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Daily Environmental HotSheetWednesday, August 13, 2014

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National / International News<> White House Methane Strategy Advances with EPA White Papers’ Peer Review - U.S. EPA publically released peer-review comments last week submitted by outside experts in response to five  technical white papers on emissions and control strategies for the oil and gas sector, a process started as part of the White House strategy to reduce methane emissions.

White Papers on Methane and VOC Emissions White House strategy to reduce methane emissions

<> Service Determines Wolverine Does Not Warrant Endangered Species Act Protection – “While it is clear that the climate is warming, after carefully considering the best available science, the Service has determined that the effects of climate change are not likely to place the wolverine in danger of extinction now or in the foreseeable future.

Federal Agency Ignores Best Available Science In Decision Not To List Wolverine - Earthjustice: "It is a shame that the Fish and Wildlife Service has turned a blind eye to the plight of a wilderness icon such as the wolverine, but we will not stand by while the Service ignores the best available science. We intend to make sure that the wolverine gets a fighting chance at survival."

<> USDA Announces Selection of Advisory Committee Members to Help Guide Management of Public Forests and Grasslands - August 12, 2014—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of 21 new members to the Planning Rule Federal Advisory Committee (FACA), which provides guidance and recommendations 

<> New Maps Show Flooding Risks for Critical U.S. Energy Facilities - A new mapping tool shows critical energy infrastructure in the U.S., such as power plants, refineries, and crude oil rail terminals, that may be vulnerable. . .

<> USDA Biogas Opportunities Roadmap - Following the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent decision to emphasize the use of biogas in the Renewable Fuels Standard, the United States Department of Agriculture has come out with their own Biogas Opportunities Roadmap to promote biogas as a valuable form of renewable energy.

<> White House Council on Environmental Quality and EPA Honor Student Leaders and Exceptional Teachers with Environmental Education Awards - August 12, 2014  WASHINGTON- Today, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, announced the winners of the annual Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) and President’s Environmental Youth Award, (PEYA)

<> How to fix the Highway Trust Fund – Representatives of the Bipartisan Policy Center discuss fundamental questions about how federal surface transportation programs should and will be funded in the future.

<> 10 Reasons Why 2°C Will Be Tough to Achieve - A recent story in The

Guardian expressed some optimism that “humans will rise to the challenge of climate change”. Ten reasons were given to be hopeful. . .

<> 20 people we want to hear more from in the climate change debate - The International Council for Science (ICSU) and its Road to Paris -- where science, policy and economics meet -- has a list of twenty people it want to hear more from in the run-up to the 2015 climate talks in Paris

Two Filipinos are 'must-hears' in climate discussion

<> The Anti-Science Climate Denier Caucus - public statements from current Representatives and Senators from the 113th Congress by states (including Michigan) on climate change.

U.S. Appeals Court Environmental Decisions<> Sierra Club v. EPA - 8/12/14. In the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Case No. 11-73342 & 11-73356. The panel granted a petition for review brought by environmental groups, and vacated EPA's decision to issue a Prevention of Significant Deterioration Permit, allowing Avenal Power Center LLC to build and operate the Avenal Energy Project, a 600 megawatt natural gas-fired power plant, under the old air quality standards.

Federal Court Strikes Down Illegal Permit for Avenal Power Plant in California

Federal Register Highlights The following is an alert of Environmental Federal Register announcements that may be of interest for: Day, Month, date, 2014.  (Click here to access today’s complete Federal Register index with links to complete announcements).

1. Nothing We’re Tracking Today (click for the complete Energy & EPA announcements)

Great Lakes News<> Sen. Pavlov's testimony to the Deep Geologic Repository Joint Review Panel – Michigan Senator Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair and Lapeer Counties): What I intend to present is a compelling case that Ontario Power Generation's proposal to permanently bury the equivalent of about 53 million gallons of radioactive waste on the shore of Lake Huron is contrary to sound public policy and breeches the fiduciary responsibility that we are all obliged to carry out as policy makers within the Great Lakes basin.

Panel denies Pavlov right to present public testimony on behalf of Thumb area residents - Decision contradicts the intent of Boundary Waters Treaty

<> Magazine highlights the best of Lake Superior - Lake Superior Magazine’s September issue will includes its annual Best of the Lake list. The article highlights reader favorites in dozens of categories, from best spectacular views to best boat ride to best fish sandwich.

<> Bad Axe, Mich. opposes nuclear waste plan - The city of Bad Axe, Mich. recently joined the effort to oppose a Canadian power company's proposal to store radioactive waste 2,200 feet underground and within a mile of the Lake Huron shoreline.

<> A fall polar vortex? Cool September on the horizon - There could be a significant shot of chilly air that comes across the Great Lakes region and into the interior Northeast sometime in mid- to late-September.

<> The creatures you're most likely to encounter in the Great Lakes - Ever wonder what you can find below the surface of our Great Lakes? A researcher tells us.

Michigan News<> State Resources Continue to Respond to Flooding in Metro Detroit; Road Closures Continue throughout Metro Detroit

Snyder inspects Southeast Michigan flooding; urges motorists to exercise caution

12 photos show flooding, recovery in Metro Detroit

<> Home, biz owners find that flood insurance won't cover sewer backups - Monday afternoon’s storms have turned into a frustrating lesson in insurance rules for many business owners and homeowners. Because the water damage affecting most properties was brought by overwhelmed sewer systems, rather than ground water saturation, flood insurance typically isn’t going to provide any protection.

<> MDEQ Environmental Assistance Bulletin Summer 2014 - A quarterly newsletter with topics of interest related to pollution prevention and the programs and services of the Office of Environmental Assistance.

<> DNR invites public input on forest plans for Chippewa and Mackinac counties

<> DNR invites public input on forest plans for Roscommon and Ogemaw counties

<> Help remove invasive plants from natural areas at southwest Michigan state parks

<> Lawmakers know best? Michigan Senate, not public, expected to vote on wolf hunt initiative - Michigan's Republican-led Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on "citizen initiated legislation" that would allow wolf hunting to continue in the state and effectively undermine two referendums set to appear on the November 

<> Type C botulism confirmed along East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay – MDNR says: This isn't rare. Fortunately, type C botulism is not an immediate risk to humans, although pets, including dogs, could acquire the toxin if they were to eat a dead bird. So at this time, it's best to keep your dog on a leash."

<> Natural Resources Commission to meet Thursday in Munising

<> Are Hundred-Year Events The New Normal – [WMEAC Blog] Record Rainfall has led to some of the worst flooding that has ever been seen in and around the Detroit-area. While this type of weather event is extreme and not common to the areas, weather events such as this have. . .

Michigan Legislative Tracking 

Newly introduced bills and bills that are moving, if any, are listed below. Click on the bill number for complete status, full text, & analyses. Uppercase is Senate action; lowercase is House action. Otherwise, for a complete list of environmental legislation this session (click here).

 

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