Monday, April 28, 2014

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 4/28/14

 National / International News

 

<> Keystone XL Pipeline Project Review Process: Provision of More Time for Submission of Agency Views - On April 18, 2014, the Department of State notified the eight federal agencies specified in Executive Order 13337 it will provide more time for the submission of views on the proposed Keystone Pipeline Project saying, agencies need additional time based on the uncertainty created by the on-going litigation in the Nebraska Supreme Court which could ultimately affect the pipeline route in that state.

<> EPA Report: Data Show Automakers on Track in meeting Greenhouse Gas Standards - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a Manufacturers Performance Report that assesses the automobile industry's progress toward meeting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. . .

<> SAB Draft Review Report Of EPA's Waters Connectivity Report - Science Advisory Board (SAB) Draft Report (4/23/14) to Assist Meeting Deliberations Review of the Draft EPA Report Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters

<> EPA U.S. EPA Administrator Kicking Off Earth Week Tour on Climate Action Plan / McCarthy traveling to New York, Boston, Cleveland, Atlanta and Memphis – Apr 21 – In recognition of Earth Week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy is taking to the road to ask Americans to act on climate change through simple actions to reduce carbon. . .

<> Keynote Address at the National Academy of Sciences - On Monday, April 28, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy will deliver a keynote address to the National Academy of Sciences at their 151st annual meeting.

<> C2ES: Losing nuclear power makes it harder to meet U.S. climate goals - April 28, 2014. Further closures of U.S. nuclear power plants will make it harder for the United States to reduce carbon emissions and meet its climate goals, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) says in a new policy brief. 

<> Projected CO2 emissions vary with coal and nuclear power plant retirements - (Mon, 28 Apr 2014) Significant retirements of nuclear and coal power plants in the United States could change the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by the electric power sector.

<> Responding to Oil Spills in U.S. Arctic Waters - A new report from the National Research Council says that the a full suite of proven oil spill response technologies is needed to respond to a potential spill in Arctic waters, but not all of them are readily available.

<> EPA Seeks Small Businesses' Input on Lead Paint for Public and Commercial Buildings -  The U.S. EPA is inviting small businesses to participate as consultants for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel as the agency considers steps to reduce lead . . .

<> No More Wind Welfare - The American Energy Alliance joined with 30 other organizations in a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee urging them to oppose an extension of the wind Production Tax Credit.

<> ACC Announces New Principles to Enhance Chemical Hazard and Risk Assessments - American Chemistry Council (ACC) introduced a set of comprehensive principles for improving chemical hazard and risk assessment programs ("Principles").

<> Update to Large Power Transformers and the U.S. Electric Grid Report Now Available - April 25, 2014Update to Large Power Transformers and the U.S. Electric Grid Report Now Available The Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability has released an update to its 2012 Large Power Transformers and the U.S

<> Fracking issues raised by Auburn wastewater report - An engineering firm hired by Auburn, N.Y. to clear the way for the city to accept wastewater from gas drilling has concluded the city's wastewater treatment plant can't handle it which could have broad implications. . .

<> EPA Recognizes Seven University Teams for Environmental Solutions - Today, the U.S. EPA announced seven winning student teams of EPA's People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) phase II awards for innovative and sustainable designs to. . .

 

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions

 

<> Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al v. City of New York, New York, et al - Apr 21: In the U.S. Supreme Court, Case No. 13-842. Appealed from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Case Nos. 10-4135, 10-4329). Petition DENIED. Justice Alito took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Monday, April 28, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. AIR, TRANSPORTATION, CLIMATE - Final Rule. U.S. EPA. Emissions and Fuel Standards: Control of Air Pollution From Motor Vehicles: Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards PDF | Text | 

2. (April 21, 2014) Water. Proposed Rule. U.S. EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). Clean Water Act; Definitions: Definition of "Waters of the United States" Under the Clean Water Act PDF | Text | 

(click for today's  complete Energy & EPA announcements)