Thursday, February 20, 2014

WIMS Environmental HotSheet 2/20/14

<> North American Leaders' Summit Discuss Energy, Climate & Keystone XL - Today, the President traveled to Toluca, Mexico for this year's North American Leaders' Summit

<> Energy Department Scheduled to Close on Loan Guarantees to Construct New Nuclear Power Plant Reactors - February 19, 2014: Sec. Moniz to Georgia, Energy Department Scheduled to Close on $6.5 billion in Loan Guarantees to Construct New Nuclear Power Plant Reactors Project represents first new nuclear reactors to begin construction in the United States in three decades

<> Energy Secretary Moniz: Marcellus Shale Production 'Critical' and 'Amazing' - This week, U.S. Energy Department Secretary Ernest Moniz reaffirmed his support of shale development during an interview with Capital New York. Moniz has often spoken about the importance shale is playing in the U.S. energy outlook, as well as the clear safety record of hydraulic fracturing. During this latest interview, Moniz also weighed in on Governor Andrew's Cuomo's ban on shale development in New York.

<> What Are the Possible Outcomes in U.S. Supreme Court Greenhouse Gas Case? - Next Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Utility Air Regulatory Group (UTAG) v. EPA.  I've previously described what is at stake in the case here and here and, in the interest of full disclosure, helped author a brief in support of EPA's position.   The oral arguments might begin to reveal how. . .

<> Nebraska Court finds the proposed route for Keystone XL unconstitutional- a major victory for farmers, ranchers and other landowners, the significant court decision means once again that the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline does not have an approved route through the State of Nebraska.

<> Green Climate Fund Board meets to advance essential requirements for initial resource mobilization - 18 February 2014 – The Board of the Green Climate Fund meets this week in Bali, Indonesia to advance the institution's operational structure, including essential requirements for its initial resource mobilization.

<> API Continues Focus on Rail Safety - WASHINGTON, February 20, 2014 – The oil and natural gas industry continues to work collaboratively with the Department of Transportation and America's railroad industry to improve rail safety. .

<> Government of Canada releases proposed regulations to enable continued operation of Experimental Lakes Area - The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) welcomes the announcement of proposed new regulations that would allow the important scientific research at the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) to continue.  58 freshwater lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada serve as the only whole-lake laboratory in the world

<> EU "Right2Water" Campaign - hearing at the European Parliament (EP) for our European Citizens' Initiative "Water is a human right!" and the room was packed!

<> New Report to Congress Reflects Strong Public Support for Endangered Species Act- Americans from every corner of the country support the Endangered Species Act and the protection it provides for the nation's most imperiled animals and plants, according to a new report delivered today to every member of Congress. The 282-page report, "A Wild Success," includes more than 200 of the letters and op-eds written by Americans over the past year to local, regional and. . .