Posts for March 9, 2010

UTAH HOUSE SEEKS TO LIMIT GLOBAL WARMING SUITS:

March 9, 2010 – FLAG Communications Weekly

The Utah House of Representatives last week voted 49-19 to pass H.R. 395, which protects companies that emit greenhouse gases from being sued for damages related to (the theory) global warming. The bill’s text states:

A person residing or doing business in this state may not be held liable for damage or injury to another arising out of any actual or potential effect on climate caused by contributions to emissions of greenhouse gases unless it can be proved by clear and convincing evidence that the person has:
(a) violated an enforceable statutory limitation or restriction against emissions of a specific greenhouse gas originating within this state; or
(b) violated the express terms of a valid, enforceable operating, air, or other permit issued by a state or federal regulatory agency that has jurisdiction over the greenhouse gas emissions of the person or business.

UMA is supporting the resolution.

SENATE MULLS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE EXTENSION

March 9, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Legislation extending unemployment insurance faces key test vote in Senate, its momentum helped by popular tax breaks for individuals and businesses that expired last year ... continue the article at this link http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=245892

IBM, STANFORD DEVELOP NEW PLASTIC RECYCLING METHOD

March 9, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
New method involves a way to break plastic down so it can be reused again and again in the same form -- an advancement that could intrigue beverage companies... continue the article at this link http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=245914

FULL FIFTH CIRCUIT TO HEAR KEY GLOBAL WARMING CASE:

March 9, 2010 – FLAG Communication Weekly

Last October a three-member panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled 2-to-1 in Comer v. Murphy Oil USA [585 F. 3d 855 (5th Cir. 2009)] that private landowners along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi could use Mississippi state law to sue more than 150 energy and manufacturing companies for having contributed to global warming. The plaintiffs argued that global warming made Hurricane Katrina more powerful, causing the damage to their property, and therefore the companies owed compensation. (Opinion) The trial court had dismissed the suit on the grounds it raised non-justiciable political questions. On Feb. 26, the Fifth Circuit vacated the panel’s ruling and ordered an en banc hearing of the case. (The order is here.) The National Association of Manufacturers had joined the American Farm Bureau Federation and the American Tort Reform Association in filing an amicus brief urging the en banc consideration, and the Fifth Circuit’s decision is gratifying. Comer is one of three major cases where the courts are being asked to assign liability to U.S. companies for contributing to global warming and property damage. The others are Kivalina v. ExxonMobil, in which an Alaskan native village has sued oil companies for beach erosion, a suit since dismissed by a federal district judge; and Connecticut v. American Electronic Power, in which the Second Circuit has ruled that states may bring a federal public nuisance suit against electric utilities.

EPA SURPRISE: INDUSTRY MUST BUDGET FOR GHG CONTROL COSTS

March 9, 2010 – BusinessBrief.com

Unless Congress can find a way to approve a cap-and-trade emission plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many companies will have to budget for new emission controls. more... at http://www.businessbrief.com/epa-surprise-industry-should-budget-for-ghg-control-costs/

CLASS-ACTION SUITS COULD COST TOYOTA OVER $3B

March 9, 2010 – Today in Manfacturing.net
Toyota owners claiming safety recalls are causing value of their vehicles to plummet have filed at least 89 class-action lawsuits that could cost automaker over $3 billion ... continue the article at http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=246000

CHINA, INDIA APPROVE CLIMATE DEAL

March 9, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
India and China gave qualified approval to Copenhagen climate accord calling for voluntary limits on greenhouse gas emissions ... continue at http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=246002

BOEING: 787 TESTING GOING WELL

March 9, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Plane maker is putting its new 787 through an aggressive flight-testing schedule, with the fourth plane set to begin test flights on Sunday ... continue the article at this link http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=245988