[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).

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 3/16/15

 

National / International News

<> Global CO2 Emissions Did Not Rise in 2014 IEA Chief Economist Says - The chief economist of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said in an interview with the Financial Times that global emissions of carbon dioxide did not rise in 2014 over 2013, despite the fact that the world economy continued to grow. Global energy-related emissions of carbon dioxide stalled in 2014 IEA Energy Atlas: CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion

<> Presidential Task Force Releases Action Plan to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud - the Presidential Task Force on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud, co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and State, released its action plan which articulates the aggressive steps that federal agencies will take both domestically and internationally to implement the recommendations the Task Force made in December 2014 Presidential Task Force on Combating IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud How To Tackle Illegal Fishing - More than 2.5 billion people worldwide depend on fish for food and nutrition. In the United States, seafood makes up an essential part of our economy – and our plates. In 2013, Americans consumed 4.6 billion pounds of seafood. Markey Hails Obama Illegal Fishing, Seafood Fraud Final Recommendations

<> Op-Ed: California has about one year of water left. Will you ration now? - Right now the state has only about one year of water supply left in its reservoirs, and our strategic backup supply, groundwater, is rapidly disappearing.

<> Bayer Attempt to Silence Critics of Its Bee-Poisonous Pesticides Rejected by Judge - Last week, a judge in Duesseldorf Regional Court ruled that the German branch of Friends of the Earth (BUND) has a right to speak out against chemical company giant Bayer CropScience's neonicotinoid pesticide, thiacloprid, regarding its potential danger to bees.

<> ACEEE Releases Tool for Including Building Codes in States' Clean Power Plans - Today the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released a step-by-step guide that helps states document and claim emissions reductions resulting from building energy codes as a means of complying with their obligations under the Clean Power Plan -- the first in a series of guidance documents that demonstrate how a state can take advantage of energy efficiency in its compliance plan.

<> New NASA Mission to Study Ocean Color, Airborne Particles and Clouds - NASA is beginning work on a new satellite mission that will extend critical climate measurements of Earth's oceans and atmosphere and advance studies of the impact of environmental changes on ocean health, fisheries and the carbon cycle

<> NRDC: New FEMA Requirements Will Better Prepare Communities for Climate Change Risks - (March 13, 2015) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Thursday it finalized new policy guidance requiring states to consider climate change's projected effects when they plan and prepare for natural disasters FEMA: State Mitigation Plan Review Guide - In 2012, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) petitioned the agency to adopt this requirement because most states' plans did not account for climate change when assessing their future vulnerability to natural hazards. More from NRDC

<> Lake Tahoe research provides new insights on global change - A recently published study on how natural and man-made sources of nitrogen are recycled through the Lake Tahoe ecosystem provides new information on how global change may affect the iconic blue lake.

<> The Worldwide Coal Boom Is Going Bust: Sierra Club and CoalSwarm Report Details New Data from Global Coal Plant Tracker - The Sierra Club and CoalSwarm released their new report, Boom and Bust: Tracking The Global Coal Plant Pipeline, which details the findings of an extensive investigation into every proposed coal-fired power plant worldwide since 2010

<> Community Leaders Strike Back: Dozens Take to Capitol Hill Demanding Congress Put People before Polluters - Nearly 100 concerned community leaders will take to Capitol Hill this week to urge their hometown elected officials to support EPA and its efforts to curb public health threats like smog pollution, coal ash, and carbon pollution.

<> Business Group Says Boxer Toxic Chemicals Bill Would Be Improvement - American Sustainable Business Council says the Boxer-Markey TSCA reform bill is an improvement over current law and the Vitter-Udall bill is insufficient to drive innovation for safer alternatives, promote transparency in the supply chain and preserve the rights of states to act if the federal government doesn't. S. 697: A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act - Vitter-Udall S. 725: A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act - Boxer-Markey

<> DOE vs. EIA: Who Should You Trust on Wind Energy? - American Energy Alliance says the Administration's major Wind Vision report, released last week, should be treated more as a press release for the wind industry than a realistic assessment of future energy trends.

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 - Standards of Performance for New Residential Wood Heaters, New Residential Hydronic Heaters and Forced-Air Furnaces

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> When invasive Asian carp look for love in all the right places - Only 10 Asian carp needed to establish population in Great Lakes Landmarking and strong Allee thresholds - Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Michigan News

<> Proposal 1's passage would trigger these 10 laws - Here are the details on the 10 pieces of legislation that would take effect if Proposal 1 is passed on May 5.

<> Citizens Groups Call for More Action, Less Lip Service from Gov. Snyder - [The Governor] "highlighted the need to reduce utilities over reliance on coal, increase utilities use of renewable energy, and reduce energy waste as the best way to protect public health and preserve Michigan's Great Lakes and environment, but did not put forward any specific policy suggestions." Snyder needs help pushing energy goals UCS: Michigan Governor Right to Prioritize Efficiency, Could Go Further on Renewables NRDC: Governor Snyder Outlines Bold Vision for Michigan's Energy Future

<> Utility tree trimming sparks legal battle in Michigan - A legal battle is brewing across Michigan and the nation that pits the public against utilities over trimming trees to assure reliable access to power.

<> MDEQ Michigan Environmental Network News - March 13, 2015. News from the Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) on environmental partner programs.

<> First Michigan Seafood Summit a Great Success - Organizers report that the inaugural Michigan Seafood Summit was standing room only with more than 100 people in attendance March 12 at the Kellogg Conference Center.

<> Michigan Chapter Sierra Club Update Newsletter

<> FEMA Awards $708,653 Grant to Plainfield Township - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released $708,653 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to Plainfield Township, MI, to acquire and demolish 15 residential structures in the Grand River floodplain.

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).