SERC Wildlines Report #34

August 26, 2002

  In this Edition:
  Issue Spotlight: Preventing Toxic Schools
  Headliner: Logging Costs Studied
  Watchdog: “Credible Data” Law Exposes Iowans to Polluted Water
  News Important to the States:                _
*Federal Government to Ban Invasive Carp
*SD Water Infrastructure in Danger to Silt
*California Renewable Fuels Standard Clears Committee
*Ethanol Plants May Face New Regulations
*Green Schools Pay Their Own Way
*State Website Assists Small Business Environmental Compliance
*Ohio Threatened With Clean Air Penalties

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 Issue Spotlight: Preventing Toxic Schools

Recently, the Center for Health, Environment and Justice and the Child Proofing Our Communities Campaign released a report called “The ABC’s of Healthy Schools” that identifies potential health hazards in schools. Studies have shown that thousands of schools are located on or near toxic waste sites, including many schools that were built recently. There is also a threat that dangerous chemicals commonly used in schools could be harmful to students. You can access the report at http://www.childproofing.org/ABC.pdf . For more on state legislation to provide healthy schools visit http://www.serconline.org/childrenshealth.html

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 Headliner: Logging Costs Studied

With the need to control wildfires in western states and the announcement of a controversial Bush administration plan, forestry management policy is getting considerable attention. But with this attention, there is a greater need for better information on the comprehensive costs and priorities of forest policy. For example, the 8/26 Houston Chronicle reported that Texas activists have released an economic study which claims that taxpayers lost more than $300 million on federal logging activities in Texas alone from 1987 to 1999. A group of economists from New Mexico, working with the Sierra Club and the Texas Committee on Natural Resources, another conservation group, studied Forest Service records to come to the conclusion that “creative accounting,” concealed the true costs of timber cutting programs. By questioning the economics and overall effects of logging, conservationists hope to end public subsidies for logging so that private timber companies will have to pay the full costs of logging on public lands. Certainly a clearer understanding of the costs – both direct and indirect – of managing state and federal forests is an essential component of any responsible forestry plan. For more on state forestry legislation visit http://www.serconline.org/forestrystateinfo.html .

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 Watchdog: “Credible Data” Law Exposes Iowans to Polluted Water

A recently published list of Iowa’s impaired water reflects the legislature’s 2000 enactment of the so called “credible data” law. Over 100 bodies of water have been removed from the 1998 list of impaired waters, not because they are any less polluted, but because they don’t meet the “credible data” standards enacted under SF 2371. Under the Clean Water Act, states must develop a list of the waters that do not meet state water quality standards, and create plans to clean these polluted waters. These standards ensure the safety of the water you drink, swim in, and eat fish from. Under, the “credible data” law, waters that were previously listed as polluted based on the “best professional judgment” of water quality experts, data collected more than 5 years ago, or DNR verified data from a volunteer water- quality monitoring program were removed from the 2002 list of impaired waters. ALEC has included similar legislation in its “Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Act.” For other Watchdogs see http://www.serconline.org/watchdogpage.htm

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 News From the States: 

Federal Government to Ban Invasive Carp

State wildlife regulators are applauding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s proposal to ban the importing and interstate shipping of several carp species, as reported in the Aug. 23rd New York Times. Grass, black, bighead and silver carp were originally imported by catfish farmers to control unwanted plant and animals; however, concerns are rising following the escape and spread of the nonindigenous carp up the Mississippi river. The carp, including the notorious silver carp that can grow up to 150 lbs and frequently injure fisherman by hurling their bodies at boats, are voracious bottom feeders and compete with native fish for food and spawning ground. While catfish farmers oppose the federal ban, the ban would not affect those states that currently allow the carp.  To learn more about stopping invasive species in your state, see http://www.serconline.org/ballast/index.htm . 

SD Water Infrastructure in Danger to Silt

The 8/22 Argus Leader reported rapid rates of increasing sediment load in South Dakota's Missouri River reservoirs could render much of the river nearly useless for flood control, power generation and recreation in the next quarter century, according to leaders from the Missouri Sedimentation Action Council, the SD Rural Electric Association, and the SD Association of Rural Water Systems. So far possible solutions include extensive dredging, bank stabilization, soil conservation on tributaries, and more unusual proposals such as piping sediment around dams so the river below the SD reservoirs can add sand to islands important for wildlife and fish habitat. 

California Renewable Fuels Standard Clears Committee

The 8/20 Contra Costa Times reports that the nation’s most ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) passed a key legislative committee in California last week. SB 1524 was approved by the Assembly’s Utilities and Commerce Committee, where it was stalled last year. The bill would require California utilities to provide 20% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2017, and a companion bill would create a fund to help utilities offset the higher cost of renewable energy, which will help prevent those costs from being passed on to consumers. Advocates say that the combination of both incentives and requirements is the strongest way to increase renewable power supplies. To learn more about Renewable Portfolio Standards and what similar legislation could do for your state, please visit http://www.serconline.org/RPS/index.html . 

Ethanol Plants May Face New Regulations

In a move that could affect ethanol plants across the country, Minnesota and federal authorities may require stricter air pollution controls following alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. According to the 8/25 Star Tribune, ethanol plants are only currently required to test for ethanol and methanol emissions. However, new information shows that ethanol plants produce dangerous amounts of volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde, causing complaints of odors, headaches, nausea and irritated eyes, throats and skin from surrounding communities. To learn more about how states can protect clean air visit http://www.serconline.org/cleanairstate.html

 Green Schools Pay Their Own Way

North Clackamas High School in Oregon has been labeled one of the “greenest” schools in the nation after extensive computer-modeling simulations. The total energy savings are expected to be 44 percent better than the Oregon Energy Building Code requires, saving the school an estimated $75,000 to $80,000 annually on its energy bills. The school’s success is just one example of a growing trend to incorporate cost and energy savings design elements into new building construction. In particular, this Oregon school was one of four pilot projects around the nation to utilize Performance Based Fees (PBFs) to link a portion of the compensation of project architects and engineers to the savings derived from high efficiency designs. The greater the savings in electricity, natural gas, liquid fuels and other resources, the more these professionals earn. In addition to significant cost and energy savings green building hold other advantages as well. Numerous studies have linked green building design to increased productivity and better health. Said Principal Dean Winder, “The natural light and ventilation brighten everyone’s day. The students [and staff] have more bounce in their step and smiles on their faces.” For more on energy efficiency visit http://www.serconline.org/efficiencystandards/

 State Website Assists Small Business Environmental Compliance

In Pennsylvania, small businesses now know exactly where to turn for help complying with environmental regulations. The state has launched a new Web site, EnviroHELP, to provide guidance and information on different environmental issues that affect small businesses, such as air pollution, waste and water. The site also includes how-to guides for preventing pollution, increasing energy efficiency and conducting a self-audit. Along with the Web site, the EnviroHELP program includes a telephone hotline, site visits and educational materials. You can visit the site at www.pa-envirohelp.org/index.html . 

Ohio Threatened With Clean Air Penalties

The U.S. EPA has threatened to strip Ohio of $900 million in federal highway funds for failing to enforce national clean air standards, according to the 8/20 Plain Dealer. The EPA could also stiffen the pollution levels allowed in clean air permits, which could halt construction of some major non-government projects in the state. The EPA issued the warning after finding that Ohio illegally exempted 22,000 small-emission units from air-pollution monitoring reports, failed to make major polluters file prompt incident reports, and did not have company executives certify the veracity of monitoring reports. The EPA wants companies to disclose all aspects of their facilities that contribute to air pollution, while Ohio’s Governor and business interests have sued for more flexibility and discretion in regulatory procedures. For more on environmental enforcement, visit http://www.serconline.org/EnvironmentalEnforcementState.html .

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