President Highlights Climate Change & Energy In Inaugural Address

Jan 21: President Obama emphasized the need to address climate change and to invest in renewable energy in his second Inaugural Address saying:

"We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity.  We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.  (Applause.)  Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms.  

 

"The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult.  But America cannot resist this transition, we must lead it.  We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries, we must claim its promise.  That's how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure -- our forests and waterways, our crop lands and snow-capped peaks.  That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God.  That's what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared."

    Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, issued a brief statement saying, "The way the President spoke about climate change in his remarks today was exactly right. Addressing the threat of climate change is about protecting the future for our children and future generations, our most sacred obligation."

 

    Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director, released a statement saying, "The Sierra Club is heartened by President Obama's remarks today in his second inauguration and his renewed vow to respond to the threat of climate disruption. Indeed, in America, our possibilities are limitless, and the Sierra Club's 2.1 million members and supporters urge the president to cement our nation's position as the global clean energy leader by going all in on sustainable energy, holding polluters accountable, and rejecting the dangerous tar sands pipeline. We will work tirelessly to ensure the transition to safe, clean energy sources to fight the most pressing challenge of our time."

   

    Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) commented saying, "The President said it exactly right: 'We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.' We at EDF share the sense of urgency President Obama described. We are fully focused on working with him and many others to achieve climate security and American clean energy innovation." 

   

    Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), issued a statement saying, "This is a call to action against the climate chaos that is sweeping our nation and threatening our future. Now it's time to act. Power plants are our single largest source of carbon pollution. We must cut that pollution. We must do it now, for the sake of our country, our children and the future we share."

 

    Access the complete Inaugural Address (click here). Access the statement from Sen. Boxer (click here). Access the statement from Sierra Club (click here). Access the statement from EDF (click here). Access the statement from NRDC with links to related information (click here). [Climate, #Energy/Renewable]

 

 

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS

For a short time you can access the complete daily eNewsUSA issue (click here)

Access subscription information (click here)

Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).

33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals

EPA Announces Voluntary Clean Air "PM Advance" Program

Jan 17: U.S. EPA announced a new voluntary clean air program, 'PM Advance,' to help communities continue to meet soot pollution standards, improve air quality and protect public health. PM Advance focuses on working with communities to develop strategies for reducing harmful fine particle emissions.

    Soot, also known as fine particle pollution (PM2.5), can penetrate deep into the lungs and has been linked to a wide range of serious health effects, including premature death, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as acute bronchitis and aggravated asthma among children. On December 14, 2012, EPA updated the national air quality standards for PM2.5 by revising the annual standard to 12 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) [See WIMS 12/14/12]. Updated last in 1997, the revised annual standard will have major economic benefits with comparatively low costs. EPA estimates health benefits of the revised standard would range from $4 billion to over $9 billion per year.

    The PM Advance program is designed to help communities who meet current standards continue to meet the standards. Early work to reduce fine particles, such as PM Advance participation, can be incorporated into required planning. Through the program, participants will commit to taking specific steps to reduce fine particle pollution, such as putting in place a school bus retrofit program or an air quality action day program, while EPA will supply technical advice, outreach information, and other support. While Federal rules are expected to ensure that most areas meet the new standards, areas can participate in PM Advance to help them remain in attainment.

 

    Access a release from EPA (click here). Access more information on the PM Advance program (click here). Access the 40-page PM Advance Memo and Guidance (click here). [#Air]

 

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS

For a short time you can access the complete daily eNewsUSA issue (click here)

Access subscription information (click here)

Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).

33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals

NAS Report On Security Implications Of Climate & Social Stress

Jan 16: The  National Academy of Sciences (NAS), National Research Council (NRC) released a report entitled, Climate and Social Stress: Implications for Security Analysis. The report indicates that "Core features of the climate change situation are known with confidence. The greenhouse effect associated with the carbon dioxide molecule has been measured, as has the dwell time of that molecule and its concentration in the atmosphere. We also know that the rate at which carbon dioxide is currently being added to the atmosphere substantially exceeds the natural rate that prevailed before the rise of human societies. . ."

 

    The report indicates that in principle the "thermal impulse could be mitigated to a degree that would presumably preserve the current operating conditions of human societies, but the global effort required to do that is not being undertaken and cannot be presumed. As a practical matter, that means that significant burdens of adaptation will be imposed on all societies and that unusually severe climate perturbations will be encountered in some parts of the world over the next decade with increasing frequency and severity thereafter.

 

    "There is a compelling reason to presume that specific failures of adaptation will occur with consequences more severe than any yet experienced, severe enough to compel more extensive international engagement than has yet been anticipated or organized. This report has been prepared at the request of the U.S. intelligence community with these circumstances in mind. It summarizes what is currently known about the security effects of climate perturbations, admitting the inherent complexities and the very considerable uncertainties involved. But under the presumption that these effects will be of increasing significance, it outlines the monitoring activities that the intelligence community should be developing in support of improved anticipation, more effective prevention efforts, and more decisive emergency reaction when that becomes necessary."

 

    Further the report indicates that, "The U.S. intelligence community is expected to monitor and provide warnings about a wide variety of security threats -- not only risks of international wars that might threaten U.S. interests or require a U.S. military response, but also risks of violent subnational conflicts in countries of security concern, threats to the stability of states and regions, and risks of major humanitarian disasters in key regions of the world. This intelligence mission requires the consideration of activities and processes anywhere in the world that might lead, directly or indirectly, to threats to U.S. national security.

 

    "In recent years, the accumulation of scientific evidence that the global climate is changing beyond the bounds of past experience has raised expectations of new stresses on societies around the world, creating possible security risks for the

United States. Those stresses include situations in which climate events (e.g., droughts, heat waves, or storms) have consequences that exceed the capacity of affected countries to cope and respond. The U.S. intelligence and security communities have recognized the need to evaluate possible connections between climate change and U.S. national security concerns, and to increase their ability to consider climate change when assessing possible threats to national security."

 

    Among other conclusions, the report indicates, "Security analysts should anticipate that over the next decade, droughts, heat waves, storms, or other climate events of surprising intensity or duration will stress communities, societies, governments, and the globally integrated systems that support human well-being. These surprises are likely to appear first as unusually severe extensions of familiar experience, and the consequences of at least some of these events are likely to be felt in places remote from the regions in which the events occur. They will include both single extreme events and simultaneous or sequential conjunctions of

events; both types will become progressively more serious and more frequent.

 

    "The conjunctions will likely include apparently unrelated climate events that occur closely in time, although perhaps widely separated geographically, such as simultaneous droughts in the southwestern United States and in Argentina; sequences or cascades of events that precipitate unexpected physical or biological consequences; and shocks to globally connected systems, such as food markets, strategic commodity supply chains, and public health systems. Security risks posed by these climate surprises are unlikely to be anticipated by looking only at climate trends and projections. . .

 

    ". . .the U.S. government should begin immediately to develop a systematic and enduring whole-of-government strategy for monitoring threats related to climate change. This monitoring should be globally applicable and should include climate phenomena, exposures and vulnerabilities, and factors that link aspects of climate and vulnerability to important security outcomes. Analysis based on this monitoring will require integrating quantitative indicators with traditional security and intelligence analytic methods; collecting new and finer-grained data while maintaining critical existing observational systems; analyzing new and existing data; and improving analytic techniques."

 

    Access the complete 253-page report (click here). [#Climate]

 

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS

For a short time you can access the complete daily eNewsUSA issue (click here)

Access subscription information (click here)

Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).

33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals

U.S. EPA Releases Annual Toxics Release Inventory For 2011

Jan 16: U.S. EPA) released its annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report today indicating that total toxic air releases in 2011 declined 8 percent from 2010, mostly because of decreases in hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions, even while total releases of toxic chemicals increased for the second year in a row. The annual TRI provides citizens with vital information about their communities. The TRI program collects information on certain toxic chemical releases to the air, water and land, as well as information on waste management and pollution prevention activities by facilities across the country. TRI data are submitted annually to EPA, states and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste facilities.

    EPA's outgoing Administrator Lisa Jackson said, "The Toxics Release Inventory provides widespread access to valuable environmental information. It plays a critical role in EPA's efforts to hold polluters accountable and identify and acknowledge those who take steps to prevent pollution. Since 1998, we have recorded a steady decline in the amount of TRI chemicals released into the air, and since 2009 alone, we have seen more than a 100 million pound decrease in TRI air pollutants entering our communities. This remarkable success is due in part to the TRI program and concerted efforts by industry, regulators and public interest groups to clean up the air we all depend upon."

    Among the HAPs showing decline were hydrochloric acid and mercury. Likely reasons for the decreases seen over the past several years include installation of control technologies at coal fired power plants and a shift to other fuel sources. Releases into surface water decreased 3 percent and releases to land increased 19 percent since 2010, with the latter again due primarily to the metal mining sector.

    The 2011 TRI data show that 4.09 billion pounds of toxic chemicals were disposed of or released into the environment (i.e., air, water or land), an 8 percent increase from 2010. The difference is mainly due to increases in land disposal at metal mines, which typically involve large facilities handling large volumes of material. In this sector, even a small change in the chemical composition of the ore being mined -- which EPA understands is one of the asserted reasons for the increase in total reported releases -- can lead to big changes in the amount of toxic chemicals reported nationally. Other industry sectors also saw smaller increases in releases, including the hazardous waste management sector.

    EPA indicated that it has improved this year's TRI national analysis report by adding new information about facility efforts to reduce pollution, insights into why air releases are declining, and an enhanced analysis of releases on tribal lands. With this report and EPA's web-based TRI tools, citizens can access information about TRI-listed toxic chemical releases in their communities and across the country.

    Facilities are required to report their toxic chemical releases to EPA under the Federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) by the beginning of July each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires information on waste management activities related to TRI chemicals. Also, EPA's TRI mobile application, myRTK, geographically displays nearby facilities that report to the TRI program, as well as facilities with EPA air, water or hazardous waste program permits.

 

    Access a release from EPA with links to related information (click here). Access more on the 2011 TRI analysis and TRI web-based tools (click here). Access more on facility efforts to reduce toxic chemical releases (click here). [#Toxics]

 

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS

For a short time you can access the complete daily eNewsUSA issue (click here)

Access subscription information (click here)

Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).

33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals

Black Carbon Climate Impacts "Seriously Underestimated"

Jan 15: A landmark, four-year assessment report, Bounding the role of black carbon in the climate system, published online in the Journal of Geophysical Research (JGR): Atmospheres, indicates that black carbon (BC) is the second most powerful climate pollutant, ahead of methane, and second only to carbon dioxide. The assessment was lead by T.C. Bond, S. J. Doherty, D. W. Fahey, and P. Forster, and a multinational team of 27 other experts, including prominent scientists from China and India.

 

    According to the assessment, the direct effects of black carbon are nearly twice as large as the 2007 IPCC Fourth Assessment, and in the past its climate impacts have been seriously underestimated, confirming select earlier studies that were once considered outliers, including a study by Ramanathan and Carmichael (2008). Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development, who served as a reviewer of the assessment said, "This landmark assessment shows that the potential to slow warming by cutting black carbon is even more important than previously understood."

    The assessment indicates that, "The best estimate of industrial-era climate forcing of black carbon through all forcing mechanisms, including clouds and cryosphere forcing, is +1.1 Wm-2. The upper end of possible total climate forcing from black carbon could be as high as 2.1Wm-2, more than the current forcing from CO2, at 1.7 Wm-2." The assessment also calculates that BC causes significantly higher forcing over the Arctic and other vulnerable regions. It can also affect rainfall patterns in areas where emissions are high, such as the Asian Monsoon system, confirming earlier studies by Ramanathan et al. (2005) and Meehl et al. (2007).  In addition, the assessment establishes that black carbon is a significant cause of the rapid warming in the Northern Hemisphere at mid- to high-latitudes, including the northern United States, Canada, northern Europe, and northern Asia.

    The assessment establishes that reducing diesel black carbon emissions along with other key sectors including brick kilns and residential solid fuel burning will quickly reduce warming. Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director said, "This new research provides further compelling evidence to act on short-lived climate pollutants, including black carbon. I would urge more countries, companies and organizations to join the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, which is leveraging several key pathways and new partnerships to manage down these climate, health and crop-damaging emissions." The Coalition has projects underway to reduce black carbon emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines, brick production, and municipal waste disposal, and is considering several new initiatives, including for residential cook stoves.

    Since its founding February last year, the Coalition has grown from six to 25 State partners from both developed and developing countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Bangladesh, Mexico, Norway, Japan, and the U.S.  In May the G8 countries agreed to join, and commissioned the World Bank to prepare a report on ways to integrate reduction of near-term climate pollutants into their activities. Pending completion of the report, the World Bank has already pledged significant increases in funding to reduce black carbon and the other short-lived climate pollutants.  Other members include the UN Environment Programme, which houses the Secretariat, the UN Development Programme, and the European Commission, as well as several NGOs. The Coalition's total membership is 49.

    Black Carbon is one of three short-lived climate pollutants targeted for reduction by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, along with methane and HFCs. Fast action on black carbon and methane has the potential to cut the rate of climate change in half for the next several decades, reduce air pollution-related deaths by as much as 2.4 million a year, and annual crop losses by 30 to more than 100 million tonnes, according to a previous assessment of black carbon and tropospheric ozone by UNEP and the World Meteorological Organization.

    The new assessment is being released at the same time as the US's draft third climate assessment report by 240 scientists [See WIMS 1/14/13], which concludes that climate change is already a major threat, "largely because society and its infrastructure were designed for the climate of the past, not for the rapidly changing climate of the present or the future," with longer periods of extreme heat in summer, longer wildfire seasons in the Western US, increasing coastal erosion, and more frequent flooding.

    Zaelke said, "Fast cuts to black carbon and other short-lived climate pollutants are critical for both mitigation and adaptation because they can quickly reduce the rate of warming by half and reduce impacts significantly over the next several decades. Success also builds the momentum and confidence we need to address carbon dioxide from energy production, which is essential for a safe climate." According to a release, "The new assessment and the Coalition are clear that cuts in black carbon and the other short-lived climate pollutants cannot alone protect the Planet and its people from dangerous levels of climate change over the 21st century unless aggressive reductions are also made in carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas."

    On April 2, 2012, U.S. EPA released its final Report to Congress on Black Carbon which was in the making for several years. The October 2009 Interior Appropriations bill (P.L. 111-88) required EPA, in consultation with other Federal agencies, to prepare a comprehensive report to Congress on the climate effects of black carbon [See WIMS 4/3/12]. Black carbon, or soot, results from incomplete combustion of organic matter such as fossil fuels and biomass. The report to Congress evaluates and synthesizes available information on sources of black carbon, impacts of black carbon on global and regional climate, and the potential utility and cost-effectiveness of mitigation options for reducing climate and public health impacts of black carbon.

    Access a release from the United Nations Regional Information Centre with multiple links to related information (click here). Access the JGR overview and abstract (click here). Access the 232-page report (click here). Access a second release from the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (click here). Access the EPA final Report to Congress on Black Carbon (click here). [#Climate]

 

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS

For a short time you can access the complete daily eNewsUSA issue (click here)

Access subscription information (click here)

Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).

33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals

More On The Draft National Climate Change Assessment

Jan 11: Administration executives including John Holdren, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) authored a posting on the White House website announcing the release of the draft Third National Climate Assessment Report (NCA) [See WIMS 1/11/13].

 

    The posting indicates that a committee of independent advisors to the U.S. Government released its first draft of a new National Climate Assessment (NCA) -- a 400-page synthesis of scientists' current understanding of climate change and its impacts in the United States. The officials indicate, "The Global Change Research Act of 1990 calls for an NCA to be produced at least every four years -- the last came out in 2009. The draft NCA is a scientific document -- not a policy document -- and does not make recommendations regarding actions that might be taken in response to climate change. Today is the first time the Government has been presented with this draft and the administration will be one of a number of entities that will begin the process of reviewing it. When completed about a year from now, however -- after considerable inputs from the public and expert reviewers -- it will represent the most thorough, rigorous, and transparent assessment ever of climate change and its U.S. impacts."

    It is indicated that the new NCA has been years in the making, with the draft version released reflecting the efforts of more than 1,000 individuals from the public and private sectors and academia who have been compiling data since 2010. But the officials indicated, ". . .that's just the beginning of the process. Concurrent with our review of this document, the public, starting Monday [January 14, 2013], is also invited to comment on the draft, which will also be painstakingly reviewed by the National Academies. Ultimately, towards the end of this year, a final NCA will be presented to the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which coordinates global-change research activities across the Federal Government. USGCRP will use the Assessment to help pinpoint knowledge gaps and develop research priorities.

    "But equally important, the NCA -- which as a scientific document makes no policy recommendations -- is expected to be used widely by public and private stakeholders who need information about climate change in order to thrive -- from farmers deciding which crops to grow, to city planners deciding the diameter of new storm sewers they are replacing, to electric utilities and regulators pondering how to protect the power grid. To maximize its practical usefulness, the draft document breaks down the impacts of climate change across eight regions of the United States and more than a dozen sectors of the U.S. economy and society, including: energy, transportation, agriculture, health, urban infrastructure, coastal zone development, and water resources.

    "While the specific findings of the draft NCA are still subject to revision in response to inputs from the public, the National Academies, and the 13 Federal departments and agencies that make up the USGCRP, the document released today deserves credit already for setting a new standard of scientific integrity, user relevance, and stakeholder inclusiveness. It was developed with input from more than 240 contributing authors under the leadership of 60 independent expert advisors. More than 1,000 volunteers across the Nation helped build it from the ground-up by organizing regional workshops and contributing technical reports."

    The posting also notes that in a parallel effort, USGCRP recently launched "NCAnet," a growing network of more than 60 stakeholder organizations committed to engaging broad and diverse audiences on this important topic. NCAnet represents a major step toward building the "sustained assessment" process that has been articulated as a strategic goal for USGCRP -- a process that will aim to inform climate-related decisions on continual basis, rather than just every four years.

    During the winter of 2012-2013, the National Climate Assessment will be hosting town hall meetings in each region of the United States. The meetings will bring together climate change experts and users of climate change information, from academia; local, state, tribal, and federal governments; non-profit organizations; and business and industry. Meetings are currently scheduled for: Southwest - San Diego, CA – January 18; Northeast - Syracuse, NY – January 23; Great Plains - Lincoln, NE – February 4; Alaska & Arctic - Anchorage, AK – February 5; Midwest - Ann Arbor, MI – February 12; Southeast - Tampa, FL – February 19; and Northwest - Portland, OR – March 12.

    Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, issued the a brief statement saying, "This draft report sends a warning to all of us: we must act in a comprehensive fashion to reduce carbon pollution or expose our people and communities to continuing devastation from extreme weather events and their aftermath."

    Daniel Lashof, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council's (NRDC's) Climate and Clean Air Program, commented on the draft  Climate Assessment findings saying, "Climate chaos is sweeping our country, bringing more heat waves, floods, storms and drought, and faster than previously predicted. This report shows that every day we delay action on climate change the costs keep rising for our families, communities, economy and American way of life. Fortunately, the president has the tools at hand now to make big reductions in carbon emissions from largest source of climate-changing pollution: the nation's existing power plants. And he can do so with lower costs and higher benefits than many would expect." He noted that NRDC recently released a proposal that shows how U.S. EPA can team up with the states and use the Clean Air Act to cut carbon pollution by 26 percent by 2020 from existing power plants [See WIMS 12/5/12]. 

    The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) indicated in a release that the report is the "flagship climate change assessment for the United States." Todd Sanford, a UCS climate scientist said, "This could help restart a national conversation about climate change. It gives us a road map for climate change. And the road is much bumpier if we continue along a higher emissions pathway. Climate change is already affecting us and there's a growing demand at the local level for information about what it means for our present and our future. The climate conversation always starts with science. Because policymakers have generally supported policies that increase emissions, successfully adapting to climate change is becoming more difficult."

    Eileen Claussen, President of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) issued a statement saying, "The release today of the draft National Climate Assessment is an important step in credibly documenting and raising awareness of the risks posed by climate change across the United States. As mandated by Congress, the National Climate Assessment draws on experts across many disciplines both in and outside government to compile and evaluate the best available science on climate change and its potential ramifications. Following a period of public comment, the final report will offer the most comprehensive assessment ever of observed and potential impacts on key economic sectors and all regions of the United States. This assessment will provide a critical foundation for informed decision-making in both the public and private sectors on steps to manage climate risks by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening the resilience of communities and critical infrastructure. Following a year of record heat, drought and wildfire, capped by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, a credible, comprehensive evaluation of the climate risks facings America is more urgent than ever."

     World Resources Institute (WRI) President Andrew Steer said, "The evidence is clear and mounting. The United States sits at the center of the climate crisis. Record heat is devastating crops, rivers are drying up, and storms are bearing down on our cities. Climate change is taking its toll on people and their economies, and will only become more intense without a strong and rapid response here in the United States and around the globe. It's not too late to take action, but given lags in policy and geophysical processes, the window is closing."

    Access the White House blog posting with links to related information (click here).  Access an overview and background (click here). Access complete information and link to the draft report (click here). [Note: the report is very large (147MB) and may be downloaded in 30 chapters and appendices.] Access information on the upcoming meetings (click here). Access detailed background information about sea level rise and climate trends (click here). Access detailed information about coastal changes (click here). Access more information on NCAnet (click here). Access the USGCRP website (click here). Access the statement from Sen. Boxer (click here). Access a release from NRDC (click here). Access a release from UCS (click here). Access a release from C2ES (click here). Access a release from WRI (click here). [#Climate, #MIClimate]

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS
For a short time you can access the complete daily eNewsUSA issue (click here)
Access subscription information (click here)
Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).
33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals

USGCRP Releases Draft National Climate Assessment Report

Jan 11: The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), has announced the latest draft of the Third National Climate Assessment Report (NCA). The NCA is an important resource for understanding and communicating climate change science and impacts in the United States. It informs the nation about already observed changes, the current status of the climate, and anticipated trends for the future. The NCA report process integrates scientific information from multiple sources and sectors to highlight key findings and significant gaps in our knowledge. The NCA also establishes consistent methods for evaluating climate impacts in the U.S. in the context of broader global change. Finally, findings from the NCA provide input to federal science priorities and are used by U.S. citizens, communities, and businesses as they create more sustainable and environmentally sound plans for the nation's future.

 

    The National Climate Assessment Development Advisory Committee (NCADAC), charged with developing the 2013 report and recommendations, released the draft of the Third National Climate Assessment online today and it will be officially released for public review on Monday, January 14. Comments on the report will be accepted until April 12, 2013.

 

    The NCA is envisioned as an inclusive, nationwide process with many key objectives, including: Evaluating, integrating, and assessing relevant climate science and information from multiple sources; Summarizing and synthesizing the findings of the U.S. Global Change Research Program; Increasing understanding of what is known and not known about climate change; Informing climate science research priorities; Building climate assessment capacity, including vulnerability assessment and documentation of impacts in regions and sectors; and Supporting climate‐literacy and skilled use of NCA findings.

 

    According to an announcement, the NCA process and third report set the stage for more comprehensive assessments in the future. It differs from previous U.S. climate assessments in a variety of ways:

• It is an ongoing process, rather than a periodic report‐writing activity
• The NCA includes climate impacts and projections, but also assesses progress in response activities such as adaptation and mitigation
• Partnerships inside and outside of the government support this effort, including entities in both the public and the private sectors
• National indicators of change within regions and sectors are being developed, along with consistent and ongoing methods for evaluation
• This NCA report will be entirely web‐based and the final report will be submitted as an e‐book; this allows easier access to data for citizens and scientists and transparent "line of sight" between data and conclusions
• This NCA is designed to support decision making processes within and across regions and sectors of the U.S. while also considering the international context of U.S. activities and impacts

    The Global Change Research Act of 1990 requires an assessment report at least every four years. The federal government is responsible for producing these reports through the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), a collaboration of 13 federal science agencies. A 60 member federal advisory committee, the National Climate Assessment Development Advisory Committee (NCADAC), has been charged with developing the 2013 report and recommendations about the ongoing assessment process. The report itself is being written by 240 authors drawn from academia; local, state, and federal government; the private sector; and the nonprofit sector.

 

    Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director, issued a statement saying, "The Sierra Club welcomes the release of the draft of the National Climate Assessment, and our 2.1 million members and supporters are ready to support and amplify these findings. This report underscores what many of us already know -- climate disruption is here and it is exacting real, human and economic costs. 2012 was the hottest year on record for our nation. It was a year rife with droughts, wildfires and extreme weather events like Superstorm Sandy. In addition, the number of weather catastrophes driven by climate disruption across the world has tripled since 1980, with the greatest increases in North America. The situation is dire and requires nothing short of bold, decisive action by President Obama and our leaders to cut our addiction to fossil fuels and build a clean energy economy."

 

    Access an overview and background (click here). Access complete information and link to the draft report (click here). [Note: the report is very large (147MB) and may be downloaded in 30 chapters and appendices.] Access the statement from Sierra Club (click here). [#Climate]

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS

For a short time you can access the complete daily eNewsUSA issue (click here)

Access subscription information (click here)

Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).

33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals

Reports & Negotiations Toward Global Treaty On Mercury Releases

Jan 9: the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released what it is calling the most comprehensive assessment ever of global emissions and indicates that communities in developing countries are facing increasing health and environmental risks linked to exposure to mercury. Parts of Africa, Asia and South America could see increasing emissions of mercury into the environment, due mainly to the use of the toxic element in small-scale gold mining, and through the burning of coal for electricity generation. UNEP produced its first Global Mercury Assessment in 2002, and a subsequent study in 2007. The 2013 assessment is the most comprehensive to date, and includes information on the release and impacts of mercury in aquatic environments for the first time.

 

    The Global Mercury Assessment 2013 reports that emissions of the toxic metal from artisanal gold mining have doubled since 2005, in part due to new and better information, but also due to rising gold prices that are expected to lead to further increases. The report indicates that due to rapid industrialization, Asia is the largest regional emitter of mercury, and accounts for just under half of all global releases. The UNEP study assesses for the first time at a global level releases of mercury into rivers and lakes. Much human exposure to mercury is through the consumption of contaminated fish, making aquatic environments the critical link to human health.

    In the past 100 years, man-made emissions have caused the amount of mercury in the top 100 metres of the world's oceans to double. Concentrations in deeper waters have increased by up to 25 percent. The study, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of mercury emissions by region and economic sector, also highlights significant releases into the environment linked to contaminated sites and deforestation. The report says an estimated 260 tonnes of mercury -- previously held in soils -- are being released into rivers and lakes.

    Along with a parallel UNEP publication Mercury: Time to Act, the new assessment will be formally presented at the International Negotiating Committee on Mercury (INC5), to be held in Geneva on January 13-18, 2013. Governments attending the major conference are aiming to conclude discussions on a global legally binding treaty to minimize risks to people and the environment from exposure to mercury. The treaty would reduce cases of neurological and behavioral disorders, and other health problems linked to mercury, as well as the contamination of soils and rivers caused by man-made emissions of the metal. Governments gave the green light to negotiations towards a global treaty back in 2009 at the UNEP Governing Council held in Nairobi, Kenya. Following the conclusion of the INC5 negotiations, the text will be open for signature at a diplomatic conference (Conference of Plenipotentiaries), which will be held in 2013 in Japan.

    United Nations Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said, "Mercury, which exists in various forms, remains a major global, regional and national challenge in terms of threats to human health and the environment. In 2009 at the UNEP Governing Council, nations agreed to launch negotiations for a legally binding treaty aimed at bringing down releases from sources such as industry and mining, address mercury-containing products, and tackle historical pollution sites -- the final negotiations begin in just a few days' time. Mercury has been known as a toxin and a hazard for centuries-but today we have many of the alternative technologies and processes needed to reduce the risks for tens of millions of people, including pregnant mothers and their babies. A good outcome can also assist in a more sustainable future for generations to come."

    Mercury released from industry and other man-made sources can circulate in the environment for up to centuries at a time. This means that it is likely to be several years or decades before reductions in mercury emissions have a demonstrable effect on mercury levels in nature and the food chain. The UNEP studies say this reinforces the need for swift action by governments, industry and civil society to strengthen efforts to reduce mercury emissions and releases. The report says delays in action will lead to slower recovery of ecosystems and a greater legacy of pollution.

    The report also highlights the rising levels of mercury present in the Arctic. An estimated 200 tonnes of mercury are deposited in the Arctic each year, generally far from where it originated. Studies have shown a ten-fold increase in levels of mercury in certain Arctic wildlife species in the past 150 years, due mainly, it is thought, to human activity.

    The UNEP reports state that global emissions of mercury have remained relatively stable in the last twenty years, with 2010 emissions from human activities thought to be just under 2,000 tonnes. Despite improved availability of data on mercury, the emissions estimate is still subject to uncertainty, and covers a range of 1010 to 4070 tonnes. Along with coal burning, the use of mercury to separate metal from ore in small-scale gold mining remains the chief source of emissions worldwide. 

    Annual emissions from small-scale gold mining are estimated at 727 tonnes, or 35 percent of the global total. Greater exposure to mercury poses a direct threat to the health of some 10-15 million people who are directly involved in small-scale gold mining, mainly in Africa, Asia and South America. An estimated 3 million women and children work in the industry. Mercury-free methods and other low-cost solutions for reducing emissions during gold extraction are available, but socio-economic conditions, and low awareness of the risks of mercury, are barriers to adopting safer techniques.

    Coal burning is responsible for some 475 tonnes of mercury emissions annually, or around 24 percent of the global total. Despite increased coal combustion in certain regions, more stringent regulations on pollution in several countries have contributed to reducing overall mercury emissions from coal burning and off-setting part of the emissions arising from increased industrial activity.

    Other sources of mercury highlighted in the UNEP publications include: Metal and cement production, through fuel extraction and combustion of fossil fuels; Consumer products such as electronic devices, switches, batteries, energy-efficient light bulbs and cosmetics such as skin-lightening creams and mascara. Mercury contained in such goods can also enter the waste stream; Dentistry: Around 340 tonnes of mercury are used annually to make fillings and other dental products, of which up to 100 tonnes are likely to enter the waste stream; Plastic production -- particularly the manufacture of poly vinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is in high demand in many countries where there are extensive building projects; Chlor-alkali industry (production of chlorine and caustic soda from salt); and Primary mining -- although the practice is now limited to a handful of countries with only one (Kyrgyzstan) still exporting.

    Efforts to tackle the environmental and health threat posed by mercury have grown over recent decades, according to the reports. Notable actions include:

• The UNEP Mercury Products Partnership has set the goal of reducing demand for mercury-containing thermometers and blood pressure devices by 70 percent by 2017
• USA has finalized the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard which predicts to reduce mercury emissions by 20 tonnes by 2016
• European Union banned mercury exports in 2011 and the USA has just started an export ban from 1 January 2013
• UNEP has supported National Action Plans by Argentina, Uruguay and other countries to find environmentally-sound solutions for the storage and disposal of excess mercury and waste products

    Yet despite such steps, coordinated action on a global level to reduce environmental and health risks posed by exposure to mercury has been comparatively slow. The UNEP studies state that accelerated action, such as finalizing a global, legally binding treaty, promoting the availability of low-mercury technologies, and other measures, can support a sharp decline in demand for mercury. The reports recommend that to achieve this, "primary mining of mercury should be ceased as soon as possible, and demand met by investing in improved recycling measures. Governments should ensure regulatory frameworks and incentives to promote the transition to viable, safe and commercial alternatives, resulting in reduced releases of mercury and other pollutants."

    Access a release from UNEP (click here). Access the 42-page, latest draft of the Global Mercury Assessment 2013 (click here). Access the 44-page Mercury: Time to Act report (click here). Access complete information on the Negotiating Process, the upcoming INC 5 meeting and previous INC meetings (click here). [#Toxics]

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS

For a short time you can access the complete daily eNewsUSA issue (click here)

Access subscription information (click here)

Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).

33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals

2012 Was U.S. Warmest In Recorded History; 3.2°F Above Average

Jan 8: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Climatic Data Center, released a 2012 State of the Climate data and information indicating that "2012 was warmest and second most extreme year on record for the contiguous U.S."

 

    According to summary information, 2012 was an historic year for extreme weather that included drought, wildfires, hurricanes and storms; however, tornado activity was below average. 2012 marked the warmest year on record for the contiguous United States with the year consisting of a record warm spring, second warmest summer, fourth warmest winter and a warmer-than-average autumn. The average temperature for 2012 was 55.3°F, 3.2°F above the 20th century average, and 1.0°F above 1998, the previous warmest year.

    The average precipitation total for the contiguous U.S. for 2012 was 26.57 inches, 2.57 inches below average, making it the 15th driest year on record for the nation. At its peak in July, the drought of 2012 engulfed 61 percent of the nation with the Mountain West, Great Plains, and Midwest experiencing the most intense drought conditions. The dry conditions proved ideal for wildfires in the West, charring 9.2 million acres -- the third highest on record.

    The data indicates that the U.S. Climate Extremes Index indicated that 2012 was the second most extreme year on record for the nation. The index, which evaluates extremes in temperature and precipitation, as well as land-falling tropical cyclones, was nearly twice the average value and second only to 1998. To date, 2012 has seen 11 disasters that have reached the $1 billion threshold in losses, to include Sandy, Isaac, and tornado outbreaks experienced in the Great Plains, Texas and Southeast/Ohio Valley.

    NOAA also reported on Alaska and Hawaii and indicated in summary that Alaska was cooler and slightly wetter than average during 2012. The year began very cold for the State with a January temperature 14.0°F below the 1971-2000 average. Each subsequent season was also cooler than average, resulting in an annual temperature 2.3°F below average. Much of 2012 was also wetter than average, and the annual precipitation total was 9.2 percent above average. Drought conditions continued to plague Hawaii during 2012. At the beginning of 2012, 47.4 percent of the State was experiencing moderate-to-exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. By the end of the year, the percent area experiencing moderate-to-exceptional drought expanded to 63.3 percent of the State.

    Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, issued a statement on the NOAA data release saying, "The facts speak for themselves -- whether it is NOAA's announcement today that 2012 was the hottest year on record or the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy, predictions of dangerous climate change impacts are coming true before our eyes. We need to focus now on what we must do to address climate change so that we can protect our people, local communities, and the nation's economy."

 

    Representative Ed Markey (D-MA), the Ranking Member on the House Natural Resources Committee issued a statement saying, "Climate change is costing American lives and livelihoods. In our warmest year on record, the United States suffered the most widespread drought since the Dust Bowl, record wildfires that engulfed neighborhoods, and superstorm Sandy, which killed more than 100 people and could cost taxpayers $60 billion. Our planet is warming, our oceans are rising, and our storms are strengthening. Congress can no longer afford to watch the devastation from an air conditioned perch. We must make 2013 a year for climate action. Waiting around for the next superstorm to flood Boston's Faneuil Hall or the Boston Garden is not an option."

 

    The Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) disputes the NOAA information and issued a report at the Doha UNFCCC meeting in December 2012, indicating, ". . .the latest peer-reviewed studies, data and analysis undermine the case that the weather is more 'extreme' or 'unprecedented.' On every key measure, claims of extreme weather in our current climate fail to hold up to scrutiny." The report, Extreme Weather Report 2012, indicates that, "Extreme weather events are ever present, and there is no evidence of systematic increases."

 

    Access a release and details on the NOAA data (click here). Access the statement from Sen. Boxer (click here). Access the statement from Rep. Markey (click here). Access the CFACT's 35-page report with extensive links (click here). [#Climate]

 

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS

For a short time you can access the complete daily eNewsUSA issue (click here)

Access subscription information (click here)

Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).

33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals

Supreme Court Rules In LA County Flood Control Dist. v. NRDC

Jan 8: The U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in the case of Los Angeles County Flood Control District, Petitioner v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., et al. (SupCt. docket 11-460). The high profile case with 22 amicus briefs, deals with the issue of pollutants stemming from municipal stormwater systems [See WIMS 11/30/12]. In March 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (Case No. 10-56017) ruled partially in favor of NRDC, et al [See WIMS 3/11/11] and overturned a district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of two municipal entities and Los Angeles County. In that case Plaintiffs contended that Defendants County of Los Angeles (County) and Los Angeles County Flood Control District (District) were discharging polluted urban stormwater runoff collected by municipal separate storm sewer systems (ms4) into navigable waters in Southern California. 

 

    Today, the Supreme Court said, "The Court granted review in this case limited to a single question: Under the Clean Water Act (CWA), 86 Stat.816, as amended, 33 U. S. C. §1251 et seq., does the flow of water out of a concrete channel within a river rank as a 'discharge of a pollutant'? In this Court, the parties and the United States as amicus curiae agree that the answer to this question is 'no.' They base this accord on South Fla. Water Management Dist. v. Miccosukee Tribe, 541 U. S. 95, 109–112 (2004), in which we accepted that pumping polluted water from one part of a water body into another part of the same body is not a discharge of pollutants- under the CWA. Adhering to the view we took in Miccosukee, we hold that the parties correctly answered the sole question presented in the negative. The decision in this suit rendered by the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is inconsistent with our determination. We therefore reverse that court's judgment."

 

    In its unanimous decision, the Supreme Court explained further, "In Miccosukee, polluted water was removed from a canal, transported through a pump station, and then de-posited into a nearby reservoir. 541 U. S., at 100. We held that this water transfer would count as a discharge of pollutants under the CWA only if the canal and the reservoir were 'meaningfully distinct water bodies.' Id., at 112. It follows, a fortiori, from Miccosukee that no discharge of pollutants occurs when water, rather than being removed and then returned to a water body, simply flows from one portion of the water body to another. We hold, therefore, that the flow of water from an improved portion of a navigable waterway into an unimproved portion of the very same waterway does not qualify as a discharge of pollutants under the CWA. Because the decision below cannot be squared with that holding, the Court of Appeals' judgment must be reversed."

 

    Further, the Supreme Court said, "The NRDC and Baykeeper urge that the Court of Appeals reached the right result, albeit for the wrong reason.The monitoring system proposed by the District and written into its permit showed numerous instances in which water-quality standards were exceeded. Under the permit's terms, the NRDC and Baykeeper maintain, the ex- exceedances detected at the instream monitoring stations are by themselves sufficient to establish the District's ability under the CWA for its upstream discharges. See Brief for Respondents 33–62. This argument failed below. See 673 F. 3d, at 898, 901; App. to Pet. for Cert. 100–102. It is not embraced within, or even touched by,the narrow question on which we granted certiorari. We therefore do not address, and indicate no opinion on, the issue the NRDC and Baykeeper seek to substitute for the question we took up for review."

 

    NRDC issued a release commenting on the decision saying the groups had sought to hold the county responsible for the "toxic mix of mercury, arsenic, cyanide, lead and fecal bacteria found in billions of gallons of stormwater runoff." NRDC said, Today's Supreme Court ruling resolved a narrow legal issue that the parties all agreed on: that the flow of polluted water within a single river does not constitute a 'discharge of pollutants' under the Clean Water Act. The Court did not excuse the County from liability for ongoing water pollution in the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers."

    Steve Fleischli, senior attorney and director of NRDC's national water program said, "We'll continue to seek to hold the Los Angeles County Flood Control District responsible for cleaning up its water pollution. Unless something changes, stormwater pollution will continue to sicken up to one million people in Southern California every year, while local government turns a blind eye and avoids basic infrastructure solutions that will protect people, preserve water quality and increase water reserves." Liz Crosson, Executive Director of L.A. Waterkeeper said, "The county has managed to game the system in a way that has allowed the pollution of our waterways to go unaddressed for many years. The county is the largest source of stormwater pollution to local waterways, and today it has escaped accountability, but only temporarily."

    The groups indicated that, "This pollution can be prevented, however, through the development of green infrastructure solutions, such as on-site water capture and filtration. These techniques trap stormwater pollution at the source, rather than allow it to flow to sea untreated, and allow rainwater to be reused rather than wasted. Green infrastructure is not only good for public health and smart environmental policy, it will save money, increase water supplies, reduce flood risks and clean up local beaches and rivers. The county has not used these available techniques as effectively as it should."

    Access the complete opinion (click here). Access a release from NRDC (click here). Access the SupCt docket for the case (click here). Access links to all of the merit and amicus briefs in the case (click here). Access the complete opinion of the Ninth Circuit (click here).  [#Water, #SupCt]

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS

For a short time you can access the complete issue (click here)

Access subscription information (click here)

Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).

33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals

Environment, Energy Programs Survive Fiscal Cliff Vote

Jan 1: In a 12th-plus hour, last minute, drama-packed deal, of the 112th Congress, the so-called fiscal cliff was avoided [See WIMS 11/8/12]. Simultaneously, the new 113th Congress has set the stage for the next round of economic, regulatory and social uncertainty which will take place over the next two months on the issue of raising the U.S. debt limit to pay for expenses already incurred. The sides have drawn their lines in the sand with the President saying he will not negotiate on the debt ceiling and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) saying he will no longer negotiate with the President. The deal is contained within H.R.8, As Amended; An act entitled the "American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012" which passed the Senate with a vote of 89-8; and the House 257-167. The House vote included 172 Democrats and 85 Republicans. In announcing that he would sign the deal, President Obama indicated,:

"Under this law, more than 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses will not see their income taxes go up. Millions of families will continue to receive tax credits to help raise their kids and send them to college. Companies will continue to receive tax credits for the research that they do, the investments they make, and the clean energy jobs that they create. And 2 million Americans who are out of work but out there looking, pounding the pavement every day, are going to continue to receive unemployment benefits as long as they're actively looking for a job. . .

 

"Tonight's agreement further reduces the deficit by raising $620 billion in revenue from the wealthiest households in America. And there will be more deficit reduction as Congress decides what to do about the automatic spending cuts that we have now delayed for two months. . .

 

"But we can't simply cut our way to prosperity. Cutting spending has to go hand-in-hand with further reforms to our tax code so that the wealthiest corporations and individuals can't take advantage of loopholes and deductions that aren't available to most Americans. And we can't keep cutting things like basic research and new technology and still expect to succeed in a 21st century economy. So we're going to have to continue to move forward in deficit reduction, but we have to do it in a balanced way, making sure that we are growing even as we get a handle on our spending. 

Now, one last point I want to make -- while I will negotiate over many things, I will not have another debate with this Congress over whether or not they should pay the bills that they've already racked up through the laws that they passed. Let me repeat: We can't not pay bills that we've already incurred. If Congress refuses to give the United States government the ability to pay these bills on time, the consequences for the entire global economy would be catastrophic -- far worse than the impact of a fiscal cliff. . ."

    A fact sheet from the White House indicated that, the agreement extend renewable energy incentives, the R&E tax credit and other business incentives. The agreement extends tax relief for businesses through the end of next year. The fact sheet indicates, "This means extending the Production Tax Credit, a key incentive for renewable energy that many Republicans had been trying to end, as well as the Research & Experimentation tax credit. In addition, the agreement extends 50 percent bonus depreciation, a cost-effective temporary measure to support investment and growth. All of these would be extended through the end of 2013." Additionally, the deal extends the farm bill through the end of the fiscal year, averting a sharp rise in milk prices at the beginning of 2013.

 

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue issued a statement on the deal saying, "The last minute fiscal cliff deal prevents some of the massive tax increases on the middle class that would have occurred. However, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has warned that the tax hikes that will take place will mean slower growth, fewer jobs, and less prosperity for all Americans. And, when it comes to cutting spending and controlling the national debt, this deal does not even begin to address the serious fiscal challenges we face.

    "The new Congress and the administration must begin work immediately to slow runaway spending through structural entitlement reforms. They must also spur faster economic growth through comprehensive tax reform and a rapid expansion of American energy, which would create jobs and generate government revenues. This is the only formula that can reduce budget deficits and control our unsustainable national debt. The Chamber and the business community stand ready to work with Congress and the administration to craft and enact a fiscal package that truly addresses the nation's chronic deficits and out-of-control debt."

    The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) issued a release stating, "America's 75,000 workers in wind energy are celebrating tonight over the continuation of policies expected to save up to 37,000 jobs and create far more over time, and to revive business at nearly 500 manufacturing facilities across the country. The extension of the wind energy Production Tax Credit (PTC), and Investment Tax Credits for community and offshore projects, will allow continued growth of the energy source that installed the most new electrical generating capacity in America last year, with factories or wind farms in all 50 states. The version included in tonight's deal would cover all wind projects that start construction in 2013. Companies that manufacture wind turbines and install them sought that definition to allow for the 18-24 months it takes to develop a new wind farm. . . America's wind energy workers have been living under threat of the PTC's expiration for over a year and layoffs had already begun, as companies idled factories because of a lack of orders for 2013. Uncertain federal policies have caused a "boom-bust" cycle in U.S. wind energy development for over a decade. . ."

    Franz Matzner, associate director of government affairs at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) said, "Today, Americans can breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to the commitment by President Obama and Democratic leadership in Congress to ensure that this agreement includes new revenues and delays automatic cuts to essential programs that protect our health, our environment and our future. But arbitrary, mandatory cuts to programs that every American relies on still dangle over the nation's head -- cuts that are doubly unnecessary now that a framework is in place to raise new revenues. As Congress works out a longer-term agreement, the Republican leadership must drop its fantasy that the budget can be balanced by slashing environmental and clean energy programs that benefit every American. Furloughed workers, closed national parks, and dirtier air and water won't solve our economic woes. The nation needs a balanced plan that recognizes a healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand in hand."

    Access the complete statement from the President (click here). Access the White House fact sheet on the fiscal cliff deal (click here). Access the statement from the U.S. Chamber (click here). Access a lengthy release form AWEA (click here). Access the statement from NRDC (click here). Access an NRDC blog posting on the deal with comment opportunities (click here). Access legislative details including roll call votes for H.R.8 (click here). [#All]

Want to know more about WIMS? Check out our LinkedIn company website (click here).

GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS (click here)
33 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals