Law and Environment

DECEMBER 29, 2023

Earlier this month, in Lewis v. United States the 5 th Circuit issued a decision interpreting the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA. The 5 th Circuit decision is a model of clarity and demonstrates what I’ll call the good side of Sackett. And clarity is definitely the right word here. One might say clarity is the holy grail that critics of EPA’s and the Corps’ efforts to interpret WOTUS have focused on.

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Clean Water Act Pollution Control 2012 Government 130

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 29, 2023

Earlier this month at COP28 countries committed to transitioning off of fossil fuels and massively scaling up renewable energy instead. So you’re excused if, like me, you’re baffled by Minister Freeland’s first move in the wake of COP28: a giant new fossil fuel subsidy, via the new Canada Growth Fund. Not only does this not align with the global momentum to move beyond oil and gas, it’s yet another black mark for the Government of Canada’s promises to end fossil fuel subsidies.

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Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Clean Energy Solar Power 140

New Scientist

DECEMBER 29, 2023

A battery-like device known as a supercapacitor can be created from different parts of aloe vera plants – and it can be used to make living plants power lights

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Inside Climate News

DECEMBER 29, 2023

County officials say they’d need millions of dollars to buy the equipment required to safely carry out rescue operations amid a CO2 pipeline rupture, which can suffocate people and stall engines. But who’s going to pay? By Kristoffer Tigue From outdated equipment and evacuation plans to a lack of personnel and training, some Iowa first responders say they would be unable to safely carry out rescue operations in the case of a major carbon dioxide pipeline rupture.

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Carbon Dioxide Fossil Fuels 129

Speaker: Kevin Kai Wong, President of Emergent Energy Solutions

In today's industrial landscape, the pursuit of sustainable energy optimization and decarbonization has become paramount. Manufacturing corporations across the U.S. are facing the urgent need to align with decarbonization goals while enhancing efficiency and productivity. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive energy data poses a significant challenge for manufacturing managers striving to meet their targets.

2024

New Scientist

DECEMBER 29, 2023

If governments step up support for renewable energy and other efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 2024 could see total carbon emissions begin to fall

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Greenhouse 2024 Carbon Emissions Renewable Energy 130

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 29, 2023

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 30 PA Bulletin inviting comment on a Chapter 105/Section 401 Water Quality Certification for a portion of the NFG Midstream Covington, LLC 16-inch natural gas pipeline in Tioga County. ( PA Bulletin, Page 8105 ) The pipeline project will impact multiple streams and wetlands, including Norris Brook (Exceptional Value) and Baldwin Run (High Quality) watersheds, along a right-of-way through Delmar, Chatham and Middlebury To

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Natural Gas Environmental Protection 2024 2023 117

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 29, 2023

A regional observance of Anthracite Mining Heritage Month will take place during January 2024. A variety of programs will be featured in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Hazle Township, Ashley, Plymouth, Pittston, Nanticoke, Bethlehem, and Pottsville. The annual event focuses on the history and culture of the anthracite region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The public is cordially invited to attend the events, which are open free of charge (except the NMIH program on Jan. 18; and the Knox Mine Disaster do

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2024 Conservation 2019 2023 110

Scientific American

DECEMBER 29, 2023

This year’s most interesting space images include infrared views of galactic “bones,” an asteroid’s double moon, Jupiter’s giant polar vortex, and more

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2023 103

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 29, 2023

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 30 PA Bulletin it has received the Final Report on remediation of soil and groundwater contamination for dozens of chemicals and contaminants at the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Potter and Center Townships, Beaver County. ( PA Bulletin, Page 8120 ) The Final Report is intended to document remediation of the site to meet the Statewide health and site-specific standards.

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Recycling Environmental Protection 2023 99

Scientific American

DECEMBER 29, 2023

Ozempic and similar drugs are ushering in a new era of weight management and obesity treatments, and researchers are racing to understand their impact

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Speaker: Antoine M. Thompson, Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (DEJI) policies, programs, and initiatives are critically important as we move forward with public and private sector climate and sustainability goals and plans. Underserved and socially, economically, and racially disadvantaged communities bear the burden of pollution, higher energy costs, limited resources, and limited investments in the clean energy and transportation sectors.

Clean Energy

New Scientist

DECEMBER 29, 2023

A headset that can be worn at home relieves symptoms of depression to a similar degree as antidepressants

Electricity 117

Electricity 117

Scientific American

DECEMBER 29, 2023

Self-driving cars could give people who live outside big cities and are unable to drive more mobility, but the technology must still overcome some hurdles

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Technology Technology 97

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 29, 2023

The Department of Environmental Protection has published a Request for Information in the December 30 PA Bulletin to assist in the development of a grant program for Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA). The purpose of this RFI is to solicit feedback from industry, academia, community-based organizations and other interested stakeholders on issues related to the design and implementation of RISE PA as they relate to the criteria of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

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Greenhouse Environmental Protection 2024 2023 80

Scientific American

DECEMBER 29, 2023

In 2013 a new user named Cleo took an online math forum by storm with unproved answers. Today she’s an urban legend. But who was she? A 2023 editor's pick.

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2013 2023 78

Speaker: Laurie Schoeman Director, Climate & Sustainability, Capital

As households and communities across the nation face challenges such as hurricanes, wildfires, drought, extreme heat and cold, and thawing permafrost and flooding, we are increasingly searching for ways to mitigate and prevent climate impacts. During this event, national climate and housing expert Laurie Schoeman will discuss topics including: The two paths for climate action: decarbonization and adaptation.

2022

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 29, 2023

On December 27, 2023, The Daily Item reported on how Steve Motyka of the Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance is working to restore the watershed. He is being recognized as one of The Daily Item’s People Who Made A Difference in 2023. Steve Motyka's involvement with environmental preservation started as a young man with a desire to fish in Shamokin Creek near his hometown of Kulpmont.

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2023 68

The Energy Law Blog

DECEMBER 29, 2023

On December 4, 2023, in Marquette Transportation Co. Gulf-Inland, LLC v. Navigation Maritime Bulgare JSC, et al. , 1 the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that state law—and specifically in this case, Louisiana law—governs the applicable negligence standard and burden of proof for a pilot’s error. The Court’s decision is based upon the exception carved by Congress in 46 U.S.C. § 8501(a).

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Law 2019 2023 Government 52

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 29, 2023

The Department of Environmental Protection will be accepting applications for Air Quality Small Business Technical Assistance Grants starting January 2. The deadline to apply is March 1. ( formal notice ) The grant seeks to fund a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization with a proven track record providing technical and environmental compliance assistance focused on air quality regulations and requirements to Pennsylvania small businesses.

Environmental Protection 68

Environmental Protection Regulations 2023 68

Scientific American

DECEMBER 29, 2023

As 2023 comes to a close, we look back at a year of poignant commentary on space, politics, climate, artificial intelligence, nuclear weapons, and health—and the ways we explore the human experience

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2023 Politics 53

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Sustainable Development

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 29, 2023

The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a February 13 hearing and comment period on the proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act response plan for the Newberry Township PFAS ‘forever chemical’ contamination site in York County. ( PA Bulletin, Page 8131 ) There will be an informational presentation of the DEP’s activities at this site prior to the public hearing.

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2024 2019 Environmental Protection 2023 65

Scientific American

DECEMBER 29, 2023

Scientific American ’s TikTok delivers piping-hot science in bite-sized videos

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2023 76

Nanotech

DECEMBER 29, 2023

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on December 22, 2023, that it has registered biopesticide products containing the new active ingredient Ledprona for three years, “a timeframe that is consistent with EPA’s approach to other novel biopesticide products.” Ledprona is a new type of pesticide that relies on a natural mechanism, RNA interference (RNAi), used by plants and insects to protect against disease.

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Technology Technology Environmental Protection 2023 45

Environmental Progress

DECEMBER 29, 2023

In this paper written for Environmental Progress and Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, Michael Shellenberger proposes that Section 230 liability protections be made contingent upon social media platforms allowing adult users to moderate their own legal content. Download the White Paper Summary of Research Paper In this paper: The War on Free Speech Giving users control of moderation A Bill of Rights for Online Freedom of Speech The Right to Speak Freely Online The advent of the internet gave

Regulations 52

Regulations Government Law Politics 52

Nanotech

DECEMBER 29, 2023

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) published on December 20, 2023, a report on Vision, Needs, and Proposed Actions for Data for the Bioeconomy Initiative. As reported in our September 13, 2022, blog item, on September 12, 2022, President Joseph Biden signed an Executive Order creating a National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative that establishes a Data for the Bioeconomy Initiative (Data Initiative) to ensure that biotechnology developers have streamlined

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Biotechnology 2022 Technology Technology 59

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 29, 2023

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.” - Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution [It’s Not A Suggestion] House next voting day January 2, February 6

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Natural Resources Greenhouse Politics Electricity 105