Legislative Watch: Dismembering DENR; Turning Off the Green Lights; Hot Rail
Outrageous attacks on past environmental gains continue in the General Assembly.
Dismembering DENR: The N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is our state's primary executive agency for implementing state laws and programs managing natural resources, and protecting clean air and water and public health. As such, it is the natural lightning rod for those politicians who do not believe in supporting any of those missions. That opposition is now manifesting itself in the open hostility of bills which would cut away key sub-parts of DENR and send them to other agencies. Last week saw the filing of SB 388, "Transfer Forestry & Forestry Council to DACS", joining the previously filed SB 229, "Transfer DENR Soil & Water to DACS". These bills would remove the forestry management and soil erosion control agencies from DENR and send them to the state Agriculture department, which is run by the independently elected Agriculture Commissioner instead of the governor. (The Ag department has traditionally been regarded as more firmly controlled by the agribusiness lobby and hostile to most environmental regulations.) Other proposals would cut away still other offices from DENR and send them to Commerce or the Wildlife Resources Commission. Commenting on these moves, Rep. Joe Hackney (D-Chatham) told the Raleigh News & Observer, "What I perceive is a generalized attack on all parts of DENR. There are some people who want to dismantle it and reduce it to little or nothing. There are others who want to neuter its regulatory side, which the public will not like. The public places a high value on clean water and clean air."
Turning Off the Green Lights: Meanwhile, the opponents of expanding North Carolina's use of renewable energy sources in the generation of electricity are weighing in through HB 431, "Repeal Senate Bill 3 of the 2007 Session". SB 3 (2007) contained both good (i.e., REPS) and bad (i.e., CWIP financing) provisions, but it's on some groups' hit parade today because of its good points: It directs that electric utilities produce a minimum percentage of their electricity from renewable energy resources. Anti-environmental policy groups like the John Locke Foundation have an abiding disdain for green energy, and continue to wail that the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) will raise electric rates (without contributing to their friends in the oil and nuclear industries). It's uncertain how far HB 431 will progress, since even the power companies now support the 2007 SB 3 as adopted, and have entered into a number of power-purchase contracts from renewable energy sources as a result.
Hot Rail: Rail has become the energy-efficient transportation system that anti-environmentalists love to hate. Incredibly, a Mecklenburg County legislator (Rep. Ric Killian, R-Mecklenburg) has filed a bill (HB 422, "No High-Speed Rail Money from Federal Gov't.") which would turn back a federal grant which includes $152 million now slated to improve rail safety and efficiency in his home county. That's how much of the total grant of $461 million in high-speed rail-enabling track and intersection improvements is targeted for improvements in Mecklenburg. The rest would go to improving track and addressing rail/street intersection problems across the Piedmont between Charlotte and Raleigh. The excuse for this anti-rail money madness is that high-speed rail would cost tax money to maintain on an ongoing basis. However, does anyone wish to bet that Rep. Killian would be...ahem...tarred & feathered & ridden out of town on a rail...by his constituents if he introduced legislation to turn down Charlotte beltway funds on similar grounds? The hypocrisy involved is staggering. Twelve other Representatives (all Republicans) have signed on to this legislation, which would cost North Carolina up to an estimated 5,000 construction-related jobs at a time when the state's unemployment rate exceeds 9%. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Transportation Committee tomorrow (Tuesday, March 29) at noon.
Regulatory Watch: Speak Up for Public Health and a Clean Environment
Two weeks ago CIB advised our readers of a series of so-called "regulatory reform" hearings planned as a means of generating support for stripping clean air and water protections off the rulebooks in North Carolina. Those hearings kicked off last week, and they continue this afternoon in Guilford County.
The good news is that opponents of environmental quality have not had the public stage to themselves thus far. At the first hearing in Wilmington on March 11, supporters of environmental quality were also present in force and spoke eloquently. According to the Wilmington Star-News, area resident Laura Parks kicked off the public comments by reminding committee members, "When you seek to weed through these regulations, know that we also rely on regulations to protect us...We may not be a business, just operating the business of our homes."
Environmental allies cannot afford to rest, however. Several additional hearings are planned by the "Joint Regulatory Reform Committee", including one today (Monday, March 28) from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Jamestown campus of Guilford Technical Community College, 601 High Point Road, Jamestown NC. Speakers will have up to two minutes to address the committee. Sign-up to speak begins at 12:30 p.m. Those who cannot attend can send comments to the committee care of regreform@ncleg.net.
Supporters of protecting clean air and water and public health are being called upon to stand up at these hearings to defend the laws and programs which protect our health and environment. Time and place details for the remaining public hearings (April 4, Winterville; April 15, Flat Rock; and April 21, Raleigh) can be found here: http://www.ncleg.net/documentsites/committees/jointregreform/Joint%20Regulatory%20Reform%20Meeting%20Schedule.pdf.
According to U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group), 108 million Americans live within 50 miles of one of the 104 operating commercial nuclear power plants in the United States. How many of them have received any information on emergency response or evacuation alternatives in the event of radiation releases similar to those taking place in Japan now?
Fears also continued to grow regarding the risk of further radiation leaks from spent fuel rods stored in pools outside the damaged reactors. In Japan as in the United States, tons of highly radioactive waste are stored in pools near but outside the reactor buildings. In the United States, almost 72,000 tons of these spent fuel rods are in temporary storage on plant sites, with more than three-quarters of the waste still very hot and sitting in water-filled pools for cooling. The amount of this intensely radioactive waste, which will remain toxic for tens of thousands of years, is currently growing in the U.S. at a rate of about 2,200 tons per year. When pools with the hot spent fuel are not kept filled with water, the residual heat of the rods can melt their casing and release highly dangerous radioactive isotopes to the environment. There is substantial concern that such releases already may have occurred in Japan.
Campaign Watch: Early Attacks Begin Against Environmental Ally
With the 2012 election year still nine months away, an automated telephone call attack campaign has already been launched against environmental ally U.S. Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC13). Miller's Congressional district is considered a likely target of redistricting efforts this year to reduce his support in 2012. In preparation for the expected campaign targeting Miller, the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee has initiated recorded calls to voters in the 13th District accusing Miller of supporting policies to raise gas prices. The calls implicitly refer to Miller's support for common-sense restrictions on offshore drilling. Miller responds that "according to the Bush Administration's Department of Energy, opening our entire continental shelf to oil drilling without regard to any environmental concern would not lower the price at the pump [for gasoline] at all. No amount of chanting 'drill, baby, drill' is going to change all that."
Education & Resources: Chances to Support Rail Transit
Finally this week, we note that residents of the Research Triangle region will have an opportunity to support development of its local, energy-efficient rail and bus transit system at four public workshops this week (March 28, 29, 30 and 31). For details on when, where, and how, see www.ourtransitfuture.com.
Showing posts with label gas prices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gas prices. Show all posts
5/22/2008
5/20/2008
Intermodal Bill, Raleigh, House Bill 2363
Dear Friends:
[from Nina Szlosberg, member, NC Board of Transportation] I am writing to let you know about an important piece of legislation that was introduced in the NC House today.
This legislation would create "The Intermodal/Congestion Relief" Fund. The 21st Century Transportation Committee, on which I sit, created the bill and voted unanimously last week to send it to the legislature for passage. Rep. Becky Carney of Mecklenburg County (who also sits on the 21st committee and is Chair of the House Transportation Committee) is sponsoring the bill. Becky is a real leader and a great supporter of well planned transportation.
The fund will do two things.
First, it will provide a mechanism to establish a stream of funding for multi-modal projects throughout NC. Currently the NC DOT spends less than 3% of a 3.7 billion annual budget on rapid transit and other multi-modal projects - so the fund is needed if we are to "get up to speed" with other states.
Here's some of what the fund does:
Provides a state match for qualifying transit projects in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the Triad, the Triangle, Asheville and Wilmington (and surrounding areas.)
Transit in these communities will reduce congestion and provide mobility choices.
Provides funding for the short line railroads which stimulate economic activity in rural areas (and take truck traffic off the highways),
Provides funding for the NC Railroad... which could provide commuter service linking workers in "ring counties" to their jobs in urban areas.
Provides funding for the NC Ports - which stimulate economic activity throughout the state.
Second, it will provide enabling legislation to give a number local communities the option of putting a referendum on the ballot asking voters if they would like to raise the sales tax in that community by a half a cent and dedicate that funding to transit. In Charlotte, for example, where they have just opened a very successful rapid rail system they raise 70 Million a year through a half cent sales tax which funds all transit operations (including local bus, express bus, neighborhood circulators and light rail.)
A positive referendum outcome in the Triangle would raise appx. 82 million a year. This is important because a Special Transit Advisory Committee (made up of prominent business and civic leaders in the Triangle) has recently released a report laying out a bold 20year plan for transit in the Triangle region.
The Intermodal Congestion Relief bill could help make that plan a reality.
So, what can you do? I am including you in this email because you all represent many different communities statewide and as such
have tremendous power to make a difference. First, pass this email on to your constituents, friends, family, neighbors, members of organizations with which you are affiliated.
Second, please encourage your legislators to support the bill.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/GIS/Representation/Who_Represents_Me/Who_Represents_Me.html
That will tell you who represents you in the NC House and Senate. Click on the link and that will take you to the individual
lawmakers webpage. There is an email address there.
Write an email to your lawmaker (and others elected leaders and lawmakers as well) and tell them that it is important to you that they support House Bill 2363.
Tell them that if North Carolina is to remain economically competitive we must provide transportation choices for our citizens.
Tell them that as gas prices rise, it is more important than ever to provide people with options other than their cars to get to work, school, shopping and recreation.
Tell them that those who live near transit drive 4400 fewer miles than the average American.
Tell them that you are concerned about our dependence on foreign oil and that public transportation can help reduce that dependency.
Tell them that Public transportation saves 4.2 billion gallons of fuel a year - equal to all of the fuel we import from Kuwait, the equivalent to 320 million cars filling up - 900,000 times a day.
Tell them that households that use public transportation save an average of $6251.00 each year.
Tell them that public Transportation reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 37 million metric tons a year - equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households. To achieve a similar reduction in carbon emissions, every household in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles combined would have to completely stop using electricity.
Tell them that North Carolina will grow by 4 million people in the next twenty years - equal to the current population of SC coming over the border to North Carolina. Ask them where are they going to live? And how will they move around the state?
Tell them that the majority of transportation and land use planners agree - traffic will grind to a halt unless we get serious about transit. Soon.
Tell them that you want to protect the quality of life in North Carolina. And that preserving mobility through creating more transportation choices is key to keeping North Carolina a great play to work, live and thrive. A great place to grow a business and raise a family.
If you have any questions about the bill there is information below, or you can email me (but please don't hit "respond to all" - there are hundreds on this list.)
Thank you for being such concerned, engaged North Carolinians. Your voice (and vote) matters.
Best to you,
Nina Szlosberg
Member, NC Board of Transportation
21st Century Transportation Committee Member
Board President, Conservation Council of NC
Intermodal Bill filed Tuesday as HB2363
Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 17:42:05 -0400
From: Gerry Cohen (Bill Drafting, Director)
To: Gerry Cohen (Bill Drafting, Director)
The Intermodal Bill recommended by the 21st Century Transportation Committee was filed in the North Carolina House of Representative this afternoon as House Bill 2363. It has four primary sponsors, Representatives Becky Carney (Mecklenburg), Lucy Allen (Franklin), Deborah Ross (Wake), and Pricey Harrison (Guilford). At the time of filing, 17 other house members signed as cosponsors, but members have until one hour after adjournment Wednesday, May 21 to add their names.
During the House floor session Wednesday, the bill will get first reading and be referred to a committee, and by late afternoon Wednesday the first edition of the bill will be linked from the bill status page and will include the names of all sponsors. Page and line numbers of the first edition will be different than from the filed edition.
An explanation of the bill is here:
http://www.ncleg.net/documentsites/committees/21stCenturyTransportation/Adopted%20Proposals/Intermodal%20Committee%20Report%20May%2013,%202008.pdf
[from Nina Szlosberg, member, NC Board of Transportation] I am writing to let you know about an important piece of legislation that was introduced in the NC House today.
This legislation would create "The Intermodal/Congestion Relief" Fund. The 21st Century Transportation Committee, on which I sit, created the bill and voted unanimously last week to send it to the legislature for passage. Rep. Becky Carney of Mecklenburg County (who also sits on the 21st committee and is Chair of the House Transportation Committee) is sponsoring the bill. Becky is a real leader and a great supporter of well planned transportation.
The fund will do two things.
First, it will provide a mechanism to establish a stream of funding for multi-modal projects throughout NC. Currently the NC DOT spends less than 3% of a 3.7 billion annual budget on rapid transit and other multi-modal projects - so the fund is needed if we are to "get up to speed" with other states.
Here's some of what the fund does:
Provides a state match for qualifying transit projects in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the Triad, the Triangle, Asheville and Wilmington (and surrounding areas.)
Transit in these communities will reduce congestion and provide mobility choices.
Provides funding for the short line railroads which stimulate economic activity in rural areas (and take truck traffic off the highways),
Provides funding for the NC Railroad... which could provide commuter service linking workers in "ring counties" to their jobs in urban areas.
Provides funding for the NC Ports - which stimulate economic activity throughout the state.
Second, it will provide enabling legislation to give a number local communities the option of putting a referendum on the ballot asking voters if they would like to raise the sales tax in that community by a half a cent and dedicate that funding to transit. In Charlotte, for example, where they have just opened a very successful rapid rail system they raise 70 Million a year through a half cent sales tax which funds all transit operations (including local bus, express bus, neighborhood circulators and light rail.)
A positive referendum outcome in the Triangle would raise appx. 82 million a year. This is important because a Special Transit Advisory Committee (made up of prominent business and civic leaders in the Triangle) has recently released a report laying out a bold 20year plan for transit in the Triangle region.
The Intermodal Congestion Relief bill could help make that plan a reality.
So, what can you do? I am including you in this email because you all represent many different communities statewide and as such
have tremendous power to make a difference. First, pass this email on to your constituents, friends, family, neighbors, members of organizations with which you are affiliated.
Second, please encourage your legislators to support the bill.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/GIS/Representation/Who_Represents_Me/Who_Represents_Me.html
That will tell you who represents you in the NC House and Senate. Click on the link and that will take you to the individual
lawmakers webpage. There is an email address there.
Write an email to your lawmaker (and others elected leaders and lawmakers as well) and tell them that it is important to you that they support House Bill 2363.
Tell them that if North Carolina is to remain economically competitive we must provide transportation choices for our citizens.
Tell them that as gas prices rise, it is more important than ever to provide people with options other than their cars to get to work, school, shopping and recreation.
Tell them that those who live near transit drive 4400 fewer miles than the average American.
Tell them that you are concerned about our dependence on foreign oil and that public transportation can help reduce that dependency.
Tell them that Public transportation saves 4.2 billion gallons of fuel a year - equal to all of the fuel we import from Kuwait, the equivalent to 320 million cars filling up - 900,000 times a day.
Tell them that households that use public transportation save an average of $6251.00 each year.
Tell them that public Transportation reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 37 million metric tons a year - equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households. To achieve a similar reduction in carbon emissions, every household in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Denver and Los Angeles combined would have to completely stop using electricity.
Tell them that North Carolina will grow by 4 million people in the next twenty years - equal to the current population of SC coming over the border to North Carolina. Ask them where are they going to live? And how will they move around the state?
Tell them that the majority of transportation and land use planners agree - traffic will grind to a halt unless we get serious about transit. Soon.
Tell them that you want to protect the quality of life in North Carolina. And that preserving mobility through creating more transportation choices is key to keeping North Carolina a great play to work, live and thrive. A great place to grow a business and raise a family.
If you have any questions about the bill there is information below, or you can email me (but please don't hit "respond to all" - there are hundreds on this list.)
Thank you for being such concerned, engaged North Carolinians. Your voice (and vote) matters.
Best to you,
Nina Szlosberg
Member, NC Board of Transportation
21st Century Transportation Committee Member
Board President, Conservation Council of NC
Intermodal Bill filed Tuesday as HB2363
Date: Tue, 20 May 2008 17:42:05 -0400
From: Gerry Cohen (Bill Drafting, Director)
To: Gerry Cohen (Bill Drafting, Director)
The Intermodal Bill recommended by the 21st Century Transportation Committee was filed in the North Carolina House of Representative this afternoon as House Bill 2363. It has four primary sponsors, Representatives Becky Carney (Mecklenburg), Lucy Allen (Franklin), Deborah Ross (Wake), and Pricey Harrison (Guilford). At the time of filing, 17 other house members signed as cosponsors, but members have until one hour after adjournment Wednesday, May 21 to add their names.
During the House floor session Wednesday, the bill will get first reading and be referred to a committee, and by late afternoon Wednesday the first edition of the bill will be linked from the bill status page and will include the names of all sponsors. Page and line numbers of the first edition will be different than from the filed edition.
An explanation of the bill is here:
http://www.ncleg.net/documentsites/committees/21stCenturyTransportation/Adopted%20Proposals/Intermodal%20Committee%20Report%20May%2013,%202008.pdf
2/22/2008
Consumer-based Carbon Tax
British Columbia Introduces Carbon Tax
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/022108EA.shtml
Jonathan Fowlie and Fiona Anderson, The Vancouver Sun, report, "Driving and other fuel-dependent activities are about to get more expensive as British Columbia becomes the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a consumer-based carbon tax."
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/022108EA.shtml
Jonathan Fowlie and Fiona Anderson, The Vancouver Sun, report, "Driving and other fuel-dependent activities are about to get more expensive as British Columbia becomes the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a consumer-based carbon tax."
4/19/2007
US Gasoline
U.S. consumers paid $38 billion more for gasoline in the first 6 months of 2006 than they paid in the same period of 2005, and $57 billion more than they paid in the same period of 2004, in large part because of rising oil prices, which reached a 24-year high in 2006 when adjusted for inflation. GAO
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