USDA Releases Results of New Survey on Honey Bee Colony Health

<> USDA Releases Results of New Survey on Honey Bee Colony Health - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of its first ever Honey Bee Colony Loss survey -- queried more than 20,000 honey beekeepers about the number of colonies, colonies lost, colonies added, and colonies affected by certain stressors and gleans state-level estimates on key honey bee health topics -- developed as part of the " National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators" released last summer Honey Bee Colony Loss survey details National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators Beekeepers Fight EPA on Pesticide Regulation

EPA Releases First-Ever Standards to Cut Methane Emissions from the Oil and Gas Sector

<> EPA Releases First-Ever Standards to Cut Methane Emissions from the Oil and Gas Sector - EPA announced comprehensive steps to address methane emissions from both new and existing sources in the oil and gas sector -- for new, modified and reconstructed sources, EPA is finalizing a set of standards that will reduce methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air emissions in the oil and natural gas industry; for existing sources, EPA is starting the process to control those emissions by issuing for public comment an Information Collection Request (ICR) that requires companies to provide the information that will be necessary for EPA to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources. Oil and Natural Gas Air Pollution Standards Regulatory Actions Details - EPA has issued three final rules that together will curb emissions of methane, smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air pollutants such as benzene from new, reconstructed and modified oil and gas sources, while providing greater certainty about Clean Air Act permitting requirements for the industry. Draft Information Collection Request for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry - EPA issued a draft Information Collection Request (ICR) to require oil and natural gas companies to provide extensive information needed to develop regulations to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and gas sources.  API: Administration's unreasonable methane rules could put shale energy revolution at risk Obama's new oil & gas air pollution rule is a step forward for climate & communities EPA's Oil and Gas Methane Limits Are Crucial Way to Slow the Warming Trend Obama Administration Finalizes Safeguards for Methane Pollution Ceres Commends EPA for First Ever National Rule Today on Methane Pollution

Developing economies in Asia lead projected growth in world energy use

<> Developing economies in Asia lead projected growth in world energy use - World energy consumption is projected to increase by 48% over the next three decades, led by strong increases in the developing world—especially in Asia, according to "International Energy Outlook 2016" (IEO2016), released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) -- IEO2016 presents updated projections for world energy markets through 2040.  International Energy Outlook 2016 (IEO2016)

White House On Efforts Re: Public & Private Building Codes & Standards

<> White House On Efforts Re: Public & Private Building Codes & Standards - Fact Sheet: The impacts of climate change – including hotter temperatures, more extreme weather, sea level rise, and more severe drought – pose significant challenges for buildings and homes, many of which were not built to withstand the future impacts of climate change -- White House hosted a Conference on Resilient Building Codes

States, Cities, Groups Reject SCOTUS MATS Attacks

<> States, Cities, EDF and Others Ask Supreme Court to Reject the Latest Attack against the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards - A coalition of 15 states, five local governments, and leading medical and environmental groups including EDF is asking the Supreme Court to reject the latest in a long line of attacks on the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) U.S. EPA Brief In Opposition Michigan v. EPA SCOTUS docket information Mercury and Air Toxics case resources - All briefs and documents filed in the case

Flint, MI Water Crisis: Wake-up Call for the Country

<> Flint, MI Water Crisis: Wake-up Call for the Country - President Obama's visit to Flint, Michigan this week draws public attention to the nation's water crisis -- an opportunity to set in motion desperately needed reforms and place the water crisis exactly where it belongs: at center stage in the upcoming presidential campaign.

President Obama in Flint: "It's Not Enough Just to Fix the Water"

<> President Obama in Flint: "It's Not Enough Just to Fix the Water" - "I will not rest...until every drop of water that flows to your homes is safe to drink and cook with" Remarks by the President to the Flint Community -- Flint, MI Remarks by the President After Meeting with Federal Responders on the Flint, Michigan Water Crisis Gov. Rick Snyder issues statement about President Obama's visit to Flint Why Congress still isn't helping Flint Michael Moore calls Barack Obama drinking Flint water 'disappointing' Obama fosters hope in Flint, but fears remain

President Obama to Local News Reporters: Give Supreme Court Nominee Judge Garland a Vote

<> President Obama to Local News Reporters: Give Supreme Court Nominee Judge Garland a Vote - President Obama speaks with reporters from around the country about the stalled Supreme Court nomination process for Chief Judge Merrick Garland. The Reviews are In: SCOTUS Nominee Garland Is ''Beyond Reproach'' Now it's Time for a Hearing - 46 Senators, including 11 Republican, have met with President Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Merrick Garland – here's what they said

Patricia Espinosa Selected New UNFCCC Executive Secretary

<> Patricia Espinosa Selected New UNFCCC Executive Secretary - The UN Secretary General has concluded the selection process for the next Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC with the selection of HE Patricia Espinosa (Mexico) -- a further announcement will be forthcoming Ban Ki-moon nominates Patricia Espinosa for new UNFCCC climate chief role Mexican ambassador selected as next UN climate chief

President's Weekly Address: It's Time for the Senate To Do Its Job

<> President's Weekly Address: It's Time for the Senate To Do Its Job - In this week's address, the President repeated his call for Republicans in the United States Senate to give Chief Judge Merrick Garland a fair hearing and a vote.

SAB Critical Response To EPA's Draft Fracking Assessment Report

<> SAB Critical Response To EPA's Draft Fracking Assessment Report - In its latest draft, 184-page, Apr 26, document EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) provides its response to EPA's draft "Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas on Drinking Water Resources (External Review Draft, EPA/600/R-15/047, June 2015)." – SAB: "Most members of the SAB Panel are concerned that these major findings as presented within the Executive Summary are ambiguous and appear inconsistent with the observations, data, and levels of uncertainty presented and discussed in the body of the draft Assessment Report." Background, meetings & documents

Federal Regulators Stand Up for Customers, Fair Electricity Market

<> Federal Regulators Stand Up for Customers, Fair Electricity Market - The Federal Energy Regulatory Committee overturned the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's decision to grant subsidy requests from Ohio-based utility giants AEP and FirstEnergy -- their bailout proposals would have forced Ohio customers to bail out old, inefficient power plants for the next eight years at an estimated cost of $6 billion. FERC Order granting complaint

Moving Forward for America's Drinking Water

<> Moving Forward for America's Drinking Water - Too little water in the West, flooding from extreme weather in the Midwest and Southeast, and the recent water quality issues in Flint, Michigan have rightly focused national attention on America's drinking water -- 300 million Americans depend on 152,000 public drinking water systems and collectively drink more than one billion glasses of tap water each day -- in the coming weeks, EPA will launch a targeted engagement with key state co-regulators, regulated utilities, and nongovernmental stakeholders on priority issues related to implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act.  New study of the science and technology relevant to ensuring the Nation's drinking-water quality Reacting to Flint crisis, EPA launches U.S. drinking water study

Murray Energy Files Petition For MATS Review "Supplemental Finding"

<> Murray Energy Files Petition For MATS Review "Supplemental Finding" - The company filed a petition for review of EPA's final action on April 25, 2016, styled "Supplemental Finding that it is Appropriate and Necessary to Regulate Hazardous Air Pollutants from Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units." 81 Fed. Reg. 24,420 (April 25, 2016). Polluters Continue Legal Challenges over Mercury and Air Toxics Standards - mere hours after supplemental findings for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards were officially published, the first lawsuit was filed to block them. Final Finding: Consideration of Cost in the Appropriate and Necessary Finding for the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Power Plants Federal Register publication of MATS Final Supplemental Finding

Record Support for Advancing Paris Climate Agreement Entry into Force

<> Record Support for Advancing Paris Climate Agreement Entry into Force - In an extraordinary show of support for the Paris Climate Change Agreement adopted last December, 175 Parties (174 countries and the European Union) signed up to it at a ceremony at UN Headquarters on Apr 22 that far exceeded the historical record for first-day signatures to an international agreement -- the initial step toward ensuring the agreement enters into force -- 30 days after 55 Parties accounting for 55 per cent of global emissions deposit their instruments of ratification --15 States also deposited instruments of ratification.   Previous WIMS Earth Day coverage Ministers Aim to Mobilize $1 Trillion Investment in Solar Energy Bonn Climate Change Conference - May 2016

Paris Climate Agreement on Track for Early Start

<> Paris Climate Agreement on Track for Early Start - As many as 170 countries are expected to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change today in a symbolic triumph for a landmark deal that once seemed unlikely but now appears on track to enter into force years ahead of schedule -- never before have so many countries inked an agreement on the first day of the signing period. High-level Signature Ceremony for the Paris Agreement (Opening/Signing) - 10:00am to 1:00pm approx: Signing ceremony – watch live Guide to the Paris Agreement Signing Ceremony - Today's day-long celebration will mark the opening for signature of the Paris Climate Change Agreement at the United Nations headquarters in New York. More than 160 countries have expressed their intention to sign the agreement The Paris climate accord is about to be signed. Here's what happens next The Signing Of The Paris Agreement: "A Turning Point For Humanity." Obama Administration Urged to Do Fair Share to Fight Climate Crisis UN Environment Programme Executive Director Statement on Paris Agreement Signing

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.