 |
| |
 |
Community
Revitalization
Although the issue of community revitalization may at first appear
somewhat removed from environmental concerns, closer examination
reveals that there is a strong relationship between the strength
of cities and the health of the environment. Many neighborhoods
in U.S. urban areas are in a state of economic stagnation or decline.
As middle and upper class residents move farther away from downtowns
and into distant suburbs, businesses tend to follow. This process
pulls tax dollars and employment opportunities away from the centers
of cities causing infrastructure to deteriorate, public schools
to be underfunded, and unemployment levels in existing communities
to increase. In many metropolitan areas, development is expanding
so far out onto new acres and financial resources are getting spread
so thinly that neighborhood deterioration is a problem now facing
many inner suburbs as well as central cities. Without state action,
this cycle of urban decay and suburban sprawl will continue to perpetuate
itself leading to increased traffic congestion, higher levels of
pollution, and loss of farmlands, forests, and wildlife. Fortunately,
there are a variety of tools state legislators can employ to revitalize
communities and bring economic vigor back to the interiors of urban
areas while limiting sprawl on their fringes. Many community revitalization
techniques use incentives or subtle shifts in regulations to accomplish
their goals. Therefore, community revitalization legislative initiatives
are often accomplished at little or no expense to taxpayers. Not
only is community revitalization a necessary element of any state's
overall strategy for controlling the environmental problems associated
with sprawl, it also helps cities become more fiscally efficient
and promotes social and economic equity. For more information on
community revitalization, visit: http://www.serconline.org/community/pkg_frameset.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
 |
States
Oppose Planned Mercury Rules (Hartford Courant 6/29)
http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/hc-apmercury0629.artjun29,1,3920900.story?coll=hc-headlines-local
Eleven states formally announced their opposition to a federal proposal
that would give coal-fired power plants flexibility in cutting mercury
emissions. The group, mostly officials from Northeastern states,
claimed the rules being considered by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency would weaken pollution standards and provide industry with
loopholes that could endanger public health. The Bush administration
plan would set nationwide limits on pollution below current levels
and allow plants unable to reduce their share to pay for cuts by
other plants that do more than required. It also envisions cutting
mercury emissions by 70 percent by 2018. This is in contrast to
a Clinton administration plan, which would have cut emissions by
90 percent by 2008, required utilities to install the best available
technology, and prohibited the trading of pollution credits. The
states that filed their opposition to the Bush plan include Connecticut,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, California, Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The states are
concerned about mercury contamination of their lakes and streams.
Mercury pollution often drifts from coal-burning power plants hundreds
of miles away, settles in waterways, and accumulates in fish. The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that high levels of
mercury in some fish, including albacore tuna, can pose a hazard
for children and pregnant or nursing women. For more information
on how your state can reduce mercury pollution, visit: http://www.serconline.org/mercury/pkg_frameset.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
 |
ALEC's
"Ecoterror" Bill Rejected by States
In 2002, ALEC's Criminal Justice Task Force endorsed their model
Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act (AETA), playing upon current
terrorism fears. The legislation, containing overly vague language
and increased penalties for violent crimes already covered under
existing laws, is designed not to protect hunting, fishing, livestock
farms, and animal research facilities but to suppress legitimate
environmental, animal rights, and family farm advocacy. The act
defines an "animal or ecological terrorist organization"
as "two or more persons with the primary or incidental purpose
of supporting any politically motivated activity... intended to
obstruct, impede, or deter any person from participating in a
lawful animal activity" or in "mining, foresting, harvesting,
gathering, or processing natural resources." This and other
passages in the act could be used to prosecute mainstream environmental
groups engaged in nonviolent advocacy work. People providing support
to such organizations -- even in the innocuous form of a monetary
contribution -- could also be prosecuted. The legislation also
authorizes the creation of a "terrorist registry." This
is a dangerous piece of legislation that threatens the legitimate
work of many organizations, and does nothing to accomplish its
stated purpose. AETA is a bill concocted by corporate donors,
right-wing interests, and fringe non-profit groups who seek to
silence the legitimate opinions of citizens and well-established
environmental groups. The bill was introduced in New York and
Texas in 2003; in 2004, it was introduced in Arizona, Hawaii,
South Carolina, and Washington. All of these states have rightly
rejected AETA -- in Arizona, the House bill was withdrawn and
the governor vetoed the Senate version. None of the other bills
made it out of committee. Despite their continued failure to pass
an AETA bill, expect ALEC to push this model again next session.
For more information about ALEC, visit: http://www.serconline.org/alecIndex.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
 |
Legislature
Adjourns Without Funding for ME's Land for Future Program
(Smart Growth Online 6/22)
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=4160&state=20
Distressed over the Maine state legislature's failure to act
on a bond package aimed at revitalizing the Land for Maine's
Future program, a coalition, including Governor John Baldacci,
the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and the Corporate
Conservation Council, has formed. The Land for Future program
was originally created to help conserve land, lakes, streams,
and the oceanfront of Maine. Maine currently ranks fourth
nationally in attracting new residents, only behind the larger
states of California, Arizona, and Nevada. Much of the attraction
is predicated on the preservation of open space. Opponents
of the bond package claim that proposed funds for transportation,
environment, and land use were too high. The coalition is
scrambling to make a deal with legislators and Governor Baldacci
is considering calling a special session in order to present
the package to voters in November. For more information on
how your state can fund land conservation, visit: http://www.serconline.org/conservationfunding/index.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
NY
Bills Target the Environment (Democrat and Chronicle
6/29) http://www.rochesterdandc.com/news/0629story010513_news.shtml
The New York legislature passed a series of environmental
bills at the end of June, hoping to encourage investment in
renewable energy and reduce environmental pollution. A 4245-a/S
4890-c would expand the state's "net metering" regulations
to include residences that use wind to make electricity. "Net
metering" is a special metering and billing agreement
between utilities and their customers that facilitates the
connection of small renewable energy-generating systems to
the power grid. These programs encourage small-scale renewable
energy systems, ensure that customers always have a reliable
source of energy from the grid during times when their renewable
generators are not producing energy, and provide substantial
benefits to the electric system, the economy, and the environment.
A 10051-a/S 7399b would address the threat of mercury pollution
by requiring manufacturers to rigorously label mercury-containing
products and strengthening rules for the collection, storage,
and disposal of such products. Both houses of the legislature
also passed S 4975b/A 11693/A 5930-d, legislation aimed to
phase out the use of creosote and prohibit burning creosote-coated
wood or putting it in unlined landfills. Creosote, a condensate
distilled from coal tar, was used for decades as a wood preservative
and has been known to cause cancer in fish and wildlife. The
bill would exempt the railroad and utilities from the ban.
A 10050-a/S 7621 would restrict the manufacture, process,
and sale of certain brominated flame retardant chemicals in
a range of consumer products, including computers, furniture,
and textiles. Brominated flame retardants are thought to be
harmful to mental and physical development. The bills will
now go to Gov. George Pataki for final approval. For more
information on net metering, visit: http://www.serconline.org/netmetering/index.html.
For more information on preventing mercury pollution, visit:
http://www.serconline.org/mercury/pkg_frameset.html.
For more information on how states are dealing with PBDEs,
visit: http://www.serconline.org/PBDEs.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
Rhode
Island House Passes RPS Increase (Providence Journal 6/25)
http://www.projo.com/business/content/projo_20040625_energ25x.142e21.html
The Rhode Island General Assembly has passed a bill that will
gradually increase the amount of electricity supplied to the
state from renewable energy sources, such as the sun and wind.
The Clean Energy Act boosts the amount of "green power"
to 16 percent by the year 2020. Renewable energy sources,
excluding large hydroelectric plants, now supply about 2 percent
of the electricity used in Rhode Island. Supporters say the
act will help lower reliance on traditional fossil fuels,
such as coal, oil, and natural gas, and also help reduce air
pollution, because less of these fuels would be burned to
make electricity. The act could, however, result in slight
increases in electricity rates, beginning in 2007. If Governor
Carcieri signs the bill into law, Rhode Island would join
at least 13 other states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut,
and Maine, that have similar renewable energy supply requirements.
For more information on how your state can pass an RPS bill,
visit: http://www.serconline.org/RPS/pkg_frameset.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
New
Jersey Permit Acceleration Bill Runs Into Questions (Star-Ledger
6/23; 6/26)
http://www.nj.com/statehouse/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1087975066222620.xml
http://www.nj.com/statehouse/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1088226658296510.xml
A week after the New Jersey Assembly passed his Smart Growth
bill, Assemblyman John McKeon introduced legislation to amend
it. The controversial bill is designed to streamline the building
permit process by requiring the State Departments of Environmental
Protection (DEP), Transportation (DOT), and Community Affairs
(DCA) to respond to applications within 45 days. It also created
a Smartgrowth ombudsman to expedite projects in state designated
growth areas, empowered with veto power over the regulations
of each agency. The controversy surrounds the definition of
the word permit -- any permit or approval issued by DEP or
DOT, with a few exceptions, and many of the permits issued
by the DCA. Opponents fear that this language includes dozens
of different types of decisions, such as toxic cleanup approvals,
requests to alter flood zones, requests to install or remove
an underground storage tank, approvals of plans meant to prevent
catastrophes at chemical plants, and requests to build on
land preserved under the Green Acres program. Additionally,
critics argue that the ombudsman's veto power over agency
rules that hinder the state's growth plan need to be narrowed
to exempt environmental regulation. The bill is currently
awaiting approval by Governor James McGreevey. McKeon's proposed
amendments would exempt all of the New Jersey northern Highlands
from the so-called smart growth bill, including a 365,000-acre
planning area that will include state-recommended growth areas,
and would exempt important environmental permits from being
included in the bill. Environmentalists praise McKeon for
proposing the changes but cite them as evidence of an inherently
flawed bill. Proponents of the bill, including the New Jersey
Business and Industry Alliance, say it is too early to make
changes since agencies have not yet had a chance to review
the legislation and propose necessary rules. For more information
on smart growth legislation, visit: http://www.serconline.org/sprawl/pkg_frameset.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
Delaware
Biodiesel Bill Passes Senate (News Journal 6/21)
http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2004/06/21biodieselbillap.html
Delaware SB 321 is designed to help clean the air by reducing
pollution from diesel engines, reducing U.S. dependence on
foreign petroleum, and aiding farmers. The bill has been approved
by the Senate and now is awaiting consideration in the House.
The legislation would aid soybean farmers by expanding the
market for their crops, and comes as a company gets ready
to build an estimated $8.2 million soydiesel production plant
in Clayton that is expected to produce up to 5 million gallons
of the fuel annually. The bill would require that all diesel
sold in the state be at least 2 percent biodiesel. The fuel
is made by blending diesel oil with a vegetable oil such as
soybean oil or animal fat. The material helps replace sulfur
as a lubricant in diesel fuel and reduces emissions of hydrocarbons,
carbon monoxide, and soot. It is estimated that the biodiesel
would initially cost 2 cents more per gallon than conventional
diesel, which is of concern to some lawmakers and petroleum
industry representatives. A House version of the bill would
push its effective date back to 2006. To learn more about
the benefits of biodiesel, visit: http://www.serconline.org/biodiesel/index.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
Missouri
Gov. Signs Series of Environmental Bills (Jefferson
City News Tribune 6/23)
http://newstribune.com/articles/2004/06/23/news_state/0623040006.txt
In June, Missouri Gov. Bob Holden signed into law a package
of four environmental bills aimed at reducing health and environmental
risks from hazardous waste, encouraging responsible recreation,
and expanding testing for toxicity levels in children. SB
1083 will expand on the state's current law for testing children,
depending on their exposure risk, for lead poisoning. The
law will require testing of children under six months old,
whereas the old law required testing of children between the
ages of six months and six years. SB 1040 extends a fee paid
by generators of hazardous waste until June 30, 2006. The
fee was set to expire next January and helps pay for the safe
collection and disposal of hazardous waste. The bill will
establish legislative committees to ensure funding for responsible
waste disposal, and ease reporting requirements for state
businesses that treat hazardous waste. It will also reallocate
a fee charged per-ton-of-trash, in order to pay for safe waste
disposal and the persecution of illegal dumpers. SB 901 changes
the jurisdiction over monitoring and cleanup of petroleum
underground storage tanks from the Clean Water Commission
to the state's Hazardous Waste Management Commission. SB 810
promotes the designation of new trails for hiking, biking,
and walking within the state. The legislation will relieve
private land owners of civil liability if their property adjoins
state-, city-, or county-managed trails. In this way, the
state hopes to promote trails where private property owners
might otherwise object to them. For more information on lead
poisoning and biomonitoring, visit: http://www.serconline.org/biomonitoring.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
Delaware
Senate Approves Recycling Plan (News Journal 6/17)
http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2004/06/17senateapprovesr.html
The Delaware Senate voted, two weeks ago, to unanimously approve
a mandatory recycling requirement for the state, including
a four-year deadline for reaching a 40 percent recycling rate
for household and commercial wastes. SB 245 mandates a statewide
recycling program and establishes targeted diversion rates
for the state. It also requires the Delaware Solid Waste Authority
to achieve a total diversion rate for residential solid waste
of 30 percent and a total diversion rate for all other solid
waste of 50 percent. The bill moved into the House for consideration.
Action on SB 245 followed last-minute compromises by three
groups working to develop a statewide curbside recycling program.
Delaware Solid Waste Authority officials released a draft
proposal for curbside pickups as part of a joint effort with
state environmental regulators and an administration panel.
The compromise requires development of a detailed financing
and operations plan for a mandatory recycling program by Dec.
31. Delaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental
Control, the waste authority, and Gov. Ruth Ann Minner's Recycling
Public Advisory Council will collaborate on the proposal.
All three already had announced a plan to hold public hearings
this fall on curbside recycling options. |
| back
to top |
| |
PA's
"Growing Greener II" Proposal Could Be a Windfall
for Conservation (Smart Growth 7/04)
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=4164&state=39
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell's $800 million Growing Greener
II environmental package, which would include $330 million
for agricultural, forest, and open space preservation and
$170 million for community revitalization, historic preservation,
and smart growth plans, is set to go before voters this November
if approved by the legislature. The package would also provide
$300 million for improving river and stream quality, promoting
clean fuels, harnessing alternative energy sources, reclaiming
old mines, and cleaning up brownfields. Presently, due to
budget constraints, only one out of every four applicants
is accepted into the state's development rights purchase programs.
Voters in the state approved a similar package in the late
1980s. For ideas on how to fund conservation in your state,
visit: http://www.serconline.org/conservationfunding/index.html. |
| back
to top |
|
|
