[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 5/8/15

 

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National / International News

<> Inhofe, Whitehouse pledge to work together to ensure TSCA's passed in Senate - In a rare occurrence, Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) stated they would stand together to ensure that an open amendment process to the TSCA reform legislation would serve to move the bill forward and on to the U.S. House of Representatives, instead of getting stalled or stopped due to controversial provisions. EDF Welcomes 14 Additional Cosponsors of the Lautenberg Act

<> Sen. Murkowski Introduces 17 Targeted Bills to Modernize America's Energy Policies - 17 legislative proposals to modernize America's energy policies. These proposals range from increasing the use of renewable energy to the continued operation of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

<> Energy Department Authorizes Dominion Cove Point LNG to Export Liquefied Natural Gas - DOE announced that it has issued a final authorization for Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States. Chairman Murkowski Welcomes Energy Department Approval of Cove Point LNG Export Project Groups Appeal Federal Approval of Cove Point LNG Export Facility

<> Inhofe Critical Of Obama on Flood Risk Management Standard - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), sent a letter to President Obama critical of Executive Order 13690 saying it closed the door on any and all discussion when it comes to setting the appropriate standard for managing flood risks.

<>  In Brief: Legal Options for U.S. Acceptance of a New Climate Change Agreement - the degree to which the President is willing to test the limits of his legal authority, in accepting a Paris agreement, will depend not simply on legal analysis, but on political and prudential considerations.

<> Midwest states eye carbon trading to meet EPA targets - In the Midwest, several states oppose the EPA proposal and some have already tried to sue the agency to block it -- but Midwest utilities and regulators want the EPA to help establish a voluntary trading platform that states can "opt-in" in order to meet state targets rather than forming a formal multi-state market like RGGI where states work toward a common target.

<> Integrated Green Stormwater Infrastructure Guide - On April 22 EPA Region 3 released a publication titled, Community Based Public-Private Partnerships (CBP3) and Alternative Market-Based Tools for Integrated Green Stormwater Infrastructure: A Guide for Local Governments.

<> Western Snowpack Melts Early, Little Remains - West-wide snowpack has mostly melted, according to data from the fifth 2015 forecast by the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

<> Three New Draft Reports For EPA Science Advisory Board. . . Draft Toxicological Review of Ammonia  Review of the EPA's Evaluation of the Inhalation Carcinogenicity of Ethylene Oxide  Draft Toxicological Review of Trimethylbenzenes

<> Why Canada's provinces are fighting the Feds on climate - When a leftwing party in Alberta ended 44 years of Conservative government in Tuesday's provincial election, it sent shockwaves through the energy industry and right to Ottawa.

<> New Report: Major Food Companies Must Adapt to Escalating Global Water Risks - Major U.S. food companies need to adopt far stronger practices to use limited global water resources more efficiently, according to a report released by Ceres, a nonprofit sustainability advocacy group.

<> Groups Urge Investigation of USDA Censorship of Its Scientists - (Beyond Pesticides, May 8, 2015) A diverse group of environmentalists, beekeepers, farm workers, and advocates, along with Beyond Pesticides, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspector General and the co-chairs of the White House Task Force on Pollinator Health this Tuesday, urging a thorough investigation into recent reports that USDA scientists are being harassed and censored.

Federal Register Highlights  The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

<> AIR QUALITY - Direct Final Rule, Partial withdrawal. U.S. EPA - Partial Withdrawal of Technical Amendments Related to: Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Fuel and Quality Assurance Plan Provisions

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> MI Senator Stabenow Statement on Canadian Government Report Assessing Lake Huron Nuclear Waste Site - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) said, "I am deeply disappointed by the Canadian government's review of the proposed nuclear waste site on the shores of Lake Huron. . ." Michigan leaders slap Canadian report allowing nuclear waste disposal site one mile from Lake Huron

<> Drug used to treat type 2 diabetes may be harming Lake Michigan fish - Professor Rebecca Klaper said you need a microscope to see the problem with male minnows that have been exposed to a common drug used by people with type 2 diabetes called Metformin -- Normally it would just be sperm inside the testes, but the male fish are producing eggs.

Michigan News

<> Gov. Rick Snyder: I will focus my attention on Michigan's continuing comeback, telling our story - "I do not have plans to run for president in 2016. I will focus my attention on continuing Michigan's reinvention. . ."

<> Extensive testimony on House Bill 4297 - The House Energy Policy Committee received extensive testimony on the controversial HB4297 to amend the Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Energy Act [under "Testimony" see 5/7/15, for testimony from 29 individuals & organizations] HB 4297 of 2015 - Energy; alternative sources; energy generated from waste; allow to qualify as renewable or advanced cleaner energy, modify renewable energy location requirements, and eliminate energy optimization program. Legislative analysis for HB4297

<> 11 communities earn local infrastructure loans - MDEQ today announced more than $172 million in loans awarded to fund wastewater or drinking water projects needed to improve water quality and public health around the state.

<> DTE Energy Shareholders Call for More Clean Energy, Transparency at Annual Meeting - Several DTE shareholders called on the utility to change direction; invest far more in clean, renewable energy, like wind and solar; and be much more transparent about its heavy spending in Michigan politics.

<> Call for abstracts! Deadline June 15 - 9th Biennial State of Lake Michigan and 15th Annual Great Lakes Beach Association Joint Conference (October 28-30, Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, MI)

<> Michigan Embarks on Year Three of Aerial Photography Program - The Michigan Statewide Authoritative Imagery and LiDAR program (MiSAIL) brings partners together from around the state to collect high-quality images from all corners of Michigan -- these high-quality, reliable images are used in infrastructure mapping, property assessment, natural feature surveys, hydrologic mapping, emergency response, planning, zoning and much more.

<> National Water Trails Forum - Jun 24-26, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Meet and learn best practices from a network of fellow National Water Trails (NWT) leaders -- an opportunity to discover Southeast Michigan's scenic water trails.

Michigan Legislative Tracking  Newly introduced bills and bills that are moving, if any, are listed below. Click on the bill number for complete status, full text, & analyses. Uppercase is Senate action; lowercase is House action. Otherwise, for a complete list of environmental legislation this session (click here).

 

Daily Activity (5/7/15)

IN THE SENATE

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

 

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 5/7/15

 

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

National / International News

<> EPA Provides Training to Help Communities Prepare for Climate Change - EPA today released an online training module to help local government officials take actions to increase their communities' resiliency to a changing climate.

<> EPA Issues Health Advisories to Protect Americans from Algal Toxins in Drinking Water - EPA issued health advisory values that states and utilities can use to protect Americans from elevated levels of algal toxins in drinking water -- Children: 0.3 micrograms per liter for microcystin and 0.7 micrograms per liter for cylindrospermopsin; Others: 1.6 micrograms per liter for microcystin and 3.0 micrograms per liter

<> Senators Urge USDOT to Immediately Strengthen Oil Train Disclosure Rule - U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Al Franken (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) sent a letter urging U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx to enact stronger disclosure requirements on railroads regarding shipments of highly flammable Bakken crude oil. Fifth serious crude-by-rail accident since February has senators urging U.S S. 859: Crude-By-Rail Safety Act Another Train Derailment, Evacuation Highlights Ongoing Bomb Train Threat Oil train explodes in North Dakota, town evacuated

<> Seeking Public Input on the Sustained National Climate Assessment - A Request for Information (RFI) issued by the White House seeks public input on next steps for the U.S. National Climate Assessment -- The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is seeking what scientific information on climate change, impacts, and responses would be most valuable for future assessment activities; how to more effectively communicate findings; and how Assessment can better connect with other assessment efforts

<> New on GlobalChange.gov: Climate Change Indicators - A new section of GlobalChange.gov features indicators of climate change that can communicate how the environment is changing, identify risks, and inform decisions about policy, planning, and resource management.

<> EPA Announces Availability of Clean Diesel Grants for Communities Across the Country - EPA announced the availability of $13.5 million in grant funding to help governments and nonprofit organizations switch to cleaner diesel engines -- grants up to $2.14 million each.

<> Implications of higher domestic crude production for U.S. refining - (Thu, 07 May 2015) In response to multiple requests over the past years, EIA is developing a series of analyses that address the implications of current limitations on crude oil exports for prices, including both world and domestic crude oil and petroleum product prices, and for the level of domestic crude oil production and refining activity.

<> Oil and Gas Resources: Interior's Production Verification Efforts and Royalty Data Have Improved, but Further Actions Needed - GAO-15-39, April 07, 2015. GAO recommends that Interior meet its established time frames for updating its onshore measurement regulations, reconvene its gas and oil measurement team, and schedule and complete the review of the implementation of its commingling agreement guidance, among other things. I

<> Bicameral Lawmakers Call on Interior Department to Stop Natural Gas Waste - A group of House and Senate lawmakers asked the Interior Department to limit the unnecessary releases of natural gas from oil and gas wells on public lands in light of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report finding that federal officials have not improved natural gas capture standards despite two previous reports urging reforms.

<> Alberta Election Results Cast Further Doubt on Keystone XL - ousted leaders from the Progressive Conservative party in favor of the more left-leaning New Democratic Party. What Alberta's shocking election results could mean for the oil sands Alberta Election 2015: The latest results

Federal Register Highlights  The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

CLIMATE, AIR QUALITY - Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA - Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permitting for Greenhouse Gases: Providing Option for Rescission of EPA-Issued Tailoring Rule Step 2 Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permits

CLIMATE, AIR QUALITY - Direct Final Rule. U.S. EPA - Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permitting for Greenhouse Gases: Providing Option for Rescission of EPA-Issued Tailoring Rule Step 2 Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permits

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> Ontario Deep Geologic Nuclear Repository Project Report - The Report of the Joint Review Panel for the proposed Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) for Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste project at the Bruce nuclear site, within the Municipality of Kincardine, Ontario -- the federal government will now review the Panel's report before issuing a decision statement on whether the project may proceed. Joint Review Panel Environmental Assessment Report – In the 457-page assessment the Panel agrees with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) that the Deep Geologic Repository Project (DGR) is the preferred solution for the long-term management of Low and intermediate-level radioactive waste (L&ILW).

<> PCBs, mercury in St. Lawrence River fish - Marcel Pinheiro, of the University of Waterloo, said the research into the brown bullhead -- a small catfish species -- shows elevated levels of PCBs and mercury.

<> Lake Michigan unlikely to ever return to its natural state, scientists say - Lake Michigan has been almost exclusively a man-made ecosystem for nearly a century, according to fisheries biologists.

Michigan News

<> MDEQ grants $2.8 million for scrap tire market development - The award of $2.8 million in grants to 21 recipients to help develop new markets for scrap tires covers three types of projects -- Road projects involve using rubber-modified asphalt; research projects; & equipment projects

<> Groups Say MDEQ CAFO Permit Change: Important but Small Change in Nutrient Pollution - Permit change takes a small step toward addressing massive nutrient pollution entering Michigan's waterways, in particular Lake Erie.

<> 6 things we learned (and 3 things we didn't) from Proposal 1 debacle - Gov. Rick Snyder has not been able to sway fellow GOP leaders to his vision for road repair financing The embarrassingly lopsided defeat of Proposal 1, the linchpin of a plan to raise money to repair Michigan's roads and bridges, offered some expected and unexpected lessons for state leaders.

<> New Michigan Pipeline Secrecy Bill Slammed; Industry Proposal Would Hide Safety Records - Citizens groups, including Sierra Club, Clean Water Action and FLOW, sharply criticized proposed legislation introduced that would permanently block public access to pipeline safety records in Michigan, including for high-risk pipelines running through the Straits of Mackinac operated by Enbridge, Inc. HB 4540 of 2015 - Civil rights; public records; public body records, documents, or information disclosable under freedom of information act; exempt critical energy infrastructure and cybersecurity-related information. Oil and gas pipeline info would become secret under state bill - It's a matter of national security, says state Rep. Kurt Heise: Keeping information about oil and gas pipelines, high-powered electrical lines and other critical energy infrastructure out of potential terrorists' hands.

<> MDNR seeks input on plans for State Game Areas in southwestern Michigan - MDNR is seeking public input on several draft master plans for state game areas located in the southwestern region of the state -- draft master plans are available online

<> MDNR invites volunteers to participate in Hoosier Valley shooting areas cleanup - MDNR will host a cleanup from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at the informal shooting areas in Blair Township south of Traverse City

<> Experts baffled by rare Great Lakes region earthquake - What caused the earthquake this weekend, and why did it happen now? Do experts have an answer? "The short answer is no, we do not," said Larry Ruff, a seismologist with the University of Michigan.

Michigan Legislative Tracking  Newly introduced bills and bills that are moving, if any, are listed below. Click on the bill number for complete status, full text, & analyses. Uppercase is Senate action; lowercase is House action. Otherwise, for a complete list of environmental legislation this session (click here).

 

Daily Activity (5/6/15)

IN THE HOUSE

HB 4093 of 2015 Appropriations; zero budget; department of environmental quality; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016. Creates appropriation act. [2nd Read]

HB 4540 of 2015 Civil rights; public records; public body records, documents, or information disclosable under freedom of information act; exempt critical energy infrastructure and cybersecurity-related information. [Committee]