WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/20/14

<> North American Leaders' Summit Discuss Energy, Climate & Keystone XL - Today, the President traveled to Toluca, Mexico for this year's North American Leaders' Summit

• FACT SHEET: Key Deliverables for the 2014 North American Leaders Summit
• Joint Statement by North American Leaders - 21st Century North America: Building the Most Competitive and Dynamic Region in the World

<> Energy Department Scheduled to Close on Loan Guarantees to Construct New Nuclear Power Plant Reactors - February 19, 2014: Sec. Moniz to Georgia, Energy Department Scheduled to Close on $6.5 billion in Loan Guarantees to Construct New Nuclear Power Plant Reactors Project represents first new nuclear reactors to begin construction in the United States in three decades

<> Energy Secretary Moniz: Marcellus Shale Production 'Critical' and 'Amazing' - This week, U.S. Energy Department Secretary Ernest Moniz reaffirmed his support of shale development during an interview with Capital New York. Moniz has often spoken about the importance shale is playing in the U.S. energy outlook, as well as the clear safety record of hydraulic fracturing. During this latest interview, Moniz also weighed in on Governor Andrew's Cuomo's ban on shale development in New York.

<> What Are the Possible Outcomes in U.S. Supreme Court Greenhouse Gas Case? - Next Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Utility Air Regulatory Group (UTAG) v. EPA.  I've previously described what is at stake in the case here and here and, in the interest of full disclosure, helped author a brief in support of EPA's position.   The oral arguments might begin to reveal how. . .

• Utility Air Regulatory Group (UTAG) v. EPA 

<> Nebraska Court finds the proposed route for Keystone XL unconstitutional- a major victory for farmers, ranchers and other landowners, the significant court decision means once again that the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline does not have an approved route through the State of Nebraska.

• Nebraska Watchdog article - with links to the 50-page order, lawsuit, AG's notice to appeal, etc.

<> Green Climate Fund Board meets to advance essential requirements for initial resource mobilization - 18 February 2014 – The Board of the Green Climate Fund meets this week in Bali, Indonesia to advance the institution's operational structure, including essential requirements for its initial resource mobilization.

<> API Continues Focus on Rail Safety - WASHINGTON, February 20, 2014 – The oil and natural gas industry continues to work collaboratively with the Department of Transportation and America's railroad industry to improve rail safety. .

<> Government of Canada releases proposed regulations to enable continued operation of Experimental Lakes Area - The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) welcomes the announcement of proposed new regulations that would allow the important scientific research at the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) to continue.  58 freshwater lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada serve as the only whole-lake laboratory in the world

<> EU "Right2Water" Campaign - hearing at the European Parliament (EP) for our European Citizens' Initiative "Water is a human right!" and the room was packed!

<> New Report to Congress Reflects Strong Public Support for Endangered Species Act- Americans from every corner of the country support the Endangered Species Act and the protection it provides for the nation's most imperiled animals and plants, according to a new report delivered today to every member of Congress. The 282-page report, "A Wild Success," includes more than 200 of the letters and op-eds written by Americans over the past year to local, regional and. . .

 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/19/14

<> Remarks by the President on Fuel Efficiency Standards of Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles- In my State of the Union address, I said that this would be a year of action, and I meant it. . .  today, America is closer to energy independence than we've been in decades. . . goal is to develop fuel economy standards for heavy-duty trucks that will take us well into the next decade, just like our cars. 

·  Kicking Vehicle Efficiency into High Gear

<> EPA Takes Action To Protect Public From Harmful Lead Exposure – U.S. EPA announced enforcement actions that will require 35 home renovation contractors and training providers to take additional steps to protect communities by minimizing harmful lead dust from home renovation activities, as required...

<> C2ES highlights findings from 16 plug-in electric vehicle initiatives - Feb. 19, 2014; C2ES highlights findings from 16 plug-in electric vehicle initiativesWASHINGTON -- Cities and states are building the expertise needed to encourage mass market adoption of electric vehicles, according to a new report prepared by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)

<> Thinking Appropriately About Climate Change - . . . saying that climate change is a "fact" is a disservice to the public because it invites people to think about the issue in a misleading and unproductive way.

<> Methane Emissions Far Worse Than US Estimates, But Study Concludes Natural Gas Still Better Than Coal - Emissions of the potent heat-trapping gas, methane, the main component of natural gas, are likely 50 percent higher than U.S. government has estimated in its official greenhouse gas inventory, says a new study that is the most comprehensive effort yet to assess the problem.read more. . .

<> Smith Statement on President's Billion Dollar Climate Fund - Washington, D.C. – Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the following statement following a speech by President Obama announcing a new $1 billion "Climate Resilience Fund" that will be included in his administration's budget proposal next month. Chairman Smith: "In order to push his costly climate change agenda, the. . . 

<> EWG's 2014 Shopper's Guide To Avoiding GE Food - the U.S. government does not require labeling of GE foods or ingredients so that shoppers can make informed decisions.

<> RFA Unveils 2014 Industry Outlook and Pocket Guide - (February 18, 2014) ORLANDO, Fla. — The Renewable Fuels Association released its annual 2014 Ethanol Industry Outlook and 2014 Pocket Guide to Ethanol providing an in-depth look at the current state of the ethanol industry at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla. "Last year was a tough year for the industry as misguided attacks on the RFS came from all angles. 

<> UN Thematic Debate on Water, Sanitation and Sustainable Energy - Water, sanitation and sustainable energy are at the core of sustainable development and the overarching goal of poverty eradication, and are closely linked to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

<> Environmental profit and loss: The new corporate balancing act - Efforts to assess environmental issues in financial terms are starting to take off. 

<> Nebraska Landowners Purchase Anti-Keystone XL Radio Ads - Bold Nebraska will be running a new ad on a local Sandhills radio station to counter the misinformation being spread by TransCanada among Nebraska landowners and citizens.

<> Linking U.S. and Canadian Border Waters – USGS Seamless digital maps of surface waters completed along the Canada and United States International Boundary. . . 

<> Vitter: EPA OIG Has Failed Congress in Recent Investigations

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/18/14

<> Climate, Environment, and Conservation: Remarks on Climate Change - Remarks on Climate Change John Kerry Secretary of State; Jakarta, Indonesia February 16, 2014 SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you, Robert. Thank you very, very much. I don't know. I think some of you were cheering twice for the same university. I don't know. (Laughter.) It seemed to come from the same place anyway. What a pleasure to be here at America, where we are looking at all of the a. . .

<> Climate, Environment, and Conservation: U.S.-China Joint Statement on Climate Change - U.S.-China Joint Statement on Climate Change Media NoteOffice of the Spokesperson Washington, DC February 15, 2014 In light of the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change and its worsening impacts, and the related issue of air pollution from burning fossil fuels, the United States and China recognize the urgent need for action to meet these twin challenges. Both sides reaffirm their. . .

<> NRDC: President Obama Driving America to Cleaner Energy Future-

WASHINGTON (February 18, 2014) – President Obama's newly announced fuel-efficiency standards for heavy trucks will help such vehicles go farther on less fuel while further curbing carbon pollution from America's transportation sector, the largest source of carbon pollution after power plants. NRDC is scheduled to be a White House guest at this morning's event in Upper Marlboro, Md.

• Whitehouse Fact Sheet: Opportunity For All: Improving the Fuel Efficiency of American Trucks – Bolstering Energy Security, Cutting Carbon Pollution, Saving Money and Supporting Manufacturing Innovation

<> 2014 Farm Bill Drill Down: Recap and Wrap Up - This post wraps up our series on what is in the new 2014 Farm Bill for sustainable food and farming systems.  We started the series with an overview of what was in the bill for sustainable agriculture, and then dove into a series of posts with the nitty-gritty details of the new bill: 

<> Extreme Weather in parts of the world (Updated 14 February 2014) - World Meteorological Organization reports parts of the world have witnessed a series of extreme weather conditions in the first six weeks of 2014, continuing a pattern that was set in December 2013.

<> Launch of WBCSD's new Policy Advisory Council- Geneva, February 12, 2014 - During a high-level dialogue at the recent World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) convened member CEOs and key policymakers to launch the WBCSD's first Policy Advisory Council. This new council will guide the WBCSD's global policy outreach, focused on working with. . .

<> New Study Shows Powerful Impact of Ethanol Industry on Jobs & Energy Independence- (February 18, 2014) ORLANDO, Fla. — The Renewable Fuels Association unveiled a new study today by ABF Economics entitled "Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States" at the National Ethanol Conference in Orlando, Fla. The study examines the nationwide impact of the ethanol industry in 2013 on job creation, the economy, household income, and. . .

<> Why We Need CCS, Part 1: The Basics - CO2 capture and storage (CCS) is often neglected as a low-carbon energy option next to renewables and nuclear. Part 1 of this three-part article will make the basic case why CCS is highly likely to actually play a very prominent role in a future climate-constrained world. 

<> The Fifth Anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - Five years ago, on February 17, 2009, less than a month into his first term, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. At the time, the country was experiencing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Private employers had already cut almost 4 million jobs, trillions in dollars in household wealth had been wiped out. . .

• Boehner Statement on Five-Year Anniversary of the President's Stimulus

<> Chemical and non Chemical Alternatives to Endosulfan- The webinar aims at:  Raising awareness of the obligations pertaining to endosulfan under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions  Sharing information available on possible chemical and non chemical alternatives to endosulfan  Presenting Parties to the Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions with a proposed methodology to assess the continued need of endosulfan. . .

<> Combating climate change with ammonia-fueled vehicles - Running vehicles on ammonia could reduce emissions to levels far below those achieved by other alternative fuels, such as natural gas or ethanol derived from corn.

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/14/14

<> New $1 billion Climate Resilience Fund - President Obama's 2015 Budget that will be released next month will include a new $1 billion Climate Resilience Fund - Obama will highlight the fund in a visit to California to address the state's worst droughts in over 100 years. . .

·  U.S. News & World Report‎ article

<> AEA To Rep. Upton On NatGas Exports - America's Energy Advantage (AEA), is a trade association representing many of the world's leading manufacturers and commodity producers, as well as the United States' publicly-owned natural gas distribution companies. . . While we respect the Committee's thoughtful approach to the subject, we strongly disagree with the report's central recommendation to export nearly half of current U.S. natural gas production to non-FTA nations.

·  Committee Releases Report on Global Benefits of U.S. LNG Exports

<> The unique cyber-vulnerabilities of the oil and gas industry - At the recent Information Systems Security Association conference, a sample poll of cybersecurity experts found that a majority of them believe there will be a "major" cyberterrorism event within the next year. A plurality predicts that this attack will focus on the energy industry. Thirty-five percent of the security professionals polled pointed at the power grid as the target of this strike. . .

<> U.S. Drought Monitor Update for February 11, 2014 - According to the February 11 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to exceptional drought covers 37.6% of the contiguous U.S. 

<> Press Release: Obama Administration to Offer 40 Million Acres in the Gulf of Mexico for Oil and Gas Development - Lease Sale 231 in the Central Planning Area and Lease Sale 225 in the Eastern Planning Area will be held consecutively in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 19, 2014

<> Speaker Boehner on Retirement Announcement by Chairman Doc Hastings - House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement on the retirement announcement of House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA): "For nearly two decades, Doc Hastings has served in the House with honor, humility and distinction. In addition to being a skilled legislator and leader, he's the epitome of grace and. . . 

<> Senators Plan To Stay Up All Night To Talk Climate Change - Source: Huffington Post - A group of senators is planning to stage an all-night talkathon about climate change next month, aimed at stirring their fellow senators to action.

<> Keystone XL Will Significantly Increase Oil Industry Investment in the Tar Sands - A major issue in the decision around the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is the extent to which this project will drive expansion of tar sands extraction and the associated 

<> Reminder EPA RFA: Human and Ecological Health Impacts Associated with Water Reuse and Conservation Practices - February 18, 2014 closing date is fixed.  funding competition supporting projects that focus on understanding the impacts of water reuse and conservation practices on human and ecological health and how they relate to broader issues of energy-efficient processes for water conservation and nutrient management and recovery.

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/13/14

<> FEDERAL OFFICES in the Washington, DC, area are CLOSED - February 13, 2014: Emergency and telework-ready employees required to work must follow their agency's policies, including written telework agreements.

• Severe winter weather threatens East Coast energy infrastructure - (Thu, 13 Feb 2014) The National Weather Service predicts that the major winter storm that dropped significant snowfall and ice on the Southeast yesterday will intensify as it moves up the Eastern Seaboard today. 

<> Sen. Landrieu Becomes Energy Committee Leader - It's official: Before adjourning yesterday, the Senate formally approved the shift in chairmanships following Max Baucus's departure that leaves Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu atop the Energy and Natural Resources Committee as Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden moves to the Finance Committee.

<> Energy Secretary Moniz Dedicates World's Largest Concentrating Solar Power Project - Energy Secretary Moniz Dedicates World's Largest Concentrating Solar Power Project Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz will participate today in the opening of the Ivanpah Solar Energy Generating System, the world's largest concentrating solar power (CSP) plant.

<> 2014 Farm Bill Drill Down: Conservation – Easements, CRP, and Energy- With the 2014 Farm Bill recently signed into law, NSAC is doing a blog series that delves into the details of the bill for sustainable food and farming systems.  Our coverage of the conservation title is divided into three parts: working lands conservation programs; the linkage between conservation and crop insurance; and this one on easement, land retirement, and energy programs.

<> U.S. Utility-Scale Solar 60 Percent Towards Cost-Competition Goal - February 12, 2014U.S. Utility-Scale Solar 60 Percent Towards Cost-Competition Goal Energy Department Announces $25 Million to Support U.S. Solar Manufacturing

<> Nuclear Waste Solution Seen in Desert Salt Beds - CARLSBAD, N.M. — Half a mile beneath the desert surface, in thick salt beds left behind by seas that dried up hundreds of millions of years ago, the Department of Energy is carving out rooms as long as football fields and cramming them floor to ceiling with barrels and boxes of nuclear waste.

<> Rep. Loebsack Introduces Legislation to Utilize and Expand Renewable Fuel Infrastructure - legislation that would establish a grant program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to invest in renewable and alternative fuel infrastructure. The Renewable Fuel Utilization, Expansion and Leadership (Re-FUEL) Act (HR 4051)

<> Upcoming Funding Opportunity for Wind Forecasting Improvement Project in Complex Terrain - February 12, 2014Upcoming Funding Opportunity for Wind Forecasting Improvement Project in Complex Terrain The DOE Wind Program has issued a Notice of Intent for a funding opportunity, tentatively titled Wind Forecasting Improvement Project in Complex Terrain. . .

<> The Science of Science Communication II - Not only the scientific complexity of topics such as climate change but also the public and political debates that surround many areas of science pose challenges for researchers trying to explain their findings clearly and effectively to the public. Read the summary of a three-day National Academy of Sciences colloquium held in September 2013 that brought together experts in social. . .

<> Another West Virginia 'Significant' slurry spill blackens Kanawha creek - More than 100,000 gallons of coal slurry poured into an eastern Kanawha County stream Tuesday in what officials were calling a "significant spill" from a Patriot Coal processing facility.

<> Economist Says Best Climate Fix A Tough Sell, But Worth It - Source: NPR - We often talk about climate change as a matter of science. But the biggest questions are really about money. How much would it cost to fix the problem — and what price will we pay if we don't?

<> U.S. EPA and its Federal Partners Advance Decontamination Techniques/Researchers clean up buildings to practice real world techniques of large-scale decontamination- U.S. EPA, along with federal partners, announced the results of a multi-year project called Bio-Response Operational Testing and Evaluation (BOTE) that tested and evaluated decontamination techniques for a biological incident

<> U.S. EPA Awards U.C. Davis $800,000 to Study How Chemical Exposures May Impact Brain Development 

<> Myths and Facts about the West Virginia Chemical Spill - Competitive Enterprise Institute senior fellow and chemical policy expert, Angela Logomasini, Ph.D., released a report examining the myths and facts surrounding the Jan. 9, 2014 chemical spill in West Virginia that affected 300,000 residents. According to Logomasini, some environmental groups have taken this opportunity to incite fear, propagating misinformation to pressure. . .

<> China's Plan to Clean Up Air in Cities Will Doom the Climate, Scientists Say - Coal-to-gas projects in rural areas could double carbon footprint of fuel burned in cities, spelling disaster for earth's climate, warn scientists. China is erecting huge industrial complexes in remote areas to convert coal to synthetic fuel that could make the air in its megacities cleaner. But the complexes use so much energy that the carbon footprint of the fuel. .

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/12/14

<> EPA Revises Permitting Guidance for Using Diesel Fuel in Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing - EPA released revised underground injection control (UIC) program permitting guidance for wells that use diesel fuels during hydraulic fracturing activities.

• Rep. Waxman and Rep. DeGette Commend EPA Action to Clarify Safe Drinking Water Act Requirements for Certain Hydraulic Fracturing Activities - praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for releasing its long-awaited permitting guidance for oil and gas hydraulic fracturing activities using diesel fuels.

<> 2013 National Environmental Scorecard - The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released its 2013 National Environmental Scorecard, which allows users to see how your members of Congress voted on the year's key environmental issues.

<> Environment Subcommittee Hearing - Ensuring Open Science at EPA - The GOP Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 is the result of more than two years of investigative work on the part of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. This work was initiated when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) failed to live up to its public commitment to make the data that supports its most costly air regulations available to the public.

• Democrats Hearing Site

<> House Passes Drought Research Legislation - The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2431, the National Integrated Drought Information Systems Reauthorization Act. The bill passed 365-21 with 45 members not voting. H.R. 2431 reauthorized the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).  The NIDIS Act, signed into law in 2006, is a collaborative effort between numerous federal 

• H.R.2431 Details

<> Energy Department Conditionally Authorizes Cameron LNG to Export Liquefied Natural Gas - February 11, 2014. Energy Department Conditionally Authorizes Cameron LNG to Export Liquefied Natural Gas The Energy Department announced that Cameron LNG has been conditionally authorized to export LNG.

• API urges swift approval of LNG export applications

<> Protecting Iconic Species for Future Generations: A New National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking - To protect threatened species like elephants and rhinoceroses for future generations, today the President approved a new National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking. The Strategy strengthens U.S. leadership on countering the global security threat posed by poaching and illegal trade in wildlife, which is decimating iconic animal populations. Because of the actions of. . . 

• FACT SHEET: National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking & Commercial Ban on Trade in Elephant Ivory - Today the United States announced a National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking.  The Strategy will strengthen U.S. leadership on addressing the serious and urgent conservation and global security threat posed by illegal trade in wildlife. In addition to the strategy, we are also announcing a ban on commercial trade of elephant ivory, which will enhance our efforts to. . .
• Press Release: Interior Announces Ban on Commercial Trade of Ivory as Part of Overall Effort to Combat Poaching, Wildlife Trafficking - Following today's release of the Obama Administration's National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking, Secretary Jewell announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (The Service) will implement a U.S. ban on commercial trade of elephant ivory.

<> Department of Energy Oversight: Status of Clean Coal Programs - The House E&C Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), held a hearing reviewing the status of the Department of Energy's clean coal programs.

• Democrats Hearing Site

<> Senator Boxer Welcomes Senator Markey to EPW Committee

<> Using ADAPTool to Assess What Makes Policies Adaptable under Climate Change - The ADAPTool was developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and partners to assess the adaptability of policies or programs in relation to any defined stressor or external change, such as climate.

<> Kantor: Level Playing Field Will Help Unlock Benefits of Natural Gas - He shared details from the recent American Gas Foundation and IHS CERA study, "Fueling the Future with Natural Gas: Bringing it Home,"

<> Climate Adaptation Fund RFP - The Wildlife Conservation Society's Climate Adaptation Fund is pleased to announce the release of the 2014 Request for Proposals. Deadline: 5:00 PM MST on Friday, March 14, 2014.

<> NREL Scientists Find Key Function for Ferredoxins in Algae Hydrogen Production - The finding suggests ways to increase the production of hydrogen by algae, which could help turn hydrogen into a viable alternative fuel for transportation.

<> 4th Annual Utica & Marcellus NGL & Natural Gas 2014 - Providing Project And Infrastructure Updates And Identifying New Market Opportunities For Utica & Marcellus NGLs, Residue Gas And LNG To Ensure Optimal Markets Can Still Be Reached As Prices And Demand Fluctuate. April 29-30, 2014 Columbus, Ohio