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PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION RELEASES BIOMASS SUSTAINABILITY STUDY
Report shows that electricity from biomass compares unfavorably with coal, while biomass for heat and cogeneration reduces greenhouse gas emissions over time; Department of Energy Resources to revise regulations for state's Renewable Portfolio Standard based on study
BOSTON - Thursday, June 10, 2010 - The use of sustainably harvested forest biomass to replace oil heat would likely begin to yield benefits in greenhouse gas emissions reduction in as little as five years, but electricity from biomass compares unfavorably with fossil fuels, including coal, according to a Biomass Sustainablilty and Carbon Policy Study commissioned by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
The six-month study of issues associated with biomass sustainability and carbon policy conducted by a team of scientists and policy experts led by the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences shows that the use of biomass for heating and combined heat and power (CHP) facilities would result in a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 relative to oil, but biomass-fired electricity would result in a 3 percent increase in emissions over coal-fired electricity in 2050. Coal has the highest greenhouse gas emissions per kilowatt-hour of energy produced of any fossil fuel.
Under the Global Warming Solutions Act, Massachusetts is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the economy 80 percent by 2050.
"These findings have broad implications for clean energy and the environment in Massachusetts and beyond," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles. "Biomass energy can be renewable over the long term and it has benefits in independence from imported fossil fuels. But now that we know that electricity from biomass harvested from New England forests is not 'carbon neutral' in a timeframe that makes sense given our legal mandate to cut greenhouse gas emissions, we need to re-evaluate our incentives for biomass." <more>
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Plastic's Future May Not Be In the Bag
by Alan Greenblatt
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
This could become a thing of the past in San Francisco.
June 10, 2010
Plastic bags may have become victims of their own success. Their very ubiquity — an estimated 90 billion plastic bags are used in the United States each year — has led to a small but growing number of jurisdictions discouraging their use through fees or outright bans.
Last week, the California Assembly voted to approve the first statewide ban on both plastic and paper "single-use" bags. Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he'll sign the bill if it makes it to his desk. The state Senate is expected to act on it by August.
The California proposal follows about a dozen local bans within the state, as well as bans and bag taxes enacted in several other countries, including China, Ireland and Bangladesh.
This past January, Washington, D.C., imposed a 5-cent fee on bags given out by stores that sell food. And last year, the top environmental official with the United Nations called for a worldwide ban on "pointless" single-use plastic bags.
"Of course we have the environmentalists on board, but we also have the grocers, the retailers and the United Food and Commercial Workers union," says Kirsten James, water quality director for Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica-based environmental group that has been a leading proponent of the California ban. <more>
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Africa could feed itself, says soil scientist
By Anna Salleh for ABC Science Online
Updated Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:48am AEST
It's Africa's turn for a green revolution, say some experts. (Reuters: Rafael Marchante)
Map: The University of Sydney 2006
Africa has good soils and could easily feed itself if more money was spent on fertiliser and seed rather than food aid, says one soil scientist.
World Food Prize Laureate Dr Pedro Sanchez laid out his argument to a recent agricultural research symposium at the University of Sydney.
"A lot of the public opinion still feels that Africa is a basket case. It cannot feed itself," says Dr Sanchez, of Columbia University's The Earth Institute in New York.
"I think that needs to change."
Expanding on a recent article in Nature Geoscience, Dr Sanchez argues tropical Africa is capable of tripling its crop yields if something is done about the lack of nutrients in its soils.
"Food crop yields have not changed in Africa since 1961," he says. "That's 50 years. It's amazing."
Dr Sanchez says most of the soils cultivated by Africa's small farmers are "pretty decent", but have become depleted of nitrogen, and to a lesser extent phosphorous.
"The soils are not inherently bad as some people have said," he says.
"What happened is that farmers took out too many nutrients, mainly in the form of crop harvests."
He says the same thing happened after 100 years of farming in the US Midwest, which has some of the best soils in the world. <more>
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PCB Cleanup Site Tour
On Thursday, June 17 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., there will be a site tour of properties in Pittsfield where PCB remediation activities have been recently completed as well as stops at other locations as requested by Citizens Coordinating Council members at the April meeting.
The tour as currently envisioned includes the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA) property, a drive-by of the Western Massachusetts Electric Company property
adjacent to the PEDA property where the solar panel array is proposed to be constructed, the 40s and teens property (recent building demo area) both of which are designated to be transferred to PEDA, onto to GE property adjacent to the Hill 78/Building 71 OPCA, potentially the Lyman Street Parking Lot (for a view of the 1/2-Mile and 1.5 Mile reach, and down to Fred Garner Park (1.5 Mile Reach and floodplain remediation and restoration adjacent to the 1.5 Mile reach).
GE will be providing transportation for the tour, so please let Jim Murphy at the Environmental Protection Agency know if you plan to participate so that GE can arrange for the appropriate number of vehicles. (617-918-1028 Murphy.Jim@epamail.epa.gov)
Jim will let you know later this week where the tour will begin and where you can park your car.
Also, in response to requests, EPA has posted on its GE-Housatonic website the legal briefs recently filed in the current court case in which GE is challenging the administrative order authority of CERCLA Section 106. The legal briefs can be found at:
http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/thesite/restofriver-reports.html#CommunityUpdates
Jim Murphy
United States Environmental Protection Agency
New England - Region 1
Office of the Regional Administrator
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
Mail Code ORA 20-1
Boston, MA 02109-3912
617-918-1028 (phone)
617-721-2868 (cell phone)
617-918-0028 (fax)
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Join us for a Gubernatorial Forum on the Environment
The outcome of this November's gubernatorial election may have profound effects on the Massachusetts environment, due to the obvious importance of the state environmental agencies under the governor's control. ELM (Environmental League of Massachusetts) and other environmental organizations are planning a gubernatorial forum for June 29th to ask the candidates about their views on environmental issues. Governor Patrick and Green party candidate Jill Stein have already confirmed, and we are in communications with the other candidates. This will be a fascinating event in an historic setting. Will you join us? RSVP now to: smoser@environmentalleague.org.
Gubernatorial Forum on Energy and the Environment
Tuesday June 29th, 6 to 8 p.m.
Old South Meeting House 310 Washington Street Boston
This is a free event, but seating is limited so RSVP to: smoser@environmentalleague.org
Sponsored by (partial list): Environmental League of Massachusetts, Mass Audubon, Conservation Law Foundation, Charles River Watershed Association, Appalachian Mountain Club, Clean Water Action, Mass League of Environmental Voters, Environmental Business Council, The Trustees of Reservations.
BEAT Note: Berkshire Environmental Action Team is co-sponsoring this event. We have asked if it will be videotaped and made available on the web as well.
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Assessment of Construction & Demolition Wood for Fuel
At the direction of the Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is assessing the public health and environmental impacts of using wood derived from construction, renovation, and demolition (C&D) wastes as a fuel for electricity generation. The agencies have published a draft Scope of Work for this assessment for public comment.
The assessment will include an analysis of the typical levels of contaminants commonly found in C&D wood feed stocks, a review of the most effective means for minimizing, sampling and monitoring the toxics and other contaminants of concern in these feed stocks, a review of the potential for emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants related to the use of C&D wood as a fuel, and a review of the potential public health impacts associated with the combustion of C&D wood.
The Agencies plan to hire a consultant (or a team of consultants) to conduct the assessment under their oversight, and have published a draft Scope of Work for this project. The Agencies invite public comment on this draft Scope of Work, and have scheduled two public meetings to provide opportunities for the public to discuss the draft with Agency staff and to comment.
The public meetings will be held on:
Monday, June 28, 2010
6:00-7:30 p.m.
John F. Kennedy Middle School (Auditorium)
1385 Berkshire Avenue
Indian Orchard, MA
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Old Town Hall
1458 County Street (Route 138)
Somerset, MA
Written comments also will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on July 2, 2010. Please email written comments to james.colman@state.ma.us, or mail them to: James C. Colman, Assistant Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Waste Prevention, One Winter Street 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02108.
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Pittsfield Green Drinks at Mission Bar and Tapas June 15th
Pittsfield Green Drinks was invited to Mission Bar and Tapas! This is the first time a location has asked us to come to them, and we are taking them up on the offer.
Pittsfield Green Drinks - gathering of people interested in conservation and environmental issues - all welcome
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
starting at 5:15 pm
Mission Bar and Tapas, 438 North Street, Pittsfield, MA
Co-sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) & the Center for Ecological Technology (CET)
Pittsfield Green Drinks is a very informal gathering, open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren't green, but our conversations are.
Every month, on the third Tuesday, beginning at 5:15 pm we gather for "Green Drinks". This month's Pittsfield Green Drinks will be at Mission Bar and Tapas, 438 North St., Pittsfield. Come talk about the environmental issues you are interested in and hear about what others are doing to try to save the world. Join us, Tuesday, June 15th, starting at 5:15 pm.
Green Drinks in Pittsfield is co- sponsored by the Center for Ecological Technology (CET) and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT).
What is Green Drinks? Green Drinks is an international forum where people who work in the environmental field meet for a beer and snacks at informal sessions. There will be a lively mix of people from Non-profit organizations, academia, government and business.
Green Drinks is a great way of catching up with people you know and for making new contacts. These networking events are very simple and unstructured. Come along and you'll be made welcome.
For more information about Pittsfield Green Drinks, contact Jamie Cahillane at CET (413-445-4556 ext. 14) or Jane Winn at BEAT (jane@thebeatnews.org or 413-230-7321).
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Job Opening: Western Mass. Program Director, The Nature Conservancy, Sheffield, MA
ABOUT US
The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Geoffrey Hughes Western Massachusetts Program Director leads The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to pursue priority conservation strategies across Western Massachusetts. Some of those priorities have an emphasis in the Westfield River Highlands and Berkshire Taconic Landscape, while others address larger boundary-crossing landscapes. Working closely with Massachusetts Chapter staff, s/he develops organizational goals and builds consensus around them among internal and external constituencies, catalyzes the implementation of key conservation strategies, raises capital and operating funds, and provides leadership to team members working to accomplish the program’s objectives. S/he represents the program to the community at large, clearly communicating the Conservancy’s vision and the interrelatedness of our projects to partners, high-level donors, government officials and residents. S/he works collaboratively as a team leader and team member with conservation staff, chapter leadership, landowners, corporations, donors, other non-profits, and government agencies. The program director supervises a small staff, interns and volunteers.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/DUTIES:
- Lead conservation strategies to accomplish The Nature Conservancy’s goals and strategic objectives in Western Massachusetts, developing and administering program plans for implementing these strategies.
- Communicate goals, progress, and issues internally and externally, assuring that colleagues and appropriate partners have a good understanding of the intent and status of ongoing projects.
- Work with philanthropy staff to raise resources needed to accomplish program goals and support other aspects of The Nature Conservancy’s conservation mission.
- Develop a unifying theme of sustainability to connect the Conservancy’s work on forest and freshwater systems and the human communities among those systems.
- Inspire, manage and lead both staff and external team members in accomplishing programmatic objectives. Provide leadership and vision; develop staff abilities for highest performance, and managing performance issues toward positive resolution.
- Develop and manage strong partnerships with private and public entities to implement conservation strategies.
- Represent the Massachusetts chapter in programmatic, conservation, and scientific aspects of the Connecticut River Integrated Landscape.
- Measure conservation success in building capacity, abating threats and protecting priority conservation targets.
- Oversee and manage all aspects of stewardship responsibilities arising out of a large land ownership in Western Massachusetts. Manage the program to ensure it is in compliance with TNC policies and within its budget.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, forestry, natural resources management or related field and five to seven years related work experience. Master’s degree preferred.
- Negotiation skills and the ability to simultaneously manage multiple priorities and work under pressure with flexibility is required.
- Successful experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Supervisory experience, including the ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance.
- Demonstrated ability to raise funds from public and private resources.
- Demonstrated on-the-ground success in conservation practice. Knowledge of current trends in conservation.
- Knowledge of the Berkshire Taconic landscape preferred.
- Ability to convey ideas persuasively in a wide variety of settings. Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Ability to work successfully and in a non-confrontational manner in difficult situations and with diverse individuals and groups.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
- Resolve complex issues independently within program area. Experiment to find creative solutions.
- Interpret guidelines and analyze factual information to adapt or modify processes in response to changing circumstances. Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and develop timelines for project completion. Strong organizational skills.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
- Make sound decisions based on analysis, experience and judgement. Decisions may affect other staff in program area.
- Work independently in an entrepreneurial environment.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT –FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
- Supervise administrative and professional staff, interns, and volunteers, with responsibility for performance management, training, and development.
- May need to gain cooperation from individuals or groups over whom there is no direct authority in order to accomplish program goals.
- Financial responsibility includes budget development, working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors and meeting fundraising targets.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
- Communication and presentation skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups including landowners, donors, board members, the public and others. Ability to develop messaging and communicate it clearly to colleagues and partners and to the community at large.
- Solicit program support through clear written communications, including proposal writing and other written materials and in person.
- Work and communicate with a wide range of people from various backgrounds, including community members whose perspectives may vary widely.
- Work in partnership with other organizations in a collaborative or advisory role.
- Ability to function productively as a member or leader of a team.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work an irregular schedule including weekends and unpredicted schedule change, travel extensively and on short notice.
- Possession of valid driver’s license and ability to drive vehicles regularly.
- Work requires occasional physical exertion and/or muscular strain. Work involves several disagreeable elements and/or exposure to job hazard’s where there is some possibility of injury.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, forestry, natural resources management or related field and five to seven years related work experience.
- Negotiation skills and the ability to simultaneously manage multiple priorities and work under pressure.
- Experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated on-the-ground success in conservation practice. Knowledge of current trends in conservation.
BENEFITS
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please submit resume and cover letter as one document.
All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 5, 2010.
Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. The information entered in the education and work experience sections are auto screened by the system based on the basic qualifications of the position.
You must click submit to apply for the position. Click save if you want to be able to return to your application and submit it later. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited.
EOE STATEMENT
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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EPA Proposes New Permit Requirements for Pesticide Discharges
Action would reduce amount of pesticides discharged and protect America’s waters
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a new permit requirement that would decrease the amount of pesticides discharged to our nation's waters and protect human health and the environment. This action is in response to an April 9, 2009 court decision that found that pesticide discharges to U.S. waters were pollutants, thus requiring a permit.
The proposed permit, released for public comment and developed in collaboration with states, would require all operators to reduce pesticide discharges by using the lowest effective amount of pesticide, prevent leaks and spills, calibrate equipment and monitor for and report adverse incidents. Additional controls, such as integrated pest management practices, are built into the permit for operators who exceed an annual treatment area threshold.
EPA estimates that the pesticide general permit will affect approximately 35,000 pesticide applicators nationally that perform approximately half a million pesticide applications annually. The agency’s draft permit covers the following pesticide uses: (1) mosquito and other flying insect pest control; (2) aquatic weed and algae control; (3) aquatic nuisance animal control; and (4) forest canopy pest control. It does not cover terrestrial applications to control pests on agricultural crops or forest floors. EPA is soliciting public comment on whether additional use patterns should be covered by this general permit.
The agency plans to finalize the permit in December 2010. It will take effect April 9, 2011. Once finalized, the pesticide general permit will be used in states, territories, tribal lands, and federal facilities where EPA is the authorized permitting authority. In the remaining 44 states, states will issue the pesticide general permits. EPA has been working closely with these states to concurrently develop their permits.
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Turtle Crossings
Marion Larson
Outreach Coordinator, MassWildlife
View Marion's Bio
It was early June and I was driving in the Northampton area when I saw a turtle the size of a football crossing the road. I had to straddle it with the vehicle and realized while parking that it was not a snapping turtle but a wood turtle, a species on the state endangered list. It was the first time I had seen a rare turtle on my own! Fortunately I had a camera and before I placed the animal safely on the side of the road, I snapped the pictures here and filed a report with our Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.
June through September is a time when normally aquatic turtles leave the relative safety of their water world and venture overland in search of nesting sites. MassWildlife biologists have been fielding phone calls and emails from people seeing these animals in their yards, on rural roads, and busy highways. Many people want to help these turtles, an understandable instinct, but take the advice of our specialists on responsible turtle assistance!
- Be sure to consider your own safety when helping a turtle across the road. Don’t put yourself or other people in harm’s way.
- Always move a turtle across the road in the direction it is heading. Large snappers may be safely held with one hand on the tail and another hand slid under the turtle to support its weight. Picking turtles up only by the tail can damage their spine. I’ve used a shovel to push the big ones across a street! Other smaller turtles can be safely held by the sides of the shell.
- Don’t take turtles elsewhere! Turtles travel to the same nesting areas year after year and do not know where to nest or how to return to its home range if moved. Some turtles species only live on land, so taking them to a pond or other location is ineffective (and illegal).
- Report rare turtles! Take a picture of both the underside (plastron) and top side (carapace) of the turtle to assist in identification and fill out a Rare Species Observation form
Get more turtle conservation tips and facts
Safe crossings to all!
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