Monday, January 06, 2014

WIMS Environmental HotSheet, January 6, 2014

<> UN Climate Change Conference in Warsaw keeps governments on a track towards 2015 climate agreement - UN Climate Change Conference in Warsaw keeps governments on a track towards 2015 climate agreement

<> Conservative Donors Pump $1 Billion A Year Into Climate Denying Groups, Study Finds.

<> Top Clean Energy and Climate Breakthroughs in 2013

<> EPA Releases Chemical Screening Data on 1,800 Chemicals/Agency improves access to chemical data and announces ToxCast Data Challenges (HQ) - WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the release of chemical screening data accessible through the new interactive Chemical Safety for Sustainability or iCSS Dashboard. The iCSS Dashboard provides access to data from innovative screening technologies for chemicals that are found in industrial and consumer products, food 

<> Fuel Economy of New Vehicles Sets Record High / Fuel Economy Gains to Continue Under President Obama's Clean Car Programs (HQ) - WASHINGTON – EPA issued its annual report that tracks the average fuel economy of vehicles sold in the United States. The report shows that model year 2012 vehicles achieved an all-time high fuel economy of 23.6 miles per gallon (mpg). This represents a 1.2 mpg increase over the previous year, making it the second largest annual increase in the last 30 years.

<> EPA Seeks Environmental Education Grant Applications (HQ) - WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently accepting applications for environmental education projects under the agency's Environmental Education Grant Program. The program works to engage communities across the country through a wide variety of educational projects that have a lasting impact on people's health by facilitating environmental 

<> EPA Appoints New Scientific Integrity Official (HQ) - Washington, DC – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has appointed Dr. Francesca Grifo as the agency's new scientific integrity official. Dr. Grifo's responsibilities in her new role include coordinating and carrying out EPA's scientific integrity policy and chairing a standing EPA scientific integrity committee

<> EPA Proposes 2014 Renewable Fuel Standards / Proposal Seeks Input to Address "E10 Blend Wall," Reaffirms Commitment to Biofuels (HQ) -

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed for public comment the levels of renewable fuels to be blended into gasoline and diesel as required by Congress under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Developed with input from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S

<> EPA Releases Agency Plans for Adapting to a Changing Climate (HQ) -

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its draft Climate Change Adaptation Implementation Plans for public review and comment. In support of President Obama's Climate Action Plan and Executive Order on Preparing theUnited States for the Impacts of Climate Change announced today, the Implementation Plans provide detailed 

<> EPA Releases Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data from Large Facilities / Carbon pollution from power plants declines 10 percent from 2010 due to growing use of natural gas (HQ) - WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its third year of greenhouse gas data detailing carbon pollution emissions and trends broken down by industrial sector, greenhouse gas, geographic region, and individual facility. The data, required to be collected annually by Congress, highlight a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions as more

<> Department of Energy Releases $8 Billion Solicitation for Advanced Fossil Energy Projects - Department of Energy Releases $8 Billion Solicitation for Advanced Fossil Energy Projects The Energy Department published a solicitation today, making up to $8 billion in loan guarantee authority available to support innovative advanced fossil energy projects that avoid, reduce, or sequester greenhouse gases

<> Energy Department Releases Grid Energy Storage Report - Energy Department Releases Grid Energy Storage Report Detailed Discussion of Benefits, Challenges, and Next Steps for Wider Adoption onto the Nation's Electric Grid

<> Energy Department Invests $12 Million to Slash Red Tape and Speed Solar Deployment for Homes and Businesses - Energy Department Invests $12 Million to Slash Red Tape and Speed Solar Deployment for Homes and Businesses Through Rooftop Solar Challenge , Eight Teams Streamline and Standardize Solar Installation Process to Cut Costs, Save Time

<> Executive Order -- Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change -  EXECUTIVE ORDER - - - - - - - PREPARING THE UNITED STATES FOR THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to prepare the Nation for the impacts of climate change by undertaking actions to enhance climate preparedness and resilience, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Policy.

<> FACT SHEET: Executive Order on Climate Preparedness - President Obama Establishes a Task Force on Climate "We're going to need to get prepared.  And that's why this plan will also protect critical sectors of our economy and prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change that we cannot avoid.  States and cities across the country are already taking it upon themselves to get ready… And we'll partner with communities seeking help to prepare