April 21, 2006

Provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA

EPA Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report Released
On April 17 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a report on greenhouse gas emissions titled, “Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990–2004.” In the report, which was prepared for the U.N. Framework on Climate Change, EPA claims that the United States is making progress in reducing emissions of some critical gases. According to the report, methane and nitrous oxide emissions have decreased by 10% and 2%, respectively, from 1990 levels. Overall, greenhouse gas emissions increased by 1.7% from 2003 to 2004. EPA correlates this to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption. Fossil fuel combustion was the largest source of emissions, accounting for 80% of the total. The report is available at www.epa.gov/globalwarming/publications/emissions.

On the same day, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the final revised guidelines for the Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (1605b) Program, designed to encourage broader reporting of emissions and sequestration by utilities and industries, as well as small businesses and institutions. The guidelines provide tools to help companies strengthen their greenhouse gas management efforts through high-quality emission inventories and entity-wide assessments of emission reductions, while also establishing a public record of these efforts. Under the program, U.S. companies will submit detailed annual reports on their emissions and reductions of greenhouse gases.  The revised guidelines are scheduled to be published in the April 21Federal Register. Additional information on the revised guidelines is available at www.pi.energy.gov/enhancingGHGregistry. (SJH)

New Document Aimed at Improving Wetlands Monitoring Programs
A new document, released on April 20 by EPA, will help states and tribes develop consistent programs to improve wetland monitoring.  The document outlines critical elements that programs should include. "Application of Elements of a State Water Monitoring and Assessment Program for Wetlands," is a follow-up publication to EPA's 2003 publication, "Elements of a State Water Monitoring and Assessment Program."  The new document describes the 10 recommended elements of a wetland monitoring and assessment program including a program strategy, monitoring objectives and design, and data management.  It further describes wetland-specific assessment approaches available to states and tribes.  The purpose of the document is to increase the understanding of wetland quality by advancing the practice of wetlands monitoring and assessment.  It provides information and illustrations of assessment approaches unique to wetlands while reiterating the basic structure of a monitoring program that includes wetlands.  The new guidance and other information about wetlands monitoring are available at www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/monitor/. (SJH)

EPA Environmental Appeals Board Approves Second Batch of Air Compliance Agreements with Animal Feeding Operations
EPA's Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) approved an additional 702 air compliance agreements for animal feeding operations (AFOs) on April 17.  The approval of these agreements is another important step forward towards implementing a nationwide study of air emissions from AFOs.  EPA expects that the monitoring study will begin later this year.  Approximately 2,700 AFOs signed up to participate in the voluntary agreement.  These operations represent more than 6,700 farms in 42 states.  EPA is reviewing the remaining agreements and plans to submit the qualifying agreements to the EAB for review over the next few months.  This second group of 702 agreements consists of 48 operations that raise egg-laying birds, which represent 333 farms, and 654 swine-raising operations, which represent 2,143 farms.   For more information on the AFO agreement, visit: www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/agreements/caa/cafo-agr-0604.html. (SJH)

Young Leaders Recognized for Environmental, Community Impacts
Ten projects were recognized at the 35th annual 2005 President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) ceremony held on April 20 at the White House.  President Bush and EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson welcomed 49 students to the White House to honor their achievements in environmental protection.  PEYA has been presented annually since 1971 to honor students in kindergarten through twelfth grade who develop projects that help protect local environments and promote local environmental awareness in their communities.  For information on the PEYA Program, the 2005 award winners and their project descriptions, visit:  www.epa.gov/enviroed/peya2005.html. (SJH)

Quote of the Week: “Subdue your appetites, my dears, and you've conquered human nature.”  - Charles Dickens

This Week in Washington is provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA. To receive This Week in Washington by e-mail, contact Lisa Jones, (703) 684-2400 ext. 7741, ljones@wef.org. For more information on this week's stories, please contact the WEF staff whose initials appear at the end of the item in which you are interested. TW –Tim Williams (703) 684-2437, twilliams@wef.org; SRT - Sharon Thomas, (703) 684-2423, sthomas@wef.org; SJH - Sam Hadeed (703) 684-2418, shadeed@wef.org; PS-Patricia Sinicropi (703) 684-2416, psinicropi@wef.org. This Week in Washington is available on-line at http://www.wef.org/PolicyAction/USGovernmentAffairs/TWIW/.