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Archive for January 16th, 2016
Coal suspension affects 30-plus mining projects
Posted by Associated Press: Otis Underwood on January 16th, 2016
Associated Press: The Obama administration announced a moratorium on new coal development on public land Friday while it studies the impact of the USA leasing program on climate change, prompting fresh criticism that President Obama is ramping up his "war on coal". The executive order also called for the Department of Interior to initiate an immediate review of coal operations on federal lands with an eye toward determining "how to ensure American taxpayers are earning a fair return for the use of their public resources"....
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Michigan Governor in Hot Water Over Flint Water Crisis
Posted by Environment News Service: None Given on January 16th, 2016
Environment News Service: Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican, Thursday asked President Barack Obama to declare both an emergency and an expedited major disaster for Genesee County as a result of ongoing emergency water response efforts in the city of Flint.
Snyder requested federal aid in the form of individual and public assistance to help residents and state and local government agencies to protect the health, safety and welfare of Flint`s more than 102,400 residents.
Located along the Flint River, 66 miles...
Obama temporarily bans new coal leases on federal land
Posted by LA Times: Matt Pearce on January 16th, 2016
LA Times: Angering coal supporters, the Obama administration announced a temporary ban on new coal leases on federal lands Friday as part of a broad environmental and economic review of the nation's federal coal program.
The decision, which was lauded by environmental advocates, came three days after President Obama said in his State of the Union address that he would "push to change the way we manage our oil and coal resources, so that they better reflect the costs they impose on taxpayers and our planet,"...
Brazilian court suspends operating license Belo Monte dam
Posted by Mongabay: None Given on January 16th, 2016
Mongabay: The gigantic Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, located on the Xingu River in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, stood just weeks away from beginning operation this week — but the controversial mega-dam, the third largest on earth, has now been blocked from generating electricity by the Brazilian court system until its builders and the government meet previous commitments made to the region’s indigenous people. Federal court judge Maria Carolina Valente do Carmo in the city of Altamira, in the state...