Administration Announces Actions to Bring Jobs and Clean Energy to Rural America

<> Administration Announces Actions to Bring Jobs and Clean Energy to Rural America - Financing Hundreds Of Projects To Reduce Carbon Pollution In Rural Communities President Obama is committed to combating climate change to protect future generations while supporting a strong rural economy.

Global Citizens' Views on Climate Change

<> Global Citizens' Views on Climate Change - 10,000 sampled; almost 80 per cent of citizens across the globe are very concerned about the impacts of climate change, but close to 70 per cent also see action to combat it as an opportunity to improve their quality of life -- largest ever citizen consultation on climate change carried out by the more than 100 partners of the World Wide Views Alliance in the run up to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP 21), taking place this December.

Public-Private Partnership to Empower Climate-Resilient Developing Nations

<> Fact Sheet: Launching a Public-Private Partnership to Empower Climate-Resilient Developing Nations - The Obama Administration is announcing the launch of an international public-private partnership to empower developing nations to boost their own climate resilience -- Climate Services for Resilient Development, will provide needed climate services – including actionable science, data, information, tools, and training – to developing countries that are working to strengthen their national resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Both Sides Claim Victory Over EPA Fracking Study: NPR

<> Both Sides Claim Victory Over EPA Fracking Study: NPR - The EPA found no evidence that hydraulic fracturing has led to widespread, systemic pollution to drinking water -- Now, two important things there - first, it found no evidence -- That doesn't mean it's not happening, just that in this big study of the science available, the EPA didn't find evidence. Just Released Fracking Study is First Step in "Putting Drinking Water First" - The Assessment includes literature review and new research on dozens of topics related to how fracking threatens drinking water; and "smashes the myth that there can be oil and gas development without impacts to drinking water." EPA's draft assessment – [See eNewsUSA blog post for links to all details] NRDC Statement on EPA Draft Study of Fracking & Drinking Water Risks EDF Statement on EPA's Water Study of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas EPA Confirms that Fracking Poses a Risk to Drinking Water API: EPA hydraulic fracturing review confirms safety Upton Comments On EPA's Hydraulic Fracturing Assessment Markey Statement on EPA's Draft Assessment of Hydraulic Fracturing and Drinking Water Bishop: EPA Study Damaging to Administration's Push for Federal Fracturing Rule Smith: EPA Report Backs Fracking Inhofe Statement on EPA's Report Confirming Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing Sen. Murkowski: EPA Study Confirms Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing

EPA Releases Draft Assessment on the Potential Impacts to Drinking Water Resources from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities

<> EPA Releases Draft Assessment on the Potential Impacts to Drinking Water Resources from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities - The assessment, done at the request of Congress, shows that while hydraulic fracturing activities in the U.S. are carried out in a way that have not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources, there are potential vulnerabilities in the water lifecycle that could impact drinking water -- the water used for hydraulic fracturing from water acquisition, chemical mixing at the well pad site, well injection of fracking fluids, the collection of hydraulic fracturing wastewater (including flowback and produced water), and wastewater treatment and disposal  EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources Also released today were nine peer-reviewed EPA scientific reports Science Advisory Board Review Public webinar: Today, Friday, June 5, 2015 at 2PM EDT

House Hearing EPA Regulatory Overreach: Impacts on American Competitiveness

<> House Hearing EPA Regulatory Overreach: Impacts on American Competitiveness - Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) opened saying, "Over the last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released some of the most expensive and expansive regulations in its history -- these rules will cost billions of dollars, place a heavy burden on American families and diminish the competitiveness of American industry around the world. [Charter, statement, testimony & webcast] Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) American Chemistry Council (ACC) statement

OMB Responds to GOP Reduced Priority Spending Levels

<> OMB Responds to GOP Reduced Priority Spending Levels - OMB says House and Senate Republicans have started to show how they plan to budget at discretionary levels that are the lowest in a decade, adjusted for inflation -- compared to the President's Budget, their budget will force cuts in areas critical to the economy and the middle-class, ranging from research to education to environmental protection, as well as in national security priorities, ranging from homeland security to peacekeeping and foreign assistance to the base defense budget. OMB's letter to House Chairman Rogers On Energy & Water Development OMB's letter to Senate Chairman Cochran On Energy & Water Development

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EPA Climate Plan Sent to White House For Review

<> EPA Climate Plan Sent to White House For Review - U.S. EPA has sent its rules on carbon emissions for existing power plants to the White House Office of Management and Budget for a final review before being finalized in August Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units EPA Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule website OK Governor Mary Fallin Issues Order Standing up to EPA Overreach – 4/28/15. Order states that Oklahoma will not file a State Implementation Plan (SIP) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulating carbon dioxide emissions produced by Oklahoma power plants.

 

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Next Round of UN Climate Negotiations,Bonn, June 1-11

<> Next Round of UN Climate Negotiations,Bonn, June 1-11 - Work on the text of the Paris 2015 universal climate agreement will continue in Bonn as of Monday, June 1, at a 10-day meeting to continue progress on addressing the most effective ways to raise climate action before 2020, which is when the new agreement would come into effect. Bonn Climate Change Conference - June 2015 Live & On-Demand webcasts

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 5/29/15

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

National / International News

<> Remarks by the President at the Annual Hurricane Season Outlook and Preparedness Briefing – "The best climate scientists in the world are telling us that extreme weather events like hurricanes are likely to become more powerful -- Climate change didn't cause Hurricane Sandy, but it might have made it stronger." FEMA 2015 National Preparedness Report Follow Along: @POTUS Answers Your Questions on Climate Change

<> EPA Proposes Increases in Renewable Fuel Levels - Today the EPA announced proposed volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, and 2016, and also proposed volume requirements for biomass-based diesel for 2017 EPA's RVO Decision is Not What the Statute Intended, Not in the Best Interest of Consumers – [Renewable Fuels Association] Unfortunately, the EPA continues to cling to the "blend wall" methodology that falsely claims ethanol has reached its saturation point at a 10 percent ethanol blend and that higher-level ethanol blends, such as E15 and E85, are not yet large enough to justify a higher RVO. [renewable volume obligations]

<> Moving Forward our Regulatory Partnerships with Canada - U.S. Federal Departments and Agencies together with Canadian Ministries have been working to develop new frameworks for cooperation since the release of the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) Joint Forward Plan last August.

<> Barnes & Thornburg LLP Alert On WOTUS - Barnes & Thornburg LLP issued an Environmental Law Alert indicating, "Although EPA claims that the rule actually narrows the scope of EPA and Army Corp jurisdiction, critics have asserted that the new rule broadens the agencies authority to regulate waters that should be exempted."

<> Energy Department Authorizes Alaska LNG Project, LLC to Export Liquefied Natural Gas - Subject to environmental review and final regulatory approval, Alaska LNG, in the Nikiski Area of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska is authorized to export LNG up to the equivalent of 2.55 billion standard cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas for a period of 30 years.

<> EPA Takes Strong Steps to Better Protect Bees from Pesticides - To further support President Obama's Federal Pollinator Strategy, the U.S. EPA is proposing additional restrictions on the use of acutely toxic pesticides during times when bees are most likely to be present. EPA Proposes Ban on Some Toxic Pesticide Spraying While Bees at Work Canadian Senate Committee Report Finds Neonicotinoids Play Role in Bee Mortality

<> Ford Offers Electric Vehicle Technology Patents to Competitors - Ford Motor Company is offering competitors access to its electrified vehicle technology patents – a move to help accelerate industry-wide research and development of electrified vehicles.

<> USDA to Invest Up to $100 Million to Boost Infrastructure for Renewable Fuel Use, Seeking to Double Number of Higher Blend Renewable Fuel Pumps - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest up to $100 million in a Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership to support the infrastructure needed to make more renewable fuel options available to American consumers

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

<> Sierra Club v. Bureau of Land Management - 5/28/15. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Case No. 13-1583. The panel affirmed the district court's judgment upholding the decision of the United States Bureau of Land Management to grant a right-of-way over federal land for a wind energy project developed on private land by intervenor North Sky River Energy, LLC.

<> Pebble LP v. U.S. EPA - 5/28/15. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Case No. 14-35845, Unpublished opinion. Plaintiffs-appellants Pebble Limited Partnership and Alaska Peninsula Corporation appeal from the district court's order dismissing their complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1). The Appeals Court affirmed the decision of the district court.

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).

<> TOXICS - Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA - Proposal To Mitigate Exposure to Bees From Acutely Toxic Pesticide Products; Notice of Availability

(click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> Webinar: Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes - The International Joint Commission (IJC) invites you to join a public webinar and teleconference at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) on Thursday, June 4, 2015 regarding a consultants' draft report on the Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes. IJC Ten Year Review "Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes" - 10 years in defending the lakes from diversions, bulk exports and large-scale withdrawals -- comments on the draft report until June 30, 2015.

Michigan News

<> MI Brownfields 2015 Grant Award Fact Sheets - [begin PDF page 95] Alger County, Detroit, Downriver Community Conference, Genesee County Land Bank Authority, Jackson County, Lansing, & Muskegon Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Brownfields Grant Fact Sheet Search - [Search Michigan]

<> Obama water rule earns praise, sparks concern - Michigan environmentalists praised President Barack Obama's announcement Wednesday that he would move to extend pollution rules to smaller rivers and wetlands, even as some Republican members of the state's congressional delegation denounced it as executive overreach. Michigan Farm Bureau statement: EPA 'Waters of the U.S.' rule - The new rule is bad news for farm families in Michigan, allowing the EPA to regulate far beyond its authority as prescribed by Congress and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

<> In re Application of Consumers Energy Company for Rate Increase - 5/27/15. In the Michigan Court of Appeals, Case Nos. 314361 & 316868. Two appeals were consolidated. See In re Application of Consumers Energy for Reconciliation of Costs, unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered May 21, 2014 (Docket Nos. 314361, 316868). The Appeals Court concluded that the MPSC properly disallowed TES Filer's request for recovery of additional funds for NOx and SO2 allowances. However, it concluded that the MPSC erred in adjusting the $1,000,000 monthly cap on the fuel and variable operation and maintenance costs payable to the biomass merchant plants (BMPs).

<> Recycling market development: creating a supply chain for Michigan businesses - Access more information from MDEQ about the recycling supply chain and how your business can help Michigan become a recycling leader

<> Opportunity to share ideas on state forest planning for Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac and Otsego counties - MDNR will host open houses June 24 in Gaylord and June 25 in Indian River to talk about proposed forest management plans for 2017 in the Gaylord management unit Maps and information regarding proposed treatments - select the "Find a Forest" button and click the "Gaylord" button on the map

<> Opportunity to share ideas on state forest planning for Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties - MDNR will host an open house June 23 in Baraga, Michigan, to talk about proposed forest management plans for 2017 in the Baraga management unit Maps and information regarding proposed treatments - select the "Find a Forest" button and click the "Baraga" button on the map

<> St. Clair County starts annual beach tests for E. coli with new, quicker method - Beaches will be tested using an old method that produces results in about 18 hours; and the same beaches also will be tested  using a method called quantitative polymerase chain reaction that promises results in less than four hours

<> SDEV is holding our Annual Tire Sweep Challenge June 23-25, 2015! -   The post SDEV is holding our Annual Tire Sweep Challenge June 23-25, 2015! appeared first on Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision.

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).

[WIMS] Environmental HotSheet 5/28/15

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

National / International News

<> Statement by the President on the Clean Water Rule – ". . .court decisions have led to uncertainty and a need for clarification. . . This rule will provide the clarity and certainty businesses and industry need about which waters are protected by the Clean Water Act, and it will ensure polluters who knowingly threaten our waters can be held accountable. Barack Obama's water war - [Politico article by Jenny Hopkinson] Industries like agriculture, oil and home-building are lining up to attack a rule aimed at protecting wetlands and waterways.

<> Business & Industry React to EPA's Final WOTUS Rule U.S. Chamber Statement on EPA's Final Clean Water Rule - EPA's proposed rule would significantly broaden federal regulatory jurisdiction over private activities on land and in waterways, wetlands and drainage ditches, and fundamentally change the scope and extent of long-standing state delegated Clean Water Act programs -- the Chamber is reviewing the substance of the final rule and evaluating the best options available to prevent this flawed rule from negatively affecting our nation's economy American Sustainable Business Council Praises EPA's Clean Water Rule - The Clean Water Rule will give the business community more confidence that streams and rivers will be protected -- this is good for the economy and vital for businesses that rely on clean water for their success. National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Reacts to WOTUS - From ditches, to ponds, to creeks, this regulation will expand the Administration's regulatory reach even further into the operations of manufacturers, farmers and small businesses.

<> American Farm Bureau Federation Reacts To EPA's Final WOTUS Rule - Based on EPA's aggressive advocacy campaign in support of its original proposed rule – and the agency's numerous misstatements about the content and impact of that proposal – we find little comfort in the agency's assurances that our concerns have been addressed in any meaningful way. EPA Fact Sheet On WOTUS & Agriculture - Among other items, EPA says WOTUS does not protect any types of waters that have not historically been covered by the Clean Water Act; nor does it add any new requirements for agriculture, or interfere with or change private property right

<> Environmental Groups React to EPA's Final WOTUS Rule Center for Biological Diversity - The "Clean Water Rule" issued by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reduces the agencies' jurisdiction over waters that have been covered under the Clean Water Act since the 1970s -- it fails to protect streams and rivers that have historically been protected under the Clean Water Act, exempting industrial-scale livestock facilities, and allowing streams and rivers to be impounded or filled with toxic coal ash and other waste. Earthjustice - The Clean Water Rule restores clear protection to 60% of the nation's stream miles and millions of acres of wetlands that were historically protected by the Clean Water Act, but have lacked guaranteed safeguards for nearly a decade. Natural Resources Defense Council - Drinking water supplies of 117 million Americans will regain strong safeguards against pollution -- these long-overdue protections also will ensure cleaner wetlands, headwaters, brooks and streams that we use for swimming, fishing and other recreational activities. Sierra Club - More American waterways will be free from pollution and more of the drinking water American families rely on will be free from contamination -- No longer will the Supreme Court's confusing decisions on the issue allow dirty fossil fuel companies to threaten people's health by dumping toxins into our lakes, rivers, and streams.

<> EPA Announces $54.3 Million to Assess and Clean Up Contaminated Sites, Revitalize Communities, Leverage Jobs and Promote Economic Redevelopment Nationwide - EPA announced today the selection of 243 new grant investments totaling $54.3 million to 147 communities across the U.S to provide communities with funding necessary to assess, clean up and redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies and leverage jobs while protecting public health and the environment -- recipients will each receive approximately $200,000 - $600,000 in funding toward EPA cooperative agreements.

<> Can U.S. Meet Its Climate Goals? New Study Says 'Yes' - Without relying on nonexistent technologies or new federal laws, the US could meet or even exceed its climate targets at little or no cost to the economy, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the World Resources Institute, a Washington-based climate research organization. Executive Summary: Delivering on the U.S. Climate Commitment: A 10-Point Plan Toward A Low-Carbon Future Full Appendix: Modeling Details and Assumptions

<> EPA revises its regulatory agenda, a flurry of activity expected in the next few months - Last week, the EPA-specific listing on the website of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs was updated with timelines on the EPA's regulatory efforts. EPA Rules by Projected Publication Date

<> OIG Report: EPA's Key Management Challenges 2015 – 5/28/15. Office of Inspector General is providing the issues it considers as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) major management challenges for fiscal year 2015.

<> Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas Western Hemisphere Clean Energy Initiative - At the Second Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) Ministerial, hosted May 25-26, 2015 in Merida, Mexico, Energy Ministers of Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama and the United States announced the creation of a new Western Hemisphere Clean Energy Initiative.

<> Year-in-Review: 2014 Energy Infrastructure Events and Expansions Now Available (May 2015) - The Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability has released the report which provides a summary of significant energy disruptions and infrastructure changes that occurred in the United States throughout 2014.

<> Beyond the Data: NOAA's new climate monitoring blog - A blog by the nation's official climate record keepers to keep the records of the nation's and the world's climate system.

<> Investor Network on Climate Risk: Year in Review 2014-2015 - The 2014-2015 INCR Year in Review highlights the key activities, events and initiatives that INCR members and Ceres have undertaken from June 2014 through early 2015.

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

<> Nothing We're Tracking Today (click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News

<> Clean Water Rule 'A Major Victory for People, Great Lakes, Economy' - The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is heralding a new clean water rule as a major step forward in protecting drinking water and restoring the health of the Great Lakes.

<> MDNR fisheries research vessels are out on the water to expand knowledge of Great Lakes - The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) announced that all four of its fisheries research vessels are back on the water, beginning their annual surveys of Great Lakes fish populations.

<> Identifying the best rivers in the Great Lakes region for Asian carp eggs - Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey are using a model nicknamed FluEgg to predict which rivers in the Great Lakes region are the most suitable for Asian carp to reproduce. USGS Release: Model Offers More Ease, Precision for Managing Invasive Asian Carp

Michigan News

<> Disruption at Michigan Policy Conference Calls Attention to Aging Mackinac Pipeline - A group of concerned individuals from across the state of Michigan have just converged at the start of the Detroit Chamber 2015 Michigan Policy Conference to draw attention to the aging crude oil pipeline known as "Line 5″. Sen. Gary Peters 'very concerned' about Enbridge pipeline in Straits of Mackinac

<> New Analysis of MDEQ Budget Conference Report - Overall full time equivalent personnel dow 5.2% (66.5 employees) & gross funding down 6.2% ($32,282,500) HB 4093 of 2015 - Appropriations; zero budget; department of environmental quality; provide for fiscal year 2015-2016. Creates appropriation act.

<> MDEQ awards 10 water quality grants - MDEQ announced grants totaling almost $3.1 million to improve water quality in Michigan lakes and streams -- helping to restore impaired waters and protect high-quality waters by reducing nonpoint sources of sediment, nutrients and other contaminants.

<> Wildlife habitat grants available through MDNR - MDNR accepting 2015 Round 2 Wildlife Habitat Grant Program applications June 1 through July 10, giving priority to projects featuring habitat enhancement for game species.

<> Proposed fishing regulations for Saginaw Bay, associated waters - MDNR will host a public meeting Thursday, June 4, in Bay City, Michigan, to discuss two fishing regulation proposals for Saginaw Bay and associated waters.

<> Statement from Clean Water Action on EPA Clean Water Rule - The Clean Water Rule is the culmination of more than 12 years of advocacy by Clean Water Action, its members, and its allies

<> May 2015 White Lake PAC E-Newsletter - Goodbye from the White Lake Public Advisory Council! -- the last official e-newsletter from the White Lake Public Advisory Council (PAC) -- Strategic Plan and New White Lake Organization

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 (5/27/15)

IN THE HOUSE

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

HB 4657 of 2015 Education; facilities; certain activities to determine and eliminate environmental hazards; require before building a school or acquiring a site for a school. [Committee\