stamford times - State senators push for open space: "Several Republican state senators are calling for a $100 million investment in open space across Connecticut.
The senators hope to pass legislation preserving 5,000 acres of open space and farmland at 20 properties statewide. The money would come from the state's budget surplus, which was estimated at $502.2 million last month. "
Monday, January 29, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Little debate at global warming talk
Wilton Villager OnlineWILTON — Dual screenings of Al Gore's global warming film "An Inconvenient Truth" and following panel discussions nearly filled two movie theaters Wednesday night.
The kickoff event for the Wilton Library's 2007 series of programs titled Environmentally Speaking took place in the Wilton Bow Tie Theaters, and ticket demand for the free program led the library to present the film in two theaters and create separate panels of experts in each of them.
Wilton High School teacher Jim Hunter, said that from a global perspective, reversing global warming was "daunting," but taken at the individual level, "it's small steps that make the difference."
The kickoff event for the Wilton Library's 2007 series of programs titled Environmentally Speaking took place in the Wilton Bow Tie Theaters, and ticket demand for the free program led the library to present the film in two theaters and create separate panels of experts in each of them.
Wilton High School teacher Jim Hunter, said that from a global perspective, reversing global warming was "daunting," but taken at the individual level, "it's small steps that make the difference."
Area Lobbyists Rally in Hartford Against Gridlock
Westport News - Area Lobbyists Rally in Hartford Against Gridlock: "Members and supporters of the Connecticut Citizens Transportation Lobby (CCTL) conducted a rally at the state capital last Wednesday to not only commend some government officials for their commitment to solving the traffic problems throughout the state but also to remind them that the job is far from finished.
According to its Web site, www.ct-ctl.org, CCTL 'is a group of concerned citizens working to improve transportation in Connecticut.' It has both long- and short-terms goals that tackle all facets of transportation woes, such as those on the rails, buses and highways. Fairfielders Jill Kelly and Carol Leighton founded the advocacy group in 2003.
To promote the idea of tackling and hopefully abolishing gridlock, 35 people chose to ride a commercial bus to Hartford to support Kelly and Leighton.
'This really is about how we want to keep the pressure on the legislators and the governor,' said Kitty Graves, a Westport resident and member of the League of Women Voters. 'We want to let them know that it's about getting more bus services offered in urban areas. It's about getting cars off the road.'"
According to its Web site, www.ct-ctl.org, CCTL 'is a group of concerned citizens working to improve transportation in Connecticut.' It has both long- and short-terms goals that tackle all facets of transportation woes, such as those on the rails, buses and highways. Fairfielders Jill Kelly and Carol Leighton founded the advocacy group in 2003.
To promote the idea of tackling and hopefully abolishing gridlock, 35 people chose to ride a commercial bus to Hartford to support Kelly and Leighton.
'This really is about how we want to keep the pressure on the legislators and the governor,' said Kitty Graves, a Westport resident and member of the League of Women Voters. 'We want to let them know that it's about getting more bus services offered in urban areas. It's about getting cars off the road.'"
Shays applauds bill to repeal oil-gas subsidies
CONGRESS: Shays applauds bill to repeal oil-gas subsidies: "“I rise in support of H.R. 6, the CLEAN Energy Act. Protecting our environment and promoting energy independence are two of the most important jobs I have as a member of Congress.
“I have long advocated repealing some of the tax breaks we give oil companies as ‘incentives’ because our current market place provides adequate incentive as is to find additional sources of oil.
“I also support using the $14 billion this bill will save in royalty relief to fund a renewable energy and efficient energy trust fund.
“The bottom line is we are not resolving our energy needs because we are not conserving. We’ll just continue to consume more and waste more, consume more and waste more, and act like it doesn’t matter. This legislation is a first step to begin to address our energy needs.
“This bill is similar to a provision in my energy legislation, the Energy for Our Future Act, which also repeals extraneous oil and gas company tax breaks. This is just one of the three principal goals the Energy For Our Future Act has for our national energy policy. I also hope Congress works to improve the fuel efficiency of passenger vehicles, provide incentives for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances and promote the growth of renewable energy, all three of which I deal with in my legislation.
“In the past we have taken steps to increase our supply with no focus on our need to conserve. I am pleased to see legislation that finally recognizes that we are on a demand course that is simply unsustainable if we do not take control of our over-consumption."
“I have long advocated repealing some of the tax breaks we give oil companies as ‘incentives’ because our current market place provides adequate incentive as is to find additional sources of oil.
“I also support using the $14 billion this bill will save in royalty relief to fund a renewable energy and efficient energy trust fund.
“The bottom line is we are not resolving our energy needs because we are not conserving. We’ll just continue to consume more and waste more, consume more and waste more, and act like it doesn’t matter. This legislation is a first step to begin to address our energy needs.
“This bill is similar to a provision in my energy legislation, the Energy for Our Future Act, which also repeals extraneous oil and gas company tax breaks. This is just one of the three principal goals the Energy For Our Future Act has for our national energy policy. I also hope Congress works to improve the fuel efficiency of passenger vehicles, provide incentives for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances and promote the growth of renewable energy, all three of which I deal with in my legislation.
“In the past we have taken steps to increase our supply with no focus on our need to conserve. I am pleased to see legislation that finally recognizes that we are on a demand course that is simply unsustainable if we do not take control of our over-consumption."
A billion gallons of raw sewage a year pour into the Connecticut River.
Read Page: "Thirty years of state investment in cleaning up Connecticut's waterways is paying off. But we have a long way to go. The General Assembly and governor's office must return to financing clean-water progress before a shared dream of sewage-free rivers, streams and Long Island Sound fades away forever.
Few people realize that every year well over 1 billion gallons of raw sewage overflows from our sewers into the Connecticut River. We only notice when it backs up into our basements, and beaches, and when oyster beds are closed because of health threats from pathogens, or we find out we can't swim or fish in many streams, rivers and lakes in the watershed.
New Haven, Bridgeport and Norwalk harbors continue to suffer from an additional billion-gallon onslaught of raw sewage each year. The whole of Long Island Sound, and everyone who would like to use it, suffer."
Few people realize that every year well over 1 billion gallons of raw sewage overflows from our sewers into the Connecticut River. We only notice when it backs up into our basements, and beaches, and when oyster beds are closed because of health threats from pathogens, or we find out we can't swim or fish in many streams, rivers and lakes in the watershed.
New Haven, Bridgeport and Norwalk harbors continue to suffer from an additional billion-gallon onslaught of raw sewage each year. The whole of Long Island Sound, and everyone who would like to use it, suffer."
State senators push for open space
stamford times - State senators push for open space: "Several Republican state senators are calling for a $100 million investment in open space across Connecticut.
The senators hope to pass legislation preserving 5,000 acres of open space and farmland at 20 properties statewide. The money would come from the state's budget surplus, which was estimated at $502.2 million last month. ..."
The senators hope to pass legislation preserving 5,000 acres of open space and farmland at 20 properties statewide. The money would come from the state's budget surplus, which was estimated at $502.2 million last month. ..."
Fighting Pollution - Good Job For The Other Guy
The Newtown Bee: "With air quality, we're also uneven. At the urging of the relentless Connecticut Fund for the Environment, our legislature has ordered that new cars sold here will soon have to meet those pesky California standards. But we keep building highways and putting off new bus routes so that citizens have little choice but to pour ever more exhaust fumes into the atmosphere.
Yes, progress would surely be much easier if the federal government took some modest interest in ecology. One fantasizes beefed-up mileage requirements for new cars, tough limits on landscape desecration by coal mines, increased roof insulation for new buildings, tight curbs on clear-cutting forests, highway aid shifting over to mass transit, prohibition of nuclear power, limits on public air conditioning, and other such Bolshevik-style controls."
Yes, progress would surely be much easier if the federal government took some modest interest in ecology. One fantasizes beefed-up mileage requirements for new cars, tough limits on landscape desecration by coal mines, increased roof insulation for new buildings, tight curbs on clear-cutting forests, highway aid shifting over to mass transit, prohibition of nuclear power, limits on public air conditioning, and other such Bolshevik-style controls."
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
More hearings on Broadwater? - Newsday.com
More hearings on Broadwater? - Newsday.comPressure is building in New York and Connecticut for more federal hearings or more time to comment on the Broadwater Energy liquid natural gas terminal proposed for the middle of Long Island Sound. And some New Yorkers are asking Gov. Eliot Spitzer to block the project.
Federal officials say they're thinking about more hearings. The governor's office says he won't speak out for another few months. ...
Federal officials say they're thinking about more hearings. The governor's office says he won't speak out for another few months. ...
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Feds: LNG Plan Poses A Threat To Marine Life
Interior Says Terminal, Water Usage Would Take Toll In Long Island Sound: "The Broadwater liquefied natural gas terminal proposed for Long Island Sound could kill millions of fish eggs and larvae annually and harm other aquatic organisms, federal environmental officials have told their colleagues at another federal agency.
In a letter submitted Thursday to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of the Interior's Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance said it is concerned that the floating terminal and the LNG tankers that supply it would kill many fish eggs and larvae when it takes in and discharges about 5.5 million gallons of water daily."
In a letter submitted Thursday to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of the Interior's Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance said it is concerned that the floating terminal and the LNG tankers that supply it would kill many fish eggs and larvae when it takes in and discharges about 5.5 million gallons of water daily."
theday.com
Article display page - theday.com: "Last week, the range of dissenting opinion on the proposed Broadwater Liquefied Natural Gas Facility widened, as outright opponents joined those who questioned the information on it reported in the Federal Energy Regulation Commission's Draft Environmental Impact Study–if not the facility itself."
Norwalk storm drain filters ready for runoff
The Advocate - Norwalk storm drain filters ready for runoff: "NORWALK - The city has added two filter systems to stop debris from polluting Norwalk Harbor and Long Island Sound.
Forty-five filters were installed this week in catch basins at Veterans Park. Last year in South Norwalk, 275 filters were installed."
Forty-five filters were installed this week in catch basins at Veterans Park. Last year in South Norwalk, 275 filters were installed."
Friday, January 19, 2007
Broadwater LNG Battle Intensifies
Westport News - Broadwater LNG Battle Intensifies
On Tuesday, 700 protesters rallied against the proposed liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal prior to a hearing in Branford. And some Westporters and other Fairfield County residents joined the effort, according to press reports.
The Connecticut Post, a sister paper of the Westport News, reported: "The battle over the proposed Broadwater floating gas terminal in Long Island Sound ignited Tuesday as opponents told federal regulators the nearly $1 billion project would be a disaster for the Sound and those who enjoy the waterway."
On Tuesday, 700 protesters rallied against the proposed liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal prior to a hearing in Branford. And some Westporters and other Fairfield County residents joined the effort, according to press reports.
The Connecticut Post, a sister paper of the Westport News, reported: "The battle over the proposed Broadwater floating gas terminal in Long Island Sound ignited Tuesday as opponents told federal regulators the nearly $1 billion project would be a disaster for the Sound and those who enjoy the waterway."
Broadwater opponents voice concerns
The Connecticut Post Online - Broadwater opponents voice concerns: "The battle over the proposed Broadwater floating gas terminal in Long Island Sound ignited Tuesday as hundreds of opponents told federal regulators the nearly $1 billion project would be a disaster for the Sound and those who enjoy the waterway."
Blumenthal: Gas terminal in Sound needs protection in sky
GROTON --State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal called on the Federal Aviation Administration Monday to establish a no-fly zone over a natural liquid gas terminal proposed for the Long Island Sound, just 10 miles from the Connecticut coast.
Broadwater Energy LLC is proposing an 80-foot-tall, 1,200-foot-long, 180-foot-wide platform between East Haven and Wading River, N.Y., to supplement gas piped to the Northeast from Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. The size, scope and seafloor-based design is unprecedented in the region, Blumenthal said.
The state congressional delegation, state-level politicians and a non-profit group, Save the Sound, oppose the project because of the potential environmental impact of leaks and the hindrance to fishermen and others.
Broadwater Energy LLC is proposing an 80-foot-tall, 1,200-foot-long, 180-foot-wide platform between East Haven and Wading River, N.Y., to supplement gas piped to the Northeast from Canada and the Gulf of Mexico. The size, scope and seafloor-based design is unprecedented in the region, Blumenthal said.
The state congressional delegation, state-level politicians and a non-profit group, Save the Sound, oppose the project because of the potential environmental impact of leaks and the hindrance to fishermen and others.
Norwalk storm drain filters ready for runoff
NORWALK - The city has added two filter systems to stop debris from polluting Norwalk Harbor and Long Island Sound.
Forty-five filters were installed this week in catch basins at Veterans Park. Last year in South Norwalk, 275 filters were installed.
The Department of Public Works will evaluate how well the filters trap metals, sands and oils from street runoff that seep into waterways. The city is using filters from two companies, said Michael Yeosock, a public works senior civil engineer.
Forty-five filters were installed this week in catch basins at Veterans Park. Last year in South Norwalk, 275 filters were installed.
The Department of Public Works will evaluate how well the filters trap metals, sands and oils from street runoff that seep into waterways. The city is using filters from two companies, said Michael Yeosock, a public works senior civil engineer.
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