Editor's Take: March 31, 2009
Republic Elementary School
Wanted: Clean Air, Clean Water
Pollution is the word of the day -- for better and worse. High levels of flame-retardants in coastal waters. EPA to monitor toxic contamination around urban schools -- including several in the Northwest. Stimulus cash for NW nuclear waste clean-up. And a US cap and trade program to cut emissions and boost clean energy unveiled.
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Four Oregon, Washington Schools on EPA Air Toxics List
Oregonian
04/01/2009
The Environmental Protection Agency said today it will monitor for air toxics around 62 US schools, including two schools each in Oregon and Washington. The EPA said it focused on schools in urban areas and schools close to industry.
The agency will analyze results for long-term health concerns, including risk for cancer and other chronic conditions.
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Hanford Nuclear Site Cleanup Gets $2B of Stimulus
Seattle Times
03/31/2009
The Department of Energy will spend about $2 billion of stimulus money to speed some of the cleanup at the Hanford nuclear reservation, the nation's most contaminated site.
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Study: High Coastal Levels of Flame-Retardant Chemicals
Los Angeles Times
04/01/2009
Flame-retardant chemicals that have been linked to reproductive and neurological problems in animals and humans have seeped into coastal environments even in remote regions and have been found in high concentrations off populated areas such as Chicago and Southern California, a federal study revealed Tuesday.
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House Leaders Introduce Serious Energy and Climate Plan
Los Angeles Times
04/01/2009
House Democratic leaders on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping plan to boost renewable energy and fight climate change, including mandates for renewable electricity nationwide and a market-based system for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Obesity Increasing At 'Alarming Rates' In Oregon
Oregon Public Broadcasting
04/01/2009
Oregonians are eating more and exercising less. The percentage of the population that is obese is the highest it has ever been.
And children are gaining weight faster than adults. The report shows the proportion of obese children in Oregon has tripled in the past 20 years. This trend threatens long-term consequences for the health care system.
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Washington Tries to Boost Sage Grouse Population
Oregonian
04/01/2009
Washington wildlife officials have released more than two dozen sage grouse in Lincoln County in an attempt to establish a third population of the threatened birds in the state.
Greater sage grouse have declined in Eastern Washington due to a loss of sagebrush grasslands. There are about 640 of the birds in the state.
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Anti-Abortion Bills Defeated in Montana -- For Now
Missoulian
04/01/2009
Democrats voted against bills that would license abortion clinics in Montana, make harming an unborn child a criminal offense, revise parental notification for minors getting an abortion, and amend the state constitution in ways that could ban abortion.
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UO, OSU Land Major Solar Research Investment
Business Journal
04/01/2009
The University of Oregon and Oregon State University will receive a total of $1.34 million for solar energy research, according to an announcement Tuesday by the Oregon Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center, or Oregon BEST.
Officials hope the investment builds Oregon's reputation as a solar manufacturing center and helps create jobs and attract companies.
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Puget Sound: One oil spill away from disaster?
Seattle Times
04/01/2009
Despite spending tens of millions of dollars each year preparing for oil spills and cleaning them up -- and despite having some of the nation's toughest oil-spill standards -- some experts warn Washington is not as ready for a big accident as we think we are.
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David Suzuki: Can Clean Energy and Biodiversity Get Along?
Georgia Straight
04/01/2009
It's in our best interests to act quickly to get as much renewable energy into play as possible. As well as getting us off fossil fuels and combating global warming, renewable energy is also one way to dig ourselves out of the economic mess we're facing. It's good for business. But that doesn't mean environmental safeguards should be relaxed in the name of green energy.
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