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Archive for July, 2015
Quebec agrees to meet with Innu to discuss hydro dam
Posted by Montreal Gazette: Christopher Curtis on July 21st, 2015
Montreal Gazette: After a three-day standoff with aboriginal protesters last week, Quebec`s Liberal government has agreed to meet with the Nutashkuan Innu Wednesday in hopes of moving ahead with an $8-billion hydroelectric dam project.
But the scope of the negotiations and their exact purpose remain unclear, as neither group would agree to an interview with the Montreal Gazette. What is certain, however, is that the Innu`s direct-action tactics to interfere with a plan they say is damaging their traditional fisheries...
New Mexico Dems call for tough new methane rule
Posted by Hill: Devin Henry on July 21st, 2015
Hill: Four New Mexico Democrats are encouraging the Obama administration to release a strong rule regulating methane emissions at oil and gas drilling sites. “We recognize that oil and gas producers have an economic incentive to minimize methane losses and the industry is improving its practices,” the Democrats — led by Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich — wrote in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). “However, federal action is necessary to ensure that steps to limit methane releases...
California irrigator faces record $1.5 million fine for drought violation
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 21st, 2015
Reuters: State regulators on Monday proposed a record $1.5 million fine against a northern California irrigation district accused of defying emergency drought restrictions by continuing to draw surface water placed off-limits for such diversions. The penalty, if approved by the state Water Resources Control Board, would be largest ever levied against a water user for an alleged unauthorized diversion during a drought, agency officials said. It also marks the first such enforcement action facing any of California's...
Posted in Water Conservation 
Comments Off on California irrigator faces record $1.5 million fine for drought violationEvacuations ordered as brush fire threatens Washington state town
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 20th, 2015
Reuters: Wind-swept flames from a brush fire in eastern Washington state that erupted over the weekend have leapt across a major U.S. interstate, forcing officials to close the highway and order residents to flee dozens of homes, police said on Monday. The wildfire has blackened at least 400 acres (162 hectares) of parched brush since it broke out Sunday, and firefighters battled overnight to contain the flames, Grant County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kyle Foreman said. Despite their efforts, winds carried...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Evacuations ordered as brush fire threatens Washington state townAustralia Continues Oil-Spill Search Near Great Barrier Reef
Posted by Bloomberg: Ben Sharples on July 19th, 2015
Bloomberg: Maritime authorities will continue searching an area near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef where patches of oily water have been detected, after an aircraft Saturday failed to locate any material trace of oil.
Shoreline searches are being conducted and a helicopter will fly over the area south of Townsville looking for a possible spill, Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads said Saturday in an e-mailed statement. While samples of the sheen have been taken for analysis, no on-water...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Australia Continues Oil-Spill Search Near Great Barrier ReefAustralia on alert for potential oil spill off Great Barrier Reef
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 19th, 2015
Guardian: Australian authorities remain on alert for a potential oil spill in waters around the Great Barrier Reef despite finding little sign of a reported kilometre-long slick off the north Queensland coast. Maritime safety authorities in Queensland confirmed that small patches of oily water were seen in waters south of Townsville where a fisherman had earlier reported seeing a slick close to 1km long. Aircraft from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority will renew the search for evidence of the oil...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Australia on alert for potential oil spill off Great Barrier ReefPassage California climate change bill could set global example
Posted by LA Times: Chris Megerian on July 19th, 2015
LA Times: When Gov. Jerry Brown visits the Vatican this week for an international conference, he'll be carrying a resolution from state lawmakers supporting Pope Francis' recent encyclical on climate change.
He's hoping the Legislature will send an even stronger message later this year by passing new environmental rules aimed at helping California slash greenhouse-gas emissions over the next few decades.
Approval of the legislation, intended to enact goals outlined by the governor this year, would bolster...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Passage California climate change bill could set global exampleAustralia: Reef oil spill: Oil spill off Great Barrier Reef
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 19th, 2015
Brisbane Times: Early reports suggest the Great Barrier Reef spill is about 18 nautical miles NNE of Cape Upstart.
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Australia: Reef oil spill: Oil spill off Great Barrier ReefScientists warn of bad outlook for future ski seasons as climate change affects snowfall
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 18th, 2015
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Recent snowfalls at ski fields in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains may have been good news for holidaymakers, but studies have shown there might be disappointment ahead for snow lovers in the long term.
Skiers and other snow lovers have faced a torrid time in the Australian alpine region lately with hardly any natural snow to enjoy since the start of July.
While the latest snowfall looks good for both tourists and tourism, recent studies on climate change have highlighted that things may...
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on Scientists warn of bad outlook for future ski seasons as climate change affects snowfallCalifornia Freeway Firefighting Efforts Hampered By Drones
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on July 18th, 2015
National Public Radio: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/13/scott-walker-record-republican-presidency
Posted in Water Conservation Comments Off on California Freeway Firefighting Efforts Hampered By Drones