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Weekly News Roundup – July 29, 2011
Want to know what National Wildlife Federation was up to this week? Here is a recap of the week’s National Wildlife Federation news:
New Fuel Efficiency Rules a Win for Wildlife, Consumers, Economy
July 28 – President Obama has unveiled a framework for new car and light truck fuel efficiency standards. The new standards would raise fuel efficiency standards to a 54.5 miles per gallon equivalent by 2025, resulting in a dramatic reduction in America’s oil dependence and carbon pollution.
“Whether you’re a commuter in a compact car or a sportsman who needs a pickup truck, every American deserves to access to the most fuel-efficient, technologically-advanced vehicles that save them money, cut pollution, and deliver great performance,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.
Great Lakes Compact Undergoes Its First Major Test
July 27 – When the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact was signed into law in 2008, it was heralded as a historic agreement, protecting wildlife and habitat from water diversions out of the Great Lakes basin and promoting sound water management within the basin.
Five years later, implementation of the Compact has varied from good to bad to ugly. Now, for the first time, the Compact is being tested on one of its most important provisions: protecting the Great Lakes from diversions.
NWF’s Southeast Regional Center is awarding grants to Atlanta schools for creating gardens on campus
July 27 – The National Wildlife Federation’s Southeast Regional Center is awarding $500 grants to Atlanta schools who are willing to start or refurbish pollinator gardens on their campuses. The grants will provide educators and school communities the funds and materials necessary to start a pollinator garden. Pollinator gardens are made up of many types of flowers varying in color that attract pollinators throughout the season such as birds, hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies etc.
A Past Sustainability Leader, Butte College is First to Go Grid Positive
July 26 – Butte College (see photo right) counts two superstar NFL players among its former students, but that’s not why National Wildlife Federation and other conservation groups have taken a special interest in the in Oroville, CA, community college.
Located on a 928-acre wildlife refuge, Butte recently became the first college in the U.S. to go completely “grid positive,” meaning it generates more electricity (from its on-campus solar array) than it uses, a stated goal since at least early 2004.
U.S. House Vote Ratchets Up Keystone XL Pipeline Controversy
July 26 – The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation, H.R. 1938 that would force the Obama administration to make a decision on the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline by November. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE), whose state is among those on the proposed pipeline’s path, has predicted it will not move in the Senate and the White House recently said it does not support the bill.
The bill itself is legally unworkable says an NWF senior attorney, since it would attempt to bypass existing provisions of cornerstone environmental laws.
And here are highlights from NWF in the News:
- The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Our water, under attack
- The Washington Post: Legislative Riders Target Environmental Protections