April 30, 2012
by Regina Cline
The Environmental Protection Agency will take questions May 3 via a webinar on its draft strategy outlining actions to manage water programs and invest resources aimed at reducing adverse effects of climate change on water resources. The draft strategy, which builds upon EPA's first climate change and water strategy released in 2008, focuses on five key areas: infrastructure, watersheds and wetlands, coastal and ocean waters, water quality, and tribal programs. The draft strategy also describes geographically based strategic issues and actions. The agency is accepting comments on the draft water-climate strategy until May 17.
April 24, 2012
Diesel engines and burning of biomass for fuel are responsible for the lion's share of black carbon emissions in the United States, according to an EPA report to Congress on emissions of the carbon particulates. EPA's report on black carbon--the most effective form of particulate matter, by mass, at absorbing solar energy--holds some interesting facts in regard to the largest U.S. sources.
April 23, 2012
The House Appropriations Committee is expected to markup a $32.1 billion energy and water appropriations bill in the week ahead for fiscal year 2013. As detailed in an April 18 World Climate Change Report article, the bill would provide $26.3 billion for the Energy Department, a reduction of $358 million from current funding levels. Elsewhere in D.C., an EPA advisory workgroup will hold a closed session April 24 to discuss options to streamline the greenhouse gas permitting process under the Clean Air Act.
April 20, 2012
by Andrew Childers
Lawsuits challenging EPA’s decision to grant two partial Clean Air Act waivers approving use of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E15) could turn on the placement of a single “any” in the statute. “It all comes down to one word—any,” Judge Brett Kavanaugh said during oral argument April 17.
April 10, 2012
The Environmental Protection Agency is facing an April 9 deadline to file a response to lawsuits challenging a requirement that states include greenhouse gas emissions in air quality plans.
April 2, 2012
by Avery Fellow
Whole Foods Market said March 30 it would stop selling unsustainable seafood next month.
The Week Ahead: International Climate Talks Resume, Mexico Set to Unveil Climate Strategy
EPA Official Spars with Republicans over Renewable Fuel Standard
The Week Ahead: House Floor Vote on Biofuels Bill Expected to Renew Debate, Committee to Hold DOE Budget Hearing
The Week Ahead: House Committees to Focus on Energy Issues, Senate Homeland Security Committee to Look at Extreme Weather
A Closer Look at the Draft National Climate Assessment: Low-Lying Islands Face Migration, Hawaii Likely to Lose Billions in Tourism Dollars