February 2009 News

FLCC Hosts 'Go Green' Week Finger Lakes Community College wants to help its students, faculty and staff learn how to be more environmentally friendly. This week is "Go Green" week at the college. (March 2, 09) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
Feathered fiends | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun Dogs get most of the blame, but birds create far more waste on our waterfront The waterfront is a vast toilet that spans 46 km from Mississauga to Pickering. Not to humans maybe. But it may as well be to the thousands of Canada geese who daily dump at least 1,360 kg of droppings along the stretch of shoreline. (March 2, 09) Toronto Sun
WXXI: Auto Workers Pulling for Fuel Cell Jobs (2009-03-02) Rochester auto workers are joining with local officials to lobby for what could be one of the biggest prizes of the 21st Century. Since General Motors developed its auto fuel cell technology in the Rochester area, they want those fuel cells to be manufactured in Rochester. (March 3, 09) Public NewsRoom
www.News10NBC.com - Slaughter wants to expand local fuel cell operations Congresswoman Louise Slaughter wants General Motors to expand its fuel cell operation in Rochester. (March 3, 09) www.News10NBC.com - Rochester, NY News, Weather, Sports, Health, Investigative, Entertainment
Obama proposes $475M for Great Lakes restoration -- chicagotribune.com TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - A plan hatched more than three years ago to heal the battered Great Lakes would get its first big infusion of federal cash under President Barack Obama's proposed budget. The 2010 spending blueprint released Thursday includes a $475 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative led by the Environmental Protection Agency. It would target problems such as invasive species, runoff pollution, degraded wildlife habitat and contaminated bottomlands. (Feb 26, 09) http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Lead poisoning in children shows dramatic drop | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle CHICAGO — In a stunning improvement in children's health, far fewer kids have high lead levels than 20 years ago, new government research reports — a testament to aggressive efforts to get lead out of paint, water and soil. (March 2, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR THE LARGEST SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT IN STATE HISTORY Project Would Provide Enough Power for 6,500 Households and Reduce Carbon Emissions by 20,000 Tons Per Year – Supports Governor’s “45 by 15” Clean Energy Initiative Governor David A. Paterson today announced that the largest solar energy project in New York State history is moving forward on Long Island, increasing the State’s total solar energy production threefold. The 50 megawatt (MW) project would provide enough power to sustain more than 6,500 households and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20,000 tons per year. (Feb 27, 09) Press Releases
Great Backyard Bird Count Breaks All-Time Record With two days left to go for data entry, participants have submitted 90,505 checklists, smashing the all-time GBBC record. In the race for towns submitting the most checklists, Mentor, Ohio, leads with 259 checklists ahead of second-ranked Charlotte, North Carolina. Visit the GBBC website to see top-10 species lists, maps, and images of some of the 609 species reported so far. (Feb 27, 09) Chickadees, Juncos, and Jays Oh My!
What’s that noise? - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Manchester, N.Y. — Those looking for peaceful, quiet nights in the Town of Manchester are in luck. At its most recent meeting, the Town Board unanimously adopted a noise ordinance that declares the hours between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. quiet hours. (Feb 28, 09) http://www.mpnnow.com/
Plans for rail line on track | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle A high-speed rail line with cars that can travel up to 150 miles per hour from Buffalo to Albany will be pursued instead of a faster line, Rep. Louise Slaughter said Friday. (Feb 28, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Service awards to fish and wildlife | portclintonnewsherald.com | Port Clinton News Herald The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces $593,089 in federal funding for fish and wildlife restoration projects in the Great Lakes Basin. The projects will be matched by $278,810 in partner contributions, and will focus on the rehabilitation of sustainable populations of native fish and wildlife and their habitats. (Feb 25, 09) http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/
State to reimburse up to 75 percent of organic certification costs- 2/25/09 ALBANY - New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker announced the renewal of the States Organic Certification Reimbursement Program, which reimburses certified organic producers and processors for a portion of their annual organic certification costs. (Feb 27, 09) News Index - Digital Edition Courier-Gazette, Newark NY 14513
Crime lab has designs on green technologies | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle The new Monroe County crime lab won't only offer investigators access to the latest technology. It will also feature an environmentally friendly design, one that uses rainwater to flush toilets and encourages employees to carpool and ride bikes to work. (Feb 27, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Fairport Electric Buys Hybrid Vehicle Going green is a hot topic lately, and a local electric company is jumping on board in more ways than one. (Feb 25, 09) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
PARKS: Judgment day for cyclists - News Articles - Rochester City Newspaper A plan that might eventually open Tryon Park to cyclists is taking its next step forward. | Monroe County is in the process of updating its master plan for the parks surrounding Ellison Park. Officials from EDR, the consulting firm hired by the county to help prepare the update, will present a draft of the plan during the county's Thursday, February 26, Parks Advisory Committee meeting. The meeting starts at 4 p.m. at the parks office, 171 Reservoir Avenue. (Feb 24, 09) News & Opinion - Rochester City Newspaper
Freshwater Wind Farms for the Great Lakes? - Green Inc. Blog - NYTimes.com Here’s a pressing question about freshwater offshore wind farms: what about the winter ice? That’s one of the many engineering challenges posed by developing massive offshore wind farms in the Great Lakes, an idea that’s now very much on the policy radars of renewable energy planners in Ohio and Wisconsin. (Feb 25, 09) The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
Tiny bird 'backpacks' help to track migration habits | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Tiny high-tech "backpacks" placed on songbirds represent a new leap forward in bird tracking and promise to provide important insights into bird migration — where individual birds go and, just as importantly, where they stop along the way, two local researchers say. And that, in turn, could help identify critical wintering and stopover habitats that must be preserved in order to help threatened species survive. (Feb 26, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
EPA chief reconsidering ship ballast permit -- chicagotribune.com TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - The Obama administration will reconsider a federal permit for oceangoing ships that critics say fails to prevent invasive species from entering the Great Lakes, the new chief of the Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday. Lisa Jackson also told officials and activists from the region the administration would honor President Barack Obama's campaign pledge to pump more federal money into Great Lakes restoration, despite the staggering budget deficit. (Feb 24, 09) Chicago News, Weather, Sports and Politics -- ChicagoTribune.com -- chicagotribune.com
AuburnPub.com - EPA to follow up on GE Powerex clean-up The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will soon test indoor air quality as a follow up to an eight-year clean-up of groundwater believed to have been contaminated by the old General Electric Powerex plant on West Genesee Street in Auburn. Ninety residents in the Auburn/Union Springs area received letters from the EPA asking them to open their homes in April to a precautionary investigation of air quality. These homes are possibly impacted by contaminated groundwater in the vicinity of the Cayuga Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site. (Feb 25, 09) AuburnPub.com - A product of The Citizen
Gov. David Paterson suggests more money for liquor permits, less for DEC water pollution permits - syracuse.com Liquor Authority could see more funding, staff to process permits. But DEC faces cuts. Gov. David Paterson wants to increase state spending to move along a backlog of liquor permits, but not permits that protect New York's drinking water. (Feb 21, 09) Syracuse NY Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - syracuse.com
Great Lakes scourge infects West - JSOnline Quagga mussels are clogging Hoover Dam, colonizing lakes, rivers While federal lawmakers continue to squabble over how to stop overseas ships from dumping unwanted organisms into the world's largest freshwater system, the Great Lakes' most vexing invasive-species problem has gone national. (Feb 21, 09) Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
New crop of farmers in Rochester region | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Throughout the Rochester region, the number of farms and farmers is rising, in apparent defiance of long-term trends in New York. In some local counties, such as Orleans and Yates, the newly released federal agricultural census showed 10 percent to 20 percent increases in the numbers of farms in just five years. (Feb 23, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Federal finding made public The federal approval that allows Renaissance Square planners to move ahead with property acquisition and demolition is available for public viewing. A copy of the Federal Transit Administration's finding that the project will have no significant impact on the environment is available at www.renaissancesquare.net, and www.rgrta.com. democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Fish Community Objectives for Lake Ontario - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Management of Great Lakes fisheries includes the development of fish community objectives (FCO's) every five years by the agencies that share fisheries management responsibilities for each of the lakes. Following consultation to gather public input on the future of Lake Ontario fisheries during the winter of 1996/97, The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) prepared "Fish Community Objectives For Lake Ontario" (Great Lakes Fishery Commission Special Publication 99-1). The FCO document summarizes scientific understanding of the major factors influencing Lake Ontario's fish communities, and specifies strategic objectives that have guided the management of Lake Ontario fisheries by NYSDEC and OMNR during the past five years. We are currently seeking public input to help us review and, if appropriate, revise the existing FCO's. Please take time to review the current FCO document at: Great Lakes Fishery Commission or contact the NYSDEC Cape Vincent Fisheries Station (P.O. Box 292, Cape Vincent, NY 13618 (315) 654-2147) to request a copy. (Feb 21, 09) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
MIDTOWN RISING PARTNERS COMPLETE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The redevelopment of the Midtown Plaza site took a major step forward today. The City issued the Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS), clearing the way for building demolition, establishment of a street grid, development of public improvements and preparation of various development parcels within the 8.5 acres of real estate downtown. “I am very pleased to reach this important milestone,” said Mayor Robert J. Duffy. “This project is a genuine example of how public-private collaborations can benefit our city for generations to come. I would like to thank Governor Paterson and our partners at Empire State Development for their continued support of this project. I am also extremely grateful to the team that put the plan together and to the public participants who helped guide and shape it along the way.” (Feb 20, 09) Welcome to the City of Rochester
Yet Another 'Footprint' to Worry About: Water - WSJ.com It takes roughly 20 gallons of water to make a pint of beer, as much as 132 gallons of water to make a 2-liter bottle of soda, and about 500 gallons, including water used to grow, dye and process the cotton, to make a pair of Levi's stonewashed jeans. (Feb 17, 09) Business News, Finance News, World, Political & Sports News from The Wall Street Journal - WSJ.com
Brighton seeks cyclists to point the way | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle The town of Brighton is seeking biking enthusiasts to join a new task force to examine bicycle paths and make suggestions for improvements. The task force will also review the Genesee Transportation Council's regional bike plan. To apply, send a résumé and letter of interest to Supervisor Sandra Frankel, Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY 14618, or e-mail sfrankel@rochester.rr.com. (Feb 20, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
www.News10NBC.com - Lake Ontario rising, so are high water concerns The level of Lake Ontario is steadily rising as water is entering the lake faster than it is being let out. And that has some residents along the lake's south shore concerned about possible flooding during spring storms known as nor'easters. (Feb 20, 09) www.News10NBC.com - Rochester, NY News, Weather, Sports, Health, Investigative, Entertainment
Expanded N.Y. bottle bill urged | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle The state's top environmental official on Wednesday touted the benefits of an expanded bottle bill law, maintaining that the bill would free landfills of tons of non-returnable bottles and generate millions in revenue for the state. (Feb 19, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Bloomberg: City must adapt to global warming now -- Newsday.com Water levels around New York City could rise by 2 feet or more in the coming decades and average temperatures are likely to go up 4 to 7.5 degrees, according to a report released yesterday by a panel of scientists convened by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The city must adapt to global warming or risk having to rebuild facilities after flooding, Bloomberg said in releasing the report by the New York City Panel on Climate Change. (Feb 18, 09) Long Island and New York City news from Newsday.com - A Long Island Newspaper -- Newsday.com
EPA May Reverse Bush, Limit Carbon Emissions From Coal-Fired Plants - washingtonpost.com The Environmental Protection Agency will reopen the possibility of regulating carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, tossing aside a December Bush administration memorandum that declared that the agency would not limit the emissions. (Feb 18, 09) washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines
Grannis: Updating "Bottle Bill" Is A No-Brainer - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation "Common Sense" Measure Will Keep Roadsides, Parks and Waterways Cleaner New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today urged support of the "Bigger Better Bottle Bill," saying it would reduce litter, keep millions of containers out of our landfills, help in the fight against global warming and generate badly needed revenue. (Feb 18, 09) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Great Lakes Commission calls on Congress for long-term investment in Great Lakes protection, restoration Ann Arbor, Mich. – Next week in Washington, D.C., the Great Lakes Commission will present recommendations to Congress to support job creation and stimulate economic development on a long-term basis by investing in Great Lakes protection and restoration. In its list of legislative priorities for fiscal year 2010, the Commission is urging Congress and the Administration to work together to create a sustainable funding mechanism for the Great Lakes and to increase support for several existing programs. (Feb. 19, 09) Great Lakes Commission | Commission des Grands Lacs
Geneva council discusses gasification project - GENEVA — Casella Waste Management’s proposed gasification project at the Ontario County Landfill will be the subject of a special City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday. (Feb 17, 09) http://www.fltimes.com/
Study says Great Lakes don't have enough water to satisfy growing North American thirst - Metro - cleveland.com A review of one-page study in Science, provided to The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com by Ohio researcher Craig E. Williamson, says that "although they make up a small percentage of Earth's surface, lakes and reservoirs act as sentinels by providing signals that reflect the influence of climate change" on a broader scale. (Feb 16, 09) Cleveland OH Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - cleveland.com
Brighton seeks bike trail task force members | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle The Town of Brighton is seeking biking enthusiasts to join a new task force that will examine bike trails and make suggestions for changes. (Feb 18, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
NRC reschedules review of new Nine Mile Point reactor application WASHINGTON - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold off on starting much of its review of the Combined License application for the Nine Mile Point site near Oswego following a request from the applicants, Nine Mile Point Nuclear Project and UniStar. The staff has halted the scoping process but intends to restart it later this year. New York State News on the Net!
Climate Smart Communities - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation The Climate Smart Communities program is a state and local partnership to encourage climate protection. State agencies collaborating to the program include the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York State Department of State and the New York State Public Service Commission. The Climate Smart Communities Pledge includes all the elements of a successful local climate program. Communities can adopt the Pledge as it appears here or add their own legislative findings or Pledge elements. (Feb 17, 09) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
02/09/2009: EPA Grants Bring Green Education to New York Teachers and Students (New York, N.Y.) Green education is flourishing in New York and will grow with support from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency environmental education grants. Youngsters will learn how to protect themselves from asthma triggers while enjoying a lively interactive life. Teachers will explore energy, ecology, and conservation activities that will engage their students. High school students will green their school building, while other students and teachers study forestry in urban parks. These environmental stewardship projects were all made possible through EPA grants totaling more than $106,000. (Feb 9, 09) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Great Lakes cleanups hampered by economic woes, bureaucratic hurdles — Environmental Health News A most-wanted list of toxic substances—including PCBs, dioxins, mercury, lead and pesticides—has lingered in western New York’s Eighteenmile Creek for decades, leaving its salmon, trout and other fish unsafe to eat and jeopardizing its wildlife. (Feb 12, 09) Environmental Health News: Front Page
Southern Tier couple find savings with installation of solar panels | theithacajournal.com | The Ithaca Journal It's also a step more and more New York state homeowners and businesses are taking, state energy officials say. (Feb 17, 09) http://www.theithacajournal.com/
TheStar.com | Business | Ontario lags in race to turn grids clean, green The air could get a lot cleaner around Toronto over the coming years. At the very least, less dirty. You can thank Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, a transplanted Canadian who celebrated her 50th birthday earlier this month by putting an interim and potentially permanent moratorium on the development of coal plants in America's automotive heartland. (Feb 16, 09) TheStar.com Toronto Edition - Breaking News, Sports, Entertainment, Business, Classifieds, Local and National News - GTA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Stimulus bill: $1.45B for Great Lakes wastewater -- chicagotribune.com TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - The Great Lakes region would receive $1.45 billion to modernize wastewater infrastructure under the economic stimulus package moving through Congress. Outdated wastewater systems release more than 23 billion gallons of sewage into the lakes every year. The problem causes beach closures, threatens public health and damages the outdoor recreation economy. (Feb 13, 09) Chicago News, Weather, Sports and Politics -- ChicagoTribune.com -- chicagotribune.com
“Farms Without Toads: The Canary Banished from the Mine” Farming is nothing if not a set of relationships with living things, and the usual list of intimacies include the farmer and her cow, the farmer and her chicken, and so on. But who ever thinks of the farmer and her toad? Certainly this duo, echoed in fables about princesses, is as old as any working partnership since Adam and Eve. By Jack Bradigan Spula
Stay of anti-lead law keeps kids in libraries | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Librarians are relieved after being granted a reprieve from a federal law that could have meant they'd have to shut down children's sections or ban children from public libraries. (Feb 16, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Great Lakes not enough to quench water shortage: Report Even the Great Lakes aren't great enough to sustain North Americans' reckless water use in the event of a continentwide water shortage, according to a new report. (Feb 13, 09) Montreal Gazette
Heeding the call for the animals - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Answering President Barack Obama’s call for service, Brownstein — owner of Henrietta Animal Hospital — decided to hold a free pet clinic from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, for those who have been hit hard by the economic stress. (Feb 13, 09) http://www.mpnnow.com/
Lead law hits thrift stores - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow Penfield, N.Y. — On Feb. 10, those who sell used clothing and toys were asked to decide what products to keep on their shelves. Strict new federal guidelines on the amounts of lead and other harmful materials allowed in those goods went into effect Tuesday, though the law leaves many merchants scratching their heads. (Feb 13, 09) http://www.mpnnow.com/
NY Bottle Bill Expansion Sparks Debate · Environmental Leader · Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives Recycling advocacy groups met recently to push a bill to expand the five-cent bottle deposit to include non-carbonated beverages and sports drinks. The groups say it will bring in more revenue than New York state anticipated, but some lawmakers and industry representatives remain skeptical, Star-Gazette reports. (Feb 11, 09) Environmental Leader · Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives
Bottle bill update makes sense, cents | lohud.com | The Journal News When Gov. David Paterson submitted his executive budget in December, five weeks earlier than required, he did so knowing that we are facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. He acknowledged that New York state is facing the largest budget deficit in history, and that scores of difficult decisions will have to be made over the coming months. These challenging times call for both sacrifice and greater efficiency. They also provide for opportunity to make meaningful, common-sense decisions. Perhaps the easiest decision to be made during the next several months is updating New York's 26-year-old bottle return law. (Feb 10, 09) http://www.lohud.com/
Fight over N.Y. bottle bill heats up | stargazette.com | Star-Gazette ALBANY -- While recycling advocacy groups met Monday to push a bill to expand the five-cent bottle deposit to include non-carbonated beverages and sports drinks saying it will bring in more revenue than the state anticipated, some lawmakers and industry representatives remain skeptical. (Feb 9, 09) http://www.stargazette.com/
Birds & Climate Change Nearly 60% of the 305 species found in North America in winter are on the move, shifting their ranges northward by an average of 35 miles. Audubon scientists analyzed 40 years of citizen-science Christmas Bird Count data — and their findings provide new and powerful evidence that global warming is having a serious impact on natural systems. Northward movement was detected among species of every type, including more than 70 percent of highly adaptable forest and feeder birds. -- from National Audubon Society
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE CABINET TO OVERSEE DISTRIBUTION OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY FUNDS ACROSS NEW YORK The Cabinet will be charged with identifying project delivery problems such as permits or regulatory approvals and resolving the problems to speed project delivery. The Cabinet will also oversee the distribution of funds to ensure an equitable geographic distribution of federal funds. State Agencies in the Cabinet include the Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Empire State Development Corporation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Thruway Authority, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Environmental Facilities Corporation, Department of Labor, the Department of State, the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Office of Parks and Historic Preservation, the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the State University of New York, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Office of Homeland Security, the Dormitory Authority, the Office of General Services, the New York Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York Power Authority, the Long Island Power Authority, the Public Service Commission, the Office for Technology, the Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination and the Division of the Budget. (Feb 10, 09) NYS Governor- Press Releases
DEC Announces Issuance of Final Scope for Marcellus Shale Study - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has completed its Final Scope for the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program (SGEIS). The "Scope" will serve as a roadmap for the environmental study that DEC will be conducting to analyze the environmental impacts associated with high volume hydraulic fracturing for the extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale and other low permeability gas reservoirs across the Southern Tier and into the Catskills. The Final Scope is now posted on the DEC website. (Feb 6, 09) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Endangered peregrine falcons flourishing again in New York -- Newsday.com ALBANY - Peregrine falcons are flourishing on the cliffs, bridges and skyscrapers of New York state, four decades after pesticides eliminated the sky-diving predators from the eastern United States. (Feb 12, 09) Long Island and New York City news from Newsday.com - A Long Island Newspaper -- Newsday.com
ENVIRONMENT: Penfield's park could be for the birds - News Articles - Rochester City Newspaper Nationwide, the population of the eastern meadowlark has declined by more than 75 percent over the past 40 years. That statistic is shocking, but it makes sense when the bird's favored habitat, grasslands, is taken into account. Grasslands, whether they're wild meadows or farmers' hayfields, are in decline across the country. (Feb 11, 09) Rochester City Newspaper
Birds staying here longer - MLive.com The National Audubon Society released a study Tuesday showing that more than half of 305 bird species in North America -- including robins, gulls, chickadees and owls -- are spending the winter about (Feb 11, 09) Michigan Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - MLive.com
RIT Leading Hydrogen Fuel Charge If all goes well, this could be the gas pump of the future. "Oh I think it's really cool that we're doing it here,” said RIT research professor Mike Haselkorn. RIT has one of three Hydrogen pumps in the state. Through federal and state grants, RIT has three cars on campus that run on hydrogen, including two police vehicles. The goal isn't just to see if Hyrdrogen cars could eventually save the campus money on fuel, but to test the future of hydrogen itself. (Feb 11, 09) RochesterHomePage
Steinway & Sons factory goes green A famed Queens piano maker is proving it's in tune with the green movement. Steinway & Sons, which handcrafts pianos that are played in the country's top classical concert halls, has begun installing a solar-powered heating, cooling and dehumidifying system in its Long Island City factory. (Feb 11, 09) Latest News, Sports, Entertainment, Politics, Opinions and Gossip - NY Daily News
www.News10NBC.com - RG&E and NYSEG request rate hikes Your energy rates could be going back up. RG&E and New York State Electric and Gas have requested rate hikes and they could be substantial. (Feb 11, 09) www.News10NBC.com - Rochester, NY News, Weather, Sports, Health, Investigative, Entertainment
Slip-up by the Minnesota DNR allowed fish virus into state - TwinCities.com The state agency charged with protecting Minnesota's multibillion-dollar fishing industry from diseases allowed a virus potentially dangerous to fish into the state last year. (Feb 8,09) HOME - TwinCities.com
Green Car Congress: Researchers Propose New Method for Life Cycle Impact Assessment; Transportation Fuels as a Case Study A pair of researchers from Purdue University and Rochester Institute of Technology are proposing a new approach to Lifecycle Impact Assessment (LCIA), designed to represent simultaneously multiple weights spaces and the sensitivity of the rank ordering to uncertain or multiple stakeholder values expressing different priorities. (Feb 9, 09) Green Car Congress
Fight over bottle bill heats up | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle ALBANY — While recycling advocacy groups met Monday to push a bill to expand the 5-cent bottle deposit to include non-carbonated beverages and sports drinks saying it will bring in more revenue than the state anticipated, some lawmakers and industry representatives remain skeptical. (Feb 10, 09) democratandchronicle.com | Rochester Local News | Democrat and Chronicle
New Jersey Utility Plans Major Solar Project - NYTimes.com Public Service Electric and Gas, New Jersey’s largest utility, said it would unveil a five-year, one-of-a-kind plan on Tuesday to install solar panels on 200,000 utility poles in its service territory. (Feb 10, 09) The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
SPOTLIGHT FUEL: Trash to gas? - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow In 18 to 20 years, Ontario County’s landfill will run out of space. Bulldozers will cap it and, ideally, the county would have found another place to send its trash by then. Or, maybe not. (Feb 07, 09) Home - Canandaigua, NY - MPNnow
DEC'S Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale Underway - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation=s (DEC) annual sale of tree and shrub seedlings is underway and will continue through the month of May. DEC=s Saratoga Nursery produces over 50 species of trees and shrubs, many native to New York, for planting on public and private land. The program provides low cost planting material to encourage landowners to enhance New York=s environment for future generations. The minimum order for conifers and wildlife shrubs is 100, for hardwoods; 25, and for container stock; 50. Mixed packets of 30-100 wildlife shrubs are also available for homeowners to attract wildlife. Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
DEC Issues Guidelines for Conducting Bird and Bat Studies at Commercial Wind Energy Projects - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced that the agency has issued guidelines for evaluating the potential impacts of commercial wind energy projects on birds and bats in New York State. "While wind energy has significant environmental benefits when compared to energy produced from fossil fuel, DEC must consider any potential negative environmental impacts of wind energy production when evaluating proposed projects," said Commissioner Grannis. - Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Fish from area lakes show no signs of virus February 04, 2009 - The results of tests on fish pulled from area lakes are in and none indicated the presence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), a good sign for the county's inland lake waters. Fish from Kent Lake in Milford Township, Big Lake in Springfield Township, Crescent Lake in Waterford Township, and Long Lake in Commerce Township were tested for VHS during the cold weather last February, when the the disease is most active. (Feb 4, 09) Spinal Column Online
ENVIRONMENT: The waste-to-fuel experiment - News Articles - Rochester City Newspaper When we fill our cars with gasoline, we're using the processed product of petroleum - a material that developed deep underground and with the application of a tremendous amount of heat and pressure over millions of years. There's only so much of it and burning lots and lots of petroleum, as humanity has learned, has dire consequences - environmental, political, and economical. (Feb 4, 09) Rochester City Newspaper
globeandmail.com: Herring gulls face trans-fat troubles Here's another reason for taking trans fats out of junk food: Scientists studying herring gull eggs collected from around the Great Lakes have found they are becoming more contaminated with the artery-clogging fat. The concentrations in the eggs have risen rapidly, doubling or tripling over the past 25 years depending on location. (Feb 3, 09) globeandmail.com: Canada's National Newspaper
TheStar.com | GTA | Falling ice a peril at wind farms Just as turbines were whirring to a halt last month at Ontario's largest wind farm, near Shelburne, residents in England were blaming UFOs for bending the blades of a wind turbine like a bunny ear. The two events were separated by an ocean, but had one thing in common – they were caused by ice buildup on turbine blades. With a wind turbine in the CNE and turbines planned for Lake Ontario off Scarborough, we take a look at the dangers of "ice throw." (Feb 2, 09) TheStar.com Toronto Edition - Breaking News, Sports, Entertainment, Business, Classifieds, Local and National News - GTA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
FLCC to host Home Energy Savings Workshop CANANDAIGUA: Finger Lakes Community College, in partnership with the Center for Environmental Information and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County, will host a Home Energy Savings Workshop Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. at room B440 at the Canandaigua Campus at 4355 Lakeshore Drive in Canandaigua. - Digital Edition Courier-Gazette, Newark NY 14513
Climate Change Could Drain Great Lakes: Discovery News Jan. 29, 2009 -- The Great Lakes have long been a bastion of stability -- with water hovering at about the same level for as long as anyone can remember. But a new study shows that climate change once pushed lake levels far below where they are now. That opens up the possibility that future climate change might do the same thing. Discovery Channel : Science, History, Space, Tech, Sharks, News
Towns fear Paterson's property tax plan -- Newsday.com Environmental groups fear that if the state backs out of its promise to pay the same amount of property taxes as private landowners do, opposition will increase to state acquisition of pristine land tracts for preservation. "We're concerned that there would be a drumbeat for lifting the forever wild restrictions on forest preserve so towns could make money on it," Sheehan said. "Taxes have been a form of insulation for the forest preserve, relieving local pressure to develop land and easing opposition to additions being made to state holdings." (Jan 30, 09) Long Island and New York City news from Newsday.com - A Long Island Newspaper -- Newsday.com
www.News10NBC.com - Dead fox piles found on city's north side A gruesome discovery Sunday on the city's north side and warning, this story is disturbing. {Feb 02, 09) www.News10NBC.com - Rochester, NY News, Weather, Sports, Health, Investigative, Entertainment
U.S. and New York Claim Damages to Buffalo River WASHINGTON, DC, January 29, 2009 (ENS) - The federal government and New York State have notified some of the nation's largest companies that they indend to pursue a claim for natural resource damages caused by a history of contamination of the Buffalo River. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, together as trustees of the natural resources of the Buffalo River, say they have studied the river's resources, concluded that "significant harm has occurred" and determined that further assessment is needed to decide what restoration is necessary. - Environment News Service

news archive