Regulatory Update

Appeals court takes cases challenging EPA's emissions proposal
The federal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has agreed to hear the cases of 12 states and Murray Energy challenging the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to curb carbon pollution at power plants. The hearing is scheduled for April 16. The Hill (1/27)

Obama, India PM discuss air-pollution reductions
President Barack Obama and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that India will implement the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's international air-quality forecasting system, called AIRNow. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (1/26)

Mining companies, EPA agree to reduce haze emissions
Three mining companies with taconite operations in Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia have agreed to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide over five years. The deal was made with the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Duluth News Tribune (Minn.) (1/26)

Inhofe plans "rigorous oversight" of EPA as chair of E&PW Committee
Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., has taken the reins as chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, saying fighting climate change regulations will be a key committee priority. Another top priority will be to curb the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Waters of the United States rule under the Clean Water Act. "We're going to be conducting rigorous oversight of EPA regulations," Inhofe said. The Hill (1/21)

Sustainability

Sustainability is everywhere -- so how will you stand out?
Sustainability is filtering into all levels of the corporate world, and that's making it harder for individual companies to stand out, writes Brigid Milligan. It will take innovation and creative thinking to build effective communication strategies. "If we are moving towards a paradigm in which all companies are pursuing sustainability on some level, then merely having a sustainability strategy will not be enough to win in the marketplace," Milligan writes. MediaPost Communications/Marketing:Green blog (1/22)

Modular "Puzzlephone" cuts down on electronic waste

(Circular Devices)

Circular Devices is developing a modular phone similar to Google's Project Ara that will allow users to upgrade smartphone parts over time, versus forcing them to replace an entire phone. "It makes no sense to discard a perfectly working computer just because you have upgraded your smartphone," said Alejandro Santacreu, Circular Devices' CEO. CIO.com/IDG News Service (1/26)

Career Focus

Long-term success requires staying current
Never stop educating yourself about your industry and your company, writes Walt Grassl. "As your time with the company grows, seek lateral transfers or increased responsibility without necessarily a corresponding increase in title or pay," he writes. Government Executive (1/26)

A&WMA News

Webinar: Intro to Condensable Particulates -- The Big Picture
This webinar is part of A&WMA and the EPA's four-part webinar series on the topic of condensable particulates. The panelists will include representatives from EPA, industry, consultants and laboratories. The webinar will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 4. Learn more.

Webinar: "Issues in Measurement of Condensable Particulates"
This webinar, from 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern on Feb. 11, is part of A&WMA and the Environmental Protection Agency's four-part webinar series on the topic of condensable particulates. The goal is to help you to answer questions on how Condensable Particulates are measured, how to prepare permit applications and obtain permits, and review available emission controls. Learn more.

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