Publication Items

New Report Documents Power Plant Emissions in North America [1]

Shortly before EPA's deadline to finalize its new rules on toxic emissions from US power plants, the tri-national Commission for Environmental Cooperation released its report on emissions from 3,144 power plants in Canada, the US, and Mexico.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Pollution [3]
Energy & Fuel [4]
Air [5]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about New Report Documents Power Plant Emissions in North America [1]
States Partly Fill Federal Vacuum on Fracking Fluid Disclosure Law [7]

Colorado, which adopted its disclosure rules December 13, 2011, joins Texas, Pennsylvania, and several other states in requiring some disclosure by drillers of the chemicals they pump into shale formations under high pressures to release natural gas. Scores of chemicals, some very toxic, may be involved.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Water & Oceans [9]
Pollution [3]
Laws & Regulations [10]
Energy & Fuel [4]
Chemicals [11]
Region:
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [12]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [13]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about States Partly Fill Federal Vacuum on Fracking Fluid Disclosure Law [7]
Long-Delayed Power Plant Toxics Regulations Due by Dec. 16 [14]

The EPA says the proposed rule would prevent about 17,000 premature deaths each year and hundreds of thousands of illnesses, and avoid substantial environmental damage. The agency estimates that for every $1 spent preventing the targeted pollution there would be health benefits ranging from $5 to $13, and additional environmental benefits.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [4]
Chemicals [11]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Long-Delayed Power Plant Toxics Regulations Due by Dec. 16 [14]
Calif. Law Keeps Public from Knowing About Dangerous Pipelines [15]

The San Francisco Chronicle revealed almost all records of the state's Public Utilities Commission, which regulates pipelines, are secret — and the PUC typically asks permission from the utility companies before releasing any information. In most other states, such information is freely available to the public.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [10]
Energy & Fuel [4]
Region:
California [16]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Calif. Law Keeps Public from Knowing About Dangerous Pipelines [15]
Feds Announce Offshore Oil and Gas Target Areas [17]

Offshore oil and gas drilling from 2012-2017 would be focused in the western and central Gulf of Mexico and off the shores of northern and southern Alaska, if the Dept. of Interior's proposed plan and draft programmatic environmental impact statement, released Nov. 8, 2011, are accepted as is. A 60-day public comment period ends Jan. 9, 2012.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [4]
Region:
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [12]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [18]
Alaska and Hawaii [19]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Feds Announce Offshore Oil and Gas Target Areas [17]
White House Gives House Inquisitors Only Some of Subpoenaed Documents [20]

The White House rejected the House Energy Committee's subpoena for "all internal communications" related to federal loan guarantees for the now-bankrupt Solyndra solar panel company.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Government [21]
Energy & Fuel [4]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about White House Gives House Inquisitors Only Some of Subpoenaed Documents [20]
BLM Releases Supplement to Draft PEIS for Large-Scale Solar [22]

The agency says the remaining 17 sites covering ~285,000 acres in six states have the best solar gain and energy transmission traits, the fewest conflicts with environmental, cultural, and historic resources, and the best compatibility with each state's efforts. Public meetings commence Nov 30 and a 90-day public comment period ends Jan. 27, 2012. A variance process could be used to approve additional solar development elsewhere.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Planning & Growth [23]
Energy & Fuel [4]
Region:
California [16]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [13]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [12]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about BLM Releases Supplement to Draft PEIS for Large-Scale Solar [22]
Experts Say Geothermal Can Work in Much of U.S. [24]

Researchers at Southern Methodist University, funded by Google, have estimated relative geothermal potential in the US with a new map based in part on oil and gas drilling data. Google says the newer geothermal technologies that are being explored in the US and other countries suggest there may be decent geothermal prospects in all 50 states.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Energy & Fuel [4]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Experts Say Geothermal Can Work in Much of U.S. [24]
Other Information Access News in Brief [25]

Climate scientist Michael Mann wins bid to join emails lawsuit; BP and other Gulf oil spill CEOs won't testify before House committee; Republican House freshmen disappointed by Supercommittee's secrecy; Obama admin to issue disclosure rules for fracking on federal lands; WRI/Transparency Int'l panel on climate policy corruption, Nov. 3, 2011, in DC; proposed FOIA rule would let gov't deny existence of records; and bill to improve pipeline safety and increase access to info passes Senate.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet [8]
Topics on the Beat:
Policy [26]
Government [21]
Energy & Fuel [4]
Disasters [27]
Climate Change [28]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Other Information Access News in Brief [25]
Obama Administration Trying To Speed up Transmission Line Approvals [29]

As part of its push to improve the nation's power system, the Obama administration is trying to expedite construction of 7 transmission lines, in various stages of planning and design, spanning 3,100 miles in 12 states.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet [2]
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations [10]
Environmental Politics [30]
Energy & Fuel [4]
Region:
Mid-Atlantic (DC DE MD PA VA WV) [31]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [32]
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY) [13]
Northeast (CT MA ME NH NJ NY RI VT) [33]
Northwest (OR WA) [34]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [12]
Visibility:
Public [6]
- Read more about Obama Administration Trying To Speed up Transmission Line Approvals [29]

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