In the News
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Environmental Monitor
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by town
The BEAT News Archives
Advocacy News (Includes how to reach your legislators)
DEP Enforcement Actions In The Berkshire
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Keeping Track: Connecting Through Wildlife Corridors
Jane Winn of BEAT and Shawna Bebo of Berkshire Wildlife Tracking will be giving a presentation - Keeping Track: Connecting Through Wildlife Corridors - at the Future of the Highlands Conference. On Saturday, September 12th, we will join The Trustees of Reservations’ Highland Communities Initiative for its 5th biennial conference celebrating our region’s rural nature, and the people whose ideas and efforts hold the keys to its future. The conference will begin at 8:30AM at the Ashfield Town Hall , with morning and afternoon workshops throughout Ashfield center.
HCI is proud to welcome Laurie Sanders, host of WFCR’s “Field Notes” radio program, as the conference’s keynote speaker, as well as a range presenters offering sessions on diverse topics such as protecting nighttime skies, businesses that build community, connecting farms and schools, regional broadband internet access and numerous others.
Conference registration is $25 for Trustees of Reservations members and $30 for non-members, with a $5 discount for those registering before August 31st. Registration fees include lunch and morning refreshments. Please call if you are interested in volunteering at the conference in return for free admission. Attendees are asked to bring their own coffee cups or mugs to reduce the environmental impact of the conference.
Space is limited, and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Conference schedules and registration forms are available at our website, www.highlandcommunities.org or by calling 413.268.8219
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Market for RGGI CO2 Allowances Competitive and Efficient
(New York, NY) -- The number of market participants and volume of allowances traded in the secondary market for RGGI carbon dioxide (CO2) allowances increased significantly throughout the second quarter of 2009, according to a report released today by the states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The report finds that there is "no evidence of anti-competitive conduct" and identifies increasing participation rates as a sign of "competitiveness and efficiency" in the market.
The Report on the Secondary Market for RGGI CO2 Allowances was prepared by Potomac Economics for RGGI, Inc. on behalf of the RGGI participating states. Key findings include the following:
• The number of participants in the market for RGGI allowance derivatives increased over the period. More than 30 firms had significant financial positions in RGGI futures and options contracts by the end of the second quarter of 2009, as compared to 26 at the end of the first quarter.
• Trading volumes continued to grow rapidly, as futures contract trading saw a five-fold increase from the end of the first quarter of 2009.
• Prices for RGGI futures were more stable in the second quarter of 2009 than in previous periods, indicating greater certainty about the value of RGGI allowances in the future.
• The actual transfer of ownership of allowances more than doubled from the end of the first quarter of 2009, showing that market participants are able to obtain allowances through the secondary market. However, the vast majority of allowances held have been acquired through RGGI auctions.
Potomac’s conclusions were based on the analysis of data reported to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Chicago Climate Futures Exchange, the New York Mercantile Exchange and other data. The report is a part of Potomac’s ongoing monitoring of the auction and secondary markets for CO2 allowances.
"This independent report by the RGGI market monitor is an important additional confirmation that the competitive marketplace is working," said Jonathan E. Schrag, Executive Director of RGGI, Inc. "The market monitor will continue to analyze data from the markets where RGGI allowances trade, and will report any sign of anti-competitive conduct to the states."
Read the complete Report on the Secondary Market for RGGI CO2 Allowances (pdf)
About the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
The 10 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states participating in RGGI (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) have designed the first market-based, mandatory cap-and-trade program in the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Power sector CO2 emissions are capped at current levels through 2014. The cap will then be reduced by 2.5 percent in each of the four years 2015 through 2018, for a total reduction of 10 percent.
A CO2 allowance represents a limited authorization to emit one ton of CO2, as issued by a respective participating state. A regulated power plant must hold CO2 allowances equal to its emissions to demonstrate compliance at the end of each three-year control period. The first control period for fossil fuel-fired electric generators under each state’s CO2 Budget Trading Program took effect on January 1, 2009 and extends through December 31, 2011. Allowances issued by any participating state are usable across all state programs, so that the ten individual state CO2 Budget Trading Programs, in aggregate, form one regional compliance market for CO2 emissions. For more information turn to: www.rggi.org/rggi
About Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Inc.
RGGI, Inc. was created in September 2007 to provide technical and administrative services to the states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. For more information please visit: www.rggi.org/rggi
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Hoffmann Bird Club Introduces the “Beyond Your Back Yard” Birding Program
The Hoffmann Bird Club has developed a series of bird walks designed specifically for backyard birders who want to broaden their birding knowledge. Chances are, as you read this, you are already indulging in one of America’s most popular outdoor activities. More than 70 million Americans, one third of our population, watch birds in one way or another. By far the biggest group of bird watching fans is the folks who hang up a bird feeder and enjoy the antics of the birds that wing in and out of their backyards each day. Liven up your birding experience, buy a bird guide and walk to a nearby park or woodland to see if the birds there are different from those in their own yard. Berkshire County’s Hoffmann Bird Club can help Berkshire backyard birders who want to take the next step beyond their own feeders.
It’s a chance to find out where the birds come from, how to tell one kind from another, who sings what song and where to find more kinds of birds. The Hoffmann walk leaders will help you learn more about visual and audible bird identification, unusual bird behavior, birding optics and how to see more birds whether in your yard, or elsewhere in your local area. With very little investment in equipment one can become a more accomplished birder just by leaving the yard. There is far less investment than is needed to become an accomplished golfer or gardener. It’s a pleasant pastime well suited for tight times.
“Beyond Your Backyard” bird walks are free. Visit www.hoffmannbirdclub.org for more details. Grab a friend and enjoy a new birding experience. The “Beyond Your Backyard” Birding Trips are scheduled as follows starting Saturday, September 12th. Meet at 7:30am in the trail parking area at Field Farm, Sloan Road, South Williamstown. Bring binoculars if you have them. This is the first of four, 2 hour field trips in the Williamstown area, primarily for beginners or backyard birders who might like to extend their birding skills. Come to any or all trips. There are 3 more Saturday trips starting at 7:30am September 19th, meet at the Colonial Shopping Center parking lot on Route 2 in Williamstown (we will visit Ephs Pond). September 26th, meet at Sheep Hill, Route 7, South Williamstown. October 3rd, meet at Hopkins Memorial Forest, 271 Northwest Hill Road in Williamstown. It will be helpful if you could let us know if you will be joining us. Please contact Dave or Carrie. Dave can be reached at Vice-pres@hoffmannbirdclub.org tel# 655-8594 or Carrie at president@hoffmannbirdclub.org tel# 664-2004.
All trips 7:30-9:30 am Saturdays
Sept 12th – Field Farm - Leaders Carrie & Dave
Sept 19th – Ephs Pond - Leaders Dave & Audrey- Meet at Colonial Shopping Center
Sept 26th – Sheep Hill - Leaders Marina & Gary
Oct 3rd – Hopkins Memorial Forest – Leaders Dave & Audrey
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Make the Water Cleaner Before the Mosquitoes Get Meaner
From The Conservation Law Foundation’s E-newsletter
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Warning: Bigger, faster, and more abundant mosquitoes may be breeding in a river or stream near you. A new scientific study presented at this month’s meeting of the Ecological Society of America reaches the scary conclusion that mosquitoes carriers of the West Nile Virus and other diseases thrive in waterways contaminated by sewage. As if we needed even more public health reasons to clean up and prevent sewage pollution!
Sadly, untreated sewage pollution still flows regularly into many of New England’s rivers and streams as a result of sewage spills from aging or improperly maintained sewage collection and pumping systems. For example, when a rupture in a Burlington, VT city sewage collection pipe went unrepaired for 8 days in 2005, it released approximately 4 million gallons of raw sewage into the river until sewage treatment plant operators finally addressed the problem.
In the wake of this high-profile incident, CLF led the effort for passage of the “spill bill” a Vermont law that requires sewage treatment plant operators to undertake enhanced sewage spill prevention and emergency response measures and to notify the public when sewage spills occur.
The public has a right to know when its waters are being contaminated with spilled sewage (this Agency of Natural Resources web site includes a report of all recent spills) and to demand that action be taken to prevent sewage overflows through regular maintenance and greater investment in clean water infrastructure. Read the full story...
The Conservation Law Foundation works to solve the most significant environmental challenges facing New England. CLF’s advocates use law, economics and science to create innovative strategies that conserve natural resources, protect public health and promote vital communities in our region. Founded, in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization with offices in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
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GE-Housatonic River Citizens Coordinating Council (CCC) Meeting
The next meeting of the GE-Housatonic River Citizens Coordinating Council (CCC) will be on
Wednesday, September 23, 2009.
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Lenox Town Hall auditorium
6 Walker Street
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GE Work Plan Public Comment Period
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing a 30-day Informal
Public Input Period on General Electric Company's Work Plan for
Evaluation of Additional Remedial Alternatives for the Rest of River
portion of the Housatonic River. The Work Plan
was submitted as an addendum to GE's Corrective Measures Study (CMS)
Proposal for the Rest of River.
EPA will accept informal public comments beginning Tuesday, September
8, 2009 through Wednesday, October 7, 2009. The Work Plan is
available on the EPA website, in advance of the start of the public
input period: http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/publiccomment.html
Comments may be submitted to me by mail, email or fax:
Jim Murphy (murphy.jim@epa.gov), EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
c/o Weston Solutions
10 Lyman Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Thank you.
Jim Murphy
United States Environmental Protection Agency
New England - Region 1
Office of the Regional Administrator
1 Congress Street Suite 1100 (RAA)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
617-918-1028 (phone)
617-721-2868 (cell phone)
617-918-0028 (fax)
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Getting to Zero - Final Report of the MA Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force
Final Report of the Massachusetts Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force(PDF) 
At the direction of Governor Deval Patrick and under the leadership of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles, the Massachusetts Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force convened for the first time in July 2008 to begin deliberations to transform the building sector, by creating a pathway toward zero net energy buildings in the Commonwealth.
A zero net energy building is one that is optimally efficient and, over the course of a year, generates energy onsite, using clean renewable resources, in a quantity equal to or greater than the total amount of energy consumed onsite.
This report is list of the task force’s findings and recommendations in the areas of energy performance standards, energy tracking, financial and regulatory barriers, and education and workforce development.
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