November 24, 2009

Environmental Defense Fund praised the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its preliminary draft regulation (PDR) to reduce global warming pollution in the state. The PDR outlines key concepts the agency is considering as it designs a comprehensive cap-and-trade program. California's groundbreaking clean energy law, The Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), requires cutting global warming pollution 15 percent by 2020. The CARB board approved a plan last December calling for a cap-and-trade program that covers 85 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in California by 2020. "On the eve of the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen next month, California's 'leadership by example' is an important sign that meaningful action is occurring at the sub-national level in the United States and around the world," said Derek Walker, director of the California Climate Initiative at Environmental Defense Fund, which co-sponsored AB 32. "California is taking another important step on the path to a clean energy future that will create economic opportunities and environmental benefits for all Californians." Cap-and-trade is a proven, effective mechanism for cutting pollution quickly and at the lowest cost, a particularly important consideration given the economic downturn. Full release.

Groups and individuals speaking out about forthcoming world oil supply challenges are frequently stereotyped as a fringe element with little knowledge about the oil industry. But their warnings are increasingly supported by some surprising allies: senior petroleum industry officials, consultants and analysts. Call these serious-minded critics the Harsh Realists. Most prominent are CEO's from several large oil companies. Christophe de Margerie, CEO of France's Total SA, said earlier this year, "world oil production may plateau below 90 million barrels a day (mb/day)" -- marginally more supply than today's 85 mb/day rate. Last month, CEO's James Mulva (ConocoPhillips) and John Hess (Hess Corp.), sounded similar warnings, though with less specificity about the numbers, at the Oil & Money Conference in London. At ASPO-USA's October conference in Denver, Ray Leonard, CEO of Hyperdynamics Corp., said, "world oil was nearing peak oil at 90 mb/day, and that isn't changed by recent events." During September, ASPO-USA representatives interviewed numerous oil industry experts from the UK, Ireland and the Middle East. Links to those online videos are below. Featured is Sadad al Husseini, former exploration and production VP with Saudi Aramco and currently a consultant. Said Husseini, "There is not enough new capacity coming on line, within say the next five to six years, to make up for global declines. And that's assuming a very moderate level of declines." Full release.

The Teamsters Union today urged the House of Representatives to swiftly pass legislation tightening safety requirements for the transportation of hazardous materials. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a hazardous materials safety bill last week. It requires lithium batteries on cargo airplanes to be stowed where the crew can reach them. Lithium cells and batteries can ignite on an airplane. "If these batteries ignite on a cargo aircraft, the crewmembers need to be able to reach them to put out the fire," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. In 2006, lithium batteries ignited in a cargo plane as it approached the airport, nearly killing the crew and destroying the aircraft. There have been several similar, smaller fires this year. The Teamsters represent 2,550 air cargo pilots at 15 cargo airlines. The Teamsters Union also supports the bill's provision that bans the transportation of flammable liquid in the loading lines of tank trucks. The standard has to be met within two years for newly manufactured vehicles. Full release.

At Monday's United Nations Security Council (UNSC) hearing on Bosnia, clear differences of opinion emerged in assessment of the stability and progress of Bosnia-Herzegovina. In a report to the UNSC, Bosnian Serbs countered statements by the internationally-appointed High Representative (HR) Valentin Inzko, who administers Bosnia, with evidence of significant progress made this year by Bosnia's elected officials. The report also concludes that progress has been achieved when Bosnian elected officials were able to deliberate without intervention by the HR and "certain foreign states." The Bosnian Serb report cited controlling law found in the Dayton Agreement which defines the powers of the HR, and highlighted several instances where the HR acted outside the scope of the Dayton powers. Bosnian Serbs consider these actions to be illegal. They assert that international administration is no longer needed, and its continuance only serves to shield Sarajevo politicians from accountability, which inhibits needed reforms. They conclude that UN administration is a destabilizing influence and seek for Bosnia to be governed by "the Serb, Croat, and Bosniak populations of Bosnia." Full release.

There is a new game in town when it comes to dealing with alcohol problems. It is harm reduction, offering pragmatic and realistic strategies where traditional approaches to alcohol problems have failed. Spearheading this movement is a group called HAMS -- Harm Reduction, Alcohol Abstinence and Moderation Support. HAMS is a free-of-charge, lay-led support and informational group for people who drink alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism tells us that only 7% of people with an alcohol problem ever seek treatment. And clinical research shows that over two-thirds of those who enter 12-step treatment programs drop out. HAMS acknowledges that 12-step programs are a great resource for those people who've had success with them; and applauds anyone who manages to beat a drinking problem by going to AA. But why do so few people succeed with 12-step programs? Full release.

As atheists celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species TODAY, thousands are still livid at best selling author and Creationist Ray Comfort and 1200 Christians for handing out 170,000 copies of a special edition at 100 of the top U.S. universities on Nov 18. Now Comfort says he plans to giveaway 1 Million more copies at universities worldwide. Comfort's special edition of The Origin of Species contains a controversial Introduction that presents the case for Intelligent Design. Despite threats of "unilateral resistance," book burnings, and prominent atheist Richard Dawkins' public encouragement to students to rip out the Introduction, Comfort says his group has decided to continue giving away books. "It's our aim to get this edition into the hands of students in every university in the United States, then Europe, and then the rest of the world," Comfort said. "We have the manpower to do it because of our television program that is aired in 70 countries." Full release.

A federal court in Los Angeles has permanently barred a local tax preparer, Jacqueline Cornejo from preparing tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. Cornejo, who operated J.C. Income Tax Services in Los Angeles, agreed to the injunction order without admitting the allegations in the suit. The government complaint in the civil injunction case alleged that Cornejo promoted a tax fraud scheme designed to siphon millions of dollars from the U.S. Treasury. Cornejo allegedly requested a total of $12.1 million in fraudulent refunds. According to the complaint, Cornejo promoted a tax fraud arrangement known as the "redemption" or "OID redemption" scheme. Cornejo allegedly filed a series of false IRS forms, including tax returns, amended returns and IRS Forms 1099-OID to request fraudulent tax refunds based on phony claims of large income tax withholding. For one of her customers, Cornejo allegedly requested a $4.4 million dollar refund on a false tax return. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) catches the vast majority of bogus redemption scheme tax returns and blocks the claimed refunds. Full release.

America's pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are testing 97 medicines and vaccines to treat or prevent HIV/AIDS and related conditions, according to a new report released today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). December 1 marks the 21st anniversary of "World AIDS Day" - a global awareness campaign that originated at the 1988 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention. "We are greatly encouraged by these critically important medicines and vaccines in development to treat and prevent HIV infection," says PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin. "Pharmaceutical researchers are continuing their efforts to develop new therapies and vaccines to improve and lengthen the lives of HIV-infected patients." The report found that the 97 products in development include 23 vaccines and 54 antivirals. These drugs are either in human clinical trials or awaiting approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Thirty-one medicines to treat HIV/AIDS have been approved since scientists first identified the virus that causes AIDS more than 20 years ago. The first HIV/AIDS medicine was approved in 1987, just four years after the virus was identified. Full release.

The following should be attributed to Sterling K. Speirn, president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation: The W.K. Kellogg Foundation commends Congress for its recognition of the urgent need to comprehensively and substantially strengthen oral health care for our most vulnerable children. Most recently, the Senate version of health reform represents a high water mark for oral health legislation, with more than two dozen important provisions aimed at improving oral health care, which include: * Expanding insurance coverage for pediatric oral health services and eligibility for preventive oral health services without co-payments. * Launching new dental disease prevention initiatives including public education, school- based sealant programs in all 50 states, and research grants for dental caries management. * Addressing critical dental care workforce issues and the cultural competence and diversity of the provider teams through expanded training programs and education resources for general, pediatric and public health dentists and for the exploration of new solutions for dental professionals to reach rural and underserved areas. Full release.

As Black Friday nears and national unemployment levels push into double digits for the first time in decades, the American Psychological Association's (APA) newest Stress in America survey finds that Americans continue to cite financial concerns as leading sources of stress. Approximately seven in ten Americans report that money is a significant source of stress (71 percent), according to APA's 2009 Stress in America survey, with similarly high percentages reporting stress resulting from work (69 percent) and the economy (63 percent). More than half of adults (55 percent) also cited family responsibilities as a significant source of stress in their lives. "According to our survey three quarters of adults in this country already report moderate to high levels of stress," says psychologist Katherine Nordal, PhD, APA's executive director for professional practice. "The holiday season can bring with it additional emotional and financial stressors that can negatively impact both physical and mental health." Full release.

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