Humane Society Lawsuit

A federal judge ruled against a Humane Society lawsuit asking that the federally authorized killing of sea lions who feast on trapped salmon at the mouth of the Columbia River be stopped, allowing for killing only 30 per year instead of the 91 authorized. Sea Lions are a federally protected species of marine animals, while salmon are endangered.

See http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/publications/techmemos/tm28/discuss.htm for a discussion of the impact of sea lions feeding on salmon, from the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Dept.

President Obama visits Oklahoma, Keystone XL Pipeline

In light of President Obama's visit to Oklahoma regarding U.S. energy supply and the Keystone XL pipeline, see the U.S. Department of State's web page making documents available regarding the working relationship between the applicant TransCanada, the environmental consulting firm Cardno ENTRIX, and the State Department.

http://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov/clientsite/keystonexl.nsf?Open

China Limits Exporting of Rare Earth Minerals to Other Countries

The United States, the European Union and Japan have filed a trade case over China's export restrictions, which limit the amounts of rare earth minerals China will export to other countries for the production of many high-tech devices.

China produces 97% of all rare earths, according to the EU. The materials are used in products such as flat-screen televisions, smart phones, hybrid car batteries, wind turbines, energy-efficient lighting, electronics, cars and petroleum.

For information on the production of these minerals in China, see the following U.S. Geological Survey Report.

See the following testimony from Rep. Don Manzullo, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia & the Pacific, which discusses the problems to the U.S. with China’s trade restrictions.

Daylight Saving Time

The Naval Oceanography Portal has a page of information on Daylight Saving Time, which begins on March 11 this year.

The Rodale Institute also has a page on DST, although according to them it is not to conserve energy but so that we have more daylight hours to drive our cars! http://www.rodale.com/daylight-saving-time-myths.