Wednesday, 13 Sep 2006

Historically, many Latinos have viewed environmentalism as a preoccupation of rich white people with time to kill. But if last week's Latino Congreso in Los Angeles was any indication, that's changing. At the gathering of 1,300 Latino leaders, public officials, and activists, one whole day was dedicated to environmental issues. In a dispatch, Oliver Bernstein reflects on the importance of following through on the Congreso theme: "March Today; Vote Tomorrow."

Put That in Your Pipe and Spill It

BP spills in California, wants to open Alaska pipelines

Beleaguered oil giant BP has admitted to yet another misdeed: a leak of 1,000 barrels of refined petro-product from an underground pipeline at the port of Long Beach, Calif. About 870 barrels had been recovered as of yesterday; authorities believe the leak did not taint water or ground soil. "We're pleased that there was no significant environmental damage," said a BP spokesflack. Yeah, we bet you are. BP executives recently appeared before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for a wince-worthy tongue-lashing. Senators from both parties berated execs over recent spills and a new report showing that BP officials were warned three times between early 2003 and late 2004 that "a chilling atmosphere" intimidated workers from reporting pipeline environmental and safety concerns. Amidst the PR disaster, the company announced plans to request this week that it be allowed to resume oil production on a portion of Alaska's North Slope, where production was shut down after an earlier spill. BP suggested it will be able to bypass corroded pipelines. And why would we doubt it?


We like to blame oil companies for just about everything we can. Polluting the earth? Check. Bribing our politicians? Check. Causing tsunamis and earthquakes with their drilling? Umbra will check into that. A concerned reader seeks information about the seismic impact of all that earth-puncturing, and our fearless advice maven digs deep to find an answer.

Mopping Up the Florida

Activists hope Florida gubernatorial candidates will prioritize oceans

Fed up with mediocre oceans management from Gov. Jeb Bush (R), Florida activists are urging gubernatorial candidates Jim Davis (D) and Charlie Crist (R) to make the deep blue sea a priority. Yesterday, 20 environmental, recreational, and civic groups released a report with recommendations for curbing coastal development, preserving ocean and coastal ecosystems, blocking offshore drilling, reducing air and water pollution (particularly carbon dioxide emissions), and creating a comprehensive ecosystem management plan for government agencies. Davis immediately indicated support, pledging to "restore respect for Florida's natural resources to the governor's office"; Crist said he would review the report. Both men were backed by the Sierra Club in the primaries. "We are feeling very optimistic," says Linda Young, director of Clean Water Network of Florida. Glad someone is.

Hydrogen Hopes

BMW to put a few hydrogen cars on the road next year

The cars of the future are here! Sorta. BMW announced yesterday that it will distribute about 100 hydrogen-powered 7-Series sedans to select drivers in the U.S. and E.U. in early 2007. The cars, which can travel about 125 miles before switching to gasoline, maintain BMW's sporty image: they go from zero to 62 in 9.5 seconds, with a top speed of 143 mph. The 7-Series recipients will be people who "have a potential impact on making a hydrogen economy happen," says a BMW spokesperson. Ooh, pick us, pick us! BMW is still "very far away from mass production" of the cars, according to another spokesperson; the technology is hampered by the need for two separate fuel tanks and the lack of a hydrogen-fuel manufacturing industry and fuel storage and distribution system. Says BMW's Raymond Freymann: "The technology is still in its early stages. But there will be a revolution when it finally arrives."