Water pollution settlement delayed in Hoosick Falls, NY

Marie J. French reports for Politico/NY:


HOOSICK FALLS (NY) — The village board decided on Thursday to postpone discussion of a revised settlement with two companies held responsible for polluting the water here with PFOA.

Mayor David Borge said a village trustee had a family health emergency and would not be present at the meeting. That’s why he wanted to postpone any action on the $1 million settlement with the two companies, Saint Gobain and Honeywell.

Residents had gathered in the Hoosick Armory in anticipation of the meeting, with some holding cardboard signs that read, “Deeply Polluted Village, Deeply Flawed Settlement” and “Clean Water Doesn’t Come Cheap.”

Borge’s announcement drew shouts of outrage from residents. “You’re running like a coward,” shouted Hoosick Falls resident Desiray Rice as Borge headed toward the door.

The revised settlement has drawn criticism from former EPA chief Judith Enck, former state Department of Health official Dr. Howard Freed and a lawyer with Healthy Hoosick Water, an advocacy group. The settlement includes a release of any future claims by the village over PFOA contamination in the village’s existing water supply.

The $1 million figure is $195,000 more than a previous settlement proposal that residents fiercely criticized at a lengthy public meeting in January. About half will go to pay lawyers, engineering and communications consultants hired by the village. The rest will cover the village’s losses from decreased water use and other costs of dealing with the crisis.

Residents are still not happy with the proposal. “We all vote no,” a group chanted immediately after Borge’s announcement.

“This is not serving the village. This is reckless and laughable,” said Silvia Potter, a resident of Hoosick Falls.

David Engel, the lawyer with Health Hoosick Water, said earlier this week that the settlement should either be much larger or not include a release for future claims.



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Congress can’t duck reinvigorated voters left and right

Yay or Nay
 During a long stretch during his two-year term in office, NJ Gov. Chris Christie developed a potent political weapon–the Town Hall Meeting.  His skilled staff booked the events in friendly districts, seeded the audience with pro-Christie voters and provided props, backdrops and signs all designed to give Christie the best chance to advance his legislative agenda, torment Democrats, and boost his national recognition in advance of what everyone knew back then was his coming presidential bid.

Members of Congress saw how well it worked and began scheduling their own Town Halls. They used the vehicle to demonstrate to the folks back in their districts how on top of things they were. Good news coverage generally followed.

Now the folks back home are demanding that what used to be a one-way publicity stunt to function the way they want. They want to talk back and let Mr./Ms. Congressperson know that they’re mad as hell with the way things are going, regardless of their voter affiliation or leaning.

Uh oh.  Just like the rest of us, Congress people want to be liked. Not insulted. Not questioned, especially by people who are more attuned than ever to the BS lines designed to deflect the topic.

So a number of Washington leaders are no longer holding Town Halls. That isn’t pleasing constituents one bit. Those who swallow hard and wade into the fray might be scoring points for courage but they’re still sweating the experience.

Witness NJ Rep Leonard Lance’s Town Hall last night.

The Washington Post reports:

Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) faced a record crowd at a town hall meeting Wednesday night where audience members pressed him to urge President Trump to release his tax returns and investigate Russia’s interference in U.S. elections.
In what his office said was the largest turnout of his congressional career, more than 900 people were packed in a community college auditorium, the largest such space in his district, and an overflow room was filled with another 250 people. More than 350 protesters gathered outside.
Leonard Lance meets constituents at Town Hall Feb 22 2017 Dominick Reuter photo for Reuters“I believe those in the audience were constituents,” Lance said afterward. “I don’t believe they were paid.”
Lance faced countless hecklers shouting “Do your job!” and “Answer the question!” Audience members rose to their feet when demanding that Trump release his tax returns, and for Lance and all other politicians to “put country before party.”
In the end, Lance said he felt that “the vast majority tried to listen to my responses.”

What happens if you stop holding Town Halls?
Brick (NJ) Patch reports today: 

Frustrated that Rep. Tom MacArthur will not hold a face-to-face town hall meeting, a group of Ocean County constituents are planning to protest Thursday evening outside the offices of WOBM, the radio station where MacArthur conducts a regular “Ask the Congressman” radio call-in show.
MacArthur is scheduled to be on the radio station at 7 p.m. Thursday for the monthly show, which airs on WOBM 1160 AM and can be heard online at www.mybeachradio.com.
“Representative MacArthur is on record as saying that he doesn’t want to host an open Town Hall meeting because “paid” protesters might prevent him from hearing from his constituents.

Let’s gather outside the station to let him know that we are REAL, UNPAID, FIRED UP people who will actively resist the Trump/MacArthur agenda,” the protest organizers said in a Facebook event posting about the protest.

Protesters are being urged to meet outside the Ocean County Library’s main branch in Toms River at 101 Washington St. at 6 p.m., with the plan to walk to the offices of WOBM on Robbins Street at 6:15 p.m. with the hope of seeing MacArthur as he walks into the office for the radio show.
What’s your take on this? Have you been to a town hall? What was your impression? Will your congressperson’s attendance or ducking affect your vote next time around? Will voter fire sizzle when summer arrives?  Tell us in the ‘comment’ box below.
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There’s a dark side (as usual) to this bright weather



Warm weather could cause some plants to bloom early, which could be harmful when cold weather returns

The Record‘s James M. O’Neil provides this humbug report:

So you’re indulging in this freaky-warm un-February, eh?

Celebrating your snow-free driveway. Cheering that iceless windshield. Basking in false spring temperatures reaching into the 50s, 60s and even – possibly Friday – the 70s.

But even with great winter weather, there’s no free lunch.

This February, which could end up one of the three warmest on record in New Jersey, is coaxing tree and shrub buds to start swelling early. That should continue as forecasters predict warmer than normal temperatures for at least two more weeks.

But if we get blasted with a cold snap and frosty nights, those buds could be killed off.

WARMING: Temperature could hit 70 degrees
MILD TEMPS: Why has it been so weirdly warm this winter?

And suddenly, poof – there go the state’s colorful spring landscapes of blooming magnolias, cherry trees and ornamental pear trees, reduced to burnt brown petals hanging limply from their branches.

It happened last spring to saucer magnolias, which were in full pink flower when the temperature dropped one night to 20 degrees. “The petals were hanging all brown into late May,” said Bruce Crawford, director of the 200-acre Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick. “It was really unappealing. But there’s really nothing you can do about it.”

Kevin Eisele of Eisele’s Nursery and Garden Center in Paramus agreed. “We just have to hope it cools down again soon,” he said, which could suppress buds from continuing to swell. “Otherwise certain species of plants probably will get hurt.”

Any early-spring flowering trees could be affected, said Bill Zipse, regional forester for the state Forest Service. “We’ll have to keep watch over the next few weeks for potential frost damage,” he said.

Native dogwoods, whose striking four-petal pink or white flowers are really modified leaves called bracts, often lose the outer two bracts if a frost hits while the trees are still budding, reducing their aesthetic impact.

Another highly susceptible landscape plant is the non-native hydrangea. Because they grow buds on old wood from the prior year, they can start early, but if they start drawing water up into the stems and cold weather sets in, the water freezes, stem cells burst, and the plant won’t produce its distinctive blue and pink pom-pom flowers that summer.

“They really take it on the chin,” Crawford said.

Buds on other trees have also started to swell, such as silver maple and red maple. Mike Limatola, marsh warden at Celery Farm in Allendale, said he saw buds swelling on maple trees there over the weekend.

While trees can’t grow new flower buds if killed off, they can grow new leaf buds, Zipse said. But repeated seasons with early growth followed by cold weather and lost buds can stress some trees, experts say.

With a warmer winter, plants are also susceptible to increased pest infestations, both the insect and fungal variety. Without cold temperatures to kill off much of the pest populations, they can get started even earlier attacking their host plants, said Todd Wyckoff, bureau chief for the state Forest Service.

Read the full, balloon-busting story here

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Big energy upgrades for two state buildings in Trenton, NJ

The Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection building are in store for energy makeovers that are expected to save more than a half million dollars annually.
Tom Johnson reports for NJ Spotlight:
The state Board of Public Utilities yesterday approved plans for energy conservation projects for the two prominent Trenton buildings, along with the East Hanover school district and two buildings in Jersey City, totaling $8.2 million through the New Jersey Clean Energy program.
NJDEP headquarters in Trenton, NJ
The program provides a range of financial incentives to help fund energy-efficiency projects for residents, businesses, and government entities, enabling them to conserve energy and reduce utility bills. It is funded through a surcharge on customers’ monthly gas and electric bills.
The savings from the latest round of incentives are projected to run approximately $835,000 a year, according to the BPU.
“Through the implementation of the Christie administration’s state Energy Master Plan, the board continues to encourage and offer significant financial incentives to residents, businesses, local governments, and school districts to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings,’’ said BPU President Richard Mroz.
Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton, NJ
The plan to adopt energy efficiency measures at the two state buildings was undertaken in a memorandum of understanding between the board and the state Department of Treasury. As part of the agreement, the board will commit $7.5 million of its fiscal year 2017 clean energy budget to cover the costs of the two projects. The justice complex will receive $5.7 million, the DEP $1.8 million.
Currently, the total utility bills for the Hughes justice complex are roughly $4.2 million. With replacement of its heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning controls and other improvements to its heating/cooling and lighting systems, it is projected the savings yearly will amount to roughly $496,000.
The DEP building on East State Street spends nearly $1 million on utility expenses annually. Energy conservation projects at the building are expected to save $148,900 a year, according to the board.
“The equipment upgrades to these buildings will result in energy, operation, and maintenance cost-savings for the state,’’ said Chris Chianese, director of the Division of Property Management and Construction in the Treasury Department.
The board also approved an application by Summit Plaza in Jersey City to install three natural-gas-fueled engines to serve two multifamily buildings. The combined heat and power (CHP) system will cost about $2 million and save roughly $180,000 a year in energy costs. The incentive amounted to $600,000.
In addition, the BPU approved a fuel-cell/CHP system for the East Hanover school system with an incentive of $135,537.
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A Pinelands battle almost as long as the pipeline itself

                                  Photo Credit: Inquirer staff photographer Akira Suwa

With a crucial vote set for Friday, conservationists rallied outside the State House yesterday–the latest action in their six-year bid to halt the approval of a controversial and much-litigated pipeline through parts of the Pinelands.

Tom Johnson reports for NJ Spotlight:

A few dozen environmentalists renewed their opposition to the 22-mile pipeline, which will allow the B.L. England power plant at Beesley’s Point to convert from coal to natural gas in a proposal that has been before the Pinelands Commission for six years.
The project is the most contentious issue to emerge in the Pinelands, a more than 1-million-acre preserve set aside four decades ago to protect a vast, mostly unbroken forest sitting above one of the largest aquifers in the region. It has drawn opposition from four former governors, two former executive directors of the commission, and virtually all of the state’s environmental community.
The agency initially balked at approving the project, which fails to comply with its own Comprehensive Management Plan. Nancy Wittenberg, its executive director, last week issued a 24-page letter recommending the commission approve the plan, reversing a previous staff determination based on new documentation submitted into the record.

b.l. england

Credit: Kirk Moore
B.L. England power plant in Cape May County
Whatever decision emerges from what is expected to be a packed meeting in Cherry Hill, the issue is likely to wind up back in court, which reversed a prior ruling by Wittenberg endorsing the project pushed by South Jersey Gas. A state appeals court kicked the issue back to the full commission.
In making a case to reject the proposal, environmentalists yesterday blamed political interference from Gov. Chris Christie for refusing to allow the project to die.
“The South Jersey Gas pipeline does not meet the standards in the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan and regardless of political influence, the commissioners need to do what is right and support the regulations,’’ said Jaclyn Rhoads, assistant executive director of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. “The Pinelands commissioners took an oath to protect the Pinelands and they need to uphold the rules of the CMP.’’
“Friday is probably the most important vote in its 40-year history,’’ added Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Together we are in Trenton telling the governor and his cronies that they must protect the Pinelands and the people of New Jersey.’’
The project, touted as helping supply the power needs of the people who live in the Pinelands, is backed by most business interests, many legislators, and organized labor. If the project is not built, the B.L. England plant will have to shut down under a consent decree with the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Opponents argue that besides failing to comply with the CMP, the pipeline isn’t necessary and would not serve the needs of the Pinelands. They also say that it threatens the acquifer underlying the region, points disputed by Wittenberg in her letter.
“This is a battle about the independence of commissions,’’ argued Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey.

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Court-ordered e-mails show EPA chief’s close ties to Big Oil

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt

Brady Dennis and Steven Mufson report for The Washington Post:


In his previous role as Oklahoma’s attorney general, Scott Pruitt regularly huddled with fossil fuel firms and electric utilities about how to combat federal regulations and spoke to conservative political groups about what they call government “overreach,” according to thousands of pages of newly released emails.

“The newly released emails reveal a close and friendly relationship between Scott Pruitt’s office and the fossil fuel industry, with frequent meetings, calls, dinners and other events,” said Nick Surgey, research director for the Center for Media and Democracy, which has sued to compel the release of the emails.
The emails highlight an often-chummy relationship between Pruitt’s office and Devon Energy, a major oil and gas exploration and production company based in Oklahoma City. The correspondence makes clear that top officials at the company met often with Pruitt or people who worked for him. Devon representatives also helped draft — and re-draft — letters for Pruitt to sign and send federal officials in an effort to stave off new regulations.
“Any suggestions?” a deputy solicitor general in Pruitt’s office wrote to a Devon executive in early May 2013, including a draft of a letter the office was planning to send to the EPA regarding proposed regulations of methane emissions.
“Here you go,” the executive, Bill Whitsitt replied. “Please note that you could use just the red changes, or both red and blue (the latter being some further improvements from one of our experts) or none.”
“I sent the letter today,” the deputy solicitor general wrote the following day. “Thanks for all your help on this.”
The emails show that Pruitt and his office were in touch with a network of ultra-conservative groups, many of which in the past have received backing from billionaire brothers Charles G. and David H. Koch, the libertarian owners of Koch Industries, a major oil company. The documents detail not only how Pruitt’s office at times coordinated with industry officials to fight unwanted regulations from Washington, but also how he was a highly sought after speaker at conferences and other gatherings for groups such as the American Legislative Exchange Council, which works with corporate interests and state legislators to shape key pieces of legislation.
In one example, Pruitt was a speaker at an ALEC conference on May 3, 2013, in Oklahoma City. He was part of a panel called, “Embracing American Energy Opportunities: From Wellheads to Pipelines.” The event also featured a reception at the Petroleum Club and a luncheon sponsored by Koch Industries.

The Oklahoma attorney general’s office handed over the batch of emails — nearly 7,000 pages in all — this week in order to meet a deadline set by a judge who ordered the documents’ release following more than two years of effort by CMD, a liberal watchdog organization. The group had sued to compel the state to release the documents under public records laws. (The emails can be viewed here.)


Read the full story here 

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