Pope Francis Aligns Himself With Mainstream Science on Climate

<> Pope Francis Aligns Himself With Mainstream Science on Climate - If anything, environmental scientists say, the pope may have bent over backward to offer a cautious interpretation of the scientific facts. Pope Francis, in Sweeping Encyclical, Calls for Swift Action on Climate Change - The vision that Francis outlined in the 184-page encyclical is sweeping in ambition and scope -- He described a relentless exploitation and destruction of the environment, for which he blamed apathy, the reckless pursuit of profits, excessive faith in technology and political shortsightedness. 10 key excerpts from Pope Francis's encyclical on the environment U.S. Energy Secretary Moniz' Statement on Papal Encyclical on Climate Change ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI' OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME

Sen. EPW Oversight Hearing On EPA Final Rule to Regulate Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals

<> Sen. EPW Oversight Hearing On EPA Final Rule to Regulate Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals - Statements, witness testimony & webcast

Pope Francis warns of destruction of Earth's ecosystem in leaked encyclical

<> Pope Francis warns of destruction of Earth's ecosystem in leaked encyclical - Vatican condemns early release of document in which pontiff calls on people to change their lifestyles and energy consumption or face grave consequences Full copy of the Pope's expected "climate encyclical" leaked, with translated sections Pope Francis blasts global warming deniers in leaked draft of encyclical - A draft of a major environmental document by Pope Francis says "the bulk of global warming" is caused by human activity and calls on people — especially the world's rich — to take steps to mitigate the damage by reducing consumption and reliance on fossil fuels.

World Energy Outlook Special Report on Energy and Climate Change

<> World Energy Outlook Special Report on Energy and Climate Change - A peak in global energy-related emissions could be achieved as early as 2020 and at no net economic cost, the International Energy Agency said today in its new report The World Energy Outlook Special Report on Energy and Climate Change

Governments Shift Gear To Deliver Paris Agreement

<> Governments Shift Gear To Deliver Paris Agreement - The road map to a new universal climate agreement will step into a higher gear over the next two months as the world works towards Paris in December -- negotiations in mid-July will begin shaping what will be the Paris agreement -- the so called 'Paris Package' Non-State Actors to Curb Emissions Can Help Win the Fight against Climate Change - New UN Report - savings of close to 1.8 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) in 2020 are possible

Administration Announces Actions to Bring Jobs and Clean Energy to Rural America

<> Administration Announces Actions to Bring Jobs and Clean Energy to Rural America - Financing Hundreds Of Projects To Reduce Carbon Pollution In Rural Communities President Obama is committed to combating climate change to protect future generations while supporting a strong rural economy.

Global Citizens' Views on Climate Change

<> Global Citizens' Views on Climate Change - 10,000 sampled; almost 80 per cent of citizens across the globe are very concerned about the impacts of climate change, but close to 70 per cent also see action to combat it as an opportunity to improve their quality of life -- largest ever citizen consultation on climate change carried out by the more than 100 partners of the World Wide Views Alliance in the run up to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP 21), taking place this December.

Public-Private Partnership to Empower Climate-Resilient Developing Nations

<> Fact Sheet: Launching a Public-Private Partnership to Empower Climate-Resilient Developing Nations - The Obama Administration is announcing the launch of an international public-private partnership to empower developing nations to boost their own climate resilience -- Climate Services for Resilient Development, will provide needed climate services – including actionable science, data, information, tools, and training – to developing countries that are working to strengthen their national resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Both Sides Claim Victory Over EPA Fracking Study: NPR

<> Both Sides Claim Victory Over EPA Fracking Study: NPR - The EPA found no evidence that hydraulic fracturing has led to widespread, systemic pollution to drinking water -- Now, two important things there - first, it found no evidence -- That doesn't mean it's not happening, just that in this big study of the science available, the EPA didn't find evidence. Just Released Fracking Study is First Step in "Putting Drinking Water First" - The Assessment includes literature review and new research on dozens of topics related to how fracking threatens drinking water; and "smashes the myth that there can be oil and gas development without impacts to drinking water." EPA's draft assessment – [See eNewsUSA blog post for links to all details] NRDC Statement on EPA Draft Study of Fracking & Drinking Water Risks EDF Statement on EPA's Water Study of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas EPA Confirms that Fracking Poses a Risk to Drinking Water API: EPA hydraulic fracturing review confirms safety Upton Comments On EPA's Hydraulic Fracturing Assessment Markey Statement on EPA's Draft Assessment of Hydraulic Fracturing and Drinking Water Bishop: EPA Study Damaging to Administration's Push for Federal Fracturing Rule Smith: EPA Report Backs Fracking Inhofe Statement on EPA's Report Confirming Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing Sen. Murkowski: EPA Study Confirms Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing

EPA Releases Draft Assessment on the Potential Impacts to Drinking Water Resources from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities

<> EPA Releases Draft Assessment on the Potential Impacts to Drinking Water Resources from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities - The assessment, done at the request of Congress, shows that while hydraulic fracturing activities in the U.S. are carried out in a way that have not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources, there are potential vulnerabilities in the water lifecycle that could impact drinking water -- the water used for hydraulic fracturing from water acquisition, chemical mixing at the well pad site, well injection of fracking fluids, the collection of hydraulic fracturing wastewater (including flowback and produced water), and wastewater treatment and disposal  EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources Also released today were nine peer-reviewed EPA scientific reports Science Advisory Board Review Public webinar: Today, Friday, June 5, 2015 at 2PM EDT

House Hearing EPA Regulatory Overreach: Impacts on American Competitiveness

<> House Hearing EPA Regulatory Overreach: Impacts on American Competitiveness - Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) opened saying, "Over the last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released some of the most expensive and expansive regulations in its history -- these rules will cost billions of dollars, place a heavy burden on American families and diminish the competitiveness of American industry around the world. [Charter, statement, testimony & webcast] Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) American Chemistry Council (ACC) statement

OMB Responds to GOP Reduced Priority Spending Levels

<> OMB Responds to GOP Reduced Priority Spending Levels - OMB says House and Senate Republicans have started to show how they plan to budget at discretionary levels that are the lowest in a decade, adjusted for inflation -- compared to the President's Budget, their budget will force cuts in areas critical to the economy and the middle-class, ranging from research to education to environmental protection, as well as in national security priorities, ranging from homeland security to peacekeeping and foreign assistance to the base defense budget. OMB's letter to House Chairman Rogers On Energy & Water Development OMB's letter to Senate Chairman Cochran On Energy & Water Development

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EPA Climate Plan Sent to White House For Review

<> EPA Climate Plan Sent to White House For Review - U.S. EPA has sent its rules on carbon emissions for existing power plants to the White House Office of Management and Budget for a final review before being finalized in August Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units EPA Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule website OK Governor Mary Fallin Issues Order Standing up to EPA Overreach – 4/28/15. Order states that Oklahoma will not file a State Implementation Plan (SIP) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulating carbon dioxide emissions produced by Oklahoma power plants.

 

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Next Round of UN Climate Negotiations,Bonn, June 1-11

<> Next Round of UN Climate Negotiations,Bonn, June 1-11 - Work on the text of the Paris 2015 universal climate agreement will continue in Bonn as of Monday, June 1, at a 10-day meeting to continue progress on addressing the most effective ways to raise climate action before 2020, which is when the new agreement would come into effect. Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2015 Live & On-Demand webcasts

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 5/29/15

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National / International News

<> Remarks by the President at the Annual Hurricane Season Outlook and Preparedness Briefing – "The best climate scientists in the world are telling us that extreme weather events like hurricanes are likely to become more powerful -- Climate change didn't cause Hurricane Sandy, but it might have made it stronger." FEMA 2015 National Preparedness Report Follow Along: @POTUS Answers Your Questions on Climate Change

<> EPA Proposes Increases in Renewable Fuel Levels - Today the EPA announced proposed volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, and 2016, and also proposed volume requirements for biomass-based diesel for 2017 EPA's RVO Decision is Not What the Statute Intended, Not in the Best Interest of Consumers – [Renewable Fuels Association] Unfortunately, the EPA continues to cling to the "blend wall" methodology that falsely claims ethanol has reached its saturation point at a 10 percent ethanol blend and that higher-level ethanol blends, such as E15 and E85, are not yet large enough to justify a higher RVO. [renewable volume obligations]

<> Moving Forward our Regulatory Partnerships with Canada - U.S. Federal Departments and Agencies together with Canadian Ministries have been working to develop new frameworks for cooperation since the release of the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) Joint Forward Plan last August.

<> Barnes & Thornburg LLP Alert On WOTUS - Barnes & Thornburg LLP issued an Environmental Law Alert indicating, "Although EPA claims that the rule actually narrows the scope of EPA and Army Corp jurisdiction, critics have asserted that the new rule broadens the agencies authority to regulate waters that should be exempted."

<> Energy Department Authorizes Alaska LNG Project, LLC to Export Liquefied Natural Gas - Subject to environmental review and final regulatory approval, Alaska LNG, in the Nikiski Area of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska is authorized to export LNG up to the equivalent of 2.55 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas for a period of 30 years.

<> EPA Takes Strong Steps to Better Protect Bees from Pesticides - To further support President Obama's Federal Pollinator Strategy, the U.S. EPA is proposing additional restrictions on the use of acutely toxic pesticides during times when bees are most likely to be present. EPA Proposes Ban on Some Toxic Pesticide Spraying While Bees at Work Canadian Senate Committee Report Finds Neonicotinoids Play Role in Bee Mortality

<> Ford Offers Electric Vehicle Technology Patents to Competitors - Ford Motor Company is offering competitors access to its electrified vehicle technology patents – a move to help accelerate industry-wide research and development of electrified vehicles.

<> USDA to Invest Up to $100 Million to Boost Infrastructure for Renewable Fuel Use, Seeking to Double Number of Higher Blend Renewable Fuel Pumps - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest up to $100 million in a Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership to support the infrastructure needed to make more renewable fuel options available to American consumers

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

<> Sierra Club v. Bureau of Land Management - 5/28/15. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Case No. 13-1583. The panel affirmed the district court's judgment upholding the decision of the United States Bureau of Land Management to grant a right-of-way over federal land for a wind energy project developed on private land by intervenor North Sky River Energy, LLC.

<> Pebble LP v. U.S. EPA - 5/28/15. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Case No. 14-35845, Unpublished opinion. Plaintiffs-appellants Pebble Limited Partnership and Alaska Peninsula Corporation appeal from the district court's order dismissing their complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1). The Appeals Court affirmed the decision of the district court.

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).

<> TOXICS - Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA - Proposal To Mitigate Exposure to Bees From Acutely Toxic Pesticide Products; Notice of Availability

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> Webinar: Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes - The International Joint Commission (IJC) invites you to join a public webinar and teleconference at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Thursday, June 4, 2015 regarding a consultants' draft report on the Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes. IJC Ten Year Review "Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes" - 10 years in defending the lakes from diversions, bulk exports and large-scale withdrawals -- comments on the draft report until June 30, 2015.

Michigan News

<> MI Brownfields 2015 Grant Award Fact Sheets - [begin PDF page 95] Alger County, Detroit, Downriver Community Conference, Genesee County Land Bank Authority, Jackson County, Lansing, & Muskegon Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Brownfields Grant Fact Sheet Search - [Search Michigan]

<> Obama water rule earns praise, sparks concern - Michigan environmentalists praised President Barack Obama's announcement Wednesday that he would move to extend pollution rules to smaller rivers and wetlands, even as some Republican members of the state's congressional delegation denounced it as executive overreach. Michigan Farm Bureau statement: EPA 'Waters of the U.S.' rule - The new rule is bad news for farm families in Michigan, allowing the EPA to regulate far beyond its authority as prescribed by Congress and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

<> In re Application of Consumers Energy Company for Rate Increase - 5/27/15. In the Michigan Court of Appeals, Case Nos. 314361 & 316868. Two appeals were consolidated. See In re Application of Consumers Energy for Reconciliation of Costs, unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered May 21, 2014 (Docket Nos. 314361, 316868). The Appeals Court concluded that the MPSC properly disallowed TES Filer's request for recovery of additional funds for NOx and SO2 allowances. However, it concluded that the MPSC erred in adjusting the $1,000,000 monthly cap on the fuel and variable operation and maintenance costs payable to the biomass merchant plants (BMPs).

<> Recycling market development: creating a supply chain for Michigan businesses - Access more information from MDEQ about the recycling supply chain and how your business can help Michigan become a recycling leader

<> Opportunity to share ideas on state forest planning for Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac and Otsego counties - MDNR will host open houses June 24 in Gaylord and June 25 in Indian River to talk about proposed forest management plans for 2017 in the Gaylord management unit Maps and information regarding proposed treatments - select the "Find a Forest" button and click the "Gaylord" button on the map

<> Opportunity to share ideas on state forest planning for Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties - MDNR will host an open house June 23 in Baraga, Michigan, to talk about proposed forest management plans for 2017 in the Baraga management unit Maps and information regarding proposed treatments - select the "Find a Forest" button and click the "Baraga" button on the map

<> St. Clair County starts annual beach tests for E. coli with new, quicker method - Beaches will be tested using an old method that produces results in about 18 hours; and the same beaches also will be tested  using a method called quantitative polymerase chain reaction that promises results in less than four hours

<> SDEV is holding our Annual Tire Sweep Challenge June 23-25, 2015! -   The post SDEV is holding our Annual Tire Sweep Challenge June 23-25, 2015! appeared first on Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision.

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).