EnviroPolitics Blog

Will Bush veto Lautenberg’s rail trash bill?

Tough state regulations give the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection the clout it needs to regulate the operations of trash transfer stations –except when those operations are on rail lines. As interstate entities, railroads are subject only to federal law.

This has caused problems for towns in Hudson and Burlington counties where neighbors have complained about sloppy operations at the transfer stations, but the DEP has been frustrated by the courts in its attempts to clamp down.

Enter NJ Senator Frank Lautenberg, who has introduced legislation that would give states the right, for one year, to regulate waste operations along rail lines. His measure, S. 1789, passed the Senate on Wednesday and was folded into the 2008 Transportation and Housing Appropriations legislation.

Its fate, however, is in question. According to a story by Jason Harris in today’s Burlington County Times, President Bush has threatened to veto the appropriations bill and specifically opposes Lautenberg’s S. 1789. A statement from Bush’s office, written to appropriations bill sponsor, Senator Robert Byrd, D-WV, says in part:

“The administration . . . objects to allowing States to regulate solid waste stored along rail property, preempting authority granted to the Surface Transportation Board,” the statement said. “A multiplicity of standards across states would create confusion for stakeholders and potentially create an undue burden on interstate commerce.”

Will Bush veto Lautenberg’s rail trash bill? Read More »

Penn State has nation’s first green stadium

The race to be the first stadium, professional or college, to be LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council has been won by a new baseball stadium at Penn State.

Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, a $30 million, 110,000-sf baseball park on the campus of Penn State University in State College, Pa., was awarded certification in July.

Designed by L. Robert Kimball & Associates, Pittsburgh, and built by Barton Malow, Southfield, Mich., the 5,500-seat ballpark is a dual pro/college stadium, shared by Penn State’s baseball team and the State College Spikes, a minor league club.

Building Design and Construction reports that:

“Green initiatives include the use of waterless urinals and low-emitting materials; reusing rock dug out of the outfield as fill material to level the playing field; connecting the stadium to an existing gray water system that also serves nearby Beaver Stadium; shared parking with the existing Bryce Jordan Center; diverting 76% of construction waste for recycling; and adding trees in parking areas to reduce the heat island effect.”

Penn State has nation’s first green stadium Read More »

Move over, Jersey beach washups

A washup of assorted garbage closed a few New Jersey beaches for part of the Labor Day weekend, putting a sad end to what otherwise was a pretty clean beach summer. But vacationers certainly didn’t have to deal with the likes of this.

“Foam swallowed an entire beach and half the nearby buildings, including the local lifeguards’ centre, in a freak display of nature at Yamba in New South Wales,” according to the Daily Mail.

The Australian newspaper reported that the giant bubble bath, stretching 30 miles into the Pacific, suddently transformed shoreline north of Sydney into the “Cappuccino Coast.”

The newspaper said scientists blamed the frothy concoction on “impurities in the ocean, such as salts, chemicals, dead plants, decomposed fish and excretions from seaweed”

Hey, Jersey’s got all that stuff and more. How come we don’t get cool foam like this?

Move over, Jersey beach washups Read More »

New Jersey bear hunt goes to court

For or against, when it comes to the controversial question of a New Jersey bear hunt, the folks who run the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) can be sure of one thing: they’re going to get sued.

The proof of that will be demonstrated on Tuesday when the Department finds itself before a three-member state appellate court defending its positions on both sides of the question. Yes, both sides.

How’s that possible? It turns out that, in 2005, then DEP Commisssioner Bradley Campbell allowed a bear hunt and was then sued by the New Jersey Animal Rights Association. The group accuses the state of falsifying numbers and statistics to justify a hunt when it put together the 2005 black bear management plan.

Campbell’s successor, Lisa Jackson, taking her cues from incoming governor (and bear hunt opponent) Jon Corzine, withdrew the department’s support for the 2005 plan, effectively killing the planned 2006 bear hunt. A group of state sportsmen then filed suit, hoping to reverse the DEP’s reversal.

Confused? A story on the upcoming hearing that appeared in Sunday’s New Jersey Herald might set you straight.

For more on the New Jersey bear hunt, pro and con, check out:
Bear Hunt Banned (Outdoor Life)
NJ Bears Need Permanent, Legal Protection (BEAR Education and Resource Group)
Bear Facts for New Jersey (NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife)

New Jersey bear hunt goes to court Read More »

Environmental Events in NJ, PA & NY

The daily electronic newsletter, EnviroPolitics, accepts events information for free listings in its EnviroEvents Calendar. The calendar is updated daily and available 24/7 on the newsletter’s free website at http://www.enviropolitics.com/

Current listings for September, 2007

September 6
An Overview of Direct Push Well Technology for Long-term Groundwater Monitoring ITRC Internet-based training -1:00 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Free. Registrationand information at: http://www.itrcweb.org/ or http://cluin.org/studio/seminar.cfm. Then click on “Internet-based Training.” CEU certificate can be obtained for a fee by contactingthe registrar.

September 11
“Emerging Issues in Risk Management for Environmental Professionals,” 8:30-11 a.m., XL Insurance Office in Exton, PA. Breakfast Seminar Presented by SWEP Greater Philadelphia and Hosted by XL Insurance. The presentation will providemany tools and techniques to environmental professionals for controlling liability exposure. The discussion will explore the risks associated with typical environmental services, root causes of claims, and the fundamental risk factors that contribute to 80% of professional liability claims. XL will give you tools you need to make a difference in your bottom lineby preventing costly, common and preventable mistakes. Marcy Zeichner (Senior Risk Management Consultant) will conduct the training with Kim MacDonald-Assistant Vice President of Claims (Attorney). Do not miss this very informative program. The session is suitable for all levels of management. SWEP members will be free with a $10 fee for allnon-members. Please RSVP Beth Hyde at http://us.f802.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=bhyde@rouxinc.com or call 856-423-8800. Checks may be mailed to Beth Hyde co/Roux Associates, Inc. 1222 Forest Parkway,Suite 190, West Deptford, NJ 08066. Please be sure to register early since this popular program will sell out. Please RSVP by August 31 to: Beth Hyde Roux Associates, Inc.856-423-8800 or http://us.f802.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=bhyde@rouxinc.com Checks may be mailed care of Beth Hyde 1222 Forest Parkway Suite 190 West Deptford, NJ 08066

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Post Your Event – No Charge – Open to All
Send information on your upcoming event to:
Event@EnviroPolitics.com

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September 11
Characterizing Chlorinated Solvent Sites Workshop – Westford, MA Workshop fee is $100 ($40 for government and academia), and includes continental breakfast and lunch. Sponsored by NEWMOA, the workshop will focus on designing a characterization effort, new characterization methods, and case studies from sites in the Northeast. At least 4 Continuing Education Credits will be available for MA LSPs, CT LEPs, PGs and others. Registration available on-line only through the NEWMOA website at: www.newmoa.org/cleanup/cwm/chlor2007

September 11
Protocol for Use of Five Passive Samplers ITRC Internet-based training 2 to 4:15 p.m. For registration and additional information: Open http://www.itrcweb.org/ or http://cluin.org/studio/seminar.cfm. Then click on “Internet-based Training. CEU certificate can be obtained for a fee by contacting the registrar.

September 14
Business Recycling: Guidelines for Compliance, 7:30 to 11 a.m., Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy, 402 Roycefield Rd, Hillsborough, NJ. Businesses and other institutions are invited to attend a recycling seminar, co-sponsored by the Somerset County Division of Solid Waste Management and the Somerset County Business Partnership. Registration is requested by Sept. 14. The cost of the program is$20 per person. To register, contact the Somerset County Business Partnership at (908) 218-4300, ex. 13, or event@SCBP.org

September 15
Atlantic County Environmental Conference 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Residents and visitors interested in Atlantic County’s environmental future are encouraged to attend. Featuring panel discussions and interesting exhibits, the conference will focus on key environmental issues and such topics as open space preservation, environmental living at home, the Pinelands and coastal issues. The event is designed to help raise awareness about new ways to ensure a cleaner, safer and healthier Atlantic County. The conference is a joint project sponsored by Atlantic County Government, the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and the Atlantic County Utilities Authority. Advance registration is required. The registration fee is $12.00 (students with ID: $8.00) and includes a continental breakfast, complimentary box lunch and post-event sparkling cider reception. For more information, visit: http://www.acenvironmental.org/

September 18
Green Building and Sustainable Design in New Jersey 8:30 – 4:30, Parsippany Holiday Inn, 707 Route 46 East, Parsippany, NJ. This one-day seminar is designed for presidents, vice presidents, architects, engineers, contractors, project managers, developers, bankers, planners, real estate professionals, designers and attorneys. US Green Building Council’s-NJ Chapter is a proud sponsor of this event.CECs provided. For complete details, click here. Register today!

September 18
Vapor Intrusion Pathway: A Practical Guideline ITRC Internet-based training, 2 to4:15 p.m. For registration and additional information: Open http://www.itrcweb.org/ or http://cluin.org/studio/seminar.cfm. Then click on “Internet-based Training. CEU certificate can be obtained for a fee by contacting the registrar.

September 20
Global Warming, Telling the Local Story 8:30 to noon, Trenton Marriott. Shrinkingyour town’s carbon footprint depends to a large degree on successfully working with the press to inform, engage, educate and persuade the public about how to address the issues. To help you do that, ANJEC and the New Jersey Press Association will bring together New Jersey journalists, environmental commissions and municipal officials for a special half-day workshop featuring an all-star panel of experts and a keynote presentation by Governor Jon Corzine (invited). Fee for ANJEC members $35, non members $40 Half price special: 50% off your registration if you attend with a credentialed journalist.To register, call ANJEC at 973-539-7547 or email: info@anjec.org

September 20
Drafting Real Estate Purchase Contracts 9 to 10:30 a.m., Builders League of South Jersey offices, 114 Haddontowne Court in Cherry Hill, NJ. Allen P. Fineberg, a real estate shareholder at Flaster/Greenberg in the firm’s Cherry Hill, office, will present the seminar sponsored by the Builders League of South Jersey. The presentation will address land purchase agreement issues and will offer tips on how to minimize risks. Topics will include title and survey issues, environmental problems, development approvals, financing, defaults, escrows, option payments and due diligence investigations. There is a $25 fee to attend the seminar and a continental breakfast will be offered preceding the presentation at 8:30 am. For more information, directions or to register, contact Marlene Spencer, director of marketing and operations at the Builders League of South Jersey at 856-616-8467; e-mail marlene@blsj.com

September 20
Real-Time Measurement of Radionuclides in Soil ITRC Internet-based training 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. For registration and information: Open http://www.itrcweb.org/ or http://cluin.org/studio/seminar.cfm. Then click on “Internet-based Training. CEU certificate can be obtained for a fee by contacting the registrar.

September 21
LEED for Schools Workshop 8:30 to 5, Trane Conference Center, 4 Wood HollowRoad, Parsippany, NJ Hosted by the US Green Building Council’s NJ Chapter. School districts are demanding green facilities that save money while protecting the environment, improving health and performance of students, and creating a better learning environment. Gain the knowledge needed to maximize green building practices for improving school design and performance. For complete details and registration information, click here

September 21
NJ Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards – Deadline for Submission The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to announcethe application process for the 2007 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards.The program was established to recognize outstanding environmental performance, programs and projects in the state. The awards recognize individuals, businesses, institutions and communities who have made significant contributions to environmental protection in New Jersey. Winners of the 2007 Governors Environmental Excellence Awards will be invited to a presentation ceremony and press event hosted by the Governor in the fall. Tentative plans call for a ceremony and reception to be held in Princeton at Drumthwacket, the official residence of the Governor. To download an awards application or to learn more about the awards program including past winnersand project descriptions, visit the awards website at http://www.nj.gov/dep/eeawards/The awards program is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology (NJCAT) and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.

September 24
The New Jersey Paper Recycling Association will hold its next meeting at La Riviera Restaurant in Clifton, NJ. Guest speaker will be Melanie Harman, director of sales, recycling for Weyerhaeuser Co. She will discuss the future of recovered paper. Anyone interested in attending is asked to contact George Chen, the NJPRA president, at (973) 340-8003, or by email at gttic@aol.com

September 24-26
Air Quality VI: International Conference on Mercury, Trace Elements, SO3, Particulate Matter, and Greenhouse Gases Arlington, Virginia. Organized by: Energy & Environmental Research Center. Conference participants will gain up-to-date information and benefit from discussions on potential health risks, available and developing control technologies, control strategies and research needs, and current and pending regulatory policies. This year’s event will focus on: air quality impacts on policy; health and ecosystems; emission prevention and control; measurementmethods and atmospheric reactions and modeling; and greenhouse gas issues. Web Site: www.undeerc.org/AQVI/ Contact: LaRae Foerster, lfoerster@undeerc.org Phone: 701-777-5246 Fax: 701-777-5181

September 25-27
Energy from Biomass and Waste is the subject of an international exhibition and conference to be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Exhibit Hall B, in Pittsburgh, PA. Manufacturers of environmental technology will join with stakeholders from waste management, municipalities, energy-intensive industries, and the farm economy to discuss the value of waste. Waste-to-energy facilities and landfill-gas-recovery sites are what first comes to mind, but there are more options for waste as a resource: biofuels from plastics waste; so-called refuse-derived fuels made from residential waste and used to substitute coal in power plants; bioenergy from wastewater; and biogas from cow manure and chicken litter for heat and power generation. The “Waste to Value” session of the EBW Conference will focus on available technologies, best-practice reports, financing, market trends, and legislative issues. To view the program and to register go to: http://www.ebw-expo.com/

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EnviroPolitics accepts events listings for free publication.
Send your information to: event@enviropolitics.com
The newsletter’s EnviroEvents Calendar is available 24/7 at:
http://www.enviropolitics.com/
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Environmental Events in NJ, PA & NY Read More »

Week’s top environmental & political news

Some of the top stories appearing in EnviroPolitics from Aug 27-31. Captured from newspapers and other information sources in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and beyond.

New Jersey Environment

DEP orders work to stop on strip mall planned for Highlands In one of the first enforcement cases of the Highlands statute, a notice of violation has been issued to the developer of the proposed Liberty Square mall in Independence Township, Warren County. Developer Liberty Square 517 LLC missed an Aug. 10 deadline to build a foundation on the project in the strict Highlands preservation area, and a cease-and-desist order has been issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection, officials said. (Star-Ledger)

Sparta approves $2.1M for reservoir Despite the prospect of a lawsuit, the Sparta Township Council has adopted a $2.1 million bond ordinance to buy nearly one-third of a quarry founded by Thomas Edison that contains a vast spring-fed reservoir. (Star-Ledger)

Smoke at chemical fire sends 15 to hospital A small chemical fire broke out Tuesday at the Permacel Inc. building in the Industrial Park, forcing several people to the hospital with respiratory problems. About 60 employees of the plant at 1990 Rutgers University Blvd. and workers in the surrounding complexes were evacuated about 10:15 a.m. as firefighters spent about 20 minutes putting out the blaze, authorities said (Asbury Park Press)

Sayreville told about Superfund cleanups Twenty-five years ago, an abundance of toxic chemicals was found buried beneath the Sayreville landfill, seeping into the soil and poisoning the groundwater with pesticides. In the years that followed, state officials began a gradual cleanup of the site, removing drums of hazardous waste and installing systems to block the pollution from spreading. On Wednesday, representatives from the state Department of Environmental Protection told a room of Sayreville residents their work on the landfill is nearly done. (Star-Ledger)

Somerset parks employees repay county $1,697 Somerset County parks employees have reimbursed the park commission for several expenses criticized as unrelated to their jobs, but most were legitimate or judgment calls, county officials said last night.After reviewing expense vouchers cited as “questionable” by an outside law firm, county Treasurer Brian Newman said there were no clear prohibitions against some of the payments (Star-Ledger)

Proposed power plant switching from coal to natural gas LS Power Company plans to put its Delaware River power plant online four years sooner than anticipated now that it proposes to use natural gas rather than coal to fuel the operation. (Courier-Post)

Eagles and hawks are migrating south The autumn hawk-watching season takes off Saturday as thousands of raptors begin their annual southern migration. Bergen County’s prime viewing spot is in Alpine, where broad-winged hawks and bald eagles can be seen flying down the Hudson River. The viewing area, the State Line Lookout, is just off Exit 3 of the Palisades Interstate Parkway (Bergen Record)

Clean Water New Jersey to honor excellence in stormwater pollution control Polluted runoff is a major threat to New Jersey’s water quality, and municipalities and other government agencies that have excelled in managing it are now eligible for special Clean Water New Jersey awards (NJ-DEP)

New Jersey Politics

Democrats seek to unload contributions from fugitive Some top New Jersey Democrats scramble to divest themselves of at least $51,000 in campaign contributions from a donor whose fugitive status also caused embarrassment this week for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (Star-Ledger)

Nursing home fixing the AC after a roasting from Codey A Newark nursing home where state Sen. Richard Codey found sweltering conditions during a surprise inspection earlier this month will replace its sputtering air conditioners (Star-Ledger)

Ex-mayor gets harsh term in graft case For nearly five years after pleading guilty to corruption charges, former Ocean Township Mayor Terrance Weldon remained a free man by quietly cooperating with investigations against others. But when his day of reckoning came yesterday, Weldon caught the wrath of a federal judge fed up with the seemingly endless parade of New Jersey politicians “hell-bent on corruption.” For nearly five years after pleading guilty to corruption charges, former Ocean Township Mayor Terrance Weldon remained a free man by quietly cooperating with investigations against others. But when his day of reckoning came yesterday, Weldon caught the wrath of a federal judge fed up with the seemingly endless parade of New Jersey politicians “hell-bent on corruption.” (Star-Ledger)Could it be Lautenberg vs. Booker? With Democrats Rob Andrews, Frank Pallone and Steve Rothman unwilling to mount a primary challenge against the 83-year-old incumbent, could Booker be the guy who runs Wally Edge Blog

Wesley Lance dies, shaped constitution Former Republican state Sen. Wesley L. Lance of Hunterdon County, the last survivor of the 81 delegates to the historic NJ Constitutional Convention of 1947 that created the state’s modern constitution, died Saturday. He was 98. (Star-Ledger)

Pennsylvania Environment

DEP fines Hercules Cement The Department of Environmental Protection announced today it has issued a $174,604 civil penalty against Hercules Cement Company in Stockertown Borough, Northampton County, for air quality violations between 2003 and 2006 (PA-DEP)

PPL Gas Utilities Announces Decrease in Gas Supply Rate PPL Gas Utilities’ 76,000 customers will see a decrease in their bills this fall. The company announced Friday (8/31) a3 percent reduction in the rate customers pay for the gas supply portion of their bill. (PPL)

Hundreds protest wind turbines — Accusations flew and tempers flared Tuesday as hundreds of residents in Bedford and Somerset counties ordered Gamesa Energy to keepwind turbines off Shaffer Mountain. (Altoona Mirror)

Cleaning up coal’s bad rap Is coal becoming a dirty word? It’s vilified as a contributor to global warming, risky to get out of the earth — as recent deaths in a Utah coal mine have reminded us — and responsible for destroying streams and valleys in Appalachia, where mountaintop removal mining remains extremely controversial. Meanwhile, pressure from environmental groups worried about climate change has forced utilities from North Carolina to Oregon to drop plans for about two dozen coal-fired power plants. NRG Energy CEO David Crane says that ‘clean coal’ has a future, despite what critics say. NRG Energy is looking to build the country’s first big coal plant to capture and store carbon dioxide.

Pennsylvania Politics

Democratic offices searched in Harrisburg State investigators last week executed a search warrant on the Capitol basement headquarters of the Democratic Office of Legislative Research in a broadening investigation into whether state employees were used to run several political campaigns last year. (Post-Gazette)

Judge: Fumo can keep Sprague as lawyer A federal judge ruled today that State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, who faces 139 charges of federal fraud and obstruction of justice, can keep Richard A. Sprague as his lawyer. The decision means the scheduled trial of one of Pennsylvania’s most powerful politicians, who had been represented by one of Philadelphia’s most prominent lawyers, is likely to proceed as scheduled for February. (Inquirer)

Future of Pa. six-pack sales is now a case for justices The state Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether Pennsylvanians will be able to walk into their local grocery or corner store and pick up a six-pack of beer along with toilet paper and a carton of milk (Inquirer)

New York/Region/World

California aims to save fish via poison The state’s latest plan to rid Lake Davis of northern pike – and protect species downstream – raises concern.(Christian Science Monitor)

Sony Develops Bio-Battery Powered by Glucose Sony’s new bio-battery that uses the sugar in carbohydrates to generate electricity — as an example, the company demonstrated using a sports drink to power a small fan or a Walkman. (GreenBiz.com)

German Biodiesel Industry Peaks, Trouble Ahead Germany’s biodiesel production capacity is set to rise to a record 5 million tons in 2007, but analysts have warned that the boom in the country’s biodiesel industry is coming to an end after the industry failed to block the government from rolling back a key tax relief scheme in court this July. (Renewable Energy Weekly)

Week’s top environmental & political news Read More »