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

Credit: Stefan Kühn

Nuclear Plants and Safety: A March 17th report by the nuclear engineer David Lochbaum at the Union of Concerned Scientists reviews the performance of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which is responsible for safe performance of U.S. nuclear power plants.  “The NRC and Nuclear Power Plant Safety in 2010: A Brighter Spotlight Needed” examines 14 “near-misses” at U.S. nuclear plants in 2010. These events exposed a variety of shortcomings:  inadequate training, poor maintenance, faulty design, and failure to thoroughly investigate problems.  NRC’s inspections reveal only a fraction of the problems that exist, and the report reviews examples of the agency’s effective and ineffective responses.

Top Mercury Emitters: A March 16th report by the Environmental Defense Fund identifies the top 25 emitters of mercury in the electric power sector.  Coal-fired power plants are the primary source of mercury air emissions in the U.S., and the 25 plants identified by the study are responsible for nearly a third of all mercury emissions in sector.  Meanwhile, these plants generate only 8% of the total supply.  Twenty of these polluting facilities are located within 50-100 miles of some of the largest metropolitan areas – including Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, St. Louis and Austin. According to “Mercury Alert: Cleaning up Coal Plants for Healthier Lives”, Texas led the nation in mercury air pollution from coal-fired power in 2009.

Pollution and Wildlife: A March 16th report from the National Wildlife Federation highlights effects of climate change, mercury, acid rain, and smog on 10 U.S. wildlife species important to hunters and anglers.  According to “Air Pollution, a Warming Climate, and the Troubled Future for America’s Hunting and Fishing Heritage”, more regions are witnessing strict warnings about mercury-laced favorites like brown trout, walleye, and largemouth bass.  Remote forests, lakes, and streams are being degraded by acid rain.  Ozone now makes some sensitive plants more prone to disease and less able to produce and store food.  Climate change is resulting in a massive loss of fish spawning sites and higher summertime temperatures disrupt wildlife patterns and ecological balance.

Budget and the Environment: A report released on March 7th by 35 environmental organizations outlines this year’s recommendations for priority funding to support most critical U.S. environment and natural resource protection programs.  “The Green Budget 2012” highlights the areas where even a small amount of investment will bring huge dividends.  It also details how to eliminate the subsidies from polluting industries to fund protection for land and natural resources.  Key elements of the proposal include a diversion of $900 million from offshore drilling to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as well as an aggressive expansion of funding for clean energy.  Maintaining current funding for national parks, ocean programs, and national refuges will sustain their contribution of 153 billion for the U.S. economy and 294,000 jobs for the U.S. private sector.

Green Infrastructure: Two February 28th reports by the Center for Clean Air Policy document approaches by innovative cities and counties throughout the U.S. to plan and adapt to emerging effects of climate change.  “The Value of Green Infrastructure for Urban Climate Adaptation” and “Lessons Learned on Local Climate Adaptation from the Urban Leaders Adaptation Initiative” document compelling benefits of green infrastructure like green roofs, urban forestry, and water conservation.  The multiples positive effects of these pioneering initiatives include improvements in community resilience, human health, air quality, energy demand, and economic prosperity.

OTHER HOT PUBS

Toxins and Coal Plants: A March 8th report from the American Lung Association highlights the urgent need for national standards to limit a plethora of hazardous air pollutants emitted from coal-generating power plants.  Coal plants in the U.S. produce more toxic air pollution than any other industrial source – over 386,000 tons each year.  Among the hazardous toxins released are arsenic, lead, mercury, dioxins, formaldehyde, benzene, radioisotopes, and acid gases like hydrogen chloride. These substances are known or suspected causes of cancers, reproductive problems, birth defects, neural damage, heart attacks, and stroke.  Although most coal-fired plants are concentrated in the Midwest and Southeast, these toxins actually hitch-hike to other states on co-emitted particle pollution that kills about 13,000 people a year. The study “Toxic Air: The Case for Cleaning Up Coal-fired Power Plants” details the health effects of these emissions and the technologies available to reduce them.

Energy Efficient Appliances: According to the March 2nd study by the Consumer Federation of America, 95% of the public favors more energy efficient household items like refrigerators, air conditioners, and clothes washers.  Ninety-six percent cited monetary savings as a reason, 92% said they reduce pollution, and 84% favor them because they would curb greenhouse gases.  Seventy-two percent of respondents supported government standards for energy-efficient appliances, and approximately two-thirds of respondents were aware of existing standards.  Respondents aware of current standards were more likely to support them: 74% versus 64%.  Majority of Americans support efficient appliances even if they have to pay more up front.  “Public Attitudes Toward Energy Efficiency and Appliance Efficiency Standards” also notes that average household energy consumption equaled gasoline consumption in 2009.

POLLS

Nuclear Energy Support: According to a mid-march USA TODAY/Gallup poll of 1,004 adults, 70% of the public has grown more concerned about the safety of nuclear energy since the crisis unfolded at the reactors in Japan.  Thirty nine percent of the surveyed have grown “a lot more concerned”.  The poll’s results also demonstrate that the overall support for nuclear power decreased to 44%, down from 57% about a week before Japan’s earthquake and tsunami created a crisis situation.

Nuclear – Beyond Disapproval: According to a poll of 814 Americans by ORC International on March 15-16, Japan’s nuclear crisis triggered more than decline in support for nuclear energy.  Fifty three percent of Americans would now support a moratorium on new nuclear plants, 73% oppose federal loan guarantees for reactor construction, 73% would favor holding companies liable for damages resulting from nuclear accidents, 74% would support redirecting federal loan guarantees in favor of wind and solar, and 76% are more supportive of clean energy and energy efficiency as alternatives to more nuclear power.  Among other findings, the survey reveals that over half of Americans residing near nuclear reactors do not know what to do in case of emergency.

EPA Budget: A poll of the general public conducted for Bloomberg News by the veteran Iowa firm Selzer & Co. found that 59% of respondents believe major cuts to U.S. EPA would produce “fairly small” or “little difference” with regard to deficit savings.

New Light Bulbs: Re-Run – an oldie, but goodie!  According to a USA TODAY/Gallup poll from February 15th, seventy one percent of U.S. adults have replaced standard light bulbs at home with LEDs.  Eighty four percent say they are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the alternatives.  Sixty one percent of Americans call the 2007 legislation that requires incandescent light bulbs to be more efficient a “good” law.

Related posts:

1. The Case for Clean Energy and Clean Air, Climate Action Hotline 10.17.11
2. Broad Support for a Strong EPA and Other Hot Pubs
3. Clean Breeze for the Economy

According to officials, the plan is to buy enough wind power to supply 30 MW of output for Ames and six MW for the university. Those figures represent 15 percent of Ames’ electricity needs and about 10 percent of the university’s.

- Suzanne Bopp

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1. Cape Cod Wind Project Gets One Step Closer
2. First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm May Be in Rhode Island
3. Micro-Wind Farm Goes up at Quinnipiac

Deepwater Wind, a privately held company, forged a 20-year power purchase agreement, to sell electricity from up to 8 turbines to National Grid.

The Block Island Wind Farm will be the first phase of the project, three miles off the coast of Block Island, in water that Rhode Island owns. That phase is expected to be operational in 2013. After powering Block Island, electricity produced there will go into the state’s main grid.

The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission still has to approve the deal.

The company also plans to build a larger offshore wind farm of about 100 turbines in federal waters, which will require a separate purchase agreement for its electricity. Together the projects would generate enough electricity to meet 15 percent of the state’s energy needs, at a price of $1.5 billion. Earlier this year Rhode Island set a target to obtain 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2015, and offshore wind is expected to create most of that, since the small state has few areas suitable for land-based wind farms.

- Suzanne Bopp

Related posts:

1. Micro-Wind Farm Goes up at Quinnipiac
2. Wind to Power Ames and Iowa State University
3. Cape Cod Wind Project Gets One Step Closer

The offshore wind farm has been in the works for eight years now, but it must have a construction agreement by next year, and be operational by 2012, to be eligible for stimulus funds, which could offset 30 percent of the project’s costs.

Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick supports the wind farm, but the project’s opponents – including the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, some Native American groups, and Senator Paul G. Kirk (D-MA) – continue to say it will threaten the environment and its electricity will be too expensive.

- Suzanne Bopp

Related posts:

1. Wind to Power Ames and Iowa State University
2. First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm May Be in Rhode Island
3. Micro-Wind Farm Goes up at Quinnipiac