Tuesday, June 17, 2014

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 6/17/14

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National / International News

 

<> 9 GOP Governors Issue Critical Letter To President - "Your proposed rules for regulating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing power plants and redefining the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) would unnecessarily expandfederal authority over the States in energy policymaking and risk undermining our success."

<> Federal R&D Facilities: Open for Collaboration - Today (June 17, 2014) the Obama Administration is upgrading Research.Data.gov to include, for the first time in one place, machine-readable data on over 700 Federal R&D facilities that may be utilized by external entrepreneurs and innovators. . . 

<> OIG: Report No. 14-P-0302 "EPA Has Made Progress in Assessing Historical Lead Smelter Sites But Needs to Strengthen Procedures," June 17, 2014

<> FERC Staff Issues Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Liquefaction and Phase II Modification Projects (CP12-509-000 and CP12-29-000) - The proposed Phase II Modification Project includes modification to the previously authorized, but not constructed liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel berthing dock, LNG transfer pipelines, LNG unloading arms, and the access

<> GAO-14-289, Pesticide Safety: Improvements Needed in EPA's Good Laboratory Practices Inspection Program, May 15, 2014 - What GAO Found The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspects few laboratories that test pesticides for Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) compliance and faces challenges in selecting laboratories to inspect.

<> Reservoirs Affect the Movement of Carbon in Large Rivers of the Central and Western United States - Summary: A recent study conducted by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and published in the Journal of Geophysical Research – Biogeosciences found that a combination of climate and human activities. . .

<> Energy Department Invests $20 Million to Advance Hydrogen Production and Delivery Technologies - June 16, 2014Energy Department Invests $20 Million to Advance Hydrogen Production and Delivery Technologies The Energy Department today announced $20 million for ten new research and development projects that. . .

<> Assessing the Design of the National Children's Study - While the National Children's Study (NCS) could add immensely to knowledge about children's health and development, and while the study's proposed design has several strengths, the design needs stronger scientific rationale. . . 

<> Landmark Agreement Signed to Restore and Protect Chesapeake Bay Watershed - This afternoon, the Chesapeake Executive Council—which represents the seven watershed jurisdictions, a tri-state policy group and federal agencies including the Department of the Interior—signed the Chesapeake Bay. . .

<> Austin Coal-Tar Sealant Ban Leads to Decline in PAHs - Summary: The 2006 prohibition on the use of coal-tar-based pavement sealants in Austin, Texas, has resulted in a substantial reduction in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), according to a new study by the U.S.G.S. . .

<> U.S. crude exports in April rise to highest level in 15 years - (Mon, 16 Jun 2014) The United States exported 268,000 barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil in April (the latest data available from the U.S. Census Bureau), the highest level of exports in 15 years.

<> New York Assembly Overwhelmingly Passes Fracking Moratorium - NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Robert Sweeney announced the Assembly passed legislation (89-34 vote) establishing a statewide, three year moratorium to allow for further study of hydraulic fracturing, a horizontal drilling process used to extract natural gas and oil, and its potential to contaminate drinking water supplies and harm the environment.

<> Austin City Council Passes First Resolution Supporting Historic Carbon Protections - "We want to show the rest of the state and the country that the greenest city in the Lone Star State not only supports the EPA's carbon pollution limits, but is a leader when it comes to acting for our climate," said City Council Member Mike Martinez, lead sponsor of the resolution.

<> IETA welcomes revival of market framework negotiations at UN climate talks - GENEVA, 17 June –The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) welcomes the resumption of. . .

<> UN officials call for restoration of ecosystems to reduce climate change disasters - Marking the World Day to Combat Desertification, United Nations officials today emphasized the importance of restoring degrading lands to avoid or soften the potentially disastrous impacts of climate change. . .

<> Ground-Breaking First Session of UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) Just Days Away - The UN Environment Assembly - the highest-level UN body ever convened on the environment - is less than a week from its historic opening day at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Tuesday, June 17, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Water - Proposed Rule. Permits under Clean Water Act; U.S. - EPA & Corps of Engineers. Exemptions: Reopening of Comment Period for the Notice of Availability Regarding the Exemption From Permitting Under Section 404(f)(1)(A) of the Clean Water Act to Certain Agricultural Conservation Practices PDF | Text | 

 

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)