[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 5/13/15

 

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National / International News

<> Obama's plans for trade deals with Asia and Europe in tatters after Senate vote - Senate legislation fails to pass after Democrats put concerns about US jobs ahead of president's argument that trade deals will boost global economy Cloture Roll Call Vote On H.R.1314 Sierra Club Statement on Procedural Senate Vote on Fast Track for Trade Readout of the President's Meeting with Senate Democrats on TPP

<> House passes bill to stop EPA/Corps WOTUS rule – Despite an Administration veto threat, the House voted Tuesday to overturn the Obama administration rule aimed at redefining which streams, ponds, wetlands and other waterways are under its jurisdiction. H.R. 1732: Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015 - Passed House: Last Action: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 261 - 155  Shuster's Legislation to Stop EPA Overreach Passes House - Sponsor, Rep. Bill Shuster's (R-PA) said, "The EPA's latest power grab is a prime example of why Pennsylvanians are sick and tired of the oversized federal government. . ." House Passes Bill Jeopardizing Drinking Water Across the Country EPA WOTUS Rule website

<> Energy Department Authorizes Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project to Export Liquefied Natural Gas - DOE announced that it has issued a final authorization for the Corpus Christi Liquefaction Project (Corpus Christi) to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States.

<> Committee Releases Bipartisan TSCA Modernization Act, Markup This Week - Bipartisan leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee today unveiled a new draft of the TSCA Modernization Act and announced a subcommittee markup on the legislation for this week. [Links to  updated draft of the legislation and summary; background memo, amendments, and votes posted soon]

<> Nation's Beekeepers Lost 40 Percent of Bees in 2014-15 - Beekeepers across the United States lost more than 40 percent of their honey bee colonies during the year spanning April 2014 to April 2015 -- summer losses eclipse winter losses for the first time on record according to study led by University of Maryland professor

<> Small Businesses: Here's How To Act on Climate and Improve Your Bottom Line - Co-authored from EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy & David Levine, Co-founder and President, American Sustainable Business Council

<> Resistance to pipeline bigger than Keystone thwarts Enbridge in Wisconsin - Pipeline giant Enbridge, Inc., is in a standoff with a Wisconsin zoning committee over the company's plans to vastly increase the amount of tar sands oil pumped through one of its lines -- the Dane County, Wisc. zoning committee, motivated by Enbridge's Kalamazoo River spill in Michigan in 2010, wants added insurance requirements to ensure proper cleanup in the event of a spill.

<> Decarbonizing Development: Three Steps to a Zero-Carbon Future - From the World Bank -- The report lays out three steps countries can follow to reduce net emissions of greenhouse gases to zero and stabilize climate change: Plan for the end goal, not just the short-term; get prices right as part of a broad policy package that triggers changes in investment and behavior; and smooth the transition for those most affected.

<> Keystone activists enraged by report that FBI spied on them - According to the Guardian's reporting, which was based on a Freedom of Information Act request, the Houston FBI Office reportedly broke agency rules on numerous occasions by spying on anti-pipeline activists between November 2012 and June 2014. FBI violated its own rules while spying on Keystone XL opponents -  [In WIMS yesterday]

<> NRDC "Sneezing and Wheezing" Report Spotlights Climate Change Links to Asthma and Allergies

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 - Notice of Data. U.S. EPA - Release of Risk and Exposure Assessment Planning Document for the Review of the Primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Nitrogen Dioxide

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> International Joint Commission Newsletter - Catch up on the Spring Semi-Annual, Signs of Spring Campaign and Ballast Water Technology

Michigan News

<> Schuette, Wyant Announce $75 Million Settlement for Enbridge's Kalamazoo River Oil Spill - Settlement invests millions for river improvements and will finalize cleanup and restoration requirements for areas affected by the spill Enbridge settles cleanup of Michigan oil spill for $75M - Five years after an underground pipeline near Marshall ruptured, releasing more than 800,000 gallons of heavy crude oil into a nearby creek, State officials are announcing a $75 million settlement with Enbridge Energy to finalize cleanup terms with the Canadian pipeline owner responsible for 2010's massive Kalamazoo River oil spill. The Consent Judgment with all incorporated exhibits

<> Michigan Senate adds 30 days to session to work on roads bill - The Michigan Senate is planning to remain in session this summer after voters rejected a road-funding proposal on last week's ballot.

<> In Re App of Detroit Edison 2012 Cost Recovery Plan - 5/12/15. In the Michigan Court of Appeals, Case No. 318388. Petitioner Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) appeals by right from an order of the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) granting the application filed by Detroit Edison Company (Edison) to implement a power supply cost recovery (PSCR) plan in its rate schedules for the 2012 metered jurisdictional sales of electricity, and for approval of its five-year forecast. The Appeals Court affirmed the decision of MPSC.

<> Next meeting of the Saginaw-Tittabawassee Rivers Contamination Community Advisory Group - 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Monday, May 18 at the Tittabawassee Township Memorial Park Building, 150 Park Street, Freeland Tittabawassee River / Saginaw River / Saginaw Bay Cleanup

<> Sen. Virgil Smith arraigned, removed from committees - State Senator Virgil Smith (D-Detroit) faces felony assault and gun charges in connection with a shooting incident this past weekend --  accused of hitting his ex-wife and shooting at her car.

<> Citizens Guide MI Legislature App - The Citizens Guide to the Michigan Legislature SmartPhone application provides pictures and contact information for all members of the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives, links to their web sites; committee listings; contact information for Senate & House clerks and business offices, as well as caucus staff for both chambers. Android Installer iPhone/iPad

<> Planning begins on transit system connecting Detroit to Ann Arbor, Pontiac, Mount Clemens – At a kickoff rally in Detroit today, officials announced they'll have those plans ready to go in November, in time to get them on the 2016 ballot.   Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan Early Plans

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 (5/12/15)

IN THE SENATE

HB 4093 of 2015 Appropriations; zero budget; department of environmental quality; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016. Creates appropriation act. [FLOOR]

IN THE HOUSE

HB 4570 of 2015 Education; financing; definition of turbine for purposes of industrial personal property exemption from school operating millage; provide for.  [Committee]

HB 4571 of 2015 Economic development; plant rehabilitation; definition of turbine; provide for. [Committee]

HB 4572 of 2015 Michigan business tax; credits; definition of turbine in eligible personal property tax credit; provide for. [Committee]

HB 4573 of 2015 Property tax; exemptions; definition of turbine; provide for. [Committee]

 

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 5/12/15

 

TO AVOID DISRUPTION IN YOUR SERVICE PLEASE RENEW BY JUNE 1st All Subscriptions Expire on June 1, 2015 (click here)

National / International News

<> BOEM Conditionally Approves Shell's Revised Chukchi Sea Exploration Plan - After a comprehensive review and consideration of comments received from the public, stakeholders, and Federal and state partner agencies and tribes, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) conditionally approved Shell Gulf of Mexico, Inc.'s revised multi-year Exploration Plan (EP) for the Chukchi Sea. Shell to resume Arctic drilling off Alaska as green groups warn of disaster Chairman Murkowski Welcomes DOI Approval of Shell Exploration Plan Markey Criticizes Obama Decision to Drill in Arctic Department of the Interior Approves Shell's Risky Arctic Exploration Plan - [Earthjustice]

<> EPA Launches New Portal to Help Communities Improve Environmental Quality and Public Health - EPA is launching a new website to help local officials and community members find information for improving the environment, public health and quality of life -- developed with input from local, state and federal partners, the Community Resources website provides access to resources that span the range of local concerns – from environmental regulatory compliance to economic revitalization to public health and environmental justice.

<> New Mineral Science Shows Promise for Reducing Environmental Impacts from Mining - Mining companies, land managers, and regulators now have a wealth of tools to aid in reducing potential mining impacts even before the mine gets started -- USGS and various research partners released a special edition of papers specifically targeted at providing modern environmental effect research for modern mining techniques.

<>  Cantwell: Coal Royalty Rule Must Eliminate Loopholes and Better Account for Carbon Pollution - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) urged the U.S. Department of the Interior to ensure a fair return to taxpayers now that the comment period has closed on a proposal to reform coal royalties

<> GAO Report: Adjusting Agencies' Information-Sharing Strategies Could Benefit Landscape-Scale Projects - GAO-15-398: Published: Apr 9, 2015. Publicly Released: May 11, 2015. Through landscape-scale projects, agencies can treat tens or hundreds of thousands of acres, in contrast to projects commonly of under 1,000 acres

<> FBI violated its own rules while spying on Keystone XL opponents - Documents reveal the FBI breached its own internal rules when it spied on campaigners against the Keystone XL pipeline, failing to get approval before it cultivated informants and opened files on individuals protesting against the construction of the pipeline in Texas -- FBI agents have been closely monitoring anti-Keystone activists

<> Two Years of Transformative Open Data for Public Good - Two years ago, President Obama signed an Executive Order (E.O.) to improve how our government shares information for the benefit of the American people -- open data allows businesses, software developers, and others to create consumer-friendly applications to help make better-informed decisions about health care, transportation, energy use, and more and fueling creation of new businesses and jobs.

<> DeFazio, Norton Push for Joint Committee Hearing on Revenue Options to Fund Long-Term Surface Transportation Bill - Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) pushed for a Joint Hearing of the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on revenue options to fund a long-term surface transportation bill.

<> From the Front Lines of Infrastructure Week - As the May 31st deadline for the current surface transportation authorization, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) fast approaches, Congress appears poised to make a move that has become all too familiar in the transportation world – just extend it.

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

<> Ohio asks neighboring states to help fight Lake Erie's algae - Ohio's governor and environmental chief are asking leaders in some neighboring states to look at taking new steps at fighting the toxic algae blooms that have turned Lake Erie green in recent summers -- they've recently started talks with officials from Indiana, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada

<> Walleye at risk in Lake Erie dredge dumping debate; consumption levels at brink of one-meal-per-month - The potential peril is at the heart of a dispute between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency -- the OEPA contends that dredging near the ArcelorMittal steel plant, and dumping the material into open water, could unearth cancer-causing PCBs that have lain dormant for decades on the river bottom, potentially poisoning walleye to an extent that strict, new consumption guidelines would be required.

<> Great Lakes Fishery Commission Annual Meeting - The 60th Annual Meeting of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission will take place June 10-11 in Grand Rapids, Mich., at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.

Michigan News

<> Proposal 1 crash shows lawmakers out of touch - Well, as you undoubtedly know, Proposal 1, the complicated ballot proposal that was supposed to provide money to fix our roads (and for a lot of other things besides) got absolutely crushed May 5. House Speaker Kevin Cotter unveils key focus points for roads - House Speaker Kevin Cotter today announced key principles he said will build a good foundation for a permanent road-funding solution. [for a transcript select "More" then "Transcript"] Snyder skeptical of House speaker's road funding ideas

<> iNaturalist offers tool for citizen scientists to explore Pigeon River Country State Forest - iNaturalist, a tool that can help navigate the forest's natural features – providing an exact location to observe a bull elk or find white pine trees, for example – and then share observations.

<> DNR's Western Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Council to meet May 18 in Calumet

<> DNR to collect muskellunge eggs from Detroit River this spring

<> Lansing city council says 'no' to mayor's plan for BWL inspector general – The city council decided to hire an outside firm to review BWL's management.

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 (5/12/15)

IN THE SENATE

HB 4448 of 2015 Natural resources; inland lakes; inland lakes and streams application fees; modify. [FLOOR]

 

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 5/11/15

 

TO AVOID DISRUPTION IN YOUR SERVICE PLEASE RENEW BY JUNE 1st All Subscriptions Expire on June 1, 2015 (click here)

National / International News

<> The Chemistry of Waters that Follow from Fracking: A Case Study - In a study of 13 hydraulically fractured shale gas wells in north-central Pennsylvania, USGS researchers found that the microbiology and organic chemistry of the produced waters varied widely from well to well.

<> Our Nation's Infrastructure Needs You … Now - The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) says the Highway Trust Fund is not keeping pace with our nation's transportation needs and is set to expire on May 31 -- important statistics and more are presented in the new ASCE "Save America's Infrastructure" app.

<> Senators Call For Strong Labor Standards In TPP Deal - 5/11/15. In Letter to the U.S. Trade Representative Senators Warn That Waiting to Implement Standards Until After Trans-Pacific Partnership Goes Into Effect Could Diminish Enforcement of Labor Protections in TPP Counties

<> Manufacturers Are Ready for TSCA Reform – National Association of Manufacturers said today's announcement that 36 bipartisan U.S. Senators have now joined the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act is proof that compromise is still possible in the halls of the United States Congress and that Washington can still work for manufacturers and citizens across the country.

<> GM counts on electric cars being the future - "The company believes the future is electric, with billions (of dollars) of investment to support an all-in-house approach to the development and manufacturing of electrified vehicles," GM said in its annual sustainability report released Thursday. GM Sustainability Report

<> Toxic Chemicals and Oil Byproducts Found In Treated Irrigation Water - (Beyond Pesticides, May 11, 2015) Oil giant Chevron has been helping farmers in Kern County, CA find a solution to raising crops during the ongoing drought — but it may cause long-term health effects.

<> The What and Why of Carbon Budgets - For any given temperature target there's a corresponding total cumulative amount of greenhouse gasses that can be released, while still having a decent chance of meeting the target -- for example, the IPCC estimates that if we want a 2/3 chance of keeping warming to less than 2°C, then we can release no more than 1000Gt of CO2 between 2011 and the end of the 21st century.

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

<> El Comite el Bienestar de Earlimart v. USEPA - 5/8/15. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Case No. 12-74184. The panel denied a petition for review brought by several community organizations challenging EPA's 2012 approval of revisions and additions to California's Pesticide Element for its State Implementation Plan under the Clean Air Act, relating to the reduction of volatile organic compounds in the San Joaquin and Ventura air basins; and held that EPA was not arbitrary and capricious in construing the Pesticide Element and approving Fumigant Regulations and the SIP Revision.

<> In Re: Deepwater Horizon - 5/8/15. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, Case No. 13-30843. This action involves the Settlement Agreement" approved by the district court on December 21, 2012, between BP Exploration and the certified Economic and Property Damages Class.       The Panel concluded: "In sum, finding that we have jurisdiction over this appeal, we hold that the parties have a right under the Settlement Agreement to appeal claim determinations from the district court to this court. We also hold that the Final Rules violate this right with its lack of docketing provisions providing for a proper appeal to this court, and remand on that basis."

<> In Re: Deepwater Horizon - 5/8/15. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, Case No. 13-31296 c/w Nos. 13-31299, 13-31302. Three consolidated cases related to settlement awards BP paid to nonprofits through its Court-Supervised Settlement Program (CSSP).       The district court denied discretionary review of these three awards and the Appeals Court affirmed the district court ruling.

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)

Michigan News

<> Michigan Recycling Index -  Through a grant provided by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Community Pollution Prevention Grant, the Michigan Recycling Index was created to guide a data collection process for a statewide assessment of recycling activities and recycled materials in Michigan -- two reports from the results of this Index.

<> New Detroit Water Shut-Off Notices Going Out, Along With Aid - The Detroit News says that about 20,000 to 25,000 residential water accounts are delinquent and will start getting notices on Monday giving them 10 days to get assistance or face having their service shut off. Detroit Water Fund information flyer

<> Pothole pots of gold? Think again - There are more than 400 pots of money, called restricted funds, that account for about $20 billion in annual spending and which lawmakers are looking to as a possible source of road funding.

<> Truck enforcement stretched thin in Michigan - Michigan weighs less of the road-chewing truck freight on its highways than most neighboring states as its enforcement team is stretched thin and in need of technology upgrades -- truck enforcement has become especially pertinent as the Legislature scrambles for ways to protect the state's crumbling pavement following voters' rejection last week of a tax increase package that would have put $1.3 billion more a year toward road repair.

<> Senator Stabenow Honors John D. Dingell During 10th Annual Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Benefit Dinner - The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, which covers 48 miles of shoreline, is the only international wildlife refuge in North America.

<> Weekly Recycling News MRC - Michigan Recycling Coalition's Weekly Newsletter View this email in your browser May 8, 2015   Gratitude & Gravitas - We are calling it a success! While we will be sorting out the details for a while, so far this Summit & Conference has met our highest expectations.

<> MDARD Eradicates Hemlock Woolly Adelgid from Three Michigan Counties - Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams today announced that Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) has been eradicated from three counties across the state – two sites in Macomb County, two sites in Ottawa County and multiple locations within Emmet County.

<> MDNR creates Blue Ribbon Advisory Group to review, plan future of Michigan state game areas - The group will begin with a review of state game areas in southwest Michigan and then focus on those in southeast Michigan.

<> Kalamazoo peregrine falcons parent chicks as world watches - A video camera installed in the nesting box of Kalamazoo's peregrine falcons gives running account of how birds parent their chicks -- and has let viewers watch the chicks emerge from their shells and turn into fluffy balls of down in mere days.

<> Report: Detroit Riverfront Conservancy plans transit system along Detroit River - Associated Press - The nonprofit Detroit RiverFront Conservancy is preparing to raise $3 million to fund a transportation system along the Detroit River that includes water taxis and trolley buses.

<> Backers ready to launch Grand Rapids 'waterfront metropolis' plan - A coalition calling itself GR Forward is less than 30 days away from laying out its strategy for "a collection of big, bold ideas to turn Grand Rapids into a waterfront metropolis.

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).