May 2004 news
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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
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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
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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
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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
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[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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.