November 2007
(The most recent news stories are at the
top.)
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CH Energy Group subsidiary to build, operate upstate
renewable energy plant - Auburn -- A special
purpose subsidiary of CH Energy Group, Inc., CH-Auburn Energy, LLC, has
entered into a 15-year contract to supply the City of Auburn in Cayuga
County with a portion of its electricity needs by constructing and
operating a three-megawatt electric generating plant in Auburn that will
use renewable energy from the municipal landfill and wastewater
treatment plant. (Nov 30, 07)
New York State
News on the Net!
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Over $25 million in EPF grants announced
- Albany -- Governor Eliot Spitzer Thursday announced $25.3 million in
Environmental Protection Fund grants awarded to local communities and
organizations across New York State to assist with waterfront
revitalization projects, historic preservation efforts, expanding open
space, and increasing access to public lands. Genesee Valley/Rochester
Region Region Total: $1,580,970 -Town of Batavia (Genesee) $134,000 The
Archaeological Conservancy (Livingston) $ 20,000 Town of Avon
(Livingston) $500,000 Village of Pittsford (Monroe) $229,795 Town of
Gates (Monroe) $159,250 Town of Chili (Monroe) $ 50,000 Town of Sweden
(Monroe) $298,075 Genesee Waterways Center (Monroe) $189,850 (Nov 30,
07) New
York State News on the Net!
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Process begins at ethanol plant in Shelby
- Western New York Energy is grinding corn at the first alternative
facility in the Northeast — SHELBY — Within a few days, the first batch
of fuel ethanol produced in the Northeast will be pumped out of a large
white tank in rural Orleans County. The Western New York Energy LLC
ethanol plant is owned and operated by John M. Sawyer Jr. and his son,
Michael Sawyer, both from Geneseo. The plant means new jobs for 50
people, a new market for corn growers and the potential for
Rochester-area consumers to have an alternative to gasoline. (November
30, 2007)
Democrat & Chronicle
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Manure lagoons referred to planning board
MANCHESTER - The town planning board made no decision on two manure
storage lagoons Tuesday night, instead referring the matter to the
county planning board, town officials said. (Nov 29, 07)
Finger Lakes Times
Online
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States join lawsuit against EPA
-Case fights loosening of rules over reporting, tracking
of toxic chemicals — New York joined a coalition with 11 other states
Wednesday in suing the federal government to force stricter reporting
and tracking of commercial use and storage of toxic chemicals. In a
lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan, the states are seeking a
reversal of a move last year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
that relaxed the requirements for companies to report toxic chemicals
they use. (November 29, 2007)
Democrat & Chronicle
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Hamlin board to discuss wind tower laws tonight
- Discussion planned on how to protect town if project proposed — The
Hamlin Town Board will discuss proposed laws to regulate wind towers
during a workshop meeting tonight at Town Hall. The draft legislation,
prepared by attorneys from Hodgson Russ, was outlined to the board
during a Nov. 14 meeting. (November 29, 2007)
Democrat & Chronicle
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DEC shows Victor citizens options cleaning up
contaminated groundwater — Three interim
cleanup options for contaminated groundwater in a part of western Victor
were outlined Wednesday for citizens who trickled into public sessions
held by state officials. State environmental officials will select one
of the options, all of which would cost more than $1 million to
implement, early next year. If all went as planned, actual cleanup work
could begin in mid- to late 2008, said Jason Pelton, state Department of
Environmental Conservation project manager for the Victor site.
(November 29, 2007)
Democrat & Chronicle
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Great Lakes face trouble on 2 fronts
- Global warming and droughts in the U.S. could put a
drain on both Erie and Ontario WASHINGTON — If you’re thinking that
global warming might make Western New York a more comfortable place to
live, think again. Sure, the temperatures would be warmer, but in a mere
23 years, Buffalo could be bordered by a lake that is nearly two feet
more shallow, thereby wreaking havoc on the shoreline, recreation and
shipping. (Nov 28, 07)
The
Buffalo News
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ATTORNEY GENERAL CUOMO SUES EPA FOR DENYING THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO
INFORMATION ON TOXIC CHEMICALS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS - Cuomo
Leads Coalition of 12 States to Overturn EPA’s New Restrictions ~ Lack
of Transparency Increases Risk to Workers, Community Members, and the
Environment - NEW YORK, NY (November 28, 2007) - Attorney General Andrew
M. Cuomo today announced that New York and eleven other states are suing
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over new regulations
denying the public access to information about toxic chemicals in their
communities. -The EPA will allow thousands of companies to avoid
disclosing information to the public about the toxic chemicals they use,
store, and release into the environment by rolling back chemical
reporting requirements. The suit seeks to overturn the weakened
reporting requirements and provide the public with the access they had
in the past. (Nov 28, 07)
Office of
New York State Attorney General Andrew M Cuomo
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The Proof Is In The Tree Bark ScienceDaily (Nov. 26, 2007) — A study
by Indiana University researchers found the chlorinated flame retardant
Dechlorane Plus in the bark of trees across the northeastern United
States, with by far the highest concentrations measured near the Niagara
Falls, N.Y., factory where this chemical is produced.Science
Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology
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DEC: Lake Source Cooling has no impact
No deal yet for CU to reduce monitoring sites - A
regional engineer from the state Department of Environmental
Conservation asserts that, based on information available to the state,
Lake Source Cooling has had no impact on water quality in southern
Cayuga Lake. Cornell and the Tompkins County Water Resources Council
requested in August that the DEC allow Cornell to reduce the number of
monitoring locations specific to Lake Source Cooling so they can shift
resources to other monitoring and research in the lake that they
describe as more “strategic,” “optimal” and “lake-based.” (Nov 21, 07)
The Ithaca Journal - www.theithacajournal.com - Ithaca,
NY
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Hamlin Wrestles With Wind Power
The Town of Hamlin in western Monroe County is studying a proposed law
that would govern wind power development. ROCHESTER, NY (2007-11-20)
WXXI NewsRoom
- Short
supply of top trees - Rochester, NY - MPNnow A couple of rainy
summers followed by this year’s drought has created a dearth of
high-quality Christmas trees upstate. The region had about three inches
less rainfall than normal from June through September. As a result,
Christmas trees didn’t grow as much and aren’t as vibrant as hoped,
according to the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York, Inc.
(Nov 25, 07)
Messenger Post Newspapers
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ENVIRONMENT: Sickly pines will start coming down - News & Opinion -
Rochester City Newspaper Diplodia tip blight is increasing and it is
almost impossible to eradicate. As many of the area's pines die, the
appearance of parks and residential landscapes will undergo a dramatic
change. (Nov 21, 07) Rochester City Newspaper
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State buys land in the towns of Gorham, Junius to protect
it — More land in the Finger Lakes region will
be protected from development now that the state has purchased 172 acres
in Ontario and Seneca counties. The land will be available for
recreation, but state environmental officials say a portion of the
property is also needed to protect water quality and endangered species
in and around Canandaigua Lake. (November 24, 2007)
Democrat & Chronicle
- Statewide group forms to fight toxins - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
Community activists from across the state joined forces Tuesday in
ongoing efforts to tighten government oversight and regulations of
contaminants — particularly industrial solvents such as trichloroethene
(TCE). State officials are investigating groundwater contamination from
TCE and other harmful chemicals in and around a mile-long portion on the
western part of town. (Nov 21, 07)
Homepage - Rochester, NY
- MPNnow
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Wind power will help wean Ontario off coal, company official says -
NewsFlash - mlive.com SARNIA, Ontario (AP) — The president of a
private firm that is erecting half a dozen giant wind turbines in
southwestern Ontario says wind power can help the province wean itself
off coal-fired plants. The 262-foot-high turbines being built near
Forest will provide clean power to about 3,000 local homes, said Glen
Estill of Sky Generation. (Nov 19, 07)
MLive.com: Everything
Michigan
- Fairport plans ban on outdoor furnaces - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
Fairport, N.Y. - Outdoor furnaces will soon be banned in the village of
Fairport. The village board approved a local law prohibiting the use of
any outdoor equipment used to heat homes and outlined conditions for any
existing units although there are none known to be in the village.(Nov
19, 07) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
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News
- Scientists Examine Bird Deaths on Great Lakes BUFFALO, N.Y.
(AP) -- Environmental experts suspect that more than 100 loons and other
migratory birds found dead on Great Lakes shores in the past week were
poisoned by botulism after feeding on invasive mussels and fish. State
Department of Environmental Conservation scientists say Type E botulism
has been causing die-offs on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario for several
years. (Nov 15, 07)
WGRZ 2 On Your Side in WNY
- MyMonroe. Opening Up Government. | Monroe County, NY
Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks today announced that the County
together with the Town of Irondequoit will hold an appointment-only
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection November 17, 2007. --from
MyMonroe. Opening Up Government. | Monroe County, NY
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FEDERAL ENERGY DEPT. TO IMPROVE APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY Attorney
General Spitzer today announced an agreement under which the federal
Department of Energy (DOE) will set new standards to sharply increase
the energy efficiency of many types of domestic appliances, such as home
ranges and ovens, air conditioners and dishwashers. This action settles
a federal lawsuit against DOE brought by New York and a coalition of 14
other states, the City of New York and three public interest groups.
9nov 13, 07) Office of
New York State Attorney General Andrew M Cuomo
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ATTORNEY GENERAL CUOMO & 5 OTHER STATES DEMAND NRC CONSIDER TERRORISM
AND EARTHQUAKES WHEN RELICENSING NUCLEAR PLANTS WHITE PLAINS, NY
(November 15, 2007) - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced
that he and the Attorneys General of five other states have submitted a
letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) expressing serious
concerns about the NRC’s continued disregard of safety issues -
including susceptibility to earthquakes or terrorist attacks - when
deciding whether to renew the operating license of a nuclear power plant
beyond its initial 40 year term. (Nov 15, 07)
Office of New York State
Attorney General Andrew M Cuomo
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Deer found dead upstate test positive for disease -- Page 1 -- Times
Union - Albany NY ALBANY -- State conservation officials reported
Tuesday that additional deer in upstate New York were found infected
with an insect-borne virus that had not been detected in New York state
before this year. (Nov 14, 07) Albany
NY News - Times Union - Serving Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy
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More Deer Found Infected with Virus
- State conservation officials say they've found more deer infected with
an insect-borne virus that had not been detected before this year.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), (Nove. 13, 07)
R News: As It Happens,
Where It Happens
- Dam
it! - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Whether city residents welcome them as
natural wonders or revile them as pests, beavers are their new neighbors
in Canandaigua. Evidence of at least one family of the water-dwelling
rodents is all over the trails and stream banks of Lagoon Park, behind
the retail plazas on Routes 5 and 20. (Nov. 15, 07)
Homepage - Rochester, NY
- MPNnow
- Manchester manure lagoon put on hold - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Plans
to begin filling a manure lagoon with 2 million gallons of dairy farm
waste were put on hold Tuesday by Town Supervisor Bill Eddinger. About
two dozen people attended the Town Board meeting to voice concerns about
dairyman John Mueller’s new empty manure lagoon on Armington Road. They
also brought a petition signed by about 85 residents opposing the
lagoon. (Nov. 14, 07)
Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
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Speech looks at toxic threats to kids
— Children's health and the environment will be the focus of a national
expert's talk today at the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, 840
University Ave. "In today's world, the air we breathe, water we drink,
food we eat, homes we live in and parks where we play are all
susceptible to a host of environmental toxins," said Dr. Philip J.
Landrigan, chairman of the department of community and preventive
medicine and professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
in New York City. "Although these toxins can affect everyone, those most
at risk are our children." (November 13, 2007)
Democrat & Chronicle
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THE WARNING TO CONGRESS: Legislators: Hands off our water Two House
members from Michigan demand no diversion of the Great Lakes to other
states (NOV.09,07)
Detroit Free
Press - www.freep.com - Your local Detroit news source.
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Senate overrides Bush's water bill veto - CNN.com The U.S. Senate
today handed President Bush his first veto override -- authorizing $23
billion in new water projects that will benefit the Great Lakes, Gulf
Coast, Everglades and other areas. (Nov. 8, 07)
CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World,
Weather, Entertainment & Video News
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TREE TEAM PROJECT ENCOURAGES VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH CITY STREET AND
PARK TREES - The City will host a volunteer tree care event at Jones
Square Park, corner of Jones and Plymouth Avenues, 9:30 a.m.-12 noon, on
Saturday, Nov. 17. The activity is a part of the Richard Nolan Tree Team
Project aimed to encourage volunteers of all ages to assist with
community tree plantings, to mulch park trees and to otherwise help with
the greening of Rochester via city tree care and educational projects.
City forestry and horticultural staff will coordinate these efforts.
Participants will learn about trees, how to tell trees apart, how to
take care of them and how they benefit the environment. Scouts can also
earn nature badges through this program. Participants should bring a
shovel, a large bucket and work gloves (if available) and wear pants and
sturdy shoes. Some tools, wheelbarrows and pruners will be provided. No
registration is required, and the event is dependent on weather. No rain
date will be scheduled in the event of rain. For more information call
428 6770, M F, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. --Welcome
to the City of Rochester
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State Health Department Holds Mass Vaccination Training Exercise
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Nov. 8, 2007) – Up to 1,500 state employees are
participating in a state Health Department training exercise today at
the South Campus of the University at Buffalo (UB) to help public health
officials rehearse a public health response in the event of a medical
emergency. The state Health Department is conducting a Point of
Dispensing (POD) exercise to evaluate the state's emergency response w
hen rapidly delivering vaccine to nearly 1,500 state employees in a
short time period.
New York State Department of Health
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New York joins car-emissions lawsuit
- Albany -- New York Thursday joined in a multi-state lawsuit against
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for delaying a decision on
whether to allow states to aggressively reduce car and truck emissions,
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis
announced.
New York
State News on the Net!
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Rochester Gets Anti-Lead Grant - ROCHESTER, NY (2007-10-30) A top official the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development was in Rochester Tuesday to present a
check for over 1.6-million dollars to help the city in its ongoing
effort to eliminate lead poisoning. HUD Deputy Secretary Roy Bernardi --
the former mayor of Syracuse -- says the money represents an investment
in children. WXXI
Public Broadcasting Council
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