WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/7/14

<> Bipartisan Group of Senators, House Members, Business & Labor Groups Call for Approval of Keystone XL Pipeline - Soon to be Chair of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., joined a bipartisan group of Senators, labor leaders and experts to call on the administration to give final approval to construct the Keystone XL Pipeline. 

• Confirmation of Sen. Max Baucus paves way for Mary Landrieu's move to Energy Chair
• President's Allies Join Growing Chorus In Declaring It's #TimetoBuild Keystone XL - After five years of delays, the voices in support of the Keystone pipeline, an important part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy, are growing louder. The Washington Post editorial board today expressed, "It's past time for President Obama to set aside politics" and act on the Keystone XL pipeline. The post criticized environmentalists' opposition to the jobs project, as their claims. . . 

<> A Farm Bill at long last - Phew! After a long, arduous two-and-a-half year process, we finally have a Farm Bill. The bill, approved recently in both the House and Senate, now goes to President Obama for near-certain approval. Unfortunately, as we reported last week after the House vote, the new law is a real mixed bag. On the plus side, support is up for local and regional food systems; farmers must conserve soil. . .

<> Texas Authority Over GHG Permitting Good News for U.S. Chemical Projects - The American Chemistry Council (ACC) statement in response to action by the U.S. EPA delegating authority over greenhouse gas (GHG) permitting to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

<> WH names Mike Boots as acting CEQ director - On Thursday the White House promoted Mike Boots, the Council on Environmental Quality's chief of staff, to serve as the council's acting director.

• CEQ Website

<> Wyden, Cantwell Request Analysis of How Oil Exports Would Affect U.S. Gas Prices- Senators send letter to Energy Information Administration seeking details on impact to consumers...

<> Sen. Murkowski Calls for National Approach to Addressing Forest Management- Roadless Rule Remains Serious Economic Impediment in Southeast Alaska...

<> Meehan Introduces CFATS Authorization Bill - Patrick Meehan (R-PA) introduced H.R. 4007, the"Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) Authorization and Accountability Act of 2014." (H.R.4007)

<> Bill Prohibits EPA from Using Secret Science - Washington, D.C. – Members of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology today introduced the Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 (H.R. 4012), a bill to prohibit the EPA from proposing regulations based upon science that is not transparent or not reproducible. The bill was introduced by Environment Subcommittee Chairman David Schweikert (R-Ariz.). . .

<> A REACH milestone: First authorisation application passes the European Chemicals Agency - By Alissa SassoAlissa Sasso is a Chemicals Policy Fellow at EDF. It's been a while since we've posted an update on ongoing activities under the European Union's Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).  The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has been quite busy in recent months. The first application for authorisation

<> Climate Data Online (CDO) - NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), located in Asheville, North Carolina, provides free access to NCDC's archive of historical weather and climate data in addition to station history information. These data include quality controlled daily, monthly, seasonal, and yearly measurements of temperature, precipitation, wind, and degree days as well as radar data and 30-year Climate Normals.

<> NRDC Sues EPA to Ban Two Toxic Pesticides in Pet Flea Collars- The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) today filed a lawsuit in federal court against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking EPA to respond to NRDC's petitions to ban two hazardous pesticides used in popular pet flea treatment products. Due to concerns that the products can harm children's brains and nervous systems

<> As Bees Decline, EPA Registers Another Toxic Insecticide - (Beyond Pesticides, February 7, 2014) Flying in the face of recent science demonstrating that pollinator populations are declining, the U.S. EPA has made the decision to unconditionally register another pesticide that is known to be highly toxic to bees, coming almost one year after EPA registered sulfoxaflor, disregarding concerns from beekeepers. . .

<> Alaska unseasonably warm in January 2014- January 2014 was remarkably mild across nearly all of Alaska, resulting in this January ranking among the  "top ten" warmest on record for many Alaskan communities according to preliminary analyses.

<> Record levels of banned insecticide found in Illinois otters - The concentrations of dieldrin, an insecticide banned in 1978, are the greatest ever found in otters. Once used on cornfields, the chemical lingers in sediments and accumulates in fish and wildlife. Six Great Lakes states are among the nation's top 12 corn producers.

<> Water quality continues to improve after the ash basin release at the Dan River Steam Station - CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Test results from water samples analyzed by Duke Energy overnight and today demonstrate that water quality continues to improve downstream of the Dan River Steam Station. . .

• Water Samples Show Disturbing Levels of Heavy Metals from Duke Energy Coal Ash Spill - [This is the third article in a three-part series. Read part one, read part two.] Today Waterkeeper Alliance and Yadkin Riverkeeper issued the results of water sampling from the Dan River in the wake of the third largest coal ash spill in U.S. history. A certified laboratory analysis of Waterkeeper's samples, completed today, reveals that the water immediately downstream of Duke Energy's
• 82,000 Reasons Why Federal Coal Ash Regulations Are Needed - North Carolina spill comes just days after EPA sets deadline for first-ever federal safety standards The spill of 82,000 tons of coal ash into the Dan River in North Carolina is the latest illustration of the need for federal coal ash regulations. The nation's third largest coal ash spill came just days after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency settled a federal lawsuit brought by Earth. . .

<> Majority of Donations to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Given by Just 64 Entities - More than half of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's contributions in 2012 came from just 64 donors, according to a new report released today by Public Citizen's U.S. Chamber Watch program.

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/6/14

<> 2014 Farm Bill Drill Down: The Bill by the Numbers- With the 2014 Farm Bill about to become law, NSAC is doing a seven-part series here on our blog that delves into the details of the bill for sustainable food and farming systems.  This first post summarizes the big picture funding decisions reflected in the final bill.  Coming posts will look at specific issues within the farm bill in more detail.  A post from last week provided a broad

<> Secretary Vilsack Announces Regional Hubs to Help Agriculture, Forestry Mitigate the Impacts of a Changing Climate - Feb. 5, 2014 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of the first ever Regional Hubs for Risk Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change at seven locations around the country. Seven major hubs and 3 Sub-Hubs including one in Houghton, MI

<> Sarbanes Announces Broad Coalition of Support for Government By the People Act- An unprecedented coalition of reformers rallied behind legislation to end big money politics and empower everyday Americans to take back their government. Introduced by U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.), the bipartisan Government By the People Act (H.R. 20) has been endorsed by over 35 national organizations advocating for the environment, education, labor, civil rights, clean government and more.

<> Smith: EPA Should Allow States Flexibility to Regulate - The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee today held a hearing to focus on the scientific justification and cumulative impacts of regulations, policies and practices promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and their effects on state sovereignty. The hearing specifically focused on Texas as a case study. Chairman Lamar Smith. . .

• Committee Majority Assault on EPA – Science Democrats Stress EPA's Role in Protecting Public Health - The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing titled, "Examining the Science of EPA Overreach: A Case Study in Texas."  Testifying for the Committee Majority were representatives from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the Railroad Commission of Texas, the Texas Farm Bureau, and the Maguire. . .

<> Senate EPW Hearing On West Virginia Drinking Water Crisis - "Examination of the Safety and Security of Drinking Water Supplies Following the Central West Virginia Drinking Water Crisis"

<> Vitter: EPA Takes First Step Toward Evaluating Full Economic Impacts In Future Regulations - EPA announcement to proceed with a review and examination of whole-economy modeling and its ability to capture more complete regulatory impacts of air regulations across the economy.

<> Rep. Waxman and the Safe Climate Caucus to Launch New Initiative -

Rep. Henry A. Waxman and members of the Safe Climate Caucus will announce Thursday their new initiative to take action to respond to the threat of climate change.  They will discuss the climate change and environmental issues facing Congress and the country in the coming year. Rep. Waxman formed the Safe Climate Caucus in February 2013 to bring attention to the urgent need. Link to video statement

<> In Austin, Energy Secretary Moniz Announces New ARPA-E Solar Projects - In Austin, Energy Secretary Moniz Announces New ARPA-E Solar Projects $30 Million "FOCUS" Program Supports 12 Projects that Develop Cost-Effective Solar Energy. . .

<> NRDC Experts: EPA Carbon Pollution Limits for New Power Plants Workable, Popular and Would Address Climate Change - (February 6, 2014) – The Environmental Protection Agency's proposed limits on carbon pollution from future power plants are realistic, would deliver real results and have attracted broad support nationwide, experts at the Natural Resources Defense Council will say today in a public hearing.

<> W.R. Grace Pays Over $63 Million Toward Cleanup and Restoration of Hazardous Waste Sites in Communities Across the Country (HQ) -

WASHINGTON – Today, Columbia, Md.-based W.R. Grace & Co. under its bankruptcy plan of reorganization, paid over $63 million to the U.S. government to resolve claims for environmental cleanups at approximately 39 sites in 21 states, the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. Includes N-Forcer Site - Dearborn, Mich.

<> EPA to Hold Public Hearing on Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power Plants (HQ) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 6, 2014 on the proposed carbon pollution standards for new. . . 

<> Senior Obama Administration Officials to Join Governor Brown, Mayor Garcetti, Other Leaders in L.A. for Climate Task Force Meeting (HQ) - On Thursday, February 13, senior Obama Administration officials, including White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs David Agnew, U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. . . for the second meeting of President Obama's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience.

• Task Force Information

<> KXL "Contractor Controversy" About to "Get Heated" - When the State Department's long-awaited Final Environmental Impact Statement into the controversial Keystone XL (KXL) pipeline was published last week, the report argued that KXL would not significantly add to global warming. It therefore supposedly passed the test that Obama outlined in a speech last summer when he said he would only approve the pipeline if it. . .

• ERM Global Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

<> IMF chief Lagarde warns of "merciless" climate change - Speaking in London, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde says UN emissions deal and fossil fuel subsidies cut are now global priorities. . .

<> EPA Launches WaterSense H2Otel Challenge to Encourage Water Savings- U.S. EPA launched the WaterSense H2Otel Challenge to encourage hotels to assess water use, learn about the best management practices for reducing water in hotels, and track their results.

<> Current drought reduces hydro generation forecast for California -

(Thu, 06 Feb 2014) Forecasts for the water supply at nearly every major water gauge in the states of California and Nevada were less than half of average seasonal norms as of February 5. The water supply situation has not materially improved since the governor of California declared a state of emergency on January 17. The driest December on record has resulted in nearly 60% of.

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/5/14

<> Farm Bill Passes the Senate - David Rogers reported yesterday at Politico that, "The long-tortured farm bill cleared Congress on Tuesday, ending a two year struggle that split the old farm-food coalition as never before and dramatized the growing isolation of agriculture and rural America in an ever more urban House. "Written off as dead just months ago, the giant five-year measure won final approval. . .

·          Senate Approves Senator Stabenow's 2014 Farm Bill, Legislation Heads to the President - The U.S. Senate today voted overwhelmingly to approve the bipartisan Farm Bill authored by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture. . .

• American Farm Bureau Statement Regarding Senate Passage of Farm Bill

<> U.S. to launch 'climate hubs' to help farmers face climate change - (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's administration will announce on Wednesday the formation of seven "climate hubs" to help farmers and rural communities adapt to extreme weather conditions and other 

<>EPA's 2012 Toxics Release Inventory Shows Air Pollutants Continue to Decline (HQ)- Total releases of toxic chemicals decreased 12 percent from 2011-2012, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report released today. The decrease includes an eight percent decline in total toxic air releases, primarily due to reductions in hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions

<> E.P.A. Staff Struggling to Create Pollution Rule - The new regulation would primarily affect the country's 600 coal-fired power plants, like this one in Texas, and could ultimately shutter hundreds of them. Tom Pennington for The Texas Tribune — In marathon meetings and tense all-day drafting sessions, dozens of lawyers, economists and engineers at the Environmental Protection Agency are struggling to create. . .

<> National Award for Smart Growth Achievement - EPA announced the winners of the 2013 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This year's award recognizes five winners and two honorable mentions in five categories. The Award ceremony is today and recognizes and supports communities that use innovative policies and strategies to develop in ways that protect the environment, provide housing and transportation choices, and strengthen their economies

<> GAO-14-140, Coal Leasing: BLM Could Enhance Appraisal Process, More Explicitly Consider Coal Exports, and Provide More Public Information, December 18, 2013

<> House Democrats Request Hearing on Crude Oil Exports - House Democrats Request Hearing on Crude Oil Exports Request comes on eve of Republican hearing on energy production on public lands. Today, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sent a letter to Chairman Doc Hastings. .  .

<> EPA finalizes first of two E-Manifest rules - Barnes & Thornburg LLP has issued an Environmental Alert on EPA's requirements governing the use of electronic manifests (or e-Manifests) as a means to track hazardous waste under RCRA. The final rule, announced Jan. 13, has not yet been published in the Federal Register and will become effective 180 days after publication.

<> Electricity Reliability and Affordability Act of 2014 - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), introduced the Electricity Reliability and Affordability Act of 2014 (S.1988). The bill would allow states to permanently waive any federal regulation regarding electric generating units for the purpose of power reliability and affordability.

Pipeline rupture report raises questions about TransCanada inspections - A CBC News investigation has unearthed a critical report that the federal regulator effectively buried for several years about a rupture on a trouble-prone TransCanada natural gas pipeline.

<> United Arab Emirates to host meeting ahead of UN chief's climate summit - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Minisiter of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, have announced that the Gulf country will host a high-level meeting in May to generate momentum for concrete actions to be taken at a climate summit Mr. Ban will convene four months later in New York.

<> Tons of illegal waste seized under Operation Demeter III- Customs officials continue to demonstrate leadership in preventing and combating the illegal trafficking of hazardous wastes. A joint global Customs initiative across Europe and the Asia Pacific region netted more than 7,000 metric tons of illegal waste, including hazardous waste, used vehicle parts and tyres, textiles, and e-waste.

<> C40 Releases Landmark Research Detailing a Clear Trend of Expanding and Accelerating Climate Action in the World's Megacities - C40 cities deliver on climate action, nearly doubling reported activities compared to 2011 and proving C40's collaborative, global model is working. . . The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) released landmark research today...

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/3/14

<> Keystone XL Pipeline Project: Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) - US Dept. of State Final Supplemental EIS; Fact Sheet; and US DOS: Keystone Project Site.

·   Remarks on the Release of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Keystone Pipeline - Remarks on the Release of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Keystone Pipeline; Kerri-Ann Jones Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Via Teleconference January 31, 2014

·   TransCanada Corporation welcomed the U.S. Department of State's latest environmental analysis of the Keystone XL Pipeline

·   Keystone pipeline: Obama?s unpleasant options 

·   White House: Obama awaits more Keystone reviews; timing unclear -

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama still wants to hear from other federal agencies before deciding whether to accept the State Department's finding that the Keystone XL pipeline would have no major impact on climate change, his top aide said on Sunday.

<> Friends of the Earth Responds to Keystone XL Environmental Impact Statement - Today the State Department will release its Environmental Impact Statement for the controversial Keystone XL pipeline. Below is a statement from Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica: "The State Department’s environmental review of the Keystone XL pipeline is a farce. Since the beginning of the assessment, the oil industry has had a direct pipeline into the agency. Perhaps

·   President Has All Information Needed to Reject Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline- The following is a statement by Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, international program director of the Natural Resources Defense Council, on the State Department’s final environmental impact statement for the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline

·   Obama Administration Pushes Disastrous Keystone XL Closer to Approval

<> Committee Leaders Respond to Final Keystone XL Environmental Impact Statement - WASHINGTON, DC – House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders responded to the U.S. State Department’s release of the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Keystone XL pipeline application, which includes the proposed reroute through Nebraska. “Finally, after months of unexplained delays, the State Department has issued its fifth and final environmental. . .

·          Boehner: President Obama Out of Excuses on Keystone Jobs - House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement today after the State Department issued its latest report on the Keystone XL Pipeline: “President Obama is out of excuses.  The fact that he has let a final decision on the Keystone pipeline project – and the more than 100,000 jobs that come with it – languish for more than five years is 

·   Sen. Murkowski Comments on State Report on Keystone XL - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) commented on the Obama administration’s release of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the Keystone XL Pipeline 

<> Keystone XL Pipeline Passes Supplemental EIS - AFPM Calls on President Obama to End Delay of Approval - Keystone XL Pipeline Passes Supplemental EIS - AFPM Calls on President Obama to End Delay of Approval 2014-01-31 American Fuel &amp; Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President Charles T. Drevna issued the following statement on the Keystone XL Pipeline Supplement EIS. . .

·          Obama administration moves closer to approving Keystone XL - American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard welcomed the outcome of the Department of State’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Keystone XL pipeline.

<> Senator Boxer's Statement on the Latest Development on Keystone XL Pipeline

<> Senate Continues Farm Bill Consideration Monday, February 3, 2014 - The Senate stands adjourned until 2:00pm on Monday, February 3, 2014. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of the conference report to accompany H.R.2642, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013. The time until 5:30pm will be equally divided and controlled between the two Leaders or their designees. . .

<> The Global Climate in Context — 2013 in Review - In a not-so-extraordinary 2013 calendar year, IPCC’s higher estimate of potential sea-level rise by 2100 — in a worst case, up to one meter — may be the most notable in terms of the planet’s overall climate developments. 

<> Lake Ice In Northern Alaska Shows A “Dramatic” Decline In 20 Years, Study Finds - Mendenhall Lake in Juneau, Alaska. CREDIT: AP Photo/Becky Bohrer Winter ice cover on Alaska’s lakes has declined over the last 20 years, a new study has found. The study, published in The Cryosphere, looked at radar satellite radar imagery from lakes in Alaska’s North Slope and found a decrease in “grounded ice” — or ice frozen completely to the bottom of a lake — of 22 percent. . . 

<> Natural Gas: A Bridge to the Future or Bridge to Nowhere? - In his latest State of the Union address, President Obama once again called natural gas a "bridge" to the clean energy future. But is the resource really all the industry claims? We'll take a nuanced look at dynamics in the natural gas market, and ask whether it's helpful or hurtful to renewable energy. We'll also discuss the energy and climate piece of Obama's State of the Union Speech,

<> Nuclear vs. renewables: Divided they fall - Climate activists have split into two warring camps. That plays right into the hands of fossil fuel interests. . .

<> Canadian Arctic Warming Unprecedented In 120,000 Years - Recent warming has been unprecedented in speed, scale, and cause. Last year, we reported on a study that found the rate of warming since 1900 is 50 times greater than the rate of cooling in the previous 5000 years, which threatens to destroy the stable climate that enabled civilization. . .

<> Solutions for a Sustainable Future - What are the 100 solutions that can make real a sustainable society? Sustainia and partners now launch a global campaign to find the questions. The goal is to identify a guide to the world’s 100 leading sustainability projects and technologies across sectors as food, fashion, energy, smart homes.

<> World Wetlands Day 2014 Focuses on Wetlands and Agriculture - February 2nd each year is World Wetlands Day, the Ramsar Convention chose Wetlands & Agriculture as the World Wetlands Day theme for 2014.

<> SAB Report- Science Advisory Board (SAB) Consideration of EPA Planned Actions in the Spring 2013 Unified (Regulatory) Agenda and their Supporting Science

<> SAB Report - Concern about the Future of the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship Program

<> Final report of CRC-9 meeting released - The final report of the ninth meeting of the Chemical Review Committee has been published in the six official UN languages.

<> Lower emissions cap for Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative takes effect in 2014 - (Mon, 03 Feb 2014) Initiative (RGGI) cap and trade program for carbon dioxide (CO2) decided to lower the program's emissions cap by 45% starting in 2014. RGGI is intended to limit CO2 emissions from electric power plants in the Northeast.

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 1/31/14

<> Broad Coalition of Stakeholders Announce Effort to Ensure Affordable and Reliable Energy- The Partnership for a Better Energy Future, which comprises groups representing consumers and businesses from sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, refining and mining, will serve as the leading voice in support of a unified strategy and message in response to the Obama Administration's GHG regulatory agenda.

<> EPA Commits to Deadline for Final Action on Coal Ash Rule - EPA will take final action on coal ash standards by the end of the year, according to a settlement reached by EPA and groups involved in a lawsuit against the agency. The consent decree, filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, requires EPA to publish notice of a final action by Dec. 19, 2014.

• Committee Leaders Respond to Coal Ash Consent Decree -

WASHINGTON, DC – House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders responded today to the consent decree filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that establishes a deadline of December 19, 2014, for the Environmental Protection Agency to take a final action on the coal ash rule that was proposed in June 2010. The committee leaders called on the Senate to. . . 

<> EPA Releases Climate Assessment Update To National Stormwater Calculator (HQ) - EPA released phase II of the National Stormwater Calculator and Climate Assessment Tool package. The updated calculator includes future climate vulnerability scenarios. The calculator is a desktop application that estimates the annual amount of stormwater . .

<> EPA and Freddie Mac to Cut Carbon Pollution and Increase Affordability of Multifamily Buildings (HQ) - WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Energy Star program and Freddie Mac have signed an agreement that will help to cut carbon pollution while increasing the affordability of multifamily housing properties. The agreement outlines strategies to save water, energy and money for multifamily property owners and residents. . .

<> White House Releases Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region- Today the White House released the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for the Arctic Region. The Administration solicited input from Alaska Natives, the State of Alaska, Congress, academia, industry and others to develop an Implementation Plan that sets forth the guidelines for Federal Departments and Agencies to execute the National Strategy for the Arctic Region.

<> Ground-breaking new study reports double-digit growth in market performance of "eco-labels"- GENEVA—January 31, 2014—Private sector sourcing commitments are driving major market growth for sustainable commodities, according to the State of Sustainability Initiatives (SSI) Review 2014 published today by an alliance of international organisations.   The SSI Review 2014 provides a bird's eye view of market and performance trends of the 16 most prevalent. . .

Cardin, Collins Lead Senate Effort To Protect Advanced Biofuel Incentives That Move Beyond Corn-Based Ethanol - Writing in support of advanced biofuel incentives that move beyond corn-based ethanol, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) and eight of their senate colleagues have urged Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy to reconsider proposed reductions to the volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

<> Ban Ki-moon selects Bloomberg as cities and climate change envoy - Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg will be announced as the UN's special envoy for cities and climate change in the next 24 hours.

<> Rep. Henry A. Waxman Announces Plans to Retire from Congress - Rep. Henry A. Waxman, a senior Democrat from California, who has played a leading role in the enactment of major health, consumer protection, environmental, telecommunications, and good government laws, released the following statement announcing his decision not to seek reelection to the House this fall.

·          Statement from the President on the Retirement of Representative Henry Waxman - Early in the 20th Century, Henry Waxman's grandparents came to America, the land of opportunity, and found a place where they could build a better life for themselves and their families.  Over the course of 40 years in Congress, their grandson has fought to give every American family that same chance.  Thanks to Henry's leadership, Americans breathe cleaner air, drink cleaner water. . .

<> Human cause of global warming is near certainty, UN reports - 30 January – Global warming is unequivocal, human influence has been the dominant cause since the mid-20th century, and atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, already at levels not seen in at least 800,000 years, will persist for many centuries, the final version of the latest United Nations report on climate change warned today.

<> Securing crop biodiversity is key to feeding world's growing population– UN study - 30 January – Seeking to ensure that the world can feed a fast growing population, expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, the United Nations today published voluntary international standards to improve conservation of the crops that are crucial to food security by preserving biodiversity in gene banks and in the field.

<> Launching scientific advisory board, Ban urges bridging gap between science, policy - 30 January – The United Nations must use science and technology to strengthen its policy-making on sustainable development, reducing inequality and eradicating extreme poverty, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said launching his advisory board of scientists.

<> Next up for Keystone XL: the question of national interest will show that the tar sands pipeline must be rejected – NRDC's Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, Director International Program, Washington, D.C. As the assessment of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline enters the final stages with the release of the final environmental review, there are a lot of questions about what we can expect. Bottom line: the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is a project that brings risk with no reward.

• Keystone pipeline review looming, likely to show little climate risk -

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department is poised to issue an environmental review of the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline that will likely say the project will not appreciably increase carbon emissions, sources said late Thursday, forcing President Barack Obama closer to a tough decision.

<> China sets new world record for solar installations - Source: Guardian - China installed a record 12GW of solar power in 2013, doubling its rate of solar installations, according to preliminary figures. This is more than has ever been installed by any country in a single year and means that China installed three times more solar energy in 2013 than the total UK solar capacity.