Tuesday, January 14, 2014

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 1/14/14

<> GAO-14-80, Clean Water Act: Changes Needed If Key EPA Program Is to Help Fulfill the Nation's Water Quality Goals, December 05, 2013 - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the states each have responsibilities for developing and implementing pollution targets, known as total maximum daily loads (TMDL). EPA oversees states' TMDL efforts by establishing in regulations minimum requirements TMDLs need for approval, providing funding, and furnishing technical assistance. States develop TMDLs and. . . 

<> U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions in 2013 expected to be 2% higher than in 2012- (Mon, 13 Jan 2014) Once all data are in, energy-related CO<sub>2</sub> emissions in 2013 are expected to be roughly 2% above the 2012 level, largely because of a small increase in coal consumption in the electric power sector. 

<> Fiscal Year 2014 Government Funding Bill Released - House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski, House Appropriations Ranking Member Nita Lowey, and Senate Appropriations Ranking Member Richard Shelby today announced the release of the fiscal year 2014 consolidated appropriations bill. The bill meets the terms set by the Ryan-Murray

<> Monsanto critics denied U.S. Supreme Court hearing on seed patents

<> State Coal Imports Drain Billions from Local Economies - The Union of Concerned Scientists released a report showing that power providers sent more than $19 billion across state lines and overseas in 2012 to import coal, creating a drain on local economies when they could be boosting local economies by investing in homegrown clean energy sources.

<> BTLaw Alert: EPA Publishes Proposed Rule to Cap Carbon Emissions from New Power Plants - U.S. EPA's long anticipated proposed rule for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new power plants was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 8, 2014. Barnes & Thornburg LLP.

  • AIR, CLIMATE – PR. EPA. Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Stationary Sources: Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units PDF | Text | 

<> 60 Minutes Reply: Cleantech Rocks - Posted in Cleantech Investment Insight, by Sheeraz Haji | January 12th 2014, my belief that 60 minutes missed the mark and inspired me to write this blog on why cleantech is essential, massive, vibrant, and desired. [Includes many links to referenced information]

<> Northeastern US states tighten carbon trading scheme - Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative announces 45% cut in size of emissions cap in bid to boost market prices. . .

<> Study Indicates "Memory" of Benzene Remains in Marsh Sediment and Affects Its Future Degradation - a Louisiana marsh area where the study authors collected sediment samples for analysis the researchers have known that pollutant exposure alters the ability of ecological systems to degrade those pollutants upon encountering them again.Troy University scientists have shown that this principle holds true for Gulf coast. . .

<> New study finds toxic monsters lurking in children's clothing - Beijing, 14 January 2014 – Hazardous chemicals have been found in children's clothes and shoes made by major brands including Disney, Burberry and Adidas, according to a new investigation released today by Greenpeace East Asia 

<> Agrichemical Companies Sue to Halt Kauai Restrictions of GE Crops and Pesticides