City, county officials push UW to ditch coal power entirely.
| Native California plants in peril because of changing climate. California’s native plants could be headed for serious trouble as the climate continues to warm, with some plants losing more than 80 percent of their range by the end of the century, according to new research. |
| Press Release: Governor Schwarzenegger and Environmental Defense Fund Recognize Business Leadership in Environmental Innovation FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: |
| Scientists Are Developing Alloy Based Fridges Running On 50% Less Energy European researchers say they have begun to develop fridges that are powered by a 100% alloy which will reduce their energy usage by 50%. In the last 15 years, fridge technology developers have had to consider what option would be the lesser of two evils. Environmentalists alerted them to the harmful side effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the refrigerant chemical, but alternative refrigerants require a lot more energy. |
| City, county officials push UW to ditch coal power entirely. Madison and Dane County elected officials are adding their voices to the chorus of those pushing the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the state to create cleaner power downtown and around campus. |
| When Fences Make Bad Neighbors America’s "little leopard," the ocelot, is in grave danger. Fewer than 100 of the endangered animals still roam the Lower Rio Grande Valley.Now the Department of Homeland Security wants to build a 700- mile-long fence on the U.S.-Mexico border that would cut through and destroy much of the ocelot’s remaining thorn scrub habitat and prevent the little cats from swimming across the Rio Grande to mate.Environmental Defense Fund opposes the wholesale fencing plan and we’re proposing alternatives to improve both wildlife habitat and border security. Many local officials and private landowners are concerned that the fencing plan would destroy or isolate large areas of the 130-mile habitat corridor along the Rio Grande that the federal government paid millions of dollars to protect. A sanctuary for rare wildlife, this area now supports a thriving ecotourism industry in one of the poorest parts of the country. Other ways to improve border security — and wildlife habitatIn other areas along the border, we are helping develop environmentally sound approaches. These include:
Local Homeland Security officials have been receptive to such alternatives, and a bi-national demonstration project is underway. Along the Lower Colorado River near Yuma, Arizona, we are working with the Yuma Crossings National Heritage Area, the Mexican conservation group ProNatura Noroeste and various federal and state agencies to show how restoration and border security can be compatible."Similar restoration techniques and bi-national cooperation could work well in many other border areas," says Mary Kelly, co-director of our Land, Water and Wildlife program.Unfortunately, in its rush to build the multibillion dollar border fence, the Department of Homeland Security has decided to waive all federal environmental laws. We and others are opposing this waiver and will now test its constitutionality in the courts.From the June 2008 Solutions newsletter [PDF].Learn more about endangered Texas ocelots. |
| Press Release: Environmental Defense Fund Supports Wind Transmission Plan with Most Power Capability FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Scott Anderson, 512.691.3410-w or 512.565.3528-c
Media Contact: Chris Smith, 512.691.3451-w or 512.659.9264-c or csmith@edf.org
(Austin – May 23, 2008) Environmental Defense Fund filed a statement today supporting a wind-power development plan providing nearly 25,000 megawatts (MW) of clean power for Texas, enough to power several million households.
The statement urges the Public Utility Commission to embrace "Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) Scenario 3" presented by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), so that transmission capacity serving previously identified areas of high wind capacity (CREZ zones) may be expanded by 17,956 MW. When combined with ERCOT’s already forecasted wind generation figure of 6,903 MW, the plan would enable construction of nearly 25,000 MW of wind power, more than the rest of the United States combined.
"Texans should favor proposals providing the most power possible from tapping into wind, an abundant, clean and renewable energy source," said Scott Anderson, senior policy analyst with Environmental Defense Fund. "Scenario 3, by enabling Texas businesses to build up to 24,859 MW of wind capacity, will displace more high-priced power than any of the other scenarios – particularly power from coal.
"Wind power produces no carbon dioxide emissions or other greenhouse gases, no NOx, no SOx, and no particulate matter," Anderson said. "The more wind power Texas develops, the healthier will be the air we breathe and the less Texas will contribute to the problem of global climate change."
Opponents argue that the higher wind generation capacity, the higher the associated costs that will eventually be transferred to consumers. In reality, wind power has zero fuel cost and will displace expensive natural gas and coal and result in lower market energy prices. The difference in price is enough to offset the costs of building transmission lines within a handful of years.
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| OPEC chief appeals for calm over oil LONDON (Reuters) - OPEC’s Secretary General on Tuesday appealed for calm, saying the record-high crude oil price was unbearable and did not reflect any shortage of supply in the market. Abdullah al-Badri also called for measures to curb market speculation, a factor OPEC says is sending prices to unjustified levels. Oil hit a record $139.12 a barrel on Friday and was trading near $136 on Tuesday. |
| Make Your IRS Rebate Matter! When planning the use of your 2008 economic stimulus rebate check, why not set aside a portion to promote the environmental sustainability of our community? Check out www.double-duty.org for a list of local nonprofit organizations with green projects that you can support, including Groundwork Denver’s efforts to increase the energy efficiency of homes in some of Denver’s low-income areas. |
| EarthWorks Expo Returns on June’s Summer Solstice The EarthWorks Expo is returning to Denver this year on June 21-22, with the theme of “Go Green, Live Well.” Greenprint Denver is pleased to be a sponsor of the Expo, which will feature an estimated 150 exhibitors, dozens of workshops, world-class keynote speakers and special programs for young people. Tickets go on sale May 5: $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and $4 for youth.Learn more. |
| Border fence will skirt environmental laws In an aggressive move to finish building 670 miles of border fence by the end of this year, the Department of Homeland Security announced today that it will waive federal environmental laws to meet that goal. The two waivers, which will allow the department to slash through a thicket of environmental and cultural laws, would be the most expansive to date, encompassing land in California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas that stretches about 470 miles. |