The BEAT News October 16, 2008

After 3 Years of Waiting – Public Meeting on GE's Draft Final NPDES Permit

There will be a public meeting on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at the EPA office at 10 Lyman St. (next to GymFest) in Pittsfield, MA. so that members of the public can discuss the terms of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and the appeals process with a member of EPA's NPDES Permitting staff.

Something is seriously wrong with the US Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit process! Three years ago – March 2005 –  BEAT, Housatonic River Initiative, Housatonic Environmental Action League, Housatonic River Commission, Conservation Law Foundation, Mass Audubon, Housatonic Valley Association, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and others – including 21 individuals – commented on  the Draft National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the General Electric Company site in Pittsfield.

Jane Winn was contacted on September 11, 2008 about comments she made on March 25, 2005 regarding General Electric's Draft NPDES permit for the Pittsfield site. The final permit for public review and comment was released Spetember 30, 2008 and we were notified October 2, 2008. We were very, very skeptical that EPA could have seriously considered our comments – however, we were plesantly surprised! The permit is much improved and many of our comments were satisfactorily addressed. BEAT does, however, still have a few issues and a request that all reporting for this permit be available on-line and that BEAT receive notice of its availability.  Here are some of Jane Winn's thoughts upon reviewing the final NPDES permit.

A link to the September 2008 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") permit issued by EPA Region 1, is at:
http://www.epa.gov/region01/npdes/permits_listing_ma.html. Scroll down the page and click on the following permit: Pittsfield (Housatonic River) General Electric Company (PDF) (24 pp., 77 KB) September 30, 2008

The NPDES permit is under a separate EPA program, and is not being implemented as part of the work for the GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site.
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From State House News:
STATE CLOSES IN ON 30TH "CRITICAL" ENVIRONMENTAL AREA DESIGNATION: State officials announced Tuesday they're launching a full public review of plans to give a special development-related designation to more than 12,000 acres of land in four western Massachusetts communities.  If the Upper Housatonic River area in Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield and Washington is approved as an "area of critical environmental concern," proposed projects within the area would be subject to a higher level of environmental review to avoid or minimize adverse impacts on the area's natural or cultural resources.  It would be the state's 30th area with the designation, joining similar areas spread out over 74 cities and towns in Massachusetts.   The area includes the 13-mile corridor of the Upper Housatonic River, adjacent floodplains, tributary streams and October Mountain.  The area was nominated for the designation in a 156-page application submitted by elected officials and environmental groups, as well as the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen.  

Hearings to discuss the nomination and review process are scheduled in late October in Lenox, Pittsfield, Lee and Washington.
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From State House News:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY COUNCIL MEMBERS NAMED: To boost energy efficiency programs, the state's new energy law requires electric and gas distribution companies to procure all available energy resources that cost less than the cost of electricity or gas.  State officials say the effort will manifest itself with utility companies offering rebates and other financial incentives for customers to upgrade lighting, refrigeration, air conditioning, motors and industrial equipment to more efficient models.   On Monday, the Patrick administration announced members of a new state Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, which will review utility efficiency plans and budgets and work with utilities on efficiency efforts.   State Department of Public Utilities Chairman Paul Hibbard will chair the council.  In a statement, Energy and Environment Secretary Ian Bowles said the council would help "make the Commonwealth the most energy efficient economy in the world."  

Massachusetts was tied for seventh among states in an American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy efficiency report card released Monday.  Other council members include Attorney General Martha Coakley; Debra Hall of the Department of Housing and Community Development; Lucy Edmondson of the Department of Environmental Protection;  Paul Deare of Action for Regional Equity;  Elliot Jacobson of Action Inc.;  Sam Krasnow of Environment Northeast;  Rick Mattila of Genzyme;  Robert Rio of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and Charlie Harak of Utility Workers Union of America, Local 369.
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U.S. conservation win – in Canada

Forestland half the size of Texas is being saved to help thwart climate change.

By Jeff Wells, David Wilcove and Scott Weidensaul
from the September 22, 2008 edition Christian Science Monitor

Philadelphia – It may be the biggest conservation victory for the US in decades. It ensures that massive amounts of greenhouse gases won't be released to add to global warming. It ensures an abundance of birds for generations of Americans to enjoy. And you may not have heard anything about it.

That's because it just happened in Ontario, Canada.

Over the summer, Ontario's premier, Dalton McGuinty, announced that at least 55 million acres – half of the province's boreal forest – will be off limits to development. And he has promised no new mining or logging projects until local land-use plans have support from native communities. The scale of the decision is staggering, and it commits Ontario to setting aside lands more than twice the size of Pennsylvania as parks or wildlife refuges.

Equally impressive was Premier McGuinty's strong reliance on the recommendation by scientists, led by Nobel Prize-winning authors of the International Panel on Climate Change, to make that decision.  <more – (you may have to scroll down to the story)>
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The Economic Impact of Wildlife Watching in the US

There sure are a lot of people interested in wildlife viewing, and their spending has quite an economic impact. In the new report out by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, they found that :

  • Roughly one out of three Americans 16 years of age and older, or 71 million, participated in wildlife watching in 2006.
  • The 71 million wildlife-watching participants is more than four times greater than the attendance of all National League Football teams during the 2006 season.
  • Wildlife-related expenditures in 2006 were $45.7 billion.
  • Expenditures on wildlife watching are equivalent to the amount of revenue from all spectator sports (football, baseball, and other sports), all amusement parks and arcades, casinos (except casino hotels), bowling centers, and skiing facilities.

Take a look at the New Report!

Wildlife Watching in the United States: The Economic Impacts on National and State Economies in 2006 (US Fish & Wildlife Service)


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New Energy Economy Emerging in the United States
by Lester R. Brown

As fossil fuel prices rise, as oil insecurity deepens, and as concerns about climate change cast a shadow over the future of coal, a new energy economy is emerging in the United States. The old energy economy, fueled by oil, coal, and natural gas, is being replaced by one powered by wind, solar, and geothermal energy. The transition is moving at a pace and on a scale that we could not have imagined even a year ago.

Consider Texas. Long the leading oil-producing state, it is now also the leading generator of electricity from wind, having overtaken California two years ago. Texas now has nearly 6,000 megawatts of wind-generating capacity online and a staggering 39,000 megawatts in the construction and planning stages. When all this is completed, Texas will have 45,000 megawatts of wind-generating capacity (think 45 coal-fired power plants). This will more than satisfy the residential needs of the state’s 24 million people, enabling Texas to feed electricity to nearby states such as Louisiana and Mississippi.

For the rest of this article and more on current wind, solar, and geothermal production and the need for a better national electric grid, go to the Earth Policy Institute website.

Earth Policy Institute
1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 403
Washington, DC 20036
Web: www.earthpolicy.org


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American Rivers is now accepting nominations for the America ’s Most Endangered Rivers report: 2009 Edition. Nominations must be received on or before October 27, 2008.
If your river is in danger due to pollution, dams, harmful development, or other threats, and is facing a critical decision in the coming year, it may be a strong candidate for this year's report.
To review the nomination form or to nominate your river click on http://www.americanrivers.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AR7_MER_Nominate


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Western Mass Empowering Local Land Conservation Grants

The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC), Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust (MGLCT) and Franklin Land Trust (FLT) are very pleased to announce the 2009 Round for the "Empowering Local Land Conservation in Western Massachusetts" grant program.  This program is aimed at assisting local land trusts and other conservation groups in western and central Massachusetts strengthen their organizations and improve their land management and stewardship.  The first year of this grant program has been very successful.  Please see the list of awards to get an idea of the types of projects and organizations that received grants in the 2008 Round.

Proposals are due by Oct. 31, 2008.  Maximum grant is $10,000.  Awards for 2009 projects will be announced in December, 2008.

Grant Program Details
Maximum Grant: $10,000
Geographic Focus: Western Mass.; Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, & Worcester counties
Eligibility: Land Trusts and 501(c)(3) conservation organizations with an annual budget of less than $250,000.  Must be actively engaged in Land Protection and/or Stewardship.
Applicant Contribution: At least 5% of project total.  No in-kind match.

Who is eligible to apply for a grant?
Proposals will be accepted from Land Trusts and other conservation groups which;
    • protect, acquire and/or steward land or conservation restrictions; and
    • are based in of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, or Worcester counties; and
    • have an annual budget of less than $250,000; and
    • are registered 501(c)(3) charitable organizations; and
    • do not have uncompleted projects funded by earlier grants from this program.
Projects up to $10,000 per organization will be considered.  While preference will be given to organizations who have not previously received a grant under this program, all proposals will be given fair consideration. Organizations may submit one proposal only.  Examples of "other conservation groups" include watershed associations, nature centers, "Friends" groups, etc.  Proposals will be considered provided that all requirements are met.  Municipalities and government agencies are not eligible for this grant program.

What types of projects will be funded?
Funding is available for two types of projects:
   • Strengthening land conservation organizations and improving their management procedures; and
    • Improving stewardship and management of conservation land
Projects receiving the greatest consideration will have these characteristics:
   • Projects emphasizing partnership between local organizations and regional land trusts
    • Projects drawing together local organizations to share resources (staff, equipment, expertise, etc.)
    • Projects that demonstrate strong local support and can demonstrate a meaningful and lasting benefit to a local community.
    •    Projects providing volunteer opportunities for youth.
Projects demonstrating creativity; cooperation among local and regional land protection groups; or engaging non-traditional partners are strongly encouraged.

Your organization must contribute at least 5% of the project’s total cost.  In-kind matches will not be accepted.

This announcement has been sent to a wide variety of correspondents including land trusts, watershed associations, "Friends" groups, etc.  In particular, I have sent it to independent consultants and conservation practitioners, in the hopes that they will work with local land trusts and other groups to develop significant projects which meet the grant guidelines, especially in the area of land management and stewardship.  I urge you to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to further conservation in Western & Central Mass.

I encourage you to distribute this announcement widely to groups who you believe may be interested and eligible.  I've also sent this out to all MLTC Steering Committee members even though their land trusts may not actually be eligible.

Please call me if you have any questions about organizational eligibility, project guidelines, or for assistance in writing a proposal.

Regards,

Bernie McHugh, Coordinator
Mass. Land Trust Coalition
18 Wolbach Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
[email protected]
Cell: 781-248-7045
www.MassLand.org

The Massachusetts Watershed Coalition  ....Creating a Network of Watershed Partners.


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All Ten States of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Issue Notice for Second Precompliance Auction 

(New York, NY)—The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) initiated the bidding process for its second auction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission allowances, to be held on December 17, 2008.

The second RGGI auction for CO2 allowances expects to offer allowances from all ten states participating in RGGI.  Those states are: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. States will offer a total of 31,505,898 allowances for sale.

The reserve price for Auction 2 will remain $1.86, according to determinations by Participating States that cited the very early stage of the development of a secondary market for CO2 allowances. Before CO2 Allowance Auction 3, the Participating States will consider whether enough data is available to justify the calculation of a current market reserve price.

Today’s release of the Auction Notice, Qualification Application, and Intent to Bid opens the process that potential bidders must follow to qualify for, and participate in, December’s CO2 allowance auction.  The ten RGGI states urge prospective bidders to apply and qualify for the auction by downloading auction documents from the RGGI website at:
http://www.rggi.org/co2-auctions/information

All potential bidders must have successfully completed the qualification process to participate in the auction.

More information about the auction will be available through a webinar to be held from 2:00 PM ET to 4:00 PM ET on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.  Instructions to participate in the webinar are available at: http://www.rggi.org/webinaraccess.

The December 17th auction follows a strong first RGGI auction held on September 25th, which produced a clearing price of $3.07 per allowance and was described by the independent market monitor as “robust”.

RGGI, Inc.’s Executive Director Jonathan Schrag said, “The second RGGI auction will build upon the success of the September auction, demonstrating that the RGGI states are administering this market in a dependable, transparent manner.   The qualification process is extremely important, so the states urge potential bidders to take advantage of the information and technical assistance being made available online.”

The ten Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states have designed this first market-based, mandatory cap-and-trade program in the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a simple and constructive way. These pioneering states have committed to cap and then reduce the amount of CO2 that power plants in their region are allowed to emit, limiting the region’s total contribution to atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. The auction proceeds will be used by the states for investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy in the RGGI region, and to support consumer benefit programs.  The first auction generated more than $38 million and the six states who offered allowances for sale are using the proceeds to provide consumers with tools to lower their monthly energy bills and to create green jobs.

The RGGI auction was designed by the ten participating RGGI states with input from stakeholders, and provides each state with a mechanism for distributing its CO2 allowances. Any CO2 allowances purchased at this auction can be used by a regulated facility for compliance in any of the RGGI states. 

Under the RGGI process, after the ten participating states have stabilized power sector carbon emissions at their capped level by 2014, the cap will be reduced by 2.5% each year from 2015 through 2018, for a total of a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions.

By participating in this auction each of the ten RGGI states will have met their initial commitment three years ago to have a program in place by January 1, 2009.  These early auctions will ensure an ample opportunity for bidders to obtain the allowances they will need for compliance across the entire ten-state region.


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PROJECT NATIVE'S YEAR END BLOWOUT SALE IS GOING ON NOW!!!!
20 – 60% OFF NATIVE PLANTS 
Many items selling at or below wholesale price!
Sale prices valid through October.  
Many discounts on store items as well!!
Visit Project Native’s Garden Shop
Store open Thursday through Tuesday 9am – 5pm

Karen Lyness LeBlanc
Project Native
342 North Plain Rd.
Housatonic, MA 01236
(413) 274-3433
(413) 274-3464 – FAX
[email protected]
Recipient of the New England Wildflower Society’s 2008 Education Award for outstanding efforts in educating the public about stewardship of native plants and landscapes.
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Here's the latest update of new jobs and internships from the Orion Grassroots Network. Please note the new name and location of this service: it is now called the Grassroots Jobsource and it is here: jobs.oriongrassroots.org.  Please update your bookmarks!

Linked below are just a few of the new internships and jobs listed in the last month. Many more opportunities are open on an ongoing basis, and you can find them at the website above. See the links at right for full options.

Have a great day,

Erik Hoffner & Scott Gast
The Orion Grassroots Network Team

Five most recent internships listed:

Editorial Intern Position
Orion Magazine
Great Barrington, MA

Public Relations Internship (seasonal)
Canyonlands Field Institute
Moab, UT

Environmental Internships in the Pacific Northwest
Northwest Service Academy (Americorps)
Trout Lake, WA

Internship Program Leader/Media Coordinator
Northwest Service Academy (Americorps)
Trout Lake, WA

Sierra Nevada Americorps Partnership Position
Sierra Nevada Alliance
South Lake Tahoe, CA

View these and other listings here.

Five most recent new jobs listed:
 

Development Director
Regeneration Project
San Francisco, CA

Office Manager/Administrator
Kroka Expeditions
Marlow, NH

Interpretive Naturalist
The Wild Center/Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks
Tupper Lake, NY

Executive Director
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
Minneapolis, MN

Outreach/Education Coordinator
Strawberry Plains Audubon Center
Holly Springs, MS

View these and other listings here.
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Ocean Management Plan Development
Listening Session

As directed in the Oceans Act of 2008, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is undertaking a first-in-the-nation effort to develop a comprehensive plan to manage development in state ocean waters. A first step in the development of the plan is to hear from the citizens of the Commonwealth. Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 continuing through October 30. There will be a listening session in Pittsfield at the Berkshire Athenaeum on October 29 beginning at 7pm,  and one in Springfield at Scibelli Hall Theater, Springfield Technical Community College on October 30 beginning at 7pm.

 EEA is hosting these listening sessions to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan. For this round of public input, a main focus is on the overall goals of the ocean plan: in other words, what should the ocean plan seek to accomplish? Responses to that question will help EEA develop the conceptual framework for the draft plan.    

 At each listening session, EEA will provide an overview of the Oceans Act and then ask for responses to the questions listed below as well as general comments on the development of an integrated ocean management plan for Massachusetts . Anyone interested in contributing their thoughts is encouraged to submit written comments to [email protected].

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