Wednesday, June 04, 2014

WIMS Environmental HotSheet

Due to computer problems at WIMS, we are posting 

the complete Michigan Edition of the HotSheet 

on a temporary basis until the problems are resolved


Subscribe by June 30, 2014 to avoid disruption in service 
(
click here)

 

National / International News

 

<> EPA Releases Stakeholder Comments On Clean power Plan - Part One

<> Ministers Join Next Round of UN Climate Talks Kicking Off in Bonn June 4 - The next round of UN climate talks starts in Bonn on June 4, this time with the presence of ministers who will discuss key political issues which can be resolved ahead of a successful. . .

<> With Developing Worlds Policy Support, Global Renewable Energy Generation Capacity Jumps to Record Level - REN21's Renewables 2014 Global Status Report is the world's most frequently-referenced report on the renewable energy market, industry and policy developments

<> In Debate Over Coal, Looking to Lessons of '90s Tobacco FightThe so-called War on Coal is reminiscent of the War on Tobacco, in which a truce took hold in large part because the states dependent on the. . . 

<> Final Arguments Conclude in Precedent-Setting Fracking Case - New York's highest court hears oral arguments in epic legal battle for the right of towns to ban oil and gas development within their borders. . .

<> Senate EPW Oversight Hearing Nuclear Safety – Testimony, statements & webcast including NRC's Implementation of the Fukushima Near-Term Task Force Recommendations and other Actions to Enhance and Maintain Nuclear Safety

<> Groups Fight to Protect Endangered Species From Dangerous New Pesticide - Conservation and food safety groups filed a lawsuit against U.S. EPA for failing to protect endangered species from a new, toxic pesticide called cyantraniliprole which the Agency's own assessment says it is "highly or very highly toxic" to scores of endangered species. . .

<> d-CON Agrees to Pull Super-Toxic Rat Poisons From Stores - d-CON agreed on May 30 to stop producing its super-toxic rat poisons and pull the products from store shelves by early next year. 

<> CASAC Review of the EPA's Health Risk and Exposure Assessment for Ozone - Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee peer review of the EPA report. . .

<> Report offers alternative to eminent domain for transmission - The Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA), based in Lyons, Nebraska, recently published a report in which it outlines an alternative to eminent domain.

<> BACKGROUND NOTE and facts about the EU's role and action G7 summit in Brussels 4 – 5 June - BACKGROUND NOTE and facts about the EU's role and action G7 summit in Brussels 4 – 5 June

<> Urgent action needed to safeguard genetic diversity of world's forests, UN study says - Urgent action to better manage the genetic diversity of forests – under pressure from climate change, exploitation and conversion for other uses – is needed to ensure that the. . .

<> DOE-Sponsored Project Shows Huge Potential for Carbon Storage in Wyoming - June 3, 2014. The Wyoming Rock Springs Uplift could potentially store 14 to 17 billion metric tons of carbon. . .

 

Federal Register Highlights 

The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Wednesday, June 4, 2014.  (Click here to access today's complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

 

1. Nothing We're Tracking Today (click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

 

Great Lakes News

 

<> IJC Report: Sixteen key physical, chemical, biological indicators recommended for assessing Great Lakes - Sixteen indicators of Great Lakes health, composed of 41 separate measures, are recommended as tools to assess progress toward cleaning up and protecting the lakes under The Great Lakes Ecosystem Indicator Project Report released by the International Joint Commission (IJC).

<> Algae blooms are bad news for Lake Erie anglers - Lake Erie will likely see another summer of miles-wide toxic algae blooms as heavy rainfall continues to pump phosphorus from farms and other sources into the lake.

 

Michigan News

 

<> Gov. Rick Snyder: The Detroit legislation is an example of a state pulling together, making tough decisions for a brighter future

<> MDEQ new Renewable Operating Permit (ROP) applications, reports and comment periods

<> Au Sable hatchery poses resource, economic questions - A debate has sprung up among the Au Sable River's entrepreneurs, government agencies, fish experts and anglers over the expansion of an aquaculture hatchery.

<> Public invited to provide input on new Kirtland's Warbler Conservation Plan - In 1966, the Kirtland's warbler was listed as a federally endangered species; today, history is being made as this unique songbird may soon be delisted. Comments due by July 28.

<> Snyder makes appointments made to Citizen-Community Response Coordinating Council

<> DNR invites public to attend June 17 workshop on future management of Coldwater Lake State Park

<> Public meetings to review Menominee River State Recreation Area draft plan concepts set for June 11-12

<> State Bar of Michigan membership should remain mandatory, task force tells supreme court - The task force's report recommends a change to the state's administrative rules, making the bar association's authority clearer by removing language that would authorize issue. . .

<> See new photos of the first section of Flint-to-Lake Huron pipeline going in the water - The first section of a new pipeline that will bring water to Genesee County from Lake Huron is in the water.

<> State of Michigan considers rail line purchase to improve trail system -

ONTONAGON - State officials are considering acquiring 13 miles of inactive railway line in Ontonagon County to provide key trail connections for the area. The land involved totals 160.6 

 

Michigan Legislative Tracking 

 

Newly introduced bills and bills that are moving, if any, are listed below. Click on the bill number for complete status, full text, & analyses. Uppercase is Senate action; lowercase is House action. Otherwise, for a complete list of environmental legislation this session (click here).

 

   • SB 0020 of 2013 Environmental protection; permits; hazardous waste permit eligibility; restrict based on certain criminal convictions. Last Action: 6/3/2014 referred to second reading

   • SB 0444 of 2013 Natural resources; nonnative species; permits for treatment of aquatic invasive species; revise, and authorize certain local ordinances. Last Action: 6/3/2014 referred to second reading

   • SB 0613 of 2013 Natural resources; wildlife; game killed by a vehicle; allow salvaging of. Last Action: 6/3/2014 referred to second reading

   • SB 0795 of 2014 Natural resources; nonnative species; prohibited species violations; increase penalties.

Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-3

   • SB 0796 of 2014

Criminal procedure; sentencing guidelines; sentencing guidelines for prohibited species violations; enact. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0797 of 2014 Natural resources; nonnative species; instrumentality of violations; provide for forfeiture of. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0799 of 2014 Natural resources; fishing; commercial fishing licenses; provide suspension procedures for aquatic prohibited species violations. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0800 of 2014 Natural resources; hunting; suspension of hunting, fishing, or trapping rights; provide for under certain circumstances. Last Action: 6/3/2014 PLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING WITH SUBSTITUTE S-1

   • SB 0959 of 2014 Environmental protection; hazardous waste; liquid industrial waste site identification number user charges; remove sunset. Last Action: 6/4/2014 received on 06/03/2014

   • SB 0960 of 2014 Environmental protection; hazardous waste; manifest processing site identification, and hazardous waste management program user charge; remove sunset.