1.17.2014
State
Mississippi State lauded for recycling program
Commercial Dispatch
January 16, 2014 10:43:00 AM
STARKVILLE -- Officials from the Mississippi Recycling Coalition were at
Mississippi State Tuesday to present the university with the "Educational
Institution Recycler of the Year" award.
http://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=30397&TRID=1
Will the Ocean Expo Aquarium ever become reality?
WLOX
D'IBERVILLE, MS (WLOX) -Dr. Moby Solangi can't say when construction might
begin on the $70 million to $80 million Ocean Expo that was envisioned as a
big tourist attraction. The city of D'Iberville has already spent millions
on the deal, but the project is at a standstill.
http://www.wlox.com/story/24475786/where-is-the-ocean-expo-aquarium-learning-center
State's economy slowly recovering, expert says
Clarion Ledger
Don't expect an economic boom any time soon, state Economist Darrin Webb
told lawmakers Thursday, but Mississippi's economy is slowly headed in the
right direction.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20140117/BIZ/301170032/State-s-economy-slowly-recovering-expert-says
Regional
Federal-state coastal restoration task force approves four new projects
Mark Schleifstein
The Times-Picayune
January 16, 2014 at 5:44 PM
A federal-state coastal restoration task force on Thursday gave initial
approval to four new Louisiana restoration projects that could cost $113.1
million. The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act Task
Force also approved spending $12.5 million on design and engineering
studies aimed at determining whether the projects should be built.
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2014/01/federal-state_coastal_restorat.html#incart_river
National
Senate Republicans attack EPA on carbon cuts at coal plants
San Francisco Chronicle
Washington -- Senate Republicans attacked the Environmental Protection
Agency's plan to slash carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants
Thursday, saying it would damage the economy, as newly energized Democrats
retorted that climate change is costing jobs in industries such as
Northwest oyster beds and Utah ski resorts.
http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Senate-Republicans-attack-EPA-on-carbon-cuts-at-5150642.php
EPA Denies Politics Delayed Pollution Rules
January 16, 2014
By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency denied Thursday that the
agency delayed formal publication of carbon pollution rules for new power
plants for political reasons, as Republican senators have claimed.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/epa-denies-politics-delayed-pollution-rules-21558928
Mitch McConnell launches pre-emptive strike on EPA climate rule
Politico
By: Darren Goode
January 16, 2014 12:49 PM EST
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell moved Thursday to force a Senate
vote on one of the prime regulations in President Barack Obama's climate
plan, a move that would force vulnerable Democrats to take a public stance
on the controversial rule heading into the midterm elections.
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/mitch-mcconnell-epa-climate-rule-102272.html?hp=l5
Lawmakers warn of burdens on rural economies if EPA cuts ethanol mandate
Des Moines Register
A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Iowa's representatives in the U.S.
House urged the White House Thursday to withdraw its November proposal that
would reduce the amount of ethanol required to be blended into the
country's gasoline supply in 2014.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20140116/NEWS09/301160126/1056/news05
EPA Will Have to Report on Aerial Surveillance
KTIC
Thanks to a provision in the omnibus appropriations package - Nebraska
Senator Mike Johanns says the Environmental Protection Agency will have to
reveal details about its aerial surveillance program.
http://kticradio.com/news/agricultural/index.php?more=i8v3sq9e
West Virginia Inspectors Visited Chemical Spill Site Five Times Since 2001
West Virginia Residents Complained of Strong Smell From Storage Facility
Wall Street Journal
CHARLESTON, W.Va.—Environmental inspectors visited the site of last week's
chemical spill here at least five times since 2001, but they primarily
focused on air quality rather than factors that might have figured in the
accident that compromised the water supply of 300,000 people, newly
released records show.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303465004579324580593833264?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
Press Releases
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy Statement to Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works on the President's Climate Action Plan
WASHINGTON – Remarks of EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy as prepared for
delivery:
Chairman Boxer, Ranking Member Vitter, members of the Committee: Thank you
for the opportunity to testify today.
In June of last year, the President reaffirmed his commitment to reducing
carbon pollution when he directed many federal agencies, including the
Environmental Protection Agency, to take meaningful steps to mitigate the
current and future damage caused by carbon dioxide emissions and to prepare
for the anticipated climate changes that have already been set in motion.
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Based on the
evidence, more than 97% of climate scientists are convinced that
human-caused climate change is occurring. If our changing climate goes
unchecked, it will have devastating impacts on the United States and the
planet. Reducing carbon pollution is critically important to the protection
of Americans' health and the environment upon which our economy depends.
Responding to climate change is an urgent public health, safety, national
security, and environmental imperative that presents an economic challenge
and an economic opportunity. As the President has stated, both the economy
and the environment must provide for current and future generations, and we
can and must embrace cutting carbon pollution as a spark for business
innovation, job creation, clean energy and broad economic growth. The
United States' success over the past 40 years makes clear that
environmental protection and economic growth go hand in hand.
The President's Climate Action Plan directs federal agencies to address
climate change using existing executive authorities. The Plan has three key
pillars: cutting carbon pollution in America; preparing the country for the
impacts of climate change; and leading international efforts to combat
global climate change.
Cutting Carbon Pollution
EPA plays a critical role in implementing the Plan's first pillar, cutting
carbon pollution. Over the past four years, EPA has begun to address this
task under the Clean Air Act.
Our first steps addressed motor vehicles, which annually emit nearly a
third of U.S. carbon pollution. EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, along with the auto industry and other stakeholders, worked
together to set greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards for Model Year
2012 to 2025 light-duty vehicles. Over the life of these vehicles, the
standards will save an estimated $1.7 trillion for consumers and businesses
and cut America's oil consumption by 12 billion barrels, while reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 6 billion metric tons.
EPA's and NHTSA's standards for model year 2014 through 2018 heavy-duty
trucks and buses present a similar success story. Under the President's
Plan, we will be developing a second phase of heavy-duty vehicle standards
for post 2018 model years.
Building on this success, the President asked EPA to work with states,
utilities and other key stakeholders to develop plans to reduce carbon
pollution from future and existing power plants.
Power plants are the single largest source of carbon pollution in the
United States. In March 2012, the EPA first proposed carbon pollution
standards for future power plants. After receiving over 2.5 million
comments, we determined to issue a new proposed rule based on this input
and updated information.
In September 2013, the EPA announced its new proposal. The proposed
standards would establish the first uniform national limits on carbon
pollution from future power plants. They will not apply to existing power
plants. The proposal sets separate national limits for new natural
gas-fired turbines and new coal-fired units. New large natural gas-fired
turbines would need to emit less than 1,000 pounds of CO2 per
megawatt-hour, while new small natural gas-fired turbines would need to
emit less than 1,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour. New coal-fired units
would need to emit less than 1,100 pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour.
Operators of these units could choose to have additional flexibility by
averaging their emissions over multiple years to meet a somewhat tighter
limit.
The standards reflect the demonstrated performance of efficient, lower
carbon technologies that are currently being used today. They set the stage
for continued public and private investment in technologies like efficient
natural gas and carbon capture and storage. The proposal was recently
published in the Federal Register on January 8, and the formal public
comment period is now open. We look forward to robust engagement on the
proposal and will carefully consider the comments and input we receive as a
final rule is developed.
As noted, the proposed rule would apply only to future power plants. For
existing plants, we are engaged in outreach to a broad group of
stakeholders who can inform the development of proposed guidelines, which
we expect to issue in June of this year. These guidelines will provide
guidance to States, which have the primary role in developing and
implementing plans to address carbon pollution from the existing plants in
their states. We recognize that existing power plants require a distinct
approach, and this framework will allow us to capitalize on state
leadership and innovation while also accounting for regional diversity and
providing flexibility.
The EPA's stakeholder outreach and public engagement in preparation for
this rulemaking is extensive and vigorous. We held eleven public listening
sessions around the country at EPA regional offices and our headquarters in
Washington, DC. We have participated in numerous meetings with a broad
range of stakeholders across the country. And all of this is happening well
before we propose any guidelines. When we issue proposed guidelines in
June, the more formal public process begins – including a public comment
period and an opportunity for a public hearing – which will provide yet
further opportunity for stakeholders and the general public to provide
input.
Cutting Methane Emissions
The Climate Action Plan calls for the development of a comprehensive,
interagency strategy to address emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse
gas that also contributes to ozone pollution, but which has substantial
economic value. EPA is working with other agencies to assess emissions
data, address data gaps, and identify opportunities to reduce methane
emissions through incentive-based programs and existing authorities.
Curbing Emissions of HFCs
The Plan also calls on the US to lead through international diplomacy as
well as domestic action to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
potent greenhouse gases whose emissions are otherwise expected to nearly
triple by 2030. Moving forward, the EPA will use its authority under the
Clean Air Act to encourage the investment, purchase, and use of
climate-friendly alternatives.
Preparing for Impacts of Climate Change
Even as we work to avoid dangerous climate change, we must strengthen
America's resilience to climate impacts we're already experiencing and
those that can no longer be avoided. The President's Plan calls for a broad
array of actions on this front. EPA is incorporating research on climate
impacts into the implementation of our existing programs and developing
information and tools to help decision-makers – including State, local and
tribal governments – to better understand and address these impacts.
Further, EPA is working closely with our federal agency counterparts on
several other aspects of building our national resilience, including
developing the National Drought Resilience Partnership, ensuring the
security of our freshwater supplies, protecting our water utilities, and
protecting and restoring our natural resources in the face of a changing
climate.
International Efforts
Our changing climate is also a global challenge, and the President's Plan
recognizes that the United States must couple action at home with
leadership abroad. Working closely with the State Department, EPA continues
to engage our international partners in reducing carbon pollution through
an array of activities. These include public-private partnership efforts to
address emissions of methane and other short-lived climate pollutants under
the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the Global Methane Initiative, as
well as bilateral cooperation with major economies.
Conclusion
The President's Plan provides a roadmap for federal action to meet the
pressing challenge of a changing climate – promoting clean energy solutions
that capitalize on American innovation and drive economic growth. EPA looks
forward to working with other federal agencies and all stakeholders on
these critical efforts.
Thank you again for the opportunity to testify, and I look forward to
answering your questions.
