Complete list of press releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Lisa Hanna, (202) 466-9633 Lisa@turnerstrategies.com
Pam Pollace, (415) 561-7414 Pam.Pollace@moore.org

(Washington, DC - March 28, 2007) — Environmental Defense today released the results of a landmark study that provides a clear roadmap for rebuilding fishing stocks and restoring fishing communities. Entitled “Sustaining America’s Fisheries and Fishing Communities,” this research details how Limited Access Privilege Programs (LAPPs), or “catch shares,” save fishing stocks and help restore fishing communities by offering clear environmental, economic and social benefits. The report also describes a tool to help design effective systems.

A team of over 30 scientists, economists, fishery specialists and other experts collected data on nearly 100 fisheries and analyzed over 150 peer-reviewed studies. Funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, this is largest such study since the U.S. Congress lifted the moratorium on catch shares five years ago.

“Catch shares are the missing piece in the puzzle to restore our fisheries and fishing communities,” said Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense. “For the first time, this comprehensive study provides the hard data that shows how catch shares can improve the performance of fisheries at lower cost to fishermen and greater benefit to the overall ecosystem.”

“This comprehensive analysis shows that LAPPs can be a pivotal tool in preserving fishing stocks,” said Barry Gold, the Marine Conservation Initiative Lead at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. “When designed with local objectives in mind, these systems not only help create sustainable fishing practices, they can also help restore fishing communities.”

Environmental, Economic and Social Benefits

Catch shares work by allocating a dedicated percentage share of a fishery’s total catch to individual fishermen, communities or associations. If a fishery is well managed, the value of these shares increases as the stock expands. When participants have a secure portion of the catch, they gain the flexibility to make business decisions that improve safety, increase profits and promote healthy fishing stocks.

An in-depth analysis of ten fisheries in the U.S. and Canada before and after the implementation of catch shares showed:

Bycatch was reduced by more than 40%, which, together with the benefits of complying with catch limits, each year saves the equivalent of the annual seafood consumption of 16 million Americans.

Revenues per boat increased by 80% due to higher yields per boat and higher dockside prices.

Safety more than doubled, based on an index of vessels lost, lives lost, search and rescue missions and recorded safety violations.

“The biggest thing catch shares do is end the race for fish,” said David Krebs, a Gulf red snapper fisherman. “We used to go out in dangerous conditions, regardless of the cost of fuel or what price we’d get for our fish. Now our jobs are safer and we can deliver a higher quality product.”

“The combination of catch limits, protected areas and controls on bycatch provide a foundation for healthy fisheries,” said David Festa, Oceans Program Director at Environmental Defense. “Catch shares multiply the benefits of these practices and create powerful incentives for improvements in fisheries throughout the country.”

The Problem

An estimated 90% of large predatory fish are gone from our world’s oceans. Of 230 assessed U.S. fisheries, 54 stocks are classified as over-fished, 45 stocks are experiencing overfishing and just over half of the nation’s stocks are in uncertain status.

“Fisheries have continued to decline despite decades of trying to manage these resources,” said Steve Gaines, Director of the Marine Science Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “As these data show, this doesn’t have to be the reality.”

America’s fishing communities are also suffering. The collapse of the iconic cod fishery in New England in the early 1990s cost an estimated 20,000 jobs. An estimated 72,000 jobs have been lost due to decreasing salmon stocks in the Pacific Northwest. The typical fisherman now makes nearly 30% less than the average American worker and faces an occupational fatality rate that is 35 times higher than other industries.

“This report clearly shows that catch share programs help end the dangerous race for fish and contribute to a vibrant, safe future for our coastal communities,” said Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). “These findings confirm actual experiences with successful catch share programs in the North Pacific. These programs have increased the value of fisheries while contributing to conservation.”

The Future

President Bush recently set a practical goal of doubling U.S. catch share programs by 2010. Congress also promoted these systems and established guidelines for their use as part of the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which passed Congress unanimously in December 2006. This new report provides the hard data to properly evaluate and design these systems.

“Faced with reduced landings and fragile waterfront economies, California’s fishing families and their communities are going through profound change,” said Congresswoman Lois Capps, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee. “To preserve the economy and heritage of special places like Morro Bay, we should give fishermen tools that enhance their economic vitality, advance sustainable fishing practices and protect fish populations for future generations.”

“The task at hand today is prompt and well designed implementation of catch shares,” said Krupp. “We call on both President Bush and Congress to prioritize funding over the next five years for these innovative approaches to rebuild our fisheries and fishing communities.”

To download a copy of the report and learn more about catch shares, please visit www.sustainingfisheries.com.

Contact:
Bruce Rich, Environmental Defense, brich@environmentaldefense.org, (001)202.572.3334
Matt Finer, Save America’s Forests,matt@saveamericasforests.org, (001) 202 544 1219
Nathalie Weemaels, Quito, Ecuador, natwe@uio.satnet.net, (593) 2 2373293

(Quito, Ecuador and Washington, DC – March 26, 2006) Scientists and conservationists from thirteen countries today urged President Correa of Ecuador and ten international banks to reconsider Brazilian oil company Petrobras’ current plan for oil drilling in Block 31, which encompasses key areas of Yasuní National Park, the crown jewel of the Ecuadorian mainland national park system. This park is an area of unique biological and scientific importance in the core of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and is adjacent to territories for indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation which have been decreed to be untouchable.

In a nation-wide radio broadcast on February 3, President Correa said the government would suspend the contracts of oil companies that needlessly damage the environment. However, the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the current Petrobras project violates major requirements of accepted international good practice as well as the Equator Principles – a commitment by the world’s leading international private banks and investment companies not to finance large projects in the developing world if they do not meet key environmental and social standards of the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC).

An international alliance of 43 scientists from Ecuador, North America and Europe has proposed several critical, feasible design alternatives that would mitigate many of these risks and impacts. Of particular concern is the explicit acknowledgement in the EA that there is a substantial, “probable” risk that Waorani and Kichwa indigenous communities affected by the project will engage in physical protests and interventions that could lead to work stoppages and violence. There is also the inherent risk that the processing plant to be built near the Tiputini River on the northern border of the Park could have a catastrophic oil spill.

Continuation of the project without incorporating the proposed alternatives will have broad direct and secondary environmental and social impacts and will likely lead to major cultural changes among the indigenous communities in the region. Specifically, environmental impacts include deforestation, over-hunting, and pollution. Any contamination or pollution will be particularly damaging to the Tiputini River, home to rare mammals such as the globally endangered Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), the globally vulnerable (and in Ecuador critically endangered) Amazonian Manatee (Trichechus inunguis), the globally vulnerable (and in Ecuador endangered) Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), and the Gray River Dolphin (Sotalia fluviatilis), which is also endangered in Ecuador.

The project will also increase pressures on the indigenous communities living in voluntary isolation adjacent to Block 31. Forced contact and dependency with society and a serious threat of extermination could lead to more acute cycles of internal and external tribal war and irreparable damage to these peoples.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jane Preyer, 919-881-2912
Joe Rudek, 919-881-2913
Georgette Shepherd, 919-881-2927 or 919-880-8033

(Raleigh, NC - March 27, 2007) - Environmental Defense today praised a bill introduced by Rep. Carolyn Justice, R-New Hanover/Pender, that will establish permanent environmental standards for managing hog waste and help farmers make the transition from traditional lagoons to cleaner waste systems. The bill provides $50 million for a cost-share program, called the Early Adoption Program, to help make new systems affordable for farmers. It also includes $10 million for a well water fund that will help low-income citizens replace or repair contaminated wells, regardless of the source of contamination.

In the 1990s the lagoon and sprayfield system gained widespread acceptance for treating hog waste. However, the explosive growth of the NC pork industry proved the system to be a poor choice for the state’s environment and public health. Outmoded waste systems can contaminate ground water, pollute rivers and streams, exacerbate respiratory problems, and disrupt the daily lives of citizens.

“Traditional hog lagoons are on the way out, and clean waste systems are on the way in,” said Jane Preyer, director of the NC office of Environmental Defense. “There is widespread agreement that no farmer would build a traditional lagoon today. The challenge is to bring down the cost of modern systems so that farmers can replace existing lagoons. During the next few years, these cleaner systems will improve, the costs will come down, and farmers will find new markets for by-products. If North Carolina makes a real commitment to clean hog farming, new waste systems can spread from farm to farm just as easily as lagoons did back in the 1990s.”

“North Carolina would never have welcomed the lagoon system to the state if the public health risks had been known,” said Joe Rudek, Environmental Defense senior scientist. “Now that science has documented health threats and research has identified clean waste systems, the state should help farmers and communities plan for a cleaner future. Adopting permanent standards for hog waste systems will protect people’s health, the environment and the future of the hog industry. It is possible to accomplish all three goals if the state makes them a priority. This bill lays the foundation for action.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Meg Little, mlittle@environmentaldefense.org, 202-572-3387
Sharyn Stein, sstein@environmentaldefense.org, 202-572-3396

(Washington, DC – March 20, 2007) – Environmental Defense praised the introduction today 0of the EAT Healthy America Act by Reps. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Adam Putnam (R-FL), John Salazar (D-CO), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

The bill would:
• Double incentives for better air and water quality to $2 billion a year;
• Provide farmers $300 million a year to enhance wildlife habitat;
• Help farmers restore 3 million acres of wetlands;
• Protect more than 10 million of acres of farm and ranchland from sprawl.

“The EAT Healthy America Act will help make health, equity and the environment a central focus of the 2007 Farm Bill,” said Scott Faber, farm policy campaign director for Environmental Defense. “Our farmers and ranchers are eager to solve America’s environmental challenges. They can help provide clean air, clean water, and clean energy, but only if we reward – rather than reject – their offers to help.”

Read the EAT Healthy America Act here [pdf].
Read the EAT Healthy America Act section-by-section here [pdf].

For more information, visit www.environmentaldefense.org/go/farms/.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Sandy Drayton, Women’s Health, sandy.drayton@rodale.com, 212-573-0262
Allison Keane, Women’s Health, allison.keane@rodale.com, 212-808-1676 
Diane Slaine, Environmental Defense, dslaine@environmentaldefense.org, 212-616-1267

(New York, NY - March 16, 2007) - Women’s Health, the women’s lifestyle magazine published by Rodale Inc., has joined forces with Environmental Defense, one of America’s most influential environmental advocacy groups, in an effort to combat global warming. With more than 500,000 members and more Ph.D. staff scientists and economists than any similar organization, Environmental Defense is known for developing market-based solutions to the most serious environmental problems.

The new partnership will help raise awareness about global warming and other health-related environmental issues and will further educate Women’s Health readers about what they can do to protect our environment. Founded in 1967, Environmental Defense was the first major environmental group to focus on human health issues, making it a valuable resource for Women’s Health, whose readers have cited global warming as their number one environmental concern.

“I’m delighted that we are teaming up with one of the top environmental groups in the U.S. Together, we can further educate our readers on how they can make a real difference in their own lives and in the long-term preservation of our environment,” said Tina Johnson, VP/Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Health. “Fighting global warming goes to the core of our mission here at Women’s Health, because to live a healthy life, we need a healthy planet.”

The evidence for global warming is everywhere. The cumulative impact of melting glaciers, increasingly severe storms and 70-degree days in December have turned climate change into front-page news around the world. Fortunately, there still is time to avoid the most dangerous consequences of global warming if we reduce the greenhouse gas pollution that causes the warming. But scientists say that we need to act soon as the window of opportunity is closing.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports the average temperature in the United States has increased roughly two degrees over the last one hundred years; and the past nine years were among the warmest on record.

Top scientists from around the world are now 90 percent certain that human activities are causing global warming. The increasing use of fossil fuels—coal, oil and gas—and the burning of tropical rainforests are the biggest factors leading to climbing temperatures, rising sea levels, flash floods and fiercer tropical storms, especially over the Atlantic Ocean.

“Many of the steps we can take to reduce global warming will reduce local air pollution as well,” says Dr. John Balbus, the physician who heads the Environmental Defense health program. “By working together to safeguard our air, water and land, we can protect not only the natural world but also our own health and that of our children.”

The Special Report in the April issue of Women’s Health, “Keep Your Cool,” is all about global warming. It explores the latest science behind the ongoing degradation of our environment, and offers up a wide variety of easy, actionable ways for each of us to step up and begin to repair the damage.

In the coming months Women’s Health and Environmental Defense will collaborate on a series of initiatives and events aimed at tackling global warming. Women’s Health will also issue a “green challenge” to readers, asking them to dramatically reduce their carbon footprint and to report back on how they did it.

About Women’s Health
Women’s Health is a new women’s lifestyle magazine rooted in healthy living. Launched in October 2005 and published 10 times a year by Rodale Inc., Women’s Health is a fresh, smart and inspiring magazine for today’s active young women. The magazine speaks to every aspect of a women’s life including health, fitness, nutrition, emotional well-being, sex and relationships, beauty and style. Women’s Health’s ad pages in 2006 were up 114% from 2005 and advertising revenues rose 371%. The title’s circulation was up 98.5% to 648,981 in the second half ‘06 versus second half ‘05, showing the highest percentage growth in total subscriptions and total circulation of any magazine for this six-month period. In its first year of eligibility, the magazine was named to Adweek’s annual Hot List which recognizes ten magazines for outstanding performance in circulation, advertising, and overall buzz within the industry.

About Environmental Defense
Environmental Defense is a leading national nonprofit organization representing more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, the organization has linked science, economics and law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions to society’s most urgent environmental problems. Environmental Defense is dedicated to protecting the environmental rights of all people, including future generations. Among these rights are clean air, clean water, healthy food and flourishing ecosystems.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Meg Little, mlittle@environmentaldefense.org , 202-572-3387
Sharyn Stein, sstein@environmentaldefense.org , 202-572-3396

(Washington, DC – March 15, 2007) – Environmental Defense praised the introduction today of the first major agriculture legislation in the new Congress for proposing to dramatically increase funding for voluntary conservation programs in this year’s Farm Bill. U.S. Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (-D-CA) introduced a revised version of The Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act that originally was introduced last year in the House only.

The bill would:

    - Double incentives for better water quality to $2 billion a year;
    - Provide farmers $300 million a year to enhance wildlife habitat;
    - Help farmers restore 3 million acres of wetlands;
    - Protect more than 10 million of acres of farm and ranchland from sprawl; and
    - Promote development of renewable energy sources.

“I applaud these members of Congress for introducing this legislation that will help make health, energy, equity and the environment a central focus of the 2007 Farm Bill,” said Scott Faber, farm policy campaign director for Environmental Defense, who joined Reps. Kind, and Gerlach and Senator Menendez, along with farmers, ranchers and family forest landowners who utilize conservation programs from around the country for a 10:30am Capitol Hill news conference today announcing the bill introduction. “Our farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are anxious to solve America’s environmental challenges. They can help provide clean air, clean water, and clean energy, but only if we reward – rather than reject – their offers to help.”

As a result of inadequate funding of the current Farm Bill that took effect in 2002, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) currently turns away three out of four farmers who are eligible for conservation payments. Unlike subsidies, conservation payments flow to all farmers, ranchers and landowners regardless of what they grow or where they live.

Read the bill summary [pdf]
Read the bill section-by-section [pdf]
Read the bill Q & A [pdf] 

For more information about The Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act, visit www.environmentaldefense.org/go/farms/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Tony Kreindler 202/572-3378, 202/210-5791 (cell)
John DeCicco 734/424-3742

This statement should be attributed to John DeCicco, Detroit-based Senior Fellow at Environmental Defense:

“This is a major breakthrough. These companies see the urgent need to make deep cuts in global warming pollution. Automobiles have always been at the center of the climate change debate — and getting this leading industry’s support for a national cap on carbon represents a major shift.

This demonstrates that passing cap and trade legislation in this Congress is not only necessary, but very realistic. With GM and Ford supporting an economy-wide cap on carbon, we now believe the congressional leadership won’t settle for anything less.

The details of an economy-wide climate protection policy are, obviously, extremely important. It is crucial that the policy be fair to all parties, especially to American consumers. We expect automakers to do their fair share to provide America with the technological innovations of which they are capable, and do so in ways that contribute to cutting oil use and carbon emissions from car and light trucks on a timetable that protects the climate. We look forward to continuing to work with automakers and all other interest parties to develop a fair and effective policy to handle cars under an economy-wide cap.”

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Bill Chameides, 212/505-2100
Tony Kreindler, 202/572-3378

(New York, NY - March 14, 2007) - Environmental Defense today announced the launch of a new online resource for policymakers and journalists interested in the science of climate change, its policy implications, and technologies that can help solve the problem.

Climate411.org, written by Environmental Defense Chief Scientist Bill Chameides, features plain-English explanations of key issues from carbon offsets and emissions trading, to energy-efficient light bulbs and the latest proposals on Capitol Hill.

Chameides, an atmospheric scientist, received his Ph.D. from Yale University in 1974. He joined Environmental Defense in 2005 after spending 30 years in academia, most recently as Regents Professor and Smithgall Chair at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Chameides is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, a recipient of the American Geophysical Union’s Macelwane Award, and, “in recognition of extraordinary service,” was named a National Associate of the National Academies. He is author or co-author of more than 130 scientific publications and five books.

In short, there is no one better qualified to give clear and accurate information on climate change. Climate 411 also will host guest bloggers to offer their insights on major climate stories of the day. Visit the site at http://www.climate411.org to read Bill’s latest post on worldwide emissions targets, and an inside look at the landmark TXU deal from Environmental Defense’s Jim Marston.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Meg Little, mlittle@environmentaldefense.org, 202-572-3387
Sharyn Stein, sstein@environmentaldefense.org, 202-572-3396

(Washington, DC – March 16, 2007) – Environmental Defense will thank eight farmers, ranchers and forest landowners from California, Massachusetts, New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, North Carolina, Washington, and Wyoming in a series of advertisements starting this Sunday. The ads feature agricultural producers who have taken steps to provide cleaner air and water, protect farmland from sprawl, and protect wildlife habitat.

“The farmers, ranchers and forest landowners featured in these advertisements represent tens of thousands of farmers taking steps to meet our nation’s environmental challenges,” said Scott Faber, Farm Policy Campaign Director for Environmental Defense. “These farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are ‘everyday environmental heroes’ who deserve our thanks for their stewardship.”

The farmers, ranchers and forest landowners from California, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming featured in the ads will join other producers from Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Vermont and Environmental Defense staff on Capitol Hill Thursday. They will urge Congress to reform farm policies to provide new incentives for land stewardship when Congress renews the Farm Bill. Farmers, ranchers and forest landowners from these states are available to speak with the media. 

Thursday also is when Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), and Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) are expected to introduce legislation that would dramatically increase voluntary USDA conservation programs.  Next week, Reps, Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) and Adam Putnam (R-FL) are expected to introduce a specialty crop bill that also would do the same thing.

“We cannot hope to meet some of the nation’s biggest environmental challenges unless we reward land stewardship,” Faber said. “Farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are doing their part. Unfortunately, as a result of our misplaced spending priorities, the U.S. Department of Agriculture rejects three-out-of-four farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who offer to share the cost of clean water, clean air, open spaces, and wildlife habitat. Renewal of the Farm Bill this year is a chance to help our farmers, ranchers and forest landowners when they offer to help the environment.”

The following producers will be featured in the advertisements:

• Brad and Randy Lange, California wine grape growers (view ad [PDF])
• Jay Healy, Massachusetts tree farmer (view ad [PDF])
• Dale Hemminger, New York dairy and vegetable farmer (view ad [PDF])
• Tommy Ammons, North Carolina tree farmer (view ad [PDF]) 
• Les Imboden, Ohio corn and soybean farmer (view ad [PDF])
• Andrew Stout, Washington organic farmer (view ad [PDF])
• Nicholas Zimmer, Wisconsin dairy farmer (view ad [PDF])
• Odgen Driskell, Wyoming rancher (view ad [PDF])

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Dr. Rebecca Goldberg, (917) 912-0333

(March 12, 2007 - Washington, DC) - Environmental Defense criticized a new proposed bill by the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) that would create the first permitting system in this country for fish farms—or aquaculture – in deep ocean waters. The proposal was announced this afternoon by Commerce Secretary Gutierrez at the Boston Seafood Show and will be available online at www.aquaculture.noaa.gov .

“Consumer demand for healthy food – and seafood in particular – is flying high,” said Environmental Defense senior scientist Dr. Rebecca Goldburg. “Fish farming can help meet this demand, but only if it is done right. This means avoiding additional ocean pollution, preventing escapes of farmed fish and minimizing the spread of parasites and disease to wild fish populations. Unfortunately, this bill does not require that these key environmental impacts be minimized.”

In addition, most offshore aquaculture requires more fish to be caught for feed than it actually produces. “The unfortunate irony in many fish farming schemes is that they don’t make economic or environmental sense,” said Goldburg. “The fish targeted for offshore farms, such as cod, halibut and tuna, are carnivores and thus are fed fish to grow. We’re depleting one pool of resources to augment another.”

Legislation similar to the bill announced today was introduced to the U.S. Senate in June 2005 by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) as a courtesy to NOAA. That bill was heavily criticized by environmental and fishing organizations and never made it out of committee. “Unfortunately,” commented Goldburg, “NOAA has still not added key legal requirements essential to protecting the marine environment.” 

For more on our oceans program, visit www.oceansalive.org.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jim Marston (512) 289-5293 

“Over the past year we have held steady in our belief that Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) holds the most promise for future coal use in Texas. Today’s announcement that TXU has started the planning process and is investigating two IGCC plants with carbon capture and storage in Texas is another step in the right direction and directly contradicts the inaccurate claim that IGCC is not a feasible alternative here.

“The days of old, dirty fired coal plants are over. As America moves into a low-carbon future, this is a great example of the kind of technology we would like to see companies explore.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Meg Little, 202-572-3387, mlittle@environmentaldefense.org
Scott Faber, 202-572-3315, sfaber@environmentaldefense.org

(Washington, DC - March 9, 2007) - Twelve national environmental groups this week urged Congress to increase funding for voluntary USDA conservation programs when legislators renew the Farm Bill.

American Bird Conservancy, American Rivers, Environmental Defense, Environmental Working Group, Land Trust Alliance, National Audubon Society Natural Resources Defense Council, Republicans for Environmental Protection, Soil and Water Conservation Society, Trust for Public Land, Wilderness Society, and the World Wildlife Fund urged House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and Rankin Member Bob Goodlatte to “dramatically expand incentives for farm, ranch and forest land management practices that benefit the environment.”

The 2002 Farm Bill expires in September.

In particular, the groups urged Reps. Peterson and Goodlatte to:

• Increase cost-sharing assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to $2 billion annually;
• Expand the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program to $300 million annually;
• Reserve 20 percent of working lands conservation funds to promote cooperative conservation agreements that link together groups of farmers to meet regional environmental challenges.
• Protect at least 5 million acres of farm and pasture land from development through the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program and the Grassland Reserve Program and create a new a program to help local governments and land trusts acquire community forests and other open spaces.
• Reform the Conservation Reserve Program by enrolling more streamside buffers and other marginal, environmentally-sensitive lands that can filter runoff and provide habitat for wildlife.
• Expand the Wetlands Reserve Program to 5 million acres;
• Make the Conservation Security Program available to more producers who meet high levels of environmental performance;
• Expand forestry incentive programs to $250 million annually.
• Expand energy title programs to provide grants, loans and loan guarantees to farmers and farmer-owned businesses to develop energy on farms in ways that also meet our environmental challenges.
• Expand efforts to help farmers make the transition to organic production systems.

Read the letter here [PDF].

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Dr. Rod Fujita, Environmental Defense: 510.326.6065 (cell)
Johanna Thomas, Environmental Defense: 510.703.8484 (cell) 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Denise DesChenes/Renee Soto, Sard Verbinnen & Co, 212-687-8080

(New York, NY – March 7, 2007) – Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, today announced that it has engaged Perella Weinberg Partners to support its role as an advocate for environmental interests in connection with the proposed acquisition of TXU Corporation by a group of private equity firms led by Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts (“KKR”) and Texas Pacific Group (“TPG”).

Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense said, “We applaud KKR and TPG and their primary financial advisor, Goldman, Sachs & Co. for their pioneering foresight in giving environmental advocates a seat at the table on this important and groundbreaking transaction. We are committed to being a pragmatic, constructive and informed participant in this process. We have engaged Perella Weinberg to assist us in evaluating and better understanding the financial aspects of the transaction which could affect the environmental commitments made by prospective buyers.”

Continued Krupp, “As an organization, we are focused on enlisting senior business and financial leaders to serve as advocates for market-based economic solutions to global environmental and climate issues. The TXU situation is a perfect example of how the business, financial and environmental communities can come together in a substantive way.”

Said Peter Weinberg, Co-Founder and Partner of Perella Weinberg Partners, “This is a truly unique and exciting opportunity for us. Environmental Defense is a long established and committed advocate on environmental issues that are important to us all. We look forward to supporting them in every way we can.”

As previously announced on February 26, 2007, a group of private equity firms led by KKR and TPG announced an offer to acquire TXU in a $45 billion transaction, the largest proposed acquisition by private equity firms in history. Based on discussions with Environmental Defense, KKR, TPG and the other equity owners have made a number of commitments, including to withdraw applications for eight coal-fired power plants proposed in Texas, and to support a mandatory cap on carbon emissions, should their offer to acquire TXU be accepted and the transaction consummated.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Michael Shore, Environmental Defense, 828-582-3141
Ivan Urlaub, NC Sustainable Energy Association, 919-923-4332

(Raleigh, NC - March 7, 2007) - Thirteen North Carolina organizations today issued recommendations that would help clean energy play a bigger role in meeting the state’s growing demand for electricity. The coalition of environmental, faith and health groups said renewable energy and efficiency is quicker, cheaper and healthier to use than other sources, such as coal and nuclear power, and can reliably meet the state’s rising electricity consumption. The report concludes that the state can meet 10% of future energy demand with efficiency and 10% with renewable energy. The recommendations are included in a report, “The Power to Choose: North Carolina’s Clean-Energy Future”. Read it here. 

The report says most of the fuels used to generate electricity in North Carolina are purchased from out of state, draining $1.6 billion from the economy each year. Clean energy can keep more of those dollars in state, creating jobs and business opportunities. Nearly 40,000 jobs could be created by pursuing an aggressive set of policies to reduce global warming pollution, making the renewable energy and efficiency sector larger than several traditional sectors, including hog farming, tobacco and paper manufacturing.

The coalition recommends:

• Securing at least 20% of the state’s energy from renewables and efficiency by 2020.
• Creating a public benefits fund to promote efficiency programs.
• Implementing programs to promote high-performance buildings, particularly in the public sector.
• Simplifying the rate structure for utilities to align incentives with increased efficiency.

“Losing a billion dollars from our economy each year is staggering. The quickest and most cost-effective thing for North Carolina to do is to create a renewable energy and efficiency standard and keep more of those dollars inside our state lines,” said Michael Shore, senior air policy analyst with Environmental Defense. “More than 20 states already have such standards. Jobs, economic growth and a clean energy future are at hand. Let’s not let this opportunity slip through our fingers.”

“North Carolina’s regulations and laws have failed to recognize the real value of renewable energy and efficiency to our economy,” said Ivan Urlaub, executive and policy director of the NC Sustainable Energy Association. “It’s time for the state to put renewables and efficiency at the top of the energy list, instead of the bottom.”

Organizations endorsing the report are Environmental Defense, NC Sustainable Energy Association, American Lung Association of North Carolina, Carolinas Clean Air Coalition, Conservation Council of North Carolina, Environment North Carolina, NC Conservation Network, NC Council of Churches, NC Sierra Club, NC Waste Awareness Reduction Network, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Southern Environmental Law Center, and Students United for a Responsible Global Environment.

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