Tom Ewing’s Environmental Update

* EPA’s request for comments on regulatory reform – “on regulations that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification” – has been hijacked by the legions of apparatchiks who cannot abide any prospect that their familiar little enclaves, so desperately spun and fearfully held together, are really just … Whoa… Too much for Monday morning…?   At any rate, so far this docket has 2,149 public comments. Here’s a common, and frequently complete, sentiment: “Please maintain ALL EXISTING REGULATIONS, even if redundant.”  Now that’s a helpful reply to EPA’s request for comments to “be as specific as possible, include any supporting data…and provide specific suggestions regarding repeal, replacement or modification.” And who knew there were so many peeps in the US named Anonymous Anonymous?  Fearless!

*  DOE’s State Energy Advisory Board (STEAB) holds its next meeting in May.  STEAB reports to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  The agenda includes Task Force updates and objectives for FY 2017.  There will also be discussions on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and initiatives, and updates on member activities within the states.  The Board publishes an annual report, to be presented to the Secretary and Congress.  The latest such report on the website is dated 2012.  Uh…somebody hasn’t been doing her job… and I guess neither the Secretary nor anyone in Congress has missed the Report for the last five years.  But at least they held a lot of meetings!

*  Oregon is one state keeping a focus on energy and climate issues.  Beaver State lawmakers and agencies are as busy as well, you know what, regarding efforts to limit CO2 and generate non-fossil electricity to extend Portland’s light-rail lines (double-tracked, of course) from the Gresham station, up-and-down Mt. Hood and all through the Malheur National Forest.  One new House bill, for example, would require the State Department of Energy to develop a “climate test” to conduct reviews for proposed “fossil fuel infrastructure projects.” The Portland suburb of Milwaukie supports; its Resolution advises that “the future of the fossil fuel industry is questionable.” But there is also legislative push-back. Another bill would require gas station receipts to include the cost per gallon of low carbon fuel standards.  Of course there’s push-back to the push-back: the American Lung Association in OR writes that pollution and climate change impacts cost Oregonians $18.42 per fill up.