Monday, August 31, 2015

ND Fed Judge Blocks WOTUS Rule In 13 States

<> ND Fed Judge Blocks WOTUS Rule In 13 States - Judge Ralph Erickson of the District Court for the District of North Dakota found that the 13 states [ND, AK, AZ, AR, CO, ID, MO, MT, NE, NV, SD, WY, NM] suing to block the rule met the conditions necessary for a preliminary injunction, including that they would likely be harmed if courts didn't act and that they are likely to succeed when their underlying lawsuit against the rule is decided.

  • North Dakota et al v. U.S. EPA - North Dakota et al v. U.S. EPA - 8/27/15. The Judge ordered: "The States have established that the Dataphase factors weigh in favor of injunctive relief. Their motion for a preliminary injunction, enjoining Fed. Reg. 37,054-127, jointly promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is granted."
  • New federal rule protecting streams takes effect in some states, not others
  • Roberts Praises Decision to Halt EPA's - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, is pleased to announce a decision by a federal judge to halt the damaging 'Waters of the U.S.' (WOTUS) rule from implementation in 13 states.

Friday, August 14, 2015

DOE Selects 16 Transformational Carbon Capture Technologies Projects for Funding

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<> DOE Selects 16 Transformational Carbon Capture Technologies Projects for Funding - The program funds development and testing of transformational carbon dioxide (CO2) capture systems for new and existing coal-based power plants -- research is expected to help overcome limitations of singular, standard gas treatment systems, such as those based on solvents, sorbents, or membranes alone.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Highly Critical Memos Show Need to Slam the Brakes on WOTUS

<> Highly Critical Memos Show Need to Slam the Brakes on WOTUS As the Aug. 28 implementation date approaches for the U.S. EPA's final rule on the "Waters of the U.S.," the National Corn Growers Association has demanded the EPA postpone implementing its controversial rule and strongly supports congressional efforts to rescind the rule.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

NREL Report Examines Energy Use in Cities and Proposes Next Steps for Energy Innovation

<> NREL Report Examines Energy Use in Cities and Proposes Next Steps for Energy Innovation - What U.S. cities are doing to reduce their energy use is outlined in a new report from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that sets the stage for broader discussion and analysis.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Energy Department Reports Highlight Trends of Growing U.S. Wind Energy Industry

<> Energy Department Reports Highlight Trends of Growing U.S. Wind Energy Industry - According to two reports released today by the Energy Department, the U.S. wind energy industry continued growing at an impressive rate in 2014, further solidifying America's position as a global leader in wind energy.

Monday, August 10, 2015

President Signs H.R. 212, the "Drinking Water Protection Act"

<> President Signs H.R. 212, the "Drinking Water Protection Act" -- The act amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide for the assessment and management of the risk of algal toxins in drinking water

Friday, August 07, 2015

Arch Coal Subsidiaries to Make System-Wide Upgrades to Reduce Pollution Entering U.S. Waters

<> Arch Coal Subsidiaries to Make System-Wide Upgrades to Reduce Pollution Entering U.S. Waters - U.S. EPA and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Arch Coal Inc., one of the nation's largest coal companies, and 14 of its subsidiaries under the International Coal Group Inc. (ICG) have agreed to conduct comprehensive upgrades to their operations to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act.

Thursday, August 06, 2015

What's Next for the Clean Power Plan?

<> What's Next for the Clean Power Plan? - On Monday, President Obama announced a huge step to fight climate change and protect our kids' health: EPA's Clean Power Plan. By 2030, the plan will drastically cut carbon pollution from power plants. . . [see WIMS 8/3/15; 8/4/15; 8/5/15]

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Sen. EPW Report: "Obama's Carbon Mandate: An Account of Collusion, Cutting Corners, and Costing Americans Billions"

<> Sen. EPW Report: "Obama's Carbon Mandate: An Account of Collusion, Cutting Corners, and Costing Americans Billions" - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released a new EPW Majority Staff Oversight Report -- the product of an ongoing investigation by committee republicans on EPA's development of Obama's climate rules. 

<> Here Are the Industry-Funded Groups Attacking the EPA's Climate Plan - [Published 7/31/15] With U.S. EPA set to finalize the Clean Power Plan, dozens of fossil fuel-funded organizations are poised to revive their attacks on this landmark climate change policy, which will place the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants. Here's a comprehensive guide. . .

Tuesday, August 04, 2015

The President delivers remarks on Clean Power Plan

<> The President delivers remarks on Clean Power Plan POTUS: "We only get one home. We only get one planet. There is no plan B." [See WIMS 8/3/15]

Monday, August 03, 2015

President Obama To Announce Historic Carbon Pollution Standards For Power Plants

<>  President Obama To Announce Historic Carbon Pollution Standards For Power Plants (fact sheet) - Today at the White House, President Obama and U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will release the final Clean Power Plan, a historic step in the Obama Administration's fight against climate change.

<>  EPA's Clean Power Plan puts states in the driver's seat - CPP puts states in the driver's seat to devise innovative strategies to reduce emissions efficiently and cost-effectively. . . Now it's time for states to work together with businesses and cities to craft the approaches that work best for them.

 
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