Paris Agreement Signing Ceremony Friday

<> Senior State Department Official on the Paris Agreement Signing Ceremony - On Friday, the Paris agreement on climate change will be open for signature --  Secretary Kerry is going to join a record number of global leaders in signing the agreement, bringing it a step closer to entering into force – State Department press conference explores the U.S. participation and ratification, and different legal theories about whether an executive agreement has the same binding powers as a treaty.

<> Leaders Roll Up Sleeves on Climate, but Experts Say Plans Don't Pack a Wallop - After a quarter-century of failed diplomatic efforts, signs are growing that nations have turned a corner in their political willingness to tackle climate change -- many leaders are pushing to make the Paris agreement legally binding years earlier than originally expected.

Senate Passes Broad Bill to Modernize Energy Infrastructure

<> Senate Passes Broad Bill to Modernize Energy Infrastructure - The bill, approved 85 to 12, united Republicans and Democrats around a traditionally divisive issue — energy policy — largely by avoiding the hot-button topics of climate change and oil and gas exploration that have thwarted other measures. S.2012: Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 Inhofe, Markey, Rounds, Booker Praise Passage of Brownfields Reauthorization in Senate Energy Bill Inhofe Statement on Passage of the Energy Policy Modernization Act U.S. Chamber Applauds Senate Passage of Energy Modernization Legislation - "We applaud the Senate for working across the aisle to modernize American energy policy. On the heels of successfully lifting the 40-year-old oil export ban, it's refreshing to see Congress operate and pass legislation that keep up with the realities of our 21st Century energy sector and economy. . ." Key Vote Letter to Senate Supporting S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports S. 2012, the "Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015." API: Senate energy bill benefits consumers and strengthens America's energy security

Today's the day for the Senate energy bill

<> Today's the day for the Senate energy bill - Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday the bill, S. 2012, will go to the floor -- votes will include a voice vote on a batch of uncontroversial amendments, and then eight will get roll calls.  S.2012: Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 Daily Senate Schedule for Tuesday, April 19, 2016 ACC Urges Senate Passage of Energy Bill

Final EPA Cost Considerations for the Mercury & Air Toxics Rules

<> Final Finding: Consideration of Cost in the Appropriate and Necessary Finding for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Power Plants - April 14, 2016 - EPA issued a final finding that it is appropriate and necessary to set standards for emissions of air toxics from coal- and oil-fired power plants -- finding responds to a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that the EPA must consider cost in the appropriate and necessary finding supporting the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS). Final action submitted for publication in the Federal Register – [167-pages] Fact Sheet - On April 14, 2016, U.S. EPA confirmed that it is appropriate and necessary to regulate air toxics, including mercury, from power plants after including a consideration of costs.

Interior Department Releases Final Well Control Regulations

<> Interior Department Releases Final Well Control Regulations - Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Brian Salerno announced final well control regulations to reduce the risk of an offshore oil or gas blowout that could result in the loss of life, serious injuries or substantial harm to the environment -- the regulations represent one of the most significant safety and environmental protection reforms the Interior Department has undertaken since Deepwater Horizon, and builds upon a number of reforms instituted over the last six years to strengthen and modernize offshore energy standards and oversight. Well Control Final Rule Fact Sheet Sen. Murkowski Reacts to Final Well Control Rule API: Cautious about Well Control Rule harming safety progress

Senate reaches deal on long-stalled energy bill

<> Senate reaches deal on long-stalled energy bill - The Senate is moving forward with a long-stalled energy bill after two Democratic senators dropped their holds on the legislation -- the move could allow for the energy bill to be back on the Senate floor as soon as next week, though the exact timing is up to McConnell and Minority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) -- Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) is still blocking the separate Flint aid package.

Consensus on Consensus: Agreement Over Human-Caused Climate Change

<> Consensus on Consensus: Expertise Matters in Agreement Over Human-Caused Climate Change - A research team, led by Sarah Green, a chemistry professor at Michigan Technological University, confirms that 97 percent of climate scientists agree that climate change is caused by humans  -- Green says: "What's important is that this is not just one study—it's the consensus of multiple studies. This consistency across studies contrasts with the language used by climate change doubters. This perspective stems from, as the authors write, "conflating the opinions of non-experts with experts and assuming that lack of affirmation equals dissent." [includes response comments] Consensus on consensus: a synthesis of consensus estimates on human-caused global warming – full text of the paper

Paris Climate Deal Seen Taking Effect Two Years Ahead of Plan

<> Paris Climate Deal Seen Taking Effect Two Years Ahead of Plan - Agreement will take effect when ratified by 55 nations -- at least 130 nations have pledged to sign the Paris Agreement at a ceremony at the United Nations in New York on April 22 -- 10 of those nations are also expected to ratify the deal at the same time. Entry into force of the Paris Agreement: legal requirements and implications April 22 Paris Agreement Signing in New York Fast-Tracking Climate Action

World Bank Group Unveils New Climate Action Plan

<> World Bank Group Unveils New Climate Action Plan - The World Bank Group announced plans to help developing countries add 30 gigawatts of renewable energy – enough to power 150 million homes – to the world's energy capacity, bring early warning systems to 100 million people and develop climate-smart agriculture investment plans for at least 40 countries – all by 2020 -- these are among a number of ambitious targets laid out in the World Bank Group's new Climate Change Action Plan World Bank Group Climate Change Action Plan

Professor Obama's Conversation on the Supreme Court

<> Professor Obama's Conversation on the Supreme Court - Yesterday, President Obama spoke with students at University of Chicago Law, where he taught for more than 10 years, about the importance of the Supreme Court and his current nominee. Email from Dan Johnson: Professor Obama Strategy on Garland: Act as Though He'll Get Senate Hearing Chuck Grassley To Meet With Merrick Garland Despite Opposing His Nomination

Environmental Justice Interagency Working Group releases "Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews"

<> Environmental Justice Interagency Working Group releases "Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews" - The Environmental Justice (EJ) Interagency Working Group (IWG) Promising Practices report is a compilation of approaches that the NEPA Committee gleaned from an almost 4-year review of agency practices -- nine sections: Meaningful Engagement, Scoping Process, Defining the Affected Environment, Developing and Selecting Alternatives, Identifying Minority Populations, Identifying Low-Income Populations, Impacts, Disproportionately High and Adverse Impacts, and Mitigation and Monitoring.

Secretary of State John Kerry Remarks at Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit

<> Secretary of State John Kerry Remarks at Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit - Wide ranging speech on climate change, renewable energy and the Paris COP21 agreement -- "No lawsuit or election or business deal is going to undo the progress that we've made to date, my friends, and it's not going to divert us from the path that we have forged towards a clean energy future."

Climate Change a Growing Threat to Human Health: New USGCRP Report

<> Climate Change a Growing Threat to Human Health: New USGCRP Report - The United States Global Change Research Program released a new assessment of a growing public health threat -- The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. Link to the report & summaries by chapter The Deepening Story of How Climate Change Threatens Human Health FACT SHEET: What Climate Change Means for Your Health and Family New Report Shows Climate Change is a "Clear Threat to Our Health" -- EDF As the climate changes, risks to human health will accelerate, White House warns

EPA Administrator Joins Senior Administration Officials at White House for Climate and Health Event

<> EPA Administrator Joins Senior Administration Officials at White House for Climate and Health Event - Today, during National Public Health Week, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will join senior Obama Administration officials and representatives from the public and private sectors at the White House for a climate and public health announcement from the U.S. Global Change Research Program.  2PM Event will be webcast live

Obama and President Xi of China vow to sign Paris Climate Accord promptly

<> Obama and President Xi of China vow to sign Paris Climate Accord promptly - President Obama and President Xi Jinping of China said Thursday that they would sign the Paris Agreement on climate change on April 22 (Earth Day), the first day the United Nations accord will be open for government signatures. U.S.-China Joint Presidential Statement on Climate Change Here's Why the U.S. and China Are Signing the Historic Paris Agreement on Earth Day U.S.-China announcement significant step toward turning promise of Paris into reality US, China Provide Continued Leadership on Climate Change, Urge Approval of Paris Agreement in 2016 AWEA CEO statement on U.S. and China decision to sign climate accord

Clean Power Plan Backers Petition Court in Support of EPA

<> Clean Power Plan Backers Petition Court in Support of EPA - A diverse coalition of major investor-owned utilities, public power authorities, and one of the largest independent power producers, as well as a combination of cities and states, clean energy groups, and environmental groups, filed briefs with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in support of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Clean Power Plan. 25 Diverse Business Groups Defend Clean Power Plan - 25 business groups, representing a broad range of industries and regions nationwide, announced that they are filing a friend of the court brief in support of the national Clean Power Plan, the strongest action to-date for addressing climate change. Access the petition of the 25 groups Access the petition of the States & Cities Clean Power Plan case resources - includes all briefs and legal documents filed in the case courtesy of the Environmental Defense Fund

Coalition Of Attorneys General Announce State-Based Effort To Combat Climate Change

<> Coalition Of Attorneys General Announce State-Based Effort To Combat Climate Change - Unprecedented Coalition Vows To Defend Climate Change Progress Made Under President Obama And To Push The Next President For Even More Aggressive Action -- CA, DC, IL, IA, ME, MD, MA, MN, NM, NY, OR, RI, VA, VT, WA, & US Virgin Islands Agree To Coordinate Efforts Science Group Welcomes Massachusetts Investigation into ExxonMobil over Climate Deception

EPA Urges D.C. Circuit To Dismiss Clean Power Plan Challenges

<> EPA Urges D.C. Circuit To Dismiss Clean Power Plan Challenges - 3/28/16. U.S. EPA has submitted its 208-page brief in West Virginia v. EPA Case No. 15-1363 (and consolidated cases) regarding implementation of the Agency's Clean Power Plan rule. Oral arguments are scheduled for June 2nd -- EPA maintains that, "the Rule's requirements are lawful in all respects." Clean Power Plan case resources - includes all briefs and legal documents filed in the case courtesy of the Environmental Defense Fund EPA Files Powerful Defense of the Clean Power Plan in Court EPA Clean Power Plan for Existing Power Plants website

Minnesota Beekeepers Compensated for Bee Kills from Pesticide Drift

<> Minnesota Beekeepers Compensated for Bee Kills from Pesticide Drift - In the first test of a landmark beekeeper compensation law that works to protect beekeepers from the effects of toxic pesticides on their hives, Minnesota has recently compensated two beekeepers for pesticide drift that killed their bees. Summary of Minnesota Pesticide Bee Kill Complaint Investigation in 2015

GOP, DEMS & Independents to Senate Republicans: #DoYourJob and Hold Hearings on Supreme Court Nominee

<> Republicans, Democrats and Independents to Senate Republicans: #DoYourJob and Hold Hearings on Supreme Court Nominee - Poll after poll show support for SCOTUS hearings