate Nation's Largest Federally Owned Wind Farm; Site near Amarillo, TX now generates power for nearby plant - The wind farm will generate nearly 47 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Wednesday, June 18, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Climate, Air – Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA - Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units PDF | Text |

2. Climate, Air – Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA - Carbon Pollution Standards for Modified and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units PDF | Text |

3. Air – Direct final Rule. U.S. EPA - Modification of Significant New Use Rules on Certain Chemical Substances; Update of Chemical Identities PDF | Text |

4. Energy, Nuclear – Notice. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - License Renewal Application: DTE Electric Company; Fermi 2. Opportunity to request a hearing and to petition for leave to intervene PDF | Text |

 

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/17/14

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National / International News

 

<> 9 GOP Governors Issue Critical Letter To President - "Your proposed rules for regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing power plants and redefining the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) would unnecessarily expandfederal authority over the States in energy policymaking and risk undermining our success."

• NRDC Launches TV Ad Countering Polluters' Lies About Power Plant Carbon Pollution Limits - WASHINGTON (June 17, 2014) — The Natural Resources Defense Council today unveiled a new ad striking back at a disinformation campaign waged by Big Polluters intent on subverting the country's first-ever carbon pollution. . .

<> Federal R&D Facilities: Open for Collaboration - Today (June 17, 2014) the Obama Administration is upgrading Research.Data.gov to include, for the first time in one place, machine-readable data on over 700 Federal R&D facilities that may be utilized by external entrepreneurs and innovators. . . 

<> OIG: Report No. 14-P-0302 "EPA Has Made Progress in Assessing Historical Lead Smelter Sites But Needs to Strengthen Procedures," June 17, 2014

<> FERC Staff Issues Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Liquefaction and Phase II Modification Projects (CP12-509-000 and CP12-29-000) - The proposed Phase II Modification Project includes modification to the previously authorized, but not constructed liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel berthing dock, LNG transfer pipelines, LNG unloading arms, and the access

<> GAO-14-289, Pesticide Safety: Improvements Needed in EPA's Good Laboratory Practices Inspection Program, May 15, 2014 - What GAO Found The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspects few laboratories that test pesticides for Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) compliance and faces challenges in selecting laboratories to inspect.

<> Reservoirs Affect the Movement of Carbon in Large Rivers of the Central and Western United States - Summary: A recent study conducted by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and published in the Journal of Geophysical Research – Biogeosciences found that a combination of climate and human activities. . .

<> Energy Department Invests $20 Million to Advance Hydrogen Production and Delivery Technologies - June 16, 2014Energy Department Invests $20 Million to Advance Hydrogen Production and Delivery Technologies The Energy Department today announced $20 million for ten new research and development projects that. . .

<> Assessing the Design of the National Children's Study - While the National Children's Study (NCS) could add immensely to knowledge about children's health and development, and while the study's proposed design has several strengths, the design needs stronger scientific rationale. . . 

<> Landmark Agreement Signed to Restore and Protect Chesapeake Bay Watershed - This afternoon, the Chesapeake Executive Council—which represents the seven watershed jurisdictions, a tri-state policy group and federal agencies including the Department of the Interior—signed the Chesapeake Bay. . .

<> Austin Coal-Tar Sealant Ban Leads to Decline in PAHs - Summary: The 2006 prohibition on the use of coal-tar-based pavement sealants in Austin, Texas, has resulted in a substantial reduction in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), according to a new study by the U.S.G.S. . .

<> U.S. crude exports in April rise to highest level in 15 years - (Mon, 16 Jun 2014) The United States exported 268,000 barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil in April (the latest data available from the U.S. Census Bureau), the highest level of exports in 15 years.

<> New York Assembly Overwhelmingly Passes Fracking Moratorium - NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Robert Sweeney announced the Assembly passed legislation (89-34 vote) establishing a statewide, three year moratorium to allow for further study of hydraulic fracturing, a horizontal drilling process used to extract natural gas and oil, and its potential to contaminate drinking water supplies and harm the environment.

<> Austin City Council Passes First Resolution Supporting Historic Carbon Protections - "We want to show the rest of the state and the country that the greenest city in the Lone Star State not only supports the EPA's carbon pollution limits, but is a leader when it comes to acting for our climate," said City Council Member Mike Martinez, lead sponsor of the resolution.

<> IETA welcomes revival of market framework negotiations at UN climate talks - GENEVA, 17 June –The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) welcomes the resumption of. . .

<> UN officials call for restoration of ecosystems to reduce climate change disasters - Marking the World Day to Combat Desertification, United Nations officials today emphasized the importance of restoring degrading lands to avoid or soften the potentially disastrous impacts of climate change. . .

<> Ground-Breaking First Session of UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) Just Days Away - The UN Environment Assembly - the highest-level UN body ever convened on the environment - is less than a week from its historic opening day at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Tuesday, June 17, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Water - Proposed Rule. Permits under Clean Water Act; U.S. - EPA & Corps of Engineers. Exemptions: Reopening of Comment Period for the Notice of Availability Regarding the Exemption From Permitting Under Section 404(f)(1)(A) of the Clean Water Act to Certain Agricultural Conservation Practices PDF | Text | 

 

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)