Friday, 28 Apr 2006

Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.) has arguably done more for the environment than most Democrats -- led the war against acid rain, stood in staunch opposition to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, pushed for tougher auto fuel-economy standards, defended climate scientists against government censorship. So plenty of environmentalists joined with moderate Republicans in letting out a great big sigh last month when Boehlert announced that he would not seek reelection this fall. Amanda Griscom Little talks with Boehlert about clashing with members of his own party, chatting with Dubyah on matters green, and why he remains a loyal Republican.

Pollute Suit Riot

States sue EPA for not regulating CO2

Ten states have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. EPA over what has become a central point of contention between the feds and ... people who have to live on the planet for the next 50 years: whether or not the agency has the authority to regulate planet-warming carbon dioxide as a pollutant. Plaintiffs -- who've been joined by two cities and three green groups -- insist that the Clean Air Act covers CO2, and want the EPA to cap CO2 emissions from power plants (and tighten restrictions on other pollutants). The issue is urgent, as some 135 new power plants are in the planning stages, and if they're free to spew greenhouse gases without restriction, says Daniel Becker of the Sierra Club, they will "blow a hole in the world's effort to curb global warming." Two related suits were dismissed last year and are under appeal, but plaintiffs say this suit is more narrowly targeted on the CO2 issue and, says one state lawyer, "we feel we have an extraordinarily strong argument on that point."


Could you keep the Pentagon from burning chemical weapons in your town? Stop illegal loggers in their tracks? Prevent a massive canal project from damaging one of the planet's most storied waterways? These may seem impossible tasks, but the winners of this year's Goldman Environmental Prizes have accomplished all that and more. Today we wrap up our weeklong series of profiles of the winners. If you've missed a day, rewind and catch up. The inspiration will be worth it.

Throw in a Pony, and We'll Talk

In lieu of real energy policy, senators propose sending people checks

Apparently driven insane by high gasoline prices, congressfolk are reaching virtuosic heights of pandering and venality, approaching some sort of Platonic ideal of What's Wrong With Politics These Days. Exhibit A: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) just unveiled a proposal that would bribe the American people with $100 checks in exchange for permission to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We wish that were some kind of metaphor or figure of speech, but really, that's what it does: Everyone with an income below $125,000 would get a $100 check -- to help with gas prices, you see -- and oil companies would get drilling. Exhibit B: Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) introduced a bill that would repeal $5 billion in oil-company tax cuts and send a $500 tax rebate to families earning under $119,950. We don't have a crystal ball or anything, but we'll hazard a guess that this legislative race to the bottom is not going to end in sensible energy policy. Anyone wanna take bets?


It should come as no surprise that this week's InterActivist, David Ford, lives in the U.S. city with the largest urban forest: Portland, Ore. As head of Metafore, an organization helping companies switch to forest-friendly papers and other products, Ford understands the importance of trees everywhere -- from city streets to wilderness areas to lumber mills. In answering reader questions this week, Ford shares his stances on tree-related issues like clear-cutting and forest certification, and reminisces about a Grateful Dead concert to end all Grateful Dead concerts.

Have You Hugged Your Tree Today?

On Arbor Day, appreciate the trees

Urban forest cover in many U.S. cities has declined about 30 percent over the past 10 to 15 years, according to the green group American Forests, and that's just not cool. Literally: loss of trees means loss of shade, more AC, and higher energy costs. On Arbor Day (you remember that today's Arbor Day, right?), it's worth remembering the many benefits trees provide. Urban trees reduce pollution and prevent storm water runoff. They boost surrounding property values by up to 25 percent. One study showed that hospital patients who can see trees from their windows stay an average of 8 percent fewer days. The city of Boulder, Colo., calculated that it got a $3.67 return on every dollar spent on urban forest. The lesson can't be learned fast enough: U.S. Forest Service data indicates that, in the U.S., an area the size of Montana will shift from forest to development in the next 50 years. So everyone: get planting!