[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 3/31/15

 

National / International News

<> United States Submits its Climate Action Plan ahead of 2015 Paris Agreement - The United States has submitted its new climate action plan to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- the "Intended Nationally Determined Contribution" (INDC) comes well in advance of a new universal climate change agreement which will be reached at the UN climate conference in Paris, in December this year. FACT SHEET: U.S. Reports its 2025 Emissions Target to the UNFCCC - the U.S. target is to reduce emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, and to make best efforts to reduce by 28% INDCs as communicated by Parties - Submitted thus far: Switzerland, Latvia, Norway, Mexico, & U.S. First Set of Climate Action Plans Gets World on Track to Paris Agreement - More industrialized countries are expected to come forward with their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) over the next few months, followed by many developing countries. The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) - CAT has developed the most comprehensive method yet of simultaneously assessing the "fairness" and "below 2degC compatibility" of government climate action put forward in the INDCs

<> U.S. Can Lead on Global Climate Action: Clean Power Plan Is a Linchpin - Today we are expecting the U.S. to make public its proposed contribution to the global effort to tackle climate change as part of the UNFCCC process New U.S. Climate Target is Achievable and Sends an Important Signal to the World Bob Perciasepe's (Pew Center) statememt on the U.S. target for an international climate agreement EDF Welcomes New U.S. Emissions Reductions Pledge Senator Boxer's Statement on President's Commitment to Reduce Dangerous Carbon Pollution

<> EPA's McCarthy: Keystone alone wouldn't be climate disaster - "No, I don't think that any one issue is a disaster for the climate, nor do I think there is one solution for the climate change challenge that we have," McCarthy said during an interview with POLITICO's Mike Allen.

<> EPA Seeks Input for Potential Rule Banning or Restricting the Use of N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and Methylene Chloride for Use in Paint and Coating Removal - U.S. EPA is seeking nominations from individuals who represent small businesses, small governments, and small not-for-profit organizations to provide input to a federal panel that will explore risk reduction in the use of NMP and methylene chloride for paint or coating removal.

<> EPA Seeks Input for Potential Rule Banning or Restricting the Use of Trichloroethylene (TCE) as a Commercial Degreaser, Spotting Agent in Dry Cleaning, and in Certain Consumer Products – U.S. EPA is seeking nominations from individuals who represent small businesses, small governments, and small not-for-profit organizations to provide input to a federal panel that will explore risk reduction in the use of Trichloroethylene (TCE)

<> New EIA monthly data tracks crude oil movements by rail - (Tue, 31 Mar 2015) For the first time, EIA is providing monthly data on rail movements of crude oil, which have significantly increased over the past five years.

<> EPA Takes Action to Protect the Public from an Unregistered Pesticide - U.S. EPA issued an order to stop the sale of BioStorm and NanoStrike -- products that are being marketed by the company for use in sites that include hospitals and athletic facilities

<> Wind, Solar Industries Release Clean Power Plan Handbook - The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) have jointly published a handbook for states detailing how to incorporate renewable energy into state plans

<> USDA Awards Loans and Grants to Support Rural Economic Development - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the award of $31 million in loans and grants for organizations in 12 states to promote rural economic development -- IA, IL, IN, KS, MN, MO, MS, NC, NM, SC, SD, & TN

<> Secretary Jewell Highlights Economic Benefits of Recreation, Strong Trade Agreements, in Discussion with Outdoor Retailers - Secretary Jewell met with representatives of the outdoor recreation industry, Members of Congress, and local leaders for a roundtable discussion on the value of outdoor recreation in generating economic growth and supporting jobs.

<> The Brownfields 2015 Educational Program is now available online - Register Now for the National Brownfields Training Conference, September 2-4, 2015, at the Hilton Chicago conference venue

<> Report highlights sustainability progress on campus and beyond - The University of Michigan is showing a positive impact on sustainability both locally and globally as highlighted in the university's online sustainability report released this week.

<> Putting a Carbon Charge on Federal Coal: Legal and Economic Issues - What is the legal and economic feasibility of imposing an "upstream" CO2 charge on coal production at its extraction site?

Federal Register Highlights  The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

<> HAZARDOUS WASTE - Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA - Michigan: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revision

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> Volunteers in forefront of monitoring Great Lakes streams - Volunteer monitoring is common across the Great Lakes region, including such groups as the Michigan Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program of MiCorps, Wisconsin Water Action Volunteers, the Pennsylvania Alliance for Aquatic Resources Monitoring, the Minnesota Citizen Stream Monitoring Program, the Ohio Stream Quality Monitoring Program, the Indiana Hoosier Riverwatch as well as the Illinois RiverWatch.

<> Lake Erie algae relief years away - What's causing the algae blooms is a complicated mix of problems that have been blamed on farmers, changing weather patterns, aging wastewater systems, leaking septic tanks and invasive species in the lake.

Michigan News

<> EPA Proposes To Approve Michigan's Hazardous Waste Program - EPA is accepting comments until June 1, 2015, on its tentative decision that Michigan's application to revise its authorized program meets all of the statutory and regulatory requirements established by RCRA.

<> MDEQ Announces New RLS Project Delivery Methods - Starting May 1, 2015, the Revolving Loan Section (RLS) will be allowing three new delivery methods (Construction Management At-Risk, Progressive Design-Build, and Fixed-Price Design-Build) in addition to the traditional Design-Bid-Build for the State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water Revolving Fund programs -- guidance material available

<> Grand Rapids awarded cleanup grant for new MSU Research Center site - MDEQ announced a $1 million grant for the city of Grand Rapids to address brownfield conditions at the former Grand Rapids Press site.

<> City of Auburn Hills awarded cleanup loan to help develop lofts - MDEQ announced a $572,750 loan to the city of Auburn Hills for environmental cleanup at a vacant property downtown, at the corner of Auburn Road and Squirrel Road.

<> MDARD Asking Poultry and Domestic Bird Owners to Increase Biosecurity Efforts - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is encouraging domestic bird owners to increase their biosecurity efforts and take appropriate steps to protect their birds from avian influenza.

<> Michigan Trails Advisory Council to meet April 7 in Roscommon - MDNR announced that the Michigan Trails Advisory Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, April 7, at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, 104 Conservation Drive, in Roscommon, at 10 a.m.

<> MDOT schedules annual public meetings throughout Upper Peninsula - March 30, 2015 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has scheduled a series of public meetings to discuss the department's Five-Year Road and Bridge Program, the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), and the State Long-Range Plan (SLRP).

<> The Watershed Center Awarded More than $728,000 for Kids Creek Restoration - The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay will receive more than $728,000 to continue its work on Kids Creek, an impaired stream in the Grand Traverse Bay watershed.

<> Ribbon Cutting for Fred Meijer CIS Trail - Twenty two years after the Central Michigan Railroad ceased operations between Ionia and Owosso, the Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail has been officially opened by MDNR Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail website

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).

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 3/30/15

 

National / International News

<> EPA Analysis of FracFocus 1 Data - EPA conducted an analysis to better understand the chemicals and water used to hydraulically fracture oil and gas production wells in the United States and how chemical and water use vary in different locations across the country. EPA Analysis of FracFocus 1.0 Data Fact Sheet EPA State-level Summaries of FracFocus 1 Hydraulic Fracturing Data Summary of FracFocus 1.0 Hydraulic Fracturing Data: Michigan FracFocus Chemical Disclosure website FracFocus webinar on Monday, March 30, 2015, at 3:00pm EDT

<> UNFCCC Strategy Chief Explains Road to Paris - Halldor Thorgeirsson, Director for Strategy at the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC), summed up the efforts of governments to reach a new, universal climate change agreement in Paris, in December, including the national climate plans which countries are putting forward as contributions to the final agreement. U.S. to submit plans to fight global warming; most others delay Statement by White House Press Secretary on Mexico's Climate Announcement Mexico Submits its Climate Action Plan ahead of 2015 Paris Agreement Statement from U.S. Energy Secretary Moniz on Mexico's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets

<> National Ocean Policy Final Implementation Plan - To translate President Obama's National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes into on-the-ground actions to benefit the American people, the National Ocean Council released the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan. National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes Rep. Bishop Issues Statement on Administration's National Ocean Policy Report White House Releases Ocean Policy Report - Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) statement

<> Arctic Potential: Realizing the Promise of U.S. Arctic Oil and Gas Resources - Prudently developing U.S. Arctic oil and natural gas resources would enhance America's position as a global leader in energy production for the next 35 years or more, a new National Petroleum Council (NPC) study concludes The Arctic Potential Report NRDC: DOE's Petroleum Council Dead Wrong on Arctic Drilling

<> Governors challenge Sen. McConnell on EPA defiance - At least two governors -- California, and Vermont -- have punched back at Sen. Mitch McConnell for his recent letter to all 50 governors, calling on them to defy the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's forthcoming rules on climate pollution from power plants....

<> New Report Describes Options for Providing Affordable Flood Insurance Premiums - The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) within the Federal Emergency Management Agency faces dual challenges of maintaining affordable flood insurance premiums for property owners and ensuring that revenues from premiums and fees cover claims and program expenses over time according to a new congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council

<> Celebrating Two Years of Building America's Clean Energy Manufacturing Future - Find out how DOE is helping to strengthen U.S. clean energy manufacturing competitiveness.

<> Issues Regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard from Congressional Budget Office - Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Economics Association

<> Fracking (lacking) in Illinois - In June 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill 1715, the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act and the Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Tax Act, into law. . . As of January 2015, the IDNR stated that zero companies had applied for a fracking permit.

<> The Future of Fracking and Lessons Learned - While over the past few years fracking has become a more predominant energy source in the U.S., the industry is beginning to wane -- interestingly, it is not the increased information about health and environmental concerns that are slowing down the fracking industry, but rather market forces – the decline in the price of crude oil.

Federal Register Highlights  The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

<> ENERGY, WATER - Final Rule/CORRECTION. DOI/Bureau of Land Management - Oil and Gas; Hydraulic Fracturing on Federal and Indian Lands

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> University awards grants for study of lake levels - The University's Graham Sustainability Institute awarded seven grants, totaling $70,000, to American and Canadian researchers studying how Michigan residents are adjusting to the fluctuations.

<> Great Lakes ice compared to last year shows astonishing difference - Great Lakes ice has been decreasing quickly in the past few weeks -- The early cold last November caused ice to develop on the Great Lakes earlier than anytime in the last 40 years.

<> Call for Presentations and Field Trips at the 11th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference - WANTED: Individuals to lead dynamic, engaging and fun field trips and presentations at the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition's 11th Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference in Chicago, Illinois, September 29 -October 1, 2015 -- Deadline for submissions: May 8, 2015

Michigan News

<> DRAFT Incremental Sampling Methodology and Applications Resource Material - MDEQ Remediation and Redevelopment Division (RRD) announced the publication of the DRAFT Incremental Sampling Methodology and Applications document -- a technical resource document for MDEQ staff and contractors to describe incremental sampling approaches and uses. Comments requested by June 25, 2015.

<> Gerrymandering in Michigan, explained - How, when vote totals across the state are so closely split, did the election results lead to such overwhelming Republican majorities? -- many suggest that the way voting districts are drawn in the state is a major contributor to these results.

<> Engaging with…the State Budget – ". . .we should all care because Michigan's budget is perhaps the truest reflection of the priorities of our elected officials and (hopefully) us."

<> MSU 2015 Fate of the Earth Symposium - Tipping Points, Crises and Solutions; Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2, 2015; Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center; Michigan State University

<> Michigan's forests underused, experts say - Most of the state's harvested timber is sold as logs, but more jobs and dollars could be generated by turning those forests into products such as syrup, furniture and ethanol, according to the Michigan Forest Biomaterials Initiative. Biomaterials Initiative - Michigan Technological University

<> Dykema expands, becomes largest Detroit-based firm with addition of Texas law firm - Dykema Gossett PLLC handily will be the largest Detroit-based law firm in May, after adding San Antonio-based Cox Smith Matthews Inc. in a deal that vastly grows its footprint in Texas and would increase both revenue and number of attorneys by nearly a third.

<> Dow Chemical strikes $5 billion chlorine deal With Olin - Jack Kaskey Bloomberg News - Midland-based Dow Chemical Co. agreed to sell almost all of its chlorine business, the world's largest, to Olin Corp. in a $5 billion deal as it pares less profitable products.

<> Senators Stabenow, Peters Urge Full Funding for Selfridge Air National Guard Base's A-10 Program - The Senators highlighted the importance of the A-10 fleet in military combat and requested a suitable alternative be found before a decision is made to retire the fighter jets.

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).

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 3/27/15

 

National / International News

<> McConnell Statement on Senate Passage of FY 2016 Balanced Budget - "By passing a balanced budget that emphasizes growth, common sense and the needs of the middle class, Republicans have shown that the Senate is under new management and delivering on the change and responsible government the American people expect." Amendments & roll call votes and final passage 52-46 McConnell Amendment to Fight War on Coal Passes Senate - approved (57-43) a bipartisan amendment by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that would prohibit the withholding of federal highway funds from states that refuse to submit a plan to implement a proposed new EPA regulation McConnell Amendment #836 Would Undermine the Clean Air Act -- EDF Portman Amendment Would Increase Health Risk for Americans -- EDF

<> Administration's Plan to Combat and Prevent Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria - The Administration is releasing the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (NAP). National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria NRDC: White House Antibiotics Plan Too Weak on Curbing Misuse of Drugs in Livestock - (March 26, 2015) – In response to the Administration's National Action Plan For Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, which leaked today, Mae Wu, health attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) said, the Obama Administration needs to do more to reduce antibiotic use in animals that are not sick.

<> Sens. Lankford & Heitkamp Launch #CutRedTape Initiative to Gather Stories About Impacts of Federal Regulations - Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) launched a new bipartisan #CutRedTape Initiative, a new way for American families and businesses to communicate with the Senate about how federal regulations impact them.

<> Republican Senators Submit Comments on CEQ's Draft Climate Guidance - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and other GOP Senators submitted comments on draft guidance from the CEQ on considering climate change under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

<> DOE & Financing the Growing American Auto Industry - With more than $16 billion in remaining Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan authority, the Department of Energy is making a $259 million loan to aluminum manufacturer Alcoa, Inc. to support manufacturing of high-strength aluminum sheet at the company's Alcoa, Tennessee facility -- the first new loan since 2011.

<> Energy Efficiency Improvement Act passes by voice vote - The Energy Efficiency Improvement Act was passed by voice vote, with the two senators the only two on the floor after 4 a.m. Friday. S. 535: Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015

<> Bill to Thwart GMO Labeling Effort is Back - Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) has reintroduced his bill that would block federal and state efforts to require the labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  H.R. 1599: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to food produced from, containing, or consisting of a bioengineered organism, the labeling of natural foods

<> Ethanol and Agriculture Groups Challenge Anti-Biofuels Effort - Ethanol and agriculture industry groups came together today to advocate for continued funding of U.S. blender pump initiatives and U.S. export promotion efforts in a letter to the House Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Programs Committee on Appropriations.

<> Beijing to Shut All Major Coal Power Plants to Cut Pollution - Beijing, where pollution averaged more than twice China's national standard last year, will close the last of its four major coal-fired power plants next year.

<> Without the Cochin pipeline, western Canadian propane seeks new outlets - (Fri, 27 Mar 2015) In April 2014, after 35 years of shipping propane from western Canada to the upper Midwest, the Cochin pipeline was removed from propane service, and in July repurposed to ship light petroleum liquids north from Illinois to western Canada.

<> Kentucky's Proposed Tar Sands Mining Puts People, Water, Wildlife at Risk - The Center for Biological Diversity called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deny permits for a tar sands mining project in Logan County, KY, that would include strip-mining wetlands and streams in pursuit of these particularly dirty and dangerous fossil fuels.

<> Green Climate Fund Board approves first seven entities for Fund's resources - The Green Climate Fund Board approved the first seven entities that will be allowed to channel the Fund's resources into developing countries. No ban on coal finance as Green Climate Fund eyes first projects - After lengthy talks in Songdo, Republic of Korea, UN-backed climate finance scheme has loose lending criteria for first funding proposals

Federal Register Highlights  The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

<> Nothing We're Tracking Today (click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> Bill to cut Lake Erie toxic algae goes to Ohio governor - New rules for farmers aimed at reducing the toxic algae in Lake Erie won unanimous approval from the Legislature on Wednesday and were headed to the governor for his expected signature. Ohio Senate Bill 1 – passed unanimously in House & Senate on March 25, 2015 EDITORIAL: A cleaner Lake Erie - As lawmakers in both houses negotiated a compromise, Governor Kasich reportedly conveyed hard truths to Statehouse lobbyists and their House helpers about what he wanted to see in the bill before he would sign it.

<> EPA Awards $17 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grants to Reduce Runoff that Contributes to Algal Blooms - U.S. EPA announced the award of 14 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants totaling over $17 million to fund projects that will improve Great Lakes water quality by preventing phosphorus runoff and soil erosion that contribute to algal blooms and by reducing suspended sediments in Great Lakes tributaries.

Michigan News

<> Bear Lake restoration work commences in Muskegon Lake Area of Concern - The Great Lakes Commission has received new funding to support ecological restoration efforts in Muskegon Lake by removing sediments that contain harmful levels of phosphorus, restoring natural water flow and creating wetlands in Bear Creek, a tributary to Muskegon Lake in west Michigan.

<> Spring workshops offer current research and information on status of lakes Erie, Huron and St. Clair fisheries - Free workshops open to anglers, charter captains, resource professionals and other community members.

<> Partnership gives wintering U.P. deer new outlook - MDNR and Plum Creek Timber Company are working together to manage more than 16,500 acres of industrial forest land for winter deer habitat.

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).