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December 30, 2010
Inside This Issue.....
Annual Convention Update
EPA Greenhouse Gas Regs Kick in January 2 for Large Emitters
Hill, Industry Reaction to EPA Greenhouse Gas Rulemaking Schedule
NLRB Proposes Rule on Employee Right to Organize Notification
Cold Stress
  ________________    
Happy New Year

Each year the Holidays remind us how fortunate we are to have wonderful
family, friends and colleagues.  May the Joy of the Season be with you
all into the new year.
 
 
  Wishing you all a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year!

The Staff of the California Seed Association
Annual Convention Update ~January 22-25, 2011

 The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach is completely sold out for our Annual Convention; However, we have made accommodations for you at Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, which is next door to the Hyatt Regency. The Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort information is:

21100 Pacific Coast Highway

Huntington Beach, CA  92648

Phone Reservations: (714) 845-8000

Room Rate is $189.00

 

Please be sure to call and make your reservations by January 5th, 2011. See you all there!


 

For Registration Program and Sign Up Sheets go to

http://www.calseed.org/calendar.html




EPA Greenhouse Gas Regs Kick in January 2 for Large Emitters; Implementation Plan Released


Despite growing congressional and state government opposition, the Obama Administration is moving full steam ahead with plans to implement its first greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations on January 2, 2011.  EPA last week issued its announcement of the plan under which it will implement the first phase of GHG regulation targeted to the nation's largest oil refineries and power plants, so-called "large stationary sources" and those which plan to build new facilities or make major modifications to existing plants. These facilities will be required to obtain Clean Air Act (CAA) permits covering their emissions as outlined in the so-called "tailoring rule" published last spring. 


The first set of implementation actions released last week will give the agency authority to issue GHG permits in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon and Wyoming "until the state or local agencies can revise their permitting regulations," the agency said.  Further, EPA is taking the unprecedented step of moving to disapprove part of Texas' CAA permitting program and will issue permits in that state.  The second set of actions announced will be to ensure there are no federal laws requiring any state to issue a CAA permit for GHG emissions below the levels outlined in the EPA tailoring rule.  "Small sources," including farms and restaurants aren't covered by the EPA actions.  Further standards for power plants will be published in July, 2011, and for refineries in December, 2011. Final standards are expected in May, 2012, and November, 2012, respectively.  The agency also plans to hold "listening sessions" with business and the states early in 2011, "well in advance of the rulemaking schedule."


 


Hill, Industry Reaction to EPA Greenhouse Gas Rulemaking Schedule

Capitol Hill and the energy industry wasted no time this week reacting strongly to EPA's published schedule of greenhouse gas (GHG) regulation steps.  Rep. Fred Upton (R, MI), who will chair the House Energy & Commerce Committee in the new Republican-controlled chamber, said this week EPA should stand down from its schedule until a federal court case is decided challenging the agency's original "endangerment" finding that GHG emissions pose a serious threat to humans and animals. Upton, writing in the Wall Street Journal, said Congress should act to end EPA's action if the agency won't delay its rulemaking until the court action is settled. Rep. Mike Simpson (R, ID), who will chair the House Appropriations Committee subcommittee overseeing EPA, said he favors beginning with a two-year congressional stay on EPA's actions, similar to an approach favored by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), but which saw no action in the Senate.  Simpson said his first chance will be when the new Congress takes up a permanent FY2011 spending bill in early 2011.  


Upton disagrees, saying the two-year limit is "arbitrary." The court case was brought by several states, most notably Texas, as well as several individual companies and industry groups, but the federal court said it would not halt EPA's actions while it deliberates.  EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, responding to congressional critics, said the Clean Air Act (CAA) is "a tool. It's not the optimal tool, but it can be used, and in fact, I'm legally obligated now to use it."  For its part, the American Petroleum Institute (API) said, "In unprecedented fashion, EPA is now coercing some states to relinquish their authority and is directly usurping state regulatory authority in Texas. The agency's stationary source GHG regulations are set to take effect January 2, with a court review still pending and the EPA and state programs are still works in progress."  API said the CAA was never intended to regulate stationary sources, and that Congress is given exclusive authority to set emissions standards.


NLRB Proposes Rule on Employee Right to Organize Notification

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has published a proposed rule that would require private employers to post public notices informing employees of their "rights" under the National Labor Relations Act, similar to an action already taken by the Department of Labor for federal contractors.  Under the new rule, employers would have to post notices detailing employee rights to act together to improve wages and working conditions, to form, join and assist a union, to bargain collectively with their bosses, or choose not to do any of these actions.  The notice must also provide information on unlawful actions by employers and how to contact the NLRB with questions or complaints.  Comments are due by February 22, 2011, and the full proposed rule can be read at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-32019.pdf.



Cold Stress 



When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur and permanent tissue damage and death may result. Employers with employees working in cold environments such as construction, logging, agriculture, and even food processing and food storage lockers must take precautions to prevent and treat cold-induced illnesses and injuries.

 

Cold-related illnesses can slowly overcome a person who has been chilled by low temperatures, brisk winds, and wet clothing. Prolonged exposure to freezing or cold temperatures may cause serious health problems such as frostbite and hypothermia. In extreme cases, including cold water immersion, exposure can lead to death.

 

Frostbite usually affects the fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears, and nose. It is a freezing of the deep layers of skin and tissue. The skin becomes hard and numb and turns a pale, waxy-white in color.

Hypothermia (a medical emergency) can occur when the normal body temperature of 98.6�F/37�C drops to or below 95�F/35�C. Danger signs include fatigue or drowsiness, uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, clumsy movements, and irritable, irrational or confused behavior.

 

Fed/OSHA offers a Cold Stress Card which provides guidelines and recommendations for preventing cold weather-induced illnesses and injuries. Here are tips for protecting employees at risk:

  • Recognize the environmental and workplace conditions that may be dangerous.
  • Learn the signs and symptoms of cold-induced illnesses and injuries and what to do to help employees.
  • Train all employees about cold-induced illnesses and injuries.
  • Encourage employees to wear proper clothing to guard against cold, wet, and windy conditions. Layer clothing to adjust to changing environmental temperatures. Wear a hat, gloves, and underwear (made of polypropylene) that will keep water away from the skin.
  • Ensure that employees in extreme conditions take frequent short breaks in warm, dry shelters to allow their bodies to warm up.
  • Try to schedule work for the warmest part of the day.
  • Avoid exhaustion or fatigue as energy is needed to keep muscles warm.
  • Use the buddy system-work in pairs so that each employee can recognize the danger signs in the other.
  • Drink warm, sweet beverages (sugar water, sports-type drinks) and avoid alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas, hot chocolate).
  • Eat warm, high-calorie foods such as hot pasta dishes.

Employees are at an increased risk when:

  • They take certain medications.
  • They are in poor physical condition, have a poor diet, or are older.
  • They have predisposing health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease.

Obtain a free copy of Fed/OSHA's Cold Stress Card:

 


The information herein is for reference only and State Fund does not warranty its accuracy or fitness for a particular purpose. Any products, references, or links to Web sites are not an endorsement by State Fund or its employees, but serve only as examples to assist you with your workplace design changes. State Fund cannot be held liable or accountable for content on linked Web sites.