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| November 19, 2008 |
Obama calls for immediate, tough limits on emissions
In a video presented at the Governors' Global Climate Summit in California on Tuesday, President-elect Barack Obama wasted no time getting the message out to world leaders that he will seek immediate and aggressive limits on greenhouse gases. "Now is the time to confront this challenge once and for all. Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response," he said. San Francisco Chronicle (11/18) Los Angeles Times (11/19) NYTimes.com (11/18)
ACC staying neutral on battle to lead key House committee
While some chemical industry groups fear the possibility of U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., taking over leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee from Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., the American Chemistry Council is staying neutral on the subject. "I don't think it's going to make an enormous difference here," said Marty Durbin, managing director of federal affairs for the ACC, in reference to chemical facility security regulations. CQPolitics.com (11/17)
Plastic e-newspaper concept introduced, but will consumers buy in?
A company called Plastic Logic this week announced a product much like this Dallas Morning News blogger's vision of a newspaper that would be read on a flexible LCD screen that readers could hold in their hands. Tod Robberson writes that the concept could eliminate the waste and deforestation needed to make paper newspapers, but readers are asked to chime in on whether the concept could really appeal to consumers. The Dallas Morning News/Opinion blog (free registration) (11/18)
Hijacking highlights threat of modern-day piracy
Saudi Aramco officials reportedly hope to negotiate with Somali pirates who hijacked the Sirius Star off the coast of Kenya while the supertanker was carrying up to 2 million barrels barrels of crude worth $100 million. The hijacking may increase the cost of transporting oil because enlarging a "war risk" zone will prompt insurance rates to go up and ships to steer a wider course to avoid the area. A Saudi official pledged that his country will join international efforts to thwart piracy. The Wall Street Journal (11/19) The Washington Post (11/19) Reuters (11/19)
Amazon to replace plastic packaging with "frustration-free" cardboard
Amazon says it will no longer send its products out in difficult-to-open plastic, and will instead use only recyclable cardboard boxes. The company calls the policy "frustration-free packaging" and says the change was prompted by customer complaints about receiving cuts and bruises from existing packages. The Telegraph (London) (11/18)
Price index for commodities shows record decline in October
With global demand plummeting, the prices paid to U.S. producers for commodities dropped by 2.8% in October, the largest decline on record, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The slowdown in demand has forced companies such as Dow Chemical to lower prices as well. The Boston Globe/Bloomberg (tiered subscription model) (11/19)
Other News
Officials: Phthalate ban will affect only products made after Feb. 10
Federal safety regulators announced Tuesday that products that are already on shelves and in warehouses will not be affected by a new federal ban on some types of phthalates. Products containing the chemical include teethers, pacifiers and other children's products. Manufacturers will not be allowed to sell products made after the ban goes into effect Feb. 10. The Washington Post (11/19)
Plastic-bag recycling rises in Austin under campaign
A yearlong campaign to reduce plastic-bag use and encourage the use of recyclable bags in Austin, Texas, has paid off, officials say. Under the "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" campaign, consumers recycled 20% more bags at stores during the first half of 2008 than the same period in 2006, and stores reported providing 40% fewer plastic bags to customers in the first half of 2008. American City Business Journals/Austin, Texas (11/18)
Toledo mayor proposes plastic-bag fee
Toledo, Ohio, Mayor Carty Finkbeiner is proposing a plan that would require stores to charge 5 cents for each plastic bag used. Finkbeiner noted that similar plans are being floated in other cities, including New York; however, at least one council member said she would vehemently oppose the plan. The Blade (Toledo, Ohio) (11/19)
Other News
Hoyer: Democrats will not reinstate offshore-drilling ban
Democrats have no intention of reinstating a ban on offshore drilling but will discuss the "parameters" of drilling, said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. American Petroleum Institute spokeswoman Cathy Landry expressed some optimism but warned that Democrats may eliminate some of the country's best prospects if they mean to limit drilling within 100 miles of shore. The Washington Times (11/19) The Washington Post/The Associated Press (11/18)
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