Pace Environmental Notes, the weblog of the Pace University School of Law’s Environmental Collection, is a gateway to news, recent books and articles, information resources, and legal research strategies relevant to the fields of environmental, energy, land use, animal law and other related disciplines.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Congressional Hearings in support of H.R. 2334, Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness and Indian Peaks Wilderness expansion; H.R. 2632, Sabinoso Wilderness Act of 2007; H.R. 3287, Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness Act of 2007; H.R. 3513, Copper Salmon Wilderness Act; and H.R. 3682, California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act [electronic resource] : legislative hearing before the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands of the Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, first session, Tuesday, November 13, 2007.
Water Resources Development Act of 2007: Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1495
This Conference Report (HR Rep. 110–280). details Congressional intent in passing the Act. The Act covers programs provide ecological restoration programs, Flood mitigation projects, and specific projects located in Alaska, Arizona , and Arkansas.
Labels:
United States Congress,
Water Resources
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act: Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2419
This Conference Report details the Congressional intent in passing the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The bill covers, among other items, biofuels and the environmental aspects of agriculture.
Labels:
Agriculture,
Biofuels,
United States Congress
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming: 110th Congress Staff Report
This Report by the Select Subcommittee on Energy Independence and Global Warming sets sets forth its understanding of the threat posed by global warming and details steps it believes are necessary to counter the worse effects of Global Warming. the link leads to a web page where the document is offered in .pdf format section by section.
Toolkit for Foundations and Individual Investors: Harnessing Your Investments to Help Solve the Climate Crisis, November 2008
This Ceres report issued today identifies the steps foundations and individual investors can take to address climate change-related risks and opportunities that may be embedded in their investment portfolios. Ceres is a national network of investors, environmental organizations and other public interest groups.
The "Toolkit for Foundations and Individual Investors: Harnessing Your Investments to Help Solve the Climate Crisis" is co-sponsored by the Environmental Grantmakers Association).
The toolkit outlines five steps foundations and other investors can take to advance tangible climate solutions, including:
1) Pressing companies to improve their climate change strategies
2) Engaging with Wall Street investment managers to incorporate climate change into investment research and decision making
3) Joining other institutional investors in supporting policy solutions and SEC regulatory actions
4) Investing in clean technologies and energy efficiency
5) Coordinating with other investors to address climate-related risks.
The "Toolkit for Foundations and Individual Investors: Harnessing Your Investments to Help Solve the Climate Crisis" is co-sponsored by the Environmental Grantmakers Association).
The toolkit outlines five steps foundations and other investors can take to advance tangible climate solutions, including:
1) Pressing companies to improve their climate change strategies
2) Engaging with Wall Street investment managers to incorporate climate change into investment research and decision making
3) Joining other institutional investors in supporting policy solutions and SEC regulatory actions
4) Investing in clean technologies and energy efficiency
5) Coordinating with other investors to address climate-related risks.
Labels:
Ceres,
Climate Change,
Corporations,
Environmental Activism
Friday, November 21, 2008
Nuclear Safety: Department of Energy needs to Strengthen Its Independent Oversight of Nuclear Facilitiesd and Operations
This Government Accountability Office Report (GAO-09-61) dated October 2008 finds that:
"The Dept of Energy structured its independent oversight Office of Health, Safety and Security, in a way that falls short of meeting our key elements of effective independent oversight of nuclear safety. Specifically, HSS does not fully meet these key elements:
Results in Brief
• Independence: HSS operates separately within the department from the program offices. However, HSS is not included in the safety basis review process for new nuclear facilities or for significant modifications to existing facilities, some of which may raise new safety concerns. Instead, this review process is conducted by the program offices at the DOE sites, which raises questions about the independence of this process. HSS also lacks its own representatives at DOE sites and the head of the office does not have a position comparable to program office heads from which to
independently advocate for nuclear safety.
• Technical expertise: An HSS predecessor office, the Office of Environment, Safety and Health, had more than 20 technical experts in nuclear safety review positions—positions that do not exist in HSS. Moreover, HSS has vacancies for four nuclear safety specialists in two subordinate offices. For example, two of the five critical nuclear safety specialist positions in HSS’s Office of Enforcement remain vacant. This HSS office and the Office of Independent Oversight have had to rely on personnel from other HSS offices, the program offices, and contractors to fulfill their responsibilities. In addition, with about half of its overall staff eligible to retire in the next 5 years, HSS plans to meet this challenge through special hiring authority and continued use of other federal personnel and contractors to maintain an adequate technical resource base.
Ability to perform reviews and require that findings be addressed: HSS has some limitations in its nuclear safety review functions. First, we found that HSS lacks basic information about the high-hazard nuclear facilities it is supposed to oversee. As of December 2007, HSS did not have accurate information regarding the total number of these nuclear facilities or the number of facilities that lacked an approved safety basis meeting requirements set in 2001. We conducted a survey and identified 205 highhazard nuclear facilities—31 did not have updated safety basis documentation. We also found that about one-third of the 205 facilities do not fully conform with DOE guidance to limit the time that temporary control measures can be used to allow a high-hazard nuclear facility to operate outside of its approved safety basis. Even though HSS is the only independent office with oversight of nuclear safety, it has no role in reviewing these operational decisions. Second, although HSS periodically inspects DOE sites and identifies program deficiencies, there are some gaps in meeting its internal guidelines to inspect sites with nuclear
facilities at least every 2 to 4 years or more frequently, depending on the risks. We determined that HSS and a predecessor office did not inspect 8 of the 22 sites where high-hazard nuclear facilities are located in the last 5 years. Third, although the program offices are required to develop corrective actions in response to HSS inspection findings, HSS generally does not review the effectiveness of these actions until it returns to the same site for another inspection, which occurred approximately every 3 years on average since 2000 for the seven sites with the most high-hazard nuclear facilities (13 to 38 facilities), and on average every 6 years for the sites with two to seven high-hazard nuclear facilities.
• Enforcement authority: HSS has the authority to levy civil penalties and take other enforcement actions against contractors that violate nuclear safety requirements, but it has not been able to reduce some recurring violations. This is despite HSS guidance that prioritizes addressing longstanding and recurring violations with increased enforcement actions. We found that 9 of the 25 most frequently cited violations of DOE nuclear safety requirements occurred at the same or higher average frequency in 2007 as in 2005. We determined that while HSS had frequently conducted enforcement activities at the sites with the most high-hazard nuclear facilities, they were also the sites where the failure to perform work
consistent with technical standards was the most common recurring violation.
• Public access: The public generally does not have access to HSS reports addressing environment, safety, and health deficiencies at sites with highhazard nuclear facilities.
"The Dept of Energy structured its independent oversight Office of Health, Safety and Security, in a way that falls short of meeting our key elements of effective independent oversight of nuclear safety. Specifically, HSS does not fully meet these key elements:
Results in Brief
• Independence: HSS operates separately within the department from the program offices. However, HSS is not included in the safety basis review process for new nuclear facilities or for significant modifications to existing facilities, some of which may raise new safety concerns. Instead, this review process is conducted by the program offices at the DOE sites, which raises questions about the independence of this process. HSS also lacks its own representatives at DOE sites and the head of the office does not have a position comparable to program office heads from which to
independently advocate for nuclear safety.
• Technical expertise: An HSS predecessor office, the Office of Environment, Safety and Health, had more than 20 technical experts in nuclear safety review positions—positions that do not exist in HSS. Moreover, HSS has vacancies for four nuclear safety specialists in two subordinate offices. For example, two of the five critical nuclear safety specialist positions in HSS’s Office of Enforcement remain vacant. This HSS office and the Office of Independent Oversight have had to rely on personnel from other HSS offices, the program offices, and contractors to fulfill their responsibilities. In addition, with about half of its overall staff eligible to retire in the next 5 years, HSS plans to meet this challenge through special hiring authority and continued use of other federal personnel and contractors to maintain an adequate technical resource base.
Ability to perform reviews and require that findings be addressed: HSS has some limitations in its nuclear safety review functions. First, we found that HSS lacks basic information about the high-hazard nuclear facilities it is supposed to oversee. As of December 2007, HSS did not have accurate information regarding the total number of these nuclear facilities or the number of facilities that lacked an approved safety basis meeting requirements set in 2001. We conducted a survey and identified 205 highhazard nuclear facilities—31 did not have updated safety basis documentation. We also found that about one-third of the 205 facilities do not fully conform with DOE guidance to limit the time that temporary control measures can be used to allow a high-hazard nuclear facility to operate outside of its approved safety basis. Even though HSS is the only independent office with oversight of nuclear safety, it has no role in reviewing these operational decisions. Second, although HSS periodically inspects DOE sites and identifies program deficiencies, there are some gaps in meeting its internal guidelines to inspect sites with nuclear
facilities at least every 2 to 4 years or more frequently, depending on the risks. We determined that HSS and a predecessor office did not inspect 8 of the 22 sites where high-hazard nuclear facilities are located in the last 5 years. Third, although the program offices are required to develop corrective actions in response to HSS inspection findings, HSS generally does not review the effectiveness of these actions until it returns to the same site for another inspection, which occurred approximately every 3 years on average since 2000 for the seven sites with the most high-hazard nuclear facilities (13 to 38 facilities), and on average every 6 years for the sites with two to seven high-hazard nuclear facilities.
• Enforcement authority: HSS has the authority to levy civil penalties and take other enforcement actions against contractors that violate nuclear safety requirements, but it has not been able to reduce some recurring violations. This is despite HSS guidance that prioritizes addressing longstanding and recurring violations with increased enforcement actions. We found that 9 of the 25 most frequently cited violations of DOE nuclear safety requirements occurred at the same or higher average frequency in 2007 as in 2005. We determined that while HSS had frequently conducted enforcement activities at the sites with the most high-hazard nuclear facilities, they were also the sites where the failure to perform work
consistent with technical standards was the most common recurring violation.
• Public access: The public generally does not have access to HSS reports addressing environment, safety, and health deficiencies at sites with highhazard nuclear facilities.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
NOAA: Climate of 2008
This annual Report from the Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's national Climatic Data Center sets forth global weather and temperature data for the previous year. This year's findings include an increase in global temperature and a retreating arctic ice patterns. Combined global land and ocean surface average temperature for October 2008 was the second warmest since records began in 1880. combined global land and ocean surface temperature for October was 58.23 degrees F — 1.13 degrees F above the 20th century mean of 57.1 degrees F.
Arctic sea ice coverage during October was at its third lowest extent since satellite records began in 1979, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Average ice extent during October was 3.24 million square miles, which is 9.5 percent below the 1979-2000 average. The record lowest extent for October, set in 2007, was 2.55 million square miles. Arctic sea ice extent has been declining by an average of 5.4 percent per decade over the past 30 years.
Arctic sea ice coverage during October was at its third lowest extent since satellite records began in 1979, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Average ice extent during October was 3.24 million square miles, which is 9.5 percent below the 1979-2000 average. The record lowest extent for October, set in 2007, was 2.55 million square miles. Arctic sea ice extent has been declining by an average of 5.4 percent per decade over the past 30 years.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency Vision for 2025: A Framework for Change
This plan dated November 18, 2008 outlines critical steps for state policy makers to take toward the goal of increasing the nation’s investment in low cost energy efficiency. The plan also shows the progress states are making toward these goals. States, utilities and other organizations are spending about $2 billion per year on energy efficiency programs. Through this investment, states, utilities and other organizations have saved the energy equivalent of more than 30 power plants generating 500 megawatts of electricity saving energy customers nearly $6 billion annually. This effort helped reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those emitted from 9 million vehicles.
The updated action plan also identifies areas for additional progress. About one third of the states have established energy savings targets and addressed utility disincentives for energy efficiency. Moreover, about half of the states have established energy efficiency programs for key customer classes and reviewed and updated building codes.
Two technical assistance documents are also available to assist states in achieving the energy goals established under the action plan. The first document provides guidance on establishing cost-effectiveness tests for energy efficiency programs, while the second outlines best practices for providing business customers with energy-use and cost data.
The updated action plan also identifies areas for additional progress. About one third of the states have established energy savings targets and addressed utility disincentives for energy efficiency. Moreover, about half of the states have established energy efficiency programs for key customer classes and reviewed and updated building codes.
Two technical assistance documents are also available to assist states in achieving the energy goals established under the action plan. The first document provides guidance on establishing cost-effectiveness tests for energy efficiency programs, while the second outlines best practices for providing business customers with energy-use and cost data.
2006-2011 EPA Strategic Plan: Charting Our Course
This plan dated September 30, 2006 discusses challenges and opportunities that are likely to arise in the coming years. The 2006-2011 Plan clearly identifies the environmental and human health outcomes the public can expect. The Plan also expands upon some of our more significant geographic initiatives and reflects increased collaboration with our state, tribal, local, and federal partners.
Specifically the plan is to, by 2015, reduce the populationweighted ambient concentration of ozone in all monitored counties by 14 percent from the 2003 baseline.
• By 2015, reduce the populationweighted ambient concentration of PM2.5 in all monitored counties by 6 percent from the 2003 baseline.
• By 2011, reduce emissions of fine particles from mobile sources by 134,700 tons from the 2000 level of 510,550 tons.
• By 2011, reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) from mobile sources by 3.7 million tons from the 2000 level of 11.8 million tons.
• By 2011, reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds from mobile sources by 1.9 million tons from the 2000 level of 7.7 million tons.
• By 2018, visibility in eastern Class I areas will improve by 15 percent on the 20 percent worst visibility days, as compared to visibility on the 20 percent worst days during the 2000–2004 baseline period.
• By 2018, visibility in western Class I areas will improve by 5 percent on the 20 percent worst visibility days, as compared to visibility on the 20 percent worst days during the 2000–2004 baseline period.
• By 2011, with EPA support, 30 additional tribes (6 per year) will have completed air quality emission inventories. (FY 2005 baseline: 28 tribal emission inventories.)
• By 2011, 18 additional tribes will possess the expertise and capability to supplement the Clean Air Act in Indian country (as demonstrated by successful completion of an eligibility determination under the Tribal Authority Rule). (FY 2005 baseline: 24 tribes.)
Sub-objective 1.1.2: Air Toxics. By 2011, reduce the risk to public health and the environment from toxic air pollutants by working with partners to reduce air toxics emissions and implement area-specific approaches as follows:
Strategic Targets
• By 2010, reduce toxicity-weighted (for cancer risk) emissions of air toxics to a cumulative reduction of 19 percent from the 1993 non-weighted baseline of 7.24 million tons.
• By 2010, reduce toxicity-weighted (for non-cancer risk) emissions of air toxics to a cumulative reduction of 55 percent from the 1993 non-weighted baseline of 7.24 million tons.
Sub-objective 1.1.3: Chronically Acidic Water Bodies. By 2011, due to progress in
reducing acid deposition, the number of chronically-acidic water bodies in acid-sensitive regions of the northern and eastern United States should be maintained at or below the 2001 baseline of approximately 500 lakes and 5,000 kilometers of stream-length in the population covered by the Temporally Integrated Monitoring of Ecosystems/Long-Term Monitoring Survey. The long-term target is a 30 percent reduction in the number of chronically-acidic water bodies in acid-sensitive regions by 2030.
Strategic Targets
• By 2011, reduce national annual emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from utility electrical power generation sources by approximately 8.45 million tons from the 1980 level of 17.4 million tons, achieving and maintaining the acid rain statutory SO2
emissions cap.
Specifically the plan is to, by 2015, reduce the populationweighted ambient concentration of ozone in all monitored counties by 14 percent from the 2003 baseline.
• By 2015, reduce the populationweighted ambient concentration of PM2.5 in all monitored counties by 6 percent from the 2003 baseline.
• By 2011, reduce emissions of fine particles from mobile sources by 134,700 tons from the 2000 level of 510,550 tons.
• By 2011, reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) from mobile sources by 3.7 million tons from the 2000 level of 11.8 million tons.
• By 2011, reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds from mobile sources by 1.9 million tons from the 2000 level of 7.7 million tons.
• By 2018, visibility in eastern Class I areas will improve by 15 percent on the 20 percent worst visibility days, as compared to visibility on the 20 percent worst days during the 2000–2004 baseline period.
• By 2018, visibility in western Class I areas will improve by 5 percent on the 20 percent worst visibility days, as compared to visibility on the 20 percent worst days during the 2000–2004 baseline period.
• By 2011, with EPA support, 30 additional tribes (6 per year) will have completed air quality emission inventories. (FY 2005 baseline: 28 tribal emission inventories.)
• By 2011, 18 additional tribes will possess the expertise and capability to supplement the Clean Air Act in Indian country (as demonstrated by successful completion of an eligibility determination under the Tribal Authority Rule). (FY 2005 baseline: 24 tribes.)
Sub-objective 1.1.2: Air Toxics. By 2011, reduce the risk to public health and the environment from toxic air pollutants by working with partners to reduce air toxics emissions and implement area-specific approaches as follows:
Strategic Targets
• By 2010, reduce toxicity-weighted (for cancer risk) emissions of air toxics to a cumulative reduction of 19 percent from the 1993 non-weighted baseline of 7.24 million tons.
• By 2010, reduce toxicity-weighted (for non-cancer risk) emissions of air toxics to a cumulative reduction of 55 percent from the 1993 non-weighted baseline of 7.24 million tons.
Sub-objective 1.1.3: Chronically Acidic Water Bodies. By 2011, due to progress in
reducing acid deposition, the number of chronically-acidic water bodies in acid-sensitive regions of the northern and eastern United States should be maintained at or below the 2001 baseline of approximately 500 lakes and 5,000 kilometers of stream-length in the population covered by the Temporally Integrated Monitoring of Ecosystems/Long-Term Monitoring Survey. The long-term target is a 30 percent reduction in the number of chronically-acidic water bodies in acid-sensitive regions by 2030.
Strategic Targets
• By 2011, reduce national annual emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from utility electrical power generation sources by approximately 8.45 million tons from the 1980 level of 17.4 million tons, achieving and maintaining the acid rain statutory SO2
emissions cap.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Performance and Accountability Report: Fiscal Year 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s FY 2008 Performance and Accountability Report (PAR) describes the Agency’s many accomplishments and challenges in both program performance and overall management. Specifically, the Performance and Accountability Report presents results in meeting the 219 performance measures established in the FY 2008 Annual Performance Plan and Budget and explains advances made toward the long-term goals set forward in the 2006-2011 Strategic Plan (www.epa.gov/ocfo/plan/2006/entire_report.pdf). The report also shares ideas for future directions and offers opportunities for comments and questions. Readers will learn how EPA has made a difference and where the Agency has met and overcome obstacles. This document satisfies reporting requirements of the following statutes:
Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act of 1982 (FMFIA)
Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988
Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA)
Government Management Reform Act of 1994
Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996 (FFMIA)
Reports Consolidation Act of 2000
Improper Payments Information Act of 2002
Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act of 1982 (FMFIA)
Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988
Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990
Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA)
Government Management Reform Act of 1994
Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996 (FFMIA)
Reports Consolidation Act of 2000
Improper Payments Information Act of 2002
Monday, November 17, 2008
Revitalizing Contaminated Sites: Addressing Liability Concerns
This EPA publication (EPA Pub. No. 330-K-08-002) dated May 2008 and subtitled "The Revitalization Handbook" offers a compilation of enforcement tools, guidance, and policy documents that are available to help promote the cleanup and revitalization of contaminated sites.
"This handbook summarizes the statutory and regulatory provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601-9675 (CERCLA, commonly known as Superfund) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901-6992 (RCRA), as well as the policy and guidance documents most useful in managing environmental cleanup liability risks associated with the revitalization of contaminated sites. It is designed for use by parties involved in the assessment, cleanup, and revitalization of sites, and provides a basic description of the tools parties can use to address liability concerns."
"This handbook summarizes the statutory and regulatory provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601-9675 (CERCLA, commonly known as Superfund) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901-6992 (RCRA), as well as the policy and guidance documents most useful in managing environmental cleanup liability risks associated with the revitalization of contaminated sites. It is designed for use by parties involved in the assessment, cleanup, and revitalization of sites, and provides a basic description of the tools parties can use to address liability concerns."
Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: Facts and Figures 2007
This Environmental Protection Agency Report describes the national municipal solid waste (MSW) stream based on data collected for 1960 through 2007. The historical perspective is useful for establishing trends in types of MSW generated and in the ways it is managed.
In the United States, we generated approximately 254 million tons of MSW in 2007— similar to the amount generated in 2006. Excluding composting, the amount of MSW recycled increased to 63.3 million tons, an increase of 1.9 million tons from 2006. This is a 3 percent increase in the tons recycled. The tons recovered for composting rose to 21.7 million tons in 2007, up from 20.8 million tons in 2006. The recovery rate for recycling (including composting) was 33.4 percent in 2007, up from 32.3 percent in 2006. (See Tables ES-1 and ES-2 and Figures ES-1 and ES-2.)
MSW generation in 2007 declined to 4.62 pounds per person per day. This is a decrease of 0.6 percent from 2006 to 2007. The recycling rate in 2007 was 1.54 pounds per person per day (an increase of 2.7 percent over 2006). Discards sent for combustion with energy recovery remained steady at 0.58 pounds per person per day. Discards sent to landfills after recycling and combustion with energy recovery declined to 2.50 pounds per person per day in 2007. This is a decrease of 2.7 percent from 2006 to 2007 (Table ES-3).
In the United States, we generated approximately 254 million tons of MSW in 2007— similar to the amount generated in 2006. Excluding composting, the amount of MSW recycled increased to 63.3 million tons, an increase of 1.9 million tons from 2006. This is a 3 percent increase in the tons recycled. The tons recovered for composting rose to 21.7 million tons in 2007, up from 20.8 million tons in 2006. The recovery rate for recycling (including composting) was 33.4 percent in 2007, up from 32.3 percent in 2006. (See Tables ES-1 and ES-2 and Figures ES-1 and ES-2.)
MSW generation in 2007 declined to 4.62 pounds per person per day. This is a decrease of 0.6 percent from 2006 to 2007. The recycling rate in 2007 was 1.54 pounds per person per day (an increase of 2.7 percent over 2006). Discards sent for combustion with energy recovery remained steady at 0.58 pounds per person per day. Discards sent to landfills after recycling and combustion with energy recovery declined to 2.50 pounds per person per day in 2007. This is a decrease of 2.7 percent from 2006 to 2007 (Table ES-3).
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in The United States: Facts and Figures for 2007
This report by the Environmental Protection Agency reports that Americans generated about 254 million tons of trash and recycled and composted 85 million tons of this material, equivalent to a 33.4 percent recycling rate (see Figure 1 and Figure 2). On average, we recycled and composted 1.5 pounds of our individual waste generation of 4.6 pounds per person per day.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Low Impact Development Conference and Vendor Fair
This conference co-sponsored by the EPA Region 1 covers the many environmental and economic benefits of low impact development (LID) through case studies, a design practicum, and presentations on recent research on the effectiveness of LID in northern climates. The conference will help developers and designers gain confidence in the use of good LID site design.
Atmospheric Brown Clouds: Regional Assessment Report with Focus on Asia
This United Nations Environmental Programme report summary reports that an increasing amount of soot, sulphates and other aerosol components in atmospheric brown clouds (ABCs) are causing major threats to the water and food security of
Asia and have resulted in surface dimming, atmospheric solar heating and soot deposition in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan-Tibetan (HKHT) glaciers and snow packs. These have given rise to major areas of concern, some of the most critical being observed decreases in the Indian summer monsoon rainfall, a north-south shift in rainfall patterns in eastern China, the accelerated retreat of the HKHT glaciers and decrease in snow packs, and the increase in surface ozone. All these have led to negative effects on water resources and crop yields. The emergence of the ABC problem is expected to further aggravate the recent dramatic escalation of food prices and the
consequent challenge for survival among the world’s most vulnerable populations. Lastly, the human fatalities from indoor and outdoor exposures to ABC-relevant pollutants have also become a source of grave concern.
Asia and have resulted in surface dimming, atmospheric solar heating and soot deposition in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan-Tibetan (HKHT) glaciers and snow packs. These have given rise to major areas of concern, some of the most critical being observed decreases in the Indian summer monsoon rainfall, a north-south shift in rainfall patterns in eastern China, the accelerated retreat of the HKHT glaciers and decrease in snow packs, and the increase in surface ozone. All these have led to negative effects on water resources and crop yields. The emergence of the ABC problem is expected to further aggravate the recent dramatic escalation of food prices and the
consequent challenge for survival among the world’s most vulnerable populations. Lastly, the human fatalities from indoor and outdoor exposures to ABC-relevant pollutants have also become a source of grave concern.
Federal Land Management: Use of Stewardship Contracting is Increasing but Agencies could Benefit from Better Data and contracting Strategies
This GAO Report (GAO-09-23) found that between fiscal years 2003 through 2007, the Forest Service and BLM awarded a combined total of 535 stewardship contracts, with the number increasing each year—from 38 in fiscal year 2003 to 172 in fiscal year 2007. However, for certain aspects of stewardship contracting, such as the acres involved or the value of the services exchanged for goods, reliable data were not available for the full 5-year fiscal period because neither agency has had a comprehensive database of its stewardship contracting activity since 2003. The agencies did not begin to maintain nationwide stewardship data until recently, primarily because of difficulties in adapting their systems to account for all aspects of stewardship contracting. Further, these data are not complete, and reside in myriad systems, not all of which interface with one another. These deficiencies keep the agencies and Congress from accurately assessing the costs and value of stewardship contracting.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
2009 Northeast Land Trust Regional Conference
The Land Trust Alliance 2009 Northeast Regional Conference will take place at The Thayer Hotel, West Point, NY on April 29-30, 2009. The conference offers two days of learning and networking, including full-day seminars and roundtable discussions. Registration information and full brochure available in February.
Labels:
Conferences,
Land Trust Alliance,
Land Use,
Real Estate
Essential Environmental Issues in Commercial Real Estate Transactions
This American Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Teleconference and Live Audio Webcast will take place on Thursday December 4, 2008. At this time the program was still in development. Details will follow on the program web site.
Enivronmental Laws Applicable to the Construction and Operation of Ethanol Plants
This manual created by Region 7 of the Environmental Protection Agency provides a guide to the laws applicable to the operation of Ethanol Plants
Labels:
Environmental Protection Agency,
Ethanol
Environmental Laws Applicable to Construction and Operation of Biodiesel Production Facilities
This manual produced by Region 7 of the Environmental Protection Agency identifies environmental regulatory rules and requirements for the construction and operation of biodiesel production facilities. The manual serves as a road map of federal environmental information in this area.
Labels:
Biofuels,
Environmental Protection Agency
Putting Meat on the Table: Industrial Farm Animal Production in America
This Report by the Pew Charitable Trusts Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production (dated: Apr 29, 2008) finds that current agricultural practices often pose unacceptable risks to public health, the environment and the welfare of the animals themselves.
Labels:
Agriculture,
Animals,
Pew Chartible Trusts
Wild. . . for How Long?: Ten Treasures in Trouble
This report by the Pew Charitable Trust's Campaign for American Wilderness (dated: Apr 21, 2008) identifies ten special wild areas that are vulnerable to mining, drilling, roadbuilding, logging, development and off-road vehicle abuse. These areas include: Seneca Creek, West Virginia; Chestnut Ridge, Pennsylvania; Badlands, Oregon; Broad Canyon, New Mexico; Gold Butte, Nevada; Beauty Mountain, California; East Pioneers, Montana; Boulder-White Clouds, Idaho; Greater Dominguez Canyon, Colorado; and the Tumacacori Highlands, Arizona.
Labels:
Pew Chartible Trusts,
Wilderness Areas
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Environmental Law
This ALI-ABA continuing legal education program provides an opportunity for environmental lawyers and other professionals to learn from one another and from a faculty of leading practitioners, scholars, and governmental officials. A significant percentage of the nation’s environmental bar has attended this course, which, through the years, has served more and more practitioners with considerable experience in the practice. While designed principally for the environmental law practitioner, the course also continues to serve attorneys seeking to enter the field, in part through a series of optional introductory lectures on the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Superfund, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
The program is offered live on February 4-6, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda in Washington, DC. A webcast of the program will also be provided.
The program is offered live on February 4-6, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda in Washington, DC. A webcast of the program will also be provided.
Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation
This annual ALI-ABA course offers an opportunity for eminent domain lawyers representing owners and condemning authorities, together with professionals from allied fields, to share useful ideas and experiences and to engage in healthy debate on the cutting edge issues of the day. One of the unique aspects of the program is the opportunity to meet with colleagues from around the nation, exchange ideas, and enjoy fellowship.
On Thursday and Friday afternoons, registrants may choose between topics on two concurrent tracks – one on practice issues and case studies, and the other on substantive issues. This year a significant portion of the conference is also devoted to presentations on the emergence of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as an alternative to traditional eminent domain takings, and why this trend is capturing the attention of public governmental agencies across the nation.
The program is scheduled for January 8-10, 2009 at the Eden Roc Resort in Miami Beach, FL
On Thursday and Friday afternoons, registrants may choose between topics on two concurrent tracks – one on practice issues and case studies, and the other on substantive issues. This year a significant portion of the conference is also devoted to presentations on the emergence of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as an alternative to traditional eminent domain takings, and why this trend is capturing the attention of public governmental agencies across the nation.
The program is scheduled for January 8-10, 2009 at the Eden Roc Resort in Miami Beach, FL
Condemnation 101: How To Prepare and Present an Eminent Domain Case
This continuing legal education program sponsored by ALI_ABA provides an introduction (or refresher) to basic concepts and techniques of preparing and presenting an eminent domain case. The program will take place January 8-10, 2009 at the Eden Roc Resort in Miami Beach, FL. A webcast version is also available.
Clean Air: Law, Policy, and Practice
This Continuing Legal Education course sponsored by ALI-ABA provides a timely, in-depth analysis of the major issues arising under the Clean Air Act, the principal federal statute addressing air quality. The policies of the new administration are sure to be of great concern, and invitations have been extended so that a senior environmental advisor to President-elect Obama will present a keynote address to kick off the program. The live program will take place December 3-5, 2008 at the Hilton Embassy Row Hotel in Washington, DC. A video will be available for purchase.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Special Report: Electric Industry Concerns on the Reliability Impacts of Climate Change Initiatives
This report by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation analyzes the impact of adding solar and wind energy sources to the existing North American electric grid finding that unless appropriate measures are taken to improve transmission of electricity, rules reducing carbon dioxide emissions by utilities could impair the reliability of the power grid causing brownouts and blackouts.
Crude Oil: The Supply Outlook
This report from the Energy Watch Group dated October 2007 (EWG-Series No 3/2007) argues that world peak oil occurred in 2006. By 2020, and even more by 2030, global oil supply will be dramatically lower. This will create a supply gap which can hardly be closed by growing contributions from other fossil, nuclear or alternative energy sources in this time frame.
Labels:
Energy Watch Group,
Petroleum Industry
2007 Progress Report: Vehicle and Engine Compliance Activities
This Environmental Protection Agency Report provides a reference resource for the environmental data we generate about “mobile sources,” or moving sources of air pollution. These sources include vehicles, engines, and motorized equipment that produce exhaust and evaporative emissions. The report summarizes vehicle and engine compliance program data we collected in 2007 including test results from model year 2007 certification activities plus other types of compliance reports and test results produced during calendar year 2007. National emissions inventory
data are presented for 2006.
data are presented for 2006.
Census of Marine Life: Highlights Report 2007/2008
This 2008 Report by the Census of Marine Life provides an overview of the Census' work in cataloging ocean life and threats to it.
Labels:
Census of Marine Life,
Marine Life,
Oceans
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Oil and Gas Leasing: Interior Could do more to Encourage Diligent Development
This GAO Report Dated October 2008 (GAO-09-74) finds that the rate of leases by the Interior Dept. falls behind the rate of exploitation. Most aggressive leasing could result in greater royalties and domestic production.
Energy Markets: Refinery Outages Can Impact Petroleum Product Prices,but No Federal Requirements to Report Outages Exists.
This GAO Report (GAO-09-87) discusses the impact closed petroleum processing plants have on end user prices and the fact that there is no federal requirement to report such outages.
Monday, November 3, 2008
World Investment Report: Transnational Corporations, Extractive Industries and Development
This Report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development recognises the importance of extractive industries to the development of many nations but seeks to ensure that the vast mineral resources located in some of the world’s poorest countries become a force for sustainable development. The challenge is to develop frameworks that create incentives for local and foreign firms to produce efficiently while at the same time respecting environmental and social requirements of local communities and society at large. "A win-win situation can result if various minerals are produced efficiently and if host countries, with the support of various other stakeholders, can make the revenues generated work more effectively for sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
Dark Horizons: 10 National Parks Most Threatened by New Coal-Fired Power Plants
This Report by the National Parks Conservation Association identifies the ten national Parks most at risk of damage from additional coal-fired power plants; these are: Badlands (South Dakota), Capitol Reef (Utah), Great Basin (Nevada), Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee and North Carolina), Mammoth Cave (Kentucky), Mesa Verde (Colorado), Shenandoah (Virginia), Theodore Roosevelt (North Dakota), Wind Cave (South Dakota), and Zion (Utah).
The State of Our National Parks: A Resources Index 2008
This 2008 Report by the National Parks Conservation Association compiles and analyzes assessments completed by NPCA’s Center for State of the Parks in a sampling of national parks through a new tool called the National Parks Resource Index, a statistical representation of how natural and cultural resources in our national parks are faring.
The Report concludes that "our national parks did not score well.
On a scale of 0 to 100, the index rates the National Park System’s natural resources, such as wildlife and air and water quality, at 70 points, and cultural resources, including historic buildings and museum collections, at only 61 points. These scores indicate that the challenges to our national parks are serious, but surmountable."
The Report concludes that "our national parks did not score well.
On a scale of 0 to 100, the index rates the National Park System’s natural resources, such as wildlife and air and water quality, at 70 points, and cultural resources, including historic buildings and museum collections, at only 61 points. These scores indicate that the challenges to our national parks are serious, but surmountable."
Energy Revolution: A Sustainable Global Eenergy Outlook
This Report produced by The European Renewable Energy Council and Greenpeace details steps necessary to eliminate fossil fuel use by 2090. The five key principles behind this shift will be to: Implement renewable solutions, especially through decentralised energy systems, Respect the natural limits of the environment, Phase out dirty, unsustainable energy sources, Create greater equity in the use of resources, Decouple economic growth from the consumption of fossil fuels.
2008 Environmental & Land Use Law Section Annual Update
2008 Environmental & Land Use Law Section Annual Update CLE by The Florida Bar covers Agency updates and overview of environmental & land use law hot topics including green building, climate change, population growth, alternative energy. This three day program locate at Amelia Island Plantation in northern Florida provides 12.00 general and 1.5 ethics CLE creidts and costs $425.00.
Ethical Challenges for the Environmental Lawyer and Consultant
Ethical Challenges for the Environmental Lawyer and Consultant is a CLE course offered by The Florida Bar. The course takes place at Amelia Island Plantation, in northern Florida on November 21, 2008,provides 3.5 general and 3.5 ethics CLE creidts, and costs $130.00.
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