Monday, 26 Apr 1999

Handsome Ransom for Ignoble Chernobyl

Ukraine reneged on a pledge last week to shut down the last working nuclear reactor at Chernobyl, saying that the reactor would continue to operate until Western nations cough up $1.2 billion needed to complete two new replacement reactors. Today, on the 13th anniversary of the devastating nuclear accident at Chernobyl, Ukraine is still haunted by the accident, unable to come up with the money that is due to 1.5 million people who have Chernobyl-related health problems. Demonstrators in Belarus and France marked the anniversary with protests.

Old McDonald Had a Fit

Europeans and others around the world are burning and uprooting test plots of genetically altered plants in protests that they call "decontaminations." More than two dozen influential British consumer groups last month called for a five-year moratorium on genetically altered crops, while everyone from top chefs to McDonald's in Britain have promised to eliminate the foods, which are being derided as "mutant crops" and "Frankenfoods." Americans have been consuming genetically modified crops since 1996 with almost no protest, but two-thirds of European consumers believe the technology threatens human health or the environment.

No Coal, No Nukes -- No Profits?

Green Mountain Energy -- which is racking up both customers and financial losses as it markets no-coal, no-nuclear power -- is planning to make a public stock offering. The company has attracted 36,000 customers in Pennsylvania and 21,000 in California, states which have deregulated their electricity markets. In California, virtually all customers who have opted to switch their power supplier have chosen Green Mountain or two other "green" products from traditional utilities. Some environmentalists have criticized Green Mountain because much of the energy it sells in Pennsylvania comes from large-scale hydropower facilities.

Quarter Quota Quibble

Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.) has introduced a bill that would prohibit the federal government from acquiring land in states where it already has title to more than 25 percent of the land. In the meantime, congressional Republicans are facing off against Democrats over the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, which takes tax revenues from offshore oil and gas leasing and puts them toward open space, parks, and recreation. Both parties agree that the program, which hasn't been fully funded in years, should be permanently allotted at least $900 million a year. But Democrats want to use about half that money for land acquisition mostly at the federal level, while Republicans want all the money directed to the local level for parks, recreation, and conservation.

Timber Feast, Salmon Famine?

Washington state may set a national precedent by passing a 50-year deal between the state and private forest owners that would grant tax relief to timber companies while tightening logging rules near salmon streams. The plan, being pushed through the state legislature this week, is part of Washington Gov. Gary Locke's (D) salmon-recovery effort. The timber industry backs the bill, while environmentalists protest that it's a bad deal for salmon and taxpayers.