Tue.Nov 12, 2024

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NEPA in the Supreme Court (Part II)

Legal Planet

Our last post explained the background of the Seven Counties NEPA case, which is currently pending in the Supreme Court. Today, we discuss the radical arguments that have been made in the case and why they should be rejected. NEPA requires that agencies consider the environmental effects of their projects, but the petitioners raise hairsplitting arguments to exclude obvious effects due to technicalities.

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Light Pollution May Be Keeping Honey Bees Up at Night

Yale E360

Light from cars, homes, and street lamps may be keeping bees up at night, according to a new study.

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DCNR Announces $79.4 Million In Grants To Support 307 Recreation, Land Conservation, Tree Planting Projects Across Pennsylvania; Next Grant Round Opens Jan. 21

PA Environment Daily

On November 12, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the investment of $79.4 million in grants to support 307 projects across Pennsylvania, aimed at expanding recreational opportunities, conserving natural spaces, and revitalizing communities. These grants will support a wide range of projects, including improving local parks, expanding trails and river access points, and creating more green space in local communities.

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Katharine Hayhoe’s Post-Election Advice: Fight Fear, Embrace Hope and Work Together

Inside Climate News

The Texas-based scientist warns people who care about climate change and the energy transition against despair—and looks to examples from the Bible. By Dan Gearino For people involved with research and advocacy about climate change, the results of last week’s presidential election sting.

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How to Drive Cost Savings, Efficiency Gains, and Sustainability Wins with MES

Speaker: Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions

Is your manufacturing operation reaching its efficiency potential? A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) could be the game-changer, helping you reduce waste, cut costs, and lower your carbon footprint. Join Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions, in this value-packed webinar as he breaks down how MES can drive operational excellence and sustainability.

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Environmental Hearing Board Issues Temporary Supersedeas To Stop The Opening Of Catalyst Energy, Inc. Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In McKean County Until Hearing On Full Supersedeas

PA Environment Daily

On November 12, the Environmental Hearing Board issued a temporary supersedeas to stop the opening of the Catalyst Energy, Inc. oil and gas wastewater injection well near the town of Cyclone in Keating Township, McKean County until the Board can hold a hearing on the full supersedeas request by appealants. The order prohibits the company from disposing of fluids at the well and it may not engage in any earth disturbance activities.

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Jonny Kim’s Third Act: NASA Astronaut

Scientific American

Jonny Kim—a former Navy SEAL and ER doctor—is now a NASA astronaut who will soon launch to the International Space Station as flight engineer for the crew of Expedition 72/73

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How Geometry Revealed Quantum Memory

Scientific American

The unexpected discovery of a geometric phase shows how math and physics are tightly intertwined

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Migratory birds can use Earth's magnetic field like a GPS

New Scientist

Eurasian reed warblers don’t just get a sense of direction from Earth’s magnetic field – they can also calculate their coordinates on a mental map

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Low Streamflow Conditions Prompt Susquehanna River Basin Commission To Advise Shale Gas Drillers, Water Systems, Companies With Water Withdrawal Approvals To Plan For Alternative Operations

PA Environment Daily

On November 8, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission sent an advisory to shale gas drillers, water systems and companies with water withdrawal approvals to begin "investigating or planning for alternative operation options" in the current low streamflow conditions, according to Stacey Hanrahan, SRBC Communications and Outreach Specialist. The Commission advisory said, "Currently, low flow conditions are being observed throughout most of the basin.

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Next Mauna Loa eruption could be forecast months in advance

New Scientist

An analysis of crystals in lava from the 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa has revealed an unknown magma reservoir within the volcano, which could extend forecasts of eruptions from minutes to months

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The Key to Sustainable Energy Optimization: A Data-Driven Approach for Manufacturing

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. 📊 Join us for a practical webinar hosted by Kevin Kai Wong of Emergent Ene

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New Map Shows Syracuse Lead in Tap Water Hot Spots

NRDC

Syracuse city officials downplay extraordinarily high levels of lead in city drinking water.

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A new life on Mars? Expect toxic dust, bad vibes and insects for lunch

New Scientist

You might have heard about plans to establish a self‑sustaining city on Mars.

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Tuesday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 11.12.24

PA Environment Daily

“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 Voting Schedule -- November 12, 13

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Drought, fires and fossil fuels push CO2 emissions to a record high

New Scientist

An annual accounting of CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels and land use change finds no sign emissions will peak this year

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Implementing D.E.J.I. Strategies in Energy, Environment, and Transportation

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.

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Penn State Research: Public Pressure Influences Whether Companies Reduce Their Environmental Impact

PA Environment Daily

By Katie Bohn, Penn State News The effectiveness of national voluntary programs asking companies to pledge to lower their pollution and greenhouse gas emissions depends on pressure from the public, according to a new study led by a Penn State researcher. The research, published in the Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists , found that companies contributing the greatest pollution and emissions were more committed to reducing pollution because they faced greater publ

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Google Street View helps map how 600,000 trees grow down to the limb

New Scientist

AI and Google Street View have created 'digital twins' of living trees in North American cities – part of a huge simulation that could help make urban tree planting and trimming decisions

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We Need to Ensure Legal Cannabis Is Safe

Scientific American

Today’s cannabis plant is highly cultivated and incredibly potent.

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Jets of liquid bounce off hot surfaces without ever touching them

New Scientist

Droplets of fluid have been known to hover above a hot surface, but a new experiment suggests the same can happen to tiny jets of liquid too

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Shaping a Resilient Future: Climate Impact on Vulnerable Populations

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.

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DEP Will No Longer Accept New Chapter 102 Erosion & Sedimentation ePermit Applications During ‘Pause’; Oil & Gas E&S Applications Not Affected

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection announced on its website it will no longer accept Chapter 102 Erosion and Sedimentation ePermit applications while it pauses the program to evaluate and implement its IT modernization efforts. “The last day to start a new application in Chapter 102 ePermit is November 8, 2024, and the last day to submit an application using Chapter 102 ePermit is December 8, 2024.

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EUON Publishes Study on Nanomaterial Applications for Agriculture

Nanotech

The European Union (EU) Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) announced on November 12, 2024, that it published a new study evaluating nanomaterials applications in biocidal, plant protection, and fertilizing products used in agriculture. The study, “Collection and review of information on nanomaterial-based and nano-enabled plant protection products, biocidal products and fertilising products,” addresses knowledge gaps on applications, exposure, and hazards of nanomaterials and nano-agrochemical

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Environmental Quality Board Approves Proposed Spill Notification Regulation; NOx & VOC Corrections For Comment; Blasting Reg

PA Environment Daily

On November 12, the Environmental Quality Board approved for public comment a proposed regulation on notification of spills and corrections to Air Quality regulations on RACT requirements for nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compounds. The spill regulation was approved for comment with only one negative vote from the representative of Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron).

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This robot can build anything you ask for out of blocks

New Scientist

An AI-assisted robot can listen to spoken commands and assemble 3D objects such as chairs and tables out of reusable building blocks

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Sustainability at Retail

Sustainability impacts every nation, company, and person around the world. So much so that, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) issued a call for action by all countries to work toward sustainable development. In response to this and as part of a global Sustainability at Retail initiative, Shop! worked collaboratively with its global affiliates to address these critical issues in this white paper.

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Enel Wind Farm Defeated by Osage Nation in Oklahoma

Corp Watch

A U.S. federal court ruled in favor of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma after it sued Enel Group for violating its tribal sovereignty. Enel was ordered to remove a massive 84-turbine wind farm that it built without obtaining mining permission, in order to profit from the renewable energy boom.

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SpaceX targets Starship flight next week – just a month after last one

New Scientist

SpaceX is preparing for the sixth test flight of Starship, the world's most powerful rocket.

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Agriculture, Animals, and AI – Modern Solutions for Age-Old Problems

Vermont Law

Agriculture, Animals, and AI – Modern Solutions for Age-Old Problems by Scott Scribi When you think of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”), folks usually point towards ChatGPT, not agriculture. However, this modern technology extends to help farmers effectively and sustainably pursue their practice. Whether it is ensuring the health of their crops, monitoring livestock, harvesting, or conserving energy, AI has advanced the productivity and in turn the environmental impact of agriculture.

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Orbital wins the Booker prize: “I see it as a kind of space pastoral"

New Scientist

Samantha Harvey has won the UK's top fiction prize for a novel that takes place over 24 hours on the International Space Station

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Bridging the Gap: Ensuring a Just Transition for Rural Communities in the Clean Energy Revolution

Vermont Law

Bridging the Gap: Ensuring a Just Transition for Rural Communities in the Clean Energy Revolution by Olivia Moulton As we begin transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, we must be mindful of the disproportionate effects that the existing energy system has had on certain communities. In order to meet the 2050 goals set forth by the International Renewable Energy Agency, approximately 37 gigatons of annual CO2 emissions must be cut by 2050.

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Mining rush brings hope, dread to Upper Peninsula, amid historic energy shift

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at Bridge Michigan. The transition to electric energy requires lots of nickel and copper, which are abundant in the western Upper Peninsula. Prospectors seek to expand mining in the area that has struggled since the industry went bust decades ago.

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Why Climate Scientists Are Sounding the Alarm on the Ocean Circulation System AMOC

Union of Concerned Scientists

Last month, 44 climate scientists from 15 countries wrote an open letter to the Nordic Council of Ministers highlighting the risk of a potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a critical ocean current system in the Atlantic Ocean. In the letter, the climate scientists stress that the risk of an AMOC collapse due to climate change has been greatly underestimated according to new observational evidence.

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Climate-fueled extreme weather is hiking up car insurance rates

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at Inside Climate News. As climate change accelerates, hurricanes, wildfires and hail storms pound the U.S. with growing vigor—and the insurance market is struggling to foot the bill of the damages they leave behind for customers. In 2023 alone, extreme weather cost the U.S. more than $92 billion.

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Groups question Canada’s climate leadership at COP29, after new data shows skyrocketing fossil fuel export emissions   

Enviromental Defense

OTTAWA/TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHNAABEG PEOPLE — Ecojustice and Environmental Defence have uncovered that greenhouse gas emissions from Canada’s exported oil, gas, and coal ballooned to record levels in 2023. This information was discovered following a petition to Environment and Climate Change Canada for data on the country’s downstream emissions.

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The state of the clean energy transition in 2024

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at ESG Dive. Global spending on clean energy technologies and infrastructure is on track to hit $2 trillion in 2024. Much of this funding is slated to be put toward renewables, electric vehicles, low-emission fuels, storage solutions, nuclear power and other green technology.