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Bottle
Bills
"Bottle bills" are laws that require a minimum refundable
deposit on beer, soft drink, and other beverage containers in order
to insure a high rate of recycling or reuse. Deposits on beverage
containers are not a new idea. The deposit-refund system was created
by the beverage industry as a means of guaranteeing the return of
their glass bottles to be washed, refilled, and resold. In 2001,
for example, over 6 million tons of aluminum, glass, and plastic
soft drink and beer containers were wasted in the United States
-- sent to landfills and incinerators, and littered along our nation's
roads, parks, and beaches. If these bottles and cans had been recycled
instead, we could have saved the energy equivalent of 30 million
barrels of crude oil, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 4.5 million
tons, and saved untold millions of dollars in cleanup costs. Comparisons
between states with bottle bills and those with curbside recycling
programs reveal more containers are recycled in states that have
a bottle bill law on the books. In addition to reducing the burden
on landfills, bottle bills can create jobs and save taxpayers money.
For more information on how your state can enact a bottle bill,
visit: http://www.serconline.org/bottlebill/index.html. |
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NJ
Anti-Sprawl Rule Delayed to Close Loophole (The Star-Ledger,
9/3)
Part of New Jersey Governor James McGreevey's "war on sprawl"
will be delayed at least a year for revisions and further public
comment. The new rule was written to limit growth and decrease water
pollution by restricting development near high-quality water bodies
and requiring lots to be water-permeable. The rule was originally
expected to take effect this summer, but state officials were alerted
to a potential loophole by builders' association lobbyists pushing
for broad exemptions. The questionable language, in the grandfathering
clause, could be interpreted to mean that developments with preliminary
local approval before the rule took effect -- a relatively easy
step -- were exempt. The clause has since been rewritten to require
developments to have one of four more strict state permits for building
near water, in addition to local approval, in order to qualify for
exemption. Local environmentalists support the revised rule, but
want it to take effect more quickly. Some have also expressed concern
that the grandfathering clause, even after being strengthened, would
exempt too many pending developments. The state Department of Environmental
Protection Commissioner, Bradley Campbell, has called the rule "as
strict an approach we can take without repealing existing permits
and applying the rule retroactively, which we don't think we could
defend in court." For more information on the effects of sprawl,
visit: http://www.serconline.org/sprawl/pkg_frameset.html. |
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ALEC's
Resolution on Climate Change (Occasionally SERC will be
profiling model legislation developed by ALEC as part of the ALEC
Bill Watch Series.)
Alarmed by a flurry of state
legislative activity addressing the serious problem of global warming,
the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)
drafted model legislation entitled "State Responses to Kyoto
Climate Change Protocol" in 1998 and a "General Resolution
on Climate Change" in July 2003. The similar model bills both
prohibit "the proposal or promulgation of state regulations
intended to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, prior to [federal]
ratification of the Kyoto climate change protocol... and enactment
of implementing legislation." In support of its global warming
bills, ALEC makes unsubstantiated (and disproved) claims, including
that the Kyoto Protocol unfairly burdens developed countries and
that enactment of policies to meet emissions reduction targets would
harm the economy. With regard to economic repercussions, two comprehensive
U.S. government analyses predicted the impact of energy efficiency
and renewable energy policies on the economy to be minimal or positive.
Moreover, a number of non-governmental studies have reported that
the production of energy from renewable sources employs more people
than that from coal. ALEC's two global warming bills use bad science,
misleading and selective reporting, and a special interest bias
to block states from taking action on one of the most important
environmental issues today. In the words of the National Academy
of Sciences, climate change is real, in large part due to human
activities, and likely to have "large, abrupt, and unwelcome"
effects. ALEC should stop contributing to the problem with its own
hot air. |
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Colorado
Study Confirms Deer-to-Deer Spread of CWD
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 9/3)
A new study by Beth Williams and Michael Miller found that
chronic wasting disease (CWD) spreads most quickly when deer
are kept in close contact with each other. The study also
disproved the notion that CWD might be transmitted from mother
to unborn offspring. This clarification supports a ban on
baiting and feeding deer and highlights the risk of disease
transmission in game farms. The study did not say how the
fatal brain disease was spread, although contact with bodily
secretions is the most likely route. For more information
on how your state can prevent the spread of CWD, visit: http://www.serconline.org/CWD/index.html. |
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Chittenden
County, Vermont Launches 'No Idling Campaign'
(Vermont Free Press 9/2)
Several school districts are asking school bus and parent
drivers to switch off engines while waiting outside school
to reduce exhaust emissions that harm students' health and
the environment. The program is sponsored by the American
Lung Association and 10% Challenge, a nonprofit group working
to cut local greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2010. All
other New England states already have 'no idling' policies
in place. Exhaust fumes contribute to global warming and can
trigger severe asthma attacks in addition to longer-term health
problems. "It's a small piece; it's a statement,"
said Lyman Anderson, Burlington School District superintendent.
"By itself it's not going to save the world, but our
nine schools have the potential to make an impact." To
find out more about children's health risks associated with
vehicle emissions, visit http://www.serconline.org/schoolbus/index.html. |
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WI
Pushes for Construction Waste Recycling
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 8/29)
A state study found that construction and demolition debris,
such as wood, drywall, and carpeting, account for 30% of landfills.
To extend the life span of landfills, nonprofits and the Department
of Natural Resources are trying to raise awareness about convenient
and cost-saving recycling opportunities. Although much of
construction material can be recycled, it is not banned from
landfills. WasteCap Wisconsin Inc. is overseeing recycling
efforts of a 400,000-square-foot arts complex in Madison that
required razing four buildings. Jenna Kunde, Executive Director
of that organization, said a number of recycling opportunities
exist, including grinding up drywall for agricultural fertilization,
lumber scraps for mulch, carpets for backing, and ceiling
tiles for new ceiling tiles. In addition, windows, doors,
plumbing fixtures, and other surplus items can be directly
reused. |
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Mourning
Doves under Fire in Midwest (Lansing
State Journal, 9/5)
The same week that the first Wisconsin mourning dove hunt
since 1918 opened, debate in Michigan about whether to add
the bird to the state's list of game species heated up. Last
month, State Representative Susan Tabor introduced a bill
to legalize mourning dove hunting in Michigan, saying the
change would bring in revenue for the state and benefit hunters.
The Michigan United Conservation Clubs, which has pushed for
a mourning dove hunt for 20 years, is encouraging sportsmen
to contact their legislators. On the other side, the Songbird
Protection Coalition has put up a billboard and a website
(http://www.savethedoves.org/)
and is e-mailing anti-hunt alerts to thousands of people.
In 2000, legislation declaring mourning doves a game species
passed the House but failed by one vote in the Senate. Federal
officials estimate that there are 400 million mourning doves
in North America, including 4 million in Michigan. Governor
Jennifer Granholm, who has noted widespread public opposition
to a mourning dove hunt, said she doubted that the new effort
would succeed. |
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Inter-State
Summit on Missouri River Set
(Billings Gazette, 9/5)
Governors from at least four states will soon meet to discuss
issues surrounding the management of the Missouri River. Governors
from North Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas will join the hosting
South Dakota governor for the September 24th summit at Dakota
Dunes. They may also be joined by the governors of Iowa and
Missouri; Montana is sending the director of its Department
of Natural Resources and Conservation. The states will discuss
their disagreements over the management of Missouri River
water levels. Upstream states have complained that too much
water is released through dams in South Dakota, North Dakota,
and Montana during the spring and summer. Downstream states
say the higher water levels are needed near where the Missouri
and Mississippi rivers meet to support barge traffic, city
water supplies, and other uses. |
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Trend
Shows City Centers Changing (Augusta
Chronicle 9/1)
A concept called new urbanism is growing in popularity in
response to the decline of many downtowns during the least
60 years. New urbanism focuses on a set of principles that
include walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods allowing residents
to fulfill most of their daily needs without leaving the general
area. The new-urbanism model calls for downtowns that are
cultural and entertainment centers; but, this doesn't mean
traditional downtown merchants can't thrive under the city
model. Even though citizens appear to be more content living
in suburbs while cities rebuild themselves, a recent survey
indicates that demands for dense, walkable neighborhoods will
increase in the coming decade. According to the 2000 U.S.
Census, 24 of the nation's 280 metropolitan areas lost population
between 1990 and 2000. With this exodus from the cities came
a decline in employment opportunities which, in turn, led
to a decline in the level and quality of city services and
the further degradation of downtown areas. For more information
on how your state can embrace community revitalization, visit:
http://www.serconline.org/community/pkg_frameset.html. |
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Chesapeake
Bay Foundation Seeks Binding Compact from Governors
(Greenwire 9/5)
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is asking the governors of Maryland,
Virginia, and Pennsylvania to agree to a binding compact for
regulating releases of nitrogen and other pollutants into
the Chesapeake Bay, arguing that promised reductions have
not been met under a widely touted voluntary agreement between
the states, the federal government, industry, and environmentalists.
The compact would focus on reducing three primary pollutants
-- nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment. The foundation believes
this can be achieved by incorporating nitrogen discharge limits
into clean water permits, and including specific curbs on
the three pollutants in farm nutrient management plans and
state clean air plans. Although an executive council exists
and a voluntary agreement was entered into three years ago
pledging to meet certain water quality standards by 2010,
little progress appears to have been made. Officials have
already failed to reduce nitrogen standards by voluntary agreements
and this summer high nitrogen levels have caused the largest
'dead zone' in recent memory. |
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Florida
Not Collecting Polluter Fines
(ENS 9/4)
The Florida Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
(FPEER) released a report this week detailing the failure
of the state to collect fines from polluters. The report indicates
a severe decline in the collection of civil penalties, and
notes one of the largest declines occurred in collecting from
corporate polluters, based on information from the DEP Office
of General Counsel. Since 1987, the disparity between penalties
assessed and penalties collected appears to have cost the
state over $45 million. In addition to pulling back on collecting
fines, it appears fewer penalties are also being assessed.
According to FPEER director Jerry Phillips, "Forty-five
million dollars would have gone a long way toward cleaning
up the state's pollution." For more information on how
your state can prevent a similar situation, visit: http://www.serconline.org/enforce/pkg_frameset.html. |
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Western
States Brace for West Nile Virus
(CNN.com 9/5)
As the summer season winds down, western states are beginning
to prepare for next summer's outbreak of West Nile virus as
it continues its westward movement. In Colorado, 1,051 people
were infected, with 16 individuals dying as a result of contracting
the virus. The Centers for Disease Control reported last week
that West Nile virus activity has again doubled, with 34 states
reporting a total of 1,442 cases and 21 deaths. Officials
anticipate that Arizona, western Colorado, Idaho, and Utah
will be hit next year by the virus, with it potentially reaching
California by 2005. Arizona officials report they have been
preparing for years and are concerned due to the state's large
population of elderly individuals, while Utah has placed billboards
up to remind people of the dangers of the virus. For more
information on what states have done in response to the West
Nile virus, visit: http://www.serconline.org/westNile.html. |
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