May 2004 news

• EPA says 2004 models average 20.8 mpg - WASHINGTON — The average fuel economy of 2004 automobiles is 20.8 miles per gallon, unchanged from the previous year's models, the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday. The fleet-wide average for U.S. automakers' light-duty vehicles has remained fairly consistent since 1997, ranging between 20.6 mpg and 20.9 mpg, the EPA said in its annual report on fuel economy trends. --Environmental News Network - ENN.com
• Democrat & Chronicle: Volunteers take to beach — Late in the morning on Saturday, computer systems engineer Mark Herrick of Greece took time away from the keyboard to pick up trash at Ontario Beach Park, help paint picnic benches and grill hot dogs for other volunteers.
  He’s a member  (May 2, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• Democrat & Chronicle: Environmentalists attack $1 billion wireless deal — ALBANY — Environmentalists and Democrats say they’ll fight a Pataki administration plan for a $1 billion statewide wireless network for police and emergency communications that could require hundreds of new towers, including some in the Adirondacks and Catskills.The administration awarded the contract Friday to M/A-Com, a subsidiary of Tyco International, instead of the lone other bidder, Motorola. (May 1, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• Democrat & Chronicle: Livingston nature center invites public visits today (May 1, 2004) — MOUNT MORRIS — The new Genesee Valley Audubon Society nature center, next to the Mount Morris Dam in Livingston County, will have an open house today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Highlights include displays and hands-on activities. The nature center was formerly a home to the superintendent of the dam. The Genesee Valley Audubon Society is renting the building for $1 for 25 years. (May 1, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• [E] - NRDC Report Shows Carbon Dioxide Pollution Increasing from Top 100 Electric Companies A new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) rating air-pollution emissions performance of America's 100 largest electric power producers reveals important trends in the industry, and sharp contrasts between the best and worst emissions performers. The report shows overall emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are dropping, thanks largely to standards created in the Clean Air Act of 1990. Meanwhile emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), which remain unregulated, are soaring. --EMagazine.com
• Democrat & Chronicle: Environmental tax proposed — ALBANY — Communities would have the option of adding a tax to real estate transactions to fund environmental preservation projects under a bill introduced Tuesday by two legislators. Under legislation proposed by Sen. Carl Marcellino and Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, chairmen of the environmental conservation committees in their houses, communities could adopt a tax of up to 2 percent on a portion of real-estate sales. The state currently charges a 0.4 percent transfer rate. (May 5, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• Rising levels of contaminants in gull eggs raising alarm TORONTO -- Herring gull eggs collected from nests along the Great Lakes contain rising levels of a new contaminant that could be as dangerous as the PCBs banned in the 1970s. The green-and-brown-flecked herring gull eggs contain growing concentrations of a new family of chemicals known as brominated diphenyl ethers, according to research by the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada. (May 7, 2004) globeandmail.com - Canada's best source for news continuously updated from The Globe and Mail
• Democrat & Chronicle: Teens take lessons from nature Students step outdoors for earth science study (May 7, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• Environment: Something fishy - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation celebrated Earth Day last Thursday by releasing 12,000 Steelhead trout, from the Salmon River Hatchery north of Syracuse, into the Genesee River at the public fishing access site in Summerville. The event was also a kickoff of the DEC's 2004 fish stocking program, said regional director Sean Hanna, a former county legislator from Webster. - (May 7, 2004)Irondequoit Post
• Buffalo News - Hearing turns into rally for 'environmental justice' LEWISTON - A hearing on the state's draft plan for siting hazardous-waste sites turned into a raucous rally for "environmental justice" Thursday, as speakers lambasted state plans that would ensure their community remains home to the only hazardous-waste dump in the Northeast. "This plan is a joke and an insult to this community," said Vince Agnello, president of the citizens group Residents for Responsible Government. "Go back and do it right. We will no longer be the dumping ground for the world." (May 7, 2004) The Buffalo News
• Democrat & Chronicle: Ferry's specs add grist for questions — The Spirit of Ontario will soon make its inaugural passenger voyage across Lake Ontario. Many readers have questions about this new high-speed ferry, which is nicknamed The Breeze and will shuttle up to 774 people and 238 vehicles between Rochester and Toronto. (May 8, 2004)
• Democrat & Chronicle: Tiny frogs find new home at UR Cooperation on pond project shows it can be easy being green.— For one community of marshland frogs in Brighton, 2004 was literally a leap year. In late March, western chorus frogs successfully leaped from their old habitat off East River Road to a new one created for them less than 100 yards away. (May 10, 2004)  Democrat and Chronicle
• FUNDS FROM CLEAN AIR ACT CASE TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS INSTALL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS $1.8 Million Available To Install Solar Equipment on Schools and Government Buildings -Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President Peter Smith today announced the availability of $1.8 million for the installation of solar energy systems on government buildings throughout New York State. The funding results from a court-approved settlement of a Clean Air Act lawsuit against coal-fired power plants owned by the Virginia Electric Power Company (VEPCO). Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
• Sierra Club Endorses Kerry For President Says Kerry Will Protect America's Health and Heritage SAN FRANCISCO - The Sierra Club - the nation's oldest, largest and most influential environmental group - today endorsed Senator John Kerry for President of the United States, citing his outstanding leadership in safe-guarding America's air, water and public lands. "John Kerry will provide the environmental leadership that has been sorely missing in the Bush White House," said Sierra Club President Larry Fahn. "His commitment to environmental progress stands in stark contrast to the Bush administration's all-out assault on the environment and its record of putting polluting corporations before the American public's health and safety. (May 11, 2003) Press Room Main - Sierra Club
• State Tests Deer Reflectors - For the past two years, New York State has been experimenting with reflectors designed to keep deer from crossing the busy highway. A three-mile stretch of the reflectors line the sides and in the middle of the NYS Thruway near Exit 45. In theory, when headlights hit the reflectors, they create a red beam visible to deer that criss-crosses the thruway and shines into woods, ditches, and the roadside. (May 15, 2004)  WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
• MSNBC - Three falcon chicks hatch, two more on the way May. 14 - Peregrine falcons Mariah & Kaver, who live atop the Kodak Office tower, are now the proud parents of three bouncing baby falcons. MSNBC - News Front Page
• Democrat & Chronicle: Bush forms Great Lakes panel— WASHINGTON — A task force that President Bush created Tuesday will coordinate cleanup of the Great Lakes, collectively the largest body of fresh water on Earth, but no new money is going toward it. The federal task force should focus more attention on ending mercury contamination, invasive species and other problems that have wrecked the ecosystem of lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario, some environmental groups said. (May 19, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• Democrat & Chronicle: Child lead cases in decline — A total of 1,019 children in Monroe County were found last year to have high levels of lead in their blood, according to statistics released Thursday by the Monroe County Department of Public Health.
  The number marks a 17 percent decrease from the number of children in this category in 2002. The resumption of a downward trend comes after three years of little change in the local childhood lead poisoning rate. (May 21, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• Democrat & Chronicle: Brooks to look at bus center Mayor calls for more details on Renaissance Square project. — In the next few weeks, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks says she plans to convene an oversight committee for the grand Renaissance Square project in downtown Rochester. Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. said it can’t come soon enough. (May 21, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• States Pick Up EPA Dropped Case, Sue Coal Plants -- New York plans to sue five West Virginia coal-fired power plants accused of contributing to acid rain and smog. NYS Attorney General Eliot Spitzer says a notice of intent to sue was sent to Allegheny Energy over alleged Clean Air Act violations. New Jersey and Connecticut are joining New York in the lawsuit.  (Albany, NY ) AP 05/21/04 WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
• DEC Releases Sturgeon Into Hudson River (Staatsburg, NY) AP 05/13/04 -- Scientists released 15 Atlantic sturgeon into the Hudson River Wednesday to help increase the natural population that was nearly fished out of existence in the late 19th century. The sturgeon were spawned at a fishery in Lamar, Pennsylvania and survived a six-hour trip to Hyde Park -(May 21, 2004)  WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
• One town’s windmill experience: Residents share thoughts about energy structures The wind is the subject of a running joke among Fenner town residents. It blows reliably on most days, sweeping across the hilly terrain of the small Madison County town. It’s not unusual to find people cursing its presence, especially in the winter, when the wind is so harsh one resident described it as “cutting” your face. (May 23, 2004) Finger Lakes Times Geneva, NY
• Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning  The number of children who have high levels of lead in their blood is decreasing. Monroe County Health Director Andrew Doniger released the results of a new lead poisoning study Thursday. The report shows the county has made progress in educating the public about the dangers of lead poisoning. More children are also getting tested. May. 20 -MSNBC - News Front Page
• Reward offered in deaths of 26 guinea pigs - Lollypop Farm is asking for your help to solve a mysterious case of animal abuse. Someone left 26 dead guinea pigs in a cardboard box behind the animal shelter in Fairport. Investigators don't know yet how they died but the Humane Society is concerned because of the link between animal cruelty and human violence.- Lollypop Farm is offering a $1,000.00 reward. The Humane Society of the United States is offering its own reward of $2,500.00.- Anyone with information is asked to call the Animal Cruelty Hotline at (585) 223-6500.(May 21, 2004)  10NBC / WHEC TV-10
• Student Authors Clean Up Subject - In an R News Followup Report, Some Rochester School children left the classroom and took their learning out into their neighborhood. In March, we showed you a book of photos and essays by sixth graders at Enrico Enfermi School Number 17. In their book, "Children's Visions and Voices", the children showed what they felt were "unhealthy" parts of their school's neighborhood. R News: Your NewsChannel
• STATES TO SUE WEST VIRGINIA COAL PLANTS - Cases Abandoned by Bush Admin. Require Action to Prevent Acid Rain and Health Impacts  New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced that New York and three other states will sue the owner of five coal-fired power plants in West Virginia for violating the Clean Air Act, after the federal government dropped its investigation of the power plants late last year. A Notice of Intent to Sue letter was sent to Allegheny Energy, Inc. identifying Clean Air Act violations at five power plants in West Virginia owned by the company. States joining New York in the legal action include Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Allegheny Energy Inc. is based in Greensburg, PA. Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
• Democrat & Chronicle: Great Lakes advocates testify today— Great Lakes scientists, agencies and activists will testify in Rochester today, outlining key issues for cleaning up and restoring the Great Lakes. The hearing, with testimony by invitation only, starts at 10 a.m. in Room 2240 of the Louise M. Slaughter Building at Rochester Institute of Technology. (May 26, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• Democrat & Chronicle: Great Lakes take center stage — About 25 million Americans live within the U.S. land mass that drains into the Great Lakes. Only 30 of them attended a regional Great Lakes hearing on Wednesday. The lakes, creations of the Ice Age that stretch through eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, are at the center of an emerging national debate. At issue is how best to manage and restore what is the repository of 95 percent of the fresh surface water in the United States. (May 27, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• WXXI: Farm Interests Oppose Limits on Great Lakes Water (2004-05-26) ROCHESTER, NY (2004-05-26) Environmentalists say protecting the Great Lakes from future large-scale water grabs may require all users of the water to register with the states and Canadian Provinces around the lakes. But New York farmers don't like that idea. The State Assembly Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation held hearings on preservation of the Great Lakes in Rochester Wednesday. The hearings are in advance of a joint agreement expected this summer from Governor Pataki, the seven other governors and the two Canadian premiers from the states and provinces that border the lakes. (May 27, 2004) Public NewsRoom
• Democrat & Chronicle: Renaissance Square friends rally County points to successes of similar projects across country. — When a major department store closed, Dayton, Ohio, was left with an abandoned building in the heart of downtown. But after a decade of talk, the community rallied to revive the area, raising $45 million in private money as part of a $130 million project to build a performing arts center and an 18-story tower for offices and condominiums. (May 28, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• Democrat & Chronicle: Garden experts give advice Voles, slugs, tree rot and pond scum were topics covered at this spring's call-in night - Here are the rest of the selected questions and answers from Monday’s spring gardening call-in. - These responses, which we couldn’t stuff into the May 29 print edition, were provided by the following experts:  (May 28, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• GOVERNOR PATAKI INTRODUCES CLEAN SCHOOL BUS LEGISLATION Bill Will Significantly Reduce Emissions and Protect Health of School Children - Governor George E. Pataki today introduced landmark legislation that will protect the health of millions of school children throughout New York State by significantly reducing school bus emissions and encouraging school districts to purchase clean-fueled school buses. “Reducing emissions is essential in our efforts to improve public health and protect our natural resources. This legislation will help achieve our goal that every new public school bus in New York runs on clean fuel and will ensure a healthier future for our most important resource – our children,” Governor Pataki said. “I urge the Legislature to join with us and pass this legislation this year. Together, we will work with local school districts to increase the number of clean buses on the road and ensure that school children across the State are breathing cleaner air.”  --from New York State Department of Health
• University Of Rochester To Get New Fusion Center - The University of Rochester has been named to host one of two new centers that will study nuclear fusion.  (May 28, 2004)  WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
• Buffalo News - Environmentalists decry rule on plant emissions New York, already harmed from mercury released by power plants hundreds of miles away, will be even more under the gun if a rule on power plant emissions proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency goes into effect, environmentalists said Wednesday. (May 28, 2004)  The Buffalo News
• State will close 54 Adirondack roads to ATVs  - Research and lawsuit lead to decision; DEC to leave 5 roads open by seasonal permit for 3 years - ALBANY -- The state has agreed to close 54 forest roads to increasingly popular all-terrain vehicles following the state's research and a lawsuit by an environmental group. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has studied and decided to close the roads within the Aldrich Pond, Independence River, Black River and Watson's East Wild River forest areas, DEC Commissioner Erin Crotty said Wednesday. Five roads will remain open by seasonal permit for up to three years. Albany, N.Y. -- timesunion.com
•  EPA: Resource Conservation Challenge - Shopping Centers The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and EPA have teamed up to form America's Marketplace Recycles! (AMR!), a new initiative under the EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge. AMR! is an award program aimed at shopping centers, their retail tenants and employees, and the shopping public. The purpose of America's Marketplace Recycles is to: 1. Promote recycling at shopping centers by shopping centers themselves, retail tenants, and consumers; 2. Help promote and energize the recycling message; and 3. Encourage waste reduction in packaging.