http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060048686 As Obama exits, GOP hit list is long and sweeping Arianna Skibell January 20, 2017
(edited) Environmental and regulatory reforms more likely to fly under President-elect Donald Trump ... The list includes proactive measures that would change the way rules are promulgated, reactive regulatory rollbacks, changes to judicial review, and modifications to bedrock environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act and Clean Air Act. The list is long. Regulatory reform The "Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act," S. 119, the "sue-and-settle" bill, would prevent environmental and other groups from compelling federal agency action through litigation. The measure requires that consent decrees and settlements be filed only after interested parties have had a chance to comment. The bill stipulates that 60 days be left between proposal and filing. Courts would then be required to incorporate the public comments into their decisionmaking. The bill also makes it easier for a new administration to petition a court to modify consent decrees approved during past administrations. The "Secret Science Reform Act," the latest version of which is still forthcoming, would fundamentally alter how science is used in crafting environmental policy. It would require that EPA use only "transparent or reproducible" science to develop regulations and that such scientific data be posted online so that they can be scrutinized. Proponents argue that the legislation simply makes science transparent. Democrats and scores of scientific organizations say the measure would have a crippling effect. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) said the bill would be one of his top priorities this year. The new Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) wants to overhaul the Endangered Species Act, adding to the list of key Republicans eyeing the landmark law for reforms. Carcinogens: In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared glyphosate — a key ingredient in Roundup, marketed by Monsanto Co. — a probable carcinogen, stirring controversy over the agency's research methods among industry. Then, last fall, reports surfaced that WHO petitioned its scientists to withhold documents on the glyphosate study. EPA has since approved the use of the chemical, infuriating green groups, who are likely to go to court over the matter (Greenwire, Nov. 2, 2016). "Safer Choice": EPA developed a program in which companies voluntarily submit their products to the agency, which confirms that chemicals of concern are not present. Then, the companies receive permission to use an EPA-approved label to tout the products' benefits to consumers. The program has had an impact not only at niche operations but at major corporations like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. But many manufacturers of chemicals and groups have pushed back against the program, including the American Chemistry Council (E&E News PM, April 28, 2016). The "Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act," which passed the House last year, would require monetary sanctions on attorneys who file "baseless" lawsuits in federal courts. Under the current system, it is up to the judge's discretion whether or not to impose sanctions. The bill would also make it impossible for parties and their attorneys to avoid sanctions by withdrawing frivolous claims within 21 days. Mandatory sanctioning was in place from 1983 to 1992 but was repealed after it was shown to increase, rather than decrease, nonmeritorious lawsuits. The American Bar Association opposed the bill. -- “The wealthy,” Obama claimed last Tuesday night “are paying a fair share of taxes.” Yes, he actually said that. Quick, someone go tell Bernie Sanders that Obama actually said that. from Paul Street, Hit the Road Barack For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ If you have questions about this list please contact the list manager, Tom Shelley, at t...@cornell.edu.
