Will Rutgers research torment dolphins?

On its blog today, Clean Ocean Action writes:


As soon as June 1st, Rutgers University intends to begin a seismic study approximately 15 miles off of the coast of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. The study has been approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which has permitted the “takings” of 18,457 marine mammals— 26 times more mammals than originally proposed — during the 30-day research period so long as these incidents are classified as “Level B Harassment” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. However, there is no scientific way to observe and assess all of the physical and physiological damage done to the populations of marine mammals to ensure that these damages do not surpass Level B Harassment into Level A Harassment.


The organization is urging its friends to call on Rutgers President Robert Barchi to cancel the study. What do you think? Let us know in the comment box below.

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New recycling system for old paint passes NJ Senate

Legislation designed to keep out of landfills those partially full cans of latex and oil paint piling up in your basement or garage, passed the New Jersey Senate yesterday on a 27-6 vote and now heads to the Assembly Commerce Committee. 



S-1420, sponsored by Senator Jim Beach (D-Burlington/Camden) is modeled on legislation developed by the paint industry as a proactive solution to the potential problem of improperly discarded paint seeping through the ground into water supplies. 


To avoid this, PaintCare, a nonprofit creation of the paint industry’s D.C.-based American Coatings Association, has created a program, already operating in eight states, that provides free collection of the old paint from dealers and public recycling programs. The paint can be recycled into new paint, or other products such as non-structural concrete, asphalt and even landscaping stones.


The legislation is supported by a number of New Jersey environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club, the New Jersey Association of Household Hazardous Waste Coordinators and the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR). 


Disclosure: Our sister company, Brill Public Affairs, provides consulting services to ANJR.,


The bill is opposed by the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association.  

Related news story: Paint recycling bill gets NJ Senate approval

NJ Ag, energy, environment bills posted for votes – May 11 




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Cindy Dunn nomination to lead PA-DCNR advances

Cindy Adams Dunn – Frank Brill photo
Despite some legislators’ concerns about positions she took as CEO of the environmental organization, PennFuture, the nomination of acting Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn to head the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was approved on Wednesday by the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy committee.
Ms. Dunn said she will use her independent judgment in her new role and be responsive to the interests of all citizens.

Her nomination still must be considered by the full Senate.

Watch our video interview with Ms. Dunn when she was at PennFuture.
Read coverage of the nomination hearing by the Post-Gazette and PA Environment Digest 

Read Wallace McKelvey’s Patriot News interview with Dunn on fracking in state forests


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NJ Ag, energy, environment bills posted for votes – May 11 
Only in New Jersey political ads–‘The Shady Bunch’  

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NJ ag, energy, environment bills posted for votes – May 14

A total of eleven
agriculture, energy and environment bills will be up for votes in a committee and on the Assembly floor in Trenton on Thursday, May 14, 2015.


Here’s the lineup:


SENATE ECONOMIC GROWTH – 10:30 AM
Committee Room 1, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ

A-1294  Dancer, R.S. (R-12); Space, P. (R-24);
Andrzejczak, B. (D-1)
Extends Right to Farm Act protections to commercial
beekeepers, with some restrictions.  Related Bill: S-1328
A-1295  Dancer, R.S. (R-12); Space, P. (R-24);
Andrzejczak, B. (D-1)
Establishes exclusive State regulatory authority over
apiary activities and allows for delegation of monitoring and enforcement
authority to municipalities.
Related Bill: S-1975
    
A-1296  Dancer, R.S. (R-12); Space, P. (R-24);
Caride, M. (D-36)
Establishes penalty for destruction of man-made native
bee hive.
    
S-1328  Van Drew, J. (D-1); Oroho, S.V. (R-24)
Extends Right to Farm Act protections to commercial
beekeepers, with some restrictions. Related Bill: A-1294
S-1975  Van Drew, J. (D-1); Oroho, S.V. (R-24)
Establishes exclusive State regulatory authority over
apiary activities and allows for delegation of monitoring and enforcement
authority to municipalities.
Related Bill: A-1295
S-2302  Van Drew, J. (D-1)
Establishes penalty for destruction of man-made native
bee hive.
Related Bill: A-1296
 _______________________________________________________________

ASSEMBLY VOTING SESSION – 1 PM
A-3169  Greenwald, L.D. (D-6); Vainieri Huttle, V.
(D-37); Webber, J. (R-26)
Requires DEP to submit annual financial report on
status of certain fund balances.
A-3849  DeAngelo, W.P. (D-14); Eustace, T. (D-38);
Mazzeo, V. (D-2)
Requires BPU to provide consumer information on
third-party electric power and gas supplier pricing and services.  Related Bill: S-2466
    
 A-3850  DeAngelo, W.P. (D-14); Eustace, T. (D-38);
Mazzeo, V. (D-2)
Requires BPU to establish procedures allowing electric
power and gas supplier customers to switch energy suppliers.  Related Bill: S-2467
     
A-3851  DeAngelo, W.P. (D-14); Eustace, T. (D-38);
Mazzeo, V. (D-2)
Imposes contract standards between customers and
third-party electric power and gas suppliers.  Related Bill: S-2468
     
A-4258  Eustace, T. (D-38); Mazzeo, V. (D-2)
Clarifies liability for discharges of hazardous
substances from drilling platforms that enter NJ waters.   Related Bill: S-2172
   
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NJ Ag, energy, environment bills posted for votes – May 11 
Only in New Jersey political ads–‘The Shady Bunch’   
NJ Gov. Christie’s latest nominations and appointments   

NJ ag, energy, environment bills posted for votes – May 14 Read More »

Tonawanda Coke to pay $12M in NY pollution settlement

Under a $12 million settlement with the United
States and the state of New York, Tonawanda Coke Corporation will pay $2.75
million in civil penalties, spend approximately $7.9 million to reduce air
pollution and enhance air and water quality, and spend an additional $1.3
million for environmental projects in the area of Tonawanda, NY. 


The
agreement was announced jointly by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck, U.S. Assistant Attorney General John C.
Cruden, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Commissioner Joseph Martens and New York State Attorney General Eric T.
Schneiderman.


According to EPA’s news release:

“Under the consent decree lodged today in federal court in
the Western District of New York, Tonawanda Coke must improve its processes,
operations and monitoring for coke oven gas leaks, assess key equipment, repair
or replace equipment, install new pollution controls, and take many additional
measures under a prescribed schedule. 
This work, estimated to cost approximately $7.9 million, will secure
significant reductions of benzene, ammonia and particulate matter emissions
from the plant, improving air quality in Tonawanda and protecting public health.
Benzene is a carcinogen.
“The settlement also requires Tonawanda Coke to pay a
$1.75 million civil penalty to the United States to resolve violations of the
Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-know Act, and pay a $1 million civil penalty to the State of New York,
which is a co-plaintiff with the United States. 
In addition to the state penalty, Tonawanda Coke will pay another $1
million to fund projects that will benefit the environment and the residents of
Tonawanda.  

“Additionally, $357,000 will
be provided to Ducks Unlimited, a not for profit organization, to acquire and
preserve wetlands. In addition to protecting and enhancing water quality,
wetlands reduce flooding, filter pollutants, and provide habitat for fish and
wildlife.”
Read the full news release here.

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NJ ag, energy, environment bills posted for votes – May 11 
Only in New Jersey political ads–‘The Shady Bunch’   
NJ Gov. Christie’s latest nominations and appointments  
Trenton today: Two wind energy bills held, one moved 




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How did Delaware's rivers and ponds get so polluted?

Over the past century, Delaware’s industrial and agricultural past, poor wastewater management, as well as lax regulation over storm water runoff all had a hand in dirtying Delaware’s waterways.

Today, except for the beaches, nearly all of Delaware’s waterways are polluted.

WHYY is undertaking a two-year project to report on how the state’s rivers, ponds and streams. The first report with Shirley Min is an assessment of Delaware’s water health.

If the video above fails to appear, you can open it here 

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NJ ag, energy, environment bills posted for votes – May 11
Only in New Jersey political ads–‘The Shady Bunch’  
NJ Gov. Christie’s latest nominations and appointments 
Trenton today: Two wind energy bills held, one moved
‘Rent The Chicken’– One eggstraordinary business 

How did Delaware's rivers and ponds get so polluted? Read More »