 STATES CITE CLIMATE REPORT IN EPA CHALLENGE: A coalition of 29 state attorneys general are using the text of the Trump administration's National Climate Assessment to back their claims that two recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rollbacks are out of step with reality. The group, led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) and New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood (D), submitted the study Friday as part of their official comments opposing the Trump administration's changes to the vehicle emissions standard and Clean Power Plan. They argued that the administration's own study needs to be used as evidence that more must be done to cease greenhouse gas emissions. The federal study, released in late November, warned of the dire economic effects of climate change on the U.S. "The Trump Administration can't turn a blind eye to climate change facts staring it right in the face," Becerra said in a statement. "Its own National Climate Assessment is clear: It is time for the Trump Administration to bravely tackle climate change in the face of industry opposition. We can't squander this opportunity to save our children and families from the overwhelming burden of climate change." The comment period for the administration's Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient vehicles rule (SAFE) has closed already but the attorneys general said they plan to include the National Climate Assessment as a supplement to their October comments. The groups argued in their new addition that it would be "unlawful" for the administration to move forward with its proposals, which would increase the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and be a direct rebuke to the federal study. More on the challenge here. TGIF! Welcome to Overnight Energy, The Hill's roundup of the latest energy and environment news. Programming note: We will not publish Overnight Energy between Dec. 24 and Jan. 1. We will be back Jan. 2. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Please send tips and comments to Timothy Cama, tcama@thehill.com, and Miranda Green, mgreen@thehill.com. Follow us on Twitter: @Timothy_Cama, @mirandacgreen, @thehill. CLICK HERE to subscribe to our newsletter. TRUMP APPEALS RULING ON GRIZZLY BEAR PROTECTIONS: The Trump administration on Friday filed to appeal a federal court ruling that restored protections for the Yellowstone grizzly bear.
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) filed notice that it is asking the San Francisco-based Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to overturn its September ruling that found that the agency acted improperly last year when it removed Endangered Species Act protections for the bear.
Justice Department attorneys did not tell the court their specific arguments for the appeal, a step that will come later in the process.
The states of Idaho and Wyoming, which host the Yellowstone grizzly population, had previously sought to appeal the ruling, as did pro-hunting groups Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association. But the appeal couldn't proceed without the federal government joining in.
Andrea Santarsiere, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity who helped fight for conservation groups in the original court case, slammed the FWS for appealing.
"Rather than come up with a plan to truly recover grizzlies in the west, the Fish and Wildlife Service has decided to spend more time and money in court," she said in a statement.
"Yellowstone's beloved grizzly bears deserve more, and we are prepared to fight vigorously to defend the court's determination that grizzly bears still need federal protection." Read more on the case here. READ IN CASE OF A SHUTDOWN: NATIONAL PARKS TO STAY OPEN WITHOUT STAFF: As the hours tick down toward a potential government shutdown, the National Park Service (NPS) is gearing up to clear out its staff across all national parks, but the parks will keep their gates open. National parks across the country will remain open to visitors under a shutdown but most facilities -- including bathrooms -- will be shuttered, according to the Interior Department's 2018 contingency plan. That means visitors who planned to visit a national park over the holidays will still be able to do so but will have to go without guidance from any NPS officials. Visitors centers, bathrooms, campsites, trash collection and road maintenance will all be closed and halted in a potential shutdown, according to the federal plan. NPS employees will have as little as four hours to complete their "shutdown activities" before entering furlough status. "Effective immediately upon a lapse in appropriations, the National Park Service will take all necessary steps to suspend all activities and secure national park facilities that operate using appropriations that are now lapsed, except for those that are essential to respond to emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property," according to the plan. Free standing gift shops, lodging and gas stations will remain open if they don't require assistance by federal employees, according to an NPS spokesperson. "In the event of a government shutdown national parks will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures. For example, this means that roads that have already been open will remain open (think snow removal) and vault toilets (wilderness type restrooms) will remain open," the spokesperson told The Hill. "However services that require staffing and maintenance such as campgrounds and full service restrooms, will not be operating." The spokesperson noted that war memorials and "open air parks" will remain open to the public in Washington, D.C. More on the Park Service's plans here. THE YEAR AHEAD: Climate action -- Lawmakers will be under a microscope regarding climate change in 2019 after a slew of recent reports that forecast dire effects from rising temperatures. EPA regulations -- The Trump administration has been taking big steps over the last two years to undo major Obama administration regulations at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and those efforts are on track to kick into high gear in 2019. Tougher oversight of the administration -- After taking the House majority, Democrats believe they have a mandate from voters to conduct aggressive oversight of the Trump administration, with environmental policy being a critical part. EPA chief confirmation hearings -- Trump announced in November that he intends to nominate Andrew Wheeler to formally take over the EPA. Science -- House Democrats are looking to push the Trump administration and other institutions to embrace science and avoid what they see as skepticism of research on issues such as climate change. Read more on what to expect in 2019. OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY: Local prosecutors in California might not pursue charges against PG&E for the wildfires the state says it caused, the Sacramento Bee reports. A Mazda-Toyota joint venture is paying $6 million to settle claims that its Alabama plant harmed a threatened fish species, AL.com reports. U.S. oil prices settled Friday at a 17-month low, MarketWatch reports. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Check out Friday's stories ... -State attorneys general add dire national climate study to comments challenging EPA climate rollbacks -Trump appeals court ruling that restored grizzly bear protections -National parks to stay open without staff in government shutdown -Nine people arrested in Florida for allegedly baiting black bears so they could be mauled by dogs | 
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