May 2008 News

Urban Areas on West Coast Produce Least Emissions Per Capita, Researchers Find - NYTimes.com The West Coast’s metropolitan areas had among the lowest carbon emissions per capita in the country in 2005, according to a new ranking of 100 urban areas. (May 29, 08) The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
BROOKS LAUNCHES MAJOR COUNTY REFORESTATION EFFORT 2,000 trees to be planted at Mendon Ponds Park Today in a field at Mendon Ponds Park, County Executive Maggie Brooks launched the Monroe County Reforestation Program, a major local reforestation effort. She was joined by representatives from the County Parks, Environmental Services and Human Services Departments, as well as individuals from the Rochester Landscape Technicians Program. (May 6, 08) --from MyMonroe. Opening Up Government. | Monroe County, NY
MONROE COUNTY TO HOST NORTHWEST REGIONAL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks today announced that the County’s Department of Environmental Services (DES) and the Towns of Hamlin, Clarkson, Ogden, Parma, and Sweden and the Villages of Brockport, Hilton, and Spencerport will partner to hold an appointment-only Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection at the Town of Hamlin Highway Garage, 91 Railroad Avenue, on Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. --from MyMonroe. Opening Up Government. | Monroe County, NY
2008 Farm Bill important for the Great Lakes Ann Arbor, Mich. – Passage by Congress of the 2008 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) means some good news for the Great Lakes. Provisions of the bill will help efforts to control soil erosion in the Great Lakes basin, and support research on a deadly fish virus in the lakes, among other priorities. --from Great Lakes Commission | Commission des Grands Lacs
Attorney general sues EPA for adopting ‘lax’ air pollutions standards - ALBANY - Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Wednesday announced that he is leading a coalition of 14 states, New York City, and Washington D.C. in suing the federal Environmental Protection Agency “for failing to protect the public and the environment.” The EPA and the Bush Administration have watered-down standards intended to regulate the amount of ground-level ozone air pollution allowed in the atmosphere, in violation of the Clean Air Act, the attorney general’s office said. (May 29, 08) New York State News on the Net!
Bike trails: Git-er-done - Rochester, NY - MPNnow The goal is to link all the major attractions and public places such as schools, parks and the lakefront by multi-use trails, he said. “Now there is no way” to ride a bike or walk “without taking your life in your hands,” said Taylor. (May 30, 08) - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
Gas prices may test more pedalers’ mettle - Rochester, NY - MPNnow (May 30, 08) - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
Thousands of children plant flowers today | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Two large patches of dirt at Ontario Beach Park turned into a garden full of flowers and vegetable plants this morning, because of to the efforts of about 4,000 school children. (May 30, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
ENVIRONMENT: A Bigger Better Bottle Bill - News & Opinion - Rochester City Newspaper The Sierra Club is again pressing state legislators to pass a new Bottle Bill. If it's passed, the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, as it's commonly known, would expand the nickel deposits from pop and beer containers to include water, juice, and sports drink bottles, too. Despite the environmental organization's urging, only the State Assembly passed the bill. (May 28, 08) Rochester City Newspaper
Tonawanda News - ENVIRONMENT: Backers say expanded bottle bill will increase recycling, opponents call it a tax “The Bigger Better Bottle Bill will prevent litter and make our communities cleaner,” NYPIRG says on its Web site. It also states that litter surveys the group has conducted statewide reveal that two-thirds of the bottles collected in litter clean-ups are non-deposit containers. “It makes no sense for a bottle of sparkling water to be covered under the bottle bill and a bottle of plain water to end up as pollution,” the group says. (May 4, 08) Tonawanda News
Bigger Better Bottle Bill Excluded From New York State Budget - News The Bigger Better Bottle Bill, which would have expanded five-cent refundable deposits on beverage containers to water bottles and other non-carbonated beverages, was not included in the finalized state budget put out on Apr. 9 despite student activists' lobbying efforts. (May 28, 08) Statesman
Capital News 9 | 24 Hour Local News | HEADLINES | Bottle bill to add deposit for water and juice NEW YORK STATE -- A proposed bill might have you thinking twice before you toss your water bottle out in the trash. (May 29, 08) Capital News 9 | 24 Hour Local News | TOP STORIES
Refund proposed for H2O, juice bottles - In Go Green news...you already get 5 cents for your soda bottles. Now there is a push to make other plastic drink bottles refundable. Under a bill sponsored by Governor Paterson, the bottles - such as water, juice, and sports drink bottles - could all be returned for a nickel. Those in favor spoke out at Cobbs Hill Park today. They say the bill would reduce litter, because more people would turn in their bottles. (May 29, 08) RochesterHomepage.net
Warming seen depleting Great Lakes even more | U.S. | Reuters CHICAGO (Reuters) - Global warming will likely drain more water from the Great Lakes and pose added pollution threats to the region's vulnerable ecosystem, environmental groups said in a report issued on Wednesday. (May 29, 08) World News, Business News, Breaking US & International News | Reuters.com
Some Push Expansion of State Bottle Bill ROCHESTER, NY (2008-05-28) Advocates for an expanded bottle bill rallied at Cobbs Hill Park Wednesday, to encourage state lawmakers to add a five cent deposit to juice and water bottles. Currently only carbonated beverages have a deposit, but the Governor and Assembly support legislation to change that. (May 28, 08) WXXI NewsRoom
Alaskan Oil Bill Gets Local Support -The current energy crisis and its impact on the American economy has at least one longtime Congressmen changing his opinion on the idea of drilling for oil in Alaska. (May 29, 08) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
NYS Lyme Disease Prevention Expanded - The New York State Health Department launches a new statewide Lyme disease prevention effort in June. (May 29, 08) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
Rochester Ranks 14th for Small Carbon Footprint - 13WHAM.com (Rochester, N.Y.) -- A new report released by the Brookings Institution on Thursday says Rochester residents have a smaller "carbon footprint" than many cities around the country. (May 29, 08) - 13WHAM.com
Rochester ranks 14th best in national study of cities' carbon emissions | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Rochester-area residents have a smaller "carbon footprint" than residents of most other large American cities, a new study has found, though much room remains for reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions locally. In a study being released today by the Brookings Institution, the five-county Rochester area — Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne counties — ranked 14th-best among the nation's 100 largest metro areas in per capita emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to global warming. (May 29, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Media Advisory: State Health Commissioner Announces New Lyme Disease Prevention Effort During "Tick Tour" ALBANY, N.Y. (May 27, 2008) - On Wednesday, May 28, State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., will participate in the first "Tick Tour"of the Department's Vector Ecology Laboratory at Hudson Valley Community College to highlight the need for Lyme disease prevention and mark Lyme Disease Awareness Month. --from New York State Department of Health
Walsh Switches Position on Refuge Oil Drilling -A Republican congressman who represents Syracuse and parts of Monroe and Wayne Counties says he's now supporting drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (May 27, 08) WXXI NewsRoom
Rochester-area commuters using bicycles to avoid gas prices | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Monroe County and Rochester officials said they have no way of tracking the number of bicycle commuters. The U.S. Census bureau has estimated that anywhere from 411,000 to 750,000 adults ride bikes more than any other vehicle to get to work during an average week. (May 24, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Uranium Producer Warns of Lake Ontario Pollution - New York Times OTTAWA — Cameco, the world’s largest uranium producer, has told the Canadian nuclear regulator that its refinery might have leaked uranium, arsenic and fluorides into Lake Ontario. Cameco A section of the Port Hope, Ontario, plant of Cameco, the world’s largest uranium producer. The plant at Port Hope, Ontario, across the lake from Rochester and down the shore from Toronto, first refined uranium for the Manhattan Project during World War II. It has been temporarily closed since July to remove contaminated soil. (May 22, 08) The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
State Health Department Relaxes Advisory for Lake Ontario Chinook Salmon ALBANY, N.Y. (May 22, 2008) – The New York State Department of Health today issued its latest health advisories in the annual state guide for chemicals in sportfish and game. The new advice is to eat no more than one meal per month of Lake Ontario chinook salmon. This is a change from the previous advisory to eat none and is based on data showing a decrease in PCBs and pesticides for Lake Ontario Chinook salmon over the last several years. However, the advice for women of child-bearing age and children under age 15 has not changed and remains EAT NONE. (May 22, 08) New York State Department of Health
UB Reporter: Report urges state to harness offshore wind power Turbines in lakes Erie and Ontario would create renewable energy, new jobs - New York state should take advantage of a golden opportunity to become a leader in developing clean, renewable offshore wind power, an alternative energy source that could trigger an economic renaissance and a greener image for the Western New York community, according to a report by a UB Law School clinic. (May 22, 08) University at Buffalo: Reporter
About 1,000 turn out to clean up Rochester | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Rochester's third Clean Sweep event of the spring drew the largest crowd so far, as about 1,000 volunteers fanned out across the city's northeast quadrant Saturday. Forty-nine project areas, spread over about 800 city blocks, were targeted. (May 18, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
If You Care, Leave it There - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation If You Care, Leave it There DEC Urges New Yorkers Not To Disturb Fawns and Other Young Wildlife The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded New Yorkers to keep their distance and not to disturb newborn fawns or other young wildlife as many animals are in the peak season for giving birth or hatching young. (May 16, 08) Press Releases - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
COMMUNITY TREE TEAM ASKS KIDS & ADULTS TO HELP PLANT TREES The City's Community Tree Team, encouraging children and adults to help care for and plant trees within the city, will plant 13 trees from 9:30 a.m.--12 noon, Sat., June 7. City forestry and horticultural staff will coordinate these efforts at: • North Street Community Center, 700 North St. • 325 N. Union St., Marketview Heights community garden. • Participants will meet in the Draper Street parking lot, near the North Street Center. - Welcome to the City of Rochester
DEC no contact rule spoiling fun at upstate NY zoos -- -- Newsday.com SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Three of upstate New York's largest zoos want to let their patrons pet the elephants and are asking state officials to rethink a newly enforced no-contact rule. Last month, the state Department of Environmental Conservation notified officials at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester and the Buffalo Zoo that as holders of endangered and threatened species exhibitor licenses, they could not allow people to come in contact with any licensed animals. Long Island and New York City news from Newsday.com - A Long Island Newspaper -- Newsday.com
UPDATE 1-Constellation N.Y. Ginna reactor reduced | Markets | Reuters NEW YORK, May 16 (Reuters) - Constellation Energy Group Inc's (CEG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) 498-megawatt Ginna nuclear power station in New York was operating at 50 percent of capacity early Friday, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said in a report. A company spokesman said a level control malfunctioned, causing a heater drain pump to shut down. The unit was reduced to 50 percent output to allow work on the level control, the spokesman said.Breaking News, Business, Financial and Investing News, Personal Finance & More | Reuters.co.uk
Town Board considering potential wind farm - GENEVA - The Town Board Tuesday night took the first step toward having billionaire Tom Golisano's energy company build a wind farm here. After discussing it for about 10 minutes, board members agreed to approve a “host community agreement” with Empire State Wind Energy LLC of Oneida to pursue a project on the Davie-DeBoover farms off County Road 6 (May 14, 08) .Finger Lakes Times Online
Constellation N.Y. Ginna reactor up to 85 pct power | Markets | Markets News | Reuters NEW YORK, May 13 (Reuters) - Constellation Energy Group Inc's (CEG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) 498-megawatt Ginna nuclear power station in New York ramped up to 85 percent power by early Tuesday, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said in a report. (May 14, 08) World News, Business News, Breaking US & International News | Reuters.com
Bee population dying out Pollination of crops is threatened by hostile atmosphere - Bees work hard under terrible conditions — loss of natural habitat, growing use of insecticides and spreading viruses, to name just a few. (May 6, 08) Buffalo News
FIRST LADY MICHELLE PAIGE PATERSON ANNOUNCES SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION AT GOVERNOR’S MANSION First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson today unveiled the first installation of solar panels at the Governor’s Mansion, a significant step toward reducing the Mansion’s energy consumption and pollution. The panels were placed on the Rockefeller Pool House and are already providing energy for the Mansion’s upkeep. The First Lady said that she will continue the “Greening the Mansion. initiative to promote healthy buildings and environmental sustainability, while cutting the home’s electrical energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent. -Press Releases
Braddock Bay is where the birds are | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle GREECE — A beautiful nature park year-round, Braddock Bay Park gains thousands of additional winged residents in the spring. Braddock Bay is a bird migration "hot spot.". (May 12, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Parma wants resident input on Agricultural Preservation Plan | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Parma residents can get a peek at their town's Open Space Committee's working Agricultural Preservation Plan on Wednesday. (May 12, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Clean Sweep tackles Rochester's Cobbs Hill area | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Hundreds of volunteers combed Cobbs Hill Park and southeast city streets for litter Saturday, during the second of the city's four spring Clean Sweep events. (May 11, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Mendon Ponds tree initiative takes root | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle MENDON — More than 1,000 trees have been planted at Mendon Ponds Park under a new Monroe County initiative to improve air and water quality, and about 1,000 more trees will be put into the earth by the end of next week. (May 7, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Virus linked to carp deaths - A fish virus new to Ontario has been identified as one cause of the carp die-off that littered area lakes with 12,000 to 24,000 fish last summer. John Cooper, of the Lake Erie fisheries management unit for the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), said extensive testing by the University of Guelph and the federal fish health labs confirmed finding a new fish virus to Ontario - the koi herpesvirus. (May 9, 08) Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA
Peregrine falcons are proud parents again | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Rochester's own peregrine falcons, Mariah and Kaver, are parents to three chicks as of Thursday morning. The first three of five eggs hatched before 8:15 a.m. on top of the Kodak headquarters building on State Street. The two other eggs are expected to hatch in the next few days. (May 9, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Wind farms sprout in western New York | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Wyoming County has 43,000 people, 46,000 dairy cows and a lot of wind. Planted among the wide fields in the southern part of the county are numerous towering wind turbines — giant white windmills which at their highest stand about as tall as Kodak Tower. The whooshing whine of the long blades, sounding vaguely like a far-off jetliner, is occasionally drowned out by a passing pickup truck. ( May 04, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
Great Lakes pollution, health link denied No definitive link can be made between industrial pollution in the Great Lakes region and human health concerns, according to a revised version of a controversial federal study released Wednesday. The new version contradicts an early draft that was released in mid-March by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed areas around 13 former hazardous waste sites in Michigan had higher incidence rates for health problems, including infant mortality, low birth weight, premature birth, heart disease and several forms of cancer. (May 1, 2008) Detroit News Online | Detnews.com | Friday, May 2, 2008 | News, sports, features, blogs, photos and forums from Detroit and across Michigan
FIRST LADY MICHELLE PAIGE PATERSON ANNOUNCES SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION AT GOVERNOR’S MANSION First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson today unveiled the first installation of solar panels at the Governor’s Mansion, a significant step toward reducing the Mansion’s energy consumption and pollution. The panels were placed on the Rockefeller Pool House and are already providing energy for the Mansion’s upkeep. The First Lady said that she will continue the “Greening the Mansion. initiative to promote healthy buildings and environmental sustainability, while cutting the home’s electrical energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent. (May 1, 08) Press Releases
NEW YORK AIR QUALITY: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY Lung Association’s 2008 State of the Air Report Chronicles Unhealthy Ozone, Soot Levels The American Lung Association of New York today sounded the alarms for all New Yorkers over the quality of air they breathe. According to the State of the Air: 2008 report, released today by the American Lung Association, seven of the 33 counties with air quality monitors received failing grades. “Air pollution in New York is a statewide problem, from Buffalo to Bayport, and from Staten Island to Saratoga, millions of New Yorkers are breathing unhealthy air,” said Michael Seilback, Senior Director of Public Policy & Advocacy. “According to the 2008 American Lung Association State of the Air report, residents of all regions of New York State breathe air with dangerously high levels of both particulate matter and ozone.”Elmira, Rochester, and Utica-Rome made the national list of cleanest cities for ozone. Rochester is one of only 2 cities over 1 million in population to make the list.--from Home - American Lung Association of New York State

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