Summary:  In his second inaugural address, President Obama declared that confronting climate change would be a top priority for his administration. Given the current political climate and the Republican House majority, the President is more likely to back up his statements with executive actions and enforcement of EPA standards than by proposing general climate legislation. Various decisions in the relatively near future, such as regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and the acceptance or denial of the Keystone XL Pipeline, will indicate his level of commitment to this promise.

Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen acknowledged that Obama will face strong opposition from Congress if he prohibits the pipeline but goes on to tell the LA Times it is essential that he do that and more to add to past successes such as establishing higher automobile standards. Smaller administrative measures would be insufficient. "Those actions will bend the carbon curve in the short term, but that curve needs to be bent steeper than those steps will allow," Van Noppen said.

  Full Article:  http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-climate-20130123,0,589915.story"

  Summary:  In California, super-toxic rat poisons used as rodenticides are having deadly effects throughout the food chain. Predators eat the rats that consume these poisons and also become infected with lethal levels. Confirmed cases of exposure to these rodenticides have already reached 240 and involve a number of animals including hawks, black bears, and owls.

Earthjustice and a number of other groups have petitioned the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to prohibit the sale of these super-toxic rodenticides. Consumers can choose a number of alternatives to combat rodent infestations, including rodent-proofing homes and installing owl boxes to attract natural pest controllers.

  Full Article:  http://news.yahoo.com/super-toxic-rat-poison-killing-californias-wildlife-074505916.html"

  Summary:  A federal court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency incorrectly enforced soot control requirements in the Clean Air Act. The decision requires the EPA to develop more specific guidelines. Communities will have five years to comply with the new requirements before being mandated to meet tougher standards.

“If a state can meet the standards within five years, then nothing really changes,” said Earthjustice attorney Paul Cort. “But now, those areas that need extra time are going to have to accept tighter controls.” The more stringent requirements will help regulate a wider range of pollution sources. “It’s going to sweep up smaller pollution sources,” said Cort.

  Full Article:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-04/epa-gave-states-too-much-leeway-on-soot-rules-court-says.html"

  Summary:  A new air pollution standard approved by the Obama administration is expected to save lives, increase life expectancy and reduce illness in communities affected by air pollution. The EPA estimates annual savings in healthcare and other costs to be around $4 billion to $9.1 billion. The new rules came about in response to Earthjustice litigation.

"We don't have coal power plants in California. The big targets will have to include transportation—trucks, ports, trains—but even that will probably not be enough,” said Paul Cort of Earthjustice. “These areas are going to have to really look across all industries to find the pollution reductions (a little here, a little there) that will be needed to meet this new standard by the deadline of 2020."

  Full Article:  http://www.latimes.com/health/la-na-obama-soot-20121215,0,3200679.story"