SERC Wildlines Report #32

August 12, 2002

 In this Edition:

Headliner: Widespread Sewage Plant Violations Reported

Issue Spotlight: Mercury Poisoning Reduction

Watchdog: More Cutbacks on America’s Clean Water

News Important to the States:

Responsible Agriculture

*Oregon to Vote on Genetically Altered Food Labeling

*New Organic Certification could Benefit Hawaii Farmers

Clean Energy

*Rhode Island Plans for Greenhouse Gas Reductions

*CA Utilities Seek to Weaken Net Metering Law

Protecting Children’s Health

*Louisiana Protective Spraying Also Potential Health Risk

Protecting Wildlife

*Wolf Awareness Week Just Around the Corner

*Key Bird Habitats Mapped

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 Headliner

Widespread Sewage Plant Violations Reported

On 8/7 the Washington Post reported that nearly one-third of major industrial facilities and government-operated sewage treatment plants have violated pollution discharge regulations during the past two years, and few of them were ever prosecuted. The report, by the watchdog group U.S. PIRG, found that 10 states -- Texas, Ohio, New York, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania -- had the largest number of major facilities in "significant noncompliance" with discharge requirements during the study period. The report is the latest in a series of sharp critiques describing the laxity of government enforcement policies. The study also found that prosecutions of environmental crimes fell sharply during the Clinton administration, and continue to decline as Bush administration officials shift enforcement resources from EPA headquarters and regional offices to the cash-strapped states. For more on state environmental enforcement, visit http://www.serconline.org/EnvironmentalEnforcementState.html.

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 Issue Spotlight: Mercury Poisoning Reduction

Mercury really is the poison that's right under our nose, twofold: It's everywhere and few are aware of its toxic properties. This dangerous combination leads to thousands of Americans unnecessarily exposing themselves and others to this dangerous poison. In addition, people usually throw away products containing mercury, which eventually finds its way into our air and waters and leads to additional poisoning. SERC’s Mercury Poisoning Reduction web page, at http://serconline.org/mercury, offers the tools necessary for you to reduce mercury poisoning in your state, including sample bills, talking points, a press release, a fact pack, research, and other background information.

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 Watchdog: More Cutbacks on America’s Clean Water.

The EPA has recently proposed taking another step backwards in cleaning America’s polluted waters. The recent proposal would invalidate a 2000 rule requiring EPA oversight of state strategies to clean impaired waterways. Legal actions by environmental groups in 38 states have shed light on noncompliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA), and currently states are not developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) limits that are required by that law. In addition, 44 percent of US waterways are listed as ‘impaired.’ The proposed changes will create loopholes and reduce enforcement by allowing states to require additional pollution data, reclassifying waterway uses, and reducing water quality standards. Historically, the Federal government had been more assertive than states in forcing industries to clean up their pollution. However, this EPA plan would eliminate any basic standards or limits that could protect against political efforts to undermine the Clean Water Act by corporate polluters and their political allies. This proposal leaves water quality standards wide-open to attack by such groups as ALEC, who has already promulgated a “TMDL Implementation Act” that creates an overly-demanding scientific proof of poisoning that allows pollution until after it has gone too far. For more on ALEC’s TMDL legislation visit SERC’s Watchdog section at http://www.serconline.org/watchdogpage.htm.

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News from the States:

Responsible Agriculture

Oregon to Vote on Genetically Altered Food Labeling

According the 8/12 Seattle Times, Oregon voters will decide a November ballot initiative that could make their state the first to require the labeling of genetically engineered foods. Because the measure could have national implications, some members of the food industry are mounting serious political efforts to defeat the measure. The initiative would require labeling of food and food additives that have been modified, including those sold in stores and restaurants. Supporters of the measure say it would help to protect the public from untested products and unanticipated results. There is a risk that genetic modification could introduce new allergens into the food supply. Estimates of the amount of processed foods on supermarket shelves containing some genetically engineered components are as high as 70 percent. The main genetically altered crop seeds are soybeans and corn, both of which are widely used in foods and drinks. Supporters of the Oregon measure say labeling requirements already exist in Japan and parts of Europe and haven't caused the big problems that the American food industry is worried about. To see other examples of legislation involving genetically altered crops visit: http://www.serconline.org/geFood/index.html.

New Organic Certification could Benefit Hawaii Farmers

The 8/12 Honolulu Advertiser reported that recently adopted federal organic standards, now recognized by other countries, could open an international market for Hawaii's organic products. Organic farming has grown dramatically across the U.S, (around 20 percent every year in the past decade), and it is possible that the new standards could boost the industry and open new lands to agriculture that will benefit consumers and the environment. Although the Hawaii Organic Farmers Associations has certified Hawaii products for a decade, the new federal standard now provides reciprocity agreements with the European Union, Japan and other developed countries which represent the bulk of the world market. The new standards exclude irradiation and the use of genetically engineered crops and sewage sludge. To find out more about genetically engineered food, go to: http://www.serconline.org/geFood/index.html.

 Clean Energy

Rhode Island Plans for Greenhouse Gas Reductions

The Environmental News Service reported on 8/6 that Rhode Island's leaders have identified 52 ways that the state can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in a new Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Action Plan. Some of the plan's suggestions include requiring that a percentage of electricity sold to Rhode Island consumers come from renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass, and creating economic incentives to encourage the purchase of energy efficient automobiles. The Action Plan is a product of a nine month process in response to growing international agreement that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are warming the planet. The Action Plan, drafted by representatives of government, business, industry, citizen groups and environmental organizations, also recommends integrating zoning and transit planning to reduce dependence on automobile travel, and increasing recycling across the state. In addition to in-state measures, the plan endorses regional and national efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Action Plan is available at: http://www.state.ri.us/dem , by clicking on "Publications." To learn how your state can help reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, please visit SERC’s clean energy page at http://www.serconline.org/cleanenergypage.html . 

CA Utilities Seek to Weaken Net Metering Law

The Los Angeles Times reported on 8/11 that California’s net metering law – which allows electric consumers such as homeowners, business, agricultural interests and others to gain some measure of energy self-sufficiency by allowing the connection of renewable power generators to the state’s power grid – is under assault by the state’s three largest utilities. The proposal the utilities are advancing in amendments to AB 58 would require customers to install an additional meter and receive lower, wholesale rates for the electricity they produce. The current law allows homeowners, businesses and government agencies with solar energy systems up to 1 megawatt in size to send surplus electricity they generate back to the utility for credit at retail value. In other words, the law allows customers to offset the energy consumed from the grid with excess energy they produce but don't need at that moment. The law has proved a powerful method of promoting solar energy, sparking a 1,000 percent increase in the number of large solar energy systems in California in the last year alone. The legislation is expected to be taken up Monday. 

Protecting Children’s Health

Louisiana Protective Spraying Also Potential Health Risk

Louisiana experts recommended that the state weigh the risk to public health when instituting mosquito control measures, according to the 8/7 Times-Picayune. Louisiana has been hard hit by the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus, and it is spraying pesticides by plane and spray truck throughout communities in the state. Experts warn that spraying can cause skin and eye irritation, nausea, dizziness and confusion in those particularly sensitive to the chemical. Women, children, and the elderly are particularly at risk to both West Nile Virus and the effects of pesticide exposure. To learn more about protecting more vulnerable citizens from dangerous chemicals see http://www.serconline.org/PrecautionaryPrincipleState.html

 Protecting Wildlife

Wolf Awareness Week Just Around the Corner

The week of October 13 through 19 is National Wolf Awareness Week, a time for dispelling myths and educating the public on the important role that wolves play in a healthy ecosystem. “The history of the wolf in the United States has been one of misunderstanding and persecution, long shrouded by myth and superstition. This week is an important opportunity for changing this history,” said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife. Several years ago, Defenders of Wildlife began promoting “National Wolf Awareness Week," urging governors throughout the country to officially declare the third week in October “Wolf Awareness Week” and holding events nationwide. Last year twenty-three states issued official proclamations. Has your governor issued a proclamation for “Wolf Awareness Week”? For more information on what you can do to promote wolf awareness week in your state visit www.defenders.org/waw or contact Gina Schrader at gschrader@defenders.org or by phone at 202-682-9400, ext. 138.

 Key Bird Habitats Mapped

Today, the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) announced that America’s most important bird habitats have been mapped for the first time. The top 500 Globally Important Bird Areas (IBAs) were identified by scientists at ABC, in consultation with hundreds of biologists and wildlife managers across the country. ABC has produced a detailed map of the IBAs in conjunction with National Geographic Society, and the project will also result in a major publication. Together the book and map will serve as a definitive source for the most valuable places for bird conservation in the U.S. To find out which sites near you have been named Globally Important Bird Areas and see a sample image of the IBA map, visit www.abcbirds.org/iba/aboutiba.htm . To find out more about state conservation legislation visit http://www.serconline.org/conservationfunding/index.html .

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