OCTOBER 5, 2009
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
EXECUTIVE ORDER
FEDERAL LEADERSHIP IN ENVIRONMENTAL, ENERGY, AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to establish an integrated strategy towards sustainability in the Federal Government and to make reduction of greenhouse gas emissions a priority for Federal agencies, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. In order to create a clean energy economy that will increase our Nation's prosperity, promote energy security, protect the interests of taxpayers, and safeguard the health of our environment, the Federal Government must lead by example. It is therefore the policy of the United States that Federal agencies shall increase energy efficiency; measure, report, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from direct and indirect activities; conserve and protect water resources through efficiency, reuse, and storm water management; eliminate waste, recycle, and prevent pollution; leverage agency acquisitions to foster markets for sustainable technologies and environmentally preferable materials, products,and services; design, construct, maintain, and operate high performance sustainable buildings in sustainable locations; strengthen the vitality and livability of the communities in which Federal facilities are located; and inform Federal employees about and involve them in the achievement of these goals. Read more.



SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
Kelly Zito, San Francisco Chronicle
EPA WANTS MORE OVERSIGHT ON CHEMICALS

Tens of thousands of chemicals found in everyday items, from toys and cell phones to food containers and medical devices, would face high levels of federal scrutiny and control under a set of guidelines unveiled Tuesday in San Francisco by President Obama's top environmental official.

The effort to rewrite how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency evaluates and enforces the use of potentially harmful chemicals marks the most significant overhaul of the nation's chemical policies since the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. Read More.

OCTOBER 1, 2009
Dina Cappiello, Associated Press
EPA TO CRACK DOWN ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMITTERS

The Environmental Protection Agency moved for the first time Wednesday to control the emissions from the power plants, factories and refineries that are blamed for global warming.

The announcement came hours after Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, unveiled legislation that would set mandatory, nationwide limits on the amount of greenhouse gases from large industrial sources.

Backed by President Obama, the EPA's proposal would require polluters to reduce six greenhouse gases by installing the best available technology and improving energy efficiency whenever a facility is significantly changed or built. The rule applies to any industrial plant that emits at least 25,000 tons of greenhouse gases a year. Read More.



SEPTEMBER 22, 2009
Reuters
BUSINESSES PUSH FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE AGREEMENT AT UN

A group of 500 businesses and nonprofit executives on Tuesday urged global governments to take action on climate change, saying failure to do so would result in catastrophe for the planet and global markets.

"If there is no global agreement then we will lose valuable time and opportunity to ... mitigate the potential disastrous consequences of climate change," Zhengrong Shi, the chairman and CEO of Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd, China's top maker of solar power panels, told reporters.

U.N. Leadership Forum on Climate Change discussed ways to help deal with the worst consequences of global warming as part of a top-level U.N. meeting on the the issue held on Tuesday. Read More.



AUGUST 22, 2009
Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times
CONNECTING NATURE'S DOTS

Who knew that deep in Botswana's Okavango Delta, where there are no paved roads, phones or TVs, you could find the morning paper waiting for you every day outside your tent, with the latest news, weather and sports? Who knew?

True, this is no ordinary journal. The newspaper here on the Jao Flats of the northwest Okavango flood plain is published on the roads — literally. The wetlands are bisected by hippo trails and narrow roads made from pure white Kalahari Desert sand. And every morning, when you set out to investigate the wilderness, it is not uncommon for a guide to lean out of his jeep, study the animal and insect tracks, and pronounce that he's “reading the morning news.” Read More.

"...I strongly believe there needs to be a systematic way to address these types of concerns where California's scientists can work together with experts from throughout the world to evaluate the health effects of chemicals, assess the risks they pose, and ensure that the safety of possible alternatives receives the same consideration." Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

OCTOBER 2007
WELL APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF AB 1108

In October 2007 Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law Assembly Bill 1108, co-sponsored by Environment California, prohibiting use of six types of phthalates in children's toys and feeding products. San Francisco Assemblywoman Fiona Ma authored the bill, which gained strong support in th0e legislature. Media attention on recent toy recalls, contributed to the victory.

WELL Network congratulates Environment California and its partners; the California Legislature, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for their work to enact AB 1108, prohibiting the use of hormone-disrupting chemicals in baby products. We are encouraged that the governor recognizes that a comprehensive chemicals policy is needed. WELL Network urges California's leaders to adopt a plan that integrates all aspects of environmental management. Such a "green plan" can ensure greater protection for the health of the environment and the people of California.

In his signing message for the Stop Toxic Toys bill, Governor Schwarzenegger wrote, “While I believe the circumstances related to phthalates warrant taking action now, I do not believe that addressing this type of concern in the legislature on a chemical by chemical, product by-product basis is the best or most effective way to make chemical policy in California. I strongly believe there needs to be a systematic way to address these types of concerns where California's scientists can work together with experts from throughout the world to evaluate the health effects of chemicals, assess the risks they pose, and ensure that the safety of possible alternatives receives the same consideration.”

Senator Dianne Feinstein plans to introduce federal legislation based on California's new law.