THE TOP 10 FOR JUNE 18

More antics – The House GOP appropriations bill — that includes the Department of Energy — features huge cuts to spending on renewable energy. (Hill)

Autism and air pollution linked – New research shows that there may be a link between autism and air pollution. The study shows that women who live in areas with polluted air are twice as likely to have an autistic child. (Huffington Post)

Strong faith in solar – Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz is standing behind the department’s efforts to support solar energy.(Hill)

A momentum shift? – The former climate change ambassador for the U.K. says there’s momentum toward progress in international climate talks. (E&E News)

Who’ll lead the FERC? – There are a number of strong candidates to chair the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — the agency that regulates, monitors, and investigates America’s energy transmission. (Politico)

Waiting – A number of states and environmental organizations have delayed litigation as they wait to see how President Obamawill address climate change when he unveils his strategy in July. (Hill)

Oil spills and human health – Inside Climate News says there aren’t clear guidelines for exposure to chemicals at oil spills and there’s a lack of health studies to understand the long-term implications for human health. (Inside Climate News)

Clean water – Advocates for clean water say that California’s efforts to clean up tainted water aren’t moving forward fast enough. (Los Angeles Times)

Immigration reform – There might be movement in the House on a comprehensive immigration reform bill. (Politico)

Inspecting the inspectors – The New York Times Editorial Board reviews the United States Department of Agriculture's report on how well their inspectors are doing to inspect our food supply. (New York Times)

BLUE-GREEN LINKS

London Independent: Could climate change already be upon us? Met Office to analyse Britain's unpredictable weather patterns

San Francisco Public Press (CA): Governor’s Raid on Greenhouse Gas Pollution Fund Sets Back Environmental Groups

 That's it for The Source today. Don't forget to tell your friends about this great resource. You can sign up here.

The following blog is written by Molly Cox, Communications Intern with the BlueGreen Alliance.

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). At the hearing Chairman John Shimkus (IL) addressed the possibility of reform for TSCA, signed into law in 1976. Despite the chair’s words, the hearing ignored the most important reason why this law needs to be reformed: toxics are killing and causing illnesses to Americans at an alarming rate. More than 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths are suffered annually by workers due to exposure to toxic chemicals.

The problem is that chemicals regulations as they exist today are ineffectively working to prevent families from dangerous chemicals in their homes and at work. We cannot continue to put Americans at risk; we must act now to reform TSCA. At the hearing, Kathleen Roberts, Vice President of B&C Consortia Management, testified that TSCA needs to be stronger, as it has not undergone any significant reformation in over 30 years. Roberts is in favor of TSCA regulations, and pointed out that the EPA has been constrained when making decisions which has weakened the effectiveness of existing regulations.

Following Roberts’ testimony, Charles M. Auer of Charles M. Auer & Associates, began by suggesting a TSCA revision to allow the sharing of information to businesses on the chemicals being produced. Mr. Auer worked at the EPA for nearly 30 years, and in his testimony he points out some positive improvements TSCA has made, including the fact that it has encouraged the production of safer and greener chemicals, while focusing on reducing the manufacturing of unsafe chemicals.

In his testimony, Daniel Rosenberg, the Senior Attorney of the Health and Environment Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), challenged TSCA by recognizing it is a  “program that has done almost nothing to regulate or protect the public from existing chemicals.” Although some retailers have stopped stocking products with hazardous chemicals to increase public protection, this is merely a supplement and not a solution to the problem.  Self-regulation within the industry isn’t good enough. Furthermore, Jeanne Rizzo, CEO and President of the Breast Cancer Fund, placed an emphasis on the chemicals continuously being transferred into our bodies, and the toll they take on human lives.

The BlueGreen Alliance offers key recommendations to protect the health of workers, the public and the environment and to foster an innovative chemical industry that supports middle-class jobs that include better protecting vulnerable populations, preserving state authority, creating a timeline for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action and prioritizing chemicals.

Although legislation to overhaul the way we regulate chemicals has yet to be introduced  in the House, the recent introduction of the bipartisan Chemical Safety Improvement Act in the Senate is an opportunity to advance much needed reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act if the bill is amended to address some key concerns. Although the BlueGreen Alliance cannot support the Senate legislation in its current form, we are hopeful that we can work together on reforms that will better protect families and workers from the chemicals we encounter every day that we don’t know enough about. 

THE TOP 10 FOR JUNE 17

A tough task - As President Obama gets ready to unveil a slate of major initiatives on climate change in July, the task before him won’t be easy. (Washington Post)

Celebrate – Worldwide, wind energy is set to pass 300,000 megawatts of power. (Clean Technica)

Carbon tax interest – The chair of the Senate Finance Committee — Montana Senator Max Baucus — says the interest in a carbon tax is “creeping up.” (The Hill)

On the shelf – The Obama administration has a tool to use to fight climate change — the National Environmental Policy Act — sitting on the shelf. (Reuters)

Shifting priorities? – An Associated Press pieces says that efforts to curb climate changes have shifted more and more to adapting to it. (ABC 15)

Chemicals concern – The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a list of 109 for inclusion in the Endocrine Disruptor Screen Program — a battery of tests designed to identify substances that have the potential to interact with estrogen, androgen, or thyroid hormones systems. (BNA)

Efforts to protect kids stalled – The Maine Department of Environmental Protection — overseen by a former chemical industry lobbyist — is stalling efforts to regulate chemicals that put kids at risk. (Portland Press Herald)

Addressing climate – The Washington Post Editorial Board asks what we should do about climate change. (Washington Post)

Changing food – New research looks at the impact climate change will have on the UK’s food supply. (BBC)

Dirty river, green jobs – Cleaning up a river in the Seattle area is creating green jobs. (Earth Fix)

BLUE-GREEN LINKS

Yahoo: Is it Too Late to Tackle Global Warming?

Insurance Journal: Solar Construction: Too Hot to Handle?

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The following post is from Ashley Haugo, Policy Advocate for Climate for the BlueGreen Alliance and Mollie Cox, Communications Intern for the BlueGreen Alliance.

As climate change continues to progress relatively unabated, we will increasingly pay the cost of inaction. For many, this warning isn’t new, but it has come into stark reality with two recent announcements about the importance of addressing carbon emissions.

On Monday, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report, Redrawing the Energy-Climate Map that outlines how meaningful action now, particularly through the use of energy efficiency measures, can significantly curb the disturbing trend in global temperature rise without jeopardizing economic growth. Our current trajectory predicts a temperature increase of 3.6-5.3 degrees Celsius, and one of the biggest culprits of this trend is the energy sector. With this, addressing energy efficiency within several areas of production, such as building efficient transportation systems and reducing energy use in buildings, is an essential factor in preventing global temperatures from rising to catastrophic and unpredictable levels. Further, if we fail to act now, we will end up paying at least three times the price it will take to move to clean energy and become more energy efficient after 2020, according to the report.  

Similarly, the Obama administration recently recognized the high cost of inaction on the health and welfare of both people and the environment when increased the social cost of carbon (SCC), up to $35 per metric ton from $21. This order from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requires all federal agencies to use the new dollar figure when making regulations, therefore generating a more accurate price of certain policy measures.

These two recent announcements make it clear that we need to take significant action to reduce our carbon emissions. Putting a price on carbon – both socially and economically – can lead us to the action we need. And such measures can make our nation structurally and financially stronger.  Through BlueGreen Alliance’s Repair America campaign, communities across America are encouraged and empowered to improve our nation’s infrastructure – the energy, wastewater and drinking water, communications, transit and transportation systems that we all relay on day-to-day —  to improve the efficiency of our systems, to mitigate the impacts of climate change and to create good jobs. Join us in the call to repair American and safeguard our future.

THE TOP 10 FOR JUNE 14

July – Sources are saying the rollout of President Obama’s second-term climate strategywill happen next month. (Politico)

Under pressure – The Obama administration is being pressured to confront climate change now by Senators representing the states that were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. (The Hill)

Fix or expect the worst – Senator Patty Murray says we can expect more disasters like the I-5 Bridge collapse in Washington if we don’t take bold steps to improve America’s infrastructure. (Land Line)

EPA efforts on climate – Even with a Congress stuck in the mud, the U.S. is making progress on climate change because of the efforts of environmental groups and the EPA.(National Journal)

Climate change skyrockets flood risk – A new study says that rising seas and extreme weather are expected to increase the areas of the U.S. at risk for flooding by 45 percent by the end of this century. (Mother Jones)

Destructive and deadly – The Colorado wildfire rages on. About 360 homes in Black Forest, Colorado have been destroyed and two people have been found dead. The fire has caused 38,000 people to flee their homes. (New York Times)

Chemical explosion – An explosion in a Louisiana chemical plant killed one worker and injured dozens of other workers. (Baton Rouge Advocate)

House hearing on toxics – The House yesterday held a hearing on the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, in which supporters of toxics reform described the need to fix the broken current law. (Hill)

Electric cars measuring up – New analysis shows that the lifetime cost of own an electric car is within 10 percent of competing vehicles — that's great news for a sector of vehicles that basically started being mass produced only a couple years ago. (Green Tech Media)

Carbon tax – A Senate committee will hear a proposed carbon tax bill as part of a broader hearing on climate change next month. (The Hill)

BLUE-GREEN LINKS

The Hill: Energy secretary creates cybersecurity council

Los Angeles Times: Climate change could slash snowfall in Southern California mountains

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The following post is from Ashley Haugo, Policy Advocate for Climate for the BlueGreen Alliance and Mollie Wagoner, Legislative Intern for the BlueGreen Alliance.

At a desert summit this past weekend in California, President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement on a plan for the reduction of hydroflourocarbons (HFCs), an environmentally harmful set of chemicals commonly used in air conditioners and other refrigerants. While the bilateral agreement is just the beginning of what needs to be accomplished, the announcement was met with surprise and excitement that this could mean significant progress in the phase-down on HFCs, and may even indicate a step forward in international action on climate change as a whole.

At this time, the impact of the deal can be seen as twofold. First, under the agreement, the U.S. and China have pledged to wind down the production of HFCs within their own countries and to encourage other countries to do the same. Since these countries are the two largest economies and the largest consumers of HFCs, this agreement, combined with a global push against HFCs, could cut over 90 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050. That is equivalent to two years’ worth of greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists also believe this reduction could shave 0.5 degrees Celsius from the projected increase in global temperatures over the next 100 years.

Second, having the two largest superpowers agree to actively combat climate change through global policy sets a new standard and encourages other countries to step up as well. If there is to be serious action on climate change, both the U.S. and China must be on board. Having them work together on the reduction of HFCs may seem like a small step in the scheme of climate change, but it hopefully sets a precedent for proceedings and international agreements to come. The international approach to climate change has been plagued with a lack of commitment and action, but this agreement between the U.S. and China represents a defined and unified step towards international climate change mitigation.

To carry out this bilateral agreement, the two countries plan to use the framework set out under the Montreal Protocol to phase out the use of HFCs. The irony of the Montreal Protocol is that its passage actually spurred the use of HFCs because they served as a replacement for the ozone-depleting aerosols the Protocol banned. HFCs currently make up 2% of all greenhouse gases; however, that number is increasing and could grow to more than 20% of all carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 mainly due to the increasingly widespread use of air conditioners. Tackling HFCs is one of the first steps to tackling greenhouse gas emissions.

Fortunately, some American companies are already making the move away from HFCs. General Motors announced in 2010 it would move to stop using HFCs in their air conditioning systems and instead use a greener substitute chemical that has a global warming potential 99.7% less than the currently used chemical. Both American industry and the American government are leading the way in actively combating climate change through both policy and practice; this duel approach is essential to bringing about comprehensive and truly impactful change.

Some of the BlueGreen Alliance’s partners are also analyzing the agreement. For NRDC’s take on HFCs, check out their blog.

THE TOP 10 FOR JUNE 13

Grinding to a halt – Republican Senators are doing whatever they can to grind the nomination process for EPA Administrator nominee Gina McCarthy to a halt. This obstruction is part of a much wider effort by the Senate GOP to stall progress on nominees to the National Labor Relations Board and other vital appointments. Five organizations in the BlueGreen Alliancetoday issued a statement that called on the Senate GOP to stop blocking progress, and BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster said, “We need leaders in these vital positions to move our country forward, and these delay tactics put workers, the environment, and our economy at risk.” (E&E News)

Talks suspended – United Nations climate talks in Bonn were suspended after Belarus, Russia and the Ukraine put forward a proposal that was rejected by the other counties representatives in the meeting. (Business Green)

Efficiency to the floor? – The Senate may take up bipartisan energy efficiency legislation after immigration reform, according to Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski. (Fuel Fix)

Chemicals reform – Senator Susan Collins of Maine offers her perspective on the bipartisan bill to reform U.S. toxic chemicals laws. The BlueGreen Alliance offered recommendations to make the bill better earlier this week. (Sea Coast Online)

Meanwhile in the House – Two more-of-the-same GOP energy bills are moving to the House floor. A third bill actually may have a shot to pass the Senate. (The Hill)

Heavy weather – A huge string of thunderstorms battered the Upper Midwest yesterday with hail, rain and strong wind gusts. (New York Times)

Evacuate – A forest fire in Colorado has already destroyed 92 homes, caused the evacuation of 9,500 people and burned 8,500 acres. Now, more people are being evacuated. (Denver Post)

Wildfires fueled by climate change – The fires in Colorado are likely being fueled by extreme weather caused by climate change. (Mother Jones)

Slowdown hampers efficiency rules – The White House is slowing down several Department of Energy regulations that would require lighting, buildings and appliances to be more energy efficient. (New York Times)

Carbon price – The U.S. government is now accounting for carbon emissions, and that could have wide-ranging implications. (Bloomberg)

BLUE-GREEN LINKS

Wall Street Journal: U.S. Oil Notches Record Growth

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The following blog post is from Molly Cox, Communications Intern for the BlueGreen Alliance.

The hurricane season is upon us. Tropical Storm Andrea, that pounded the East Coast last weekend, is sure to be the first of many storms this season which officially started June 6th. The storm initially made landfall in Florida and made its way north eventually. Although it  was not predicted that Andrea would evolve into a hurricane, this year’s hurricane season is predicted to be worse than others in the past. This is a reminder that whether we’re prepared or not, hurricane season is here.

The sooner we make the long-term preparations including strengthening and raising sea walls, reinforcing bridges and dams and much more, the better off we will be. Making these preparations will not only fortify communities from severe weather including hurricanes and tropical storms, it’s also an opportunity for economic growth. Additionally, our infrastructure and water and energy usage are all related. Fixing water infrastructure systems, for instance, can help prevent worse effects from climate change by cutting electricity usage and carbon pollution.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration “projected a 70 percent chance of 13 to 20 named storms this year, ‘well above’ the seasonal average of 12 named hurricanes.” According to AccuWeather already, “Influences from Andrea have contributed to the 13.9 inches of rain that Bahia Honda, Cuba received.” Although Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with, we’re not helpless in the face of severe weather.  There are ways to better protect us all.

Hurricane Sandy last year exposed a number of weaknesses in the communities it hit including weakened bridges, an overburdened electric grid, vulnerability to flooding and more. We know through research and reports like the American Society of Civil Engineer’s Report Card that these weaknesses are systemic. The need to address this growing problem is a tremendous opportunity to put people back to work. That idea is what the BlueGreen Alliance’s Repair America campaign is all about.

The Repair America campaign recognizes the need to better prepare for the consequences of climate change. Worse weather across the country including recent flooding in Michigan, along with predictions of a severe storm season in the Atlantic further proves climate change is a threat that poses danger to communities everywhere. Additionally, there are extensive health risks. As of late April, “The cleanup of New York after Hurricane Sandy has cost taxpayers at least twice as much as the national post-disaster average.” The repercussions of Hurricane Sandy are still being felt, and this is made no better by the fact that we are still extremely vulnerable in terms of facing future storms.

To prevent future costs from rising and the loss of valuable resources, as well as ensure that America stays economically competitive in the long run, upgrading to an infrastructure system that can support communities after natural disasters is an urgent need. In order to decrease America’s susceptibility to natural disasters that come especially with storm season, we need to fix our roads and bridges and water, wastewater, transit, electric and communications systems. These fixes will create good jobs for workers and safeguard communities from severe weather like Tropical Storm Andrea.

THE TOP 10 FOR JUNE 12

A plan to protect New York – Mayor Michael Bloomberg yesterday outlined a $20 billion plan to protect New York from the impacts of climate change. (New York Times)

Make them permanent – The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) — a member of the BlueGreen Alliance — is calling on Congress to make permanent the tax benefits people can receive for using public transportation to get to work. (The Hill)

Out of control – Wildfire season in the western U.S. has been a brisk one so far, and a fire in Colorado forced the evacuation of a state prison. The step was taken as a precaution against the heavy smoke. (Associated Press)

Kickin’ it up a notch – One of President Obama's top advisors on climate change says that the recent agreement with China is the beginning of a more aggressive international climate change agenda for the U.S. (The Hill)

Also – Leaders of the bicameral congressional climate caucus are meeting with the White House to coordinate a climate strategy. (The Hill)

Solar jump – Solar power accounted for nearly half of all the new electric capacity installed in the first quarter of 2013. (Politico)

Court ruling – A federal appeals court ruling says that Michigan can’t discriminate against out-of-state renewable electricity. (E&E News)

Search begins – The search is on for someone who will champion reforming America's chemical safety regulations, the effort previously led by Sen. Frank Lautenberg. (The Hill)

$1.14 – The Department of Energy estimates that most Americans would be paying only $1.14 a gallon equivalent to power an electric car. (USA Today)

Ferrying wind power – Hundreds of shipments of wind components — including massive wind towers — are being moved from Wisconsin to Michigan on a ferry. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

BLUE-GREEN LINKS

Bloomberg: Renewable Energy Investments Shift to Developing Nations

The Hill: GOP bill would boost weather forecasting, reduce climate research

Washington Post: Robert Redford stars in ad calling on Obama to move faster on curbing global warming

Kansas City Star (KS): Kansas approves new science standards

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THE TOP 10 FOR JUNE 11

U.S.-China climate deal – A deal struck between the U.S. and China to cut greenhouse gas emissions may bring more political momentum to the effort to reach a more expansive United Nations deal. (Politico)

Gotham at risk – A new report from the office of New York City Mayor Bloomberg offers updated data to help better prepare the city for the challenges climate change will bring. David Foster, the Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance, said in a statement, “There’s a tremendous need to fix New York’s infrastructure and that of other vulnerable communities across the country in a way that also recognizes the effects of climate change.” (New York Times)

Cleanup over – BP's cleanup work following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is concluding in three states — Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. (ABC)

Low water – Lower water levels in the Great Lakes are taking a toll on shipping. (New York Times)

Sailing through – The nomination of Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to head the Department of Transportation is moving smoothly, and it is now heading to the Senate floor. (The Hill)

Turbulence at United – A group of United Airlines frequent flyers — including billionaire Tom Steyer — are pressuring the airline to stop opposing efforts to fight climate change. (Reuters)

Wind blowing well – Wind power in the U.S. is growing stronger, but short-term tax incentives are still hampering long-term growth. (The Economist)

Record solar – Solar power in California has grown to a new all-time high. Last week, California’s grid saw a peak of over two gigawatts of solar power flowing through it. (Fox 5)

Methane – At Colorado State University, a study is underway to see how much methane natural gas pipelines emit into the atmosphere.(Coloradoan)

Spurring investments – The Bloomberg editorial board says that one way to attract private investment to clean energy is to offer tax advantages. (Bloomberg)

BLUE-GREEN LINKS

CNN: The manufacturing powerhouse you never thought of

Washington Post: Air polluters like to send their emissions across state lines

Forbes: Making Green Energy Profitable: The Boom In Distributed Renewable Energy

The Guardian: Philadelphia water management: from grey to green infrastructure

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