LAUTENBERG: SENATE PANEL PASSES BILL GIVING NEW JERSEY GREATER SHARE OF WATER FUNDING
By Michael Pagan
May 15, 2009
LAUTENBERG: SENATE PANEL PASSES BILL GIVING NEW JERSEY GREATER SHARE OF WATER FUNDING
N.J. Sen. Fought for Federal Funds for Garden State; With New Formulas, N.J. would receive $109 million under Obama FY2010 Budget
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved legislation to increase New Jersey’s share of funding for wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities. The new formulas, coupled with increased funding under President Obama’s proposed FY2010 budget, would give New Jersey $109 million next year. That would represent an increase of $81 million in funds from last year. Read More.
Growth of Renewables Transforms Global Energy Picture
http://stanford.wellsphere.com/green-living-article/growth-of-renewables-transforms-global-energy-picture/671595
Growth of Renewables Transforms Global Energy Picture
Posted May 13 2009 10:35pm
In 2008 for the first time, more renewable energy than conventional power capacity was added in both the European Union and United States, showing a “fundamental transition” of the world’s energy markets towards renewable energy, finds a report released today by REN21, a global renewable energy policy network based in Paris.
Global power capacity from new renewable energy sources in 2008 was up 16 percent over the world’s 2007 capacity from new renewable sources, the REN21 Renewables Global Status Report shows.
“This fourth edition of REN21’s renewable energy report comes in the midst of an historic and global economic crisis,” says Mohamed El-Ashry, chairman of REN21.
“Although the future is unclear, there is much in the report for optimism,” said El-Ashry, an Egyptian national who from 1991 to 2003 served as the first CEO of the Global Environment Facility, which provides grants to developing countries for environmental projects.
Today, at least 73 countries have renewable energy policy targets, up from 66 at the end of 2007. At least 64 countries now have some type of policy to promote renewable power generation.
Companies are devoting an increasing amount of capital to renewables. By August 2008, at least 160 publicly traded renewable energy companies worldwide had a market capitalization greater than $100 million, the report shows.
Globally in 2008, solar heating capacity increased by 15 percent, while biodiesel and ethanol production both increased by 34 percent.
China’s total wind power capacity doubled in 2008 for the fifth year running, and developing countries, particularly China and India, are increasingly playing major roles in both the manufacture and installation of renewable energy, the report shows.
“The recent growth of the sector has surpassed all predictions, even those made by the industry itself,” says El-Ashry. He attributed much of this growth to more favorable policies amidst increasing concerns about climate change and energy security.
In 2008, renewable energy resisted the credit crunch more successfully than many other sectors for much of the year and new investment reached $120 billion, up 16 percent over 2007. However, by the end of the year, the impact of the crisis was beginning to show.
In his remarks accompanying release of the REN21 report, El-Ashry stressed that “now is not the time to relax policies that support a global, expanding renewable energy sector.”
“By maintaining and expanding these policies, governments, industry and society will reap substantial economic and environmental rewards when the economic rebound requires energy markets to meet rapidly increasing demand,” he advised.
The report notes that in response to the financial crisis, several governments have directed economic stimulus funding towards the new green jobs the renewable energy sector can provide, including the U.S. package that will invest $150 billion over 10 years in renewable energy.
Global wind power capacity grew by 29 percent in 2008 to reach 121 gigawatts, or more than double the capacity in place at the end of 2005.
Grid-connected solar photovoltaic power continued to be the fastest growing power generation technology, with a 70 percent increase in existing capacity to reach 13 gigawatts.
Spain became the solar photovoltaic market leader, with 2.6 gigawatts of new grid-tied installations. The concentrating solar power industry saw many new entrants and new manufacturing facilities in 2008.
Solar hot water in Germany set record growth in 2008, with over 200,000 systems installed.
India emerged in 2008 as a major producer of solar photovoltaics, with new policies leading to $18 billion in new manufacturing investment plans or proposals.
Geothermal power capacity surpassed 10 gigawatts in 2008, led by the United States. Direct geothermal energy delivered by ground source heat pumps is now used in at least 76 countries.
Among the many new renewable energy targets set in 2008, Australia targeted 45 terawatt-hours of electricity by 2020.
Brazil’s energy plan sought to slightly increase through 2030 its existing share of primary energy from renewable energy (46 percent in 2007), and its electricity share (87 percent in 2007).
India increased its target to 14 gigawatts of new renewables capacity by 2012.
Japan set new targets for 14 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity by 2020 and 53 gigawatts by 2030.
The EU formally adopted its target to reach a 20 percent share of renewable energy in final consumption by 2020, setting also country-specific targets for all member states.
Feed-in tariffs were adopted at the national level in at least five countries for the first time in 2008 and early 2009, including Kenya, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, and Ukraine.
The report also shows that several hundred cities and local governments around the world are planning or implementing renewable energy policies and planning frameworks linked to carbon dioxide emissions reduction.
Help Raise the Voice for Environmental Education
The No Child Left Inside Act–a critical bill for getting environmental education back in America’s classrooms–has just been re-introduced in this year’s Congress.
By speaking up for environmental education, tens of thousands of National Wildlife Federation supporters like you helped the No Child Left Inside Act pass in last year’s U.S. House of Representatives.
Now it’s time to start setting the foundation to ensure this bill passes in both chambers of the new Congress.
Before the bill can even come to a vote, it needs supporters—senators and representatives who are committed to funding environmental education programs for our kids. And that’s where you come in.
Please ask your members of Congress to support the No Child Left Inside Act and become champions for environmental education.
Remind your senators and representatives that hands-on environmental education will prepare our kids to be well-equipped to understand and overcome complicated environmental challenges that face our communities, our nation and our planet.
Let your Members of congress know you’re counting on them to support the No Child Left Inside Act.
With your continued actions, we can pass this bill through the new Congress for the benefit of our children, grandchildren and the wildlife we all cherish!
Dominique Burgunder-Johnson
Online Grassroots Coordinator
National Wildlife Federation
alerts@nwf.org
Lehigh Gap Nature Center News
Lehigh Gap and our Naturalists Club are being featured in the current Audubon magazine. To see the article, go to: http://audubonmagazine.org/citizenScience/citizenscience0905.html
Lehigh Gap Nature Center
P.O. Box 198
Slatington, PA 18080
610-760-8889
www.lgnc.org
Cancer cluster Sen. Specter leads Hazleton meeting, battle plan detailed
http://www.tnonline.com/node/439799
May 4, 2009
Cancer cluster Sen. Specter leads Hazleton meeting, battle plan detailed
By DONALD R. SERFASS dserfass@tnonline.com
DONALD R. SERFASS/TIMES NEWS In announcing details of a rare cancer study Friday at Penn State University in Hazleton, Sen. Arlen Specter acknowledged the problem nationally with toxic dumps, stating “we have to respond to it as best we can.”
WEST HAZLETON – A $5.5 million grant will help launch a multipronged effort to find the cause of a rare cancer cluster impacting residents of Luzerne, Carbon and Schuylkill counties.
Over 60 local residents turned out Friday afternoon to hear details and an update concerning the high incidence of polycythemia vera (PV), a rare blood disease found locally in an alarmingly high rate. The forum took place inside the Evelyn Graham Academic Building of Penn State University’s Highacres Campus near Hazleton.
The meeting was called by Sen. Arlen Specter and conducted by him on the 79-year-old senator’s first full day of work as a newly-proclaimed Democrat.
Many believe local cases of PV can be traced to contamination from McAdoo Associates, a longtime Superfund site. Specter said problems exist in other areas, too.
“We’ve had a problem nationally with toxic dumps … we have to respond to it as best we can,” said Specter, explaining that the funds would be funneled to appropriate PA state agencies, academic research institutions and health care organizations. “We’ve identified projects and have gone over them with the Department of Health.”
To outline the steps to be taken with the federal funds, Specter called on Dr. Vince Seamon, PV principal investigator with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Speaking with Specter via speakerphone, Seamon told attendees that funds will be used for: 1) creating a tissue bank set up in the name of the late Betty Kester of Still Creek, a PV victim; 2) creating a formal community based organization to facilitate communications regarding PV and rare cancers; 3) setting up research of specific sites and location of affected residences along Ben Titus Road; 4) conducting an epidemiological study; 5) conducting a series of lab tests of patients to look for common patterns or common exposures; 6) creating an environmental exposure team to conduct appropriate studies; and 7) working with the Centers for Disease Control agencies and locally to improve the registry reporting system for PV and all cancers.
Seamon said the ATSDR plans to set up a local community meeting about PV by June.
Following the presentation by Seamon, Specter introduced Joseph Murphy of Hometown, whom he called “the champion of the citizens group” in reference to Murphy’s many years of dedication to the cause.
Murphy told Specter that precious time has been lost.
“It’s five years in the making. Five years is just too long. We need to bring a sharper magnifying glass here in a hurry,” said Murphy to Specter.
Specter then introduced Dr. Peter Baddick of West Penn Township, calling him “one of the original advocates.”
Baddick, a native of the Quakake/Still Creek area, serves as medical director of the Penn Medical Group, Weissport.
It was Baddick’s rallying cry of 5 Cs: “Covert Conspiracy Coverup of the Cancer Cluster,” that called attention to what many believe was an initial decision by the state Department of Health to deny that any problem existed.
“In 2005, the DOH conducted studies and I disagreed with several of their reports,” said Baddick, explaining that medical evidence of the cluster was apparent in the number of local resident becoming sick. “It ws difficult (for them) to hide a growing body count.”
I’d rather be correct than politically correct,” Baddick added. “We already know there’s a cancer cluster. The $5.5 million will help discover a cause and then hopefully discover a cure. It’s a cancer that’s fairly new and not very well understood.”
Another health advocate, Larry Levin, urged Specter to use the money in a way that would directly help those in need – the residents dealing with PV.
“My hope is that some of the money can be directed to helping them now,” said Levin, explaining that treatment costs can run $35,000 to $50,000.
PV patient Debbie Trently, 53, Freeland, said she’s been dealing with the illness for years and believes she’d be unable to secure necessary health care coverage. Trently also questioned Specter about the average expected life span.
In response, Dr. Paul Roda of Geisinger Health Center, said the average life span is 20 years and that many don’t require treatment until they’ve had the illness for several years.
Specter to give Poly V update in Hazleton
http://www.republicanherald.com/articles/2009/04/30/news/local_news/pr_republican.20090430.a.pg1.pr30specter_s1.2487238_top4.txt
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter will be at Penn State Hazleton on Friday to update a group of residents on studies into high instances of a rare blood cancer in their neighborhood between McAdoo and Tamaqua.
BY TOM RAGAN
STAFF WRITER
tragan@standardspeaker.com
Published: Thursday, April 30, 2009 4:14 AM EDT
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter will be at Penn State Hazleton on Friday to update a group of residents on studies into high instances of a rare blood cancer in their neighborhood between McAdoo and Tamaqua.
Specter will join residents, medical professionals and the media at 3:15 p.m. in the Evelyn Graham Academic Building, Room 109, on campus to discuss what some say is a cancer cluster in a section of Rush Township.
Last month, Congress approved $5.5 million for a study to find out why the area experienced so many reported cases of polycythemia vera. The cluster, studies show, extends into parts of Luzerne, Schuylkill and Carbon counties.
About $5 million will be directed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to look at trends, risk factors and environmental impact related to the cluster. Read more
Governor Rendell Announces $530 Million Investment in Water Infrastructure
Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and receipts are submitted to PENNVEST.
For more information about PENNVEST, visit www.pennvest.state.pa.us. To track Pennsylvania’s investment of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding, visit www.recovery.pa.gov.
In Carbon County
* East Penn Township received a $36,000 loan and a $3.8 million grant to construct a new wastewater collection and treatment system to eliminate the use of malfunctioning on-lot septic systems that are discharging untreated wastewater.
Carbon County e-cycling event slated for April 27, 28
http://www.tnonline.com/node/436937
April 24, 2009
The Carbon County Department of Solid Waste will hold its spring 2009 electronics recycling collection in Jim Thorpe in April.
The two-day event will be held at at Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall parking lot, located at East 10th St., Jim Thorpe, on Monday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Tuesday, April 28, from noon until 6 p.m.
Anything electronic will be accepted at no charge to the county or its residents.
Acceptable materials include: VCRs, DVD players, radios, stereo equipment, computers (monitors, towers, printers, scanners, keyboards), laptops, hard drives, mainframe and telecom equipment, application (OEM) equipment, circuit boards of any kind, fax machines, typewriters, and telephones. TVs will be accepted by AAA Computer and Electronics Recycling with a charge of $10.
Household appliances or items with Freon will not be accepted.
For more information or questions, contact the Solid Waste office at (610) 852-5111.
Earth Day: Reduce Your Water Footprint on a Shoestring
Want to save water this Earth Day but don’t have the budget for a bathroom makeover or landscaping redesign? Just take some of these 10 simple tips to heart and stop pouring money down the drain.
- Teach an old faucet new tricks. If you’re not ready to invest in a new faucet, why not update your old one with a WaterSense labeled aerator? Aerators can cost as little as a few dollars.
- Perfect your timing. Once the weather starts warming up, remember to water your garden during the cool morning hours to reduce evaporation.
Lehigh Gap Nature Center Programs
Saturday, April 18 at Lehigh Gap Nature Center.
7:00 a.m. — Bird walk
9:00 a.m. — Habitat gardening session to plant a few new plants and remove butterfly bush around the Osprey House grounds and along the Prairie Warbler Trail. We will also explore the new plantings around the loop road at the Osprey House.
11:00 a.m. — Native Plant Workshop with Sue Tantsits, Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery.
We are fortunate to have Edge of the Wood so near to us and to have them providing these workshops for us. Please come out and learn more about native plants and our habitat gardens project.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED: Want to help with a major habitat restoration and research project at LGNC? Volunteer on April 25, 26 or May 2 to help plant native wildflower plants in the grassland restoration area for the nature center. We are working from 9-3 each day and you can sign up for morning, afternoon or all day. We are providing lunch, so please RSVP if you plan to help so we can have lunch for you.
Dan Kunkle
Lehigh Gap Nature Center
P.O. Box 198
Slatington, PA 18080
610-760-8889
www.lgnc.org