By Steven Hamburg

The everyday use of natural gas across the greater Boston area is resulting in much higher emissions of methane than previously thought, according to a study published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These emissions represent the waste of a valuable energy resource as well as an important source of greenhouse gas, since methane—the main component of natural gas—is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide for the first 20 years it is in the atmosphere.

The reported emissions are more than two times higher than previously estimated using state emissions inventory data, with a yearly average loss rate from delivery and use of natural gas in the Boston urban region of 2.7 percent (with a margin of error of 0.6 percent). That’s enough natural gas to fuel about 200,000 homes each year.

While EPA data indicates that investments by many gas utilities in reducing leaks have made a difference, this study, led by scientist at Harvard University, demonstrates that the national statistics may mask significantly higher emissions in some parts of the country.

Though the Boston area is home to a large proportion of old, cast iron natural gas distribution pipes, that aging infrastructure does not necessarily fully explain the high emissions rates found in this study, suggesting that there may be sources of natural gas emissions that are not currently accounted for. The study points to the importance of collecting data about emissions from appliances and industries for which there is little current information.

These additional emissions might be coming from a diversity of end uses, e.g., incomplete combustion in furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters or in power plants and industrial applications.

However, a recent decision by Massachusetts—to encourage accelerated replacement by natural gas utilities of the cast iron and uncoated steel pipes used to distribute natural gas to customers—will certainly help reduce the methane losses observed. Recent surveys highlight the location and magnitude of those losses.

Looking Beyond End-Use  Sources

The fact that there are unaccounted for emissions suggests that state policies focused on end-use efficiency of natural gas may also be of value in reducing methane emissions in the state. The study is another among a growing number of recent analyses documenting methane emissions along the natural gas supply chain – from the well sites where the gas is produced, to the facilities that process the natural gas, as well as through the many thousands miles of pipes and compressors that bring the gas to our homes and businesses.

If natural gas is going to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term, emissions of methane from the entire supply chain must be substantially reduced to less than one percent of the total natural gas produced.

In 2012, EDF launched a major research effort working collaboratively with nearly 100 different groups (universities, research institutes, government and companies) to undertake a series of 16 independent, peer-reviewed studies designed to understand how much and from where methane is escaping into the atmosphere across the entire natural gas supply chain. This analysis is one of those studies.                                            

Groundbreaking Methods

A team of scientists from Harvard and collaborating institutions gathered data at four sites, two on the top of buildings in downtown Boston and two at upwind locations outside the city. Continuous methane observations were collected for a year from the four stations and, using a high-resolution atmospheric model, the regional average methane emissions were calculated.

To understand how much of the observed emissions were coming from natural gas rather than biological sources such as landfills and sewer systems, the team also measured ethane, which is found in natural gas but is not associated with biologically produced methane. The scientists found that depending on the season, natural gas accounted for 60 to 100 percent of the total methane emissions observed. The methods deployed by the researchers can be used as a model for monitoring natural gas emissions in other cities around the world.

Important Implications

Methane emissions are bad for the environment.  But they are also bad for customers.  Natural gas emissions in the urban environment mean that some of the natural gas purchased to meet customer needs does not serve a useful purpose; it is lost either on the way to being delivered or in the process of getting burned.  Imagine a tanker truck full of home heating oil driving down the street, with a spigot that isn’t tightly closed, then delivering to a home with a leaky holding tank—you get the idea.

The good news is that national and state policymakers are increasingly realizing the importance of addressing methane emissions and are taking steps to tackle the problem.

The Obama administration just announced a plan for reducing methane emissions across the oil and gas industry by 40 to 45 percent, and Massachusetts recently enacted a new law intended to improve the classification, reporting and repair of natural gas leaks from the local gas distribution pipes. Putting new emissions standards in place through regulations at the state and federal levels is a critical step to ensure that methane emissions are reduced.

Local Utility Working to Improve

I am pleased to note that National Grid, the local gas utility in Boston, has been working closely with EDF on ways to improve how the utility measures leaks from its distribution pipes. National Grid will use that information to make its existing efforts to reduce leaks across its system more effective.  Thus far, National Grid is the only gas utility in the United States to support the Obama administration’s plan to reduce methane emissions across the oil and gas industry by 40 to 45 percent.  There’s more for National Grid to do, but it deserves credit for being constructively engaged.

These results are yet another call to action on natural gas. The study also suggests that in addition to reducing emissions from gas delivery infrastructure, we need to take a closer look at how natural gas is used and where emissions can be reduced or eliminated on the customer side of the meter.

Photo source: Flickr/Michael Krigsman

The everyday use of natural gas across the greater Boston area is resulting in much higher emissions of methane than previously thought, according to a study published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These emissions represent the waste of a valuable energy resource as well as an important source of […]

By Steven Hamburg

The everyday use of natural gas across the greater Boston area is resulting in much higher emissions of methane than previously thought, according to a study published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These emissions represent the waste of a valuable energy resource as well as an important source of greenhouse gas, since methane—the main component of natural gas—is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide for the first 20 years it is in the atmosphere.

The reported emissions are more than two times higher than previously estimated using state emissions inventory data, with a yearly average loss rate from delivery and use of natural gas in the Boston urban region of 2.7 percent (with a margin of error of 0.6 percent). That’s enough natural gas to fuel about 200,000 homes each year.

While EPA data indicates that investments by many gas utilities in reducing leaks have made a difference, this study, led by scientist at Harvard University, demonstrates that the national statistics may mask significantly higher emissions in some parts of the country.

Though the Boston area is home to a large proportion of old, cast iron natural gas distribution pipes, that aging infrastructure does not necessarily fully explain the high emissions rates found in this study, suggesting that there may be sources of natural gas emissions that are not currently accounted for. The study points to the importance of collecting data about emissions from appliances and industries for which there is little current information.

These additional emissions might be coming from a diversity of end uses, e.g., incomplete combustion in furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters or in power plants and industrial applications.

However, a recent decision by Massachusetts—to encourage accelerated replacement by natural gas utilities of the cast iron and uncoated steel pipes used to distribute natural gas to customers—will certainly help reduce the methane losses observed. Recent surveys highlight the location and magnitude of those losses.

Looking Beyond End-Use  Sources

The fact that there are unaccounted for emissions suggests that state policies focused on end-use efficiency of natural gas may also be of value in reducing methane emissions in the state. The study is another among a growing number of recent analyses documenting methane emissions along the natural gas supply chain – from the well sites where the gas is produced, to the facilities that process the natural gas, as well as through the many thousands miles of pipes and compressors that bring the gas to our homes and businesses.

If natural gas is going to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term, emissions of methane from the entire supply chain must be substantially reduced to less than one percent of the total natural gas produced.

In 2012, EDF launched a major research effort working collaboratively with nearly 100 different groups (universities, research institutes, government and companies) to undertake a series of 16 independent, peer-reviewed studies designed to understand how much and from where methane is escaping into the atmosphere across the entire natural gas supply chain. This analysis is one of those studies.                                            

Groundbreaking Methods

A team of scientists from Harvard and collaborating institutions gathered data at four sites, two on the top of buildings in downtown Boston and two at upwind locations outside the city. Continuous methane observations were collected for a year from the four stations and, using a high-resolution atmospheric model, the regional average methane emissions were calculated.

To understand how much of the observed emissions were coming from natural gas rather than biological sources such as landfills and sewer systems, the team also measured ethane, which is found in natural gas but is not associated with biologically produced methane. The scientists found that depending on the season, natural gas accounted for 60 to 100 percent of the total methane emissions observed. The methods deployed by the researchers can be used as a model for monitoring natural gas emissions in other cities around the world.

Important Implications

Methane emissions are bad for the environment.  But they are also bad for customers.  Natural gas emissions in the urban environment mean that some of the natural gas purchased to meet customer needs does not serve a useful purpose; it is lost either on the way to being delivered or in the process of getting burned.  Imagine a tanker truck full of home heating oil driving down the street, with a spigot that isn’t tightly closed, then delivering to a home with a leaky holding tank—you get the idea.

The good news is that national and state policymakers are increasingly realizing the importance of addressing methane emissions and are taking steps to tackle the problem.

The Obama administration just announced a plan for reducing methane emissions across the oil and gas industry by 40 to 45 percent, and Massachusetts recently enacted a new law intended to improve the classification, reporting and repair of natural gas leaks from the local gas distribution pipes. Putting new emissions standards in place through regulations at the state and federal levels is a critical step to ensure that methane emissions are reduced.

Local Utility Working to Improve

I am pleased to note that National Grid, the local gas utility in Boston, has been working closely with EDF on ways to improve how the utility measures leaks from its distribution pipes. National Grid will use that information to make its existing efforts to reduce leaks across its system more effective.  Thus far, National Grid is the only gas utility in the United States to support the Obama administration’s plan to reduce methane emissions across the oil and gas industry by 40 to 45 percent.  There’s more for National Grid to do, but it deserves credit for being constructively engaged.

These results are yet another call to action on natural gas. The study also suggests that in addition to reducing emissions from gas delivery infrastructure, we need to take a closer look at how natural gas is used and where emissions can be reduced or eliminated on the customer side of the meter.

Photo source: Flickr/Michael Krigsman

By Steven Hamburg

The everyday use of natural gas across the greater Boston area is resulting in much higher emissions of methane than previously thought, according to a study published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These emissions represent the waste of a valuable energy resource as well as an important source of greenhouse gas, since methane—the main component of natural gas—is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide for the first 20 years it is in the atmosphere.

The reported emissions are more than two times higher than previously estimated using state emissions inventory data, with a yearly average loss rate from delivery and use of natural gas in the Boston urban region of 2.7 percent (with a margin of error of 0.6 percent). That’s enough natural gas to fuel about 200,000 homes each year.

While EPA data indicates that investments by many gas utilities in reducing leaks have made a difference, this study, led by scientist at Harvard University, demonstrates that the national statistics may mask significantly higher emissions in some parts of the country.

Though the Boston area is home to a large proportion of old, cast iron natural gas distribution pipes, that aging infrastructure does not necessarily fully explain the high emissions rates found in this study, suggesting that there may be sources of natural gas emissions that are not currently accounted for. The study points to the importance of collecting data about emissions from appliances and industries for which there is little current information.

These additional emissions might be coming from a diversity of end uses, e.g., incomplete combustion in furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters or in power plants and industrial applications.

However, a recent decision by Massachusetts—to encourage accelerated replacement by natural gas utilities of the cast iron and uncoated steel pipes used to distribute natural gas to customers—will certainly help reduce the methane losses observed. Recent surveys highlight the location and magnitude of those losses.

Looking Beyond End-Use  Sources

The fact that there are unaccounted for emissions suggests that state policies focused on end-use efficiency of natural gas may also be of value in reducing methane emissions in the state. The study is another among a growing number of recent analyses documenting methane emissions along the natural gas supply chain – from the well sites where the gas is produced, to the facilities that process the natural gas, as well as through the many thousands miles of pipes and compressors that bring the gas to our homes and businesses.

If natural gas is going to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term, emissions of methane from the entire supply chain must be substantially reduced to less than one percent of the total natural gas produced.

In 2012, EDF launched a major research effort working collaboratively with nearly 100 different groups (universities, research institutes, government and companies) to undertake a series of 16 independent, peer-reviewed studies designed to understand how much and from where methane is escaping into the atmosphere across the entire natural gas supply chain. This analysis is one of those studies.                                            

Groundbreaking Methods

A team of scientists from Harvard and collaborating institutions gathered data at four sites, two on the top of buildings in downtown Boston and two at upwind locations outside the city. Continuous methane observations were collected for a year from the four stations and, using a high-resolution atmospheric model, the regional average methane emissions were calculated.

To understand how much of the observed emissions were coming from natural gas rather than biological sources such as landfills and sewer systems, the team also measured ethane, which is found in natural gas but is not associated with biologically produced methane. The scientists found that depending on the season, natural gas accounted for 60 to 100 percent of the total methane emissions observed. The methods deployed by the researchers can be used as a model for monitoring natural gas emissions in other cities around the world.

Important Implications

Methane emissions are bad for the environment.  But they are also bad for customers.  Natural gas emissions in the urban environment mean that some of the natural gas purchased to meet customer needs does not serve a useful purpose; it is lost either on the way to being delivered or in the process of getting burned.  Imagine a tanker truck full of home heating oil driving down the street, with a spigot that isn’t tightly closed, then delivering to a home with a leaky holding tank—you get the idea.

The good news is that national and state policymakers are increasingly realizing the importance of addressing methane emissions and are taking steps to tackle the problem.

The Obama administration just announced a plan for reducing methane emissions across the oil and gas industry by 40 to 45 percent, and Massachusetts recently enacted a new law intended to improve the classification, reporting and repair of natural gas leaks from the local gas distribution pipes. Putting new emissions standards in place through regulations at the state and federal levels is a critical step to ensure that methane emissions are reduced.

Local Utility Working to Improve

I am pleased to note that National Grid, the local gas utility in Boston, has been working closely with EDF on ways to improve how the utility measures leaks from its distribution pipes. National Grid will use that information to make its existing efforts to reduce leaks across its system more effective.  Thus far, National Grid is the only gas utility in the United States to support the Obama administration’s plan to reduce methane emissions across the oil and gas industry by 40 to 45 percent.  There’s more for National Grid to do, but it deserves credit for being constructively engaged.

These results are yet another call to action on natural gas. The study also suggests that in addition to reducing emissions from gas delivery infrastructure, we need to take a closer look at how natural gas is used and where emissions can be reduced or eliminated on the customer side of the meter.

Photo source: Flickr/Michael Krigsman

Written by Dominique Browning

We are in sore need, these days, of Republican leadership on climate change. So Mitt Romney’s recent comments were right on:

“I’m one of those Republicans who thinks we are getting warmer and that we contribute to that,” he said, charging that federal leaders have failed to enact global agreements needed to tackle the problem.

A recent vote in Washington got us a count of where Senators stand on climate change. Nearly all agreed that climate change is happening. But when asked the key question–whether human activity contributed significantly to climate change now–the drop-off in science intelligence was frightening.

Only five Republican Senators are ready to face reality and get to work on solutions: Senators Alexander, Ayotte, Collins, Graham, and Kirk.

Why does this matter?

Because it means HOPE. If we caused the problem, we can solve the problem.

Yes, the climate has been changing for millions of years. Our planet has endured deep freezes, when earth was covered with ice—and super heat, when it was covered with water. We know this only because of scientific research.

Humans were not around during the past big climate shifts—because humans cannot survive climate extremes.

Human civilization has thrived for the last 10,000 years or so because we have enjoyed a stable climate. We cannot compromise our world.

We cannot ignore human contribution to climate change now—and that’s why Mr. Romney’s recent comments are so deeply important. Perhaps his leadership will open up space for more Republicans to roll up their sleeves and create policies Republicans can rally around to cut the carbon and methane pollution that is so radically altering our world. Or, miracle of miracles, they will see that the President’s proposals make good sense for all parties concerned.

JOIN MCAF

By Jon Goldstein

Wyoming has a long history of living with the oil and gas industry that goes back to the nineteenth century, but that doesn’t mean that new drilling projects in new parts of the state don’t get the public’s attention. New neighbors are always a source of local interest and an approach to air quality regulations that includes different requirements for different parts of the state can lead local residents to ask what new oil and gas development will mean for their neighborhoods, for their air, and for their quality of life.

If the robust turnout of several hundred people at two recent public meetings in Laramie and Converse counties is any indication, there is significant interest in how potentially rapid oil and gas development could impact local communities.

Laramie County has seen a tenfold increase in drilling applications in recent years from 147 applications in 2013 to 1,570 in 2014. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Land Management is currently considering a proposal that could bring as many as 5,000 new wells to Converse County. State and federal officials therefore deserve praise for providing the public with a forum to air their questions and concerns.

Oil and gas has long been a bulwark of the Wyoming economy, but large new drilling projects can have unintended consequences such as elevated levels of unhealthy ozone pollution. That is why the state has historically designed stronger air regulations for the parts of the state witnessing the most intense drilling.

In southwestern Wyoming ‘s Pinedale area, the state is in the process of finalizing strong, sensible rules requiring things like regular inspections to detect and fix pollution leaks at both new and existing oil and gas wells. These pollution reduction strategies will not only help clear the air, but because they also limit methane pollution, they will reduce natural gas waste as well. Every hydrocarbon molecule that stays out of the air and in the pipe creates an economic and environmental win/win for the state.

Unfortunately, the same sensible, cost-effective requirements don’t apply in eastern Wyoming where the lion’s share of drilling is now occurring. Since Jan. 1, 2013 Converse and Laramie counties have ranked 1 and 2 in Wyoming for new drilling applications. Despite this, these counties have the most lenient air quality requirements in the state.

The Pinedale requirements were spurred by rapid oil and gas development and related ozone pollution that threatened the health of local residents and triggered federal requirements from the Environmental Protection Agency. As oil and gas drilling ramps up in the east other communities could face similar problems if the state doesn’t act proactively to head off the problem at the pass.

It’s an issue that has public health advocates concerned. As the Wyoming Public Health Association stated in the Casper Star Tribune this week, “The cost-effective, common-sense air protections developed in Pinedale should be applied on a statewide basis as soon as possible. Residents of the Equality State deserve equal access to healthy, clean air.”

EDF agrees and will continue to support leveling the playing field by advocating for an extension of smart pollution controls across Wyoming.

 Photo Source: Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

By Jon Goldstein

Wyoming has a long history of living with the oil and gas industry that goes back to the nineteenth century, but that doesn’t mean that new drilling projects in new parts of the state don’t get the public’s attention. New neighbors are always a source of local interest and an approach to air quality regulations that includes different requirements for different parts of the state can lead local residents to ask what new oil and gas development will mean for their neighborhoods, for their air, and for their quality of life.

If the robust turnout of several hundred people at two recent public meetings in Laramie and Converse counties is any indication, there is significant interest in how potentially rapid oil and gas development could impact local communities.

Laramie County has seen a tenfold increase in drilling applications in recent years from 147 applications in 2013 to 1,570 in 2014. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Land Management is currently considering a proposal that could bring as many as 5,000 new wells to Converse County. State and federal officials therefore deserve praise for providing the public with a forum to air their questions and concerns.

Oil and gas has long been a bulwark of the Wyoming economy, but large new drilling projects can have unintended consequences such as elevated levels of unhealthy ozone pollution. That is why the state has historically designed stronger air regulations for the parts of the state witnessing the most intense drilling.

In southwestern Wyoming ‘s Pinedale area, the state is in the process of finalizing strong, sensible rules requiring things like regular inspections to detect and fix pollution leaks at both new and existing oil and gas wells. These pollution reduction strategies will not only help clear the air, but because they also limit methane pollution, they will reduce natural gas waste as well. Every hydrocarbon molecule that stays out of the air and in the pipe creates an economic and environmental win/win for the state.

Unfortunately, the same sensible, cost-effective requirements don’t apply in eastern Wyoming where the lion’s share of drilling is now occurring. Since Jan. 1, 2013 Converse and Laramie counties have ranked 1 and 2 in Wyoming for new drilling applications. Despite this, these counties have the most lenient air quality requirements in the state.

The Pinedale requirements were spurred by rapid oil and gas development and related ozone pollution that threatened the health of local residents and triggered federal requirements from the Environmental Protection Agency. As oil and gas drilling ramps up in the east other communities could face similar problems if the state doesn’t act proactively to head off the problem at the pass.

It’s an issue that has public health advocates concerned. As the Wyoming Public Health Association stated in the Casper Star Tribune this week, “The cost-effective, common-sense air protections developed in Pinedale should be applied on a statewide basis as soon as possible. Residents of the Equality State deserve equal access to healthy, clean air.”

EDF agrees and will continue to support leveling the playing field by advocating for an extension of smart pollution controls across Wyoming.

 Photo Source: Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

By Jon Goldstein

Wyoming has a long history of living with the oil and gas industry that goes back to the nineteenth century, but that doesn’t mean that new drilling projects in new parts of the state don’t get the public’s attention. New neighbors are always a source of local interest and an approach to air quality regulations that includes different requirements for different parts of the state can lead local residents to ask what new oil and gas development will mean for their neighborhoods, for their air, and for their quality of life.

If the robust turnout of several hundred people at two recent public meetings in Laramie and Converse counties is any indication, there is significant interest in how potentially rapid oil and gas development could impact local communities.

Laramie County has seen a tenfold increase in drilling applications in recent years from 147 applications in 2013 to 1,570 in 2014. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Land Management is currently considering a proposal that could bring as many as 5,000 new wells to Converse County. State and federal officials therefore deserve praise for providing the public with a forum to air their questions and concerns.

Oil and gas has long been a bulwark of the Wyoming economy, but large new drilling projects can have unintended consequences such as elevated levels of unhealthy ozone pollution. That is why the state has historically designed stronger air regulations for the parts of the state witnessing the most intense drilling.

In southwestern Wyoming ‘s Pinedale area, the state is in the process of finalizing strong, sensible rules requiring things like regular inspections to detect and fix pollution leaks at both new and existing oil and gas wells. These pollution reduction strategies will not only help clear the air, but because they also limit methane pollution, they will reduce natural gas waste as well. Every hydrocarbon molecule that stays out of the air and in the pipe creates an economic and environmental win/win for the state.

Unfortunately, the same sensible, cost-effective requirements don’t apply in eastern Wyoming where the lion’s share of drilling is now occurring. Since Jan. 1, 2013 Converse and Laramie counties have ranked 1 and 2 in Wyoming for new drilling applications. Despite this, these counties have the most lenient air quality requirements in the state.

The Pinedale requirements were spurred by rapid oil and gas development and related ozone pollution that threatened the health of local residents and triggered federal requirements from the Environmental Protection Agency. As oil and gas drilling ramps up in the east other communities could face similar problems if the state doesn’t act proactively to head off the problem at the pass.

It’s an issue that has public health advocates concerned. As the Wyoming Public Health Association stated in the Casper Star Tribune this week, “The cost-effective, common-sense air protections developed in Pinedale should be applied on a statewide basis as soon as possible. Residents of the Equality State deserve equal access to healthy, clean air.”

EDF agrees and will continue to support leveling the playing field by advocating for an extension of smart pollution controls across Wyoming.

 Photo Source: Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

By Jon Goldstein

Wyoming has a long history of living with the oil and gas industry that goes back to the nineteenth century, but that doesn’t mean that new drilling projects in new parts of the state don’t get the public’s attention. New neighbors are always a source of local interest and an approach to air quality regulations that includes different requirements for different parts of the state can lead local residents to ask what new oil and gas development will mean for their neighborhoods, for their air, and for their quality of life.

If the robust turnout of several hundred people at two recent public meetings in Laramie and Converse counties is any indication, there is significant interest in how potentially rapid oil and gas development could impact local communities.

Laramie County has seen a tenfold increase in drilling applications in recent years from 147 applications in 2013 to 1,570 in 2014. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Land Management is currently considering a proposal that could bring as many as 5,000 new wells to Converse County. State and federal officials therefore deserve praise for providing the public with a forum to air their questions and concerns.

Oil and gas has long been a bulwark of the Wyoming economy, but large new drilling projects can have unintended consequences such as elevated levels of unhealthy ozone pollution. That is why the state has historically designed stronger air regulations for the parts of the state witnessing the most intense drilling.

In southwestern Wyoming ‘s Pinedale area, the state is in the process of finalizing strong, sensible rules requiring things like regular inspections to detect and fix pollution leaks at both new and existing oil and gas wells. These pollution reduction strategies will not only help clear the air, but because they also limit methane pollution, they will reduce natural gas waste as well. Every hydrocarbon molecule that stays out of the air and in the pipe creates an economic and environmental win/win for the state.

Unfortunately, the same sensible, cost-effective requirements don’t apply in eastern Wyoming where the lion’s share of drilling is now occurring. Since Jan. 1, 2013 Converse and Laramie counties have ranked 1 and 2 in Wyoming for new drilling applications. Despite this, these counties have the most lenient air quality requirements in the state.

The Pinedale requirements were spurred by rapid oil and gas development and related ozone pollution that threatened the health of local residents and triggered federal requirements from the Environmental Protection Agency. As oil and gas drilling ramps up in the east other communities could face similar problems if the state doesn’t act proactively to head off the problem at the pass.

It’s an issue that has public health advocates concerned. As the Wyoming Public Health Association stated in the Casper Star Tribune this week, “The cost-effective, common-sense air protections developed in Pinedale should be applied on a statewide basis as soon as possible. Residents of the Equality State deserve equal access to healthy, clean air.”

EDF agrees and will continue to support leveling the playing field by advocating for an extension of smart pollution controls across Wyoming.

 Photo Source: Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

By Ann Hayden

Credit: Paulo Vescia

It’s not always easy to incentivize private landowners to voluntarily implement water efficiency and conservation measures, particularly when there’s a drought. When drought hits, farmers desperately need water to grow thirsty crops and remain profitable. In the near term, it’s a lot easier, as “60 Minutes” recently reported, to keep drilling deeper and deeper to access quickly dwindling groundwater – at any cost.

As the "60 Minutes" story notes, groundwater is like a savings account that should primarily be used in times of need to supplement surface water supplies. With the most severe drought ever on record and surface water supplies at an all-time low, farmers all across California are pumping groundwater in record amounts – putting the state in serious risk of widespread groundwater overdraft.

That’s why the case of Full Belly Farm, a 400-acre, 30-year old certified organic farm located in Northern California – and recent winner of the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award – is especially impressive.

Credit: Full Belly Farm

Halting depletion

The growers at Full Belly Farm are maximizing soil health and making sure nutrients are replenished through compost application – which allows the soil to retain more water and have better seepage. This in turn leads to better groundwater replenishment and prevention of aquifer depletion.

Maximizing soil health

While the average soil organic matter in California’s Central Valley is 0.7 percent, Full Belly’s soils have an average of 3 percent soil organic matter. This can be attributed to rotating crops, using cover crops during the off season, and applying compost, all of which contribute to healthy soils.

Cover crops not only can help increase famers’ yield, but they also reduce soil erosion, increase organic matter in the soil, and prevent nutrient loss by holding on to nitrogen and phosphorous that might otherwise run off into our waterways.

During the growing season, water efficiency also plays a key role – 90 percent of the farm’s crops are watered using drip irrigation, and many use buried drip systems that lose less water to evaporation than traditional systems.

Voluntary measures

Credit: Full Belly Farm

But that’s not the only way Full Belly is a conservation leader. Here’s what else they’re doing:

• Planting habitat to benefit local wildlife and insects, which help pollinate crops
• Selling produce within 120 miles of the farm to limit GHG emissions caused by food transport
• Hosting an annual festival to create awareness about sustainable food production and ethical farm labor
• Implementing a seasonal rotation of crops, herbs and grains to maximize crop diversity

As the growers at Full Belly note, the diversity of crops grown on the farm’s more than 50 independently managed fields contribute to the farm’s economic and ecological resilience in the face of climate change.

Leading the way

Full Belly Farm is demonstrating that voluntary conservation by private landowners is one of the most effective and efficient ways of stewarding and protecting our state’s land, water and wildlife.

As the drought continues in California, other private landowners – big and small – can and should consider implementing similar water efficiency and soil health measures to ensure better reliability of our precious water resources.

By Ann Hayden

Credit: Paulo Vescia

It’s not always easy to incentivize private landowners to voluntarily implement water efficiency and conservation measures, particularly when there’s a drought. When drought hits, farmers desperately need water to grow thirsty crops and remain profitable. In the near term, it’s a lot easier, as “60 Minutes” recently reported, to keep drilling deeper and deeper to access quickly dwindling groundwater – at any cost.

As the "60 Minutes" story notes, groundwater is like a savings account that should primarily be used in times of need to supplement surface water supplies. With the most severe drought ever on record and surface water supplies at an all-time low, farmers all across California are pumping groundwater in record amounts – putting the state in serious risk of widespread groundwater overdraft.

That’s why the case of Full Belly Farm, a 400-acre, 30-year old certified organic farm located in Northern California – and recent winner of the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award – is especially impressive.

Credit: Full Belly Farm

Halting depletion

The growers at Full Belly Farm are maximizing soil health and making sure nutrients are replenished through compost application – which allows the soil to retain more water and have better seepage. This in turn leads to better groundwater replenishment and prevention of aquifer depletion.

Maximizing soil health

While the average soil organic matter in California’s Central Valley is 0.7 percent, Full Belly’s soils have an average of 3 percent soil organic matter. This can be attributed to rotating crops, using cover crops during the off season, and applying compost, all of which contribute to healthy soils.

Cover crops not only can help increase famers’ yield, but they also reduce soil erosion, increase organic matter in the soil, and prevent nutrient loss by holding on to nitrogen and phosphorous that might otherwise run off into our waterways.

During the growing season, water efficiency also plays a key role – 90 percent of the farm’s crops are watered using drip irrigation, and many use buried drip systems that lose less water to evaporation than traditional systems.

Voluntary measures

Credit: Full Belly Farm

But that’s not the only way Full Belly is a conservation leader. Here’s what else they’re doing:

• Planting habitat to benefit local wildlife and insects, which help pollinate crops
• Selling produce within 120 miles of the farm to limit GHG emissions caused by food transport
• Hosting an annual festival to create awareness about sustainable food production and ethical farm labor
• Implementing a seasonal rotation of crops, herbs and grains to maximize crop diversity

As the growers at Full Belly note, the diversity of crops grown on the farm’s more than 50 independently managed fields contribute to the farm’s economic and ecological resilience in the face of climate change.

Leading the way

Full Belly Farm is demonstrating that voluntary conservation by private landowners is one of the most effective and efficient ways of stewarding and protecting our state’s land, water and wildlife.

As the drought continues in California, other private landowners – big and small – can and should consider implementing similar water efficiency and soil health measures to ensure better reliability of our precious water resources.

Coastal programs to see 5 percent budget cuts in 2015-16, Coastal Authority Executive Director says
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. Jan. 21, 2015
“Clearly, Louisiana is facing a short-term budgetary crisis, but CPRA is tackling a much more serious long-term crisis," said a statement released late Wednesday by the Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation.” (Read More)

In BP oil spill trial, U.S. witnesses to detail disaster’s economic effect
By Jennifer Larino, The Times-Picayune. Jan. 22, 2015
“The U.S. government plans Thursday to continue to build its case that BP should pay the maximum $13.7 billion fine for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, this time calling an expert witness to describe the disaster's economic effect.” (Read More)
 
BP oil spill harmed wildlife, habitat ‘everywhere it went,’ expert testifies
By Jennifer Larino, The Times-Picayune. Jan. 21, 2015
“The BP oil spill caused widespread damage to the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, harming wildlife, shoreline habitats and vital microorganisms on the ocean floor, an environmental expert testified for the Justice Department on Wednesday morning.” (Read More)

Two new diversion sites to be studied, computer modeling to determine effectiveness
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. Jan. 22, 2015
“State coastal scientists released findings on the best location for two additional sediment diversions along the lower Mississippi River based on cost, highest sediment collection and effectiveness.” (Read More)

Progress made on proposed Wetlands Discovery Center
By Chris Leblanc, Houma Today. Jan. 21, 2015
“The Terrebonne Parish Council approved a cooperative endeavor agreement with the state last week after $125,000 in state construction money and a roughly $31,000 local match were approved for the project’s design, engineering and permitting process.” (Read More)

Coastal programs to see 5 percent budget cuts in 2015-16, Coastal Authority Executive Director says
By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune. Jan. 21, 2015
“Clearly, Louisiana is facing a short-term budgetary crisis, but CPRA is tackling a much more serious long-term crisis," said a statement released late Wednesday by the Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation.” (Read More)

In BP oil spill trial, U.S. witnesses to detail disaster’s economic effect
By Jennifer Larino, The Times-Picayune. Jan. 22, 2015
“The U.S. government plans Thursday to continue to build its case that BP should pay the maximum $13.7 billion fine for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, this time calling an expert witness to describe the disaster's economic effect.” (Read More)
 
BP oil spill harmed wildlife, habitat ‘everywhere it went,’ expert testifies
By Jennifer Larino, The Times-Picayune. Jan. 21, 2015
“The BP oil spill caused widespread damage to the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, harming wildlife, shoreline habitats and vital microorganisms on the ocean floor, an environmental expert testified for the Justice Department on Wednesday morning.” (Read More)

Two new diversion sites to be studied, computer modeling to determine effectiveness
By Amy Wold, The Advocate. Jan. 22, 2015
“State coastal scientists released findings on the best location for two additional sediment diversions along the lower Mississippi River based on cost, highest sediment collection and effectiveness.” (Read More)

Progress made on proposed Wetlands Discovery Center
By Chris Leblanc, Houma Today. Jan. 21, 2015
“The Terrebonne Parish Council approved a cooperative endeavor agreement with the state last week after $125,000 in state construction money and a roughly $31,000 local match were approved for the project’s design, engineering and permitting process.” (Read More)

A conservation program that works for wildlife, oilmen and landowners alike

This is an adaptation of a blog post first published by EDF’s Growing Returns.

You may have seen a strange-looking bird causing quite a stir in the news as of late.

That’s because there’s a lot at stake with the greater sage-grouse, especially now that a rider in the federal spending bill prevents the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the species under the Endangered Species Act this year.

This delay isn’t stopping ranchers, conservationists and other key stakeholders from moving full speed ahead to find a solution.

You might not get this sense from the political debate and recent media reports. But on the ground these days, there is a real spirit of cooperation when it comes to the greater sage-grouse.

That’s because everyone realizes that – rider or no rider, listing or no listing – this bird needs help.

Society can better avoid significant costs with upfront actions, rather than reactive regulations.

The greater sage-grouse, a brownish-gray bird that walks on the ground more than it flies and makes its home out West, once numbered in the millions. Over the past 30 years, however, the population has shrunk 30 percent to no more than 500,000 birds, and it could be less than half that.

We don’t have another year to sit back and watch populations decline further. Doing nothing will only increase the need for federal action in the future. 

Conservation is good business for landowners

The best thing we can do is to use this time to build a conservation program that works – fast.

That’s exactly what state agencies, landowners, energy companies and conservation groups are trying to do through habitat exchanges, which will let landowners such as ranchers and farmers get paid for growing sage-grouse habitat.

Habitat exchanges are unique in that they’ve been designed to work whether or not a species is actually listed – providing incentives to get good conservation on the ground before any last minute Hail Mary federal protections are needed.

“Research has shown that society can better avoid significant costs with upfront actions, rather than reactive regulations,” said Terry Fankhauser, executive vice president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. “Everyone sees the opportunity; they realize that species like the greater sage-grouse can thrive as a managed component of a successful beef cattle ranch.”

We should all want to see populations grow so a listing won’t be necessary. But crossing our fingers and hoping for the best is not a winning strategy.

We must nurture the productive partnerships that have already been developed in sage-grouse country to promote solutions such as habitat exchanges that benefit everyone: the oilman, the cattle rancher and the sage-grouse.

In this case, everyone’s a winner.

Anonymous January 22, 2015 - 10:17 Comments

The notion that creating exchanges is as good as protecting natural existing wildlife environment is absurd. Who informs the sage grouse or other animal when and where to move? You cattlemen could stop lobbying the government to destroy natural habitat for persinal profit. THAT would really protect wildlife.

Rebecca Kane January 28, 2015 at 12:46 am

Cattlemen and other landowners are critical partners in conservation, since two-thirds of land in the lower 48 states are privately owned working lands. Therefore, conserving wildlife on farms and ranches is vital. Cattlemen in particular have proven to be willing and effective partners in sage grouse conservation, since the conservation activities that are good for the sage grouse – such as controlling the expansion of invasive plants and restoring sagebrush habitat – are also good for cattle ranching. Finally, we do not mean to suggest that exchanges are superior to protection – rather, they are complementary strategies to more classic protection.

Eric Holst January 29, 2015 at 9:52 am Add new comment

By Victoria Mills

Business leaders have long agreed on the “why” of environmental management: seeing the value in increased profits, reduced waste and a smaller carbon footprint. But the “how” has often been the stumbling block.

Two case studies released today from adidas Group and the Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver (DHA) help to answer that question, detailing energy management strategies that deliver tremendous value and are great examples for other organizations to follow.

Material Handling Equipment at adidas Group

The adidas Group tackled the dual challenge of improving efficiency in existing distribution centers as well as when specifying material handling equipment in new facilities. Recognizing that only reducing upfront costs during design won’t optimize efficiency over the long term, the adidas Group is now analyzing the lifecycle cost of conveyer belts and other equipment. See the full case study here.

Meanwhile, DHA tackled the challenge of expanding renewable energy resources despite limited capital funds. The solution: an innovative power purchase agreement that enabled the installation of a 2.5 megawatt solar project with minimal upfront costs and a stream of lease payments to benefit DHA. If the 3,300 housing authorities in the U.S. duplicated Denver’s success, their rooftops could produce enough solar energy to power more than 1 million homes. See the full case study here.

Solar installation at DHA

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of the recently released case studies of JLL and Urban Innovations, which have risen to the City of Chicago’s challenge to reduce commercial building energy consumption by 20 percent in the next five years. By focusing on education, automation and data, JLL and Urban Innovations each took leaps forward in energy efficiency.

EDF is thrilled to share these case studies as scalable solutions that companies across a wide range of industry sectors can adopt. Together, they show the diversity of organizations that benefit from EDF Climate Corps, and whet our appetite for the projects on tap for the summer of 2015, including Verizon, Shorenstein Properties and Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

We are seeing the dawn of a new era for EDF Climate Corps, as our eight years of partnerships bear new and interesting fruit, with the potential to save energy in hundreds – or even thousands – of organizations. We are eager to hear how you are making the transition from “why” to “how” in energy management, and how EDF can help. Contact us at info@edfclimatecorps.org.

By Victoria Mills

Business leaders have long agreed on the “why” of environmental management: seeing the value in increased profits, reduced waste and a smaller carbon footprint. But the “how” has often been the stumbling block.

Two case studies released today from adidas Group and the Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver (DHA) help to answer that question, detailing energy management strategies that deliver tremendous value and are great examples for other organizations to follow.

Material Handling Equipment at adidas Group

The adidas Group tackled the dual challenge of improving efficiency in existing distribution centers as well as when specifying material handling equipment in new facilities. Recognizing that only reducing upfront costs during design won’t optimize efficiency over the long term, the adidas Group is now analyzing the lifecycle cost of conveyer belts and other equipment. See the full case study here.

Meanwhile, DHA tackled the challenge of expanding renewable energy resources despite limited capital funds. The solution: an innovative power purchase agreement that enabled the installation of a 2.5 megawatt solar project with minimal upfront costs and a stream of lease payments to benefit DHA. If the 3,300 housing authorities in the U.S. duplicated Denver’s success, their rooftops could produce enough solar energy to power more than 1 million homes. See the full case study here.

Solar installation at DHA

Today’s announcement comes on the heels of the recently released case studies of JLL and Urban Innovations, which have risen to the City of Chicago’s challenge to reduce commercial building energy consumption by 20 percent in the next five years. By focusing on education, automation and data, JLL and Urban Innovations each took leaps forward in energy efficiency.

EDF is thrilled to share these case studies as scalable solutions that companies across a wide range of industry sectors can adopt. Together, they show the diversity of organizations that benefit from EDF Climate Corps, and whet our appetite for the projects on tap for the summer of 2015, including Verizon, Shorenstein Properties and Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

We are seeing the dawn of a new era for EDF Climate Corps, as our eight years of partnerships bear new and interesting fruit, with the potential to save energy in hundreds – or even thousands – of organizations. We are eager to hear how you are making the transition from “why” to “how” in energy management, and how EDF can help. Contact us at info@edfclimatecorps.org.

Business leaders have long agreed on the “why” of environmental management: seeing the value in increased profits, reduced waste and a smaller carbon footprint. But the “how” has often been the stumbling block.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.org
Elizabeth Van Cleve, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, evancleve@edf.org
Lauren Bourg, National Audubon Society, 225.776.9838, lbourg@audubon.org
Jimmy Frederick, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, 225.767.4181, jimmy.frederick@crcl.org

Louisiana Governor Cuts Coastal Funds, Jeopardizing Coast

Budget cuts will impact restoration programs and raises question of how state will pay for Coastal Plan

(New Orleans – January 21, 2015) On Wednesday, January 21, 2015, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced budget cuts including cuts to Louisiana coastal programs and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Agency (CPRA).

National and local conservation organizations committed to coastal Louisiana restoration – Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation issued the following statement in response to announced budget cuts:

“In 2012 the Governor and legislature of the State of Louisiana embarked upon a fifty-year, $50 billion effort to avert a disaster for more than two million of our coastal citizens.  To date the state has managed to shield the agency leading that effort, CPRA, from budgetary politics. CPRA manages hundreds of millions of dollars in levee and restoration construction projects each year and is run on a small budget entirely supported by mineral revenues—nothing from the taxpayer-supported general fund.

“Clearly, Louisiana is facing a short term budgetary crisis, but CPRA is tackling a much more serious long- term crisis. If we lose the fight against the forces of coastal erosion, we lose our homes, our coastal towns and cities, our jobs, and we devastate our local and national economy. We are in the very early stages of developing the long-term strategies we’ll need to fund the plan—and we have a long way to go. In the meantime, cutting CPRA’s restoration and protection program support is short-sighted and ill-advised.

“Louisiana’s coastal region is an economic driver for the state and the front lines in protecting our state from storms and the encroaching Gulf of Mexico. Today’s budget cuts diminish the CPRA’s ability to do its job, putting communities at risk and slowing down restoration efforts.  These cuts are an unfortunate attempt to hastily balance a budget while potentially having lasting impacts on our coastal economy and safety of coastal residents.

“As the state begins to implement a fifty-year, $50 billion coastal master plan, now is not the time to be cutting funds from the coastal program. On the contrary, the governor and legislature should instead be laying out a vision for what new sources of funding will pay for this critical plan.

We look forward to working with this governor and future governors to protect our coast and develop new, long-term funding sources that can be used to implement the state’s coastal master plan.”

 ###

 
Interview Opportunities: Interview opportunities are available with experts in coastal restoration and budget issues from our national and local conservation organizations.

Mississippi River Delta Restoration Experts:
David Muth, Director for Mississippi River Delta Restoration, National Wildlife Federation
Douglas J. Meffert, D. Env., MBA, Executive Director, National Audubon Society (Audubon Louisiana)
John A. Lopez, Ph.D., Coastal Director, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation
Kimberly Reyher, Executive Director, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Steve Cochran, Director for Mississippi River Delta Restoration, Environmental Defense Fund

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Emily Guidry Schatzel, National Wildlife Federation, 225.253.9781, schatzele@nwf.org
Elizabeth Van Cleve, Environmental Defense Fund, 202.553.2543, evancleve@edf.org
Lauren Bourg, National Audubon Society, 225.776.9838, lbourg@audubon.org
Jimmy Frederick, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, 225.767.4181, jimmy.frederick@crcl.org

Louisiana Governor Cuts Coastal Funds, Jeopardizing Coast

Budget cuts will impact restoration programs and raises question of how state will pay for Coastal Plan

(New Orleans – January 21, 2015) On Wednesday, January 21, 2015, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced budget cuts including cuts to Louisiana coastal programs and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Agency (CPRA).

National and local conservation organizations committed to coastal Louisiana restoration – Environmental Defense Fund, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation issued the following statement in response to announced budget cuts:

“In 2012 the Governor and legislature of the State of Louisiana embarked upon a fifty-year, $50 billion effort to avert a disaster for more than two million of our coastal citizens.  To date the state has managed to shield the agency leading that effort, CPRA, from budgetary politics. CPRA manages hundreds of millions of dollars in levee and restoration construction projects each year and is run on a small budget entirely supported by mineral revenues—nothing from the taxpayer-supported general fund.

“Clearly, Louisiana is facing a short term budgetary crisis, but CPRA is tackling a much more serious long- term crisis. If we lose the fight against the forces of coastal erosion, we lose our homes, our coastal towns and cities, our jobs, and we devastate our local and national economy. We are in the very early stages of developing the long-term strategies we’ll need to fund the plan—and we have a long way to go. In the meantime, cutting CPRA’s restoration and protection program support is short-sighted and ill-advised.

“Louisiana’s coastal region is an economic driver for the state and the front lines in protecting our state from storms and the encroaching Gulf of Mexico. Today’s budget cuts diminish the CPRA’s ability to do its job, putting communities at risk and slowing down restoration efforts.  These cuts are an unfortunate attempt to hastily balance a budget while potentially having lasting impacts on our coastal economy and safety of coastal residents.

“As the state begins to implement a fifty-year, $50 billion coastal master plan, now is not the time to be cutting funds from the coastal program. On the contrary, the governor and legislature should instead be laying out a vision for what new sources of funding will pay for this critical plan.

We look forward to working with this governor and future governors to protect our coast and develop new, long-term funding sources that can be used to implement the state’s coastal master plan.”

 ###

 
Interview Opportunities: Interview opportunities are available with experts in coastal restoration and budget issues from our national and local conservation organizations.

Mississippi River Delta Restoration Experts:
David Muth, Director for Mississippi River Delta Restoration, National Wildlife Federation
Douglas J. Meffert, D. Env., MBA, Executive Director, National Audubon Society (Audubon Louisiana)
John A. Lopez, Ph.D., Coastal Director, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation
Kimberly Reyher, Executive Director, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Steve Cochran, Director for Mississippi River Delta Restoration, Environmental Defense Fund

 

 

 

Written by Liza Donnelly

When Moms Clean Air Force was told Florida Field Manager, Nicole Hernandez Hammer was invited as a personal guest of First Lady Michelle Obama at the State of the Union, I was asked to Live Tweet the event. I often draw political events and awards shows on television. Please enjoy my sketches from last night. We all need to laugh!

Activist Nicole Hernandez Hammer was at #SOTU as a guest of the White House, representing @cleanairmoms! pic.twitter.com/zy1IE30zpd

— lizadonnelly (@lizadonnelly) January 21, 2015

“I think that we know that the window for action is closing. The longer we wait to act aggressively on climate change, the more expensive it’s going to be and the more impacts we’re going to see,” she said. “As a mom, that’s not the future I want to leave my son.” ~ MCAF Florida Field Manager, Nicole Hernandez Hammer

    The three we love #SOTu @cleanairmoms pic.twitter.com/OIXMZcBil7 — lizadonnelly (@lizadonnelly) January 21, 2015

With Vice President Joe Biden to his right and House Speaker John Boehner to his left, President Barack Obama said, “The best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we do not act forcefully, we’ll continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heat waves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration, conflict, and hunger around the globe.”

 

EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy chats folks before the speech. #SOTU @cleanairmoms pic.twitter.com/OGrX2AYq9x — lizadonnelly (@lizadonnelly) January 21, 2015

Before the SOTU, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy invited Nicole to her office. Administrator McCarthy said, “This afternoon I get to meet Nicole Hernandez Hammer, one of the special guests who’ll sit in the First Lady’s box at the State of the Union tonight…She’s a mom and scientist from Florida who has studied sea level rise, and who works to motivate folks from her state, especially Latinos, to take action on climate change. I’m inspired by her work and her commitment.”

    Michelle and Jill beautiful as always. #SOTU @cleanairmoms pic.twitter.com/CQu3ghGBM4 — lizadonnelly (@lizadonnelly) January 21, 2015

Michelle Obama is the mother of Sasha and Malia. Jill Biden is the mother of Ashley Biden and grandmother to Naomi, Finnegan, Maisy, Natalie, and Hunter Biden.

 

Applauding Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. #climatechange @cleanairmoms #sotu pic.twitter.com/gCB4DiEera — lizadonnelly (@lizadonnelly) January 21, 2015

Moms Clean Air Force applauds Senator Sheldon Whitehouse! When he joined us at our DC Play-In, Senator Whitehouse said, “We have some very big polluters who are polluting our planet. We have those same polluters who are polluting our democracy with a lot of money and a lot of influence. And up against those big polluters, we have the Moms Clean Air Force. And I want to tell you that my money is on the moms.”

  President Obama and Justice Ruth Ginsberg exchange a hug. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/PCmhMdsuLA — lizadonnelly (@lizadonnelly) January 21, 2015

“She is one of my favorite people,” Obama said of Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Follow all Liza Donnelly’s tweets at @LizaDonnelly

JOIN MCAF