WIMS Environmental HotSheet 3/4/14

<> Opportunity For All: Middle Class Tax Cuts In The President's FY 2015 Budget - The President's FY2015 budget released today will show how to achieve real, lasting economic security and expand opportunity for all so that every American who is willing to work hard can get ahead.   The President's budget will show in real terms the choices we can make to expand economic opportunity and strengthen the middle class, like closing unfair tax loopholes so we can invest. . .

<> Here's What They're Saying about EPA's Final Cleaner Fuel and Car Standards - EPA summarizes reaction to its final standards that it says will significantly reduce ground-level ozone, particulate matter, benzene and other air toxics in the air we breathe.

<> Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2012 - Latest facts and figures current through calendar year 2012. Americans generated about 251 million tons of trash and recycled and composted almost 87 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 34.5 percent recycling rate. . .

·  Complete 2012 details and previous reports

<> PJM report finds system could cope with 30% wind and solar, suggests new measures - a new report by PJM on integrating up to 30 percent renewable energy onto the grid, in Texas, wind finds a friend in rail, and Massachusetts is reshaping New England's energy landscape

·  PJM Renewable Integration Study (PRIS)

·  Comment from Union of Concerned Scientists

<> A Map of Every Wind Turbine in the U.S. — Interactive USGS Map Shows Locations of More than 47,000 (and Counting) - The USGS WindFarm interactive web map shows the locations of the more than 47,000 wind turbines installed in the U.S. as of mid-2013. WindFarm and the data behind it cover all 50 states.

<> Drought and Global Climate Change: An Analysis of Statements by Roger Pielke Jr - The President's Science Advisor, Dr. John P. Holdren, published a 6-page analysis rebutting Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL)  and Dr. Roger Pielke, Jr., a University of Colorado political scientist regarding testimony on the Administration's Climate Action Plan. . .

<> California Carbon Tax Study - An aggressively-priced carbon tax in California, with revenue returned to the public, would actually grow the state's economy and increase jobs, according to a new study released by Citizens Climate Lobby prepared by Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI)

<> Enbridge to Undertake $7 Billion Mainline Replacement Program - The company announced they have received shipper support for a $7 billion investment in their Canadian and U.S. mainline system running from Edmonton, Alberta to Superior, Wisconsin. The Line 3 Replacement (L3R) Program will complement the existing Line 3 segment replacement program and include all remaining segments of Line 3 between Hardisty, Alberta and Superior.

<> Congressional Research Service Report On CCS R&D - Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Research, Development, and Demonstration at the U.S. Department of Energy

<> U.S. Forest Service Study Of Winter Freeze & Emerald Ash Borer - study was designed to assess the cold hardiness of emerald ash borer larvae, the overwintering stage of the insect.

·  Washington Post article

<> UNEP's Global Environmental Alert Service (GEAS) - Empowering people with engaging environmental information in a near-real time mode is now in the realm of reality. Using the Internet to provide people with online access to compelling and dynamic information about environmental changes as they occur.

<> Secretary Jewell, NPS Director Release New Report Showing National Parks Remain Strong Economic Engines, Support 243,000 Jobs Nationwide- More than 200,000 of the jobs supported by national parks in 2012 were in local 

<> Ohio wind turbine shutdown raises issue of migratory bird safety - Environmental groups have won what they call a victory for birds with the suspension of a plan to build a wind turbine in Ohio.

<> Sierra Club Challenges Inadequate Federal Review of Cameron LNG Export Proposal - Sierra Club, along with Gulf Restoration Network and RESTORE, filed comments on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's draft environmental review for the Cameron liquefied natural gas (LNG) export proposal in Louisiana.

<> Insurers Have Huge Role As Clean Energy Investors - Conversations about climate change and the insurance industry usually focus on catastrophic storms and their damaging financial ripples for insurance providers. Given skyrocketing extreme-weather losses in recent years, it's surely a legitimate issue that should be making insurers re-think their business models. But insurers have another important role on the climate issue. . .

<> New Report Outlines Climate Costs of Relaxing Crude Oil Export Regulations - A new analysis published today by Oil Change International shows that eliminating existing regulations on crude oil exports could result in additional greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 42 coal fired power plants.

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 3/3/14

<> EPA Sets Cleaner Fuel and Car Standards, Slashing Air Pollution and Providing Health Benefits to Thousands - Based on extensive input from the public and a broad range of stakeholders, including public health groups, auto manufacturers, refiners, and states, U.S. EPA today finalized the Tier 3 standards emission standards for cars and gasoline that will significantly reduce harmful pollution and prevent thousands of premature deaths and illnesses, while also enabling efficiency improvements in the cars and trucks we drive.

• Why EPA's Tier 3 Final Rule Makes Sense to Global Automakers - WASHINGTON, DC, MARCH 3, 2014 – The Association of Global Automakers praised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today with the release of its final rule on Tier 3 vehicle emissions and fuel standards.  "Reducing sulfur in gasoline brings instant benefits to consumers and the environment," said Michael J. Stanton, president and CEO of Global Automakers.  "This rulemaking. . .
• New Gasoline and Auto Pollution Standards Will Clean Our Air, Protect Our Health and Save Money - EPA's new standards for gasoline and vehicle emissions announced today will dramatically reduce harmful air pollution such as smog-forming chemicals and dangerous soot. 
• Rule to Clean up Gasoline and Lower Tailpipe Emissions Finalized- The Obama administration today finalized a new rule to clean up gasoline and reduce harmful emissions from passenger vehicles, a move that will protect public health and create new jobs, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

<> EPA Moves to Protect Bristol Bay Fishery from Pebble Mine - U.S. EPA is initiating a process under the Clean Water Act to identify appropriate options to protect the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska from the potentially destructive impacts of the proposed Pebble Mine.

<> U.S. EPA's Reg DaRRT - The Regulatory Development and Retrospective Review Tracker (Reg DaRRT) focuses on priority rulemakings and retrospective reviews of existing regulations. Includes rulemakings that have not yet been proposed, those that are open for public comment, those for which EPA is working on a final rule, and those that have been recently finalized.

<> Stimulus Dollars Advance Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy In America's Cities - The nation's mayors this week released the results of a new survey pointing to city successes in using Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

<> CERCLA Contribution; The Confusion Continues - In the words of Justice Thomas in United States v. Atlantic Research Corp., the Circuit Courts have "frequently grappled" with the interplay between Sections 107(a) and 113 of CERCLA. These are the two provisions of the Statute that enable "covered persons", commonly referred to as potentially responsible parties or "PRPs", to recover response costs from other PRPs. In Atlantic Research, the Court. . .

<> First-Ever World Wildlife Day Spotlights Far-Reaching Impact of US$19 Billion Illicit Trade in Flora and Fauna - Economic, Social and Environmental Consequences Suffered as a Result of Wildlife Crime; The third of March was also the day of adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.

<> New Report Shows Path Forward on Cutting Methane Emissions - Environmental Defense Fund recently commissioned a detailed economic analysis of opportunities to cut methane emissions from the U.S. oil and gas industry.

<> Who Pays For Climate Regulation? - The heaviest burden for climate change regulation costs falls on people – especially lower income groups – and not corporations, according to new Stanford research.

<> Committee Approves Bill to Prevent, Mitigate Damage from Windstorms- a bipartisan bill (H.R. 1786) introduced by Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) to reauthorize and improve a multi-agency program that supports research to better understand and prepare for tornadoes, hurricanes and other windstorms.

<> Hundreds of Students Arrested in "XL Dissent" Action - President Obama may be facing the biggest international crisis of his leadership with the Russian invasion of Crimea, but he still faces domestic headaches at home. Yesterday, several hundred students from over 80 colleges across the United States were arrested outside the White House as they took part in "XL Dissent" – a major demonstration against the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.

• Keystone XL White House protests end with 398 arrests - Final decision from President Obama expected in summer as battle over tar sands pipeline heats up. . .
• The Keystone XL comment period deadline is fast approaching  

<> Prospects for climate agreement boosted by survey of national laws - Sixty-six countries have legislation governing climate mitigation and adaptation plans, revealed a newly released United Nations-supported study that aims to boost progress towards a new universal agreement on climate. . . 

• Keynote Address by Achim Steiner UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director at the Second GLOBE Climate Legislation Summit 

<> USDA Releases Updated "Food Environment Atlas" - Last week, the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) released an updated and expanded Food Environment Atlas, with 2012 data for many variables and 2013 data for farmers' markets.  New variables include SNAP policy variables, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), very low household food security, and 2012 State-level obesity rates. The Food Environment Atlas is an. .

<> Walmart Starts Promised Chemicals Policy - Walmart has informed dozens of product manufacturers throughout its supply chain that it is implementing its new chemicals policy that will phase out hazardous chemicals from its consumer products. Walmart announced the policy last year. The Policy on Sustainable Chemistry in Consumables provides a description of what it calls priority chemicals. Priority chemicals are substances with certain hazardous properties. . .

<> New Report Connects Climate Change & Food Insecurity - The report, "Food and Climate: Connecting the Dots, Choosing the Way Forward," outlines the climate requirements for successful food production, and examines two competing food production methods – industrial and organic. . .

<> Illinois Sustainable Technology Center studies energy potential of non-recycled plastics - Given our nation's need to improve energy security, a diverse energy supply is more important than ever. That diversity includes technologies that derive energy from waste, enabling us to harness the power of this underutilized resource. A new report released earlier this month revealed in greater detail the energy that can be derived from used plastics through a process called pyrolysis.

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/28/14

<> All-of-the-Above is Making a Difference Across America - A cross-post from Energy.gov. During his recent State of the Union address, President Obama reiterated the importance of American energy: "One of the biggest factors in bringing more jobs back is our commitment to American energy. The all-of-the-above energy strategy I announced a few years ago 

<> Rep. Shimkus Unveils Discussion Draft of Chemicals in Commerce Act - draft legislation to modernize the regulation of chemicals in commerce.

• House Chemicals Bill Would Undermine Health and Safety - WASHINGTON (February 28, 2014) – A House bill to overhaul federal oversight of the chemical industry would do more harm than good, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
• ACC Welcomes Draft House Legislation to Update TSCA - We applaud Chairman Shimkus' commitment to creating a more effective chemical regulatory system and welcome the draft Chemicals in Commerce Act of 2014.

<> Updated legislation will save energy, protect the environment, save consumers money, create jobs - U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today renewed their push for a national energy efficiency strategy by reintroducing an updated version of the Shaheen-Portman Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (ESIC). 

• ACC Urges Senate Passage of Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill - ACC commends Senators Shaheen and Portman for their tireless efforts to secure passage of this bipartisan legislation.

<> CATF Releases Plan to Achieve Significant Reductions in Carbon Pollution from Existing Power Plants at Affordable Cost - displacement of power generation from the highest-emitting coal-fired power plants by generation from under-utilized, efficient natural gas plants, at minimal cost.

<> Congressman Holding Applauds Passage of Bill to Reduce Regulatory Burdens - House passage of H.R. 2804, the "ALERRT Act" (236 – 179) which cuts back unnecessary regulations, and ensures that where regulations are necessary, they are achieved in an efficient, less costly way. 

• House Approves Reckless Package of Anti-Regulatory Bills - Legislation would hobble agencies charged with protecting public health Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a package of anti-regulatory bills that would impede the work of agencies charged with protecting the public's health, safety, and welfare. Under the legislation—called the "Achieving Less Excess in Regulation and Requiring Transparency Act" (H.R. 2804)
• H.R.2804 Bill Summary & Status

<> GAO-14-365T, Critical Infrastructure Protection: Observations on DHS Efforts to Identify, Prioritize, Assess, and Inspect Chemical Facilities - What GAO Found In managing its Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a number of efforts underway to identify facilities that are covered by the program, assess risk and prioritize facilities, review and approve facility security plans, and inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security regulations.

• House Hearing: H.R. 4007, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Authorization and Accountability Act of 2014

<> House Hearing On Staffing To Manage & Oversee Oil & Natural Gas Activities - GAO Report says Continued Attention to Interior's Human Capital Challenges Is Needed

• GAO Testimony Report

<> BOEM Environmental Review for Geological and Geophysical Survey Of Atlantic Coast Offshore Energy Resources - The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a final environmental review of geological and geophysical (G&G) survey activities off the Mid- and South Atlantic coast that establishes multiple mitigation measures designed to minimize the impacts to marine life while setting a path forward for survey activities that will update nearly four-decade-old data on offshore energy resources in the region.

<> USDA Report Cites Concerns with GE Crops as the Agency Approves New Uses - (Beyond Pesticides) A report released last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers the trends of genetically engineered (GE) crops over the past 15 years, since they were first introduced. Responding to increasing GE use, USDA also points to major concerns such as increasing herbicide resistance and higher levels of. . .

• USDA Report: Genetically Engineered Crops in the United States

<> Subcommittee Examines Access to Affordable and Reliable Electricity - The Subcommittee on Energy and Power, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) today began its hearing series on the "Benefits of and Challenges to Energy Access in the 21st Century" with a focus on electricity. The subcommittee examined the benefits of access to affordable and reliable electricity as well current challenges to expanding electricity access.

• Democrats Website for the hearing  

<> DOE Announces Webinars on Adding Solar to Your Building Portfolio, How to Use DOE's Newest Facilities, and More - February 27, 2014DOE Announces Webinars on Adding Solar to Your Building Portfolio, How to Use DOE's Newest Facilities, and More EERE offers webinars to the public on a range of subjects, from adopting the latest energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies to training for the clean energy workforce.

<> U.S. Drought Monitor Update for February 25, 2014 - According to the February 25 U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate to exceptional drought covers 36.1% of the contiguous U.S. 

<> Sierra Club, et al action to stop pollution coming from three valley fills at two former mountaintop removal sites - Litigation argues that landowning companies are responsible for ensuring that inactive mountaintop removal sites still meet Clean Water Act protections

<> Ohio Moves Closer to Banning LEED's Green Building Standards - Ohio is one step closer to banning the nation's premier green building evaluation process from rating its properties. The Ohio Senate on Wednesday passed  Ohio Senate Concurrent Resolution 25 (SCR 25), which would prohibit the use of the LEED v4 green building rating system on public buildings in the state if it gets approval from the state's House of. . . 

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/27/14

<> Climate Change: Evidence & Causes - The Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences, with their similar missions to promote the use of science to benefit society and to inform critical policy debates, offer this new publication as a key reference document for decision makers, policy makers, educators, and other individuals seeking authoritative answers about the current state of climate change science.

<> President Obama Lays Out New Plan for Upgrading Our Transportation Infrastructure - The President traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota to unveil a new plan to upgrade America's transportation infrastructure and put people back to work.

·        Remarks by the President on Jobs in American Infrastructure

<> Completion of Compliance Follow-up Review for the Selection of Third-Party Contractor To Assist in Environmental Impact Statement Preparation for the Proposed Keystone XL Pipeline – The State Department Office of Inspector General released its Compliance Follow-up Review of the Department's choice of a third-party contractor and found ound that its processes not only avoided conflicts of interest, but were more rigorous than required.

<> Secy Kerry continues to emphasize climate change is increasingly a national security threat - In an interview with Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC he said, "It is increasingly going to provide major challenges to food security, to water security, to refugee populations which it's going to create, to the stability and instability of countries, to economies. This is growing in its urgency for us to respond to it. And so I will continue down that path." On the Keystone XL project he said, "With respect to Keystone, I am prohibited under the process of – to discuss it publicly. . ."

<> Sens. Boxer (D-CA) and Whitehouse (D-RI) Call For KXL Health Risks Study - Senators are calling on Secretary of State John Kerry and the Obama Administration to analyze the public health risks to communities from the proposed Keystone pipeline.

·  Boxer's Statement: The Keystone Pipeline and the Threat to Human Health

<> Advocacy Report Outlines Removal of Regulatory Burdens on Small Business - the Office of Advocacy, an independent office within the Small Business Administration, released its annual report entitled, Report on the Regulatory Flexibility Act 

<> EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy To Travel To North Dakota To Discuss Energy Opportunities And The Environment - to discuss energy opportunities and EPA's ongoing work in the state and across the country to carry out President Obama's Climate Action plan.

<> USDA Pollinator Protection Initiative Leaves out CSP - The funds will be available to farmers and ranchers located in the Midwest states of Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin for both technical and financial assistance to improve the health of honey bees, one of our most critical pollinators.

<> Americans Broadly Support Energy Efficiency - Washington, D.C., February 27, 2014 – Efforts to promote energy efficiency enjoy overwhelming support among key political demographics, according to a poll released by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

<> Senators Question OIG Investigation into EPA's Failed Attempt to Shutdown Hydraulic Fracturing in Texas - The letter outlines the Senators' concerns with the quality and integrity of the OIG report, which investigated the EPA Region VI's issuance and withdrawal of an emergency order aimed at Range Resources, an oil and gas company operating in Parker County, Texas.

·  OIG report - Response to Congressional Inquiry Regarding the EPA's Emergency Order to the Range Resources Gas Drilling Company (12/20/13)

<> Cool Planet Starts Construction on First Commercial Facility - the company's first commercial facility in Alexandria, LA, designed to produce 10 million gallons per year of high-octane, renewable gasoline blendstocks, as well as biochar, all made from sustainable wood residues.

<> Dollar value of U.S. net coal exports has increased more than three-fold since 2005 – EIA: (Thu, 27 Feb 2014) Although coal trade only accounts for about 5% of trade flows in energy fuels, the volume of U.S. coal exports has steadily increased, from 50 million short tons (MMst) in 2005 to a record 126 MMst in 2012. Export volumes set a monthly record in March 2013, before declining in the second half of the year. Coal exports are an increasingly important source of revenue for U.S. coal. . .

<> Minnesota pollution officials expected to announce their recommendation for a "sulfate standard"

<> ACORE Releases Industry-Authored Review, Renewable Energy for Military Installations, Presenting Insight and Guidance for Renewable Energy Projects on Bases - February 27, 2014 – The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) today released the Renewable Energy for Military Installations: 2014 Industry Review.  The Review provides insight about present business opportunities for third-party-owned renewable electricity projects at military installations. The articles were authored by group of prominent renewable energy developers. . .

<> Fifth edition of Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN - released today, details the emissions from 64 United Nations organizations, covering nearly 225,000 staff around the world.

<> Great Britain's smart grid to revolutionize energy sector - The Smart Grid Forum's Vision and Routemap sets out how smart technologies will deliver cost-saving efficiencies, give consumers greater control over their energy use, support jobs and growth, increase energy security and enable integration of low carbon technologies. The Smart Grid Forum has previously shown how combining smart grid and conventional technologies have the potential. . .

<> Offshore Wind Farms Could Knock Down Hurricanes - A forest of 78,000 turbines would have drastically reduced the winds and storm surges from hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. . .

<> NCDC's Snow Cover Products - NCDC produces several products that can be used to monitor snowfall and snow cover throughout the winter.