The BEAT News July 17, 2013

News Headlines

Other News Pages

Please send items of interest to Kristen.


 

GREEN DRINKS DIGEST                                                                                July 10, 2013

By Dana Drugmand

 

NORTH ADAMS — The July North Adams Green Drinks featured Ed Stockman speaking on the topic of GMO labeling. Stockman cofounded MA Right to Know GMOs, an advocacy group that supports legislation requiring GMO labeling. “I think we have a right to know what’s in our food,” he said.

 

The US and Canada are the only two industrialized nations that do no require GMO labeling. “Sixty-four nations of the world have either banned the growing of genetically engineered crops in their countries, and/or require labeling,” said Stockman. But as he explained, GMO labeling legislation is not going to happen in this country at the federal level, considering that the Obama administration’s appointee in charge of food safety at the FDA used to work at Monsanto.

 

Activists like Stockman have therefore been trying to get legislation passed at the state level. They held a hearing at the Statehouse last month, which brought out over 200 spectators. Every northeastern state currently has legislation introduced that calls for GMO labeling. So far, Connecticut and Maine are the only states to have passed labeling laws. “We have the right to make informed choices,” said Stockman.

 

His grandchildren are his motivation for taking action on this issue. “We’re gonna live through this,” he said. “I’m concerned about my grandkids.”

 

Stockman is encouraging everyone to contact their state representative and let them know this is important. “We need to get politically active,” he said. “Talk to your politician. Tell them it’s important for you to know what’s in your food.”

Return to list of headlines

 

Save the Trees – Spot their Enemies

August is Tree Check Month, so be on the lookout for invasive forest pests in your parks, schools, urban forests, and where you live!

August 1, 2013 marks the 5th anniversary of the discovery of Asian Longhorned Beetle in Massachusetts. Since that fateful day in 2008, more than 30,000 hardwood trees have been removed because of this invasive pest. Recently, another wood-boring beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer, was found in Berkshire County, and now threatens millions of Ash trees in our state. Join your fellow citizens during the month of August and check your trees for signs of damage caused by Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer, and learn to recognize the beetles themselves.  For more detailed information, visit http://massnrc.org/pests/blog/ or contact Stacy Kilb, ALB Outreach Coordinator at stacy.kilb@state.ma.us or (617) 626-1764.

Return to list of headlines

 

Better Mercury Recycling

BEAT, Mass Audubon, Toxics Action Center, and other organizations signed onto a letter in support of legislation that would better manage the recycling of mercury. We asked that An Act further regulating mercury management be improved with some changes and then passed by the legislature. The bill would better enforce the recycling of mercury from thermostats and lightbulbs.

Return to list of headlines

 

Plan to Ban Disposal of Commercial Food Waste

$4M in grants, low-interest loans available for converting organics to renewable energy

Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) officials today announced a proposed commercial food waste ban and funding to support anaerobic digestion (AD), a process that converts food waste into renewable energy.

“Banning commercial food waste and supporting the development of AD facilities across the Commonwealth is critical to achieving our aggressive waste disposal reduction goals,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “These policies and programs will continue the Patrick Administration’s commitment to growing the clean energy sector in Massachusetts, creating jobs and reducing emissions.”

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has proposed a commercial food waste ban, to take effect by July 1, 2014, that would require any entity that disposes of at least one ton of organic waste per week to donate or re-purpose the useable food. Any remaining food waste would be required to be shipped to an AD facility, a composting operation or an animal-feed operation. Residential food waste is not included in the ban.

To harness the energy in organic waste, the Patrick Administration has made $3 million in low-interest loans available to private companies building AD facilities. The low-interest loans will be administered by BCD Capital through MassDEP’s Recycling Loan Fund, with monies provided by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

“Many grocery stores and environmentally conscious businesses across the state currently divert their food waste, saving money in the process,” said MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell. “Diverting food waste to AD facilities creates value by reducing the waste stream, tapping into the energy within food wastes, reducing greenhouse gases, and producing a byproduct that can be resold as fertilizer or animal bedding.”

“Anaerobic digestion is yet another proven clean energy technology that supports the Patrick Administration’s energy goals,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia.  “By working together and leading by example, we are building the infrastructure to support clean, renewable energy generation and address a challenging organics waste issue with a solution that meets multiple economic and environmental goals.”

DOER is also making $1 million available in grants for anaerobic digestion to public entities through MassDEP’s Sustainable Materials Recovery Grant Program. MassDEP and DOER have awarded the first AD grant of $100,000 to the Massachusetts Water Resources Agency (MWRA) for its wastewater treatment plant at Deer Island plant. The MWRA currently digests sludge in 12 large chambers to help run the plant. A pilot project will introduce food waste into one of the chambers to determine the effects of co-digestion on operations and biogas production.

“The legislature and the regulatory agencies in Massachusetts have taken important steps to create a positive environment for private companies such as ours to make significant investments in the development of anaerobic digestion projects,” said Tony Callendrello, Chief Operating Officer of NEO Energy.

“I am pleased to see Massachusetts continue to make investments in recycling and in the reduction of waste in our landfills,” said Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “As the Commonwealth continues to lead the rest of the country in our green policies and practices, this commercial food waste ban provides one more example of the cost savings and environmental benefits that are available when we set a clean energy target and innovate solutions to achieve it.”

“I appreciate the efforts of the Patrick administration in being open to technologies that will pave the way for more innovation, opportunities for new businesses and a funding source for dealing with food waste, which has become a growing environmental issue,” Rep. Anne Gobi, Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

“Thanks to the Patrick Administration, Secretary Rick Sullivan, and MassDEP Commissioner Kenneth Kimmell, the Commonwealth is taking the lead in the nation in innovation through a commercial food waste ban and by funding energy-producing anaerobic digestion facilities,” said Sen. Gale D. Candaras, Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “Through these dual initiatives, the Commonwealth is paving the way for public-private partnerships to develop a new, environmentally-friendly, renewable energy-producing industry which will not only keep our communities clean but also create jobs and revenue.”

Food waste and organics make up 20-25 percent of the current waste stream going to landfills and incinerators. The proposed food waste ban would help the Commonwealth reach its goals to reduce the waste stream by 30 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. To ensure that there will be sufficient facilities in Massachusetts to handle the waste resulting from the ban, MassDEP is working with the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to conduct feasibility studies to build AD facilities on state-owned land.

AD facilities have become more popular in Massachusetts in recent years at facilities such as dairy farms, municipal landfills and wastewater treatment plants. Over the past year, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has awarded 18 grants worth $2.3 million to study, design and construct AD and other organics-to-energy facilities across the Commonwealth.

“Massachusetts companies are again leading the way in the deployment of this exciting technology, which, in addition to producing environmental benefits, will create quality jobs in the already-booming clean energy sector,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton.

This DOER funding comes from the 2010 and 2011 Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) Spending Plan.  ACPs are paid by electric retail suppliers if they have insufficient Renewable Energy Certificates to meet their compliance obligations under the Renewable Portfolio Standard programs. DOER establishes the plan for use of these funds to support clean energy development in the Commonwealth.

AD is a process that puts food and yard wastes, and other organics, into an enclosed chamber with no oxygen. Microbes inside the chamber break down the organics and produce a biogas that can produce electricity and heat. The electricity and heat is used in place of fossil fuels, reducing emissions. For more information about AD, visit MassDEP’s website: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/service/energy/anaerobic-digestion/

Return to list of headlines

 

De-Paving Party

BEAT received notice from the Boston Climate Action Network of a De-Paving Party. We want one out this way!

Please come out this Saturday for Boston’s first ever De-Paving Party (or at least the first one we’ve heard of)! We will be pulling up asphalt from two yards in this working-class, multi-ethnic neighborhood near Stop and Stop in the Hyde Square/Jackson Square area.  From parking lots to paradise, we will help the Gay Head Green Block neighbors make their block more resilient in the face of climate change. Make room for gardens, trees, and recreation space. Help reduce urban heat island effect and storm water flooding, and have fun too!

We’ll have lunch in a neighbor’s yard, so feel free to come hungry or bring a dish to share. Kids are welcome to play in a neighbor’s yard or if they’re old enough to be safe, they can work with a responsible adult partner.

We think this is a great idea! Where would you like to see de-paved? Let’s see if we can find places in western Massachusetts to start having de-paving parties!

Return to list of headlines

 

Groups Petition EPA to Protect Rivers from Polluted Runoff

Conservation groups filed petitions today urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to exercise its authority to safeguard rivers, lakes, and streams from polluted runoff from existing commercial, industrial, and institutional sites that are currently failing to adequately control their pollution. Polluted runoff – rainwater that picks up oil, dirt and toxins while flowing over streets and parking lots – is a leading cause of water pollution in the United States.

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and American Rivers, along with Anacostia Riverkeeper, Anacostia Watershed Society, Blue Water Baltimore/Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, California Coastkeeper Alliance, PennFuture, Potomac Riverkeeper, and the Shenandoah Riverkeeper, jointly filed the petitions calling on EPA to exercise its authority under the Clean Water Act, known as Residual Designation Authority (RDA), on a regional scale spanning EPA Regions 1 (New England), 3 (Mid-Atlantic states) and 9 (Southwest states and California) to manage runoff from sources that are already contributing to violations of state water quality standards.

These regions, which are home to some of the nation’s most iconic and threatened water bodies, could provide replicable leadership for the rest of the country. The petitions seek to hold commercial, industrial and institutional facilities accountable for controlling runoff that carries toxic pollutants, including lead, zinc, copper, nitrogen and phosphorus, off of their roofs, parking lots, and sidewalks into nearby waterways when it rains or floods.

Much of untreated polluted runoff comes from these types of sites, such as acres of shopping mall parking lots, industrial rooftops, and other commercial surfaces that were built decades ago. However, many of these sites are not currently responsible for reducing their runoff pollution. Yet, because city storm sewer systems have pollution control and cleanup obligations, taxpayers often are responsible for paying for infrastructure improvements to manage runoff. CLF, NRDC and American Rivers are asking EPA to grant their petitions so that the costs of managing this pollution will be more equitably distributed and that these sources take responsibility for the pollution they generate.

The petitions filed today are consistent with similar recent initiatives. In 2009, after years of advocacy, New England-based Conservation Law Foundation secured two RDA permits for sources of polluted runoff, both of which require sites to be improved to reduce their share of stormwater pollution into five impaired brooks in Burlington, Vermont and urban Long Creek in Southern Maine.

“Polluters must be held accountable to do their part to restore healthy lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries in communities across the U.S.” said Christopher Kilian, VP and Director of CLF’s Clean Water and Healthy Forests Program. “The runoff problem, which affects water bodies small and large, in big cities and small towns from coast to coast, will only get worse with the more frequent and severe storms we are seeing due to climate change. A problem of this magnitude can’t be solved stream by stream. It requires regional solutions to stem this tide of pollution and achieve cleaner water for everyone.”

The current petitions, like the ones previously filed by CLF, demand that EPA issue a permit to sources of stormwater pollution requiring them to reduce their impact to currently polluted waterways. That can be done by using techniques like green infrastructure to reduce runoff. Green infrastructure refers to solutions like permeable pavement and green roofs, which allow polluted runoff to filter into the ground instead of rushing off into nearby streams. If granted, the petitions could serve as a model for cost-effective clean water safeguards throughout the country to restore our nation’s waters for swimming, fishing, and wildlife.

“Green infrastructure is a simple, common-sense solution to our water pollution woes. EPA knows there are chronic water pollution problems that green infrastructure can effectively tackle, but Americans need the agency to lead by insisting on pollution controls for sources that are fouling our waters,” said Jon Devine, senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Clean waterways are not only vital for public health, they support healthy economies that generate billions of dollars and support millions of jobs across the nation.”

“When polluted runoff flows off of these sites, we all pay the price in the form of basement backups, flooded streets, rivers that are unsafe for swimming, and beach closures,” said Jeff Odefey, Director of Stormwater Programs for American Rivers. “Taxpayers shouldn’t shoulder the entire bill for managing runoff while these sites continue to pollute our rivers, lakes, and streams. It’s time for existing sources of pollution to take responsibility for their impact. These petitions ask EPA to use its existing authority under the law to make sure everyone is part of the solution.”

Background

Polluted runoff is one of the leading causes of pollution in the United States. As water flows over pavement, it collects a toxic mix of metals, chlorides, petroleum residues, and automobile fluids. Large volumes of runoff exacerbate flooding, contribute to basement backups, and create sewage overflows. The costs of this pollution are far-reaching, including:

  • For two beaches in California, illnesses associated with swimming in water contaminated by polluted runoff cost the public over $3 million every year.
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that polluted urban runoff contributes to 25 percent of economic losses from flooding, totaling nearly $1 billion every year.
  • Wet basements due to frequent flooding or sewer backups can decrease property values by as much as 25 percent.
  • From closed beaches to unsanitary drinking water and safety hazards, billions of dollars in health care are estimated to be spent every year on the approximately 7.1 million mild-to-moderate cases and the 560,000 moderate-to-severe cases of infectious waterborne disease in the U.S.
  • When approximately 25 percent of land surface is impervious to water, rivers and streams lose most of their biological diversity.

Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA has the duty to manage polluted runoff from sites that contribute to violations of water quality standards or are significant contributors of pollutants to our waters. Polluted runoff is one of the only growing sources of water pollution across the country. The good news is that we have a much better understanding of how to reduce it – including capturing and treating runoff from already existing sites. These petitions ask the EPA to get existing sources of polluted runoff to do their fair share to reduce their impact.

Return to list of headlines

 

List of GE Pittsfield/Housatonic River Project Documents submitted to Repositories from June 16, 2013 through June 29, 2013

 

Documents submitted to the Berkshire Athenaeum

 

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA), June 19, 2013, Re:  GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Lyman Street Area (GECD430); Summary of May 2013 Inspection Activities

 

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Karen Pelto (MADEP), June 20, 2013, Re:  GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; East Street Area 2-South (GECD150); Summary of May 2013 Inspection of Natural Resource Restoration/Enhancement Measures

 

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA), June 20, 2013, Re:  GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Floodplain Residential and Non-Residential Properties Adjacent to 1½ Mile Reach of Housatonic River (GECD710 and GECD720); Summary of May 2013 Tree Cage Inspection Activities for the Group 4C Floodplain Properties

 

Letter (with attachment) from Richard Fisher (USEPA) to Richard W. Gates (GE), June 20, 2013, Re:  EPA Approval of, and Certificate of Completion for, General Electric’s submittal entitled Final Completion Report for East Street Area 2-South Removal Action, dated May 2013, GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

 

Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Richard Fisher (USEPA), June 21, 2013, Re:  GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Building 71 and Hill 78 On-Plant Consolidation Areas (GECD210 & GECD220); Summary of May 2013 Post-Closure Inspection Activities

 

Letter from Andrew T. Silfer (GE) to Olga Vergara (USEPA) and MADEP, June 27, 2013, Re:  General Electric Company, Pittsfield, Massachusetts; NPDES Permit No. MA0003891; NPDES Permit Renewal Application

 

Documents submitted to the Connecticut Repositories

None

Return to list of headlines

 

Outreach Specialist

 

At CET, we believe in education to inspire action that results in lasting impacts! This position is responsible for increasing CET’s effectiveness to “make green make sense” through community organizing, outreach and education specifically in the Go Green Initiative: Energy efficiency, renewable energy and waste reduction through home composting, recycling and reuse. Specific campaign focus and its goals will be followed in each identified target community. The position reports to Marin Goldstein, Outreach and Education Manager in the Outreach and Education Department.

 

Position Responsibilities include the following:

Go Green Community Outreach and Assistance:

Conduct public outreach and education to achieve various program and mission impact goals:

  • Serve as a residential Energy Efficiency Coach, with knowledge of incentives and opportunities, to provide technical assistance and guidance on resources available in western Mass
  • Promote, coordinate and deliver residential educational presentations and hands-on workshops that inspire participants to take Go Green actions, specifically:
    • Generate referrals for Mass Save and other energy efficiency programs for residents
    • Generate enrollments in New England GreenStart/New England Wind Fund for residents
  • Target a variety of audiences and venues, including but not limited to: municipal leadership, public libraries, faith based groups, school based groups/classrooms, large business employers, senior centers, community events and much more.
  • Track results of events and outreach activities and maintain household contact data
  • Work on a team to develop marketing materials tailored to specific community events/needs
  • Work on a team to develop and generate media engagement by utilizing CET web site, public service announcements, press events and social media outlets

 

Work regionally with grassroots groups/ municipal committees to achieve campaign goals:

  • Serve as resource for objective information about energy efficiency (e.g. Mass Save & Weatherization home energy programs), renewable energy options (e.g. Solarize campaigns), home composting and recycling and reuse opportunities
  • Cultivate a network of partnerships and collaboration within the region working on similar campaign goals throughout the region to achieve the Go Green goals, potentially:
    • Assist municipal leaders to develop strategies, goals/metrics and tracking systems as well as plan and coordinate town sponsored outreach efforts as supported by funding
  • Support Annual or special CET events (e.g. Household Hazardous Waste and building materials collections, renewable energy seminars, and Green Buildings Open House) by coordinating with vendors and partners, including CET staff, recruit and manage volunteers, advertise, solicit donations, and work within a budget as needed

 

Program Development, and Grant Reporting and Evaluation

  • Assist in the development of outreach strategies and documentation of best practices
  • Assist in communicating outreach results through telling the story of our work and the people we guide to lasting impacts in reports demonstrating achievements and lessons learned
  • Assist in the development of grants and proposals to provide funding for the programs of the Go Green Initiative as needed

 

Supervisory role for the EcoFellowship program:

  • Supervise one or more EcoFellow(s), young professionals hired for one year of training and skill development, supporting the development of their outreach skill set by providing them with opportunities to learn through supportive roles, co-leadership of events and active leadership
  • Supervise one or more EcoFellow(s) daily work, guide and develop a work plan as appropriate, approve timesheets and other administrative tasks as needed
  • Participate in the EcoFellow leadership group to review challenges that arise during the program and develop best practices in mentoring these young professionals

 

Other duties:  CET projects and workload vary and responsibilities will change when necessary.  Some weekend and evening work will be required on a regular basis, but flexible work scheduling allows maintenance of work load and hours.

 

Required Qualifications:

  • College degree in related field
  • Minimum of 3 years community organizing and/or outreach experience
  • Minimum of 2 years of customer service and public education/speaking experience
  • Minimum of 2 years of computer experience working in databases and Microsoft Office Suite
  • Experience in education with a hands-on and creative approach
  • Valid driver’s license with reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of project implementation in one or more of the following areas:
    • Residential energy efficiency and building science, with BPI certification, Building Analyst, Envelope Professional, or comparable training/certifications, and/or
    • Residential solar thermal and solar photovoltaic systems, and/or
    • Residential and school based food composting and recycling
  • Excellent professional communication skills (written, phone, email, in-person) with the ability to convey information in a straight forward unbiased way and adept at helping implement incremental change
  • Excellent computer skills with preference give to the use and knowledge of Salesforce
  • Interest in interacting with various populations: residents, businesses, community volunteers, public officials, students, teachers, media
  • Experience working with and supervising young staff, interns and volunteers
  • Strong commitment to non-profit community mission of CET
  • Work-style – flexible, self-directed, professional, hard-work ethic, patient, problem-solving, works well independently or as a part of a team
  • Attention to detail, good problem solving skills and observational skills and results oriented
  • Ability to accomplish tasks within timelines
  • Maintain strict privacy of any confidential personnel, fiscal, customer and internal organizational information for which access is required in order to perform assigned duties.

 

This is a full-time hourly position with benefits located in our Northampton office.  CET offers competitive pay rates and a comprehensive health plan which pays approximately 60% of the individual’s health insurance costs.  New employees are eligible for dental insurance; accrue 10 days of paid vacation leave per year, 9 sick days and CET offers 12 paid holidays.  CET is an equal opportunity employer.

 

Send cover letter and resume via email (hr@cetonline.org) to:
Amanda Bates, HR Assistant
Center for EcoTechnology
112 Elm Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Return to list of headlines

Back To Top