Green Policies

Green Building Projects Filter Polluted Water

Image Credit: Green Roofs.com

There’s new evidence that filtering rainwater in an eco-friendly way saves money and helps the environment. More than 400 case studies of green rainwater projects detail the benefits of collecting water and filtering it naturally before it reaches waterways as polluted runoff.  Green filter methods like rain gardens, green roofs and bioretention all help to convert urban stormwater into a valuable resource for communities.

A database of the 479 case studies has just been released by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The studies show how the green infrastructure can can improve the quality of water in cities and towns and lower development costs by doing away with expensive, hard-runoff treatment options. The case studies show the projects have the potential to save communities millions of dollars a year.

Many of the projects are redevelopment or retrofits that return unproductive space and land to the public. In Georgia, a brownfield site was turned into a public park and a deteriorating playground was turned into a recreation area that captures and filters stormwater. One project in California includes vegetation planted on the roof of a three story apartment building to keep polluted runoff out of local waterways. Architects also designed what are called ‘bioswales’ where sloping drainage areas are planted with vegetation to remove silt and pollution from runoff water.

The Environmental Protection Agency asked the ASLA to collect case studies on projects that manage stormwater in a sustainable way. The studies not only showcase landscape architecture but show policymakers the value of promoting green infrastructure policies.

 

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Flame Retardant Added to List of Carcinogens

October 14, 2011

A commonly used flame retardant has officially been listed as a cancer-causing chemical in the state of California. Chlorinated Tris can be found in foam furniture cushions, auto seats and baby pajamas. The listing won’t ban the use of the flame retardant but could result in warning labels for consumer products containing the chemical. The Carcinogen Identification Committee added the flame retardant to the Proposition 65 list, which requires the publication of a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency have reported that chlorinated tris poses a cancer hazard. Studies have shown the chemical may interfere with hormone and reproductive systems, thyroid function and the neurological development of infants and children. Many companies have voluntarily discontinued use of flame retardants but recent testing of consumer products shows the chemical is still widespread in children’s products like changing tables, car seats and mattresses.

The Los Angeles Times reports the California science committee voted 5 to 1 to list the chemical as a carcinogen after hearing testimony from manufacturers and consumer advocacy groups. The director of the Green Science Policy Institute testified at the hearing. Arlene Blum says “It’s really important because it brings the public’s attention to the fact that there are these cancer causing flame retardants in their furniture, and nursing pillows and kids’ strollers.”

 

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States Set Lofty Green Goals

October 12, 2011

States from coast to coast are making impressive commitments to the environment. In California, Governor Jerry Brown just signed a bill that commits the state to recycling 75 percent of its waste by the year 2020. Another bill signed at the same time creates incentives for manufacturers to recycle plastic waste in California. Right now, the state sends more than 80 percent of the plastic waste it collects overseas where it is turned into recycled products. State officials say recycling the plastic in-state will also help create jobs.

In Vermont, state officials have released a draft calling for 90 percent of the state’s energy to come from renewable sources. The plan includes the state’s electricity, thermal energy, transportation and land use. Vermont is taking steps to make renewable energy use easier by cutting the red tape involved in installing solar power. Vermont also leads the U.S. in energy efficient investments which is driving down electricity use in the state by about 2 percent every year.

The state of Oregon just announced it recycled 50 percent of the waste it recovered in 2010. 2.1 million tons of material was collected and recycled last year, that’s about a two percent increase from the year before. 39 percent of the waste was organic, 29 percent was paper, followed by metal, glass, plastic and electronics.

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Landmark Law Banning BPA Now in Effect

October 4, 2011

A new law banning a controversial chemical from children’s drink and food containers just went into effect in Connecticut. It’s the first law of its kind in the nation to ban bisphenol-A (BPA) from certain children’s products. The chemical is used to harden plastic and in the lining of some metal cans. The new law says the chemical can no longer be used in infant formula and baby food containers, reusable food and beverage containers, sippy cups and plastic sports bottles.

The law was signed in 2009 but did not take effect until now in order to give businesses time to sell their inventory and make new BPA-free products. Officials with the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Connecticut say the law is the broadest in the  nation and is serving as a national model. Other states have adopted bans on BPA in baby bottles.

Studies have linked BPA exposure to reproductive problems, developmental issues, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. The American Medical Association has adopted a policy recognizing BPA as an endocrine-disrupting agent.  The group supports the ban of baby bottles and infant feeding cups that contain BPA. For more information on how to avoid the chemical, read Terri’s Top 5 Ways to Reduce Your Exposure to BPA.

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Houses Passes Bill to Block Clean Air Rules

September 26, 2011

A bill just passed by House lawmakers would delay and possibly scale back rules to reduce mercury and other harmful air pollutants. The legislation would force the Environmental Protection Agency to delay pending pollution rules and would also require President Obama to set up a committee to evaluate the impact that new pollution rules would have on jobs, electricity and gasoline prices.

Health and environmental advocates say the stricter air pollution rules would prevent asthma and other lung conditions. White House spokesman Jay Carney says the protections being rolled back under the House bill would prevent tens of thousands of premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of childhood asthma attacks. Critics of the EPA regulations say they would hurt the economy by preventing investment and causing plants to close.

The bill would repeal a recent EPA rule governing pollution from power plants that crosses state lines. It would also stop a separate rule that sets stricter standards for toxic pollution from power plants. The legislation now heads to the Senate where Environment and Public Works Committee Chairperson Barbara Boxer vowed to defeat it.

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Urban Farming Grows as Cities Rezone Land

September 14, 2011

Chicago is the latest urban area to make growing fresh fruits and vegetables in the city a little easier. The city council just approved a new zoning code that would allow for more widespread urban agriculture. The new code expands the size of community gardens to 25,000 feet, which is about half an acre. It also relaxes the rules on fencing and parking for large urban farms and will allow for limited produce sales in residential areas.

Urban farms and community gardens have been growing in vacant lots and rooftops around the country. Chicago Mayor Rham Emanuel called the amendment a job creator that will make use of otherwise vacant land. He told WBEZ the ordinance is about taking land that is sitting fallow and turning it into a revenue and job creator. Urban farming is also effective for bringing fresh fruits and vegetables to communities lacking in healthy food.

Urban farmers who face barriers like zoning issues will soon be getting some help. A group associated with the University of Missouri just received a grant to help would-be urban farmers learn about policy issues. The grant will be used to create a comprehensive guide that addresses the barriers urban farmers face throughout the United States. Right now, most farmers educate each other through online discussions about the roadblocks they face in growing and selling fresh produce in the city.

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President Obama Decides Against Stricter Pollution Rules

September 5, 2011

President Obama has decided not to update federal ozone standards for air pollution. The decision to back off the controversial new air pollution rule is being criticized by environmentalists but praised by industry groups. The White House says the decision was an effort to remove the uncertainty for businesses that would be affected and reduce the regulatory load.

When Congress passed the Clean Air Act of 1970 it required the EPA to review the allowed pollution levels every five years. A new ozone standard was set by the Bush administration in 2008 but was set at 75 parts per billion. A panel of scientists recommended a range between 60 and 70 parts per billion and clean air groups went to court to change the standard. But nearly 200 business groups asked the President to delay the new standard until at least 2013.

Ozone pollution, when combined with other pollutants to form smog, contributes to a host of health problems including asthma, heart and lung problems. Advocates of the stricter air pollution standards say it would save the country money that is currently lost when Americans get sick from air pollution.

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Vice President Calls For New Clean Energy Policy

September 1, 2011

It’s time for the U.S. to take action when it comes to clean energy. That’s according to Vice President Joe Biden who says the U.S. is already trailing behind China and Germany in green technology. Biden told leaders at the National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas there is no reason why the United States can’t lead the world in clean energy. National politicians and green technology leaders attended the summit to discuss energy security and independence.The Vice President called on policymakers to put aside their ideological difference and build what the Obama administration calls a ‘clean energy economy’. Biden says the future will demand that cities produce all of the energy they consume, travel with battery-powered cars and create innovations like bacteria that converts sunlight into fuel.

Vice President Biden equated investing in clean energy as the economy struggles to investing in technology and infrastructure during a war. The small but growing clean technology sector will face several challenges in the coming year. About $30 billion dollars in federal spending from the 2009 stimulus law will be coming to an end and new energy policies that President Obama hoped would spur demand for renewable energy could be stopped in Congress with a Republican-controlled House.

At the summit, Biden announced that five technology companies receiving up to $6 million dollars each from the Department of Energy have since attracted more than $100 million dollars in investments. The firms are developing advanced grid scale batteries, waste heat recovery and new approaches to biofuels.

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Senate Lawmakers Endorse Recycling Resolution

August 12, 2011

A bipartisan group of Senators is looking to increase and improve recycling in America. The chairs of the Senate Recycling Caucus just introduced a resolution expressing support for improved collection and processing of recyclables. Senate Resolution 251 puts the U.S. Senate on record about the importance of the recycling industry in protecting our natural resources and boosting the U.S. economy.

It’s estimated the recycling industry directly or indirectly employs over 450,000 Americans. The jobs account for more than $90 billion in economic output, that’s more than the fishing and forestry industries combined. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) says from 1970 to 2000, the recycling rate has increased from 6% to 28% but in the past decade the country’s improvement in recycling behavior has slowed. It’s estimated if everyone in the U.S. increased the amount we  recycle by just 10 percent, we could conserve enough energy to heat 7.5 million homes or provide electricity to 2.5 million Americans.

The Senate Recycling Caucus was created in 2006 to educate Senate members and staff on the benefits of recycling to the economy and the environment and to support public policies aimed at increasing recycling across the country. Several organizations have endorsed the recycling resolution including the National Recycling Coalition and the American Forest and Paper Association. The resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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Landmark Fuel Standards for Trucks and Buses

August 11, 2011

Just a few weeks after announcing new fuel economy standards for cars that will double by 2025, the White House unveiled the first ever fuel efficiency standards for heavy trucks and buses.  The proposal to improve fuel economy in trucks by about 20% by 2018 will save $50 billion dollars in fuel costs over five years and decrease carbon dioxide emissions. Big rigs and semi-trucks will need to consume 23 percent less fuel while heavy duty trucks and vans need to be 15 percent more efficient. Buses, garbage trucks and delivery vans will need to show a 10 percent increase in fuel efficiency.

Under the new program, the White House says trucks and buses built between 2014 and 2018 will reduce oil consumption in the U.S. by a projected 530 million barrels and greenhouse gas pollution by 270 million metric tons. Truck industry leaders say truck operators who purchase the more fuel efficient vehicles beginning in 2014 will see cost savings in two years or less.

President Obama says while the administration was working to improve the efficiency of cars, they starated getting letters asking them to do the same for medium and heavy-duty trucks. The President says the letters were from the people who build, buy and drive the trucks. The heads of several truck manufacturers met with President Obama to endorse the new rule.

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