A coalition of environmental and civic groups will file paperwork to push state officials to adopt mandatory energy-saving rules that could save Florida consumers and taxpayers $3 billion. The proposed rules, similar to federal standards requiring fuel-efficient cars and energy rules in other states, would set minimum energy efficiency for 10 products ranging from floor lamps and ceiling fans to highway-traffic signals. "It doesn't make sense to wait," said Holly Binns of Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). "One of the lessons of the recent power blackout is that not enough places are promoting energy efficiency." The Department of Environmental Protection said last week that it is adopting standards to save energy on state government buildings and purchases. PIRG and other groups have recommended applying energy savings to all consumers in the state by requiring that products meet minimum standards. Energy-saving products, from LED-lighted traffic signals and building exit signs to more-efficient appliances, would cost more to buy, but some could pay for themselves in as little as a year with lower energy costs, backers say. A study by Tim Lynch, a Florida State University economic forecaster, said the changes also would generate 41,000 new jobs and $8 billion in wages. For more on how your state can promote efficient products, visit: http://www.serconline.org/efficiencystandards/index.html.

Oregon's Agriculture Department has proposed a rule to end penalties against pesticide users who fail to file required reports. The reports -- specifying where, when, and which chemicals are used by farmers, businesses, and other pesticide sprayers -- are mandated under a 1999 state law. But state legislators have not provided funding to complete the computerized pesticide report system, an integral part of the program. During a hearing last Tuesday, the Agriculture Department said it makes no sense to levy penalties until the pesticide program is funded and "fully effective." Local environmentalists disagree. The Oregon Environmental Council said that the Department has enough money from pesticide user fees to complete the system, and that not doing so would be "simply not responsible" given the more than $1 million already spent on the program. At issue is the legislated requirement for pesticide fee revenue to be matched by state general funds; no money was appropriated for the program by the 2003 Legislature.

Michigan legislators are alarmed at the amount of waste imported into the state -- some 20 percent of solid waste in state landfills is from elsewhere, with most of it coming from Ontario. A recent report from the state Department of Environmental Quality suggests that the solution is internal. Michigan's solid waste policies have not been reviewed since 1988; Senators are now working to update them. Among the proposals are measures to ban household batteries, electronic equipment, returnable beverage containers, and tires from landfills. Increased inspections for garbage trucks and a $3 surcharge on each ton of landfill-bound waste (with proceeds supporting community recycling programs) may also be examined. Michigan imports more waste than other Midwest states because its landfill costs average $10 less per ton of trash. Legislation to revise state waste policies is expected to move through the Senate in October. For information on beverage container recycling, visit: http://www.serconline.org/bottlebill/index.html. For information on dealing with electronic waste, visit: http://www.serconline.org/ewaste/pkg_frameset.html.

If signed by Governor Davis, a new California bill would impose $3,000 per month in fines on facilities that do not report their pollution violations. Facilities are required to self-report violations by the state's Clean Air Act, but more than 4,000 facilities failed to report in the last three years. "Serious and chronic" violations disclosed in these reports can be fined $3,000 per day. Assemblymember Cindy Montanez, who authored the bill, said failing to file lets polluters "get away with hiding their pollution of our lakes, rivers, and streams." The bill would also require wastewater discharges into state waterways to be reported. Senate analysts predict that the bill would bring in $100,000 annually. For more information on enforcing environmental laws, visit: http://www.serconline.org/enforce/pkg_frameset.html.

Colorado Governor Bill Owen's administration is receiving sharp critique from Division of Wildlife (DOW) officials charging that political influence is limiting their ability to do their work. Fifty-eight former DOW employees wrote Owen last week, claiming that his administration favors business interests over wildlife. Over a dozen of the signatories cited specific examples of political interference in their scientific research. The letter was written in part to question a proposal to reorganize the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in a way that would put the DOW under even greater political influence. DNR Director Greg Walcher dismissed the criticism, saying that it was motivated by resistance to change.

On October 4th, voters in Louisiana will vote on three proposed constitutional amendments intended to address Louisiana's problem of rapidly shrinking wetlands. Louisiana's wetlands, which are crucial for many businesses and help protect the coastline from natural disasters, are shrinking at a rate of 25 to 30 square miles every year. To address this problem, Governor Foster is promoting three amendments which will be on the October 4th ballot. Two of the amendments provide the state with possible financing mechanisms to help pay for wetland restoration. The third and most hotly debated amendment would change the states takings law as it applies to costal restoration projects. The purpose of this is to limit how much money the state is required to pay private landowners if their property is damaged by state action. The proponents of this amendment argue that this amendment is crucial if the state wants to collect federal money to help pay for wetland restoration. They say that the federal government is unlikely to give the state large sums of money if the money is likely to be used to pay off large settlements. Opponents of the amendment argue that if the takings law is to be amended, the amendment should encompass the entire state instead of just the coastal areas. For more information about wetland conservation issues, visit: http://www.serconline.org/wetlands/pkg_frameset.html.

The New York State Health Department has proposed a reduction of the permissible limit of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in public water. MTBE is made by combining isobutylene, a by-product of petroleum refining, and methanol. It has been used since the 1970's as an additive to gasoline, making the gasoline burn cleaner. Long-term studies on animals have shown that ingestion or inhalation of MTBE can cause cancer. The Health Department has found 28% of the private water supplies in New York are at the limit or exceed the current limit of MTBE. The proposal would limit the permissible amount of MTBE to 0.010 milligrams of MTBE per liter from the current state limit of 0.050 milligrams per liter.