[WIMS] Daily Environmental HotSheet 3/13/15

National / International News

<> Secy. Kerry Remarks at the Atlantic Council as Part of the Road to Paris Climate Series - ". . .Now folks, we literally do not have the time to waste debating whether we can say 'climate change.' We have to talk about how we solve climate change. Because no matter how much people want to bury their heads in the sand, it will not alter the fact that 97 percent of peer-reviewed climate studies confirm that climate change is happening and that human activity is largely responsible. . ."

<> Senators Boxer and Markey Introduce TSCA Reform Bill to Protect the Health of Children and Communities - Senators Boxer and Markey introduced the Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act after consulting with a wide range of leading experts and stakeholders, including public health and environmental organizations, business groups, states, and groups that advocate on behalf of those who have suffered injuries from toxic chemicals. S. 725: A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act Earthjustice Applauds Boxer-Markey Bill to Reform TSCA

<> Inhofe, Rounds Call on the Resignation of U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Chairman - In a letter, the Members shed light on the failed practices of Chairman Moure-Eraso and the lack of credibility created by him and his leadership team at this important agency

<> Portman and Shaheen Renew Efforts to Create National Energy Strategy -  U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) will today renew their push for a national energy efficiency strategy by introducing an updated version of the Portman-Shaheen Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (ESIC). S. 720: A bill to promote energy savings in residential buildings and industry ACC Commends Senators Portman and Shaheen for Reintroducing Energy Efficiency Bill

<> Sen. Markey: DOE Wind Report Refutes Doom and Gloom Opponents of Obama Climate Plan - Senator Markey said the report shows America can aggressively and affordably shift away from fossil fuels towards clean energy to cut carbon pollution that causes climate change.

<> Protecting Vital Waters as Marine Sanctuaries - NOAA announced that it is expanding two existing sanctuaries off California's North-central coast that will more than double the current size of the Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries. . .

<> Total energy subsidies decline since 2010, with changes in support across fuel types - (Fri, 13 Mar 2015) EIA has updated a report on federal subsidies to the energy industry, covering the 2013 fiscal year (FY).

<> Pipelines: How Many and Where Are They? - With all the attention that the Keystone Pipeline has been receiving lately, you would think that pipelines are a new or novel way to move oil and other products.  The reality is, pipelines are virtually everywhere in the United States

<> Secretary Jewell, American Express Announce Major Commitment to Increase Volunteerism on America's Public Lands - As part of the Interior Department's bold youth initiative to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards,

<> State Polls Show Public Opposes GOP's "Just Say No" Push on Climate - (March 12, 2015) – Large majorities of Americans in four key states wholeheartedly want their leaders to design a state-specific plan to meet new federal standards curbing dangerous carbon pollution from power plants, according to bipartisan polling released -- Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Ohio

<> API, EWG, ActionAid call for repeal of corn ethanol mandates - March 11, 2015 – API, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), and anti-hunger group ActionAid USA called for repeal of corn ethanol mandates under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) during a joint press event Wednesday.

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

<> AmerGen Energy Company, LLC v. U.S. - 3/11/15. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, Case No. 2014-5067. The Appeals Court confirmed the decision  of the Court of Federal Claims that AmerGen may not include future nuclear decommissioning liabilities that it assumed when it purchased three nuclear power plants in the basis of the acquired assets in its 2001 through 2003 tax returns.

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

<> Lake Michigan salmon populations remain strong, study shows - MDNR northern Lake Michigan fisheries supervisor Dave Boyarski says experts from across the region are seeing the salmon taking a firm hold of the ecosystem and breeding without the help of the hatcheries.

<> Integrated Water Management in the Great Lakes & St. Lawrence River Basin - The latest Cities Initiative webinar series, which begins next week with the "Introduction to Integrated Water Management" webinar -- Wednesday, March 18, 11 am Eastern

<> Lake Huron Regional Restoration Meetings - A series of one-day public events are planned to discuss restoration progress in the U.S. Lake Huron basin and hear about plans to develop the Lake Huron Lakewide Action and Management Plan (LAMP) under the newly updated U.S.-Canadian Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Michigan News

<> Today: How Snyder's energy speech could impact clean energy job prospects in Michigan - While Gov. Rick Snyder prepares for his energy speech, which will be delivered today in Warren, a new report ranks Michigan fourth in the nation for clean energy and transportation jobs. Q4 and Year-End 2014 Clean Jobs Report - Nearly 47,000 clean energy and clean transportation jobs were announced at more than 170 projects across the country in 2014. Nevada, California, and New York led the nation in new job announcements last year, followed by Michigan, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Utah, and New Mexico. 5 things to watch as Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder unveils energy policy - Gov. Rick Snyder unveils his energy vision on Friday. Here are five things worth watching for. Video: Governor's Energy Speech: Friday, March 13, 2015. 10:30 A.M. Governor's press release - Michigan must take aggressive steps to avoid energy price spikes, outages Gov. Rick Snyder Energy Special Message – 19-pages

<> Michigan Proposal 1 would pay off debt, ramp up road funding over three years - Michigan Proposal 1 would eventually pump some $1.25 billion a year into crumbling roads, but it in early years, it would also help pay off a total of $1.3 billion in debt for infrastructure that's already been built. Legislative Analysis of Transportation Funding Package You'll see 7 bullet points on the May 5th road funding ballot question. We explain them here. . .

<> CRC Report: Use of Immediate Effect in Michigan - The 2015-16 legislative session is underway and the Michigan legislature is again up to the standard practice of granting immediate effect to almost every law enacted -- a new Citizens Research Council of Michigan (CRC) report identifies the need for reform -- either of the Constitution to reflect legislative practice or of legislative practice to reflect the Constitution.

<> MI fish farmer says regulatory hurdles hinder industry expansion - The permit for the Grayling Fish Hatchery is probably one of the strictest issued by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, said Brad Wurfel, the agency's communications director.

<> Manure run-off from Kalamazoo County farm contained, environmental assessment ongoing - It appears snowmelt tainted by manure spread on a farm field in southeastern Kalamazoo County reached a nearby creek, but authorities say a preliminary investigation has shown no immediate harm to fish or wetlands or threat to humans.

<> Michigan's Economy Needs Access to Future Gas – [Michigan Chamber] In light of the recently published news that Michigan's natural gas consumption grew 11% this February from February 2014, it becomes even more important that we break the natural gas logjam.

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 (3/12/15)

IN THE SENATE

SB 0199 of 2015 Trade; containers; beverages and beverage containers subject to bottle deposit; expand. [COMMITTEE

SB 0206 of 2015 Natural resources; funding; Michigan natural resources trust fund; clarify criteria for eligible expenditures. [COMMITTEE]

IN THE HOUSE

HB 4345 of 2015 Environmental protection; other; sale of personal care products containing plastic microbeads; prohibit. [Committee]

 

Secy. Kerry Remarks at the Atlantic Council as Part of the Road to Paris Climate Series

<> Secy. Kerry Remarks at the Atlantic Council as Part of the Road to Paris Climate Series - ". . .Now folks, we literally do not have the time to waste debating whether we can say 'climate change.' We have to talk about how we solve climate change. Because no matter how much people want to bury their heads in the sand, it will not alter the fact that 97 percent of peer-reviewed climate studies confirm that climate change is happening and that human activity is largely responsible. . ."

DOE Releases Wind Vision Report: Wind power could be 35% of supply by 2050

<> DOE Releases Wind Vision Report: Wind power could be 35% of supply by 2050 - The Wind Vision report updates and expands upon the DOE's 2008 report, 20% Wind Energy by 2030, through analysis of scenarios of wind power supplying 10% of national end-use electricity demand by 2020, 20% by 2030, and 35% by 2050. FACT SHEET: Wind Vision Report Highlights Long Term Benefits of Investing in America's Wind Energy Industry Wind Vision: A New Era for Wind Power in the United States – Executive summary, complete 350-page report, Key Findings, Appendices

Udall, Vitter Introduce Landmark Legislation to Protect Our Families from Toxic Chemicals

<> Udall, Vitter Introduce Landmark Legislation to Protect Our Families from Toxic Chemicals - U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and David Vitter (R-LA) introduced major bipartisan legislation (S.697) to protect Americans from toxic chemicals by enacting common-sense and necessary reforms to update the United States' wholly ineffective, outdated chemical regulatory program. Inhofe Cosponsors Landmark Legislation to Protect Our Families from Toxic Chemicals Senator Boxer's Statement on Udall-Vitter Toxics Bill S. 697: A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reauthorize and modernize that Act, and for other purposes. ACC Welcomes Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act The Power of the Chemical Industry at Work

Global warming 'set to speed up to rates not seen for 1,000 years'

<> Global warming 'set to speed up to rates not seen for 1,000 years' - People need to brace themselves for accelerating climate change that could alter the way we live even over short time scales, scientists have warned. Near-term acceleration in the rate of temperature change

Florida Officials Banned From Using the Terms 'Climate Change' and 'Sustainability'

<> Florida Officials Banned From Using the Terms 'Climate Change' and 'Sustainability' - Florida DEP officials have been ordered not to use the term "climate change" or "global warming" in any official communications, emails or reports, according to former DEP employees, consultants, volunteers and records obtained by the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting.

Arctic sea ice extent may set a new lowest winter maximum

<> Arctic sea ice extent may set a new lowest winter maximum - Arctic sea ice extent continues to track well below average, but it is still unclear whether March will see an increase in ice, or establish a record low maximum. Arctic sea ice could set an ominous new record this year - The National Snow and Ice Data Center, in Boulder, Colo., is our top tracker of Arctic sea ice. The agency notes that last month saw the third-lowest ice extent ever recorded for February

Keystone XL Roll Call Vote On Overriding the Veto of S.1

<> Keystone XL Roll Call Vote On Overriding the Veto of S.1 – The Senate vote to override the President's veto of S.1, the Keystone XL Approval bill, failed by a vote of 62-37, with one not voting [67 votes were needed, 54 Republicans & 8 Democrats voted for the override] S. 1: Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act

Senate EPW: Oversight Hearing: Examining the President's budget request for U.S. EPA

<> Senate EPW: Oversight Hearing: Examining the President's budget request for U.S. EPA - Testimony and webcast of Gina McCarthy, EPA Administrator Complete details about EPA's Proposed FY 2016 budget

EPA's Commitment to Scientific Integrity

<> Our Commitment to Scientific Integrity at EPA - Francesca Grifo, Ph.D., EPA's Scientific Integrity Officer, announced the release of EPA's Fiscal Year 2014 Scientific Integrity Annual Report. U.S. EPA's Scientific Integrity Annual Report—FY 2014

SAB Review of the EPA's draft Report on the Environment 2014

<> SAB Review of the EPA's draft Report on the Environment 2014 - The Science Advisory Board (SAB) was asked to review the draft ROE with particular attention to its adoption of a sustainability framework and new sustainability indicators, as well as the online format as a tool to communicate to scientists, policy makers and public audiences. Background, meetings & documents

Nebraska Injunctions halt Keystone XL for 12-18 months+

<> Injunctions halt KXL eminent domain proceedings in two Nebraska counties - Bold Nebraska reports that eminent domain and the Keystone XL pipeline are now halted in Nebraska for 12-18 months, attorneys estimate, until the Nebraska Supreme Court rules on the merits of this case. More details and information from Bold Nebraska More details and information from TransCanada

Clean Energy RD&D Investments Make Us Stronger

<> Clean Energy RD&D Investments Make Us Stronger - The American Energy Innovation Council (AEIC), a bipartisan collection of business leaders focused on creating economic growth through public and private investment in new energy technology, recently issued a report calling for a boost in investment in energy research, development, and deployment (RD&D). Restoring American Energy Innovation Leadership: Report Card, Challenges, and Opportunities AEIC's Letter to Members of Congress on Restoring American Energy Innovation Leadership

President Obama Veto Message On Keystone XL Bill & Reactions

<> President Obama Send Veto Message to the Senate: S. 1, Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act – "Through this bill, the United States Congress attempts to circumvent longstanding and proven processes for determining whether or not building and operating a cross-border pipeline serves the national interest. . ." Rep. Raúl Grijalva Statement On the KXL Veto - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member, Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) "A National Embarrassment": Speaker Boehner on President Obama's Veto of Keystone Jobs Bill Boehner & McConnell in USA Today: "Pipeline Veto Purely Political" Pelosi Statement on President Obama's Veto of Keystone XL Pipeline Sen. Murkowski Statement on President Obama's Veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline Upton Responds to Keystone Veto Markey: Obama Keystone Veto Victory for Climate, Won't End Pipeline of Bad Policies from Republican Congress Sen. Inhofe Statement on the President's Veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline Senator Boxer's Statement on President Obama's Veto of the Keystone Pipeline Bill

<> Bold Nebraska Discusses Keystone XL Veto on MSNBC's "The Ed Show" - Bold Nebraska director Jane Kleeb appeared on MSNBC's "The Ed Show" on Tuesday, Feb. 24 to discuss President Obama's veto of the Keystone XL fast-track bill, and the call for him to reject the pipeline once and for all. Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline Veto - Right Decision at the Right Time U.S. Chamber's Energy Institute President and CEO Karen Harbert explains why EPA's analysis of the Keystone XL pipeline is off base U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue on President Obama's veto...

Climate Change Laws of the World

<> Climate Change Laws of the World - From the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law: Countries around the world are taking important domestic actions to help tackle the issue of climate change; here's a collection of the relevant laws and policies of various countries in an easily accessible database.

Regulations Proposed For Exploratory Drilling Offshore Alaska

<> BSEE, BOEM Issue Proposed Regulations to Ensure Safe and Responsible Exploratory Drilling Offshore Alaska - BSEE and BOEM today released proposed regulations to ensure that future exploratory drilling activities on the U.S. Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) are done safely and responsibly, subject to strong and proven operational standards. BSEE, BOEM to Discuss Efforts to Ensure Safe and Responsible Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling Operations in the Arctic - BSEE Director Brian Salerno and BOEM Director Abigail R. Hopper will hold a press conference call to discuss latest efforts to ensure future oil and gas exploratory activities on the U.S. Arctic Outer Continental Shelf  Sen. Murkowski Comments on Interior's Draft Arctic Regulations API: Arctic energy is critical to U.S. economy & national security Sierra Club: Obama Administration Releases New Guidelines for Arctic Ocean Drilling

Exelon: EPA's Carbon Rule For Existing Power Plants Can Be Implemented Reliably and On Time Using Existing Market Mechanisms

<> Exelon: EPA's Carbon Rule For Existing Power Plants Can Be Implemented Reliably and On Time Using Existing Market Mechanisms - The electric industry can achieve the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's goal to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants on schedule and at a minimal cost to consumers without harming grid reliability or compromising the efficiency of existing energy markets, according to Exelon testifying before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) at a technical conference to discuss EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan [Exelon is one of the largest competitive U.S. power generators, with approximately 32,500 megawatts of owned capacity] FERC Technical Conference on Environmental Regulations Background & Agenda