Kennedy called, Cuomo waited on fracking health study

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo came as close as he ever has to approving fracking last month, laying out a limited drilling plan for as many as 40 gas wells before changing course to await the findings of a new study after discussions with environmentalist and former brother-in-law Robert F. Kennedy Jr., several people familiar with his thinking told The Associated Press.

The turning point, which could delay a decision for up to a year or longer, came in a series of phone calls with Kennedy. The two discussed a new health study on the hydraulic fracturing drilling method that could be thorough enough to trump all others in a debate that has split New York for five years.

"I think the issue suddenly got simple for him," Kennedy told the AP. He paraphrased Cuomo in their discussions saying: "’If it’s causing health problems, I really don’t want it in New York state. And if it’s not causing health problems, we should figure out a way we can do it.’"

Read the full Associated Press story here.

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Two days at the beach–next week in the NJ Legislature  

 

Kennedy called, Cuomo waited on fracking health study Read More »

For all you fans of the Alaskan polar bear

 
A federal appeals court today upheld Endangered Species Act protections for the polar bear, Reuters reports.

The ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit means the bear will remain listed as threatened, the lower of two levels of federal protection.

That designation was originally challenged from two sides. Environmental groups said the bear should be listed as endangered, the highest level of protection, while industry and sporting groups and Alaska said it didn’t merit any protection.

For all you fans of the Alaskan polar bear Read More »

Start your day with some Jersey/Pennsy politics

 
 
 
 
 


New Jersey and Pennsylvania Politics Deconstructed

That’s the tagline for Marty Moss-Coane‘s Radio Times show this morning at 10.

Charles Stile, political columnist for The (Bergen) Record will take a look at NJ Gov. Chris Christie’s budget address that contained the surprise announcement that New Jersey will expand its Medicaid enrollment under the Affordable Health Care Act.

Philadelphia Daily News columnist John Baer and The Patriot-News‘s editorial writer
John Micek will dissect PA Gov. Tom Corbett’s dismal ratings and re-election challenges.

Should be fun.

If you miss the live broadcast, catch the recorded interview on the Radio Times website.

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Would NJ Highlands protection law pass if voted today?

The regional rancor in northwest New Jersey that followed the enactment of the Highlands Protection Act in 2004 still smolders.and a single remark can spark a flareup.

Richard A. Vohden

Sussex County Deputy Freeholder Director Richard Vohden lit the match Wednesday night when, at a freeholder’s meeting, he asserted that, were the vote held today, state lawmakers would not approve the law that limits development in a 415, 000-acre area stretching over seven counties.    


“If these senators today would take the same vote, I don’t think it would pass,” he said.


Vohden characterized the Highlands Law as “unfunded, unworkable and incomplete,” writes New Jersey Herald reporter Rob Jennings.

Referring to the devaluing of property values for those unable to subdivide or sell due to the law, Vohden said, “If that’s not a ‘taking,’ I don’t know what a taking is.”

The remark brought a quick response from NJ Sierra Club director Jeff Tittel whose organization opposed Vohden’s nomination by Governor Chris Christie to the Highlands Council. Vohden took the seat in January 2012 after being confirmed by a 29-7 vote in the state Senate.


“He’s supposed to enforce the law. He’s showing his personal bias,” Tittel said.


What do you think?  Was the Highlands law a mistake?  Is it working? What does the future hold?Share your thoughts in the opinion box below. If one is not visible, activate it by clicking on the tiny ‘comments’ line.

Related environmental news stories and videos:

Highlands law wouldn’t pass today, Vohden says 
Highlands Council pushing program that would compensate landowners 
Caldwell Council Supports Highlands Watershed 
NJ Highlands Council Fires Exec Swan; Deputy Resigns 
NJ enviro groups’ billboard: Here’s looking at you, DEP
Assemblyman John McKeon discusses the environment


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Americans set new record for solar cell efficiency

 

"One of the important ways to make solar energy cheaper is to improve the amount of sunlight that solar cells can convert into electricity. So it’s a big deal to see that First Solar announced on Tuesday that it’s managed to create a record 18.7 percent solar cell, up from the 17.3 percent cell it touted in July 2011."

So writes Ucilia Wang on the popular tech site, GigaOM.

Her story also provides a quick background on the competition between U.S. and Chinese companies in developing solar panels and the debate over whether to make solar cells from silicon or cadmium-telluride.

You’ll find it at:

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Americans set new record for solar cell efficiency Read More »

Two days at the beach–next week in the NJ Legislature

The environmental committees in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature have scheduled a joint hearing for Monday to consider six bills that address rebuilding at the Jersey Shore following Superstorm Sandy.

And then the fireworks…

On Friday, March 8, the Democratic majority will conduct the first in a series of hearings on how the state responded to Hurricane Sandy. The focus will be on the politically-volatile topic of the Christie Administration’s award of a shore cleanup contract to the Florida-based debris hauling firm, AshBritt. 

Here’s next week’s lineup:

ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT AND SOLID WASTE
3/4/13 9:30 AM
Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
 
For discussion only (no vote):
A-3889  Spencer, L.G. (D-29)
Requires consideration of increased property value due to dune construction in determining compensation provided for condemned beachfront property.
Related Bill: S-2599
      
A-3890  Eustace, T.J. (D-38)
Provides limited exemption from local land use restrictions to allow certain existing structures to be raised to new FEMA base flood elevations.
Related Bill: S-2598
      
A-3891  Spencer, L.G. (D-29)
Permits fifth and sixth class counties to assume control and responsibility for operation and maintenance of beaches bordering Atlantic Ocean.
Related Bill: S-2601
      
A-3892  Spencer, L.G. (D-29)
Establishes criteria and requirements for shore protection project priority list and funding from Shore Protection Fund.
Related Bill: S-2600
      
A-3893  Spencer, L.G. (D-29)
Repeals law providing CAFRA permit exemption for certain grading or excavation of a dune.
Related Bill: S-2602
      
AR-152  Ramos Jr., R.J. (D-33)
Urges U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA to conduct assessment of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.
Related Bill: SR-100
     
—————————————————————————————————–

SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
3/04/13 9:30 AM
Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
 
For discussion only (no vote):
S-2598  Smith, B. (D-17); Whelan, J. (D-2)
Provides limited exemption from local land use restrictions to allow certain existing structures to be raised to new FEMA base flood elevations.
   
S-2599  Whelan, J. (D-2)
Requires consideration of increased property value due to dune construction in determining compensation provided for condemned beachfront property.
      
S-2600  Whelan, J. (D-2)
Establishes criteria and requirements for shore protection project priority list and funding from Shore Protection Fund.
      
S-2601  Smith, B. (D-17)
Permits fifth and sixth class counties to assume control and responsibility for operation and maintenance of beaches bordering Atlantic Ocean.
     
S-2602  Smith, B. (D-17)
Repeals law providing CAFRA permit exemption for certain grading or excavation of a dune.
      
SR-100  Smith, B. (D-17); Bateman, C. (R-16)
Urges U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA to conduct assessment of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.  Related Bill: AR-152
  
——————————————————————————————————

Senate Legislative Oversight and Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming.
Joint hearing, 1 p.m., Friday, March 8 at the Statehouse. No room assignment yet.

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