Posts for May 27, 2011

UMA MEMBER COMPANIES IN THE NEWS:

FOODSERVICE PACKAGING MANUFACTURER, GENPAK LLC SELECTS SOUTHERN UTAH FOR EXPANSION
The Governor's Office of Economic Development and the south central Utah community of Cedar City are pleased to announce that Genpak, LLC, a leading manufacturer of foodservice packaging items expects to invest over $22 million in a new plant and equipment.
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FEATURE: AS HIRING RETURNS, WILL EFFICIENCY BE LOST?

Today in Manufacturing
Recognizing the difference between headcount, budget control, and value of the workforce will be a major factor in taking the best path to revival ... continue

GARDEN STATE DROPS OUT OF GREENHOUSE PROGRAM

Today in Manufacturing
New Jersey is dropping out of Northeast's program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, calling the pact a failure and a burden to taxpayers ... continue

ETHANOL PIONEERS FACE $100M-PLUS DEBT

Today in Manufacturing
Wisconsin brothers who pioneered ethanol production in the state are left with debts totaling over $100 million after their agricultural empire imploded ... continue

DELAY OF FREE TRADE PACTS CREATES UNCERTAINTY FOR MANUFACTURERS

Quick Manufacturing News
Proponents say further delays will hinder growth, while critics fear more job losses due to offshoring. Click to continue

THE KEY TO MANAGING HUMAN ERROR AT WORK: ENGAGEMENT

Quick Manufacturing News
A worker makes a mistake on the job and causes an accident. He's at fault, right? Not necessarily. One expert suggests that instead of playing the blame game, employers can more successfully manage human error by engaging workers in safety practices. Click to continue

APRIL CONSUMER SPENDING SHOWS WEAK GAIN

Today in Manufacturing
Consumers spent more but much of the increase was eaten up by higher food and energy prices, and after discounting for the jump in prices, spending barely budged ... continue

WORLD ECONOMIES ARE GROWING MORE SLOWLY

Today in Manufacturing
Most major economies are expected to keep growing, but evidence is mounting that many around the world are struggling to expand as fast as they did last year ... continue

SUPERIOR COURT ORDERS CAP-AND-TRADE REASSESSMENT

California Manufacturing and Technology Association Legislative Weekly

A San Francisco Superior Court Judge recently issued a decision prohibiting further work on the cap-and-trade portion of AB 32, pending additional assessment and exploration of alternatives to satisfy requirements set by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Last December California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the cap-and-trade program as a key component in reducing carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 under AB 32. The program places limitations on the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions a company can emit, but allows companies to either purchase or trade emissions credits with other companies to produce emissions over the set limit. Environmental groups who opposed the cap-and-trade program filed a lawsuit claiming that alternatives to the program were never fully assessed, therefore, violating CEQA. In addition, lawsuit proponents claim that CARB’s cap-and-trade program “does not work to reduce GHG emissions…and has the worst impact on health in low income communities and communities of color."

Last February a state court ruled that CARB should halt implementation of the scoping plan for its GHG program. They found that CARB failed to adequately discuss and analyze the impacts of alternatives in its proposed Scoping Plan as required by its CEQA implementing regulations. An environmental review should have been completed before CARB approved the Scoping Plan.
Besides the cap-and-trade portion, the latest Superior Court ruling does not, however, affect the implementation of the other AB 32 policies. In response to the court decision, CARB expressed its disappointment by stating that it fully complied with CEQA during the cap-and-trade assessment process and will file a notice of appeal next week.

A key section of the Superior Court’s final ruling:
The writ shall specifically enjoin ARB from engaging in any cap and trade related Project activity that could result in an adverse change to the physical environment until ARB has comes into complete compliance with ARB's obligations under its certified regulatory program and CEQA, consistent with the Court’s Order. This includes any further rulemaking and implementation of cap and trade, specifically but not limited to any action in furtherance of California Cap and Trade Program Resolution 10-42. ….The court retains jurisdiction.

To see the full ruling, click here: www.cmta.net/pdfs