Bill would limit height of LG headquarters on Palisades

Artist rendering of proposed LG Electronics headquarters on the NJ Palisades

Former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio told a Senate committee in Trenton this morning that he supports new legislation to limit the height of LG Electronics’ proposed new headquarters on the Palisades in Englewood Cliffs so that it would not block the public’s view of the Hudson River and New York City skyline.

Florio called the height of the building, that would extend above the tree line, "offensive" and "intrusive."

He submitted a letter in which he is joined by three other former New Jersey governors–Tom Kean, Christine Todd Whitman and Brendan Byrne–in urging LG to scale back the building size. Also on record urging a similar modification are New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, NY’s U.S. senators, trail and conservation groups on both sides of the Hudson and even investment managers. Here’s what Florio told the committee (with a comment by committee chairman Bob Smith):

The bill to be introduced today would prohibit any development that exceeds 35 feet in height in the Hudson River Palisades viewshed. It will be sponsored by Bob Smith (D) and fellow state senators Kip Bateman (R) and Richard Codey (D). It would apply retroactively to any development for which the foundation has not been completed by May 1.

Related environmental news stories:
NJ lawmakers introducing bill on high-rises that could stop LG headquarters
Opposition Keeps Mounting to LG Project on the Hudson
State AG Eric Schneiderman joins battle against LG tower along the Palisades

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NJDEP chief faces questions on budget cleanup funds

When New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin appears before the Assembly Budget Committee this morning in Trenton to makes the case for his proposed 2015 budget, he can expect questions about how the state plans to use money it expects to receive from polluters for the cleanup of a heavily polluted stretch of the Passaic River.

The Associated Press reports:

A change located deep inside New Jersey’s proposed budget for the 2015 fiscal year appears to allow the state to divert money paid by corporate polluters to compensate communities for assets damaged by oil and chemical contamination.

With the principal defendant in the state’s lawsuit over Passaic River pollution yet to settle, environmentalists fear the budget language change could pump hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue into the state’s general fund at the expense of the environment in cities and towns waiting to be compensated for industrial chemical contamination.

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The budget Gov. Chris Christie proposed in February says the state wants the first $50 million in natural resource recovery settlements to be used for cleanups, remediation and legal fees while claiming any additional settlement money for the general fund, which can be used for any purpose. Budget experts interviewed by The Associated Press said the administration needs to clarify its intent because the language in the budget proposal is imprecise.

"If the money is used for some other purpose, the communities will have to continue to live with this legacy of pollution and not be able to enjoy their natural resources," said Debbie Mans of NY/NJ Baykeeper.
Such a diversion of funds also could make polluters less willing to settle claims for more than $50 million, she said.

The committee is scheduled to open its hearing at 10 a.m.  You can listen in here

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NY awards $1.4M in grants to nonprofit land trusts


New York State conservation officials announced Thursday they have awarded
$1.4 million in grants to 50 nonprofit land trusts around the state.
The Associated Press reports that the Environmental Protection Fund grants are expected to generate $1.1 million in matching private and local funds to protect farmland, conserve open space and improve public access and recreation. Projects include urban trails and community gardens in New York City, Kingston and Buffalo.
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Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens said the DEC’s partnerships with land trusts "are crucial to achieving our conservation goals."

The state’s Conservation Partnership Program, which began in 2002, has awarded more than 570 grants for $9.5 million to 85 land trust organizations, leveraging about $11 million more from local communities and private donors.

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Major supplier of fracking fluid to disclose all contents

                                                            Image: Bambooki.com
A major supplier to the oil and gas industry says it will begin disclosing 100 percent of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluid, with no exemptions for trade secrets. The move by Baker Hughes of Houston is a shift for a major firm; it’s unclear if others will follow suit, the Associated Press report.

The oil and gas industry has said the fracking chemicals are disclosed at tens of thousands of wells, but environmental and health groups and government regulators say a loophole that allows companies to hide chemical "trade secrets" has been a major problem.

A statement on the Baker Hughes website said the company believes it’s possible to disclose 100 percent "of the chemical ingredients we use in hydraulic fracturing fluids without compromising our formulations," to increase public trust.

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"This really good news. It’s a step in the right direction," said Dr. Bernard Goldstein, the former dean of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. "One hopes that the entire industry goes along with it."


But Goldstein noted one "major hedge" in the Baker Hughes position, since the company said it will provide complete lists of the products and chemical ingredients used in frack fluids "where accepted by our customers and relevant governmental authorities."

Still, Goldstein said the Baker Hughes language sets a new standard for transparency and "clearly distinguishes them from Halliburton," another major industry supplier.


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Texas couple awarded $3M in fracking-damage suit

[Updated at 5 p.m. to add more detailed story—see below: “In landmark ruling…]

A jury in Dallas has awarded Bob and Lisa Parr of Decatur nearly $3 million for damages resulting from a nearby fracking operation.

 
The Parrs sued Aruba Petroleum in 2011 for fracking operations that "fouled the family’s 40-acre ranch property, their home and quality of life, sickened them and their pets and livestock," according to the plaintiffs’ law firm Matthews and Associates.
 
The April 22 verdict included $275,000 for the Parr’s property loss of market value and $2 million for past physical pain and suffering by Bob and Lisa Parr and their daughter, $250,000 for future physical pain and suffering, $400,000 for past mental anguish.


The attorneys claim that the case is the first fracking verdict in Texas.
A copy of the Parrs’ amended court petition is available here 

Jury awards Parrs $2.9 Million


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NY college, solar company announce $700M investment

A Japanese solar cell manufacturing company could build its North American headquarters at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany, NY.

The Albany Business Review reports that "Solar Frontier K.K. and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering have signed an agreement to explore establishing
a site at the nanocollege."
"The partnership also is looking into the potential construction of a solar manufacturing plant in western New York. If the two organizations move forward with the partnership,
it would create about 1,000 jobs and result in a $678 million investment."

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