The U.S. Dept. of Energy has proposed a rule that would require new and renovated federal buildings to incorporate sustainable design, siting and construction methods. The proposal, published in the Federal Register on May 28, would implement provisions of 2005 and 2007 energy laws and President Obama’s Oct. 5, 2009, executive order requiring agencies to develop plans to improve federal buildings’ energy efficiency. Comments on the DOE proposal are due on July 27. Emma Cheuse, an Earthjustice attorney, calls the proposal a “positive step” but hopes DOE goes further. She says additional moves could include aligning efficiency targets with current
As the fallout from the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continues, the Obama administration is making policy and organizational changes, and lawmakers in Congress are trying to move legislation to address the spill and prevent future accidents from occurring. But some question how effective the administrative actions will be, and legislative proposals have been stalled by congressional opponents. The administration’s actions so far include ordering inspections on all deepwater operations in the Gulf of Mexico, placing a moratorium on new permits for drilling wells until a 30-day safety and environmental review is conducted and restructuring the Interior
Democrats in both chambers of Congress are hoping to pass a bill the week of May 21 they say would create jobs and extend expiring tax benefits. The bill would extend unemployment insurance and Consolidation Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) benefits through Dec. 31 and would attempt to provide tax relief to businesses and state and local governments to help spur investment and create jobs. It includes a one-year extension of the Research and Development tax credit for businesses and would extend the Build American Bond program to spur infrastructure development through 2012. The price tag would be $141 billion,
The Environmental Protection Agency on May 12 released a strategy for restoring the Chesapeake Bay that includes developing a tough, new total maximum daily load (TMDL) for pollutants. EPA says the TMDL, with a Dec. 31 deadline, will be the most complex ever, affecting 483 large treatment plants and thousands of smaller facilities. The plan requires federal agencies to set milestones every two years to ensure measurable environmental goals are met. On May 11, EPA announced a settlement of a 2009 lawsuit filed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The agreement sets dates by which EPA must take certain actions, such
Stephen T. Ayers, acting Architect of the Capitol since 2007, was confirmed on May 12 by the Senate for a 10-year term as head of the Capitol architect’s office. AOC oversees maintenance and operations of the Capitol building, Library of Congress and other facilities. Ayers, a licensed architect, joined the AOC office in 1997. He rose to chief operating officer in 2005 and became acting AOC chief in 2007, when Alan M. Hantman retired.
The Environmental Protection Agency on May 12 released a strategy for restoring the Chesapeake Bay that includes developing a tough, new total maximum daily load (TMDL) for pollutants. EPA says the TMDL, with a Dec. 31 deadline, will be the most complex ever, affecting 483 large treatment plants and thousands of smaller facilities. The plan requires federal agencies to set milestones every two years to ensure measurable environmental goals are met. On May 11, EPA announced a settlement of a 2009 lawsuit filed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The agreement sets dates by which EPA must take certain actions, such
The EPA announced a final rule on May 13 to require large powerplants and other “stationary sources” of greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions to get additional Clean Air Act permits. The “tailoring” rule will be phased in. It first will take effect for some facilities in January 2011. It would subject only facilities with GHG emissions of 100,000 tons or more per year to Clean Air Act state permitting requirements. Sources with lower GHG emissions would be exempt. EPA estimates that 900 additional permitting actions covering new sources and modifications to existing facilities would be subject to review each year. Jeff Holmstead,
Is $10 billion too much legal exposure for oil spills? While Obama administration officials work to encourage Congress to bolster the resources available for the oil disaster response and recovery efforts, one proposal that included a measure to raise the liability cap for oil companies, as the President also favors, has already taken a beating on the Senate floor. But Jeff Liebman, acting deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget says the administration should still find opportunities and a bill that can be used to attach its proposals to. Related Links: Oil-Spill Battlefront Spreads From Gulf to Washington,
The rig owner is claiming progress on capping a deepsea well gushing oil into the Gulf of Mexico, but, as Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) said on May 17, “We are nowhere close to the finish line. This disaster will not be over for Louisiana until our water and our shores are completely clean and our wildlife, our communities and our coastal industries are 100% restored.” + Image Illustration: Deepwater Horizon Recovery Team BP says it is managing to capture about 20% of the oil leaking from the Deepwater Horizon well by inserting a new drill tube into the fallen
While a variety of groups from utilities to environmental organizations are clamoring for a climate-change bill that can pass the Senate, construction industry sources say prospects for the bill—rolled out on May 12 by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I- Conn.)—look slim. They unveiled the 987-page American Power Act without the support of Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who had worked with Kerry and Lieberman for several months to craft a bipartisan bill but who in recent weeks dropped out of the discussions. Photo: AP/Wideworld “We’re closer than ever,” says Sen. John Kerry (at podium) with Sen. Joe Lieberman (right).
