WaterWired

CRS Insight Report: '2021 Hurricane Outlook and Review of 2020 Hurricane Season'

It's a little late to talk about the 2020 hurricane outlook but not the review of the 2020 season. There are still about 30 days (through 30 November) in the 2021 Atlantic, central Pacific and eastern Pacific hurricane season. CNN has provided 'fast facts' on the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season.

Eva Limpiec has assembled this CRS Insight report (13 October 2021): 2021 Hurricane Outlook and Review of 2020 Hurricane Season.

Download CRS_Insight_Report_2021_Hurricane_Outlook_2020Review_2021_13Oct2021

Note that Insight reports have embedded likes which may not be functional here. Read the report online (click on the titles above) to get link functionality. Click on the graphics to enlarge them. In the Pacific, hurricanes are typically called cyclones. The entire report is reproduced here.

Introduction
The potential for widespread storm destruction to the United States underscores the value of timely tropical cyclone forecasts. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for issuing tropical cyclone forecasts, including track, intensity, storm surge, and rainfall.

NOAA defines a tropical cyclone as a “rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation.” According to NOAA, tropical cyclones include

•   Tropical depressions—maximum sustained winds of ≤ 38 miles per hour (mph).

•   Tropical storms—maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph. NOAA typically names a storm once it reaches this strength.

•   Hurricanes—maximum sustained winds of ≥ 74 mph, corresponding to a category 1 or 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Hurricanes are called typhoons or cyclones in other parts of the world.

•   Major hurricanes—maximum sustained winds of ≥111 mph, corresponding to a category 3, 4, or 5.

  NOAA releases seasonal hurricane outlooks relevant to the United States, including the north Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and central Pacific oceans, before each hurricane season begins. Although outlook titles refer to hurricanes, outlooks include information on potential named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes. The Atlantic and central Pacific seasons run from June 1 through November 30; the eastern Pacific season begins May 15. Tropical cyclones, however, may form outside of these timeframes. In August, NOAA typically updates the Atlantic outlook but not the Pacific outlooks. Multiple nonfederal entities also publish outlooks. These forecasts rely, in part, on NOAA’s collected and shared information.

  2021 Hurricane Season Outlooks
  In May 2021, NOAA issued its initial 2021 Atlantic hurricane outlook (Table 1), indicating a 60% likelihood of an above-normal season rather than a near- (30%) or below-normal season (10%). The predicted number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes was similar to the number initially predicted for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, but NOAA forecasters did not expect 2021 to be as “busy” as 2020. In its August 2021 update, NOAA increased the likelihood of an above-average season to 65% and adjusted the ranges of expected named storms and hurricanes but retained its original number of major hurricanes (Table 1). El Niño-Southern Oscillation conditions are currently in the neutral phase, with the possibility of La Niña later in the season, according to NOAA; both phases support high hurricane activity.

NOAA released its 2021 outlooks for the eastern (Table 2) and central Pacific hurricane seasons in May 2021. NOAA anticipated both regions likely would experience below-normal seasons (45%) rather than near- (35%) or above-normal seasons (20%).

NOAA predicted the central Pacific would experience two to five tropical cyclones in 2021. The central Pacific basin averaged four to five tropical cyclones per year between 1991 and 2020.

2020 Hurricane Season
In May 2020, NOAA issued its initial 2020 Atlantic hurricane season outlook (Table 3), indicating an above-normal season (60%). Its August 2020 outlook increased the likelihood of an above-normal season to 85%.

Since 2016, a tropical cyclone has formed before the June 1 start of the hurricane season (e.g., tropical storms Arthur and Bertha formed in May 2020). The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season (Figure 1) was noteworthy for the

•   most named storms (30),

•   second-highest number of hurricanes (14),

•   most number of landfalling named storms (11), with 4 coming ashore in Louisiana,

•   second-ever use of the Greek alphabet to supplement the 21-name Atlantic storm list, and

•   fifth consecutive year with an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, totaling 18 above- normal seasons in the past 26 seasons. NOAA attributed the increased hurricane activity to the warm phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, which began in 1995. Such active eras in the Atlantic basin historically have lasted 25-40 years.

 

NOAA released its 2020 eastern Pacific (Table 4) and central Pacific hurricane outlooks in May 2020, anticipating these regions likely would experience near- (40%) to below-normal (35%) seasons, with above-normal seasons less likely to occur (25%).

The 2020 eastern Pacific hurricane season began when Tropical Depression One-E formed in April—the earliest tropical cyclone to form since the satellite record began in 1966. The season featured three major hurricanes: Douglas, Genevieve, and Marie.

NOAA predicted two to six tropical cyclones in the central Pacific during the 2020 hurricane season. The actual 2020 central Pacific season included two tropical cyclones in the basin: Boris and Douglas (Figure 3).

Enjoy Halloween!

"Time is the longest distance between two places." - Tennessee Williams

CRS Report: 'Dam Removal and the Federal Role'

From Anna E. Normand comes this CRS report (27 October 2021): 'Dam Removal and the Federal Role'. 

Here is a map from American Rivers showing all the US dams removed, 1912-2020.

Download CRS_Report_Dam_Removal_and_Federal_Role_27Oct2021

Summary
Dam owners sometimes consider dam removal as a policy option to address dam safety, ecosystem restoration, or other concerns. The National Inventory of Dams (NID) lists more than 90,000 dams in the United States, many of which function as part of the nation’s water infrastructure and provide benefits (e.g., flood control, hydroelectric power, recreation, navigation, and water supply). Stakeholders may consider the removal of a dam for various reasons—for example, if a certain dam requires major dam safety modifications or no longer provides its intended benefits. In addition, dams often affect ecosystem processes and aquatic species mobility; these effects may be costly to mitigate and may prompt consideration of dam removal. According to a stakeholder database that tracks dam removals, nearly 1,800 dams were removed in the United States from 1912 to 2020, with approximately 800 removed from 2011 to 2020. Small, nonfederal dams accounted for most of these removals; removal of federally owned or regulated dams was less frequent during the 1912-2020 period (e.g., approximately 70 of the dams removed since 1912 were federally owned).

Dam removal is a multistep process. The decision to remove a dam usually starts with the dam owner. Approximately 97% of dams are owned by private entities, state or local governments, or public utilities; the federal government owns 3% of dams in the NID. Stakeholders, such as communities, policymakers, river-dependent industries, tribes, nongovernmental organizations, scientists, and academics, among others, also may participate in the dam removal consideration process. This process often involves an evaluation of potential alternatives, which can include changes to dam operations, dam rehabilitation or repair, modifications to add or improve fish passage, dam removal, and/or a “no action” option.

The federal government’s role in dam removal varies based on ownership (e.g., federal versus nonfederal), purpose (e.g., federally regulated hydropower facilities), location (e.g., a nonfederal dam on federal land), and other factors. Federal law and associated regulations may require the involvement of applicable federal agencies for a proposed dam removal project. Such involvement may include the issuance of a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit (33 U.S.C. §1344) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. §§4321 et seq.) review process, and consultations with government agencies to meet requirements of federal laws. The Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. §§791 et seq.) regulates nonfederal hydropower projects, and the relicensing process under this authority has in some cases spurred consideration of dam removal.

The congressional role in removal of a federal dam typically depends on whether Congress authorized the dam. For federally owned dams that Congress authorized for specific purposes, such as dams owned and operated by federal water resource agencies (e.g., USACE, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation), removal generally requires specific congressional authorization following a feasibility study that selects dam removal as the preferred alternative. By contrast, federal agencies generally may remove federally owned dams without specific congressional authorization at their discretion, based on agency policies and in adherence to state and federal law. For example, federal land management agencies may consider removal of dams when seeking to reduce operation and safety costs while pursing restoration initiatives. At times, Congress has considered prohibiting removal of certain federal dams.

The federal government is sometimes involved in the removal of nonfederal dams. Although there is no underlying statutory authority for federal involvement in nonfederal dam removal, Congress has authorized involvement in some individual dam removals when it found a compelling reason to do so, often due to a federal nexus (e.g., proximity to federal land or project, tribal responsibilities, listed species). Additionally, Congress has authorized programs that provide support (e.g., grants, loans, technical assistance) to address issues including dam safety, flooding risks, fish and wildlife passage, and watershed restoration. Some of these efforts may facilitate (or result in) nonfederal dam removal.

In the 117th Congress, several bills would create new authorities related to dam removal or would provide emergency and/or mandatory appropriations for dam removal activities. Congress may consider the federal government’s role in studying and executing specific projects for dam removal and whether to change the amount of appropriations for new or existing programs that fund dam removal activities. In addition, Congress may oversee agency implementation of new or amended authorities for dam removal and may review the effectiveness, efficiency, and priorities of agencies funding dam removal activities.

 

Cutting to the chase...

Dam Removal Legislation in the 117th Congress 
In the 117th Congress, legislation has been introduced to create new authorities related to dam removal and to provide emergency and mandatory appropriations for certain activities that may include dam removal. These provisions are summarized below. 

Several bills introduced in the House and the Senate contain multiple provisions related to dams, including dam removal. Title II of H.R. 4375, the Twenty-First Century Dams Act, would create a new 30% federal tax incentive, with a direct pay option, to support efforts by private, state, local, and nonprofit groups to remove obsolete dam obstructions. Eligible expenses include the removal, in whole or in part, of powered and non-powered dams, with the dam owner’s consent, along with any remediation and ecosystem restoration costs associated with a removal project. Title III of H.R. 4375 also would direct USACE to establish a new dam removal program; it would authorize appropriations for the program at $7.5 billion over five years, which would fund dam removal projects or dam removal technical assistance programs aimed at protecting human health and safety, restoring aquatic habitat and riverine processes, and enhancing river-based recreation, among other objectives. The bill would establish a dam removal council comprising the heads of multiple federal agencies to develop a strategy to remove dams and to make recommendations to USACE regarding dam removal projects and technical assistance programs. The council also would establish an advisory board of tribal representatives, state agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and organizations representing dam owners to provide advice and recommendations to the council. Title IV of H.R. 4375 would direct the USGS and the Department of Energy to conduct a national dam assessment to assimilate data for stakeholders and federal agencies to determine whether government and privately owned powered and non-powered dams may be appropriate candidates for removal, upgrading, enhancement for environmental performance, or retrofitting for hydropower production.

S. 2356, also titled the Twenty-First Century Dams Act, includes the same dam removal provisions that appear in Titles III and IV of H.R. 4375 but does not include the tax provisions in Title II of H.R. 4375. Separate legislation, the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectric and River Restoration Act (S. 2306 and H.R. 4499) includes tax provisions similar to those in Title II of H.R. 4375. Section 204 of H.R. 3404, the FUTURE Western Water Infrastructure and Drought Resiliency Act, would direct the Secretary of the Interior to arrange for a study with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on sediment transport following dam removal. 

In August 2021, the Senate passed H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which includes new authorizations related to dam removal and emergency appropriations under new and existing authorities related to dam removal. The bill would authorize a new $80 million collaborative-based, landscape-scale restoration program from FY2022 through FY2026. The program would be administered by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior and would aim to restore water quality or fish passage on federal land, including Indian forest land or rangeland. Under the program, the Secretaries would solicit collaboratively developed proposals for up to $5 million in funding for five-year projects to restore fish passage or water quality on federal and nonfederal land. The bill also would authorize $250 million for FY2022 through FY2026 to Reclamation for the design, study, and construction of aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection projects, which may include removing fish passage barriers. The bill includes emergency appropriations that may fund dam removal, such as the following:

 $115 million for USACE’s Section 206 Continuing Authorizations Program (33 U.S.C. §2330) to restore fish and wildlife passage by removing in-stream barriers and providing technical assistance to nonfederal interests carrying out such activities 

 $250 million from FY2022 through FY2026 for Reclamation to design, study, and construct aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection projects, which may include removing fish passage barriers 

 $400 million through FY2026 for NOAA’s Community-Based Restoration Program (16 U.S.C. §1891a) to restore fish passage by removing in-stream barriers and providing technical assistance 

 $585 for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) High Hazard Dam Mitigation Grant Program (33 U.S.C. §467f–2), of which $75 million is for the removal of nonfederal dams 

 $200 million from FY2022 through FY2026 for FWS’s National Fish Passage Program to provide technical assistance and restore fish and wildlife passage by removing in-stream barriers 

 $10 million from FY2022 through FY2026 for FS’s Capital Improvement and Maintenance account for the removal of non-hydropower federal dams and to provide dam removal technical assistance 

 $2.9 billion from FY2022 through FY2026 for FS to carry out activities in Sections 40803-40804 of Division D of H.R. 3684150 (Section 40804 would authorize $80 million for the program described above to restore water quality or fish passage on federal land) 

The 21st Century Conservation Corps Act (S. 487 and H.R. 1162) also would provide emergency appropriations from FY2021 through FY2023 to the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior for federal land management and conservation, such as fish passage. 

In addition, Congress is debating whether to provide mandatory appropriations for environmental restoration in the FY2022 budget reconciliation process, and funding allocated for environmental restoration activities could include dam removal. H.R. 5376—approved by the House Committee on the Budget on September 27, 2021, in response to reconciliation directives from S.Con.Res. 14—includes provisions in Title VII related to environmental restoration. Some of the provisions would provide mandatory appropriations for activities such as habitat restoration and restoration of natural resources, among other purposes.152 H.R. 5376 also would provide $250 million in mandatory appropriations for Reclamation’s aquatic ecosystem restoration program, which may include projects that remove fish passage barriers, to be expended between FY2027 and FY2031 

The 117th Congress may debate whether to enact new authorities related to dam removal and whether to provide additional appropriations for programs that may fund dam removal activities. It also may engage in oversight of federal agency activities pursuant to new or amended authorities related to dam removal and may review the effectiveness, efficiency, and priorities of agencies funding dam removal activities 

Lots of work ahead.

Enjoy!

"We live in water and we return to water." - Unknown (from Jess Walter)

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 23 - 29 October 2021

The @onbeing Project with @kristatippett: Listen
to the amazing  @KHayhoe 'Our future is still in our hands' https://bit.ly/3b3XqE6

You'll be amazed as the enthusiastic, optimistic Dr. Hayhoe discusses climate change and our future. You'll enjoy it and be energized.  

Enjoy!

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The links below represent the week's water news as represented by my Tweets. I do not pretend that this survey is a comprehensive survey of the water news; it's my attempt to keep my readers informed to the best of my ability and available time.

Scroll down to 'Positions Open' and 'Previous Weeks' Positions Open' to see the jobs. All my individual job Tweets are archived at #JobWaWi. Previous weekly summaries are archived at:  #WaWiNews or click here. If a link does not work, paste the URL into your browser.
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Top Twenty-Five (More or Less)
From @AZWRRC: 'Weekly Wave' Newsletter - 29 October 2021. In this issue: MAR 5, IDWW, New Book, APW, Webinar, Dubai Expo, Photo Contest https://tinyurl.com/2z66dn5m #SWUSwater 

From @USATODAY by @janetwilson66: 'Climate Point' - 29 October 2021. @UN official decries 'morally indefensible' inaction; #COP26 in Glasgow; More! https://tinyurl.com/b9urt9vc #globalwater #cdnwater

CRS Report: 'U.S. Climate Change Policy' https://bit.ly/3mqJ7Aa #globalwater

CRS Report: Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Pledges by Selected Countries - Nationally Determined Contributions & Net-Zero Legislation' https://bit.ly/3pKUVzk #globalwater

Guest column in @mtdemocratnews: California’s water shortage was created by a lack of leadership, not Mother Nature. https://bit.ly/3vSnqMc #cawater

From @TheEconomist: Stabilising the climate. https://econ.st/3BntkpR

From @pressanddakotan; Corps Ready For A Dry Winter https://bit.ly/3bhvQDw #PNWater

Webinar - @Stanford's @WaterintheWest: 'Covering Water in the West: A Conversation with Journalists' with @ByIanJames, @AbrahmL, @loishenry, @felicitybarr - Tuesday, 2 Nov, noon - 1 PM PT. https://bit.ly/2ZrZ7sZ

From @kcranews: Weekend rain helped Northern California reservoirs, but drought impacts still deep https://tinyurl.com/jrzvye8n #cawater

In @jaxdotcom After 34 years of growth, will Congress change how Florida's clean-water money is figured? https://tinyurl.com/tpcs699w

66th Annual New Mexico Water Conference: 'Reality and Resilience: Planning for New Mexico's Water Future' Free Virtual Conference 26-28 October 2021. Tuesday Conference Session Starts Today at 10:30 MT https://bit.ly/3mbVr73 #SWUSwater

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geoscience; 2) Environmental Science; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 25 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3b77xrF

The @onbeing Project with @kristatippett: Listen to the amazing  @KHayhoe 'Our future is still in our hands' https://bit.ly/3b3XqE6

From @JPRnews: Clean Water Act protections restored after lawsuit https://bit.ly/3jvILWU #PNWater

In @SpotlightNews Oregon to test for toxic 'forever chemicals' in public water systems. https://bit.ly/2ZjVBAa #PNWater

Guest Column in @jaxdotcom: Solutions to climate change start at the local level https://bit.ly/3b8vCPa #FLwater 

From @EPAMichaelRegan: Broad Coalition of Advocates, Community Leaders, and Officials Praise @EPA’s New Roadmap on PFAS https://bit.ly/3pA3QU7

CRS InFocus Report: '@usbr Water Storage Projects - Section 4007 of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act' https://bit.ly/3BadGxO #SWUSwater

From @witfnews: La Niña is coming. Here’s what that means for winter weather in the U.S. https://bit.ly/3baTf9q #NEWater

By @tonydavis987 in @TucsonStar: Fixing the ailing Colorado River: Where will the water savings come from? https://bit.ly/3B4aN1K #SWUSwater

From @OPB: Bitter Harvest: Klamath Basin farmers take stock of their losses. https://bit.ly/3EqMBsD

From @Gizmodo: After Dune, You’ll Never Think About Water the Same Way Again https://bit.ly/3b2uoVB (tnx @EAKoebele)

From @KVPR Fresno County farmers at a ‘crossroads’ as drought, climate change limit water supply. https://tinyurl.com/yftcyt2z #cawater

CRS Report: 'Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in the United States' Updated: 18 October 2021 https://bit.ly/30P9HKS

It's @Water_MDPI, Vol 13, Issue 20 (Oct-2 2021) - 143 Articles https://bit.ly/3b9xk2p

From @OSUCEOAS: 'On the Horizon' Newsletter - 29 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3nGA7Gp #PNWater

From @AGU_Eos: Buzz Newsletter - 29 October 2021. Air Pollution Killed a Million People in Africa in 2019; Understanding Tremors Through Tree Rings; Melting Arctic Sea Ice Strengthens Tides; More! https://bit.ly/3Bw4Hao #globalwater

CRS Insight Report: '2021 Hurricane Outlook and Review of 2020 Hurricane Season' https://bit.ly/3vZInow

CRS Report: 'Dam Removal and the Federal Role' https://bit.ly/3mqJbjg

Books, Reviews and Related
From @Gizmodo: After Dune, You’ll Never Think About Water the Same Way Again https://bit.ly/3b2uoVB (tnx @EAKoebele)

Bottled Water, Beer, Drinking Water/TapWater
In @SpotlightNews Oregon to test for toxic 'forever chemicals' in public water systems. https://bit.ly/2ZjVBAa #PNWater

From @EPAMichaelRegan: Broad Coalition of Advocates, Community Leaders, and Officials Praise @EPA’s New Roadmap on PFAS https://bit.ly/3pA3QU7

Next Cleveland mayor needs to focus on equitable and safe drinking-water access: Opinion by Crystal Davis in @ThePlainDealer. https://bit.ly/2XEOq5f

Bullshit and Crap Detection
From @NPR and @AP: This city will rely on bottled water for weeks because of high lead levels. https://n.pr/3b2JwSH

California
In @RecordBee by @PaulRogersSJMN: Atmospheric river storm: How it affects California’s drought https://tinyurl.com/4vvj7pvy #cawater

Guest column in @mtdemocratnews: California’s water shortage was created by a lack of leadership, not Mother Nature. https://bit.ly/3vSnqMc #cawater

From @kcranews: Weekend rain helped Northern California reservoirs, but drought impacts still deep https://tinyurl.com/jrzvye8n #cawater

Via @NWSSacramento: Over just 24 hrs, Sac Exec Ap received 81.9% of total precip from the entire 2020 - 2021 water year! Here are some comparisons. Rain is still falling, so stay tuned for updates on the storm total precip amounts from this #AtmosphericRivers (tnx @D_Blodgett)

From @OPB: Bitter Harvest: Klamath Basin farmers take stock of their losses. https://bit.ly/3EqMBsD

From @FOX40: Study suggests flooding could reach never-before-seen levels in Sacramento, Central valleys https://bit.ly/3vFE8hG

From @KVPR Fresno County farmers at a ‘crossroads’ as drought, climate change limit water supply. https://tinyurl.com/yftcyt2z #cawater

Canada
From @CanadianWater B.C. residents say water is the top environmental issue: Poll https://bit.ly/3EmnJSF #cdnwater

From @CanadianWater 'The Droplet' Newsletter - 25 October 2021. Company of the Year: LuminUltra Technologies Ltd; B.C. residents say water is the top environmental issue: Poll; More! https://bit.ly/3vQ5jGJ

The @onbeing Project with @kristatippett: Listen to the amazing  @KHayhoe 'Our future is still in our hands' https://bit.ly/3b3XqE6

Climate, Climate Change, and Meteorology
From @USATODAY by @janetwilson66: 'Climate Point' - 29 October 2021. @UN official decries 'morally indefensible' inaction; #COP26 in Glasgow; More! https://tinyurl.com/b9urt9vc #globalwater #cdnwater

In @RecordBee by @PaulRogersSJMN: Atmospheric river storm: How it affects California’s drought https://tinyurl.com/4vvj7pvy #cawater

From @TheEconomist: Stabilising the climate. https://econ.st/3BntkpR

CRS Report: 'U.S. Climate Change Policy' https://bit.ly/3mqJ7Aa #globalwater

CRS Report: Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Pledges by Selected Countries - Nationally Determined Contributions & Net-Zero Legislation' https://bit.ly/3pKUVzk #globalwater

The @onbeing Project with @kristatippett: Listen to the amazing  @KHayhoe 'Our future is still in our hands' https://bit.ly/3b3XqE6

From @witfnews: La Niña is coming. Here’s what that means for winter weather in the U.S. https://bit.ly/3baTf9q #NEWater

CRS Insight Report: '2021 Hurricane Outlook and Review of 2020 Hurricane Season' https://bit.ly/3vZInow

Colorado
By @tonydavis987 in @TucsonStar: Fixing the ailing Colorado River: Where will the water savings come from? https://bit.ly/3B4aN1K #SWUSwater

From @CBSDenver From Latest Projection: Lake Powell Could Reach Critically Low Water Level By July https://cbsloc.al/30Q40Mx

Conferences,Webinars, Workshops and Calls for Abstracts/Paper
Webinar - @Stanford's @WaterintheWest: 'Covering Water in the West: A Conversation with Journalists' with @ByIanJames, @AbrahmL, @loishenry, @felicitybarr - Tuesday, 2 Nov, noon - 1 PM PT. https://bit.ly/2ZrZ7sZ

66th Annual New Mexico Water Conference: 'Reality and Resilience: Planning for New Mexico's Water Future' Free Virtual Conference 26-28 October 2021. Tuesday Conference Session Starts Today at 10:30 MT https://bit.ly/3mbVr73 #SWUSwater

From @AWWA: 'Water Financing Dialogue: WIFIA in 2021: Helping to Move Drinking Water Forward', 5 November 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM MDT. https://tinyurl.com/2kvewntm #cowater

Conflict, Cooperation, and Security
From @EPAMichaelRegan: Broad Coalition of Advocates, Community Leaders, and Officials Praise @EPA’s New Roadmap on PFAS https://bit.ly/3pA3QU7

From @OPB: Bitter Harvest: Klamath Basin farmers take stock of their losses. https://bit.ly/3EqMBsD

Disasters: Droughts, Floods, Wildfires and More
In @RecordBee by @PaulRogersSJMN: Atmospheric river storm: How it affects California’s drought https://tinyurl.com/4vvj7pvy #cawater

From @kcranews: Weekend rain helped Northern California reservoirs, but drought impacts still deep https://tinyurl.com/jrzvye8n #cawater

In @SIadvance: NYC flash flood watch due to coastal storm in effect Monday through Tuesday https://bit.ly/3vQoK2o #NEWater

From @FOX40: Study suggests flooding could reach never-before-seen levels in Sacramento, Central valleys https://bit.ly/3vFE8hG

Daily Water Newsletters
California Water Daily
California Water News Daily - 29 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/jesbanbb #cawater

California Water News Daily - 28 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3jMjZ52 #cawater

California Water News Daily - 27 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3Gv2AHA #cawater

California Water News Daily - 26 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/4v92fzpz #cawater

California Water News Daily - 25 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3jydoei #cawater

California Water News Daily - 24 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3B9tZev #cawater

California Water News Daily - 23 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3B9Z1my #cawater

Colorado Water Daily
Colorado Water News Daily - 29 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/yvrrkt44 #cowater 

Colorado Water News Daily - 28 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3vW9eSk #cowater

Colorado Water News Daily - 27 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3CkvPe0 #cowater

Colorado Water News Daily - 26 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/4hkkzxp2 #cowater

Colorado Water News Daily - 25 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3nuJuJd #cowater

Colorado Water News Daily - 24 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3Cc01b6 #cowater

Colorado Water News Daily - 23 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3m73qCg #cowater

Florida Water Daily
Florida Water News Daily - 29 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/3jwdrupz #FLwater

Florida Water News Daily - 28 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3jOuaWS #FLwater  

Florida Water News Daily - 27 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3GmkLiV #FLwater

Florida Water News Daily - 26 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/2a2j8yxm #FLwater

Florida Water News Daily - 25 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3vV5IYN #FLwater

Florida Water News Daily - 24 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3Eb2Jye #FLwater

Florida Water News Daily - 23 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3Eejhp3 #FLwater

Idaho Water News Daily
Idaho Water News Daily - 29 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/4k3rny2x #IDwater

Idaho Water News Daily - 28 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3GzgxnZ #IDwater

Idaho Water News Daily - 27 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3biDltL #IDwater

Idaho Water News Daily - 26 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3pFYXsp #IDwater

Idaho Water News Daily - 25 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3jzlDXL #IDwater

Idaho Water News Daily - 24 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3C9NZik #IDwater

Idaho Water News Daily - 23 October 2021. https://bit.ly/2XJDcN2 #IDwater

Northeast US Water Daily
Northeast US Water News Daily - 29 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/4bu8m3as #NEWater

Northeast US Water News Daily - 28 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3Cq5rzn #NEWater

Northeast US Water News Daily - 27 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3beg2kL #NEWater

Northeast US Water News Daily - 26 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/yb9h4fb9 #NEWater

Northeast US Water News Daily - 25 October 2021. https://bit.ly/2ZmFZMj #NEWater

Northeast US Water News Daily - 24 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3B9wuxw #NEWater

Northeast US Water News Daily - 23 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3Ggz8F9 #NEWater

Pacific Northwest Water Daily
Pacific Northwest Water News Daily - 29 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/sep55pay #PNWater

Pacific Northwest Water Daily - 28 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3nFCfyc #PNWater

Pacific Northwest Water News Daily - 27 October 2021. https://bit.ly/2Zs6fWh #PNWater

Pacific Northwest Water News Daily - 26 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/38tf2rz7 #PNWater

Pacific Northwest Water News Daily - 25 October 2021. https://bit.ly/30ZjgqG #PNWater

Pacific Northwest Water News Daily - 24 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3jtdzr9 #PNWater

Pacific Northwest Water News Daily - 23 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3jthxQO #PNWater

Portland (OR) Water News Daily
Portland (OR) Water News Daily - 29 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/3umtxvda #PDXwater

Portland (OR) Water News Daily - 28 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3EsJ1Om

Portland (OR) Water News Daily - 27 October 2021. https://bit.ly/2ZAVnVR #PDXwater

Portland (OR) Water News Daily - 26 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/yft7yff4 #PDXwater

Portlasnd (OR) Water News Daily - 25 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3jBsfoh #PDXwater

Portland (OR) Water News Daily - 24 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3puUkkT #PDXwater

Portland (OR) Water News Daily - 23 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3Eddbp0 #PDXwater

Eugene Water News Weekly - 25 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3B79oYl #EUGwater

Southwest US Water Daily
Southwest US Water News Daily - 29 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3Ex0PI7 #SWUSwater 

Southwest US Water News Daily - 28 October 2021. https://bit.ly/31cBaGw #SWUSwater

Southwest US Water News Daily - 27 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3jK0D0t #SWUSwater

Southwest US Water News Daily - 26 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3bu4MkJ #SWUSwater

Southwest US Water News Daily - 25 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3pA2f0l #SWUSwater

Southwest US Water News Daily - 24 Octobere 2021. https://bit.ly/3jyU4Od #SWUSwater

Texas Water Daily
Texas Water News Daily - 29 October 2021. https://tinyurl.com/4a9tw3c2 #txwater

Texas Water News Daily - 28 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3mlNIDs #txwater

Texas Water News Daily - 27 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3pHox0h #txwater

Texas Water News Daily - 26 October 2021. https://bit.ly/2ZlEgHg #txwater

Texas Water News Daily - 25 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3BbWjgq #txwater

Texas Water News Daily - 24 October 2021. https://bit.ly/2Zko9ti #txwater

Texas Water News Daily -23 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3jw3jyp #txwater

Education, Events, and Opportunities
From @UCBerkeley Video: 'Introduction to Groundwater Contamination' https://youtu.be/Oqkd_cjSHwg #cawater

From @OSUCEOAS: 'On the Horizon' Newsletter - 29 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3nGA7Gp #PNWater

E-Newsletters and E-Newspapers
The @WaterNetwork1 Newsletter - 29 October 2021. Essential Industry Trending Technology~Editor's Choice~Articles & Knowledge Exchange~Featured Jobs~Online Course~Events~More! https://bit.ly/3CxeDlE #globalwater

From @AZWRRC: 'Weekly Wave' Newsletter - 29 October 2021. In this issue: MAR 5, IDWW, New Book, APW, Webinar, Dubai Expo, Photo Contest https://tinyurl.com/2z66dn5m #SWUSwater

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geoscience; 2) Environmental Science; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 25 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3b77xrF

From @OSUCEOAS: 'On the Horizon' Newsletter - 29 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3nGA7Gp #PNWater

From @AGU_Eos: Buzz Newsletter - 29 October 2021. Air Pollution Killed a Million People in Africa in 2019; Understanding Tremors Through Tree Rings; Melting Arctic Sea Ice Strengthens Tides; More! https://bit.ly/3Bw4Hao #globalwater

Ethics, Gender, Indigenous People, Rights
Support Women in Water Scholarship Fund-Donate Now! https://bit.ly/2S63TVr

From @World_Waters: The Renaissance Dam and the Question of Water Rights on the Nile River. https://bit.ly/3DRH6mt #globalwater

Florida Water
The @SWFWMD will hold a virtual workshop on minimum flows for Lower Shell Creek in Charlotte County. https://bit.ly/3GpUK25 #FLwater 

In @jaxdotcom After 34 years of growth, will Congress change how Florida's clean-water money is figured? https://tinyurl.com/tpcs699w

Guest Column in @jaxdotcom: Solutions to climate change start at the local level https://bit.ly/3b8vCPa #FLwater 

From @witfnews: La Niña is coming. Here’s what that means for winter weather in the U.S. https://bit.ly/3baTf9q #NEWater

Global Water
From @USATODAY by @janetwilson66: 'Climate Point' - 29 October 2021. @UN official decries 'morally indefensible' inaction; #COP26 in Glasgow; More! https://tinyurl.com/b9urt9vc #globalwater #cdnwater

CRS Report: Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Pledges by Selected Countries - Nationally Determined Contributions & Net-Zero Legislation' https://bit.ly/3pKUVzk #globalwater

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geoscience; 2) Environmental Science; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 25 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3b77xrF

The @onbeing Project with @kristatippett: Listen to the amazing  @KHayhoe 'Our future is still in our hands' https://bit.ly/3b3XqE6

From @Gizmodo: After Dune, You’ll Never Think About Water the Same Way Again https://bit.ly/3b2uoVB (tnx @EAKoebele)

It's @Water_MDPI, Vol 13, Issue 20 (Oct-2 2021) - 143 Articles https://bit.ly/3b9xk2p

From @World_Waters: The Renaissance Dam and the Question of Water Rights on the Nile River. https://bit.ly/3DRH6mt #globalwater

From @AGU_Eos: Buzz Newsletter - 29 October 2021. Air Pollution Killed a Million People in Africa in 2019; Understanding Tremors Through Tree Rings; Melting Arctic Sea Ice Strengthens Tides; More! https://bit.ly/3Bw4Hao #globalwater

Groundwater and Hydrogeology
From @UCBerkeley Video: 'Introduction to Groundwater Contamination' https://youtu.be/Oqkd_cjSHwg #cawater

Hydrofracking, Shale Gas, and Energy
CRS Report: 'Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in the United States' Updated: 18 October 2021 https://bit.ly/30P9HKS

NE Water #NEWater
In @SIadvance: NYC flash flood watch due to coastal storm in effect Monday through Tuesday https://bit.ly/3vQoK2o #NEWater

From @AP: Beavers wreaking havoc on New York town’s water supply. https://bit.ly/3vVCj0B #NEWater

From @witfnews: La Niña is coming. Here’s what that means for winter weather in the U.S. https://bit.ly/3baTf9q #NEWater

Next Cleveland mayor needs to focus on equitable and safe drinking-water access: Opinion by Crystal Davis in @ThePlainDealer. https://bit.ly/2XEOq5f

From @NPR and @AP: This city will rely on bottled water for weeks because of high lead levels. https://n.pr/3b2JwSH

Personal, People, Interviews, and Quotes
"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." - Albert Einstein

"If you don't know where you're going, you might end up someplace else." - Yogi Berra

"Wealth is like seawater; the more we have, the thirstier we become, and the same is true of fame." - Arthur Schopenhauer (quoted in @TheAtlantic via @TheWeek). And power, too!

It's never too late to become what you might have been." - George Eliot (quoted in @IBDinvestors via @TheWeek)

You cannot adapt to extinction.” - @vanessa_vash

"I don’t mind. The mass extinction of the Earth compared to one day of school." - Anna, 17, UK, on school strike, February 2019

PNW Water
From @pressanddakotan; Corps Ready For A Dry Winter https://bit.ly/3bhvQDw #PNWater

From @JPRnews: Clean Water Act protections restored after lawsuit https://bit.ly/3jvILWU #PNWater

In @SpotlightNews Oregon to test for toxic 'forever chemicals' in public water systems. https://bit.ly/2ZjVBAa #PNWater

From @OPB: Bitter Harvest: Klamath Basin farmers take stock of their losses. https://bit.ly/3EqMBsD

From @OSUCEOAS: 'On the Horizon' Newsletter - 29 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3nGA7Gp #PNWater

Policy, Planning, Law, Governance, Economics, IWRM, and Management
From @aspenpubradio: Talking about demand management and how to leave more water in the Colorado River https://bit.ly/3aM60r9 #cowater #SWUSwater

CRS Report: 'Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in the United States' Updated: 18 October 2021 https://bit.ly/30P9HKS #NEWater

CRS Report: 'U.S. Climate Change Policy' https://bit.ly/3mqJ7Aa #globalwater

From @AWWA: 'Water Financing Dialogue: WIFIA in 2021: Helping to Move Drinking Water Forward', 5 November 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM MDT. https://tinyurl.com/2kvewntm #cowater

Positions Open  #JobWaWi
Josh's Water Jobs and More! - 26 October 2021 (+ Wellspring blog) https://bit.ly/3nqYVC9

Check out jobs @ @OregonState's Water Resources Graduate Program https://oregonstate.edu/gradwater/jobs #JobWaWi

Check out @WaterDistJobs! https://waterdistrictjobs.com  #JobWaWi

For the latest @TVAjobs Employment opportunities visit https://tva.me/4mRN6k  #JobWaWi

Amazing resource! Follow @joshswaterjobs and visit his website: https://www.joshswaterjobs.com  #JobWaWi

Check out @FLWaterDaily #FLwater jobs! https://tinyurl.com/jpffgoh  #JobWaWi

Positions: @CA_DWR - Various locations and types: enviro science, geology, engineering, restoration, etc.https://bit.ly/1XaG4sw  #JobWaWi

Positions: @SeaGrant - Various positions across the USA. Updated regularly. https://1.usa.gov/1SYL5RQ  #JobWaWi

 @BCWaterNews Jobs Click 'View Jobs' at https://bcwaterjobs.com 

@EcologyWA - Current Openings - Updated every few days https://1.usa.gov/1evxlPd

Current Positions: @NYCDEP (New York City & environs) - Various. https://tinyurl.com/zoq6jqc

Positions (many): @nature_org - Various locations and duties. https://jobs.nature.org/jobs/  #JobWaWi

Previous Weeks' Positions Open    #JobWaWi
Josh's Water Jobs and More! - 19 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3jejalo

Josh's Water Jobs and More! - 12 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3mQgtYe

Previous Weekly Water Summaries - Go To #WaWiNews
TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 23 - 29 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3Eqluh4

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 16 - 22 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3Ga3dq2

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 9 - 15 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3FV0ktg

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 2-8 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3mxxeqE

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 25 September - 1 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3a3MZ2Z

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 18 - 24 September 2021 https://bit.ly/3i6CgJw

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 11 - 17 September 2021 https://bit.ly/2XsAgUZ

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 4 - 10 September 2021 https://bit.ly/3z2Ol83

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 21 August - 3 September 2021 https://bit.ly/2WPVBr4

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 14 - 20 August 2021 https://bit.ly/2UAULgx

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 7 - 13 August 2021 https://bit.ly/2UfEWf4

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 31 July - 6 August 2021 https://bit.ly/3lF3OIo

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 24-30 July 2021 https://bit.ly/2VpvGFe

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 17 - 23 July 2021 https://bit.ly/3BzE7hT

TGIF! Weekly Water News Summary 10 - 16 July 2021 https://bit.ly/2UjN2U

Reports, Publications, and Journals
CRS Report: 'U.S. Climate Change Policy' https://bit.ly/3mqJ7Aa #globalwater

CRS Report: 'Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in the United States' Updated: 18 October 2021 https://bit.ly/30P9HKS  

CRS Insight Report: '2021 Hurricane Outlook and Review of 2020 Hurricane Season' https://bit.ly/3vZInow

CRS Report: Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Pledges by Selected Countries - Nationally Determined Contributions & Net-Zero Legislation' https://bit.ly/3pKUVzk #globalwater

CRS Report: 'Dam Removal and the Federal Role' https://bit.ly/3mqJbjg

CRS InFocus Report: '@usbr Water Storage Projects - Section 4007 of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act' https://bit.ly/3BadGxO #SWUSwater

It's @Water_MDPI, Vol 13, Issue 20 (Oct-2 2021) - 143 Articles https://bit.ly/3b9xk2p

Science, Medicine, Health, and Technology
Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geoscience; 2) Environmental Science; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 25 October 2021 https://bit.ly/3b77xrF

From @KNBC: @NASA Launches a Tool That Uses Satellite Images to Measure Water Loss in the U.S. West https://bit.ly/3vAQVCg #cawater #cowater #SWUSwater

From @AGU_Eos: Buzz Newsletter - 29 October 2021. Air Pollution Killed a Million People in Africa in 2019; Understanding Tremors Through Tree Rings; Melting Arctic Sea Ice Strengthens Tides; More! https://bit.ly/3Bw4Hao #globalwater

Southwest Water  #SWUSwater
From @AZWRRC: 'Weekly Wave' Newsletter - 29 October 2021. In this issue: MAR 5, IDWW, New Book, APW, Webinar, Dubai Expo, Photo Contest https://tinyurl.com/2z66dn5m #SWUSwater

66th Annual New Mexico Water Conference: 'Reality and Resilience: Planning for New Mexico's Water Future' Free Virtual Conference 26-28 October 2021. Tuesday Conference Session Starts Today at 10:30 MT https://bit.ly/3mbVr73 #SWUSwater

By @tonydavis987 in @TucsonStar: Fixing the ailing Colorado River: Where will the water savings come from? https://bit.ly/3B4aN1K #SWUSwater

From @CBSDenver From Latest Projection: Lake Powell Could Reach Critically Low Water Level By July https://cbsloc.al/30Q40Mx

Southwest US Water News Daily - 23 October 2021. https://bit.ly/3vBRRGq #SWUSwater

Streams, Wetlands, Dams, Lakes, and Ecosystems
In @capitalpress: Flood Irrigation Forever: Farmers provide crucial habitat for migratory waterfowl, recharge aquifer. https://bit.ly/3b8tWVv #PNWwater

In @csmonitor: Untaming a river: The stakes behind America’s largest dam removal - Klamath River. https://bit.ly/3C1RdEK

CRS Report: 'Dam Removal and the Federal Role' https://bit.ly/3mqJbjg

Texas   #txwater
From @witfnews: La Niña is coming. Here’s what that means for winter weather in the U.S. https://bit.ly/3baTf9q #NEWater

Free version in its entirety! (tnx @ProfessorJepson): Op-Ed in @dallasnews by@H2OWonk: If you think the Texas electrical grid is fragile, take a look at our #txwater infrastructure. https://bit.ly/3DQqmMe #SWUSwater

From @epheraldpost: Haunted Water? One @EPWater employee shares his paranormal encounters. https://bit.ly/3jdkNja #txwater

Visuals, Audios, Podcasts and Infographics
From @UCBerkeley Video: 'Introduction to Groundwater Contamination' https://youtu.be/Oqkd_cjSHwg #cawater

Water/Land Quality and Contamination
From @JPRnews: Clean Water Act protections restored after lawsuit https://bit.ly/3jvILWU #PNWater

Water Supply, Quantity, Reuse, Conservation, Infrastructure
From @AP: Beavers wreaking havoc on New York town’s water supply. https://bit.ly/3vVCj0B #NEWater

CRS InFocus Report: '@usbr Water Storage Projects - Section 4007 of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act' https://bit.ly/3BadGxO #SWUSwater

By @tonydavis987 in @TucsonStar: Fixing the ailing Colorado River: Where will the water savings come from? https://bit.ly/3B4aN1K #SWUSwater

From @CBSDenver From Latest Projection: Lake Powell Could Reach Critically Low Water Level By July https://cbsloc.al/30Q40Mx

From @KVPR Fresno County farmers at a ‘crossroads’ as drought, climate change limit water supply. https://tinyurl.com/yftcyt2z #cawater

From @KNBC: @NASA Launches a Tool That Uses Satellite Images to Measure Water Loss in the U.S. West https://bit.ly/3vAQVCg #cawater #cowater #SWUSwater

WTF?
From @epheraldpost: Haunted Water? One @EPWater employee shares his paranormal encounters. https://bit.ly/3jdkNja #txwater

"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." - Albert Einstein

CRS Report: 'U.S. Climate Change Policy'

This CRS report (28 October 2021) has nine authors: Kate C. Shouse (Coordinator), Richard K. Lattanzio, Jane A. Leggett, Kezee Procita, Jonathan L. Ramseur, Corrie E. Clark, Genevieve K. Croft, Rena S. Miller and Michael I. Westphal: 'U.S. Climate Change Policy'.

Like yesterday's blog post, this one has great relevance for the upcoming COP26 in Glasgow.  

Click on the graphics to enlarge them. They are not placed in the same place in the text here where they occur in the report.

Download CRS_Report_US_Climate_Change_Policy_28Oct2021

Summary
The greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere trap radiant energy, warming earth’s surface and oceans. Scientific assessments conclude that GHGs very likely have been the main driver of warming of the earth’s lower atmosphere since 1979. The most recent global assessment projected that surface temperature would continue to rise until at least mid-century even under the lowest GHG emission scenarios considered. A range of actions to mitigate GHG emissions and the risks of climate change (i.e., for adaptation or resilience) are under way or being developed on the international, national, and subnational levels. U.S. federal policymakers and stakeholders have different viewpoints regarding what, if anything, to do about future climate change and related impacts.

Brief History of U.S. Climate Policy
Historically, the United States has demonstrated varying approaches and intent with regard to addressing climate change generally and to participating in GHG abatement under the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). International negotiations led to, among other agreements, the adoption of the Paris Agreement (PA) in 2015. President Obama accepted the PA without submitting it to the Senate for advice and consent, and the United States became a Party to the agreement when the PA entered into force in 2016. President Trump announced U.S. withdrawal from the PA in June 2017, which became effective in November 2020. President Biden again accepted the PA, and the United States became a Party on February 19, 2021.

U.S. climate change policy has involved actions implemented under various legal authorities. Prior to 2007, the federal government implemented voluntary programs to address climate change and regulatory programs that indirectly limited GHG emission increases from vehicles, appliances and equipment, and buildings. A shift toward direct regulation of GHG emissions occurred following the 2007 decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, in which the Supreme Court found that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authority to regulate GHG emissions from motor vehicles as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. EPA subsequently issued rules to limit GHGs from various sources, although not all have been implemented. State and local governments have also taken a variety of actions, including emission controls on power plants and vehicles and building codes.

U.S. Legislation
Members of Congress have historically expressed a range of perspectives regarding climate change issues. Legislative proposals have included carbon pricing frameworks (e.g., carbon taxes or cap-and-trade programs), sectoral approaches such as a clean energy standard, research funding or tax policies that support GHG-abating technology development and deployment, efforts to increase adaptation, and international cooperation. On the other hand, introduced resolutions have expressed that the multisector carbon pricing approaches are not in the economic interests of the United States. Votes on comprehensive climate change policy have been relatively rare in either chamber of Congress. Examples of enacted legislation involving climate change issues include tax incentives to promote renewable energy sources and carbon capture and sequestration efforts.

Executive Branch Approach to Climate Change
President Biden announced a new GHG target for the United States: to reduce net GHG emissions by 50%-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. The Administration has also centralized executive branch organizations to identify and coordinate climate- related actions, and issued directives with a view toward decisions that support meeting the Administration’s GHG reduction targets.

Issues for Congress
Congress may consider issues concerning U.S. GHG targets, policy approaches, and funding. For example, U.S. participation in the PA raises issues that Congress may consider concerning the ambition, relative level of effort, and performance of other parties’ GHG mitigation, adaptation, technology, and financing associated with the PA. Differences in parties’ GHG policies may have implications for trade. For example, several national governments and the EU have discussed imposing border carbon adjustments (i.e., tariffs) on imported goods from countries that do not make similarly ambitious efforts to reduce GHG emissions.

There is more information in the entire report - 43 pages!

 

Enjoy!

"I don’t mind. The mass extinction of the Earth compared to one day of school." -  Anna, 17, UK, on school strike, February 2019

CRS Report: Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Pledges by Selected Countries - Nationally Determined Contributions and Net-Zero Legislation'

Kezee Procita assembled this fascinating CRS report (26 October 2021) - appropriate on the eve of COP26 in Glasgow: 'Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Pledges by Selected Countries - Nationally Determined Contributions and Net-Zero Legislation'. 

Download CRS_Report_GHG_Reductions_NDC_26Oct2021

Click on the graphics to enlarge them.

Summary
Human-related emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) have increased globally over time. These increasing emissions contribute to a changing climate, which is a concern for governments, organizations, and other stakeholders. Many governments are taking steps to reduce GHG emissions in an effort to lessen the potential impacts of climate change. Two ways in which national governments are making efforts to reduce GHG emissions are by setting emission reduction targets in updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and by enacting domestic legislation aimed at achieving net-zero emissions, referred to as net-zero legislation. Net- zero emissions or net-zero refers to situations where human-caused GHG emissions are balanced by removal of GHG from the atmosphere, including by natural storage in forests and other ecosystems as well as by technological removal and storage.

NDCs are the primary communication of how Parties to the Paris Agreement (PA) are seeking to achieve the agreement’s goals. NDCs reflect countries’ own national climate plans, including emission reduction goals, adaptation plans, and other elements. All NDCs must address GHG emissions reductions, and most NDCs list quantifiable GHG emission reduction targets. Many countries requesting financial assistance include two sets of targets: targets unconditional on international support and additional, more ambitious targets that are conditional on international support. Parties must submit subsequent NDCs every five years; these submissions reflect a progressive set of targets that contribute to a collectively increased ambition over time. Increased ambition is reflected in some of the NDCs submitted in 2020, which, in many instances, include countries’ actions by the year 2030. Many countries have submitted updated NDCs in 2020 and 2021 in advance of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which was originally scheduled to be held in November 2020 but was postponed until November 2021 due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

CRS selected to track herein the NDCs of 44 countries; the countries were identified using various criteria (e.g., G20 members, top 20 GHG emitters, countries with enacted or introduced net-zero legislation). Of the 44 countries, 31 have submitted updated or second NDCs, 21 of which include more ambitious GHG emission reduction targets than the first NDCs.

The PA asks countries to commit to increasingly ambitious GHG mitigation efforts and encourages countries to submit long- term low GHG emission development strategies. These strategies do not necessarily translate into clear pathways or concrete domestic efforts to reach net-zero emissions. Some countries have proposed or enacted legislation aiming to achieve net-zero emissions domestically, in addition to pledges in their NDCs. Other countries, like the United States, have references to net- zero emissions in policy documents without having enacted legislation.

Research by the Law Library of Congress indicates that 22 countries or regions have enacted legislation and three have proposed legislation; the research did not track U.S. legislation. Most (15 of 22) countries or regions with enacted legislation have set a date of net-zero emissions by 2050. The most ambitious deadline is set by Iceland, which has enacted legislation requiring net-zero emissions by 2040. Germany and Sweden both have set a deadline of net-zero emissions by 2045. Four countries (Ukraine, Slovenia, Malta, and Finland) do not specify dates, according to the Law Library of Congress report. The European Union and 11 of its member states (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden) have enacted net-zero legislation. Seven of the G20 members (Canada, the EU, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the UK) have enacted net-zero legislation.

Several bills proposing net-zero emissions goals for the United States have been introduced in recent Congresses. Discussion of legislative proposals for U.S. net-zero emissions is beyond the scope of this analysis.

Lots more to peruse - check out the rest of the report for some data tables.

Enjoy!

“You cannot adapt to extinction.” - Vanessa Nakate (Uganda)