"Feds Outline Climate Change Plans"
"The Obama administration released thousands of pages on Friday documenting federal agencies’ vulnerabilities to climate change and what those agencies plan to do about it."
Source: The Hill, 11/03/2014
Government
"U.S. Plans To Plug Coal Royalty Loophole Padding Export Profits"
"The U.S. government is drafting rules designed to close an accounting loophole that in recent years has helped coal companies boost export profits and likely cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, people familiar with the plan said."
Source: Reuters, 10/24/2014
Interior IG Releases Few Investigative Reports
Of the 457 investigations closed by the Interior Department's Inspector General's office last year, the office released public reports on only three. Not only were many of the reports withheld or redacted, but even the list of investigations was redacted before it was released.
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"Few U.S. States Preparing for Climate Change, Study Says"
"Fewer than half of American states are working to protect themselves from climate change, despite more detailed warnings from scientists that communities are already being damaged, according to a new online clearinghouse of states’ efforts compiled by the Georgetown Climate Center."
Source: LA Times, 10/13/2014
Lame-Duck Congress Could Pass Freedom-of-Information Bill
The coming lame-duck session is the last opportunity for Congress to enact a bipartisan bill that would make modest improvements in the Freedom of Information Act. Will transparency trump gridlock when Congress returns after the November 4, 2014, midterm elections? That remains to be seen.
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How Does Obama Block Open Info? AP Counts the Ways
Three major journalism groups held a joint convention in Chicago September 15-17, 2014, which included a panel discussion on Obama administration secrecy. News industry leaders used the occasion to point out that the Obama administration's deeds and practices did not match its claims of transparency.
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De Blasio Orders Greener NYC, Sets Goals for Energy-Efficient Buildings
"In a sweeping effort to reduce its environmental impact, New York City is planning to overhaul the energy-efficiency standards of all its public buildings and to pressure private landlords to make similar improvements."
Source: NY Times, 09/22/2014
Obama Admin Hides KXL Wildlife Impact Documents
An environmental group is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for denying a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for information on the impacts of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline on whooping cranes, piping plovers and other endangered species. Photo: Piping plover/USFWS.
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"Panel Members Get Consulting Cash From Labs They Oversee"
"Certain members of the Department of Energy's panel reviewing its national laboratories are paid consultants to some of the same labs that they are charged with overseeing."
Source: Greenwire, 09/03/2014
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