This is The Source for June 8, 2012, green jobs news every day from the BlueGreen Alliance. Don’t forget to “tell your friends” about this great resource. You can sign up here.
TOP THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR JUNE 8
PTC Up to Bat. A House panel will take a look at the Production Tax Credit for renewable energy today as part of a hearing on several expiring tax provisions.
Cars To Get Cleaner in Europe. Leaked documents show the European Union will consider measures later this summer requiring new cars to reach car emissions standards of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer traveled. Have you seen our video about how governmental, labor and industry partnership has helped once laid off auto workers in Ohio get back to work manufacturing the fuel-efficient Chevy Cruze?
Another Record Melted. The numbers are in, and this March, April and May was the hottest spring on record in the Lower 48 states with an average temperature of 57.1 degrees.
National and International Blue-Green
Senator Harry Reid offered an option to pay for the surface transportation programs reauthorization. Politico has more.
Politico says, “Ron Wyden could energize Senate Energy committee.”
According to Bloomberg Businessweek, Japan may take action to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 15 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.
To the States
Maryland’s Department of the Environment released a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act Plan. The Gazette has more about the plan’s 65 programs to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020.
A North Carolina Senate Committee approved language limiting the ability of the Coastal Resources Commission to plan for rising sea levels. The Star News has more on the measure that “would prohibit state agencies from using projections of accelerated sea-level rise… in drafting coastal development rules, and instead require that they use only historical sea-level-rise data.”
Customs agents seized 1,700 pairs of children’s shoes that were contaminated with three times the legal amount of lead at the Seattle port. Huffington Post reports the tainted shoes were shipped from China.
A Minnesota working group of environmentalists, business leaders and state employees released recommendations to improve the regulation of toxic chemicals. Minnesota Public Radio has more.
Blue-Green Links
Business Day: Business confidence in manufacturing plunges
E&E News: Scientists' qualms about BP spill emails reignite debate on legal privilege
Environmental Health News: Opinion: FDA’s decision on BPA exposes Catch 22
ProPublica: North Dakota’s Oil Boom Brings Damage Along With Prosperity
Huffington Post: Has Climate Denial Reached the Turning Point?
Bloomberg Businessweek: China, India Lack Water for Coal Plant Plans, GE Director Says
Chicago Tribune: Study: Urban kids have higher incidence of food allergies than rural ones
KHON (HI): Hawaii, Air Force sign clean energy deal
Chesterton Tribune (IL): Indiana unions say they have little left to lose
Boston Business Journal (MA): Supporting the clean-energy sector
MPR (MN): N. Minn. bog to be site of massive global warming study
Star Tribune (MN): Feds probe report of eagle killed by MN wind turbine