ND Fed Judge Blocks WOTUS Rule In 13 States

<> ND Fed Judge Blocks WOTUS Rule In 13 States - Judge Ralph Erickson of the District Court for the District of North Dakota found that the 13 states [ND, AK, AZ, AR, CO, ID, MO, MT, NE, NV, SD, WY, NM] suing to block the rule met the conditions necessary for a preliminary injunction, including that they would likely be harmed if courts didn't act and that they are likely to succeed when their underlying lawsuit against the rule is decided. North Dakota et al v. U.S. EPA - North Dakota et al v. U.S. EPA - 8/27/15. The Judge ordered: "The States have established that the Dataphase factors weigh in favor of injunctive relief. Their motion for a preliminary injunction, enjoining Fed. Reg. 37,054-127, jointly promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is granted." New federal rule protecting streams takes effect in some states, not others Roberts Praises Decision to Halt EPA's - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, is pleased to announce a decision by a federal judge to halt the damaging 'Waters of the U.S.' (WOTUS) rule from implementation in 13 states.

DOE Selects 16 Transformational Carbon Capture Technologies Projects for Funding

Subscribers & Readers Note: WIMS will be on summer break for the next two weeks. We will resume publication on August 31, 2015.   During the break you can stay on top of many news events and issues with our WIMS Environmental News Blogs which are continuously, automatically updated with the latest news and information from various WIMS sources.   White House News   Congressional News   Federal Agencies News   Industry News   Enviro Group News   Air Quality News   Hazardous Waste News   Transportation News

<> DOE Selects 16 Transformational Carbon Capture Technologies Projects for Funding - The program funds development and testing of transformational carbon dioxide (CO2) capture systems for new and existing coal-based power plants -- research is expected to help overcome limitations of singular, standard gas treatment systems, such as those based on solvents, sorbents, or membranes alone.

Highly Critical Memos Show Need to Slam the Brakes on WOTUS

<> Highly Critical Memos Show Need to Slam the Brakes on WOTUS - As the Aug. 28 implementation date approaches for the U.S. EPA's final rule on the "Waters of the U.S.," the National Corn Growers Association has demanded the EPA postpone implementing its controversial rule and strongly supports congressional efforts to rescind the rule.

NREL Report Examines Energy Use in Cities and Proposes Next Steps for Energy Innovation

<> NREL Report Examines Energy Use in Cities and Proposes Next Steps for Energy Innovation - What U.S. cities are doing to reduce their energy use is outlined in a new report from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that sets the stage for broader discussion and analysis.

Energy Department Reports Highlight Trends of Growing U.S. Wind Energy Industry

<> Energy Department Reports Highlight Trends of Growing U.S. Wind Energy Industry - According to two reports released today by the Energy Department, the U.S. wind energy industry continued growing at an impressive rate in 2014, further solidifying America's position as a global leader in wind energy. 2014 Wind Technologies Market Report 2014 Distributed Wind Market Report Officials highlight need for stable policy to continue growing wind energy - [American Wind Energy Association] Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz emphasized the need for stable policy for wind energy this morning as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released data showing the cost of wind energy has fallen by nearly two-thirds over the last six years. DOE reports good news for wind, but is it enough to save subsidies? - Amidst near-term uncertainty about the federal wind Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released two reports that puts the power of wind in perspective.

President Signs H.R. 212, the "Drinking Water Protection Act"

<> President Signs H.R. 212, the "Drinking Water Protection Act" -- The act amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide for the assessment and management of the risk of algal toxins in drinking water H.R. 212: Drinking Water Protection Act

Arch Coal Subsidiaries to Make System-Wide Upgrades to Reduce Pollution Entering U.S. Waters

<> Arch Coal Subsidiaries to Make System-Wide Upgrades to Reduce Pollution Entering U.S. Waters - U.S. EPA and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Arch Coal Inc., one of the nation's largest coal companies, and 14 of its subsidiaries under the International Coal Group Inc. (ICG) have agreed to conduct comprehensive upgrades to their operations to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act.

What's Next for the Clean Power Plan?

<> What's Next for the Clean Power Plan? - On Monday, President Obama announced a huge step to fight climate change and protect our kids' health: EPA's Clean Power Plan. By 2030, the plan will drastically cut carbon pollution from power plants. . . [see WIMS 8/3/15; 8/4/15; 8/5/15] Statements of Support for the Clean Power Plan from Science and Technology Leaders

Sen. EPW Report: "Obama's Carbon Mandate: An Account of Collusion, Cutting Corners, and Costing Americans Billions"

<> Sen. EPW Report: "Obama's Carbon Mandate: An Account of Collusion, Cutting Corners, and Costing Americans Billions" - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released a new EPW Majority Staff Oversight Report -- the product of an ongoing investigation by committee republicans on EPA's development of Obama's climate rules.  The Report: "Obama's Carbon Mandate" – [73-pages]

<> Here Are the Industry-Funded Groups Attacking the EPA's Climate Plan - [Published 7/31/15] With U.S. EPA set to finalize the Clean Power Plan, dozens of fossil fuel-funded organizations are poised to revive their attacks on this landmark climate change policy, which will place the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants. Here's a comprehensive guide. . .

The President delivers remarks on Clean Power Plan

<> The President delivers remarks on Clean Power Plan - POTUS: "We only get one home. We only get one planet. There is no plan B." [See WIMS 8/3/15] The Final Clean Power Plan: More Ambitious, More Achievable for States - By EPA's Janet McCabe Today, President Obama announced EPA's historic Clean Power Plan EPA's Clean Power Plan: Lower Utility Bills, Billions in Benefits Every Year - EPA says: "They're at it again. Just like we predicted, critics are already claiming EPA's Clean Power Plan will drive up utility rates, or that the cost of climate action isn't worth it. They're wrong." GOP presidential hopefuls blast Obama on climate Q&A: Charles Koch Talks about Politics, Climate Change Resources for the Future Experts on EPA's Clean Power Plan - 10 Things We Looked for in the Clean Power Plan----and What We Found UN chief welcomes climate change plan unveiled by President Obama Boehner on President Obama's National Energy Tax Inhofe: EPA's Final Carbon Mandate a Bad Deal for Americans Upton and Whitfield: EPA's Plan "Lights Out for Jobs and the Economy" McConnell: Finalized EPA Regs: Probably Illegal, Would Hurt the Middle Class and Won't Meaningfully Affect Global Climate Boxer's Statement on Final Version of Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan BCSE Business & Energy Leaders' Statement on Release of Final EPA Clean Power Plan EPA Outdoes Itself with Final Carbon Plan, Consumers Pay the Price API: New power plant rule harms American workers and those struggling to pay for energy Greenpeace: Why President Obama's Clean Power Plan is an exaggeration

President Obama To Announce Historic Carbon Pollution Standards For Power Plants

<>  President Obama To Announce Historic Carbon Pollution Standards For Power Plants (fact sheet) - Today at the White House, President Obama and U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will release the final Clean Power Plan, a historic step in the Obama Administration's fight against climate change. 6 Things Every American Should Know About the Clean Power Plan Clean Power Plan; & links to White House Announcement & Fact Sheets EPA Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants website Clean Power Plan Toolbox for States UCS: The Clean Power Plan: A Climate Game Changer – The Union of Concerned Scientists What you need to know about Obama's biggest global warming move yet — the Clean Power Plan -- The Washington Post: The final rule, which officials say will be part of a major new climate push by the president, is likely to both thrill environmental groups and pique industry — it seeks to achieve even deeper cuts than the 2014 proposed plan, which itself was already controversial.

<>  EPA's Clean Power Plan puts states in the driver's seat - CPP puts states in the driver's seat to devise innovative strategies to reduce emissions efficiently and cost-effectively. . . Now it's time for states to work together with businesses and cities to craft the approaches that work best for them. The Solar Industry Applauds EPA's Clean Power Plan - Calling President Obama's signature climate change policy both "historic" and "critically needed," the solar industry issued its strong support for the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan Bob Perciasepe's Statement on Clean Power Plan - Statement of Bob PerciasepePresident, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions U.S. Chamber Statement in Reaction to EPA's Unprecedented Efforts to Restructure Nation's Electricity System Manufacturers: Let Us Be the Solution The Clean Power Plan: An Idea that will Change the World - (August 3, 2015) -- The Clean Power Plan announced today by President Obama is a game-changer -- the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants. [Natural Resources Defense Council] Clean Power Plan Will Help Us Win "The Race of Our Lives" – EDF President Fred Krupp Clean Power Plan: 50 Ways to Get More Clean, Local Energy - [Institute for Local Self-Reliance] Cantwell Supports the Clean Power Plan, Taking Action to Curb Carbon Pollution

 

WIMS REPORTS EACH DAY ON National/International environment, energy & climate change news, along with all U.S. Appeals Courts' environmental decisions, important Federal Registers announcemsnts, Great Lakes news, detailed environmental happenings in Michigan and complete Michigan environmental legislative tracking. For a free trial or to order (click here).

Bringing together 400+ experts to give Earth its annual climate checkup

<> Bringing together 400+ experts to give Earth its annual climate checkup - The State of the Climate is a rather huge report -- in the neighborhood of 270 pages -- that updates the status of major climate variables and recaps regional climate conditions around the world every year -- more than 400 authors and editors from 58 countries

Sources: EPA will ease deadlines on pollution rule to help states comply

<> Sources: EPA will ease deadlines on pollution rule to help states comply - The Obama administration has decided to give states more time to comply with proposed regulations that will require dramatic cuts in greenhouse-gas pollution from power plants, people familiar with the plans said Tuesday [7/28/15] "Enormous Potential" in the Imminent Clean Power Plan - Environmental Defense Fund reports: EPA will soon finalize the Clean Power Plan. The EPA's risky Clean Power Plant rule Low-Carbon Electricity Pathways for the U.S. and the South: An Assessment of Costs and Options - Modeling from Georgia Tech researchers suggests that Clean Power Plan compliance can be achieved cost effectively with a combination of renewable and energy-efficiency policies plus a modest price on carbon that could be expected to result from the Plan's implementation. Clean Power Plan Map - Businesses and investors in 29 states have endorsed a call for governors to implement the Clean Power Plan using the building blocks of renewable energy and energy efficiency – register & click on one of the states in purple to read the letter EPA's Proposed Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants

House, Senate move toward passage of ANOTHER transportation patch

<> House, Senate move toward passage of ANOTHER transportation patch - The House and Senate are moving toward passage of a three-month patch to keep federal highway and transit aid flowing to states while lawmakers seek the right mix of policy and revenue to achieve a long-term transportation deal -- midnight Friday deadline when authority for the Department of Transportation to process aid payments to states will expire -- the 34th extension since 2009. Roll Call Vote on cloture on H.R.22, as amended

House, Senate on Collision Course in Highway Debate

<> House, Senate on Collision Course in Highway Debate - Senators overruled heated conservative opposition Monday and added a measure reviving the federal Export-Import Bank to must-pass highway legislation. But House Republicans declared the Senate transportation bill dead on arrival. ·         By a vote of 62-32, cloture was invoked on the highway/transportation substitute amendment #2266, as amended. ·         Inhofe Responds to House Announcement that it won't take up DRIVE Act ·         Inhofe and Boxer Join Forces to Support DRIVE Act ·         Inhofe, Boxer Welcome the Support of Over 100 Mayors for DRIVE Act

White House Launches American Business Act on Climate Pledge

<> White House Launches American Business Act on Climate Pledge - Today at the White House, Secretary of State John Kerry and senior White House officials will host 13 of the largest companies from across the American economy who are standing with the Obama Administration to launch the American Business Act on Climate Pledge: Alcoa, Apple, Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Cargill, Coca-Cola, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, Google, Microsoft, PepsiCo, UPS, and Walmart. Business of Combating Climate Change is the Business of America Statement by Ceres President Mindy S. Lubber in response to White House Announcement

BSEE Approves Limited Drilling Activities in Arctic Waters

<> BSEE Approves Limited Drilling Activities in Arctic Waters - After extensive review and under a robust array of safety requirements, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director Brian Salerno announced that Shell has received conditional approval of two Applications for Permits to Drill (APD) to conduct limited exploratory drilling activities in the Chukchi Sea offshore Alaska -- the APDs limit Shell to drilling only the top sections of wells and prohibit Shell from drilling into oil-bearing zones Murkowski: Conditional Permit Approval Moves Shell Closer to Chukchi Program Sierra Club Responds To President Obama's Decision To Grant Conditional Approval To Shell To Drill In The Arctic

Committee Passes Grassley Priorities, Wind Energy, Biodiesel, Cellulosic Ethanol, Education Provisions in Tax Extenders Package

<> Committee Passes Grassley Priorities, Wind Energy, Biodiesel, Cellulosic Ethanol, Education Provisions in Tax Extenders Package - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) secured Finance Committee passage of tax incentives for wind energy, biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol in a bipartisan tax extenders bill. Open Executive Session to consider an Original Bill to Extend Certain Expired Tax Provisions Senate committee votes 23-3 to extend federal tax credits Thank You Sen. Grassley for Leading Charge On Wind Energy - The Environmental Law & Policy Center thanks Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) for leading the charge to include the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit in the Federal Tax Extenders Package Bill Statement on Senate Finance Mark-Up NAM Applauds Senate Finance for Moving Tax Extenders Package

Vision for Paris: Building an Effective Climate Agreement

<> Vision for Paris: Building an Effective Climate Agreement - This report outlines the emerging elements of a Paris climate agreement based on in-depth discussions among senior climate negotiators from leading countries. The report foresees a durable legal agreement that sets binding commitments for all parties, holds countries accountable, and works to progressively strengthen global ambition -- the Toward 2015 dialogue was organized by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES). Climate Talks Nearing Consensus in Behind-the-Scenes Meetings

Canadian Premiers Agree on Energy Strategy with Weakened Climate Goals

<> Canadian Premiers Agree on Energy Strategy with Weakened Climate Goals - Canada's premiers reached a deal on a Canadian Energy Strategy, hailing it as a "monumental" document that recognizes the importance of the country's energy industry to the economy but does so in an environmentally sustainable way -- strategy waters down commitments to fight climate change Implementing an Energy Strategy for Canada - Premiers released the Canadian Energy Strategy, a demonstration of their commitment to strengthening the economy, creating jobs, ensuring a secure supply of energy for all Canadians, supporting energy innovation and addressing climate change Premiers support joint action on climate change - All provinces and territories now support the commitments included in the declaration Declaration of the premiers of CANADA NRDC: Canadian Energy Policy Facilitates Tar Sands Pipelines, Not Carbon Reduction