Obama signs anti-environmental airline measure

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

The debate about controlling airline emissions rages on.

Conservation groups pin hopes on global airline emissions deal

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Obama administration may be talking the talk on climate change, but it’s not clear if the president is ready to walk the walk — especially after signing into law a bill that was partly driven by Jim Inhofe, the U.S. Senate’s most infamous global warming denier.

The new law gives federal officials the ability to prevent U.S. airlines from complying with European Union airline emissions regulations — rules that have been suspended for a year while the International Civil Aviation Organization  tries to develop a global mechanism for controlling airline emissions.

Obama’s signature of the measure drew a mixed response, with some groups panning the president for his actions, while others said they are hopeful that the U.S. will help lead the aviation community to a solution. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, global warming, greenhouse gases | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Climate: Discussions raging on possible links between global warming and superstorm Sandy

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the East Coast. Satellite image courtesy NOAA.

Record-breaking storm spurs more public awareness about the potential for more frequent extreme weather events

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — With several all-time weather records shattered and early estimates that Hurricane Sandy may cost the U.S. economy some $20 to $25 billion, it’s clear that the storm lived up to its billing. Along with the cleanup, there’s also a raging debate about whether global warming was a factor in the storm’s development and path.

On the one side, environmental activists seeking to limit heat-trapping greenhouse gases have jumped on the so-called super storm as an opportunity to tout their cause. On the other side, global warming deniers and others have pulled out timeworn statistics about past hurricanes that supposedly were equally as strong.

The arguments at the extreme sides of the spectrum don’t ring true. Of course, there is no way to scientifically prove that increases in air and ocean temps directly contributed to this storm. There’s still so much natural variability in nature that you just can’t establish a causal link. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, global warming, tropical storms and hurricanes | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Lawsuit pushes EPA to regulate airplane emissions

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Environmental groups want the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes.

Environmental groups want agency to set a timeline for action on airplane greenhouse gas emissions

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The EPA is dragging its feet on controlling greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes, the Environmental Defense Fund said this week, reinforcing arguments made in court by a coalition of groups seeking to establish a timeline for EPA action.

The hearing in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia is part of a 2010 lawsuit that charges the EPA with unreasonablly delaying action. The courts have already ruled that the EPA must act on airline emissions in response to a petition filed in 2007, but the agency doesn’t have a specific timeline it must follow, according EDF attorney Pamela Campos. (more…)

Filed under: air quality, Environment, global warming | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

U.S. teams with fossil fuel dinosaurs on airline emissions

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

The U.S. continues to oppose a European plan that would take meaningful steps to reduce emissions from commercial aviation.

International aviation group opposes EU plan to cut airline carbon footprint
By Summit Voice
SUMMIT COUNTY — In the ongoing battle over reducing greenhouse gas emissions from commercial aviation, The U.S. last week sided with fossil fuel dinosaurs like Saudi Arabia.

American officials signed a statement suggesting opposition to an European Aviation Directive that would hold all airlines accountable for their emissions from flights using European airports starting in January 2012.

The statement suggests that the EU policy is inconsistent with existing international legal frameworks. It also calls for emissions from aviation to be addressed in the International Civil Aviation Organization. (more…)

Filed under: Environment, global warming | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Travel: Greenwashing in the U.S. airline industry?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

New European standard would cap greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes, but several U.S. airlines are sueing to block the regulations.

Major carriers sue to block European Union regs that would cap and reduce some airline greenhouse gas emissions

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Three of the largest U.S. airlines like to tout their green credentials, but out of the public eye they’re doing their best to gut meaningful environmental rules for the industry.

American Airlines and United both promoted their environmental initiatives in a campaign timed to coincide with Earth Day last month. American published an article, “AA Reduces Environmental Footprint”, in its in-flight magazine, and United promoted itself as an “environmentally friendly company” in its new, widely publicized “eco-skies” campaign.

But at the same time, both companies filed suit in a European court to block a European Union law that holds all airlines accountable for their global warming pollution from flights to, from and within Europe. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2012. American and United have also been lobbying the U.S. Congress to declare the EU law invalid. (more…)

Filed under: air quality, business, Environment, global warming | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Senate rejects attempt to weaken Clean Air Act

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

For now, the EPA is still on-track to regulate greenhouses gases and other toxic emissions, despite attempts by Congress to undermine the agency's authority.

Ideological battle rages as the Earth grows warmer every day

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Americans can breathe a little easier — at least in the short-term — as the U.S. Senate this week rejected various attempts to cut the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases.

“Today’s votes were an unprecedented assault on public health protections under the Clean Air Act. In 40 years we’ve never faced such a brazen attempt to rollback air quality standards,” said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund. “It remains to be seen which Senators will continue to side with clean air and who will vote to go backward.”

Republicans have promised to continue their attacks on the EPA, but several amendments offered by Senate Democrats, including Max Baucus (D-MT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), as well as Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) would have to varying degrees delayed or prevented the Environmental Protection Agency from implementing congressionally mandated and Supreme Court-affirmed responsibilities to address greenhouse gases from the largest sources of pollution. (more…)

Filed under: air quality, Environment, federal government, global warming, Health | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Opinion: Fossil fuel dinosaurs try to block new EPA rules

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

CO2: Up, up and away ...

Grassroots activists help convince Senate to drop anti-environmental bills

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — An attempt by old-school politicians to block EPA greenhouse gas regulations failed in the U.S. Senate last week  in part after a flood of e-mail from voters and constituents responding to an online appeal from the Environmental Defense Fund.

In a Dec. 17 press release, the group said at least 10,000 people contacted their elected representatives to demand that the Senate drop a bill that would have undercut the EPA. authority to control carbon dioxide, methane and other heat-trapping gases. The agency ruled last year that greenhouse gases pose a threat to the welfare of Americans, and began developing regulations based on that endangerment finding. As soon as next month, power plants and other big polluters will have to get permits for emitting greenhouse gases.

While Congress can’t find the political will to act on global warming in a meaningful way, at least some federal lawmakers are unwilling to let the EPA do the job — and guess who is leading the charge? It’s not that hard — just follow the trail of oil  and coal, and the money associated with those industries. (more…)

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Court rejects early challenge to EPA greenhouse gas regs

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

The way it works - greenhouse gases trap part of the sun's heat in the lower atmosphere.

Power plants, factories and refineries will have to get permits for emissions starting next month

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The EPA will continue to move ahead with plans to regulate greenhouse gas emissions after a federal court in in the District of Columbia rejected an early industry challenge to the agency’s authority. Along with other groups, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit against the EPA in August 2010.

But last week (Dec. 10), The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia rejected a motion to stay the rules, saying the legal challenge failed to meet the “stringent standards” needed to block the rules while the lawsuits proceed. Under the federal Administrative Procedures Act, federal agencies have a lot of leeway for their actions. Challenges often must show that an agency or official has acted arbitrarily or capriciously. (more…)

Filed under: global warming, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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