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Council on Environmental Quality Blog

  • A Visit to America's River of Grass

    Posted by Nancy Sutley on January 12, 2010 at 10:59 AM EDT

    Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Everglades and the Kissimmee River region in Florida along with Jo Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Sam Hamilton, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Tom Strickland, Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Interior.   Despite unusually chilly temperatures, I had a fascinating visit to a dynamic network of sawgrass prairies, hardwood hemlocks, mangrove islands and cypress forests that make up the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi River and the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.  We saw a vibrant and diverse landscape, but also one that is fragile and threatened.  The Everglades are critically important to both the State of Florida and the Nation as a whole. 

    Nancy Sutley at Everglades Groundbreaking

    Nancy Sutley and Jo Ellen Darcy participate in the Picayune Strand Restoration Project Groundbreaking Ceremony. January 7, 2010.

    On Thursday I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Picayune Strand Restoration project, that will work to preserve and enhance native Florida wetlands by restoring the natural hydrology of the area, and improving the water quality of downstream coastal estuaries.  On Friday, I participated in the Everglades Coalition Conference and discussed ways to meet the challenges that growth and climate change place on the long-term sustainability of the Everglades.  I enjoyed speaking with so many of the people who are working to preserve this region and was happy to have the opportunity to recognize incredible accomplishments of those dedicated to Everglades restoration and applaud their energetic advocacy.

    I conveyed to the people of Florida a simple message: we are committed to the conservation and restoration of this iconic ecosystem and it is a key priority for the Obama Administration.  I look forward to continuing to work with this region in the future.

    Everglades Aerial

    The Everglades, seen from the air, make up the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi River and the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. January 7, 2010.

    Nancy Sutley is the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

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  • Ocean Policy Task Force Releases Interim Framework

    Posted by Nancy Sutley on January 7, 2010 at 10:28 AM EDT

    On December 14, 2009, President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force released its Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning for a 60-day public review and comment period. With competing interests in the ocean, our coasts and the Great Lakes, the Interim Framework offers a comprehensive, integrated approach to planning and managing uses and activities. Under the Framework, coastal and marine spatial planning would be regional in scope, developed cooperatively among Federal, State, tribal, local authorities, and regional governance structures, with substantial stakeholder and public input.

    For more details on the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, including the Interim Framework, and to submit your comments, please go to www.whitehouse.gov/oceans

    Nancy Sutley is the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

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  • Milestone Stormwater Guidance from EPA

    Posted by Nancy Sutley on December 11, 2009 at 12:35 PM EDT

    The first deadline of President Obama’s Executive Order on Federal Sustainability (EO 13514) was recently met when EPA announced new guidance for Federal agencies to reduce stormwater runoff from Federal building projects.

    The new stormwater guidance for Federal building projects calls for innovative approaches for preserving local water systems by using porous pavement, green roofs, rainwater capture for landscape irrigation, and other strategies.  Managing stormwater on building sites – including strategies to make sure more rain is absorbed into the ground instead of channeled into municipal sewer systems – is an important way the Federal Government is leading by example. 

    Most stormwater from building sites runs off into municipal sewer systems. In cities like Washington, DC that have combined storm sewers, which are water treatment systems that treat rain water and municipal sewage the same way, big rainfalls associated with storms can create overflows that are harmful to water quality in local rivers and streams.

    Look for local examples of leadership from the Federal Agencies in your own communities – like the green roof on the EPA Laboratory Annex in Cincinnati, or USDA’s rainwater capture system at the People’s Garden on the National Mall.

    Nancy Sutley is the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

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  • Youth and the Clean Energy Economy - A CEQ Perspective

    Posted by Jesse Lee on December 4, 2009 at 7:22 PM EDT

    This Wednesday, we had the opportunity to participate in the Youth Clean Energy Forum with over a hundred young people from across the country in the room – and many more watching online.  There were environmentalists and veterans, urban and rural youth, as well as young representatives from faith groups, and sustainable development organizations.  This was one of many forums the Administration has held, but particularly important because of the focus on how our generation is acting on behalf of clean energy and the environment.  It was incredible to see so many people our age in one room – all dedicated to protecting the planet for our future and discussing the need for a comprehensive energy plan that puts America back in control of its energy future.

    Youth Clean Energy Economy Participants

    Participants at a breakout session at the Youth Clean Energy Economy Forum discuss improving engagement between government and young citizens. December 2, 2009. Photo credit Energy Action Coalition. December 2, 2009. (by Energy Action Coalition)

    Participants were able to hear from Cabinet Secretaries and senior Administration officials directly on how transitioning to a clean energy economy will create jobs, enhance national security and help protect our environment for generations to come.   Secretaries Chu, Salazar and Solis, Administrator Jackson and Chair Nancy Sutley (go CEQ!) discussed the benefits of the clean energy economy for younger generations and the role young Americans have in creating and sharing those opportunities.  They spoke broadly about what the Administration is doing to develop the energy of the future and deploy clean energy today, like the $80 billion investment in the Recovery Act, and talked specifically about the new innovations they’re seeing on the ground.  While we’re lucky enough to be surrounded by their convictions and leadership every day, we were newly inspired – and impressed – by how passionately and seriously they spoke to our generation – showing that youth engagement is truly a priority for this Administration.

    Youth Clean Energy Economy Forum

    EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis speak on a panel at the Youth Clean Energy Economy Forum while Christine Glunz of CEQ keeps up with the live Facebook chat. December 2, 2009. Photo credit Energy Action Coalition. December 2, 2009. (by Energy Action Coalition)

    Transitioning to clean energy and combating climate change are two of the greatest challenges and opportunities of our generation, and we were proud to stand with our peers who are working at the grassroots level to start new companies, undertake improvements in their communities, and make this transition to a clean energy economy a reality.  This was the beginning of a conversation – we look forward to continuing to hear from you in the future.

    Bayley Dixon, Dan Kilduff and Kira Mesdag are with the Council on Environmental Quality

  • Chair Sutley Visits Cornell Fuel Cell Institute and Energy Materials Center

    Posted by Nancy Sutley on November 19, 2009 at 11:17 AM EDT

    Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit my alma mater, Cornell University, to speak at the annual Net Impact Conference.  The conference brought together students and professionals from around the U.S. interested in sustainable enterprise and environmental stewardship, and allowed participants to share best practices and discuss new initiatives to advance global sustainability through entrepreneurship and innovation.

    Cornell 1

    Dr. Hector Abruna shows Chair Sutley an ultra-high-vacuum chamber for coupled electrochemical and surface studies of single crystal electrocatalyst materials for fuel cells at the Cornell Fuel Cell Institute. November 14, 2009.

    While at Cornell, I had the opportunity to check out the Cornell Fuel Cell Institute and the Energy Materials Center, a U.S. Department of Energy designated Energy Frontier Research Center. Héctor Abruña, the director of the Center presented some of their fascinating advances in fuel cell technology and told me about Cornell’s partnerships with major companies to develop efficient, high-performance batteries and fuel cells for industry and consumer products.  These technologies have an amazing potential to revolutionize our transportation and energy sectors.

    Cornell 2

    Chair Sutley speaks with Dr. Frank DiSalvo, Dr. Paul Mutolo, and Dr. Hector Abruna about the importance of research universities. November 14, 2009.

    Needless to say, I really appreciated the opportunity to get a back-stage tour of the University’s fuel cell labs and enjoyed being back on campus.  Research universities all over the U.S. are doing groundbreaking work in developing clean energy technology and training the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.

    Nancy Sutley is the Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

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  • Streaming at 3:30pm EST: Your GreenGov Ideas

    Posted by Cammie Croft on November 5, 2009 at 4:22 PM EDT

    More than 14,000 federal and military personnel participated in the GreenGov Challenge - submitting over 5,300 ideas and casting more than 165,000 votes.  Today at 3:30pm EST, some of the top ideas are being presented to the Steering Meeting on Federal Sustainability, a group comprised of a senior official from each agency who is responsible for delivering their agency’s sustainability plan.

    Tune-in at Whitehouse.gov/GreenGov to learn how we’re turning your GreenGov ideas into action.

    [UPDATE: This event has now concluded. You can watch the video below.]

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