[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 3/19/15

 

National / International News

<> White House FACT SHEET: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Federal Government and Across the Supply Chain - Today President Obama will issue an Executive Order that will cut the Federal Government's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 40 percent over the next decade from 2008 levels -- saving taxpayers up to $18 billion in avoided energy costs -- and increase the share of electricity the Federal Government consumes from renewable sources to 30 percent. Obama Takes New Actions to Curb Carbon Pollution - President Obama today signed an executive order that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by the federal government by 40 percent from 2008 levels over the next 10 years.

<> House Speaker John Boehner discussed Republicans' pro-growth, balanced budget - "Our budget will balance, but it's also about growing our economy, growing jobs and building economic strength for our future." Budget Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) Op-Ed in The USA Today – "we balance the federal budget in less than ten years by reducing spending by $5.5 trillion — without accounting gimmicks or higher taxes." House GOP Fiscal Year 2016 Balanced Budget White House FACT SHEET: House Republican Budget Resolution: Same Failed Top-Down Economics - With more than 12 million private-sector jobs created over the last 60 months, it is clear that the President's middle class economic agenda is working. QUIZ: If You Were In Charge of the Nation's Budget, What Would You Do?

<> February 2015 Global Climate Report - The globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for February 2015 was second highest for the month.

<> Voices of Experience: Insights into Advanced Distribution Management Systems report - DOE formed the Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) Working Group by assembling a leadership team of representatives from the utility industry with the mission to collect the experiences, insights, and lessons learned from implementing these systems.

<> "Winter" in Alaska - The extreme atmospheric pressure pattern that favored record-breaking snow totals across parts of the U.S. East left Alaskans asking, "Where's winter?"

<> NOAA Regional Land Cover Change Reports - NOAA's Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) has released reports for U.S. coastal regions summarizing land cover status in 2010 and land cover changes over the previous decade and a half -- covering Great Lakes; Gulf Coast; Northeast; Southeast; and West Coast

<> U.S.-China Ten-Year Framework for Energy and Environment Cooperation and Climate Change Working Group Meetings in Beijing, China - U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern, Acting Assistant Secretary Judith Garber for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs Jonathan Elkind, travel to Beijing, March 18–20, 2015 for a series of meetings on climate change and environmental cooperation.

<> House Hearing On Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act - The Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy hearing on "H.R. ___, Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015" - background, webcast, testimony Citizens Excluded From Hearing On Bill That Would Weaken Ash Rules - One hundred and forty three people who live near coal ash dumps in 19 states sent a letter to complain that they are being excluded from a hearing tomorrow on a bill that would weaken federal coal ash regulations

<> Energy Department Selects 11 Tribal Communities to Deploy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Technologies - DOE announced that 11 tribal communities will receive nearly $6 million to accelerate the implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies on tribal lands. [no Michigan-based tribes included]

<> Minnesota Governor: Farmers should 'look into their souls' on buffer plan - Laying the blame for many of the state's polluted waters squarely at the feet of agriculture, Gov. Dayton asked Minnesota farmers to "look into their souls" and support his proposal to buffer nearly every public water in the state from row crops and their associated runoff. Governor Proposes Buffer Initiative to Protect, Improve Water Quality

<>  Final Suit Routing Genetically Engineered Crops and Related Practices from Refuges - (Beyond Pesticides, March 19, 2015) A federal court ruled Monday against the use of neonicotinoid insecticides linked with destruction of bee colonies and other beneficial insects in national wildlife refuges in the Midwest region.

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

<> Great Lakes land cover change chronicled in new NOAA report - A new NOAA report says four percent of the U.S. Great Lakes region saw changes to its land cover--paved surfaces, trees, forests, grasses, and wetlands--from 1996 to 2010 -- that figure represents 7,144 square miles, almost the equivalent of Lake Ontario's surface area. Additional Lake Michigan Basin Land Cover Change Report - A special basin-focused report covering 1985 to 2010

<> Corps to host "Waterways, Wetlands, and You!" informational forum - This event, facilitated by the Corps' Regulatory staff, will provide an overview of the Corps' Regulatory Program and give the public an opportunity to ask questions directly to the team members that review permit applications and enforce permit laws and regulations. Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thursday, May 14, 2015, 1:00PM

<> Bipartisan group in Congress urges no Great Lakes fund cuts - Members of Congress from both parties are lobbying colleagues not to cut funding from a key Great Lakes environmental program

<> Issue 3, Vol. 3, of the IJC Newsletter - The International Joint Commission (IJC) latest newsletter

<> WI State Senate passes bill to ban "microbeads," tiny bits of plastic in soap and toothpaste - Wisconsin is joining the nationwide push to ban a key plastic exfoliant in soap, toothpaste and other personal care products out of fear it's leading to water pollution.

Michigan News

<> Gov. Snyder: Michigan Agency for Energy will guide state work toward affordable, reliable solutions - The Governor said, "Michiganders need to know they'll have access to affordable, reliable energy long into the future, and a new agency will focus on coordinating efforts and decisions as the state looks to replace retiring plants with newer, cleaner sources." Executive Order 2015-10 – A major restructuring of some state bodies and creating the Michigan Agency for Energy within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, to be headed by Valerie Brader, now a deputy legal counsel and senior policy advisor specializing in energy issues

<> Snyder lauds 'thoughtful' U-M report on hydraulic fracturing - Gov. Rick Snyder praised a recent University of Michigan hydraulic fracturing report last week and said its findings helped shape changes to state rules regarding the natural gas and oil extraction process commonly known as fracking. Hydraulic Fracturing in Michigan Integrated Assessment Report - The deadline for submitting comments was March 13; the final report is expected this summer.

<> MI Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development passes resolution supporting investment in state's roads - During its regular meeting, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development passed a resolution supporting investment in the state's roads and infrastructure Sierra Club Endorses Proposal 1

<> Rover Pipeline LLC Notice of Applications - FERC notice of application for a 711-mile new interstate pipeline through the States of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan -- how to become involved in the FERC review

<> Michigan Sea Grant Fisheries Workshops - The 5 workshops in April at various locations in Michigan, focus on current research and information related to the regional status of Great Lakes fisheries.

<> Michigan Tech Celebrates World Water Day - Water is a natural resource none of us can live without. Every year, in recognition of this vital resource and the challenges it presents to people all over the world, Michigan Tech celebrates World Water Day.

<> Billionaire Matty Moroun needs a Detroit park for his new bridge to Canada - The Ambassador Bridge owner, despite years of losing court battles and public backlash, still wants to build a second span over the Detroit River, and over Riverside Park in Detroit

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).

 

Daily Activity (3/18/15)

IN THE SENATE

SB 0217 of 2015 Property tax; classification; reference to qualified forest in qualified agriculture definition; remove. [COMMITTEE]

 

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 3/18/15

 

National / International News

<> House Hearing On "Waters of the United States" Proposal - The House Agriculture Committee, Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing on the EPA-Corps of Engineers propoal defining "Waters of the United States" or WOTUS. [links to statements, testimony] U.S. EPA's WOTUS website All EPA documents related to the WOTUS proposal

<> Sens. Manchin, Thune Introduce Bill to Block Expensive EPA Regulation that Hinders Economic Opportunities - Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Thune (R-SD) introduced legislation to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing costly regulations that would increase energy prices, curb job growth and hinder economic opportunities by setting the ground-level ozone standard at an unprecedented low level -- The Clean Air, Strong Economies (CASE) Act. S. 751: A bill to improve the establishment of any lower ground-level ozone standards ACC Welcomes Reintroduction of CASE Act

<> House Passes Lucas Bill to Promote Scientific Integrity at EPA - The House of Representatives passed (236-181) the bipartisan EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act (H.R.1029), introduced by Science, Space, and Technology Committee Vice-Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) which they say brings fairness, transparency, and independence to the EPA's expert panel. H.R. 1029: EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015 Roll Call vote

<> Secretary Jewell Offers Vision for Balanced, Prosperous Energy Future - In remarks today at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell laid out the Department's priorities for strengthening our nation's economy with a balanced, prosperous energy future over the next two years.

<> Senators Stabenow, Graham Introduce Bill to Toughen Trade Enforcement - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Co-chairs of the Senate Manufacturing Caucus, introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure American businesses and workers can compete fairly in a global marketplace. S. 758: A bill to establish an Interagency Trade Enforcement Center in the Office of the United States Trade Representative

<> Coal Ash Resources page updated - NW&RA Waste & Recycling Asso  has updated its  Coal Ash Resources page with a new technical brief on the effects of coal ash on an MSW landfill.

<> Chemistry Industry Highlights Manufacturing Growth at Natural Gas Caucus Briefing - The shale gas production boom has made America one of the world's lowest-cost producers of basic petrochemicals, with a decisive competitive advantage in global markets.

<> Weather reports from the future - The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) invited television weather presenters from around the world to imagine a "weather report from the year 2050" -- What they created are only possible scenarios, of course, and not true forecasts. Nevertheless, they are based on the most up-to-date climate science, and they paint a compelling picture of what life could be like on a warmer planet.

<> Members of Congress Call for Listing Monarch Butterfly as Threatened - (Beyond Pesticides March 18, 2015) Fifty-two members of Congress penned a letter to the White House calling for the protection of the Monarch butterfly, which has declined by 90 percent in the last 20 years, and for listing as a 'threatened' species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

<> Alfonso Rodriguez v. Secretary of Department of Environment - 3/16/15. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, Case No. 14-3467 (not precedential). Dr. Rodriguez challenges § 3222.1 of Act 13, which provides two mechanisms for health professionals to learn proprietary information about the chemicals used in fracking. The District Court dismissed the case for lack of standing, and the Appeals Court affirmed.

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).

<> AIR QUALITY - Final Rule. U.S. EPA - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Off-Site Waste and Recovery Operations

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> Asian Carp Canada GLIN Site of the Month - Asian Carp Canada, built and maintained by the Invasive Species Centre, has been selected to be the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN) Site of the Month for March 2015

<> Coalition Grants Available to Help Groups Secure Federal Funding - This is just a reminder that the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition has up to $104,000 in funding available to help groups participate in federal Great Lakes restoration efforts.

<> Recapping Great Lakes Days 2015 - Posted on March 17, 2015. Great Lakes Day was a tremendous success! In February, around 100 Coalition members and partners met with lawmakers in Washington D.C. to advocate for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and other Coalition priorities.

Michigan News

<> Native American groups seek injunction against MDNR on Graymont land transfer proposal - A group of American Indians from northern Michigan filed for an injunction in federal court in Grand Rapids seeking to bar the Director of Michigan's Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), Keith Craegh, from approving a land transfer to Graymont Mining Company.

<> Gov. Snyder approves $24.7 million in outdoor recreation development, acquisition grants - The Governor signed legislation creating more outdoor recreation opportunities for local communities and authorizing nearly $24.7 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grants.

<> Natural Resources Commission to meet Thursday in Roscommon – MDNR Director Creagh is scheduled to announce his decisions on several land transactions, including a revised land transaction application submitted by Graymont, Inc. -- links to more information about the Natural Resources Commission, including full agendas and meeting minutes

<> Permit to Install Alpine Power Plant (Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc.) - PTI application for two gas-fired, simple-cycle combustion turbine generators (CTGs), a new diesel-fired emergency generator, a new diesel-fueled fire pump, and two new natural gas-fired fuel heaters at a Greenfield site located near Elmira, Michigan (west of the City of Gaylord, Michigan).

<> Wind Farm Critics Want To Stop Expansion In Upper Peninsula - GARDEN, Mich. (AP) – Critics of the first wind energy farm in the Upper Peninsula are asking a judge to intervene before more turbines are erected in an area known as the Garden Peninsula.

<> Increasing state's renewable energy standard - Just days after Gov. Rick Snyder announced his goals for renewable energy and energy efficiency, Michigan Clean Water Action delivered more than 10,000 letters from Michiganders across the state to Snyder

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).

 

Daily Activity (3/17/15)

IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

HB 4078 of 2015 (PA 7 of 2015, IE: 3/17/15 Appropriations; capital outlay; Michigan natural resources trust fund; provide appropriations

 

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 3/17/15

 

National / International News

<> House Hearing On EPA's Proposed 111(d) Rule for Existing Power Plants: Legal and Cost Issues - Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) said today's hearing will focus on legal and cost issues relating to EPA's proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) rule for existing power plants under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, referred to by the agency as the "Clean Power Plan." [background, webcast & testimony] EPA's Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule website

<> Leading Legal Scholars, Public Interest Lawyers Call Industry's Chemical Reform Bill 'Deeply Problematic' for Human Health - A group of top legal scholars, law professors and public interest lawyers with years of collective experience in public health law, including state and federal toxics policy, took issue with the industry-backed legislation filed last week by Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM) and David Vitter (R-LA) to update the federal chemicals safety law. S. 697: A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) will hold a legislative hearing on S.697, Wednesday, March 18

<> New Funding Opportunity to Develop Larger Wind Turbine Blades - DOE announced $1.8 million in funding for the development of larger wind turbine blades that will help capture more power from wind resources and increase the efficiency of wind energy systems.

<> What's The True Cost of Gasoline? - When all the impacts are considered we are actually paying $6.25 for a gallon of regular or $7.72 for a gallon of diesel -- the question is: How is this figured, and who exactly is paying for it?

<> EPA Issues Report on Pennsylvania Animal Agriculture Programs - The assessment is one of six that the agency is conducting of state animal agriculture programs within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed -- EPA conducts periodic reviews of state programs as part of its oversight responsibilities under the Clean Water Act. EPA Issues Report on Virginia Animal Agriculture Programs

<> Winter's finally over: How did the NOAA Climate Outlook do? - Mike Halpert from the Climate Prediction Center grades the winter forecast. Temperature outlooks fared quite well, but precipitation forecasts were not that great.

<> A Call to Change Recycling Standards as 3-D Printing Expands - Buying plastic filament for printing can be expensive, says Joshua Pearce, the lead researcher in the Open Sustainability Technology group at Michigan Technological University. Pearce and his students have whittled the cost of printing to ten cents per kilogram — down from $30 per kilogram -- by recycling plastic that had already been printed, using a recyclebot and plastic resin codes developed by the team.

<> Study Shows the Benefits of Pesticide-free Pollinator Habitat - (Beyond Pesticides, March 17, 2015) Foraging bumblebees would prefer to dodge traffic rather than pesticides and other agricultural chemicals

<> Half a Million Americans Call on the EPA to Strengthen Smog Pollution Protections - During the EPA comment period on the smog standard which ends today, the Sierra Club and a coalition of clean air advocates - including groups like American Lung Association, the American Association of Pediatrics, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club and Moms Clean Air Force - organized thousands of Americans to submit comments API urges administration to keep existing ozone standard - The administration should keep the current ozone standards of 75 parts per billion, which are not only the strictest standards ever imposed; they have yet to be fully implemented EPA's Website on its Proposal to Update the Air Quality Standards for Ground-Level Ozone

<> Lawsuit Launched to Protect Endangered Wildlife From New, Toxic Pesticide - EPA recognized that flupyradifurone could harm wildlife protected under the Endangered Species Act but failed to consult with expert wildlife agencies as required by the Act before approving it on January 14, 2015

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

<> Communities for a Better Environment v. U.S. EPA – 3/16/15. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Case No. 13-70167 (unpublished). Environmental groups challenged issues relating to Los Angeles air quality. The Panel denied the petition saying among other things, "EPA was neither arbitrary nor capricious in determining that the credits transferred to Sentinel were quantifiable and surplus."

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

<> Stabenow vows to fight for Great Lakes funding, pipeline review - Stabenow said she is not satisfied with ongoing efforts to bolster the public trust in a set of more than 60-year-old pipelines carrying petroleum under water in the Straits of Mackinac -- Citing advanced technology available to automatically stop the flow of oil through a pipeline in the event of a rupture or spill as one example, she said it's time to take precautionary action against such a threat to the Great Lakes. Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force website

<> Blue Water Area home to most sturgeon in Great Lakes - There are more lake sturgeon in the waters touching St. Clair County, MI than in any other spot in the Great Lakes -- and the population of the threatened species appears to be growing -- current estimate is in the 50,000-fish ballpark

<> Agenda for the Great Lakes Advisory Board teleconference March 19 - teleconference number is 877-744-6030; the participant code is 83810127 Great Lakes Restoration Public Engagement website

Michigan News

<> Gov. Creates New Department of Talent and Economic Development - Gov. Snyder said the launch of the Department, through Executive Order 2014-12, demonstrates that Michigan is taking the lead in closing the talent gap by preparing its people for the highly skilled, technical jobs of today and tomorrow

<> New State Revolving Fund Requirements for Fiscal Year 2016 - State Revolving Fund (SRF) projects coming in for fiscal year 2016 funding and beyond will need to comply with new federal statute requirements listed here

<> MDNR completes latest moose population survey - The results of its 2015 moose population survey in the western moose range of the Upper Peninsula indicates the 2015 population estimate is 323, compared to an estimate of 451 in 2013

<> Michigan Energy Office Student Internship Program Project Solicitation for Agribusiness - The program is designed to help agribusinesses implement innovative but commercially available energy efficient technologies that will help them reduce energy usage and costs while providing unique opportunities to students to gain real-world work experience.

<> DTE's costly strategy on Fermi 3 - Jeff Alson is an environmental engineer who has promoted sustainable transportation policies at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Ann Arbor since 1978. He is also a member of the Alliance to Halt Fermi 3

<> MSU to provide funding for campus sustainability research - MSU's Office of Sustainability is now accepting applications for its Sustainability Fellows Program. The new program seeks to engage MSU faculty and graduate students in research opportunities that directly impact and advance sustainability on campus.

<> C&D Waste Recycling Training-March 19th 2015 in Lansing - Michigan Recycling Coalition is sponsoring this WasteCap training

<> Annual reports for seven Wetland Wonders - Michigan's Wetland Wonders are the seven premier Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas in the state: Fennville Farm Unit at the Allegan State Game Area (Allegan County), Fish Point State Wildlife Area (Tuscola County), St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island (St. Clair County), Muskegon County Wastewater Facility (Muskegon County), Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (Bay County), Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Monroe and Wayne counties) and Shiawassee River State Game Area (Saginaw County).

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).