Wednesday, 21 Jan 2004

Spin Cycle

Leavitt Joins Lobbyists to Speak at Industry Conference on Environment

In only his second speaking appearance outside the U.S. EPA since becoming its administrator, Mike Leavitt this morning addressed a conference convened by the National Association of Manufacturers to discuss strategies for getting industry-friendly (and eco-unfriendly) messages into the media in an election year. Lobbyist Frank Maisano, a panelist at the conference, explained why NAM members need this kind of message-massaging: "Industry is never going to have an advantage over the enviros in the media -- the enviros are always going to be able to say 'you are killing children' or they'll play the asthma card." It's unknown whether refraining from killing children was one of the strategies discussed. This week's Muckraker gives the rundown on the conference, as well as climate-change rabble-rousing in New Hampshire, and plans to roll back even more environmental rules -- only on the Grist Magazine website.

Genetic Drift

GM Will Be Difficult to Contain, Say Scientists

Current techniques for preventing the unplanned spread of genetically modified organisms are in their infancy and are unlikely to prevent some GM plants and animals from having unforeseen health or environmental effects, said a panel of scientists from the National Research Council on Tuesday. While the most common method of preventing GM organisms from spreading has been the construction of physical barriers, the panel's report, which was commissioned by the Agriculture Department, emphasized the importance of developing "bioconfinement" methods that would program preventative measures into species' genetic codes. The panel argued that most GM organisms are harmless, but warned of scenarios ranging from herbicide-resistant corn producing super-weeds to fast-growing salmon escaping to wipe out the remainder of wild Atlantic salmon.

Patently Absurd

GM Giant Monsanto Sues Canadian Farmer

Speaking of genetic drift: The Canadian Supreme Court began hearing arguments on Tuesday in a case that has become a cause celebre for both opponents and fans of agricultural biotechnology. Agro-giant Monsanto Co. sued Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser when its patented biotech canola was found growing in his fields in 1997; the company requires a per-acre licensing fee for use of its herbicide-resistant seeds. Schmeiser claims that the canola seeds drifted onto his land from neighboring farms without his knowledge. The lawsuit has come to represent the hopes and fears of small farmers around the globe -- who fear liability from accidental crop contamination, but hope that biotech crops can increase their yields -- as well as the contention by biotech opponents that messing with the genetic code of plants and animals is unsafe and unethical altogether. The court ruling will be the world's first on gene patent infringement. Monsanto has sued some 90 American farmers on similar grounds, and a think tank is searching for one to appeal their case to a higher court in the U.S.

Leipzig Lizards!

World's Largest Solar Energy Plant Planned for Germany

The world's largest solar energy plant -- projected to meet the power demands of some 1,800 households -- will soon start soaking up rays outside the eastern German town of Leipzig this year. The $27 million plant, to be built by the Royal Dutch/Shell's Solar Group, will contain 33,500 solar modules and have an output capacity of five megawatts. "The station will help to save some 3,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year," said a Shell spokesperson. The German government offers subsidies to producers of renewable power. Although solar production is ramping up in the country, it still accounts for less than 1 percent of total energy usage there.

Misstate of the Union

Bush State of the Union Speech Silent on Environment

In a State of the Union speech that found time to discuss the evils of steroid use among athletes -- an issue entirely outside the purview of the federal government -- President Bush did not mention the environment, or the environmental challenges facing the country, a single time. Foreign policy loomed large, dominating the first half of the speech. The latter half, which focused on domestic policy, was bereft of new proposals and any mention of clean air, clean water, threatened species, or public lands. (In contrast, in his 2003 SOTU address, Bush lauded his "Healthy Forests" and "Clear Skies" initiatives, as well as his support for hydrogen-fueled cars.) The Democratic response to the speech, delivered by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (S.D.), addressed Bush's conspicuous omission by ... also failing to mention the environment.