Federal

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), announced in late July by Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., includes $369 billion in tax incentives to boost wind, solar and other clean energy.

Oregon’s ports, waterways, and coastal, fishing, and tribal communities could receive millions of dollars in federal funding under U.S. Senate Appropriations bills, according to Oregon U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley.

“RISEE ACT” would share oil, gas and wind energy revenue with states.

SEATTLE (August 5, 2022)—Today at an event in Seattle, Washington, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox joined EPA Regional Administrator for the Pacific Northwest Casey Sixkiller, Washington Department of Ecology Director Laura Watson and local leaders to kick off the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act celebration tour.

The Inflation Reduction Act would avoid 24 tons of climate emissions for every new ton it creates, say researchers who have analyzed the legislation.

NOAA Fisheries has announced proposed changes to vessel speed regulations to further protect North Atlantic right whales from death and serious injuries resulting from collisions — part of a multifaceted approach to stabilize and recover this endangered population.

This spring, the world watched as two vacation homes in North Carolina were swallowed by the Atlantic Ocean and broken to bits on the sand. It wasn’t the first time that a camera recorded such destruction. What made the event startling was that it didn’t result from a hurricane or other natural disaster but from a strong, slow-moving but otherwise unremarkable storm.

The Florida Panhandle’s recovery after Hurricane Michael in 2018 has been nothing short of extraordinary — and costly. After the Category 5 storm swept across northwest Florida, cities were left with millions of yards of debris, loss of homes and businesses, and damaged infrastructure. Local governments had to act quickly to assist residents and restore critical services such as water, power and sewage treatment.

Florida - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center or ERDC, has a new commander. Following ERDC’s first ever female commander, the first ever African-American commander is now at the helm.

The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program has been awarded $4.5 million from the bipartisan infrastructure law over five years, or about $900,000 a year, to spend on projects addressing habitat protection or restoration, climate change mitigation, or environmental justice issues.

Designation would provide federal resources to protect and study the estuary

The new designation allows Guam’s Sea Grant to increase its contributions to the national network and enhance the practical use and conservation of Guam’s marine and coastal resources.

Improving conservation through effective mitigation of adverse impacts to marine, estuarine, and freshwater resources.

To find the most beautiful beach on the south side of Hawaii Island, look somewhere between a rock and a hard place. That’s the perspective of many longtime residents in the rural district of Kau (pronounced kah-OOH), where 16,451 rugged acres officially became part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on July 12.

Louisiana - State lawmakers are backing legislation in Congress to increase the state's share of oil and gas revenues from the Gulf of Mexico and to create similar revenues from wind energy operations.

A lawsuit alleging the town of Barnstable violated the Clean Water Act and is polluting Lewis Bay was dismissed by a U.S. District Court judge last week.

EPA releases guidance on how the agency will administer the program

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced that Sarah Kapnick, Ph.D., has been appointed its new chief scientist.

The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is approaching, and the National Weather Service predicts hurricane activity to be more active this year, above the long-term average, as it has for the seventh year in a row. Climate change is making storms stronger and more frequent, putting people, property and the environment at higher risk for damage from increasing floods and erosion.

New funding is providing unparalleled opportunities to invest in climate resilience by building natural infrastructure to protect vulnerable communities.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has more than $3 billion ready to fund projects that bolster natural systems which can buffer the impacts of climate change.

Today, NOAA released the "Restoration Blueprint" for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Michael C. Morgan, Ph.D., has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction, and he will also serve as deputy NOAA administrator.

NOAA and Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, LLC (TMC) held a keel-laying ceremony in Houma, Louisiana, today for NOAA’s newest oceanographic research ship, Oceanographer.