Complete list of press releases

(April 5, 2006 — Austin)  A new report released by the non-profit group Environmental Defense warns of a number of serious health risks posed by diesel pollution inside Texas school buses and urges the Texas Legislature to help local districts speed up the replacement of older buses and install new high-tech filters on buses expected to remain in service awhile.

“A Breath of Fresh Air” provides the first comprehensive inventory of Texas’ 35,000-plus school buses – by age and by region – and outlines affordable and available technology options that virtually eliminate on-board diesel pollution.

“School buses are the safest way to get our children to school, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect,” said Betin Santos of Environmental Defense. “The older the bus, the dirtier the exhaust that gets inside the cabin.  And Texas has a lot of old buses.”

Diesel engines emit nearly 40 toxic substances and contribute to a laundry list of health problems including dizziness, asthma, chronic bronchitis and cancer risk. And studies have found that the pollution level inside a bus can be five times higher that in the ambient, outside air.

Starting with the 2007 model year, new federal diesel standards will require dramatically reduced diesel emissions from school buses.  But buses made as late as this year can emit ten times the amount of harmful diesel particle pollution as next year’s buses will. Buses made before 1994 can emit 25 to 60 times as much.

“The bad news is that there’s a problem,” Santos said. “The good news is there’s a practical and affordable solution.”

For buses with years of service remaining, the report recommends two filter technologies that would capture the harmful pollution. And it notes that the state of Texas has already collected millions of dollars to fund “emission reduction programs”– a significant portion of which has gone unspent by the Legislature.

“There’s money sitting in Austin – money Texans have paid in auto inspection and title fees, and some sales tax receipts – that was collected specifically for this type of cleanup effort,” Santos said. “We need the Legislature to see that this is one of the most tangible air quality projects it could fund. They need to free up the money needed to protect the health of our kids.” 

The report concludes that despite some aggressive local efforts, only 10% of the state’s total fleet has been replaced with newer models, retrofitted with pollution control devices, or use clean fuels.

“Local school districts are doing what they can, and some have gotten very creative in finding non-education funding for these cleanup projects,” Santos said.  “But they can’t fix the whole fleet without the state’s help.”

The public can download copies of the report at http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/colin/TexasSchoolBusReportApril2006.pdf

The report can be downloaded in PDF format

( http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/colin/TexasSchoolBusReportApril2006.pdf )

(April 5, 2006 — Austin)  A new report released by the non-profit group Environmental Defense warns of a number of serious health risks posed by diesel pollution inside Texas school buses and urges the Texas Legislature to help local districts speed up the replacement of older buses and install new high-tech filters on buses expected to remain in service awhile.

“A Breath of Fresh Air” provides the first comprehensive inventory of Texas’ 35,000-plus school buses – by age and by region – and outlines affordable and available technology options that virtually eliminate on-board diesel pollution.

“School buses are the safest way to get our children to school, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect,” said Betin Santos of Environmental Defense. “The older the bus, the dirtier the exhaust that gets inside the cabin.  And Texas has a lot of old buses.”

Diesel engines emit nearly 40 toxic substances and contribute to a laundry list of health problems including dizziness, asthma, chronic bronchitis and cancer risk. And studies have found that the pollution level inside a bus can be five times higher that in the ambient, outside air.

Starting with the 2007 model year, new federal diesel standards will require dramatically reduced diesel emissions from school buses.  But buses made as late as this year can emit ten times the amount of harmful diesel particle pollution as next year’s buses will. Buses made before 1994 can emit 25 to 60 times as much.

“The bad news is that there’s a problem,” Santos said. “The good news is there’s a practical and affordable solution.”

For buses with years of service remaining, the report recommends two filter technologies that would capture the harmful pollution. And it notes that the state of Texas has already collected millions of dollars to fund “emission reduction programs”– a significant portion of which has gone unspent by the Legislature.

“There’s money sitting in Austin – money Texans have paid in auto inspection and title fees, and some sales tax receipts – that was collected specifically for this type of cleanup effort,” Santos said. “We need the Legislature to see that this is one of the most tangible air quality projects it could fund. They need to free up the money needed to protect the health of our kids.” 

The report concludes that despite some aggressive local efforts, only 10% of the state’s total fleet has been replaced with newer models, retrofitted with pollution control devices, or use clean fuels.

“Local school districts are doing what they can, and some have gotten very creative in finding non-education funding for these cleanup projects,” Santos said.  “But they can’t fix the whole fleet without the state’s help.”

The public can download copies of the report at http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/colin/TexasSchoolBusReportApril2006.pdf

(March 23, 2006 – Mobile, AL)   The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted late yesterday to adopt the region’s first “individual fishing quota” (IFQ) program for better management of the commercial red snapper catch.  Fishermen voted overwhelmingly in favor of the new plan with 87% of the weighted vote, and the Council has now sent the plan to the National Marine Fisheries Service in the U.S. Department of Commerce for implementation by January 1, 2007. 

 

“Environmental Defense has been working with fishermen and local communities for over 10 years to

help design and implement a red snapper fishing quota system that will revitalize our troubled

fisheries and marine ecosystems,” said Regional Director for Environmental Defense’s Gulf of Mexico

Program Pam Baker.  “We now look to the Commerce Department to implement the program as

soon as possible to stop destructive fishing and get red snapper recovery on the right track.”

 

In recent years, Gulf fishermen have found it increasingly difficult to earn a living, while fish stocks

have continued to decline.  To solve the economic and environmental problems facing fisheries,

Environmental Defense has been working closely with fishermen, government officials and other

partners in the Gulf of Mexico to design new market-based management programs for red snapper,

reef fish, shrimp and other key fisheries. 

 

The new IFQ program is an essential step to move Gulf fisheries away from hazardous fishing, wasted fish and financial hardship, toward secure fishing privileges, economic incentives and healthy fisheries.  The red snapper IFQ program will serve as a model for other troubled commercial and recreational fisheries in the Gulf and has the support of fishermen.

 

“Fishermen are hoping to get our lives back and put an end to the race for fish. An IFQ system should bring them better prices and bring a better product to consumers,” said Donny Waters, a snapper fisherman from Pensacola, Florida.  “These programs give us a bright outlook for the fishery’s future.”

 

Recent hurricanes in the Gulf region have highlighted the need for better management to achieve sustainable fisheries.  Hurricane relief could help achieve conservation and economic objectives if it’s targeted to reduce overcapacity and overfishing by using tools like voluntary buy-back programs and IFQs.  Fisheries reform is also a national concern at this time as the Senate moves forward with reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which governs all fishery management activities within the federal 200-mile limit.   

 

To find out more about the red snapper IFQ programs, visit http://www.oceansalive.org/explore.cfm?subnav=article&contentID=5075  

www.oceansalive.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kathleen Goldstein, Environmental Defense, 202-841-0295
Haven Bourque, Bon Appétit Management Company, 415-777-1170 x303
Jeanne Colleluori, Wegmans Food Markets, 585-429-3627

(March 13, 2006 – Boston, MA)  Wegmans Food Markets, one of the country’s most successful and innovative food retailers, and Bon Appétit Management Company, a leading food service company known for its ground-breaking sustainable sourcing practices, announced today at the Boston Seafood Show that they have adopted new purchasing policies to provide their customers with farmed king salmon that meets strong health and environmental criteria.  The policies were developed in consultation with Environmental Defense, a leading environmental advocacy organization.
 
In recent years, the salmon farming industry has been surrounded by controversy as researchers reported that some farmed salmon contain relatively high levels of PCBs and other contaminants compared with wild salmon.  Conservation organizations have also raised concerns about the industry’s impact on wild salmon populations, use of drugs and other chemicals in raising salmon and the release of untreated wastes from salmon farms into coastal waters.  This collaborative project tackled all these issues, set aggressive performance targets for suppliers and requires regular reporting and third party verification of progress toward meeting these goals.
 
The policies include new production standards that are the first to publicly and cooperatively address the most pressing health and environmental concerns surrounding salmon farming.  Among other changes, the purchasing standards set stringent criteria for levels of PCBs and other contaminants, require salmon producers to take unprecedented steps to reduce potential impacts on wild salmon populations and the marine environment, and reduce the dependence on wild-caught fish for use in salmon feed. 
 
Under the standards, suppliers will research and implement innovative technologies and management strategies, such as integrating the farming of salmon and mollusks to recycle fish wastes and cut water pollution.  The policies require suppliers to meet at least five of the eight purchasing standards immediately, including the health criteria, and establish a timeline with strict deadlines for suppliers to comply with all of the standards.  The policies also provide incentives for developing new technologies and strategies that further reduce, and may eventually eliminate, the concerns over negative environmental impacts from salmon farming.
 
“Environmental Defense applauds Wegmans and Bon Appétit for adopting these new standards and for challenging their suppliers to improve farming operations,” said Environmental Defense Director of Corporate Partnerships Gwen Ruta.  “Working together, we are providing consumers healthy and affordable salmon now, while promoting further innovation in farming practices.  We urge other purchasers to build on this progress by adopting similar purchasing policies.”
 
King salmon complying with the purchasing policies are now arriving in Wegmans stores, and the retailer will work with its other farm-raised fish suppliers toward meeting similar standards.  Bon Appétit will continue to preferentially purchase wild salmon but, pending product testing, will over the next year give its chefs the option of purchasing farmed king salmon that meet the new standards.
 
“Wegmans is starting with king salmon, not usually available at all to our customers except during the wild salmon run,” said Wegmans Vice President of Seafood Carl Salamone.  “We will eventually expand these standards to all our farmed seafood.  We want to offer our customers seafood that meets the strongest health and environmental standards of any U.S. retailer at an affordable everyday price.”
 
“Bon Appétit Management Company is committed to serving our guests healthful and sustainably sourced food,” said Bon Appétit Management Company Chief Executive Officer Fedele Bauccio.  “While our first preference will always be for wild fish, we are proud of our participation in the development of farmed salmon standards that will drive environmental progress in the aquaculture industry.”
 
These purchasing policies are also supported by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and its Seafood Watch program - a leader in providing guidance to consumers, retailers and restaurateurs on environmentally sound seafood.  
 
“These standards represent a major improvement in the methods by which salmon can be farmed and brought to market,” said Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program Manager Jennifer Dianto.  “We’ve long encouraged the industry to embrace such standards.  Now we have something that can be a model for producers to follow.”
 
To view a copy of the purchasing policies go to www.environmentaldefense.org/go/newsalmonstandards
 
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Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 69-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Maryland.  The family-owned company, founded in 1916, is recognized as an industry leader and innovator.  Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for the nine consecutive years, ranking #1 in 2005 and #2 in 2006.  www.wegmans.com
 
Bon Appétit Management Co. is an onsite restaurant company offering full food service management by providing café and catering service to corporations, universities and specialty venues. Bon Appétit is committed to sourcing sustainable, local food supplies for all cafés throughout the country. Bon Appétit is raising awareness of its sustainable sourcing practices through joint programs with Environmental Defense, the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, and other organizations.  Based in Palo Alto, CA. Bon Appétit has more than 190 cafés in 26 states.  www.bamco.com

(Raleigh, NC)  Environmental Defense and Frontline Farmers today announced that they will work together to develop a voluntary plan and set of policy recommendations for putting alternative waste systems on hog farms in North Carolina, a move that will encourage the transition from traditional lagoons to the new technologies identified by NC State University after five years of research.  The groups saluted the university and project director Mike Williams and the advisory panel for their efforts, which identified five technologies that will enhance air and water quality.

“With research completed, North Carolina is poised to lead the nation in sustainable hog production.  It’s time to turn research into reality and put the results – and the benefits – directly into the hands of farmers,” said Dan Whittle, senior attorney with the Raleigh-based office of Environmental Defense.  “The next step is to figure out how to make alternative technologies more affordable, and this won’t happen in a lab or pilot project.  There are a lot of motivated farmers who are stepping forward and want the new technologies as soon as possible.  They should get them, and be rewarded for their pioneer spirit.”

“Environmental Defense is pleased to work with Frontline Farmers on a voluntary plan to help farmers get affordable access to new technologies in a timely manner,” said Whittle.

“North Carolina farmers care deeply about protecting the environment and in protecting the health of our neighbors.  Alternative technologies can help us do that and still protect the future for our families and the pork industry,” said Lamont Futrell, president of Frontline Farmers, a North Carolina nonprofit, grassroots organization comprised of swine producers and their families.  The group has worked directly with researchers, environmental groups and other partners to identify  for and field test new technologies.

“The NC State research has taught us a lot about opportunities to improve our farms, and we’ve seen technologies that have the potential to improve our environment,” said Futrell.  “I’d like hog farmers from around the country to visit our farms and see the opportunities that exist.”

“The fastest way to claim the benefits of new technologies and reduce the cost is to install them on farms,” said Whittle.  “Putting a sufficient numbers of new technologies on the ground will increase competition, prompt engineering improvements and spur the development of markets for new by-products that will increase farm revenues.”

WASHINGTON - February 13 - Environmental Working Group (EWG) President Ken Cook issued the statement below after hearing the Bush administration’s position on U.S. farm subsidies from a Council of Economic Advisers’ report issued today:

“We commend the Bush administration for taking this bold position on farm subsidies and hope that they will put their shoulder to the political wheel to accomplish wide-ranging reform in the 2007 Farm bill.

“An emphasis on ‘green’ environmental payments and reducing harm to developing countries is exactly what we need.”

From 1995 to 2004, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data compiled by EWG, U.S. taxpayers spent $143,835,000,000 on American farm entities. Of that figure, the largest 10 percent of farm entities collected 72 percent – or $104 billion. Sixty percent of American farmers receive no subsidies.

EWG researchers have tracked U.S. farm subsidies since 1995 and posted them in a free online database searchable by name, zip code, town, county, state and more. Visitors can find the database at http://www.ewg.org/farm.

CONTACT:  Charles Miller, 202-572-3364

Here is a comment by Environmental Defense President Fred Krupp on today’s announcement by a group of evangelical leaders who support Federal legislation to curb the emission of greenhouse gases. 

“This statement marks nothing less than a historic tipping point. Global warming isn’t a liberal issue or an issue that concerns just conservationists. Taking action — now — is a matter of values. It’s a moral issue, a mainstream issue that reflects a national consensus.”

“These courageous leaders have said that global warming should be a concern to all who value God’s creation and that’s a mainstream, non-partisan message that makes sense whether you’re in South Carolina, Arkansas, California or Minnesota.”

“Their support for a pro-business solution makes all the sense in the world. Capping greenhouse gas emissions will unleash a wave of American innovation. It will create new jobs and it’ll give the economy a boost.”

Washington, D.C., February 7, 2006 —The President’s budget confirms what farmers, ranchers, and observers have long known-significant changes to American farm policy are inevitable,” said American Farmland Trust (AFT) president Ralph Grossi. “The only questions are what will that change look like and who will develop the new policies?”

American Farmland Trust (AFT) believes America’s farmers and ranchers, those who are caring for our land and ensuring Americans have a safe and healthy food supply, should be in charge of their own destiny. “While some in the agriculture community continue to close their eyes and call for extensions of existing programs, AFT is working with farmers and ranchers to strengthen American agriculture and expand environmental stewardship on working farms and ranches.”

The proposed 2007 budget moves in the right direction by expanding support for renewable energy and funding conservation programs so farmers can afford to protect the environment and work the land. However, “the President undermined his commitment to farmers and ranchers by cutting the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program by 50% from authorized levels. This proven program already is under-funded turning away three out of four farmers willing to permanently protect their land for future generations,” commented Grossi. “Congress should restore funding for FRPP to help stem the loss of our best farmland to development. These cuts are shortsighted. Once it’s gone, it is gone forever,” Grossi continued.

“The administration’s proposal to change to crop insurance and payment limits must be addressed in the larger farm policy discussion not simply as a budget cutting measure. Instead of debating which program gets cut and by how much, we need to have an open, healthy dialogue with farmers and ranchers over our farm policy priorities and how to develop new policies for the future,” said Grossi.

“Through its Farm Policy project, AFT is working with farmers and ranchers across the country to create practical solutions to maximize farm income through expanded market opportunities, payments that reward producers for creating a cleaner environment and tools to manage risk and a safety net in times of loss,” Grossi concluded.

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American Farmland Trust is a national nonprofit organization working with communities and individuals to protect the best land, plan for growth with agriculture in mind and keep the land healthy. As the leading advocate for farm and ranch land conservation, AFT has ensured that more than a million acres stays bountiful and productive. AFT’s national office is located in Washington, DC. The phone number is 202-331-7300. For more information, visit http://www.farmland.org/.

Cleaning up diesel pollution from municipal fleets and County-contracts was an essential recommendation of that Task Force.  

“Non-road” diesel engines, like those used in construction equipment and commercial marine vessels, are often used for decades and emit more soot pollution than on-road cars and trucks combined.  This is why it is vital to target existing diesel engines now by installing clean diesel technologies in combination with the use of cleaner fuel.
Cost-effective technologies for cleaning up dirty diesel engines are available now.  For more information, please visit Environmental Defense’s Cleaner Diesel Handbook at:
www.cleanerdieselhandbook.org