The Policy Tracker: Energy and Environment: July 2015

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July 2015

The Environmental Policy Project produces this weekly Policy Tracker: Energy and Environment to report on major national and state environmental issues, including land ownership, energy production, air and water regulations, endangered species, pollution and much more.

July 27, 2015

Imperiled bats receive federal protection for widespread disease

Click to read more about the implementation of the Endangered Species Act.

In May 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) designated the northern long-eared bat as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. The bat is believed or known to occur in 37 states, mostly across much of the eastern and north central United States. The bat's listing came after the discovery of a fungal disease called "white-nose syndrome," which has negatively affected hibernating bats in the northeastern United States; bat populations in the Northeast have declined by up to 99 percent due to the white-nose disease at some hibernation sites, such as in Connecticut and Delaware. According to the FWS, between 5.7 million and 6.7 million bats have died in North America since 2006 due to the disease. Federal protection for the bat will include land restrictions during the summer when newborn bats are nesting, which occurs mostly in forested areas.[1]

In July 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided a total of nearly $1 million in federal grants to 35 states to respond to white-nose syndrome; as of July 2015, the disease has been detected in 26 states. "These grants provide essential support to our state partners in preparing for and responding to this disease," said Jeremy Coleman, the FWS's white-nose syndrome coordinator.[2]

Bats are considered crucial for reducing moths, mosquitoes and other insects that affect agriculture and increase the use of pesticides, and federal protection for the northern long-eared bat has already affected several states. In Minnesota, the bat's listing required that a quarter-mile buffer be placed around trees containing newborn bats in June and July, when bats are usually born, potentially affecting the state's timber industry and private landowners. In Iowa, which has a strong wind energy industry, turbines kill roughly 18 bats annually, and in July 2015 the FWS refused to exempt wind energy from federal regulations for the bat. In Georgia, an environmental impact study of a reservoir project to deliver 40 million gallons of water each day to northeast Georgia was pushed back after the bat received federal protection.[3][4][5]

Illinois governor signs law to allow hunting of formerly threatened bobcats

Click to read more about the Endangered Species Act and endangered species in Illinois.

In July 2015, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner (R) signed a law allowing a hunting season for bobcats, a species formerly on the Illinois threatened species list until 1999. A similar law was vetoed by former Governor Pat Quinn (D). The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will ultimately regulate the bobcat hunting, which was first banned in 1972. The department will set a hunting season each year beginning in November and ending in February. Areas excluded from hunting include parts of northeastern Illinois, such as Chicago and its suburbs; the department has planned to cap the number of bobcats killed each hunting season to 300. The first hunting season will begin in 2016.[6]

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, bobcat populations have been on the rise since the 1970s, which is one reason why Illinois removed the species from the state's list in 1999. "Habitat changes and unregulated harvests, before the birth of our state fish and wildlife agency, caused numbers to decline by the late 1800s. But now, we’re happy to say, they’re doing great," said a wildlife biologist at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.[7]

Supporters of legalizing bobcat hunting, including many rural residents, have argued that bobcat populations pose a public safety risk and have become a threat to livestock. Illinois Rep. Daniel V. Beiser (D) voted for the law, calling bobcats "a predatory species" that has been destroying pheasant populations. Meanwhile, opponents of legalizing bobcat hunting, including the Humane Society of the United States, have said that bobcat populations are still few and vulnerable. "To get the bill passed through the legislature, lawmakers relied on absurd and outlandish exaggerations about bobcats – who are shy and elusive creatures that only weigh slightly more than an average house cat – and it’s unfortunate that the Governor apparently fell for this fear-mongering," said Humane Society chief Wayne Pacelle in a statement.[8][9]

Jeb Bush calls for end to all federal energy subsidies

Click to read more about 2016 presidential candidates and their positions on energy and the environment.

2016 Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said he supports ending all federal energy subsidies, including subsidies for wind, solar energy, oil and natural gas.[10]

At a campaign event in New Hampshire in July 2015, Bush said that phasing out tax credits for all energy sectors, both for renewable energy and traditional energy resources such as oil, is necessary to lower energy costs and promote energy innovation. "The best way to get to the next form of — the next economy, fuel system — is to let markets decide this," Bush said in a video recorded by an environmental group called "350 Action."[11]

Bush also said that energy subsidies result in the federal government picking favorites between different kinds of energy production. "I don't think we should pick winners and losers," he said.[11]

Proposals to end energy subsidies and tax credits for traditional energy resources, including oil and gas companies, have been previously supported by Democrats and environmental organizations. "A century of fossil fuel subsidies has resulted in dirty energy infrastructure dominating our economy,” said Ben Schreiber, an energy program director at Friends of the Earth, an environmental group.[11]

Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidates Chris Christie (NJ) and Scott Walker (WI) have previously supported federal energy subsidies. Christie has also worked as a lobbyist for energy companies and in August 2010 signed legislation as governor that authorized the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to "provide up to $100 million in tax credits for wind energy facilities." Energy policy—including fracking, subsidies to renewable energy, and energy prices—is an important topic of debate in the presidential race.[11][12][13][14]

A complete list of statements and actions by all 2016 presidential candidates on natural resources, the environment and energy can be found here.

July 20, 2015

California water rights see more restrictions during drought

Click to read more about environmental policy in California.

In July 2015, the California Water Resources Control Board began preventing farmers in the state's Central Valley, a major agriculture area, from pumping additional water from the San Joaquin River during California's drought. Farmers in that region could face large fines for drawing more water (as much as $1,000 to $2,500 for every acre-foot of water). The board's actions restricting water use in agriculture have intensified since water restrictions were implemented in April 2015.[15]

Since May 2015, the state's 23 water inspectors have made more than 250 visits to farm sites in the state, and more than 9,000 letters have been sent telling farmers about the low flowing rivers and streams in their area due to the drought. Some California farmers have held water rights since the late 19th century and early 20th century.[15][16]

State water restrictions against farmers have led to several lawsuits. Roughly 14,620 "senior" water rights exist, which are higher priority rights for individuals who have been using water the longest (some senior water rights were established prior to 1914). The California Water Resources Control Board has already sent notices to 300 individuals with senior water rights about the lack of water to accommodate their needs.[15][16]

Farmers in several irrigation districts have already sued the state for restricting senior water rights. One district, the South San Joaquin Irrigation District in Manteca, California, represents 3,000 farmers and seven individuals with senior water rights (three of which began in 1853). "These are property rights that farmers invested their land in," said Jeff Shields, general manager of the South San Joaquin Irrigation District.[15][16]

Homes and businesses in California have also seen restrictions on water use. In July 2015, the California Department of Water Resources will require new homes to use 20 percent less water while commercial landscaping must use 35 percent less water; this is expected to affect more than 500,000 new houses and 20,000 acres of new landscaping over the next three years.[17]

Interior Department releases new coal mining standards

Click to read more about coal and energy policy in the United States.

In July 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced new coal mining standards requiring stronger buffer zones and barriers between mining activities and streams and ground water sources. The updated standards are the first revisions to these specific federal coal mining regulations since 1983.[18]

"These regulations are meant to protect human health and welfare by protecting our environment, while helping to meet the nation’s economic needs and supporting economic opportunity," according to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.[19]

Mining companies will have to install stronger buffer zones to prevent mining activities from affecting nearby streams; companies will also have to test streams for potential pollution and to repair any streams affected by mining. The new standards specifically target "mountaintop removal" mining, which involves blasting parts of a mountain to mine and which can also affect nearby water sources.[18]

Republican members of Congress criticized the new standards and the way the Interior Department bypassed state governments during the process. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT), the chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, said the Interior Department should have consulted with the states. "I am afraid that [the states'] concerns with the impacts of the rule on Americans will be cast aside," Bishop said.[18]

The National Mining Association, an interest group representing miners, said the new standards have "everything to do with an old and troubling agenda for separating more coal miners from their jobs."[18]

Meanwhile, Democrats such as Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ), who is the leading Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, supported the new standards as necessary to protect water sources from mining activities. "Simply releasing this rule is a significant accomplishment, and I look forward to reviewing its contents more fully," Grijalva said.[19]

A proposal to update the 1983 mining standards first began in 2008 under the George W. Bush administration, but it was not completed; the Interior Department's new standards are considered more stringent compared to the 2008 proposal.[20]

Five-year, $13 million federal polar bear plan released

Click to read more about environmental policy in Alaska, endangered species in Alaska and the implementation of the Endangered Species Act.

In July 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a draft plan to prevent further threats to the polar bear, which will be implemented over five years and cost almost $13 million. The plan primarily focuses on reducing greenhouse gases in response to rising global temperatures and global warming, which the FWS says is one of the main factors behind melting sea ice and is considered a danger to polar bears.[21]

The FWS first listed the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in May 2008. The listing cited a loss of sea ice as the central threat to polar bear habitats. It added that sea ice changes would affect the numbers and behavior of polar bear populations, inhibiting their ability to catch seals, a primary food source.[22]

Polar bears are found primarily in two separate populations in the United States, the southern Beaufort Sea and the Bering Sea, both in Alaska. Polar bears were first protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, which prohibited "taking" any polar bears, defined broadly as interfering with or harming a polar bear in any way, with some exceptions (such as hunting for subsistence by Alaska natives).[22]

A 2014 report by the U.S. Geological Survey has argued that even reductions in greenhouse gas emissions would likely not be enough to prevent polar bear extinction by 2100. "We found that other environmental stressors such as trans-Arctic shipping, oil and gas exploration, disease and contaminants, sustainable harvest and defense of life takes had only negligible effects on polar bear populations compared to the much larger effects of sea ice loss and associated declines in their ability to access prey," said Todd Atwood, the leading research biologist of the study.[21]

A final plan is expected to be released by the FWS sometime in 2015.[21]

July 13, 2015

Obama establishes three new national monuments in the West

Click to read more about conservation and federal land.

In July 2015, President Barack Obama established three new national monuments in California, Nevada and Texas. In total, Obama has expanded or established 19 national monuments, which is more than any previous president.[23][24]

Under the American Antiquities Act, the president may issue proclamations restricting the use of certain federal lands without congressional approval. Using this law, Obama created protected areas totaling nearly 704,000 acres in the Basin and Range areas of central Nevada and smaller protected areas in Texas' Waco Mammoth and California's Berryessa Snow Mountain.[23][24]

Before the new proclamations, Obama had used his authority to protect over 1.14 million acres of federal land. With the new monuments, over 2.17 million acres would be protected.[23][24]

Retiring Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) lobbied for the Basin and Range monument in Nevada, an area with a low population that is also home to endangered and threatened species such as the hoary bat and the sage grouse.[23][24]

Since he assumed office in 1986, Reid has lobbied to expand the number of protected acres in Nevada from 67,000 acres in 1986 to nearly 4.8 million in 2015.[23][24]

Democratic senators such as Barbara Boxer (CA) supported the new monuments. "I applaud the president, because his historic action will preserve this magnificent area for generations and boost the local economy," Boxer said.[24]

Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers voiced opposition. Rep. Cresent Hardy (R-NV) offered an amendment in an annual spending bill that would block federal money from going to new national monuments in Arizona, Colorado, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Utah, although House Republican leaders rescinded the bill, leaving the amendment's future unclear.[23]

"Any decisions that restrict ranching, recreation or other types of land-use activities should have as much local input as possible," Hardy said in favor of his amendment.[24]

Fish and Wildlife Service postpones the release of red wolves

Click to read more about the implementation of the Endangered Species Act and endangered species in North Carolina.

In June 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would stop reintroducing red wolves, an endangered species, into the wild around eastern North Carolina as the agency reconsidered whether to maintain the federal Red Wolf Recovery Program, which helps maintain the only wild red wolf population in the United States.[25][26]

Federal officials are studying whether the program, which is 28 years old, should be modified or ended. The Fish and Wildlife Service said that no more captive-bred red wolves would be reintroduced to bolster the species' wild population, which is estimated to be between 50 to 75 wolves.[25][26]

A decision about the program's future is expected at the end of 2015. The service's announcement had led conservation advocates to believe the agency is giving up on recovering the red wolf population. "There will likely be some who will suggest we are walking away from recovery efforts for the red wolf and simultaneously there will be others who might say we're holding on too tight," said Cindy Dohner, the Fish and Wildlife Service's regional director for the Southeast.[25][26]

A review by the Wildlife Management Institute, a nonprofit organization in favor of species conservation, faulted the Fish and Wildlife Service for its handling of red wolf conservation and for "an atmosphere of distrust" among residents where the red wolf population lives.[25][26]

The areas affected include five counties in North Carolina near the Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes wildlife refuges. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, young red wolves were last released into the wild in 2014; since 2009, no adult red wolves have been released.[25][26]

California governor seeks climate change agreement with Canadian leaders

Click to read more about environmental policy in California and climate change.

California Governor Jerry Brown (D) announced partnerships with Canadian leaders on a pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are considered to contribute to climate change. The pact, which was first made in Sacramento in May 2015 between California, other states and political leaders from Europe and Latin America, is a non-legally binding agreement to cut emissions at least 80 percent below 1990 levels (nearly 2 metric tons per capita) by 2050. California was joined by Oregon, Washington and Vermont along with provinces in Brazil, Spain and Germany.[27][28]

Brown, Canadian and other foreign leaders met in Toronto in July 2015 to discuss climate change, the pact's plan to reduce emissions and how to get other governments on board with the plan. "Climate change doesn't wait for anybody," Brown said. Quebec has joined the pact while Ontario has been taking steps to join.[27][28]

Brown also has a goal to expand California's cap-and-trade system, a program to put costs on carbon emissions as a way to reduce emissions from businesses and organizations in the state.

Washington Governor of Washington Jay Inslee (D) also attended the Toronto conference in support of the plan. Inslee also said that he would support a statewide ballot measure if the Washington state legislature refuses the plan.[27][28]

Brown has advocated for climate change agreements in the past. In July 2014, Brown signed an agreement with the Mexican government to reduce greenhouse gases; Brown, Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Rodolfo Lacy and Mexican National Forestry Commission Director General Jorge Rescala Pérez each signed the agreement, which increased cooperation between the two governments on reducing emissions.[29]

July 6, 2015

Multiple federal lawsuits challenge EPA's water rule

Click to read more about waters of the United States and the implementation of the Clean Water Act.

Twenty-seven states have joined at least four federal lawsuits challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Water Rule, a federal regulation for various waters of the United States. The rule is an expansion of the EPA's regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act, which mandated that the federal government oversee streams, wetlands, rivers and lakes nationwide in order to limit water pollution.[30]

The rule determines which wetlands and streams are regulated as they relate to "downstream water quality." The EPA is allowed to regulate waters that are next to lakes and rivers (and also their tributaries) because of their potential impact on water quality downstream.[31]

Several state governments have argued that the regulation violates the Clean Water Act by unlawfully expanding the EPA's power and infringing on the state governments' rights to manage their own waters. Each lawsuit has also asked the federal courts to throw out the regulation and to force the EPA to write a new rule that complies with the Clean Water Act and respects states' rights.[30]

The 13 states that joined a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota were Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.[32]

Ohio and Michigan filed their lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, while nine other states filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia (West Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, South Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin).[33]

Three additional states filed a joint lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi).[30]

There is debate about how the EPA's rule will increase the power and jurisdiction of the federal government over bodies of water and whether any costs or benefits may result. This debate was seen in the over one million public comments the report received during its public comment period. The EPA has said that the rule would increase the amount of regulated waters by 3 percent and would cost as much as $162 million to $279 million per year. Meanwhile, its opponents say that it will vastly increase the EPA's power.[34][35][36]

EPA and environmental policy become major issues in Indiana governor's race

Click to read more about energy policy in Indiana, environmental policy in Indiana and the 2016 gubernatorial elections.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence (R) is making the federal Clean Power Plan a major campaign issue in the 2016 gubernatorial election. The Clean Power Plan is a rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requiring coal-fired power plants to reduce their CO2 emissions by 30 percent by 2030.[37]

In June 2015, Pence visited Evansville—a city central to southern Indiana's coal industry—and announced that the state would not comply with federal emission reductions without major changes to the Clean Power Plan.[37]

"Energy policy should promote the safe, environmentally responsible stewardship of our natural resources with the goal of reliable, affordable energy. Your approach to energy policy places environmental concerns above all others," Pence wrote in a letter to President Barack Obama.[37]

Meanwhile, the Indiana Republican Party issued a statement asking Democratic gubernatorial candidates John Gregg (who challenged Pence in the 2012 election) and Glenda Ritz (Indiana's current Superintendent of Public Instruction) for their stance on the EPA's plan. Both are running for the Democratic nomination in the 2016 election.[37]

Gregg did not comment on the federal emissions standards, which are expected in August 2015, but he spoke in favor of cleaner coal technology. Gregg was once a governmental affairs representative for Amax Coal, an Indiana-based coal company. "We need to balance those good-paying jobs. We need to balance those concerns with that and the environment. We need to take a hard look at this," said Gregg.[37]

Ritz had not commented on the issue as of July 2, 2015. Meanwhile, another candidate in the 2016 Democratic primary, Indiana State Sen. Karen Tallian, said that the federal plan gives Indiana enough flexibility to reduce the state's carbon emissions. "There is a whole range of options and energy policy is something that needs a long-term, thoughtful solution with a lot of people," said Tallian.[37]

The EPA requires states to submit plans to the EPA by 2016 to prove that they have a plan to cut emissions. Twelve states and 15 state attorneys general are party to two different lawsuits against the EPA to stop this new regulation. Meanwhile, 11 states, the District of Columbia and New York City are part of a lawsuit supporting the EPA's plan.[38][39][40]

Fish and Wildlife Service considers protection for Midwestern turtle species

Click to read more about environmental policy in Wisconsin, endangered species in Wisconsin and the implementation of the Endangered Species Act.

In July 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would consider whether the Blanding's turtle, a semi-aquatic species of turtle found in Wisconsin and other northern states, should receive federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.[41][42]

In 2013, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources removed the turtle from the state's list of threatened and endangered species. The department concluded that the state's turtle populations were sufficient to remove state protection. Wisconsin counted 357 known occurrences of the turtle, indicating at least 357 turtles throughout the state.[41][42]

According to the head of species management at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Owen Boyle, "We learned a lot about their numbers in the state, and you could not make the argument, based on the data, that this species was either threatened or endangered."[41]

In July 2015, the federal Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would assess whether the Blanding's turtle and four other amphibian and reptile species in Midwestern states should receive federal protection.[41][42]

Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Builders Association and utility and building companies in the state supported Wisconsin's decision. The companies have argued that the turtles, which live long lives, were preventing land and building development in the state.[41][42]

Overall, the Fish and Wildlife Service is considering 20 different reptiles and amphibians for federal protection, including the Blanding's turtle. The agency's response is to a July 2012 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, a major endangered species advocacy group, asking the Fish and Wildlife Service to consider more than 50 species for federal protection.[41][42]

Although the Fish and Wildlife Service rejected several species, it argued that enough "substantial scientific or commercial information" existed to consider the Blanding's turtle for federal protection.[41][42]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, "Northern long-eared Bat," accessed July 13, 2015
  2. ↑ Ammoland, "Delaware Grants Awarded in Support of Researching White-Nose Syndrome in Bats," July 8, 2015
  3. ↑ The Gazette, "Effort to save bat species puts pressure on wind industry," July 6, 2015
  4. ↑ Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "New protections for northern long-eared bats on the radar," April 2, 2015
  5. ↑ Gainesville Times, "DNR receives grant to monitor bat disease," July 2, 2015
  6. ↑ The Southern Illinoisan, "Governor legalizes bobcat hunting in Illinois," July 14, 2015
  7. ↑ Outdoor Hub, "Illinois Governor Gives Go-ahead to Bobcat Hunt," July 16, 2015
  8. ↑ The Humane Society, "Illinois Gov. Rauner Signs Bill Legalizing Bobcat Hunt," July 14, 2015
  9. ↑ The Telegraph, "Bobcat hunting legal in Illinois," July 15, 2015
  10. ↑ The Hill, "Bush calls for ending subsidies for oil, gas," July 23, 2015
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 The New York Times, "Jeb Bush Calls for an End to Energy Subsidies," July 23, 2015
  12. ↑ NJ.com, “Gov. Chris Christie at Paulsboro Marine Terminal to sign wind energy bill into law," August 19, 2010
  13. ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Governor Christopher 'Chris' J. Christie's Biography," accessed July 21, 2012
  14. ↑ Biography.com, "Chris Christie," accessed March 16, 2013
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 The Associated Press, "California Flexes Muscles in Water Tussle with Farmers," July 17, 2015
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Bloomberg, "California Farmers Fight for Century-Old Claims to Water," July 17, 2015
  17. ↑ The Sacramento Bee, "California adopts strict lawn-reduction rules for drought savings," July 15, 2015
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 The Hill, "Obama unveils new coal mining rules," July 16, 2015
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 National Journal, "Obama Continues Efforts to Regulate Coal Industry," July 16, 2015
  20. ↑ Politico, "Interior proposes boosting stream protections from coal mining," July 16, 2015
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Environment & Energy News, "New FWS polar bear plan calls for cutting greenhouse gases," July 2, 2015
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, "Polar Bear," accessed July 13, 2015
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 Washington Post, "In massive expansion of lands legacy, Obama creates three new national monuments," July 10, 2015
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 CBS News, "Obama to create new national monuments in Texas, California, Nevada," July 10, 2015
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 The News & Observer, "Federal wildlife agency puts off decision on NC red wolf recovery effort," June 30, 2015
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 26.4 Associated Press, "Red wolf reintroductions halted while changes considered," June 30, 2015
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 The Los Angeles Times, "Jerry Brown aims to lead a climate change revolution," July 9, 2015
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 The Los Angeles Times, "Jerry Brown pushes for new climate action at Toronto summit," July 8, 2015
  29. ↑ California Governor's Office, "Governor Brown Signs Agreement with Mexico to Reduce Dangerous Greenhouse Gases," July 28, 2014
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Farm Futures, "Lawsuits target EPA water rule," July 3, 2015
  31. ↑ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Clean Water Rule Factsheet," accessed May 28, 2015
  32. ↑ The Record-Courier, "Nevada joins lawsuit challenging federal water rules, "July 3, 2015
  33. ↑ Environmental Law Matters, "In the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia (WOTUS complaint)," June 30, 2015
  34. ↑ Pacific Legal Foundation, "'Waters of the United States' — the ultimate power grab," November 10, 2014
  35. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named rapanos
  36. ↑ Environment and Energy Publishing News, "Big wins elusive for EPA in Clean Water Act showdowns," August 27, 2014
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 Evansville Courier and Press, "EPA regulations entering 2015 governor race," July 4, 2015
  38. ↑ New York Law Journal, "Legal Challenges to Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan," September 11, 2014
  39. ↑ The Viewpoint, "12 States Sue EPA Over Proposed Power Plant Regulations," September 15, 2014
  40. ↑ Utility Dive, "Messing with Texas: Can the state block the EPA's Clean Power Plan?" May 15, 2015
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 41.6 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider protection for Blanding's turtle," July 4, 2015
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 42.4 42.5 Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "As habitat shrinks, federal agency considers putting rare Blanding's turtle on endangered list," July 5, 2015
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