What’s the right approach to make aviation greener? More alternative fuels? New emissions standards? Hear case studies from the FAA, U.S. Navy, environmental experts, and industry leaders at The Hill’s Sept. 16 Aviation Policy Summit, sponsored by Airlines for America. Register here.
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125 HEADS OF STATE: The United Nations is out with its guest list for next week’s summit on climate change, and 125 heads of state are expected to attend.
There aren’t many surprises on the list. The leaders of China, India, Australia and Canada already weren’t expected, and the UN’s release confirms their absence.
{mosads}In addition to President Obama, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, South Africa and South Korea will show up.
Environmentalists think the countries that won’t send top leaders aren’t taking seriously UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s call for bold commitments to reduce greenhouse gases.
We’ll have to wait and see if that turns out to be true. Read more here.
ON TAP TUESDAY I: The Senate is set to vote on two Obama administration nominees to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) filed cloture on the two nominees Monday evening.
Last week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted to advance Jeff Baran, and Stephen Burns to sit on the commission. Both nominees were voted out of committee in two 11-6 votes. Sen. James Inhofe (Okla.) was the only Republican to vote for the nominees.
A number of others, including the ranking member on the committee, Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) voiced his concern with Baran and Burns, blasting Reid for “heading down a dangerous avenue of potentially placing unqualified nominees” on the commission.
ON TAP TUESDAY II: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) will be in town Tuesday to a present major policy proposal to make the United States an “energy superpower” at a Heritage Foundation speech. Heritage is framing the event as an opportunity for conservatives to go on the offense on job creation. Heritage president and former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) will be the event’s host.
Rest of Tuesday’s agenda…
NASA will host a call to discuss three recent research campaigns on climate change in the Arctic. A number of NASA scientists and investigators of carbon, radiation and more will participate in the call.
The Environmental Law Institute is hosting a webinar on current issues in setting water quality standards. The presentations will be given by water pollution experts and federal and state regulators.
AROUND THE WEB:
Germany is leading the world in a “wrenching” transformation away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy, the New York Times reports.
Marine algae species can evolve quickly enough to adapt to climate change, Reuters reports, citing a study in Nature Climate Change.
Following Oregon’s decision to block its permit, the Army Corps of Engineers has halted its review of a major proposed coal export terminal, SNL Financial reports.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Check out Monday’s stories …
– GAO: More coal power plants to retire than previously thought
– NASA: August 2014 hottest on record
– GOP bill would stop EPA from garnishing wages
– Gas wells linked to water contamination near homes, study finds
– Keystone developer reapplies for SD permit
– Feds look to make hotels more energy efficient
– EPA delays new rules for farmers with grain elevators
– Black lung making comeback among miners
– UN climate summit to host 125 heads of state
– Gas pipeline accident kills worker
– Week ahead: House GOP prepares barrage of energy votes
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