Post by Sunday at midnight.
1. Mark Whitaker
2. The Bush Administration, with Time Short, Removes More Environmental Regulations
3. Think of the argument in the Freudenberg article about what really is a 'good business climate,' or what was really the effects of endangered species protections (associated slowing of self-destructive extraction industries, thus, their job rates stopped falling). Then think how self-destructive for the American economy these issues are in the long term.
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Bush officials plan to dial back environmental protections
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* Story | Environmentalists face high hurdle in Sequoia forest dispute
Uranium mining may be near the Grand Canyon.
MCT
Uranium mining may be near the Grand Canyon. | View larger image
By Renee Schoof | McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — In the next few weeks, the Bush administration is expected to relax environmental-protection rules on power plants near national parks, uranium mining near the Grand Canyon and more mountaintop-removal coal mining in Appalachia.
The administration is widely expected to try to get some of the rules into final form by the week before Thanksgiving because, in some cases, there's a 60-day delay before new regulations take effect. And once the rules are in place, undoing them generally would be a more time-consuming job for the next Congress and administration.
The regulations already have had periods of public comment, and no further comments are being taken. The administration has proposed the rules and final approval is considered likely.
It's common for administrations to issue a spate of regulations just before leaving office. The Bush administration's changes are in keeping with President Bush's overall support of deregulation.
Here's a look at some changes that are likely to go into effect before the inauguration.
GRAND CANYON
Higher prices for uranium, driven by expanded interest in nuclear power, have resulted in thousands of mining claims being filed on land within three miles of the Grand Canyon.
The House of Representatives and Senate natural resources committees have the authority under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to order emergency withdrawals of federal land from future mining claims for three years, while Congress decides whether a permanent ban is needed. The House committee issued such a withdrawal order in June for about 1 million acres near the Grand Canyon, including the land the claims were filed on.
Now the Department of Interior has proposed scrapping its own rule that puts such orders from the congressional committees into practice.
The Interior Department could decide to use its own power to halt new claims, but it doesn't see any emergency that would prompt such action, department spokesman Chris Paolino said. The department would require environmental impact studies before it approved any mining on the claims, he added.
One of the main hazards from uranium mining is seepage from tailings piles that poisons water. A report for the Arizona Department of Game and Fish said people would be at risk if they ingested radium-226, arsenic and other hazardous substances from water and tainted fish.
Environmental groups say the government must consider the possible danger of uranium leaching into the Colorado River, a source of drinking water for Phoenix, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano in March urged Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to halt new claims and order a study of uranium mining near the canyon.
MOUNTAINTOP-REMOVAL COAL MINING
Another proposed rule change from the Department of Interior would change rules on dumping the earth removed for mining into nearby streams.
The current rule, dating from the Reagan administration, says that no surface mining may occur within 100 feet of a stream unless there'd be no harm to water quality or quantity. The rule change essentially would eliminate the buffer by allowing the government to grant waivers so that mining companies can dump the rubble from mountaintops into valleys, burying streams.
The new rule would let companies explain why they can't avoid dumping into streams and how they intend to minimize harm. A September report on the proposal by the department's Office of Surface Mining said that environmental concerns would be taken into account "to the extent possible, using the best technology currently available."
The government and mining companies have been ignoring the buffer since the 1990s, said Joan Mulhern, an attorney with Earthjustice, a nonprofit law firm for environmental protection.
Before the rule can be changed, however, the Department of Interior must get written approval from Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson.
"In order to concur, the EPA would have to find that the activities authorized by the rule would not violate water-quality standards, and all the evidence is to the contrary," Mulhern said.
AIR POLLUTION
Two rule changes would apply to electric power plants and other stationary sources of air pollution.
The first mainly concerns older power plants. Under the Clean Air Act, plants that are updated must install pollution-control technology if they'll produce more emissions. The rule change would allow plants to measure emissions on an hourly basis, rather than their total yearly output. This way, plants could run for more hours and increase overall emissions without exceeding the threshold that would require additional pollution controls.
The other change would make it easier for companies to build polluting facilities near national parks and wilderness areas. It also would change the way that companies must measure the impact of their pollution.
ENDANGERED SPECIES
The Endangered Species Act prohibits any federal actions that would jeopardize the existence of a listed species or "adversely modify" critical habitats. The 1973 law has helped save species such as the bald eagle from extinction.
Bush administration officials have argued that the act can't be used to protect animals and habitats from climate change by regulating specific sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
A proposed rule change would allow federal agencies to decide for themselves whether timber sales, new dams or other projects harm wildlife protected under the act. In many cases, they'd no longer have to consult the agencies that are charged with administering the Endangered Species Act, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
OTHERS
Among the rule changes and plans that might become final are commercial oil-shale leasing, a new rule that would allow loaded, concealed weapons in some national parks, and oil and gas leasing on wild public lands in West Virginia and Utah.
MORE FROM MCCLATCHY:
With time short, Bush pushes EPA to relax power-plant rule
Memos tell wildlife officials to ignore global-warming impact
Wolves may lose endangered species protection
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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/55441.html
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3 comments:
1. Haerang Park
2. US automakers can now apply for Energy Dept. loans
3. In response to Obama's call for further reduction in carbon emission, the White House announced on Thursday that the car industry is allowed to apply for government loans from the Energy Department. The loan is aimed to help automakers equip with new technologies in order to produce energy-efficient vehicles. The government already realized increasing demand for fuel-efficient cars. However, it seems to believe the automakers do not have ability to produce such cars. However, in class we have seen how GM had ability to produce electric cars. I doubt that the new government and this new benefit program would have any change in mass-producing fuel-efficient cars and make the cars available to everyone. Schnailberg's model shows the alliance between monopoly capitals and the state and the monopoly capitals in this case are oil companies and automakers.
4. US automakers can now apply for Energy Dept. loans
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/pollution/article/38590/print
The White House said on Thursday that automakers are now able to apply for government loans from the Energy Department to help them retool older plants and equipment to produce energy-efficient vehicles.
The Energy Department on Wednesday night published rules for participation in the loan program, which now allows automakers to apply for financing, the White House said.
"Automakers are dealing with a very challenging economy, including new regulations, and changing preferences of consumers in response to fuel prices," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said.
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"So, we encourage the automakers and other eligible companies to file their applications to obtain loans for qualifying projects so they can produce more fuel-efficient vehicles, which consumers are demanding."
Congress last month approved $25 billion in low-interest loans to automakers to help them meet new federal fuel-efficiency requirements. Automakers had sought faster aid because setting up the loans was taking time.
"If Congress intends to provide funding for purposes other than the Advanced Technology loans, we would need to hear their ideas," Fratto said.
"We'll listen if they have ideas on how they would intend to accelerate the availability of funds they have already appropriated -- as long as those funds continue to go only to viable firms. And, of course we would insist on protecting the taxpayer," he said.
5. http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/38590/print
1. Bjoern Schmidt
2. Algae on the move
3. In this article, the author speaks about a conference where 600 of top algae scientists and businessmen meet to discuss algae technology development.
Problematic appears the fact that they are willing to engage in genetic engeneering to develop an effecient algae plant. One of the comments on the article gets into this problem. The commentator states that it is almost inevitable that this genetically engineered algae gets into the oceans. This ultimately leads us back to Becks catastrophic risks of global implications; at least there is a possibility of catastrophic consequences.
At the whole, this conference is carried by enthusiasm and the facts on future plans are rare in this article.
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4. ovember 7, 2008
Algae on the Move: The 2008 Algae Biomass Summit Wrap-up
by John F. Pierce and Thomas Byrne
Washington, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]
Taking a look back at the recently held 2008 Algae Biomass Summit that took place from October 23-24 in Seattle, it is hard to believe how far this young industry has come in just one year.
"I am here today because I believe algae can be a solution...I'm convinced someone here will break the code. The exciting part is to see over 600 people in this room solving the problem. In fact, someone out there may have already solved it and I just don't know yet."
-- Vinod Khosla, Khosla Ventures
Last fall, the Inaugural Algae Biomass Summit had a solid group of 350 attendees who came to discuss algae's future in renewable energy. Out of that conference the Algal Biomass Organization (ABO) was formed with the mission to accelerate the development of the algae industry.
Now, just one short year later, there was double the turnout with 700 people attending, representing more than a dozen countries worldwide. This wide gathering of algae producers, scientists, investors and policy-makers left Seattle with new ideas, partnerships and an enthusiasm to continue developing a road map for the industry.
Key Accomplishments
In terms of shared knowledge, the world's leading algae scientists, technologists, process engineers and entrepreneurs came together to present data, findings and conclusions on projects including pilot plants, innovative growth technologies and algal strain selection. The summit provided an open forum to discuss successes, challenges and make recommendations for moving the science of the industry forward.
The summit was also an important arena for business networking. Not only were the summit's presentations of the highest scientific quality, but the caliber of attendees from across the industry made for productive business connections and potential contracts to be discussed. CEOs, vice presidents, and directors were exposed to new and innovative ideas, leading to future collaborations.
"We have been following a very well-defined technical and commercial roadmap strategy," said Rick Johnson, summit attendee and vice president, sales and marketing at Biofuel Producers of America. "We believe that we will look back at participation in this conference and clearly identify it as a critical step in our commercialization efforts. The information, relationships and contacts developed and nurtured at this conference will prove to be fundamental to our continued success."
Mobilizing the Industry
As the official conference of the ABO, the summit drove new membership for the organization and solidified the formation of committees tasked with addressing particular needs of the industry. One are that was identified as necessary for the industry was the continued growth of the ABO's Government and Public Affairs Committee, which will work to create a unified industry voice in order to influence federal-policy making to the benefit of the algae industry. Included in this effort is the commitment to host the annual meeting in Washington, D.C. during the first 100 days of the new administration.
In addition, remarks from keynote speaker and pre-eminent clean technology investor Vinod Khosla as well as guest speaker U.S. Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA) provided insightful and energizing commentary on the state of the industry. Khosla, the keynote speaker for day one, began by stating his belief that given the continued developments in technology, algae can play a significant role in the replacement of petroleum oil.
"I am here today because I believe algae can be a solution," stated Khosla. "I'm convinced someone here will break the code. The exciting part is to see over 600 people in this room solving the problem. In fact, someone out there may have already solved it and I just don't know yet."
Congressman Inslee, a vocal cleantech supporter and a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, made a passionate appeal for all conference attendees to engage with their Congressional delegations to help educate them on the powerful potential of algae to serve as a renewable energy source.
"I ask you to contact your Congressmen and tell them what's going on in your [algae] labs. You must become engaged with Washington, D.C. through work with the Algal Biomass Organization," said Inslee. "Just as the generation before us changed the world through victory in World War Two, our generation can change the world by providing long-term clean energy sources."
Sessions throughout the conference were as broad-reaching as the attendees' backgrounds. Presentation topics included how the new American President will affect the industry; an overview of ongoing governmental algae-to-biofuels programs by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL); the VC (venture capitalist) perspective on the impact of the current economic crisis and how it might impact future private investments in algae; the use of genetically modified algae strains; the harvesting of pollution-caused wild algal blooms; algae's role in global food supplies and the environmental sustainability of algae.
Of particular interest to many in attendance was an in-depth look at the prospects for algal-based jet fuel in the commercial aviation market. Representatives from airline industry leaders such as The Boeing Company, Airbus, UOP (a Honeywell Company) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines outlined steps they are taking to address carbon dioxide emissions related to air travel, including the use of algal-based jet fuel.
"Whether for use in commercial aviation or transportation, we've seen this week that algae-based biofuels will have a role to play," said Billy Glover, managing director of Environmental Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes and co-chair of the Algal Biomass Organization. "The success of this year's conference was due to the powerful blend of leaders from science, finance and business, coming together to discuss real solutions utilizing algae."
This year's summit is a strong signal of the importance of algae in our nation's and our world's energy needs. While there are still many important milestones to reach in regards to algal production, extraction, investment and legislation, the two-day conference in Seattle reinforced this burgeoning industry's commitment to moving algal-based fuels from potential to reality.
John F. Pierce is a partner in Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati's Seattle office, where he represents clients in connection with the development and finance of projects involving wind, solar (including photovoltaic, concentrated and thermal), geothermal and biomass energy, as well as those involving renewable fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel and advanced-generation biofuels.
Thomas Byrne is the CEO of Byrne & Company Limited and the Secretary for the Algal Biomass Organization. Mr. Byrne focuses the on assisting individuals and groups with renewable energy projects and business organizational needs.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and Byrne & Company Limited were the official hosts of the Algae Biomass Summit.
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5.http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54033
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6. Here the critical comment
Just a thought or a warning if you will.
Non-stop selecting an algae that grows faster will result in a super fast breeds of algae species wich inevitably will be released in the oceans around the world. Wich once in the open can pontenitally clog the oceans.
We have example of that with an algae that was selected for small aquarium than sold all over the world. The problems begun when the owners had to clean their aquariums by dumping all the content into the sea/rivers. Thus spreading this algae all over the world. I cant remember the name.
I see this potential threat here.
1. Sally Paik
2. Fishing Threatens North Atlantic Sharks
3. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reported that a quarter of sharks and rays are threatened with being fished out in the Northeast Atlantic. These sharks are caught for their liver oil, prized in cosmetic industry, and for their meat.
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5. From: Reuters
Published November 10, 2008 08:28 AM
Fishing threatens North Atlantic sharks
LONDON (Reuters) - A quarter of sharks and rays are threatened with being fished out of existence in the Northeast Atlantic, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said on Monday.
That is far above the threat level globally, reflecting the activity of fishing nations such as Spain, Portugal, France and Britain, the Swiss-based conservation group said.
The IUCN hopes that its findings will drive tougher fishing controls in the European Union -- and recommended a zero catch for spiny dogfish and all deepwater sharks, and an end to fishing for common skates.
"Action is absolutely necessary to change the current course toward extinction of these remarkable ocean animals," said Sonja Fordham, co-author of the first IUCN report assessing threat levels for sharks specifically in the northeast Atlantic.
The IUCN's Red List details the world's wildlife with the bleakest prospects -- threatened species grouped in descending order of risk as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable.
The next categories are "extinct in the wild" and "extinct."
Critically endangered sharks in the Northeast Atlantic included the gulper shark, prized in the cosmetics industry for its liver oil, and the two sharks most valued in Europe for their meat -- the spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks.
The basking shark, the world's second largest fish, was listed as vulnerable.
Some 26 percent of sharks and rays in the Northeast Atlantic region were classified as threatened, compared to 18 percent for the same species globally, the report found.
"Deepwater sharks are faring worse in this region than globally, due to loosely regulated, targeted fishing by European vessels," it said.
Spiny dogfish and porbeagle are subject to EU fishing quotas, but the IUCN said these quotas were too generous.
"These species are among the few that are subject to EU fishing quotas and yet those limits are set well above the zero catches advised by scientists with the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) for avoiding collapse."
In mid-December in Brussels the European Council of Ministers will agree 2009 EU catch limits for skates and rays as well as spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks.
The IUCN works with environmental groups and government agencies to compile environmental knowledge and prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies.
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7. http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/38608
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