Agreement to begin consideration of S.2012, Energy

<> Agreement to begin consideration of S.2012, Energy - The Senate has reached an agreement to begin consideration of S.2012, Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015, following morning business on Tuesday, January 26, with debate only until 3:00pm S.2012

2015 Annual Global Climate Report

<> 2015 Annual Global Climate Report - The globally averaged temperature, over land and ocean surfaces for 2015, was the highest since record keeping began in 1880, according to NOAA scientists -- during the final month, the December combined global land and ocean average surface temperature departure from average was the highest on record for any month in the 136-year record – in an independent analysis of global temperature data, also released, NASA scientists also found 2015 to be the warmest on record.

USDA Seeks Public Comment on 2016-2020 Environmental Justice Strategic Plan

<> USDA Seeks Public Comment on 2016-2020 Environmental Justice Strategic Plan - The U.S. Department of Agriculture invites public comment on the draft update of the Department's Environmental Justice Strategic Plan -- the four-year plan establishes goals to increase outreach and participation by historically underserved communities for the years 2016-2020 and outlines the ways each USDA agency plans to accomplish them. Draft USDA Environmental Strategic Plan – comments by Feb 14

Administration Launches Comprehensive Review of Federal Coal Program

Subscribers & Readers Note: WIMS will not be publishing on Monday, January 18, 2016, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Federal holiday

 

<> Secretary Jewell Launches Comprehensive Review of Federal Coal Program - Secretary Sally Jewell announced today (Jan 15) that the Interior Department will launch a comprehensive review to identify and evaluate potential reforms to the federal coal program in order to ensure that it is properly structured to provide a fair return to taxpayers and reflect its impacts on the environment, while continuing to help meet our energy needs. BLM Fact Sheet: Modernizing The Federal Coal Program Secretarial Order: Discretionary Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement to Modernize the Federal Coal Program More information on Federal Coal Leasing Operations - BLM has responsibility for coal leasing on approximately 570 million acres where the coal mineral estate is owned by the Federal Government In Climate Move, Obama Halts New Coal Mining Leases on Public Lands - The Obama administration announced on Friday (Jan 15) a halt to new coal mining leases on public lands as it considers an overhaul of the program that could lead to increased costs for energy companies and a slowdown in extraction. Obama Administration Makes Historic Change To Coal Leasing Program on America's Public Lands – Sierra Club release Coal Leasing Moratorium is Good for Taxpayers and Climate – NRDC release

 

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EPA Survey Shows $271 Billion Needed for Wastewater Infrastructure

<> EPA Survey Shows $271 Billion Needed for Wastewater Infrastructure - EPA has released a survey showing that $271 billion is needed to maintain and improve the nation's wastewater infrastructure, including the pipes that carry wastewater to treatment plants, the technology that treats the water, and methods for managing stormwater runoff -- projects included in the survey had to include a description and location of a water quality-related public health problem, a site-specific solution, and detailed information on project cost -- primarily for projects needed within five years. EPA Clean Watersheds Needs Survey

 

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State of the Union Address, GOP Address & Congressional Reaction

<> Remarks of President Barack Obama – State of the Union Address As Delivered - ". . .Look, if anybody still wants to dispute the science around climate change, have at it. You'll be pretty lonely, because you'll be debating our military, most of America's business leaders, the majority of the American people, almost the entire scientific community, and 200 nations around the world who agree it's a problem and intend to solve it. . ." Gov. Nikki Haley Delivers the Republican Address to the Nation - ". . .We need to be honest with each other, and with ourselves: while Democrats in Washington bear much responsibility for the problems facing America today, they do not bear it alone. There is more than enough blame to go around. . .

<> Some Congressional Reactions To The POTUS SOTU Address McConnell Comments on President's Final State of The Union Address Speaker Ryan Responds to President Obama's Final State of the Union Address Pelosi Statement on State of the Union Address Upton Responds to State of the Union Address Boxer Statement on President's State of the Union Address Markey Statement on President Obama's Final State of the Union Address Cantwell Statement on State of the Union Speech Chairman Hal Rogers Response to President Obama's Last State of the Union Address Blackburn Statement in Response to President Obama's State of the Union Address

 

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State of the Union: How climate and energy have featured since 1989

<> State of the Union: How climate and energy have featured since 1989 - Climate change hit the mainstream in the US after NASA scientist James Hansen told Congress in 1988 that the world was warmer and mankind was to blame. . . Despite few specific references to climate change, energy and environmental issues have appeared in almost every State of the Union address since 1989.

 

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President Obama preview his final State of the Union address

<> President Obama preview his final State of the Union address - You'll see it yourself on Tuesday, January 12, when President Obama will deliver his final State of the Union Address -- he took a few minutes to provide a look at how he's thinking about this year's address

 

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SAB Review of the EPA's draft Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas on Drinking Water Resources

<> SAB Review of the EPA's draft Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas on Drinking Water Resources - The Science Advisory Board (SAB) was asked to comment on various aspects of the EPA's draft Assessment Report, including the descriptions of hydraulic fracturing activities and relationship to drinking water resources, the individual stages in the hydraulic fracturing water cycle (HFWC), and the identification and hazard evaluation of hydraulic fracturing chemicals -- SAB identified several areas of the draft Assessment Report that can be improved. Background, documents & meetings The U.S. EPA Called Fracking Safe. Now Its Scientists Disagree

 

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TransCanada to Sue U.S. for Blocking Keystone XL Pipeline

<> TransCanada to Sue U.S. for Blocking Keystone XL Pipeline - TransCanada said on Wednesday that it would seek $15 billion in damages over the Obama administration's decision to cancel the company's Keystone XL pipeline project -- suing through the North American Free Trade Agreement, calling the decision "arbitrary and unjustified." TransCanada challenges Keystone XL denial - Company release: "After careful consideration, TransCanada announced on January 6, 2016, that it has taken legal action under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and also initiated Constitutional litigation against the U.S. Administration." After Losing on Keystone XL, TransCanada Exploits Trade Deal Provisions to Demand US Taxpayer Dollars – Sierra Club response TransCanada Seeks $15 Billion from U.S. Taxpayers for Its Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline Mistake – NRDC response

 

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EPA Releases the First of Four Preliminary Risk Assessments for Insecticides Potentially Harmful to Bees

<> EPA Releases the First of Four Preliminary Risk Assessments for Insecticides Potentially Harmful to Bees - EPA announced a preliminary pollinator risk assessment for the neonicotinoid insecticide, imidacloprid, which shows a threat to some pollinators -- prepared in collaboration with California's Department of Pesticide Regulation, it indicates that imidacloprid potentially poses risk to hives when the pesticide comes in contact with certain crops that attract pollinators. Risk assessment and other supporting documents

 

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US Files Complaint Against Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations

 

<> US Files Complaint Against Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations - The complaint filed in federal court in Detroit alleges that nearly 600,000 diesel engine vehicles had illegal defeat devices installed that impair their emission control systems and cause emissions to exceed EPA's standards, resulting in harmful air pollution. U.S. v. Volkswagen, et al 31-page complaint More information about EPA actions on Volkswagen Volkswagen faces billions in fines as U.S. sues for environmental violations

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Obama vetoes GOP attempts to thwart Clean Power Plan

<> Obama vetoes GOP attempts to thwart Clean Power Plan - As expected, President Obama vetoes congressional Republicans' attempts to overturn key pillars of the Clean Power Plan.  Memorandum of Disapproval on S.J. Res. 23, December 19, 2015 Memorandum of Disapproval on S.J. Res. 24, December 18, 2015

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WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet 12/18/15

 

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WIMS Daily Environmental HotSheet Friday, December 18, 2015 National / International News

<> Energy Department Announces Largest Energy Efficiency Standard in History - The U.S. Department of Energy announced historic new efficiency standards for commercial air conditioners and furnaces -- developed with industry, utilities, and environmental groups, these standards will save more energy than any other standard issued by the Department to date -- over the lifetime of the products, businesses will save $167 billion on their utility bills and carbon pollution will be reduced by 885 million metric tons. Manufacturers, Efficiency Groups Praise Largest Energy-Saving Standards Ever Issued Sierra Club praises "largest energy saving standard in history" from DOE NRDC President: Negotiated Groundbreaking Energy Efficiency Standards Another Promising Sign in Fight Against Climate Change

<> Senator Boxer's Statement on Passage of TSCA Legislation in the Senate - The U.S. Senate tonight overwhelmingly passed S.697, the "Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act" as an amendment to the House Passed H.R.2576 -- Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, issued a statement following passage of legislation to reform the nation's toxic chemicals law -- "I am pleased to move forward with the Senate language on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which has been a difficult, multi-year odyssey. . ." Statement from Inhofe, Vitter, Udall on TSCA passage ACC Lauds Passage Of Senate Bill To Reform TSCA Senate's Toxic Chemicals Bill Needs Changes in Conference to Merit Support - NRDC S.697 H.R.2576

<> On Heels of EPA 'Covert Propaganda' Bust on WOTUS Rule, E&C Leaders Concerned with Similar Shenanigans on Climate Rules - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA), and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY)  sent a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy seeking information regarding the use of social media platforms by EPA to promote the agency's climate rules.

<> NOAA Releases Climate Documents to House Science Committee - Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration handed over about 100 documents relating to climate science research this week in response to a subpoena from the House Science Committee. NOAA Officials FINALLY Surrender Staff Emails To Lawmakers

<> NRC Seeks Public Comment on Draft Guidance for Subsequent Renewal of Nuclear Power Plant Operating Licenses - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission seeks public comment on two draft documents designed to guide the agency's staff in reviewing applications to extend operations of commercial nuclear power plants beyond 60 years -- publication of a Federal Register notice, expected Dec. 22. with comments accepted through Feb. 29, 2016.

<> USGS Estimates 53 Trillion Cubic Feet of Gas Resources in Barnett Shale - The Barnett Shale contains estimated mean volumes of 53 trillion cubic feet of shale natural gas, 172 million barrels of shale oil and 176 million barrels of natural gas liquids, according to an updated assessment.

<> U.S. Reliance on Nonfuel Mineral Imports Increasing - Key nonfuel mineral commodities that support the U.S. economy and national security are increasingly being sourced from outside the U.S., according to a new U.S. Geological Survey publication.

<> November 2015 Global Climate Report - The globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for November 2015 was highest on record for the month since record keeping began in 1880.

<> Report: Boosting Energy Efficiency In Chicago'S Large Buildings Could Save Up To $184 Million Annually, Create Up To 2,000 Jobs - The City of Chicago yesterday released the results of its second annual assessment of energy use in large commercial, institutional, and residential buildings throughout the city.

<> Here's How To Get Investors To Save The Planet - World leaders should tax carbon emissions if they want institutional investors to commit their assets toward clean energy projects, according to a top environmental adviser to U.S. money managers.

<> Scientists can measure drinking water age using atomic bomb fallout - A university research team has discovered a way to measure the age of treated drinking water by testing for residual radioactive fallout from atomic bomb testing.

<> During the Break it's a good time to check out WIMS 24/7 News Blogs: White House News; Congressional News; Federal Agencies News; Industry News; Enviro Group News; Air Quality News; Hazardous Waste News; Transportation News

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)