Proposed Pittsfield Municipal Airport Expansion Less Expansive

According to the Berkshire Eagle, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decided to narrow the immediate scope of work at Pittsfield Municipal Airport. The FAA cited finite available funding for airports and rising construction costs in announcing its decision. Construction costs are going through the roof! BEAT believes it is unwise and unfair to put so much money into this airport project, which has a huge "carbon footprint" for the number of people served, when the money could be much better spent elsewhere.

The Berkshire Eagle didn't mention anything that was outlined at the recent Pittsfield Municipal Airport Commission meeting* -  that in order to satisfy the deficiencies listed in the March 28, 2008 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) letter they would reduce infringements on the Wampanum Brook watershed. This was a big shift in project scope which consequently reduced the runway extension by 200' and eliminated the RAILS system (Runway Alignment Illumination Sytem) which would have extended 1000' past the present lighting system through wetlands.

The airport may still install the RAILS system at a later date. BEAT urge's DEP to require this possible future project to be looked at now to avoid "segmentation" of this project. Segmentation, or only proposing part of a project at a time, was used in the past by unscrupulous developers, as a way to avoid certain environmental laws. DEP has since put a stop to that practice.

BEAT does not believe the airport should expand beyond the existing footprint. Albany is, according to the City of Pittsfield's Pittsfield Municipal Airport's web page, 38 miles from Pittsfield. Long and international flights should leave from Albany. The existing footprint with EMAS systems could accommodate much of the same traffic much of the time - just not fully loaded with fuel on very hot or slippery days.

* You can watch the PMA Commission meeting on Pittsfield Community Television's (PCTV) website. Click Watch now.

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Recreational Trails Grants guidelines and information is available on-line!

It is not too early to start thinking about applying for a 2008-2009 Recreational Trails Grant (even though we have not yet awarded last year’s grants).  Guidelines for the 2008-2009 Recreational Trails Grants are available and on-line at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/greenway/regionalGrants.htm. 

The deadline for applications will be October 1, 2008.

Paul Jahnige, Director
Greenways and Trails Program
Department of Conservation and Recreation
136 Damon Road
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-8706 ext. 20
paul.jahnige@state.ma.us

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Capacity Building Grant Opportunity - 6/26

Third Sector New England's Capacity Building Fund (CBF) is pleased to announce a new round of funding for social change oriented nonprofits and community groups that choose to collaborate to learn together and build capacity. You do not have to be a nonprofit to apply.

Visit TSNE's website for more on CBF grant guidelines:

Upcoming Orientation Session - Thursday June 26, 2:00 - 3:30 PM, Human Service Forum, 184 Mill Street, Springfield, MA 01108

If you cannot make these orientations there will be additional sessions in late July/early August. Contact Phillip Davis, Capacity Building Fund Coordinator directly with your questions and future orientation dates.

Phillip Davis, Coordinator
Capacity Building Fund
Third Sector New England
617.523.6565
www.tsne.org

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New Report Released: Stop Trashing the Planet

Stop Trashing the Climate concludes that increased recycling and composting are easily-achievable and essential measures to help meet U.S. greenhouse gas reduction targets being debated in Congress. Along with waste prevention, expanded recycling and composting can have the same climate protection impact as closing 21% of the nation’s 417 coal-burning power plants says the report. Coal combustion is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Released today by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and Eco-Cycle, the report links America’s trash to use of energy and greenhouse gas emissions, and calls for action to trigger change within a short period.

“Recycling is as important for climate stability as improving vehicle fuel efficiency, retrofitting lighting, planting trees, and protecting forests,” says Brenda Platt, the report’s lead author and co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. “By avoiding landfill methane emissions, composting in particular is a vital tactic in the battle to stop Arctic ice melting. Biodegradable materials are a liability when buried and burned but an asset when composted.” Leading scientists now recognize that action to reduce methane emissions is needed to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, which must peak and decline over the next 15 years in order to avoid widespread and rapid climate change.

Incinerator and landfill companies have lobbied hard to promote waste disposal technologies as sources of renewable energy and as a solution to climate change. As a result, they have gained access to valuable taxpayer subsidies in energy policies. “In reality, incinerators and landfills are bad for the climate,” according to David Ciplet, a co-author of the report and the U.S. coordinator for the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA). “These disposal systems gobble up taxpayer money to encourage more of the same garbage. They compete against wind and solar projects while burdening local communities with pollution and debt.”

Carl Pope, Executive Director of the national Sierra Club says, “Incinerators and landfills are relics of an unsustainable past that have no place in our green economy.”

Main findings from Stop Trashing the Climate include:

• A zero waste approach based on preventing waste and expanding reuse, recycling, and composting is one of the fastest, cheapest, and most effective strategies to protect the climate.

• Significantly reducing the amount of materials landfilled and incinerated has climate benefits comparable to closing one-fifth of all U.S. coal-fired power plants.

• The one-way flow of materials from extraction, processing, and consumption to disposal directly contributes to climate change. Waste disposal is linked to more than one-third of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions; new resources must be continually extracted to replace those buried or burned.

• Landfills are a top source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and landfill gas capture systems are not an effective strategy for preventing methane emissions to the atmosphere. The global warming impact of methane emissions in the short term is 72 times greater than CO2 and is three times greater than reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

• Incinerators emit more carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour than coal-fired power plants, and waste 3 to 5 times more energy than recycling conserves.
  

“A zero waste approach is not only good news for climate stability, it’s also good news for America’s businesses and economy,” says report co-author Eric Lombardi, the director of Eco-Cycle, a Boulder, Colorado-based recycling and zero waste business. “The time to act is now. We cannot afford to pass up this opportunity to create local jobs and new enterprises, while reducing global warming and our reliance on imported goods and fuels.”

Among Stop Trashing the Climate’s key policy recommendations:

• Set local and national zero waste targets, focusing on 20-year plans.

• Eliminate subsidies to landfills and incinerators.

• End the practice of waste incineration.

• Stop sending biodegradable materials to landfills and incinerators.

• Expand the national reuse, recycling, and composting infrastructure.

On June 5, 2008, community leaders across the country joined together on World Environment Day in Tallahassee, FL; Providence, RI; Bridgeport, CT; Los Angeles, CA; and Massachusetts to urge elected leaders to redirect the millions of dollars now slated for incinerator and landfill investment toward economically-sound and climate-friendly strategies such as recycling and composting. Calling for an end to business as usual, communities are seeking policies that provide green jobs and healthy solutions to address climate change and poverty.

According to Platt, “On a per-ton basis, recycling sustains ten times the number of jobs as landfills and incinerators. The 3R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – are as relevant today as they were when first introduced in the 1970s. Today we call this approach the zero waste path and include composting, product redesign, and manufacturer product responsibility.”

On World Environment Day, the United Nations seeks to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and to enhance political attention and action. Today’s global celebrations focus on solutions and opportunities for countries, companies, and communities to “kick the CO2 habit” and reduce their climate footprint. Stop Trashing the Climate shows a commitment to zero waste is a quick and effective action to address global climate change that every country, company, and community can embrace.

Stop Trashing the Climate full report (pdf).

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance is a nationally recognized organization providing research and technical assistance on recycling and community-based economic development, zero waste planning and implementation, wind energy, and policies to protect local main streets and other facets of a home-grown economy. Since 1974, ILSR has actively addressed the burgeoning waste crisis, over dependence on fossil fuels, and other materials efficiency issues.

GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 500 grassroots organizations, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in 81 countries whose ultimate vision is a just, toxic-free world without incineration. Our goal is clean production and the creation of a closed-loop, materials-efficient economy where all products are reused, repaired or recycled. Worldwide, we are proving that it is possible to stop incinerators, take action to protect the climate, and implement zero waste alternatives.

Eco-Cycle is one of the largest non-profit recyclers in the U.S. and has an international reputation as a pioneer and innovator in resource conservation. Eco-Cycle believes in individual and community action to transform society's throw-away ethic into environmentally-friendly stewardship. Its mission is to provide publicly-accountable recycling, conservation and education services, and to identify, explore and demonstrate the emerging frontiers of sustainable resource management and Zero Waste.

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Proposed New Regulations on Outdoor Wood Boilers

Name & Citation of Regulation(s): Outdoor Hydronic Heaters, also known as Outdoor Wood Boilers (310 CMR 7.26(50) through (54))

Brief Explanation and Rationale for Proposed Changes: MassDEP is proposing a new section to the Air Pollution Control Regulations to address outdoor hydronic heaters, also known as outdoor wood boilers, installed after the effective date of these proposed regulations and to address the operation of outdoor hydronic heaters installed before the effective date.  The proposed regulations have requirements for manufacturers, sellers and owners of outdoor hydronic heaters.

The Commonwealth is committed to measures designed to attain and maintain national ambient air quality standards.  The proposed amendments are part of that commitment and will be proposed as a revision to the Massachusetts State Implementation Plan (SIP).

Web Link to View Draft Regulations: The draft regulation revisions with more detailed summaries and background documents are on MassDEP's website: http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/regulations/newregs.htm#owb

Public Hearing Information: Public hearings will be conducted under the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 30A on:

Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 5:00 pm
Room 309, Frost Building
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, Massachusetts

Monday, June 23, 2008 – 5:00 pm
Lenox Town Hall
6 Walker St.
Lenox, Massachusetts

Testimony may be presented orally or in writing at the public hearings. Written comments will also be accepted until 5:00 PM on July 3, 2008. Written testimony must be submitted to:

Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Waste Prevention
One Winter Street 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Attn: James Doucett

Copies of the proposed regulations and background information will be available for inspection during normal business hours at: the Bureau of Waste Prevention, One Winter Street, Boston, MA, the four regional offices of MassDEP and on MassDEP's web site at www.mass.gov/dep.

For special accommodations for these events or hearing information in an alternate format, please contact Donald Gomes, DEP's ADA Coordinator at 617-556-1057, BAS/HR, 3rd Floor, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108. 

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From Gray Funnels to Green Sponges

EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds posted its inaugural podcast, the first audio program in a planned series about smart growth and green development entitled, From Gray Funnels to Green Sponges.

Hosted by EPA's Jamal Kadri, this program features a discussion with EPA's senior urban designer and smart growth expert Clark Wilson on how communities can more effectively manage rainwater and snow melt where it falls. Green streets can make great places, preserve water quality and restore our nation's waterways. These and other practices like rain gardens and green roofs are helping many urban communities like Portland, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. manage stormwater runoff as well as provide aesthetic benefits. In addition, green streets and other environmentally-friendly landscape designs can help minimize urban heat island effect, reduce a community's carbon footprint, and cool the planet.

To access the podcast, visit the podcast website. Watershed Academy Webcasts are also available as podcasts from iTunes. Visit webcasts website .

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When you open a new PVC shower curtain, you're immediately hit with a strong chemical odor, which may persist in your home for days, weeks, or even months.  This "new shower curtain smell" may even make you feel nauseous, give you a headache, or make you feel sick.  To determine which chemicals are causing this intense odor, CHEJ commissioned two scientific laboratories to put PVC shower curtains to the test.

What CHEJ found:

• CHEJ new study -- Volatile Vinyl - the New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell -- found PVC shower curtains can release over 100 chemicals into the air. 
• Some of these chemicals cause developmental damage as well as damage to the liver and central nervous, respiratory, and reproductive systems. 
• Some can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. 
• Some chemicals were even found in the air 28 days after a PVC shower curtain was unwrapped and hung! 

That's not all.  You can read all about it in the new CHEJ report.

Then take action and sign a Petition for PVC-Free Shower Curtains.

Natural food store job opening

If you know someone who can use a p/t position in a small local natural foods business, please pass this information along. Computer-savvy, detail-oriented person to handle customer service, administrative tasks & order management from our small web-based natural foods company in Great Barrington.  Approximately 15 - 20 hours a week.  We’re looking for a self-motivated, organized person who is familiar with Quickbooks, Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Publisher and is internet-savvy. 

For more information on the position, visit www.Sproutman.com/job.htm Please call 413.528.5200 ext. 4 or email us at info@sproutman.com

Thank you,
Steve Meyerowitz
www.Sproutman.com
413-528-5200. ext 4. Fax: 413-528-5201
PO Box 1100 Great Barrington, MA 01230 USA

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Grants will be awarded to organizations that are seeking to establish a new program or to expand an existing program to meet a demonstrated need in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Eligible applicants are:

1. Nonprofit organizations (incorporated with 501(c)(3) status) that have been in existence for at least one year prior to the date on which the organization submits an application;
2. State, municipal, and county governments, including departments and agencies therein;
3. Academic Institutions; and
4. Native American tribes.

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Seventh Modification to the Consent Decree

Click here to read the seventh modification to the Consent Decree (pdf) . The modification allows GE's Capital, a subsidiary of GE, to sell the Co-generation Facility located on GE property to Maxim Power. The modification stipulates that GE will remain responsible to implement their obligations under the Consent Decree. GE is not selling any of the land to Maxim Power; they are selling the business and the physical plant and will grant land leases to Maxim Power. Maxim Power is a large utility that own and operates numerous power plants in North America.

BEAT asked about the testing of the well water that this facility uses because General Electric had injection wells that they used to dispose of toxic chemicals many years ago. Here is EPA's response to our question:

[T]he g[round] w[ater] data for the supply well at the co-generation facility is included in the semi-annual groundwater reports submitted by GE for Groundwater Management Area 3. The recent GMA-3 Reports are on EPA's web page. The supply well is refered to as ASW-5. Attached is the
link to the latest semi-annual groundwater report. The data for ASW-5 is in Appendix C, which begins on page 149 of the pdf and goes through
page 153 of the pdf. Data is included from June 1996 through December 2007. Groundwater samples are collected twice per year. The data
shows that PCBs have never been detected and that low levels of trichloroethene have been detected.
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