Wednesday, February 12, 2014

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/12/14

<> EPA Revises Permitting Guidance for Using Diesel Fuel in Oil and Gas Hydraulic Fracturing - EPA released revised underground injection control (UIC) program permitting guidance for wells that use diesel fuels during hydraulic fracturing activities.

<> 2013 National Environmental Scorecard - The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released its 2013 National Environmental Scorecard, which allows users to see how your members of Congress voted on the year's key environmental issues.

<> Environment Subcommittee Hearing - Ensuring Open Science at EPA - The GOP Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 is the result of more than two years of investigative work on the part of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. This work was initiated when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) failed to live up to its public commitment to make the data that supports its most costly air regulations available to the public.

<> House Passes Drought Research Legislation - The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2431, the National Integrated Drought Information Systems Reauthorization Act. The bill passed 365-21 with 45 members not voting. H.R. 2431 reauthorized the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).  The NIDIS Act, signed into law in 2006, is a collaborative effort between numerous federal 

<> Energy Department Conditionally Authorizes Cameron LNG to Export Liquefied Natural Gas - February 11, 2014. Energy Department Conditionally Authorizes Cameron LNG to Export Liquefied Natural Gas The Energy Department announced that Cameron LNG has been conditionally authorized to export LNG.

<> Protecting Iconic Species for Future Generations: A New National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking - To protect threatened species like elephants and rhinoceroses for future generations, today the President approved a new National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking. The Strategy strengthens U.S. leadership on countering the global security threat posed by poaching and illegal trade in wildlife, which is decimating iconic animal populations. Because of the actions of. . . 

<> Department of Energy Oversight: Status of Clean Coal Programs - The House E&C Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), held a hearing reviewing the status of the Department of Energy's clean coal programs.

<> Senator Boxer Welcomes Senator Markey to EPW Committee

<> Using ADAPTool to Assess What Makes Policies Adaptable under Climate Change - The ADAPTool was developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and partners to assess the adaptability of policies or programs in relation to any defined stressor or external change, such as climate.

<> Kantor: Level Playing Field Will Help Unlock Benefits of Natural Gas - He shared details from the recent American Gas Foundation and IHS CERA study, "Fueling the Future with Natural Gas: Bringing it Home,"

<> Climate Adaptation Fund RFP - The Wildlife Conservation Society's Climate Adaptation Fund is pleased to announce the release of the 2014 Request for Proposals. Deadline: 5:00 PM MST on Friday, March 14, 2014.

<> NREL Scientists Find Key Function for Ferredoxins in Algae Hydrogen Production - The finding suggests ways to increase the production of hydrogen by algae, which could help turn hydrogen into a viable alternative fuel for transportation.

<> 4th Annual Utica & Marcellus NGL & Natural Gas 2014 - Providing Project And Infrastructure Updates And Identifying New Market Opportunities For Utica & Marcellus NGLs, Residue Gas And LNG To Ensure Optimal Markets Can Still Be Reached As Prices And Demand Fluctuate. April 29-30, 2014 Columbus, Ohio