UPDATES

Congressional Update:

In a conference committee meeting February 2nd on the payroll tax bill, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) called for including H.R. 2250, the bill to block EPA’s standards to reduce mercury and other toxic air pollutants from industrial boilers. The House passed H.R. 2250 in October; similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate (S. 1392). EPA’s proposal requires just 1 percent of the 1.5 million industrial boilers in this country to clean up their pollution but will deliver major health benefits by preventing up to 8,100 premature deaths, 52,000 asthma attacks and 5,100 heart attacks each year. For more information, see John Walke’s blog.

Sources: E&E News for February 2, 2012, EPA.

In a February 1st letter to the Office of Management and Budget, House Energy and Commerce Republican leaders argued that the Administration should not go forward with regulations to regulate greenhouse gases from new and modified power plants through the New Source Performance Standard program. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI), Joe Barton (R-TX), and Ed Whitfield (R-KY) claim the standards will harm the economy. Carbon pollution threatens the health of Americans by causing more severe heat waves and contributing to more devastating floods, rising sea levels, poor air quality and many other health threats. Power plants are the nation’s biggest carbon polluters, and there are no national limits on that pollution. For more information, see David Doniger’s blog.

Administration Update:

EPA’s draft regulations for reducing greenhouse gases from new and modified power plants have been under review at OMB since November 7 and are expected to be released in the next several weeks.

EPA’s final Mercury and Air Toxics Standards – reducing toxic pollution from power plans – will be published in the Federal Register on February 16. The date is significant because after the regulation is published, and also formally delivered to Congress, opponents can initiate use of a special legislative process called the Congressional Review Act to block it. In December, Senator Inhofe (R-OK) stated his intention to use the Congressional Review Act process to nullify the rule. See Pete Altman’s blog thanking the President for standing up to polluters and see clean air stories here.

Sources: E&E for December 20, 2011, EPA.

ACTION ALERTS

Keep the Payroll Tax Bill Clean

Please ask your organization’s members to contact their U.S. Senators and Representative about the payroll tax bill and ask them to “Keep it Clean” – do not include anti-environmental riders such as the bills to kill EPA regulations cutting emissions of toxic mercury pollution from industrial boilers (H.R. 2250 and S. 1392).

For more information or messaging materials, please contact Marie Risalvato at mrisalvato@climatenetwork.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

House Energy & Commerce Committee Hearing:

The Subcommittee on Energy and Power has scheduled a hearing on the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard called, “What EPA’s Utility MACT Rule Will Cost U.S. Consumers.” The hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. For more information, click here.

DEADLINES

10 Days Left for Clean Car Comments:

With the support of 13 major automakers and millions of Americans, the Obama administration proposed new fuel efficiency and global warming pollution standards for light trucks and cars in November. If enacted, vehicles for model years 2017-2025 will be required to meet the equivalent of a 54.5 mpg standard by 2025. The deadline for comment collection for the clean cars standard will end February 13th, 2012. See sample action alerts supporting strong fuel-efficiency and global warming pollution standards on USCAN’s Clean Vehicles web page.

For messaging materials or more information, please contact Jesse Prentice-Dunn at jesse.prentice-dunn@sierraclub.org.

NEW MATERIALS

Toxic Trio Attacks EPA’s Carbon Pollution Safeguards, Natural Resources Defense Council Blog, 2.3.12

Industry Group Letter in Support of Rolling Back Boiler Public Health Standards, 2.2.12

Letter to OMB Regarding Proposed GHG Regulations, House Energy and Commerce Republican leaders Letter, 2.1.12

Julianne Moore Stars in New Video Calling on Mothers To Join the “Moms Clean Air Force”, YouTube, 2.1.12

Cantor Memo on House Republican Agenda for Early 2012, 2.1.12

Boiler Toxics Riders Fact Sheet, 1.26.12

Letter to Senator Wyden RE Boiler Air Toxics Standards, Environmental Protection Agency, 1.18.12

Oxnard, Pittsburgh Join Growing List of U.S. Cities Calling for Federal Action on Global Warming, Center for Biological Diversity, 1.25.12

Don’t forget the Clean Air Act fan page on Facebook

Check out USCAN’s Air Toxics Standards Section for the latest materials on the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

USCAN’s Clean Air Act Pages include a compilation of member materials.

Clean Air Act Digest is a publication put together by US Climate Action Network and Natural Resources Defense Council. Please contact Lara Levison at llevison@climatenetwork.org for more details. Click here for past issues.

Related posts:

1. Clean Air Act Digest, 6.24.11
2. Clean Air Act Digest, 3.24.11
3. Clean Air Act Digest, 4.21.11

December 19, 2011 Good News with the Bad The good new is that House and Senate finally passed the more than $1 trillion dollar omnibus spending bill Thursday night and most of the egregious attacks on public health and the environment were left out. However, there were some notable dirty riders such as a step backward by repealing energy efficiency standards for light bulbs. Unfortunately, this bill also included provisions for exempting Arctic drilling from critical Clean Air Act standards which is not only bad for the environment but also the wrong way to legislate decisions like those. The bill also contained provisions from previous years that block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from requiring permits for greenhouse gas emissions from production of livestock and from requiring greenhouse gas reporting on manure management systems. To read more click here (Politico Pro). Saturday, the Senate voted to force President Obama to make a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days or less. This dirty rider came as a provision in the vote for a two-month payroll tax-cut extension. In response, Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club wrote in a statement “Using the payroll tax cut package to advance Big Oil’s profits was an insult to America’s working families. But the real insult to this injury is the poisoned water and air, the destroyed livelihoods for farmers and ranchers that this dirty Keystone XL pipeline brings to the nation’s heartland.” This statement and many others were that of disappointment with our leaders but also called on President Obama to protect the American people and to reject the Keystone XL pipeline “once and for all.” Others concluded that this development surely means the pipeline will not be approved and that this tactic will backfire on proponents of the pipeline. For more information check out the action alert below. On a more positive note, the same Senate version takes out language that blocks new EPA air quality standards for industrial boilers that was included in the House bill. Stay tuned though, as the fate of the deal to extend the payroll tax cut for two months is uncertain. House Republicans said Sunday they oppose the bill because of its short time frame among other things. Looking forward to this week, we still expect the Obama Administration to announce final life-saving standards that will curb mercury and other toxic air pollution from power plants. These new measures could save up to 17,000 lives every year and will prevent 11,000 heart attacks. When these rules were first proposed in draft form, March 16 of this year, an overwhelming show of support of more than 800,000 concerned citizens calling for strong mercury safeguards were sent into the Environmental Protection Agency during the comment period. On Friday, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse led 15 of his colleagues on a letter urging President Obama to move forward on implementing this new clean air rule. “Given that so many utilities are well-positioned to comply with the Utility Air Toxics Rule, and the flexibility afforded particular units, there is no reason for an across-the-board delay of this important public health measure,” the Senators wrote. The press release and letter can be found here. Marie Risalvato, Communications Coordinator Urgent: Tell Congress Keep Anti-environment Attacks Out of Year-end Bills. All in all the year-end spending bill only included a few dirty riders but in the rush to finish tax bill by the end of the year, Congress is continuing to consider adding provisions that have no effect on spending or taxes but would have a major impact on our health and environment. Urge your Senators and Representative to finish their work for the year without undermining public health and the environment. Ask them to oppose adding legislation to roll back EPA’s boiler regulations or expedite the Keystone XL pipeline. See a sample action alert from the Natural Resources Defense Council opposing anti-environmental provisions in the final bills of the year. For more information and/or for full action alert template please email Lara Levison, llevison@climatenetwork.org. Carol Werner, Executive Director December 19, 2011 News United Nations Climate Talks Conclude in Durban Canada Withdraws from Kyoto Protocol South Sudan Speaks to United Nations about Effects of Climate Change Carbon Emissions Increase by Half Since 1990 China to Develop National Greenhouse Gas Inventory California Approves Cap and Trade, Creates World’s Second Largest Carbon Market Carbon Emissions Will Peak in 2030: ExxonMobil Climate Change May Be Altering National Parks’ Attendance New Methane Plumes Rising from Arctic Ocean Discovered Study Shows that Methane Gas from ‘Fracking’ Damages the Climate Other Headlines United Nations Climate Talks Conclude in Durban     On December 11, the 194 countries comprising the United Nations Conference of Parties agreed on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. The Durban Platform calls for a “protocol, or a legal instrument, or an agreed outcome with legal force under the Convention and applicable to all parties” by 2020, and will hold all major emitters, including the United States, China and India, to the same obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as other industrialized nations. The action plan calls for “an agreed outcome with legal force” involving all countries by 2015, and for the ratification and implementation of the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action by 2020. The COP17 meeting also concluded with the extension of the Kyoto Protocol until 2017. The 194 countries also agreed on the Green Climate Fund, a global account comprised of public and private funding that would raise $100 billion a year for aid to go to developing countries to use for climate change adaptation and conversion to clean energy technologies. Throughout the climate talks, delegates from developing nations and small island states sought a more stringent deal to hold the major emitter countries to tougher reductions. “I would have wanted to get more, but at least we have something to work with. All is not lost yet,” said Selwin Hart, chief negotiator on finance for the coalition of small states. The delegates, along with representatives from leading environmental groups that attended the climate talks, say that the Durban Platform is not enough on its own to slow global climate change. But, overall, the delegates were satisfied that they were able to come to an agreement, “We came here with plan A, and we have concluded this meeting with plan A to save one planet for the future of our children and our grandchildren to come,” said COP17 Chairman and South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. For additional information see: Politico, New York Times: Article 1, and Article 2, Reuters, The Guardian         Canada Withdraws from Kyoto Protocol     On December 12, Canada’s Environment Minister, Peter Kent, announced that Canada will formally pull out of the Kyoto Protocol. The Canadian government cited the $13.6 billion in penalties it would face under terms of the Protocol if it did not cut emissions nation-wide to the required amount by 2012. “As we’ve said, Kyoto for Canada is in the past … We are invoking our legal right to formally withdraw from Kyoto,” said Kent. Many countries, including China, Japan and Mexico, call the decision regrettable, and asked Kent to reconsider the decision. “It is regrettable and flies in the face of the efforts of the international community for Canada to leave the Kyoto Protocol at a time when the Durban meeting, as everyone knows, made important progress by securing a second phase of commitment to the Protocol,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin. “We also hope that Canada will face up to its due responsibilities and duties, and continue abiding by its commitments, and take a positive, constructive attitude towards participating in international cooperation to respond to climate change.” Christiana Figueres, the United Nations Climate Chief stated that, “Whether or not Canada is a party to the Kyoto Protocol, it has a legal obligation under the (U.N. Framework on climate change) convention to reduce its emissions, and a moral obligation to itself and future generations to lead in the global effort.” Canada has agreed to support the Durban Platform agreement, and Kent said that the Platform represented “the way forward.” For additional information see: Reuters: Article 1, Article 2, and Article 3, Associated Press, Business Green         South Sudan Speaks to United Nations about Effects of Climate Change    Alfred Lado Gore, the Minister of Environment for South Sudan, requested assistance for South Sudan during his country’s first appearance at the UN climate meeting. “Climate change in Southern Sudan has very, very serious negative effects. In terms of agriculture, this is really catastrophic,” said Gore. South Sudan, the world’s newest country, is plagued by droughts and infrequent sudden heavy downpours. With thousands of refugees fleeing conflict with Sudan, South Sudan’s citizens are constantly searching for food and water. Gore continued, “People want to cultivate but no longer know when rains come. And when they come, sometimes they are even floods and they destroy the crops. . . .If the crops fail, people have no food. Food security now becomes a threat.” For additional information see: Associated French Press         Carbon Emissions Increase by Half Since 1990     Worldwide carbon emissions have risen by almost 50 percent over the last two decades, according to a study by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. This 50 percent increase amounts to an annual average growth of 3.1 percent, despite the Kyoto Protocol’s goal to reduce emissions to below 1990 levels. Scientists leading the study are concerned, given that the year 2020 is considered the necessary peak for carbon emissions in order to limit global average temperature to the 2 degree increase—the amount thought necessary to avoid catastrophic and irreversible climate change. However, with the new climate deal forged in Durban, no new emissions reduction treaty would take effect until 2020. “That would be too late, unless strong actions are taken in the ­meantime,” said Corinne Le Quéré, author of the paper. For additional information see: Mail and Guardian, The Guardian, Science Daily, Study Abstract         China to Develop National Greenhouse Gas Inventory     China has announced plans to create a national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. The new system, to be implemented by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, will monitor and report emissions from both natural and human sources, including energy production and land use change. The inventory will serve as China’s official GHG report, similar to the national inventories that developed countries submit each year as part of the Kyoto Protocol. Current estimates of China’s emissions are calculated outside the country using energy consumption reports and other data. China also announced plans to develop a national system to monitor atmospheric GHG concentrations. For additional information see: Beijing Review         California Approves Cap and Trade, Creates World’s Second Largest Carbon Market     A San Francisco judge has approved California’s cap-and-trade plans which will make it the largest carbon market in North America and the second largest in the world. The bill was passed in 2006 but has come under fire from opponents claiming that it will destroy jobs and harm the economy. However, in May the court approved the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) authority to implement the program. According to the judge’s ruling last week, the state has adequately studied alternatives to its climate goal and the program is now slated for implementation in 2013. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, the state has received more than $9 billion in venture capital for clean energy technology since the bill was passed. For additional information see: Forbes, San Francisco Gate, Bloomberg         Carbon Emissions Will Peak in 2030: ExxonMobil     ExxonMobil predicts carbon emissions will peak in 2030 according to their energy outlook that analyzes global energy trends from 2012 to 2040. The report also predicts that global energy demand will increase by 30 percent by 2040 and that 80 percent of this increase will be comprised of coal, oil and natural gas. Carbon emissions are already falling in North America and Europe, but developing countries like China will more than compensate with 90 percent of the increase in energy demand due to a heavy reliance on fossil fuels. “China’s emissions are expected to begin declining after about 2025, ending decades of very large increases associated with rapid economic development and industrial activity,” ExxonMobil said. For additional information see: Reuters, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, ExxonMobil Study         Climate Change May Be Altering National Parks’ Attendance    People are visiting climate change-affected national parks earlier in the year, according to a study by researchers at the University of North Carolina. For the nine national parks that have experienced significant increases in spring temperatures, peak visitation dates have shifted earlier for seven of the parks by an average of four days. For example, peak attendance at the Grand Canyon was June 24 in 2008 compared with July 4 in 1979. On the contrary, of the 18 parks without significant temperature changes, only three have exhibited shifts in peak attendance. “We can’t say for sure that global warming is causing this swing in visitation trends but this discovery does complement rapidly accumulating evidence showing how other organisms have had to alter their behavior in response to climate change,” said Lauren Buckley, Ph.D. “Visiting parks earlier may not be a big deal, but it may serve as a bellwether for more severe human adjustments required to cope with climate change.” For additional information see: Science Daily, New York Time, Omaha World-Herald, Study         New Methane Plumes Rising from Arctic Ocean Discovered     Warmer temperatures and decreased sea ice cover in the Arctic Ocean are causing massive amounts of underwater methane to bubble to the surface, according to findings released at last week’s American Geophysical Union meeting. Methane is rising to the surface and into the atmosphere in large plumes or fountains, some as large as one kilometer in diameter. In a 10,000 square mile area off the northern coast of Siberia, Russian scientists discovered more than 100 methane plumes. The research team has been monitoring the region for nearly two decades and was shocked by the latest results. The destabilization of underwater methane is considered one of the most significant climate change tipping points that will accelerate the rate of warming, as methane is at least 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a one hundred year period. For additional information see: The Independent         Study Shows that Methane Gas from ‘Fracking’ Damages the Climate    A soon to be released study by Cornell University concludes that using hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas from shale releases as much greenhouse gas emissions as coal. Professor Robert Howarth states, “The [greenhouse gas] footprint for shale gas is greater than that for conventional gas or oil when viewed on any time horizon, but particularly so over 20 years. Compared to coal, the footprint of shale gas is at least 20% greater and perhaps more than twice as great on the 20-year horizon and is comparable when compared over 100 years.” The study also states, “The large GHG footprint of shale gas undercuts the logic of its use as a bridging fuel over coming decades, if the goal is to reduce global warming.” For additional information see: The Hill, Report, Cornell University Press Release         Other Headlines Study Finds that Delay on Climate Change Policies Harm the Planet Climate Change Threatens French Truffle Supplies Increasing Acidification of Ocean Water Kills Young Fish Australian Scientists Claim Carbon Storage is Safe Study Finds that Regular Use of Bicycles Help Cut Carbon Emissions California Governor Pledges to Ready State for Impact of Climate Change   Writers: Alison Alford, John-Michael Cross, and Joey Gosselar Please distribute Climate Change News to your colleagues. Permission for reproduction of this newsletter is granted provided that the Environmental and Energy Study Institute is properly acknowledged as the source. Past issues are available here. Free email subscriptions are available here. We welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions.  The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional caucus dedicated to finding innovative environmental and energy solutions. EESI works to protect the climate and ensure a healthy, secure, and sustainable future for America through policymaker education, coalition building, and policy development in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, agriculture, forestry, transportation, buildings, and urban planning.   EESI’s work, including this free newsletter, is made possible by financial support from people like you. Please help us continue to make it available by making a secure, online donation today by clicking here or mailing a check to Environmental and Energy Study Institute; 1112 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036. Please contact Susan Williams at (202) 662-1887  or see www.eesi.org/donateto find out more. Thank you for your support!      Climate Action Hotline is the new weekly update by the US Climate Action Network. Let us know what you think. Peter Bahouth, Executive Director What’s Next Now That the Durban Climate Negotiations Are Behind Us? Republican Leadership Holds Tax Relief for American Families Hostage to Keystone Pipeline Corn Ethanol Infrastructure: A bad Christmas Gift from Congress Todd Stern’s Not-So-Excellent Day in Durban Mercury Poisoning: A Parents’ Revolt EPA Finalizes Tough New Rules on Emissions by Power Plants White House Backs Senate Payroll Bill Over House Objections How Long Can Obama Delay Keystone XL Pipeline Call? California Approves Rules Restricting Use of High-Carbon Crude Cap and Trade Gives Massachusetts Economy Critical Boost, Defying Naysayers Up to 15 More People Found After Russian Oil Rig Sinks Oil From Spill Fouls Brazilian Beach Brazil’s Forest Policy Could Undermine its Climate Goals Long Road Ahead for Environmental Monitoring in the Oilsands “President Obama and Democratic congressional leaders deserve credit for protecting America’s health and environment by keeping the most extreme anti-environmental measures out of this deal. Proposals to advance the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and allow industrial facilities to spew toxic mercury into our air should not be advanced at all in Congress—much less as amendments to an unrelated must-pass spending bill.” – Nathan Willcox, Global Warming Program Director for Environment America.

Related posts:

1. Taking the Good with the Bad, 8.1.11
2. Climate Action Hotline, 3.21.11
3. Most Want More Not Less, Climate Action Hotline 2.14.11

Owning Up: Taking Responsibility Before Durban November 14, 2011 As we paid tribute to our Armed Forces this week, the climate community celebrated an extraordinary victory for the health, safety and security of this country’s future; a future that America’s men and women in the military fight to protect every day, both at home and abroad. After years of impact and economic studies, protests, sit-ins, letters and politicking, the State Department delayed a decision on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline until 2013. This delay did more than re-schedule the decision until after next year’s presidential election; it has the potential to kill the project completely, complicating the agreements oil companies and suppliers currently share with TransCanada, Keystone’s owner and operator. In the face of overwhelming public opposition, the decision also challenged how Canadian oil-sands producers will ultimately transport their product the 1,700 miles from Canada to Texas’ Gulf Coast. President Obama responded, “I support the State Department’s announcement. The final decision should be guided by an open, transparent process that is informed by the best available science and the voices of the American people.” A priority for the Administration’s international climate team has been encouraging countries to take individual action and responsibility at home. Delaying and, ultimately, killing the Keystone XL pipeline could single-handedly be the most important policy to keep the US and Canada in line with their respective UNFCCC emission commitments. Don’t forget to check out USCAN’s tar sands page for up-to-date information and a collection of reactions on the latest developments. One of the most crucial issues in the debate was the woefully lacking environmental impact statement that failed to account for the sensitive Sand Hills area of Nebraska, which includes a high concentration of special concern wetlands, the surrounding sensitive ecosystem, extensive areas of very shallow groundwater and the Ogallala aquifer’s susceptibility to oil spills and contamination. With a new study called for, the State Department, along with consultation with eight other agencies, will determine whether the pipeline is in the national interest, weighing environmental concerns and impacts on climate change, energy security, economic impacts and foreign policy. Another powerful step to curb emissions happened this week when the Australian Parliament passed a sweeping measure to impose a price on carbon emissions, a step seen as one of the country’s biggest economic reforms in a decade. Australia accounts for a mere 1.5% of global emissions, however, it is the developed world’s highest emitter per capita due to the nation’s heavy reliance on coal to generate power. The new law is a major victory for Prime Minister Julia Gillard who, early on, staked her government’s future on the largest comprehensive carbon price scheme outside of Europe, despite deep hostility from opponents. The carbon tax is central to the platform of the government’s fight against climate change and aims to halt the growth of the country’s growing greenhouse gas emissions from a resources-led boom and age-old reliance on coal-fired power stations. Climate advocates around the world also see this vote as giving new life to December’s UNFCCC global climate talks taking place in Durban, South Africa. Decisions like Keystone XL and Australia’s carbon tax could not have come at a more critical time. This week, the journal of Health Affairs released a report on the cost of human suffering and loss of life caused by six US disasters related to climate change over the years 2000-2009. The report concluded that these catastrophes totaled an estimated $14B in healthcare costs. To put that into perspective, this year alone the US has experienced 14 weather disasters, putting the country on record to spend more on climate change-related disasters than ever before, according to Jeff Masters of the Weather Underground. Kim Knowlton, a senior scientist at Natural Resources Defense Council and co-author commented, “When extreme weather hits, we hear about the property damage and insurance costs. The healthcare costs never end up on the tab.” In the report, scientists and economists from NRDC, the University of California-Berkeley and the University of California-San Francisco examined the health costs for the following events from 2000 to 2009: * U.S. ozone air pollution, 2000-2002, $6.5 billion; * West Nile virus outbreak in Louisiana, 2002, $207 million; * Southern California wildfires, 2003, $578 million; * Florida hurricane season, 2004, $1.4 billion; * California heat wave, 2006, $5.3 billion; * Red River flooding in North Dakota, 2009, $20 million. The authors note that climate-related events like those listed above are only the tip of the iceberg and are expected to worsen as the planet warms. Kellyn Garrison, Southeast Regional Coordinator Make the Clean Air Promise: New Outreach Materials The Clean Air Promise is a national campaign to protect the health of children and families across the country from dangerous air pollution. A broad-based coalition of public health, advocacy, and environmental organizations – along with concerned parents across the country – are joining together to mobilize citizens, share their stories, and demand a firm commitment to clean air from leaders in industry and government. The campaign has several new template materials that can be used to launch your or your organizations own Clean Air Promise campaign, including key constituency OpEds and Ed Board memos.  USCAN members can download these materials here: http://www.usclimatenetwork.org/policy/clean-air-promise-tool-kit For more information or to request these materials directly, email mdixon@cliamtenetwork.org Carol Werner, Executive Director November 14, 2011 News Keystone XL Pipeline Decision Delayed until 2013, Climate Change Cited as Concern Obama Administration Renews Plan to Regulate CO2 Emissions Georgetown Climate Center Introduces Online Forum to Share Climate Change Tools Pew Center on Global Climate Has New Name, Funding UN Report Proposes Blue Carbon Fund to Mitigate Climate Change New Investment Funds Spur Climate-Conscious Development Australian Senate Passes Carbon Tax Chinese Manufacturers Could Emit More HFC Gases Following EU Ban EU Pledges 7.2 Billion Euros for Climate Change Projects Global Carbon Intensity on the Rise Three Hundred Square Mile Iceberg to Detach from Antarctica Some Areas of Reef More Resilient to Climate Change Than Expected Changing Report: Climate Change Consequences Both Dire and Likely Scientists Project Regional Climate-Related Changes for California Other Headlines Events November 16: Heating with Biomass: Win-Win for Households, Economic Development, Energy Security Keystone XL Pipeline Decision Delayed until 2013, Climate Change Cited as Concern The Obama Administration announced it would delay its decision on whether to authorize construction of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline until 2013. In a State Department press release, officials cited several factors that contributed to the decision, including concerns about the environmental sensitivity of the Sands Hill area of Nebraska, through which the pipeline would be built. The November 10 statement announced the Administration will now conduct a thorough reassessment of proposed pipeline route alternatives. In addition, the release also noted, “Among the relevant issues that would be considered are environmental concerns (including climate change), energy security, economic impacts, and foreign policy.” For additional information see: Washington Post, State Department Obama Administration Renews Plan to Regulate CO2 Emissions On November 8, the Obama Administration announced intentions to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants. The rule, titled “Greenhouse Gas New Source Performance Standard for Electric Utility Steam Generating Units,” would be the first rule that allows the EPA to enforce standards for new power plants. New regulations about greenhouse gas emissions have been delayed by Republican lawmakers claiming that actions of the EPA will result in fewer jobs. Opponents claim that economic costs of the rule will outweigh environmental benefits. The proposed regulation follows a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that the EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act if it found greenhouse gases to be a danger to public health, which EPA confirmed in a 2008 endangerment finding. For additional information see: LA Times Georgetown Climate Center Introduces Online Forum to Share Climate Change Tools The Georgetown Climate Center recently launched the Adaptation Clearinghouse, an online tool to find and share resources and information that pertain to climate change policy issues and adaptation measures. This new online community will serve as a database of new research about climate change adaptation, as well as a forum to spread newly developed models and techniques. Some of the recent resources shared in the online community include a comprehensive model that explores sea level rise and coastal land use, and an adaptation plan for the city of Chula Vista that weighs the potential infrastructural impacts of climate change on the city. The Georgetown Climate Center is a nonpartisan group that aims to connect policymakers and share best practices and resources concerning climate change. For additional information see: Georgetown Climate Center Pew Center on Global Climate Has New Name, Funding The Pew Center on Global Climate Change has announced it has changed its name to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) after it lost $3.5 million in funding from its primary donor, The Pew Charitable Trusts. In lieu of Pew’s funding, C2ES has found funding from three “strategic partners”, Entergy, HP and Shell, as well as major contributions from Alcoa Foundation, Bank of America, GE, The Energy Foundation, Duke Energy and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. According to Eileen Claussen, the group’s president and former climate change negotiator under President Bill Clinton, “Every one of these companies does some things that we don’t like. . . They’ve got trade associations to do their bidding and they’ve got lobbyists. They view their association with us as different because we are in fact independent.” Claussen stressed that C2ES will remain commited to “fact-based analysis and pragmatic solutions.” For additional information see: AFP, Bloomberg, C2ES Press Release UN Report Proposes Blue Carbon Fund to Mitigate Climate Change According to a November 1 UN report, a global market for carbon that is stored within the world’s oceans is necessary to protect marine and coastal environments, or “blue carbon.” Over 55 percent of the biological carbon captured globally is captured by marine organisms, and preventing further loss of marine environments while working towards their recovery could offset three to seven percent of current fossil fuels emissions. The report estimates that as much as seven percent of blue carbon sinks are lost each year. According to the report, a Blue Carbon Fund would encourage investments in the maintenance and rehabilitation of these crucial marine ecosystems. For additional information see: Environmental Finance, UN Report New Investment Funds Spur Climate-Conscious Development The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) announced on November 4 that over $1 billion will be invested in climate change mitigation. Working with banks such as the African Development Bank and the World Bank Group, the CIF funds help developing countries establish low emissions development projects that are adaptive with climate change. Recipients of the near-zero interest loans and grants include nations such as Bolivia, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mali, Mexico, and Nepal. The CIF will invest in projects such as developing renewable hydropower in India and Nepal, establishing a grid-connected renewable energy system in Honduras, and combating deforestation in Laos by supporting sustainable forest management. For additional information see: All Africa, CIF Projects Australian Senate Passes Carbon Tax Australia’s parliament passed the most comprehensive carbon pricing scheme outside of the European Union (EU) on November 7. The law will put a tax of $23 (around $23.78 U.S. dollars) on each ton of carbon emitted by the top 500 polluters from July 2012 until July 2015, after which it will become a carbon trading emission scheme. Even though Australia only accounts for 1.5 percent of the world’s emissions, they have the highest per capita emissions intensity of any country because coal generates 80 percent of the country’s electricity. The government expects the tax will incentivize a multibillion dollar investment in cleaner fuels and will move their energy economy away from coal. The law also provides compensation for export-exposed industries, such as aluminum, zinc and steel, and provides personal tax cuts for workers (totaling up to $300 per year on average). In addition, the export-exposed industries will receive 94.5 percent of their carbon permits for free for the first three years. Once the scheme moves to a tradable permit system, it will be integrated with EU’s trading scheme. For additional information see: The Guardian, Reuters Chinese Manufacturers Could Emit More HFC Gases Following EU Ban Following a decision to ban hydrofuorocarbon-23 (HFC-23) in Europe by May 2013, there will no longer be a market in which credits for hydrofluorocarbon credits are bought. According to Xie Fei, revenue management director at China Clean Development Mechanism Fund, this would cause Chinese producers of HFCs to vent the gases rather than incinerating them. Since 2007, the Chinese fund that collects revenue from local HFC offset projects has made over $1.3 billion, which was used to invest in emissions reduction schemes and carbon policy. The market for HFC offsets is expected to become obsolete as the EU bans the detrimental greenhouse gas, and Australia and New Zealand work toward similar decisions. Major Chinese manufacturers and producers of HFCs claimed that without the market for pollution credits, the cost of incineration is too high. HFC-23 is 11,700 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas and remains in the atmosphere for about 200 years. For additional information see: Bloomberg EU Pledges 7.2 Billion Euros for Climate Change Projects On November 8, EU finance ministers pledged 7.2 billion Euros to fund projects in developing countries that address climate change. This is a steep increase from previous years—in 2010 and 2011, the EU members provided 4.68 billion Euros to climate change projects in developing countries. Critics of the finance commitment argue that the funds are not new investments, but relabelled development funding. This funding is a critical part of the pledge to deliver $30 billion as “fast-start finance” to developing nations between 2010 and 2012. Fast-start finance was established in Copenhagen in 2009 to help developing nations cope with climate change. Further negotiations and pledges for financing climate projects in developing countries will be central to the Durban summit, set to begin November 28. For additional information see: Reuters, Business Green Global Carbon Intensity on the Rise According to a recent Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC) report, global carbon intensity—a measure of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per unit of production—grew 0.6 percent in the past year. The global GDP rose 5.1 percent and CO2 emissions rose 5.8 percent in the same time frame. This year was the first year since 2000 that the G20 nations have made no progress in reducing carbon intensity. Rising carbon intensity renders the goal of keeping global temperature rise within 2 degrees Celsius increasingly unlikely. The increase in intensity is attributed to booming economic growth in China, Brazil, and South Korea, along with especially cold winter temperatures in the northern hemisphere. This report was released as an installment in PWC’s “Low Carbon Economy Index”. For additional information see: Business Green, Report Three Hundred Square Mile Iceberg to Detach from Antarctica After initially spotting an 18 mile long crack in the ice on Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica, NASA scientists concluded that a 300 square-mile iceberg will break off in the next few months. The newly formed iceberg is likely Antarctica’s largest contribution to global sea level rise so far. Warmer water has melted the deeper portions of the ice shelf that would otherwise have kept the ice mass grounded, leaving the mass of ice unstable. Scientists studying the ice shelf are unsure whether the ice will recover its size, or continue to become thinner and weaker, continually contributing to sea level rise. For additional information see: Washington Post, NASA Some Areas of Reef More Resilient to Climate Change Than Expected New research suggests that coral reefs may be more adaptive to climate change than previously thought. Ocean acidification, the result of increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), causes corals to become brittle and to grow more slowly. However, areas of reef that are close to ecosystems with much photosynthesis, such as sea grass beds and areas rich in algae, are resilient to this threat because the plant life absorbs the CO2, thus mitigating acidification. This phenomenon could protect some areas of reef for longer, giving scientists more time to study ecosystems and adaptation methods. This study was published in the journal PLoS One. For additional information see: The Australian, Abstract Report: Climate Change Consequences Both Dire and Likely According to a recent report by the International Energy Agency, irreversible climate change consequences are unavoidable if dramatic changes are not made within the next five years. If current pledges to reduce emissions are successful, the temperature average is projected to rise 3.5 degrees Celsius, says the report, which is still considerably higher than the two degree rise in temperature considered safe by scientists. The authors of the World Energy Outlook report said they are not optimistic that these planned measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will even be successful, and a failure to meet emissions reduction goals could result in a temperature rise of at least six degrees Celsius. Some factors that are expected to aggravate emissions problems include reluctance to continue using nuclear energy following the Fukushima disaster, unwillingness to abandon current industry and infrastructure, and growing numbers of fossil fuel-dependent power plants and inefficient buildings. For additional information see: Washington Post, Business Green Scientists Project Regional Climate-Related Changes for California A recent analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicated that the ecology, sea level, and water supply of California’s San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will be altered significantly by 2100 in response to different climate change scenarios. Warmer waters and increased salinity threaten native marine ecosystems. Key species such as Delta smelt and Chinook salmon will face great difficulty maintaining a sustainable population. Changes in regional water systems would affect the drinking water of 25 million people, and the irrigation that sustains $36 billion worth of crops annually. To cope with changes, the study suggested building an integrated understanding of river-estuary systems and climate change, monitoring the environmental indicators related to uncertainties about climate change, considering the effect of climate change on the biological community and local habitats, and anticipating adaptions to changing ecosystems. The study was published in the online journal PLoS One. For additional information see: Science Daily, Abstract Other Headlines Canada’s Climate Stance Likely to Spark Controversy Humans and Climate Contributed to Extinctions of Large Ice Age Mammals, New Study Finds Peatland Carbon Storage Is Stabilized Against Catastrophic Release of Carbon One If by Land, Two If by Sea? Climate Change ‘Escape Routes’ November 16: Heating with Biomass: Win-Win for Households, Economic Development, Energy Security The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing to learn about how clean, renewable, efficient biomass heating can contribute to job creation, economic development, and energy security in communities across the country, as well as ways in which policies can help overcome some of the existing challenges and barriers to biomass use in the residential, commercial, and institutional sectors. This briefing was organized in conjunction with Biomass Thermal Energy Council, Biomass Coordinating Council, McGuire Woods, Northeast Biomass Thermal Working Group, Pellet Fuels Institute and Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition. The briefing will be held Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM in Room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. This event is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For more information, contact Clare Cooper at ccooper [at] eesi.org or (202) 662-1884. For additional information see: Writers: Deep Ghosh and Matthew Johnson Please distribute Climate Change News to your colleagues. Permission for reproduction of this newsletter is granted provided that the Environmental and Energy Study Institute is properly acknowledged as the source. Past issues are available here. Free email subscriptions are available here. We welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional caucus dedicated to finding innovative environmental and energy solutions. EESI works to protect the climate and ensure a healthy, secure, and sustainable future for America through policymaker education, coalition building, and policy development in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, agriculture, forestry, transportation, buildings, and urban planning. EESI’s work, including this free newsletter, is made possible by financial support from people like you. Please help us continue to make it available by making a secure, online donation today by clicking here or mailing a check to Environmental and Energy Study Institute; 1112 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036. Please contact Susan Williams at (202) 662-1887 or see www.eesi.org/donate to find out more. Thank you for your support! Climate Action Hotline is the new weekly update by the US Climate Action Network. Let us know what you think.

Peter Bahouth, Executive Director Spill in Wisconsin Red Flags Senate Bill That Guts Coal Ash Disposal Standards Another Setback for “Clean Coal” Climate Politics Grow Curiouser and Curiouser More Evidence That the Benefits of EPA Rules Vastly Outweigh the Costs One Week Left to Be Heard: Save The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Shell Reports New Oil Spill in Nigeria UN Chief Urges World Leaders to Create Multibillion-Dollar Climate Change Fund Japan Allows Partial Glimpse Inside Crippled Nuclear Plant APEC Forges Green Deal But Obama Warns China on Trade “The mere fact that the State Department is slowing down and taking a look at the dirty Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is hugely encouraging. We commend President Obama for listening to the American people and putting the brakes on what would have been a disaster for millions of Americans who want clean air, clean water and good health for their families.” –  Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club.

Related posts:

1. Durban Climate Talks End with a New Deal, Hotline 12.12.11
2. Climate Action Hotline, 11.29.10
3. Climate Action Hotline, 4.4.11

October 17, 2011 The Case for Clean Energy and Clean Air Last week the World Resources Institute released a new brief, Climate Science 2009-2010: Major New Discoveries, a periodic review of the state of play climate change science. The brief highlights several key findings including: the decade from 2000 to 2009 was the warmest on record since 1880; observations show that multi-year winter sea ice area decreased by 42 percent between 2005 and 2008; and new science is confirming the potential global implications of an ocean that is already 30 percent more acidic than about 100 years ago. Once mainly a concern for impacts on coral reefs it is now recognized that ocean acidification has implications for the entire ocean food web. Kelly Levin, co-author of the report and a senior associate at WRI stated, “Climate change impacts are not distant phenomena; they are happening now, and they are real.” Given the urgency of climate science Environment America released a timely report titled The Way Forward on Global Warming which indicates that by adopting a suite of clean energy policies at the local, state and federal levels, the United States could curb emissions of carbon dioxide from energy use by as much as 20 percent by 2020 and 34 percent by 2030. The report highlights policies including new standards for building and vehicle efficiency, the promotion of lower-carbon fuels and technology for electric generation, and urban planning to reduce miles driven. Meanwhile the fight continues in Washington around the EPA standards to reduce life-threatening mercury and other air toxics from industrial sources and power plants. Last Monday 25 Attorney Generals filed an amicus brief asking a federal court to force the EPA to delay for a year before finalizing new toxic emissions limits for coal-fired power plants. The Mercury and Air Toxics standard is scheduled to be finalized in mid-November after two decades in the making. But the group of governors and attorney generals say the EPA should keep waiting because the standards could cause electricity rates to rise by 10 or 20 percent in some areas of the country. The motion (insert link) filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia asks for an extension of the November 16 deadline for a final rule that was set in response to a lawsuit from the American Nurses Association. Meanwhile the House of Representatives continues to vote on Representative Cantor’s Pollution Agenda and furthered their assault on clean air by voting to undo standards to clean up toxic emissions from cement kilns, industrial boilers and toxic coal ash. In this Saturday’s editorial the New York Times declared ‘As of Friday, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives had voted 168 times this year to undercut clean air and water laws while blocking efforts to limit global warming, protect public lands and guard against future oil spills…The Republicans, predictably, claim that regulations cost jobs and that all they are trying to do is help the working man. What they are really doing by destroying years of environmental law is putting the interests of corporations above all others and threatening public health.’ A recent poll released on Wednesday showed how out of step these decision-makers are with the American public. The nationwide poll, commissioned by Ceres, shows that, by a wide margin, voters of both political parties and in all regions of the U.S. disagree with Congress’ anti-EPA agenda and support new standards to limit air pollution from coal-fired power plants. Two-thirds of the respondents – 67 percent – oppose Congress delaying implementation of the air pollution rules, according to the national survey of 1,400 voters conducted by Hart Research Associates and GS Strategy Group. Positive movement towards a clean energy future again came from outside the beltway when Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced last week at the American Wind Energy Association conference that the government could issue its second-ever offshore wind lease within weeks. If approved, the proposal from NRG Bluewater Wind Delaware to lease waters about 11 miles east of Dewey Beach in Delaware would be the first allowed under a new Interior Department initiative to accelerate wind development off the east coast. The lease would be contingent on Interior finding no significant environmental impacts of a plan; a draft environmental assessment of the plan was issued in July. Kate Smolski, Domestic Policy Director Help Amplify Story About Medical & Military Statement on Climate Change At a global summit in London today, an unusual alliance of leading doctors, scientists and security experts are coming together to discuss the health and security implications of climate change. Although this conference is borne of an unlikely alliance, these leaders share the same views on climate change and see it as much more than just an environmental challenge: for them, it is the greatest current threat to public health and also the greatest future threat to security. In order to amplify this important story and the statement resulting from the conference, the Global Campaign for Climate Action has put together an Action Pack with some background, sample tweets, Facebook posts, a sample blog posts and the full conference statement. Please use the materials and help make some noise and sign on to the conference statement in your personal capacity or on behalf of your organization, click here. For more information and/or for full action alert template please email mdixon@climatenetwork.org. October 17, 2011 Show Your Support for EESI! Do you depend on EESI’s Climate Change News to bring you timely summaries of the latest climate change science, impacts, policy, and business news? Help keep this newsletter coming your way with a secure, online gift to EESI today. Don’t delay! A generous donor has offered up to $3,000 to match gifts received by October 31st. EESI works hard all year round to keep all our readers–from Congressional offices to media to the concerned public–informed about climate change impacts, promising technologies, and more. Policymakers–and all of us–need sound, timely information about climate change to make good decisions on how to address this important and highly complex issue. Today, please make a gift of $100, $250, or whatever works for you, to help us keep this newsletter going–and double your gift’s impact through this matching gift opportunity! As a nonprofit organization, we depend on your support to keep this great service coming. And with your donation, EESI will continue to bring you a great roundup of the week’s important climate change policy, science, and technology news every Monday morning. Thank you for contributing by October 31st to help us meet this $3,000 matching gift challenge! With Many Thanks, Carol Werner Executive Director, Environmental and Energy Study Institute Climate Action Hotline is the new weekly update by the US Climate Action Network. Let us know what you think.

Peter Bahouth, Executive Director Turn Words Into Action; Turn Action Into Results Climate Change and Food Security: Out of the Mouths of Babes Monarch Butterflies: New Victims of Climate Change New Wave in Oil Cleanup Technology Spurred By Competition California Has 1 in 4 U.S. Solar Energy Jobs, Study Says Animals ‘Shrinking’ Due to Climate Change Occupy Movements Across the Country Look to Diversify Their Efforts as the Movement Grows Central America Floods and Landslides ‘Leave 80 Dead’ Starbucks Concerned World Coffee Supply is Threatened by Climate Change UN Chief Pushes Trust, Green Themes with Lawmakers

Related posts:

1. Deep Drill Moratorium Lifted, Clean Energy Progresses, No Change at Top of IPCC, Climate Action Hotline 10.19.10
2. Climate Action Hotline, 3.21.11
3. Dirty Decision Makers Ignoring Clean Solutions, Climate Action Hotline 5.9.11

Member Reports:

Water Works: Green for All, in partnership with the Economic Policy Institute, Pacific Institute and American Rivers, published a new report this month estimating the economic impact and job creating potential of major new investment in US water infrastructure. Water Works: Rebuilding Infrastructure, Creating Jobs, Greening the Environment found that “an investment of $188.4 billion spread equally over the next five years would generate $265.6 billion in economic activity and create close to 1.9 million jobs.” The report posits that investment in green infrastructure that mimics natural solutions, would result in substantial workforce opportunities and analyzes a representative set of occupations in water infrastructure-related industries. Green for All’s research found that annual “sewer overflows contaminate U.S. waters with 860 billion gallons of untreated sewage, an amount that could fill 1.3 million Olympic-size swimming pools or cover the entire state of Pennsylvania with one inch of sewage.”

Danger in the Air: Environment America released a report last month ranking the nation’s smoggiest metropolitan areas. Danger in the Air: Unhealthy Air Days in 2010 and 2011 found that “because the national health standard for smog pollution set in 2008 was set at a level that scientists agree is not protective of public health, people across the country have been exposed to days of poor air quality each summer without even knowing it.” Of large metropolitan areas, Riverside-San Bernardino, California endured the worst smog pollution in 2010, followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA; Baltimore, MD; Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, PA. The report makes several policy recommendations based on its findings, including that the EPA “set a National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ground-level ozone within the range of 60 to 70 parts per billion averaged over eight hours,” and that Congress eliminate subsidies that keep our nation dependent on fossil fuels.

Growing Meat Consumption: A Worldwatch Institute report, published in the nonprofit’s Vital Signs Online research service as part of its “Nourishing the Planet” project, found that global meat production “increased by 2.6 percent in 2010 to 290.6 million tons, an increase from the 0.8 percent growth rate of 2009.” The increases in global meat production and consumption found in the report are putting numerous strains on the climate since raising livestock accounts for about “23 percent of all global water use in agriculture” and livestock themselves account for roughly “18 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, producing 40 percent of the world’s methane and 65 percent of the world’s nitrous oxide.” A summary of the Worldwatch report can be found here. Subscription to Vital Signs Online is required to view the entire publication.

Department of Defense Clean Energy Investments: The Pew Project on National Security, Energy, and Climate released a report on the Department of Defense’s (DOD) work on clean-energy innovation. From Barracks to the Battlefield: Clean Energy Innovation and America’s Armed Forces finds that the DoD’s clean energy investments increased 200 percent between 2006 and 2009, from $400 million to $1.2 billion, and that they are projected to move beyond $10 billion annually by 2030. Director of the Pew Clean Energy Program, Phyllis Cuttino, explained that the “DoD’s efforts to harness clean energy will save lives, save money and enhance the nation’s energy and economic future. Its work is also helping to spur industry growth and demonstrate technological feasibility.”

Non-Member Reports:

A Strong EPA Protects Our Health: On October 6, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), released the EPW Committee Majority Staff Report. A Strong EPA Protects Our Health and Promotes Economic Growth focuses on the invaluable protections provided by the EPA and major environmental laws which have not only protected public health but also promoted economic growth. Based on the benefits of legislation like the Clean Air Act, the annual benefits of which are expected to prevent 230,000 premature deaths by 2020 and provide about $2 trillion per year with continued enforcement, the report concludes that the EPA’s major “environmental laws are critical to a stronger, healthier, and more productive workforce – they are integral to our quality of life and support a strong economy.”

Support for Solar Industry Grant Program: The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and EuPD Research released a report this week analyzing the economic impact of extending the Treasury Grant Program (TGP), originally created to address the “shortage of tax equity to renewable energy projects” due to the financial collapse. Economic Impact of Extending the Section 1603 Treasury Program found that extending the TGP would significantly accelerate the growth of the U.S. solar market, with a one-year extension through 2012 poised to have the “greatest impact on economic activity in 2012 and 2013, as well as enable growth through 2016 as projects complete construction and come online.” The report concluded that this one-year continuation would result in an additional 37,000 jobs…a 12 percent increase over baseline.”

Coal Ash Safeguards and Employment: In response to the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group (USWAG) claim that the EPA’s potential coal ash disposal safeguards could lead to the loss of over 300,000 jobs, economist Frank Ackerman of the Stockholm Environmental Institute conducted a new analysis of the regulation’s potential effects on employment. Employment Effects of Coal Ash Regulation, released this month, found that the industry study provides “no explanation for more than 50,000 of the supposedly lost jobs; they result either from unreported assumptions or from errors in calculation.” Ackerman’s analysis reevaluated the job-impact analysis of coal ash regulation, comparing the employment costs to employment benefits, to show that “the effect of the new spending required by strict regulation of coal ash…would be a net gain of 28,000 jobs.”

Pipe Dreams: A report released last month by the Cornell University Global Labor Institute, in association with the ILR School and Global Labor Institute, found that the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline could destroy more American jobs than it creates. Pipe Dreams? Jobs Gained, Jobs Lost by the Construction of Keystone XL, examines claims made by TransCanada Corporation and the American Petroleum Institute regarding the job-creating potential of the new pipeline. New economic analysis cited in the report found that the oil industry’s U.S. jobs claims are “linked to a $7 billion [budget for the project]” and yet the pipeline’s budget “that will have bearing on US jobs figures is dramatically lower—only around $3 to $4 billion,” meaning fewer jobs. The research also concluded that the industry’s claim Keystone XL will create 119,000 total jobs “is based on a flawed and poorly documented study commissioned by TransCanada.”

Long-Term Global CO2 Trends: A 2011 report by the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and JRC European Commission, Long-Term Trend in Global CO2 Emissions found that growth in global CO2 emissions is continuing a long-term trend. Despite a 1 percent decline in emissions in 2009, carbon dioxide emissions across the globe increased more than 5 percent in 2010, an unprecedented increase in the “last two decades, but similar to the increase in 1976 when the global economy was recovering from the first oil crisis and subsequent stock market crash.” The report stressed the need for a large, joint effort for mitigating climate change, as it found that the main reasons for a 5.8 percent increase in 2010 global CO2 emission were continued growth in developing nations and economic recovery in the industrialized countries.

Rainforest Drought and CO2 Emissions: A recent study by NASA researchers and published in the latest issue of Environmental Research Letters found that the 2010 drought in the Amazon rainforest caused an 1.8 billion extra metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, a total nearly equaling the annual CO2 emissions from deforestation and forest fires combined. The scientists behind the findings input satellite data showing a dramatic decline in forest health into a computer model to estimate monthly changes in CO2 output, concluding that “the amount of CO2 absorbed from the atmosphere by vegetation declined by an average of 7 percent in 2010 compared to 2008…” equating to the significant increase in CO2 emissions.

Wetland Losses Linked to Climate Change: A new report released last week by the Department of Interior, in collaboration with the Fish and Wildlife Service, found that there has been an overall loss of wetland habitat since 2004, a loss which experts say is associated with climate change. Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Conterminous United States 2004 to 2009 found that despite a 17 percent increase in the rate of wetland reestablishment and creation, “the estimated wetland loss rate increased 140 percent during the same time period and, as a consequence, national wetland losses have outdistanced gains.”

BP Spill’s Impact on Gulf Ecosystem: A study published late last month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences examined the effect of the BP oil spill on killifish, also known as bull minnows, in the Gulf. Genomic and Physiological Footprint of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Resident Marsh Fishes chose to research the killifish because of its critical role in the Gulf’s food chain and its sensitivity to the effects of toxic pollution. The research found that the killifish’s cellular function “coincides with contaminating oil and is consistent with genome responses…indicative of physiological and reproductive impairment” and concluded that crude oil from the BP spill “imparts significant biological impacts in sensitive Louisiana marshes, some of which remain for over 2 [months] following initial exposures.

Hunger Index: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in conjunction with the German nonprofit Welthungerhilfe and Ireland’s Concern Worldwide, published its Hunger Index Report this month which concluded the use of biofuels, price speculation, and climate change are the top three causes of food price fluctuations and hunger in the developing world. The Challenge of Hunger: Taming Price Spikes and Excessive Food Price Volatility did show a decline in global hunger since 1990, but not a major one as global hunger remains at a “serious” level. The report stressed that addressing food price volatility and price increases will require “revising biofuel policies, regulating financial activity on food markets, and adapting to and mitigating climate change.”

Clean Energy Cons: ThinkProgress released a report this month revealing that dozens of Republicans did, at one point, support clean energy projects in their districts before beginning the current all-out assault on clean energy and green jobs. The special report shows that a total of 62 Republicans from the House and Senate were once proponents of clean energy investments, and sent letters asking for clean energy-related loan guarantees and grants for their districts. Copies of these letters can be accessed in the report.

Polls:

Voter Disapproval of Clean Air Attacks: A new national poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling and released this week by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the League of Women Voters (LWV), and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) found disapproval of President Obama’s decision to block stronger smog protections among Americans, including Latino and suburban women. Responses indicate that roughly 79 percent of women and 71 percent of Latino women nationwide disapproved of the President’s decision on ozone. The polling also found that 69 percent of Americans “agree with health experts who support reducing toxic air pollution from industrial sources” and 69 percent are “in favor of the EPA limiting the amount of carbon pollution that power plants and industrial facilities can release.”

EPA Pollution Rule Support: A new nationwide poll, conducted by Hart Research Associates and GS Strategy Group and released by Ceres this week found that voters “overwhelmingly support” the EPA’s new rules that would limit dangerous air pollution from coal-fired power plants and “strongly disagree” with Congressional attempts to prevent the regulations from going into effect. Responses from 1,400 voters surveyed found 67 percent in support of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which would require major reductions in emissions from electric power plants, and 77 percent in support of the proposed Mercury and Air Toxics Rule, which would require power plants to significantly reduce their mercury, lead, arsenic, and toxic gas emissions. The poll also found that 75 percent of voters believe that the EPA, not Congress, “should determine whether stricter limits are needed on air pollution from electric power plants,” a view supported across the political spectrum.

Small Business Concerns: A new U.S. Chamber poll released this month shows that Regulation is not a top concern for small business owners. The Small Business Outlook Survey found that the majority, 52 percent, of small businesses’ top concern is the general economic climate over recent legislation and over-regulation. The survey also found strong support for greenhouse gas regulations among small businesses, with 76 percent responding in favor of regulations to reduce carbon emissions. This support also remained strong among business owners in large manufacturing states such as Ohio.

Voters on Federal Regulation: The latest United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll reported this month that while a majority of American voters are concerned about too much government regulation of business hurting the economy, they also remain reluctant to block several of the major rules congressional Republicans want reversed. The poll, conducted just after the nearly unanimous vote by House Republicans in September to block EPA regulations for coal-fired power plants, found that 55 percent of adults believe government regulation of business has been a “major factor” in the “current economic slowdown.” However, when asked whether Congress should block EPA rules meant to “limit emissions of mercury, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants from power plants,” 47 percent of respondents said Congress should allow the rules to go into effect, while 40 percent said it should block the regulations. When asked about pending EPA regulations meant to “limit emissions of CO2 and other gases that scientists have linked to global climate change,” 52 percent said Congress should allow the rules to take effect while only 39 percent believed that should be blocked.

Support for EPA and Electability: A Bloomberg National Poll conducted last month examined voter sentiment on a variety of national issues and GOP candidate positions, including the matter of climate change and the existence of the EPA. Based on results from 997 respondents, the poll found that 45 percent of respondents said they would be “less likely to vote for someone who questions global warming” versus 25 percent who felt the opposite. 65 percent of respondents said that they would be “less likely to vote for someone who wants to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency, versus 19 percent who said the opposite.”

More Americans Believe World is Warming: A Reuters/Ipsos survey released in late September found that, compared to 2010, more Americans believe the world is getting warmer. Americans who believe the Earth is warming rose to 83 percent, an 8 point increase from 75 percent last year when the poll was conducted. Stanford University political science professor and university fellow at the Resources for the Future think tank Jon Krosnick stressed that global warming could be an important issue in the 2012 election “because some 15 percent of voters see it as their primary concern.”

Related posts:

1. The EPA Is Under Siege but Support for Public Health Is Holding Strong, Climate Action Hotline 2.7.11
2. Cues from Our Climate and Other Hot Pubs
3. Cause and Effect and Other Hot Pubs

UPDATES

House:

The TRAIN Act:

The TRAIN Act (H.R. 2401)—the most deadly bill on House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s Pollution Plan— was brought to the House floor last Friday (9/23).  The bill repeals the more protective smog and soot limits in the EPA’s “Cross State Air Pollution Rule” and blocks adoption of the mercury and air toxics standards, both for power plants. These attacks would result in up to 33,450 premature deaths, thousands of heart attacks and many tens of thousands of asthma attacks.  It passed with 249 votes,19 democrats voted for the bill and 4 republicans voted against the bill.

More Clean Air Act Attacks Coming Next Week:

The week of October 2nd, two bills aimed at blocking critical health protections against mercury and other toxic air pollution from incinerators and boilers (H.R. 2250) and cement plants (H.R. 2681) are expected to be brought up for a House floor vote. These bills continue the deadly trend of the Cantor Pollution Plan – rolling back clean air safeguards and putting millions of American lives at risk. H.R. 2250 and H.R. 2681 nullify existing clean air standards for cement plants, incinerators and industrial boilers that collectively number in the thousands emitting mercury, arsenic, lead and cancer-causing toxins into our communities. Then these two bills allow the indefinite delay of compliance with these toxic air pollution standards, providing no guarantee of reductions even within a decade. Both bills forbid EPA from issuing final standards for these facilities for 15 months and also eliminate any deadlines by which industrial polluters must meet final standards once they are issued.  For more information see John Walke’s blog: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jwalke/house_bills_blocking_safeguard.html.

Senate:

ACTION ALERTS

Tell Your Representative to Protect Kids from Dirty Air by Defeating Two New Bad Bills

A week ago, House Republicans proposed and passed the TRAIN Act – an attack on clean air that would put America’s kids at risk. Now Republican leaders are back with TWO more dirty air bills. Urge your representative to vote NO on the cement plant bill (H.R. 2681) AND the incinerator-boiler bill (H.R. 2250). You can see how your representative voted on the TRAIN Act here so, don’t forget to thank them if they voted NO.

Please consider sending an action alert on these bills. To see NRDC’s full action alert click here. For other template materials contact Jamie Consuegra at jconsuegra@nrdc.org.

“We the People” Petition the Obama Administration to: Protect Children from Dangerous Air Pollution

The White House recently launched its new “We the People” online petitioning tool. This new formal petition process allows individuals to petition the Obama Administration to take action.  If a petition gets enough support, 5,000 signatures or more, the White House will issue an official response.

The President promised Alexandra Allred and her son Tommy that he’d fight for clean air. But the administration’s recent decision to further delay long overdue smog protections was a very disappointing step backwards.  See full action alert here.

We  depend on President Obama to stand with the children most affected by polluted air, scientists and public health experts and deliver on his promise for clean air. Lend your voice! Call on the President to honor his promise to Tommy  and to protect the health of Americans by working as hard as he can to keep dangerous pollutants like mercury, carbon and soot out of our air. Almost 9,000 people have signed Tommy’s petition but we know many more support this cause so lets keep it up and show our support!

Please sign the petition here — it only takes a few steps.

Please promote and pass this petition along to others to sign – See sample tweets here.

Finally if your organization is interested in sending out an action alert or email to your members please contact mrisalvato@climatenetwork.org for more information.

NEW MATERIALS

Inhofe Brews Tempest in Teapot While Global Warming Rages On, Natural Resources Defense Council Blog 9.28.11

EPA’s Response to Inspector General’s Report on Endangerment Finding, EPA Press Release 9.28.11

TRAIN Act Won’t Do Anything to Create Jobs, BlueGreen Alliance Press Release 9.23.11

House Passes Sweeping Anti-Clean Air TRAIN Act, Group Statement 9.23.11

USCAN Members and Allies Letter on NSPS GHG Delay, Group Sign-on Letter 9.22.11

Health Group Letter Opposing TRAIN Act HR 2401, Heath Groups Sign on Letter, 9.21.11

Danger in the Air: Unhealthy Air Days in 2010 and 2011, Environment America Report 9.21.11

POLL: Small Businesses Support Strong National Standards to Increase Energy Innovation, Prosperity for Small Firms,
Small Business Majority 9.20.11

CEO Letter to President Obama Opposing NSPS Carbon Pollution Delay , Environmental Groups Sign-on 9.20.11

9 Senators write to President Obama RE Ozone Delay, 9.20.11

U.S. Latinos and Air Pollution: A Call to Action, Natural Resources Defense Council Report 9.20.11

Don’t forget the Clean Air Act fan page on Facebook.

USCAN’s Clean Air Act Pages include a compilation of member materials.

Clean Air Act Digest is a publication put together by US Climate Action Network and Natural Resources Defense Council please contact Kate Smolski at ksmolski@climatenetwork.org for more details. Click here for past issues.

Related posts:

1. Clean Air Act Digest, 6.17.11
2. Clean Air Act Digest, 7.8.11
3. Clean Air Act Digest, 7.15.11

September 26, 2011 On September 15 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would delay the release of the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for greenhouse gases for power plants and oil refineries.  Nineteen environmental leaders issued a letter directly to President Obama urging the administration to set a firm timeline to finalize greenhouse gas emissions standards for electric utilities. Signers, including leaders from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the Sierra Club, insisted that the administration “announce and stick to a remedial schedule requiring proposal of these standards without further delay and completion of them as soon as possible in 2012.” Spokesperson for the National Wildlife Federation, Tony Iallonardo, explained that the letter’s signatories want “an explicit response from the president – not just from the EPA, but from the very top of the administration – that they’re going to commit to a schedule and hold to it.” To see full letter and signers, click here. USCAN also directed its response to the delay in a letter to President Obama. Sent last Tuesday, with the signed support of 42 organizations including ActionAid USA, Interfaith Power and Light, Health Care Without Harm, World Wildlife Fund and many state and regional groups,  the letter called on the President to ensure that the EPA swiftly commits to a schedule for proposing meaningful standards for carbon pollution from power plants.  To see the USCAN letter and full list of signers, click here. As explained in Huffington Post Green last week, the controversy over the new standards continues to be the issue of “cost,” as industry leaders stand firmly on the belief that new rules will be economically detrimental. Studies, however, like the one published in February by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst continue to discredit this assumption, asserting that the EPA’s new pollution rule proposals for electric power companies will provide long-term economic benefits across the country, potentially creating 1.46 million jobs by 2015. A National Journal article released last week focused on Washington’s war over the EPA and highlighted the fact that “companies that spend money to install screens and scrubbers will actually be job creators.” A typical power-plant retrofit can employ, at the peak of the work, up to 1,000 engineers, construction workers, and other laborers.”  Further evidence against the claim that regulations are economically harmful came on Wednesday, when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in a statement to Congressional Republicans, said that U.S. power plants are capable of adhering to new environmental rules without raising electricity costs or inhibiting job creation. The Union of Concerned Scientists’ public health expert, Elizabeth Martin Perera, expressed the growing frustration felt by the environmental community as a result of the recent anti-EPA measures. “We’ve just had such an onslaught of attacks in the House…The ozone decision started a very dangerous trend. We need to see Obama stand strong on this and to give the EPA the backing that it needs.” Several Clean Air Act safeguards meant to ensure the quality of the air we breath were pushed back into the Congressional arena this week, and though a broad constituency of concerned groups continue fighting to defend them, the protections still face a barrage of attacks in the House.  On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee (HECC) passed H.R. 2250 by a vote of 36-14. If signed into law, the bill would rewrite sections of the Clean Air Act in order to allow industrial boilers to incinerate tires, plastics, chemically-treated wood, and other industrial wastes in their on-site plants with no requirements to control, monitor, or report the toxic pollution results. Additionally, the measure would remove current standards for the nation’s largest industrial boilers and indefinitely delay their replacement, allowing for the burning of dangerous wastes in facilities not designed or equipped to do so safely. By a vote of 33-12, the HECC also passed H.R. 2681, which would similarly contribute to harmful pollutants released into our air by eliminating current control requirements for cement plants and encourage the companies to burn the same dangerous wastes as industrial boilers with no control or monitoring. According to a press release by Earthjustice, the elimination of these standards would result in between 3,400 and 9,000 annual premature deaths due to respiratory disease alone. Earthjustice attorney James Pew expressed deep concern over the Committee’s passing of the bills, stating that if H.R. 2250 and H.R. 2681 “are enacted into law, their cost will be borne by Americans across the country, but they will be felt most strongly in the communities that are already overburdened by toxic pollution…communities where childhood cancer and respiratory disease are already far too common.” The first bill in Majority Leader Cantor’s list of attacks on public health safeguards, the TRAIN Act (HR 2401), which would block both the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule,  was passed on Friday by a House vote of 249-169. When first proposed by Rep. John Sullivan (R-Okla.), the TRAIN Act would have required a redundant economic study of the costs of the pollution rules facing the power sector yet would not look at the benefits of increased health protections. However, in the weeks since it was initially introduced, House Republicans have made additional proposals to have the new committee study, and essentially delay new toxic emissions limits for power plants, as well as block the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule entirely. On Tuesday of last week, the House Rules Committee said it would allow floor debate on Rep. Ed Whitfield’s (R-KY) amendment, which would add minimum delays for the rules beyond what the TRAIN Act already requires.  Prior to the vote, the NRDC estimated that delaying these standards for merely one year would result in up to 25,300 deaths while the bill’s longer minimum periods of delay, 15 and 19 months, would result in up to 33,450 premature deaths. The White House, in response to the proposed amendments, signaled its intentions to veto the legislation early last week and on Wednesday issued a formal “statement of administration policy,” emphasizing its pledge to stand its ground on EPA regulations under attack by Conservatives and industry groups. While the statement affirmed the Administration’s strong support for “careful analysis of the economic effects of regulation,” it asserted that “the approach taken in H.R. 2401 would slow or undermine important public health protections.” Democrats described (subscription required) Friday’s vote as the most brazen attack on environmental safeguards in the history of the Clean Air Act. Despite TRAIN’s passing in the House, the outlook is not entirely without optimism from those most vocally opposed to the measures. Senate Democrats vowed last week that the anti-EPA bill would be dead upon its arrival in the upper chamber. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif), Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman, explained that H.R. 2401 confirms House Republicans are “fighting for polluters and not for the people that they represent…And we’re here to call them out on it.” Environmental, faith-based, development and conservation groups also came to the defense of the International Affairs Account, part of the 2012 fiscal year appropriations bill and which includes investments in international climate change finance. The bill, which underwent markup by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, determines the amount of funding to be invested in international action on global warming. 15 groups, including USCAN, NRDC, ActionAid US, and The Nature Conservancy, signed on to a letter urging the Senate to defend climate change finance investments which are “essential to promote national security and minimize instability, enhance economic opportunities for US businesses and workers, provide major cost savings by reducing disaster relief, protect critical forest areas and biodiversity, and preserve decades of US investments in global development.” Anne-Elyse Wachur, USCAN Affiliate Day of Action to Protect International Climate Finance Appropriations: Background: Right now, funding for International Climate Finance for tropical forest protection, adaptation and clean technology (along with poverty-focused foreign assistance) is in extreme danger. The House State, Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee approved their FY2012 spending bill with deep cuts to International Climate Finance accounts that together would seriously gut these programs to support International action on climate change. For more see NRDC’s blog here. We expect greater support for these critical investments in the Senate and as the House and the Senate must agree on a budget for the next fiscal year (FY 2012) before the current Fiscal Year ends on September 30, it is critical that we act now to fight back against these devastating cuts. Join today’s, September 26th National day of action to protect poverty focused (including International Climate Finance) assistance. Join activists from around the U.S. and tell Congress not to cut this vital life-saving assistance! Call the Capitol switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask for your member of Congress. If you aren’t sure who your representative is, click here to search by zip code. For message guidance on State and Foreign Operations Climate Change related funding, which can be used to help crafting letters to and conversations with your members or congress, OpEds, LTEs to your local paper or in outreach to Grasstops and supporters please click here (login required) or email mdixon@climatenetwork.org. Carol Werner, Executive Director September 26, 2011 News Poll: More Americans Acknowledge Climate Change Virginia Appeals Court Sides with Insurance Company in Climate Change Case “24 Hours of Reality” Project Addresses Climate Change Skeptics Number of People Displaced by Climate Change Reaches 30 Million Future of the Kyoto Protocol Remains Uncertain Leaked World Bank Report Calls for Ending Fossil Fuel Subsidies to Fulfill Climate Finance Pledges Market Participants Praise Proposal by Australia and Norway for 2015 Climate Deadline Carbon Disclosure Project Praises Entergy for Placement on Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index Climate Change Alters Availability of Fish in Britain Deep Ocean Layers Can Absorb Heat New Model for Allocating Funds Could Mitigate Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity New Technologies Could Reduce Cost of Climate Protection New Satellite Could Improve Climate Models NOAA Analyzes Emissions from Surface Oil Burning After BP Oil Spill Study: “Negative Emissions” Necessary if CO2 Emissions Continue Beyond 2020 Other Headlines Events September 23 – October 2: Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Poll: More Americans Acknowledge Climate Change A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on September 15 revealed that 83 percent of Americans believe in climate change, compared to 75 percent last year. According to the poll, about 72 percent of Republicans achnowledge global warming and 92 percent of Democrats do. Of the participants who believed in global warming, 71 percent are convinced that it is at least partially caused by humans. About 15 percent of voters see global warming as a primary concern. The poll also indicated that, although more Americans recognize climate change, those who are skeptical are increasingly sure of their convictions. Jon Krosnick, a political science professor at Stanford University, has suggested that the tendency of Republican presidential candidates to deny or criticize evidence of climate change has prompted people to reflect on their own views about global warming. For additional information see: Reuters, Scientific American, International Business Times Virginia Appeals Court Sides with Insurance Company in Climate Change Case On September 16, the utility AES emerged as the winner of a decision over whether its insurer, Steadfast, was obligated to defend it in a lawsuit over climate change. AES is a defendent in the court case Kivalina v. Exxon Mobil Corp. et. al., in which the village of Kivalina, Alaska, accused AES and others of negligence because they knowingly emitted greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change, and subsequent rising sea levels. While the larger Kivalina case is in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, AES sought a decision in Virginia courts on its insurer’s obligation. The decision not to obligate Steadfast hinged on the particular wording of the policy, according to Virginia Supreme Court Justice Bernard Goodwyn. “The relevant policies only require Steadfast to defend AES against claims for damages of bodily injury or property damage caused by an occurrence or accident,” he wrote. Climate change did not meet the “accident” or “occurrence” definition in this instance, according to the ruling. For additional information see: New York Times, Insurance Journal “24 Hours of Reality” Project Addresses Climate Change Skeptics “24 Hours of Reality”, a new project led by former vice president Al Gore, illustrated the effects of climate change in 24 locations around the world through live online videos broadcast in 24 different time zones. The website’s counter indicated the program, which was available in 13 different languages, attracted 8.5 million viewers. The purpose of the videos was to raise awareness about the cause and effects of climate change, directly addressing climate change skeptics and deniers. The videos included an investigation into how climate change skeptics are funded and 200 new slides that outline the connection between climate change and increasingly intense natural disasters. For additional information see: Reuters, NPR, Presentation, New York Times Number of People Displaced by Climate Change Reaches 30 Million Over 30 million people were displaced last year by environmental and weather disasters in Asia, according to a recent Asian Development Bank (ADB) report. This number is expected to rise as disasters intensify due to impacts caused by climate change such as rising sea levels, floods, droughts, and food shortages. Problems associated with the influx of migration are estimated to cost around $60 billion. Areas that face the greatest challenges are low-lying regions such as the Maldives, where populations of entire islands have already been forced to move. The report states that rather than creating a new category of migrant people, climate change will likely influence existing migration factors and patterns, such as reinforcing the strong urbanization trend in the region. The ADB is currently working on a report that will outline potential policies that governments could consider to mitigate the impacts of climate change. For additional information see: The Guardian, Report Future of the Kyoto Protocol Remains Uncertain A new international agreement resulting in the renewal of the Kyoto Protocol seems unlikely, as the United States continues to refuse to take part in discussions, and Norway and Australia call for a delay in a new treaty. Todd Stern, the most prominent U.S. negotiator in international climate change talks, stated that most industrialized nations such as Russia, Japan, and Canada, oppose a second commitment period, and the United States will continue to refuse to participate in a new international treaty unless emerging economies will be obligated to reduce emissions. The Kyoto Protocol is scheduled to expire at the end of 2012, leaving no binding international agreement in its place, and no legal foundation for carbon trading schemes in its place. Developing countries have expressed discontent at the likely abandonment of the Protocol, which they believe to be the foundation of future negotiations on climate change. For additional information see: Business Green, The Guardian Leaked World Bank Report Calls for Ending Fossil Fuel Subsidies to Fulfill Climate Finance Pledges Wealthy countries should eliminate $50 billion a year in fossil fuel subsidies, a leaked World Bank report said. The report, which was intended to be presented to the G20 finance ministers in November, also said that countries should spend their pledged climate change funds on financing carbon markets. It is unlikely that the funds which rich countries have pledged—$30 billion for 2010-2012 and $100 billion per year by 2020—will actually be provided. Removing fossil fuel subsidies could be a starting point though, according to the study. The report further supports a carbon tax on the aviation and maritime industries. “A globally implemented carbon charge of $25/ton CO2 on fuel used could raise around $13 billion from international aviation and around $26 billion from international maritime transport in 2020, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions from each industry by around 5 to 10 percent.” Developing countries have become increasingly frustrated by rich nations failing to fulfill their climate finance pledges. “Rich nations cannot try and pass the buck to private companies who will be more interested in delivering high returns than meeting the needs of some of the world’s poorest people,” said Murray Worthy, a policy officer with the World Development Movement. For additional information see: Guardian, World Bank Draft Report (Via Guardian) Market Participants Praise Proposal by Australia and Norway for 2015 Climate Deadline Australia and Norway have submitted a proposal to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change secretariat to finalize a new international climate framework by 2015, acknowledging that it likely will not happen in Durban this year. The proposal creates a timetable which begins with the negotiations in Durban and finishes with a legally-binding framework in 2015. Participants have praised the proposal as realistic. “There are a number of parties that would like to have a legally-binding agreement right away,” Jennifer Morgan of the World Resources Institute said. “But it’s good to have a vision on the table.” Russel Mills, global director of energy and climate change for Dow Chemical in Switzerland, and Martijn Wilder, a Sydney-based partner with law firm Baker & McKenzie, have noted that countries such as Australia, China and Korea should have their own emissions trading schemes in place by 2015, which will make international talks easier. “At the end of the day, it’s very important to have a timetable, but you have to have the political will to meet it,” Mr. Wilder said. For additional information see: Environmental Finance, The Proposal Carbon Disclosure Project Praises Entergy for Placement on Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index For the seventh time in eight years, Entergy Corporation has been named to the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI). Compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the CDLI is comprised of 55 companies from the S&P 500 who have been lauded for their disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions, commitments to emissions reductions, and their understanding of the role they play in climate change issues. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) maintains a database of over 3,000 organizations’ voluntarily disclosed greenhouse gas emissions and water-use information. According to Entergy, “It’s as simple as, despite the best intentions, what’s not measured doesn’t get done. The Carbon Disclosure Project serves a great need to raise our awareness of how much can be, and needs to be, done.”According to Paul Simpson, CEO of the Carbon Disclosure Project, “Companies that make the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index have demonstrated good internal data management practices for understanding greenhouse gas emissions. They have shown a strong awareness of the business issues related to climate change, including climate-related risks and opportunities. Those organizations that give clear consideration to measuring and reporting on climate change issues will be best placed to capitalize on the opportunities from managing them.” Entergy, an integrated electric power company servicing Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, was also named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index earlier this month. For additional information see: Sacramento Bee Climate Change Alters Availability of Fish in Britain According to a new study, global warming is changing fish populations in British waters. Cold water fish such as cod and haddock, that are common in British cuisine are growing scarcer as sea temperatures rise. Fish that tend to breed in warmer temperatures, such as hake, dab, and red mullet, are thriving. Analysis of 28 years of data that tracked 50 common species of fish revealed that 30 different species are affected by climate change. If this trend continues, the UK could see a greater diversity of options in fish, as warm water species tend to be more resilient to overfishing because they reproduce and grow faster than cold water species. However, the study also mentioned that the impact of ocean acidification is still unknown, and might negatively impact the availability of fish. The research was funded by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment Research Council, and was published in Current Biology. For additional information see: BBC, Guardian, Science Daily, Study Deep Ocean Layers Can Absorb Heat A recent study revealed that ocean layers deeper than 1,000 feet can absorb heat for up to a decade. This discovery provided insight into why global temperature does not rise consistently. The study was prompted by the realization that even though carbon emissions have climbed steadily in the past decade, the highest global temperatures on record in 1998 were not exceeded until 2010. By using a software tool known as Community Climate System Model to illustrate complex relationships between the atmosphere, land, oceans, and ice, scientists were able to create five simulations of global temperatures. The simulations projected that there would be periods of relatively stable temperatures that could last about a decade, during which heat energy is buried in deep oceanic layers.The study was published in Nature Climate Change. For additional information see: Science Daily, International Business Times, Abstract New Model for Allocating Funds Could Mitigate Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity Scientists have developed a new model for the allocation of conservation funding that could help save more species from climate change. The model uses both ecological and economic information to guide conservation investment, and can be applied to the conservation of a wide range of environments. The goal of the project was to address the loss of biodiversity due to climate change by making sure that the costs of conservation efforts are explicit, and money is not wasted on politicized decisions. The model considers many threats to biodiversity that are caused by climate change, such as wild fires and invasive species, to efficiently manage funds. The model was published in Nature Climate Change. For additional information see: Science Daily, Abstract New Technologies Could Reduce Cost of Climate Protection New research suggests that funding for new technology is one of the most cost effective ways to address climate change. Funding for new energy technologies with a high potential for cost reduction is more financially beneficial than investing in more familiar technologies. The research was conducted at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research using a computer simulation that processed data from the past 100 years. The analysis shows that companies are uncertain about long term profits from new technologies, and consumers have little incentive to pay more for electricity that was produced with new technology, so inferior and ultimately more expensive technology tends to dominate the market. Funding targeted at new technologie, such as solar energy, offshore wind power, and biomass energy, over a 30 year period, have a more positive cost-benefit ratio, compared to financial support for well-established technologies such as nuclear energy and hydroelectric power. The study was published in the journal Resource and Energy Economics. For additional information see: Science Daily, Guardian, Study New Satellite Could Improve Climate Models A new paper, published in The Philospohical Transactions of the Royal Society, finds that more reliable and precise climate models can be formed using Traceable Radiometry Underpinning Terrestrial and Helio Studies (TRUTHS). Currently, the most reliable models depend on many complicated measurements, analysis, and projections. The data required to maintain these models must be taken from space, often over a long period of time. The costs and variability in such data collection methods result in varying climate models. The TRUTHS project would involve a single satellite capable of highly accurate measurements of incoming solar radiation that could track albedo, cloud cover, and solar radiation levels. TRUTHS would be the first satellite with the ability to accurately record and report data about climate while orbiting, and would be capable of measurements ten times more accurate than current satellites. So far, both the European Space Agency and NASA have expressed interest in the project. For additional information see: Science Daily, Abstract NOAA Analyzes Emissions from Surface Oil Burning After BP Oil Spill A study conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) revealed that over one million pounds of black carbon (soot) was released into the atmosphere when the surface oil slicks from the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill were burned. Over nine weeks, the burned oil emitted more black carbon into the atmosphere than the combined emissions of all ships normally traveling through the region during that time. Black carbon is harmful because it not only warms the atmosphere—it is the most light absorbing airborne particle—but also degrades air quality and is harmful to human health. Black carbon has also been associated with accelerated melting of Arctic ice. “Scientists have wanted to know more about how much black carbon pollution comes from controlled burning and the physical and chemical properties of that pollution. Now we know a lot more,” said the study’s lead author Anne Perring. The researchers found that the soot emitted was larger than normal ship emissions, which usually indicates that it will remain in the atmosphere for less time. However, it also reached higher altitudes which could affect where it eventually settles. For additional information see: Science Daily, Abstract Study: “Negative Emissions” Necessary if CO2 Emissions Continue Beyond 2020 Cutting carbon emissions may no longer be sufficient to stay within the 2 degree temperature limit on global warming, a series of studies have predicted in the November issue of the journal Climate Change. According to one study, the atmosphere may be saturated with enough carbon to reach the 2 degree increase within 20 years, after which carbon must be removed to compensate for increased emissions. Such an approach, known as “negative emissions”, is getting more attention as emissions continue to grow and global temperatures rise. The atmosphere has already warmed by .8 degrees since before industrial times. “If we want to stay below 2 degrees Celsius and possibly achieve 1.5 in the 22nd century then we’re not going to get around these negative emissions,” said Malte Meinshausen, lead author of one study. According to Meinshausen’s study, in order to achieve this, we must halt increases in carbon emissions within 5 years, and 3.5 billion tons have to be removed from the atmosphere annually by 2070. If emissions continue to rise after 2020, excess carbon must be removed from the atmosphere at a rate of 18 billion tons annually for about 100 years. For additional information see: Reuters Other Headlines UN Official Urges Governments to Remain Committed to Goal of Low-Carbon Economies Women Lead the Fight Against Climate Change Bangladesh Prime Minister: Displacement Device Need of Hour Australia Releases Updated Carbon Tax Modeling Times Atlas Is ‘Wrong on Greenland Climate Change’ September 23 – October 2: Department of Energy Solar Decathlon The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon is on the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. through October 2, 2011. The award-winning program challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency. Open to the public free of charge, visitors can tour the houses, gather ideas to use in their own homes, and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money today. For additional information see: www.solardecathlon.gov Writers: Kate Glass, Joey Gosselar, and Matthew Johnson Please distribute Climate Change News to your colleagues. Permission for reproduction of this newsletter is granted provided that the Environmental and Energy Study Institute is properly acknowledged as the source. Past issues are available here. Free email subscriptions are available here. We welcome your suggestions, comments, and questions. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 by a bipartisan Congressional caucus dedicated to finding innovative environmental and energy solutions. EESI works to protect the climate and ensure a healthy, secure, and sustainable future for America through policymaker education, coalition building, and policy development in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, agriculture, forestry, transportation, buildings, and urban planning. EESI’s work, including this free newsletter, is made possible by financial support from people like you. Please help us continue to make it available by making a secure, online donation today by clicking here or mailing a check to Environmental and Energy Study Institute; 1112 16th St NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036. Please contact Susan Williams at (202) 662-1887 or see www.eesi.org/donate to find out more. Thank you for your support! Climate Action Hotline is the new weekly update by the US Climate Action Network. Let us know what you think.

Peter Bahouth, Executive Director Bonds Key to Forests and Climate Solar Decathlon Competition Kicks off in D.C. with Five Southeastern Competitors A Global Day of Action to Move the Planet Toward Cleaner Energy Solutions Solyndra Failed, But 119 Other Solar Companies and 100,000 Solar Workers Are Succeeding House Votes for TRAIN Act – and Against Cleaner, Healthier Air You Say You Want a (Clean Energy) Revolution? Strong Public Support for EPA Efforts to Reduce Carbon Emissions ‘Moving Planet’ Rallies Urge Clean Energy D.C., Baltimore Tie for No. 3 Spot in Smoggiest Large Metro Areas EU Gives Airlines 85 Percent Free CO2 Permits in 2012 (Reuters) China to Invest 2 Trillion Yuan in Low-Carbon Economy IMF, World Bank Eye Carbon Tax on Airline, Ship Fuels “The House today showed they have bought the false argument that we need to choose between protecting lives and creating jobs. Now we need the Senate and the President to protect our right to breathe.” – Statement from major environmental & public health groups

Related posts:

1. Climate Action Hotline, 1.24.11
2. Climate Action Hotline, 3.21.11
3. Climate Action Hotline, 4.4.11

UPDATES

House:

As we reported last week, House Majority Leader Cantor (R-VA) released a Pollution Agenda for the fall. His plan won’t help the economy, but will cost tens of thousands of lives. The vast majority of rollbacks discussed in Cantor’s memo would block or gut public health safeguards, leading to more harmful pollution that causes asthma, heart attacks and even death.

On Tuesday, the Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Power passed two bills that could indefinitely delay much needed clean air safeguards to reduce mercury, toxic metals, acid gases, and other hazardous pollutants from cement plants and industrial boilers. Both of these bills are in Cantor’s plan.

- H.R. 2681 would void standards for smog, soot, mercury and toxic air pollution for cement plants. These standards are already 13 years overdue, and this bill would further delay standards by a minimum of 4.5 years, while eliminating any deadline for EPA to act. The bill results in up to 2,500 lives lost for every year the standards are further delayed.

- H.R. 2250 indefinitely delays clean-up of toxic air pollution from industrial boilers and incinerators. These plants spew toxic air pollution such as cancer-causing dioxins and mercury, which harms children’s brains. EPA has announced that it is reconsidering these standards and expects to finalize them by April of 2012. Cleaning up toxic emissions from these sources could save up to 6,500 lives each year. The bill blocks critical health protections against mercury and toxic air pollution that are already a decade overdue, resulting in more asthma attacks, more illness, and avoidable deaths.

The House is expected to vote on the TRAIN act as early as next week. This bill would prevent EPA from going forward with Mercury and Air Toxics standards for power plants and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule to cut smog and soot pollution from power plants by indefinitely delaying these standards. The bill also creates additional red-tape delays that tie the hands of EPA health and science professionals. EPA estimates that these two standards will have a net impact creating over 9,000 jobs, with health benefits that will save Americans hundreds of billions of dollars each year once fully implemented. Please see the Action Alert section for more information.

Senate:

Senators Johanns and Grassley formally introduced legislation (S. 1528) to block the EPA’s ability to curb large particulate pollution. This attack on clean air also appears on Rep. Cantor’s hit list. The EPA is currently studying the science behind the soot standards, as required by the Clean Air Act, but has yet to propose a standard. The bill prevents EPA from even examining new science or proposing any new standards about such soot pollution.

Senator Rand Pual (R-KY) introduced a resolution that would block the implantation of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule to cut smog and soot pollution from power plant. A companion resolution was introduced in the house.

Administration:

Yesterday Lisa Jackson announced that the Environmental Protection Agency will miss the deadline for proposing limits on carbon pollution from power plants. These are the nation’s largest source of carbon pollution and the time has come to clean them up. It is unclear how long the delay will be.

ACTION ALERTS

Tell Your Representative to Reject Rep. Cantor’s Reckless Attacks on Clean Air:

House Republican leaders have declared war on our right to breathe clean, healthy air. This misguided effort is spearheaded by Majority Leader Cantor (R-VA), whose TRAIN Act would block the EPA’s proposed standards to control mercury and power plant pollution. Urge your representative to vote No on the TRAIN Act (H.R. 2401) and other reckless attacks on our clean air safeguards. Click here to see Natural Resources Defense Council’s action alert for sample language or contact mdixon@climatenetwork.org for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Save the Date: September 20 is Healthy Air Call-In Day

The American Lung Association invites you to participate in Healthy Air Call-In Day on Tuesday, September 20. This is an opportunity for all of us to speak with one voice about the need to protect the air we breathe and clean up air pollution from power plants. Join with thousands of others from across the U.S. who care about the air we breathe. Call your Representative and two Senators in Washington, and ask them to support clean and healthy air and to oppose weakening the Clean Air Act. See template instructions for call-in day here (USCAN log-in required).

Want to do more? Use hashtag #HealthyAirCallinDay on twitter and ask your followers to participate. Update your Facebook status by telling your friends to join our fight for air.

For additional questions, please contact PBillings@lungusa.org.

NEW MATERIALS

Carbon Standards Urgently Needed To Protect Kids, Planet, Natural Resources Defense Council Press Release 9.15.11

House Subcommittee OKs Toxic Waste-Burning Bill, Earthjustice Press Release on HR 2250 9.13.11

Luminant Plays Politics with Employees’ Jobs, Blames EPA for Consequences of Power Company’s Decision to Fight Much Needed Clean Air Rules, Environmental Defense Fund 9.13.11

A False Choice Between Jobs and Pollution, Press Democrat Editorial 9.12.11

Small Businesses Support Air Quality Regulations!, Joint Small Business Groups Press Release 9.12.11

Air Pollution Claims Llives, Costs Jobs, Fosters 9.12.11

Why Environmental Policies Don’t Kill Jobs,  Forbes 9.9.11

http://cleanairpromise.org/, Learn about the Clean Air Promise.

Don’t forget the Clean Air Act fan page on Facebook.

USCAN’s Clean Air Act Pages include a compilation of member materials.

Clean Air Act Digest is a publication put together by US Climate Action Network and Natural Resources Defense Council please contact Kate Smolski at ksmolski@climatenetwork.org for more details. Click here for past issues.

Related posts:

1. Clean Air Act Digest, 2.10.11
2. Clean Air Act Digest, 7.15.11
3. Clean Air Act Digest, 3.3.11

Insurer Responses to Climate Risk: This month, Ceres released “Climate Risk Disclosure By Insurers: Evaluating Insurer Responses to the NAIC Climate Disclosure Survey.” The report examines public disclosure filings from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to assess US insurer consideration of climate change as a key risk factor to their business and how that consideration affects their decision making. Based on the NAIC responses, which targeted six states, Ceres’ analysis found that there does exist a “broad consensus among insurers that climate change will have an effect on extreme weather events, [with] more than three-quarters of insurers [citing] perils that may be affected by climate change. Despite this recognition, out of 88 companies surveyed, “only 11 insurers reported having formal climate change policies, and more than 60 percent of the respondents reported having no dedicated management approach for assessing climate risk.” Of 18 property and casualty companies surveyed, none had “formal climate change policies or explicit board or executive oversight of this issue.”

Climate Financing and Gender Equality: Oxfam America, along with Gender Action and the Women’s Environment and Development Organization released a research report this month examining practices that would ensure equal and effective distribution of climate change financing for the world’s most vulnerable populations. “Governing Climate Funds: What Will Work for Women?” urges that if climate funds are to respond effectively, “they must incorporate gender throughout project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.” The study looks at four funds, two climate and two non-climate funds, to find useful strategies for gender integration in global finance mechanisms. Among several recommendations made in the report, it finds that “climate funds should [not only] allow recipient countries to access finance directly…but should also strengthen mandatory gender project review criteria and gender evaluation requirements [as well as] allow and encourage women’s groups to apply for finance directly when national implementing agencies are not meeting their needs.”

Exposing Keystone XL: This month OilChange International released “Exposing Energy Security: Keystone XL Exposed.” The briefing targets claims made by major industry that the Keystone pipeline is necessary to ensure America’s energy security and will work to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil, scrutinizing the global oil market and the oil companies that stand to profit from the pipeline. Based on facts uncovered in the report, OilChange posits that Keystone XL “will feed the growing trend of exporting refined products out of the United States, thereby doing nothing to enhance energy security or to stabilize oil prices or gasoline prices at the pump.” It uncovers a business model put forth by Valero that “seeks to export products made with imported oil while further importing gasoline from a third country.”

Nonmember Reports:

Extreme Weather: This month Climate Communications released “Current Extreme Weather and Climate Change,” summarizing the latest research on the connection between climate change and extreme weather. The report, reviewed by several leading climatologists, found that extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, flooding, and hurricanes, are happening more frequently, and that the ties to human-induced climate change are clear. In-depth analyses have demonstrated that natural climate variability cannot solely explain the long-term trends of changing weather extremes, especially in terms of increased heat waves. The research indicates that “the increased in hot weather is a direct result of climate change, and human influence is estimated to have more than doubled the likelihood of the warming trends experienced recently in virtually every region of the globe.”

The Facts on Keystone’s Job Potential: The Cornell Global Labor Institute recently released its analysis of the job impacts expected from construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. It finds that estimations of the pipeline’s job-creating potential made by the American Petroleum Institute are unreliable and “therefore unsuitable for public debate.” Citing previous and potential future oil spills, emissions levels, and air quality, the release states that the Keystone project has “minimal job creation potential, but maximum potential in terms of the environmental damage it could cause.” The findings urge that “the U.S. needs a real jobs program [and] Keystone XL is not it.” Further information about the Cornell findings regarding the pipeline jobs can be found on the USCAN Tar Sands webpage.

GHG Emissions from Natural Gas Extraction: A study released by the Cornell Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology earlier this year examined the GHG emissions released during high-volume hydraulic shale fracturing to obtain natural gas. The research found that methane emissions during this process are “at least 30% more than and perhaps more than twice as great as those from conventional gas.”  The majority of the GHG footprint for shale comes from direct CO2 emissions during consumption, but also from methane emissions that are not collected and piped away during natural gas extraction processes. According to the study, when compared to coal, the “footprint of shale gas is at least 20% greater and perhaps more than twice as great on the 20-year horizon.”

Natural Gas vs. Coal: A study released last month by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, “Coal to Gas: The Influence of Methane Leakage” found that although the burning of natural gas emits significantly less carbon dioxide than coal, a greater reliance on it would not significantly slow down climate change. Research by Tom Wigley, a senior research associate at NCAR found that “when gas replaces coal there is additional warming out to [the year] 2050,” assuming methane leakage during natural gas extraction is kept at 0%, “and out to [the year] 2,140 if the leakage rate is as high as 10%.” The study finds that fracking specifically is associated with an increase in methane leakage compared to other means of gas production, and that “the direct effects on global-mean temperature of differential gas leakage between coal and gas production are very small.”

Surveys and Polls:

Political Party and Climate Belief: The Yale Project on Climate Change Communications and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communications released a report detailing the results from their most recent national survey of the American public. “Politics & Global Warming: Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and the Tea Party” examines responses by members of each political party related to the issue of global warming. The results indicated that 78% of Democrats, 71% of Independents, and 53% of Republicans believe that global warming is happening, compared with only 34% of Tea Party members. 53% of Tea Party members, in fact, responded that they believe global warming is not happening. The majorities of all four parties support expanding offshore drilling for oil and natural gas off the U.S. coast, “with 46% of Republicans and 58% of Tea Party members strongly supportive.”

EPA Sentiments: A September national Bloomberg poll, based on interviews with 997 U.S. adults 18 and older found that sixty-six percent of respondents reported being “less likely to vote for someone who wants to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency, versus 19 percent who said the opposite.” For more survey results regarding respondents feelings on the Presidential campaign and current political affairs, view the Bloomberg polling data.

Related posts:

1. Broad Support for a Strong EPA and Other Hot Pubs
2. Cause and Effect and Other Hot Pubs
3. Cleaning Up Our Waters, Spending, and Energy Use Hot Pubs

UPDATES

House:

As we reported last week, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R–Va.) announced his legislative priorities, which despite his claims won’t create jobs but will cost lives. Billed as a “jobs agenda,” this is actually a series of reckless attacks on health and environmental safeguards. All told, these assaults on our air would lead to nearly 35,000 premature deaths, 17,800 heart attacks, over 180,000 asthma attacks, and 3 million more days when Americans will miss work or school due to the health hazards of air pollution. Up first on Rep. Cantor’s calendar is the TRAIN Act (H.R. 2401) for the week of September 19th. This legislation would block the Mercury Air Toxics Standard and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule indefinitely. Read more here.

Senate:

On Thursday, Senators Grassley (R-IA) and Johanns (R-NE) introduced legislation that would block the EPA’s ability to curb coarse particulate pollution. A similar piece of legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Noem (R-SD). The EPA is currently updating standards for coarse particulate matter as part of the Clean Air Act Review.

Appropriations:

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved committee marks for Agriculture and Energy and Water. Negotiations will begin the week of September 19th. We are hearing that negotiations for the Continuing Resolution will not last for more than one month.

Administration:

Ozone

Last Friday, all of our organizations were very disappointed to learn that the Obama administration has intervened politically to block the Environmental Protection Agency from correcting an unprotective smog standard that the head of EPA recognizes to be scientifically and legally indefensible. The president’s rationale for interference defies the Clean Air Act and a unanimous Supreme Court decision, elevating unlawful considerations above public health, science and the law. To learn more, see John Walke’s blog: http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/jwalke/the_president_sabotages_clean.html

Jobs

On Thursday night, President Obama delivered his much anticipated jobs speech. It’s important to continue to reinforce the message that we can grow jobs and protect public health at the same time.

ACTION ALERTS

Tell President Obama to Defend Clean Air:

As mentioned above, the community reacted with great disappointment when we learned that the Obama administration was blocking the Environmental Protection Agency from correcting an unprotective smog standard that the head of EPA recognizes to be scientifically and legally indefensible.  Many groups have sent out action alerts to their membership and we encourage other groups to do the same.  For a sample please see NRDC’s action alert, or contact mdixon@climatenetwork.org for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Protect Our Winters Special Event:

Please join Protect Our Winters for a special evening with Olympian Gretchen Bleiler, pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones, skier Chris Davenport and Aspen Skiing Company’s Auden Schendler.

They’ll discuss climate change, winter sports, and why athletes are an important part of the solution.

Honorary co-hosts Rep. Jared Polis (CO), Sen. Mark Udall (CO), and Sen. Michael Bennet (CO). See invite here.

Wednesday, September 14th

Orientation Theater

South
Capitol Visitor Center

US Capitol

6:30 pm

Save the Date

September 20th there will be a community wide call-in day. For more information contact mdixon@climatenetwork.org.

NEW MATERIALS

Cantor Memo Opposition Letter, Environmental Groups Sign-on Letter 9.7.11

Sampling of Letters to the Editoron Ozone (Smog) Decision, New York Times 9.3.11 – 9.7.11

President Obama’s Failure to Update Ozone Standard Outrageous, American Lung Association Press Release 9.2.11

NLCCC Denounces White House Decision to Delay Smog Protections Until 2013, National Latino Coalition on Climate Change Press Release 9.2.11

Majority Leader Eric Cantor Dirty Air Agenda

http://cleanairpromise.org/, Learn about the Clean Air Promise.

Don’t forget the Clean Air Act fan page on Facebook.

USCAN’s Clean Air Act Pages include a compilation of member materials.

Clean Air Act Digest is a publication put together by US Climate Action Network and Natural Resources Defense Council please contact Kate Smolski at ksmolski@climatenetwork.org for more details. Click here for past issues.

Related posts:

1. Clean Air Act Digest, 9.16.11
2. Clean Air Act Digest, 8.5.11
3. Clean Air Act Digest, 2.3.11