Complete list of press releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jeremiah O’Brien, Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization, 805-772-9037
Chuck Cook, The Nature Conservancy, 805-646-8820
Rod Fujita, Environmental Defense, 510-326-6065

(June 16, 2005, Foster City, CA) - The Morro Bay Commercial Fisherman’s Organization, The Nature Conservancy and Environmental Defense applauded  the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (PFMC) decision  to ban bottom trawling in large swaths of the ocean off the central California coast.  Trawl fishermen and environmentalists laid the groundwork for consensus before the Council vote.   As a result, this action will protect many historic fishing grounds, fishing families, livelihoods and public access to fresh local seafood while also protecting important ocean ecosystems. 

The Nature Conservancy and Environmental Defense identified the region between Point Conception and Point Sur  (the central California coast) as a high priority for ocean conservation, as it contains one of the richest assemblages of habitats and marine life in the world.  Based on an analysis of threats to biological diversity and ecological health in this region, the two groups concluded that trawling should be reduced. 

To soften the economic impacts of creating large no trawl zones, The Nature Conservancy and Environmental Defense teamed up to purchase vessels and permits from trawlers willing to sell, contingent upon a commitment by the federal government to establish no-trawl zones.  However, the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization, harbormasters and other stakeholders pointed out that in the wake of the recent federal buyout of trawlers and in the face of tighter fishing regulations, an additional buyout would disrupt supplies of fish to Morro Bay and threaten the very existence of the working waterfront. 

The Fishing Heritage Group, comprised of fishermen, Environmental Defense, The Nature Conservancy, the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Center for the Future of the Oceans and central coast harbormasters (Morro Bay, Port San Luis, Moss Landing, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay) was formed to discuss and work through these economic and environmental issues, and to develop ways to harmonize conservation while maintaining commercial fishing, processing and distribution in central California ports.

“The consensus plan that emerged is based on good science, good conservation values and good faith,” said Environmental Defense marine ecologist Dr. Rod Fujita.

These zones will protect 3,835,000 acres of valuable habitat, including rocky reefs, offshore banks, underwater canyons, seamounts and coral gardens that harbor a spectacular diversity of ocean life.  At the same time, enough productive  fishing grounds will remain open to allow the trawlers to continue to deliver Dover and Petrale Sole, blackcod and other delectable fish to Morro Bay.  

Chris Kubiak, a trawler who played a lead role in developing the compromise, said “we’ve shown we can all work together to protect both the environment and commercial fishing.  This deal will help us to keep supplying the country with healthy seafood.”

The Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen’s Organization, The Nature Conservancy and Environmental Defense all anticipate that this will open up opportunities for marketing “ocean-friendly” seafood, maintaining the working waterfront of Morro Bay and preserving the fishing heritage of this picturesque seaport.

“I am encouraged that the Pacific Fishery Management Council has adopted our consensus plan which will afford long term protection to a wide array of marine habitats and biodiversity in some of California’s last great places,” said the Nature Conservancy coastal and marine program director Chuck Cook. 

To request a copy of the no-trawl zone map, please call any of the media contacts above.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule intended to cut haze pollution in national parks falls short because it allows states to exempt some high polluting industrial sources from clean up, according to Environmental Defense.  Late Wednesday, June 15, the EPA finalized clean up guidelines for large power plants and industrial sources that contribute to haze air pollution in protected national parks such as Acadia, Canyonlands, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain, Shenandoah, Yellowstone and Yosemite.  EPA’s action was required under a court-ordered settlement agreement with Environmental Defense, which was represented by Earthjustice in the case.

“Unfortunately, EPA has made it harder for states to restore clean air to our national parks by exempting some high-polluting industrial sources from clean up requirements,” said Environmental Defense senior scientist Jana Milford.  “Protective state action enforcing EPA’s pollution control guidelines will now be essential to lift the veil of haze from our nation’s Crown Jewels.” 

Environmental Defense disagrees with EPA allowing states to ignore the first 35 days of adverse visibility impacts over a five year period in determining whether a source should be subject to clean up requirements, dubbed “best available retrofit technology” or “BART.” 

“Every day of visibility damage matters,” said Milford.  “We shouldn’t have to wait 36 days to demonstrate that the source is harmful.”

Earlier this week, Environmental Defense released a new report, Clearing the Haze from Western Skies, documenting the rising pollution levels at national parks in the interior West, from Yellowstone in the north to Grand Canyon in the south.  The report is available at www.environmentaldefense.org/go/westernhaze

More than a quarter century ago, as part of the 1977 Clean Air Act amendments, Congress declared as a national goal the restoration of clear vistas in premier national parks and wilderness areas.   The new federal guidelines address two key issues:  (1) how states determine whether sources are subject to pollution control requirements, and (2) how states determine what level of pollution control should be required for covered sources.  State plans implementing the guidelines are due in December 2007, and must also demonstrate steady progress toward the overarching goal of restoring natural visibility conditions in protected areas by 2064.   The EPA guidelines apply to 26 categories of industrial sources constructed between 1962 and 1977.  The industrial sources include power plants, industrial boilers, smelters, refineries, chemical facilities, cement plants, and pulp and paper mills.

A national program to lower pollution from today’s diesel engines will have extensive human health benefits that overwhelm the costs by at least 12 to 1, according to a new report from Environmental Defense, Cleaner Air for America.  The analysis is available at www.environmentaldefense.org/go/cleanerairamerica  

Environmental Defense released the report on the same day that Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), business leaders and Environmental Defense president Fred Krupp jointly announced the Diesel Emission Reduction Act of 2005.  The unique national legislation would provide federal support for community and business initiatives to lower  pollution from existing diesel engines.  Senators Thomas Carper (D-DE), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Hilary Clinton (D-NY) and Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) are co-sponsors of the bill.

“This bill relies on American ingenuity to accelerate the nation’s transition to cleaner diesel engines and deliver healthier air to millions of Americans today,” said Environmental Defense president Fred Krupp.  “We applaud Senator Voinovich for his leadership in bringing diverse interests together and forging common ground on a visionary clean air initiative for America.”

“I would like to thank Environmental Defense for all the hard work they have put into making sure this legislation becomes a reality,” said Senator Voinovich.  “The executive summary they provided on their recent study clearly lays out the need for a national program to cut pollution from today’s existing diesel engines.  I look forward to continuing to work with Environmental Defense to ensure the passage and full funding of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005.”

Cleaner Air for America examines the human health, policy and economic case for a national program to lower pollution from today’s diesel engines.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that by 2030, its landmark programs to reduce air pollution from new diesel buses, freight trucks and new nonroad diesel equipment will slash diesel emissions by more than 80% from 2000 levels thereby preventing over 20,000 premature deaths and half a million asthma attacks each year.  But because these standards apply only to new diesel engines and because existing diesel engines are so durable, the high levels of pollution from existing diesel sources will persist throughout the long lives of the engines in service today.

Cleaner Air for America demonstrates that each dollar invested in lowering pollution from existing diesel engines yields human health dividends of at least twelve-fold.  The legislation introduced today seeks to establish a national program that will provide $200 million annually over six years for communities and businesses to cut pollution from diesel vehicles and engines in use today.  This federal support will help speed the transition to healthier air.

Available technologies can reduce diesel pollution by up to 90%, bringing tremendous relief to any one who lives, works, attends school, or plays near diesel engines.  The report summarizes diesel pollution reduction projects that have been the proving grounds for a more comprehensive national program, including:

- programs in Seattle and Los Angles to reduce ship idling by providing shore- based electric power on docks;
- New York City’s local law requiring diesel pollution reduction technologies on vehicles used in City public works construction contracts;
- Houston’s efforts to retrofit, repower or replace old locomotives;
- the electrification of truck stops in Brooklyn, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina to reduce idling emissions, and;
- EPA’s Clean Schoolbus USA program, which has made the ride to school healthier for kids in 47 communities across the country.

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(14 June 2005 — <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Washington, D.C.) Rising air pollution at the West’s premier national parks contributes to haze, threatens human health, and harms ecological systems in high mountain regions, according to a new report released today by Environmental Defense.  The report, Clearing the Haze in Western Skies, which examines the worsening air quality trends at national parks across the interior West and the suite of air pollution problems they face is available at www.environmentaldefense.org/go/westernhaze

The report’s release coincides with the June 15 deadline in a court-ordered settlement agreement with Environmental Defense.  The agreement requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue clean up guidelines for high-polluting power plants and industrial sources of haze air pollution in protected national parks such as Acadia, Canyonlands, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain, Shenandoah, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.

“Rising pollution across the interior West casts a haze over our nation’s grand vistas, ” said Environmental Defense senior scientist Dr. Jana Milford.  “The pollution threatens human health, and harms forests and water bodies that are essential to a healthy environment.  Cost-effective solutions are at hand to curb rising pollution and protect western air quality.”

More than a quarter century ago, as part of the 1977 Clean Air Act amendments, Congress declared as a national goal the restoration of clear vistas in premier national parks and wilderness areas.   The program was designed to protect great American natural legacies.   Unfortunately, in the interior West, which is home to many of these acclaimed areas, progress toward the Clean Air Act’s goal has been sluggish or unavailing.  

Clearing the Haze in Western Skies highlights the pivotal opportunity before EPA to finalize, on June 15th, emission guidelines at coal-fired power plants and other industrial sources that contribute to the air pollution in the West’s national parks.   The report shows the national parks and monuments with worsening air quality, the number of industrial sources potentially affected by EPA’s forthcoming guidelines and the associated pollution levels from these sources.   States nationwide will use the impending EPA guidelines to develop plans, due to EPA by December 2007, that demonstrate progress toward restoring natural visibility conditions. 

The EPA guidelines will apply to 26 categories of industrial sources constructed between 1962 and 1977.   These include power plants, industrial boilers, smelters, refineries, chemical facilities, cement plants, and pulp and paper mills.   EPA’s final rule will address two central issues:  (1) the relationship that must be established between industrial facilities and haze at national parks to subject sources to clean up standards; and (2) the establishment of specific clean up standards for haze-forming sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen from large coal-fired power plants. 

Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 400,000 members.  Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems.  

www.environmentaldefense.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Kathleen Goldstein, 202-572-3243

(June 7, 2005, Washington, DC)  Environmental Defense opposes a new bill announced today by National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) that would accelerate the development of open ocean aquaculture in federal waters from three to 200 miles offshore.  The bill promotes large, industrial-style fish farms without adequate environmental protections.

“Near-shore aquaculture, especially salmon farming, has been highly controversial in coastal states,” said Environmental Defense scientist Dr. Rebecca Goldburg.   “Now the federal government is moving to develop aquaculture outside state waters in the Exclusive Economic Zone.”

Like farmed salmon, finfish raised offshore will be housed in netcages.  These structures, which sit directly in marine waters, allow fish wastes to flow directly into surrounding waters.  Netcages can permit escapes of farmed fish, and spread fish parasites and disease. 

NOAA’s legislation would establish a leasing and permitting system for open ocean fish farms, and authorize funds to promote industry development.

“Unfortunately, NOAA’s bill does not require that new offshore farms - really fish feedlots — meet a legal standard for environmental protection before they are permitted,” said Goldburg.  “Without adequate precautions, ocean feedlots may cause problems similar to those caused by large hog and chicken production facilities on land.”

At the scale envisioned by NOAA - a $5 billion per year industry - fish feedlots would release roughly as much nitrogen per year as the entire North Carolina hog farming industry (10 million hogs) or a city of 17 million people.  Excess nitrogen pollutes marine waters by spurring the growth of algae, leading in extreme cases to reduced oxygen levels and ocean dead zones.

NOAA says it wants to encourage offshore aquaculture to increase U.S. seafood production, but the fish targeted for offshore farms, such as cod, halibut and tuna are carnivores and raising them requires more fish to be caught for feed than are ultimately harvested.
 
“Aquaculture needs to grow,” continued Goldburg.  “Many fisheries are overtaxed, and fish farming, done right, can add to the world’s fish supply without harming the environment.  But, NOAA is advancing fish farming that lacks safeguards necessary to protect ocean ecosystems from harm.” 

www.oceansalive.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jennifer Witherspoon, 510.457.2250

GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER TAKES ON GLOBAL WARMING

(1 June 2005 — San Francisco, CA) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued an Executive Order (EO) today to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the State of California and to direct state agencies to develop plans to implement the order by January 1, 2006.

The Governor’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions adds to the increasing momentum being created by corporate leaders, as well as governmental bodies from local, state and federal levels around the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These actions are in response to the growing body of scientific evidence that suggest that current rates of greenhouse gas emissions will rise dramatically, increase global temperatures and cause widespread economic hardship and environmental damage around the world.

“Governor Schwarzenegger’s speech today could be this generation’s ‘we will put a man on the moon’ commitment that inspires one of the world’s top economies to take the lead in developing innovative solutions to our most serious environmental challenge — global climate change,” said Thomas Graff, California regional director of Environmental Defense. “Just as President Kennedy’s speech inspired our nation to be the first to set foot on the moon, let’s hope that the Governor’s speech sets us all on a course to prevent the catastrophic heating of our planet.”

The Governor’s EO establishes targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 2000 levels by 2010 and to 1990 levels by 2020. It also sets a long term target for reducing California emissions to 80% below current levels by 2050.

The California emission targets are comparable to those pursued at the national and international level. Last week the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate by John McCain (R-AZ) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) to cut national greenhouse gas emissions to 2000 levels by 2010. And in February of this year the Kyoto protocol entered into force, with 141 nations committed to the goal of cutting global greenhouse emissions by 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

“The Governor has opened the door to a whole new future for the California economy,” said Kate Larsen a policy analyst with Environmental Defense. “Today’s announcement will mean new technology, new markets and new innovations that will not only ensure a healthier environment, but will help create new economic opportunities for California businesses.”

Graff added: “This is a great start, but we’re far from the home stretch. The Governor and legislative leaders such as Assemblywoman Fran Pavley and Senator Sheila Kuehl should work together on a bipartisan basis to assure that there is no backsliding in meeting these vitally important objectives, and that the targets are met efficiently and fairly, using the cap and trade mechanisms perfected in the control of acid rain in the east and Midwest.”

Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 400,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems.

Washington, DC - Almost all (90%) of the 26.5 million pounds of antibiotics estimated to be used in the United States as feed additives each year - seven times the amount used in human medicine nationwide - occurs in 23 states, according to a report released today by Environmental Defense. The report, Resistant Bugs and Antibiotic Drugs:  Local Estimates of Antibiotics in Agricultural Feed and Animal Waste, is the first study to provide state and county level estimates of the quantities of antibiotics used as feed additives for chicken, hogs and beef cattle, along with estimates for antibiotics in animal waste.  The report is available at www.environmentaldefense.org/go/antibiotic.estimates. 

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“Studies suggest that people living in areas with intensive use of antibiotics as feed additives are at greater risk of contracting antibiotic-resistant infections,” said Ellen Silbergeld, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Health Services at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />North Carolina and Iowa are each estimated to use three million pounds of antibiotics as feed additives annually, the same quantity of antibiotics estimated to be used each year in human medicine nationwide. At least one million pounds of antibiotics are estimated to be used as feed additives annually in seven other states: Georgia, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama, Minnesota, Mississippi and Missouri. On a per square mile-adjusted basis, Delaware is estimated to be by far the most intensive user of all antibiotic feed additives, using three times as many antibiotics per thousand square miles (187,000 pounds) as the next closest state, North Carolina (64,000 pounds).  Two other smaller states join the ranks of the top 10 states on a per square mile basis, Maryland (4th) and Indiana (9th). 

The Environmental Defense report estimates were prepared using new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on numbers of animals per county, and multiplying those figures by estimates previously developed by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) on the quantity of feed-additive antibiotics consumed per animal.  UCS presented national estimates, but not state or county estimates.

“The public has a right to know where antibiotics are being used for nonessential purposes, notably as antibiotic feed additives,” said Environmental Defense senior attorney Karen Florini, co-author of the report.  “Unfortunately, no governmental data are available on quantities of antibiotics used in livestock feed either locally or nationally.”

Overuse of antibiotics in agriculture is widely regarded as contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that threaten human health.  Antibiotics are added to feed not to treat sick animals, but rather on the grounds that they may promote slightly faster growth or prevent disease that could result from the crowded, stressful conditions.

“Feeding antibiotics to animals is not only a major cause of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the human food supply, but also results in the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria  in animals and in their waste,” said Environmental Defense senior scientist Rebecca Goldburg, Ph.D., co-author of the report.  “Those bacteria can in turn colonize and infect farm workers, as well as contaminate water, air, and soil.”

“With antibiotics, the more you use them, the faster you lose them,” concluded Goldburg.  “That’s because bacteria become resistant in response to being exposed to antibiotics.  Antibiotic resistance is a serious and growing threat to human health, so it’s just plain foolish to be feeding vast quantities of antibiotics to chickens, pigs, and beef cattle.”

The report urges swift enactment of bipartisan federal legislation to phase out use of medically important antibiotics as feed additives, The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (S. 742/H.R. 2562), sponsored by U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).  The bipartisan Senate version of this bill authorizes funds to farmers to help defray costs of phasing out non-therapeutic use of medically important antibiotics, and provides for research and demonstration projects to assist farmers in this transition.  More than 380 organizations, including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Public Health Association, endorsed nearly identical legislation last year.  In April, Environmental Defense, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, Food Animal Concerns Trust and Union of Concerned Scientists filed a formal Citizen Petition with the Food and Drug Administration urging the agency to ban seven classes of medically important antibiotics from use as feed additives, and documenting that those uses violate FDA’s specific safety standards for antibiotic use.

Environmental Defense (www.environmentaldefense.org), a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 400,000 members.  Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems.

Today, Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) reintroduced their Climate Stewardship Act, renamed the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act.  The following statement may be attributed to Environmental Defense president Fred Krupp.

“On global warming, we’re like the Red Sox going into last year’s World Series — history says we won’t win, but actually we’ve got great momentum, and we like our chances.  A choir of voices is now demanding action on climate change: CEOs, state governments, faith leaders, and more all want our most serious environmental problem addressed.

“Environmental Defense has long believed that a market-based cap is the best approach to manage climate change.  A cap-and-trade program is the only approach that will fully engage both the American economy and the American entrepreneur in meeting the challenge of actually reducing emissions.

“The reintroduction of the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act is another sign of the growing momentum toward action on climate change.  The Act’s newly added provisions to jump-start low carbon technologies may speed up negotiations over what type of action the Senate will take on climate change.

“The market-based cap, as introduced by Senators McCain and Lieberman in 2003, 2004 and 2005, is the best way to drive a successful shift toward deployment of energy technologies that reduce carbon emissions.  The market-based cap will realign the market to reward low-carbon technologies; the cap will drive the deployment. 

“In our judgment, the Act’s new proposals to spur technology deployment, linked to the cap on carbon emissions, are generally appropriate to help push the marketplace to make the transition to low-carbon technologies.  These technology provisions will help overcome the barrier of market acceptance, and the market-based cap will knock it down.

“Environmental Defense continues to be concerned that several questions about nuclear power generation—safety, security, nonproliferation and waste—have not been answered sufficiently to support deployment.  Environmental Defense believes that those tough questions can be answered.  We will work with the sponsors to strengthen provisions intended to discover those answers.  While Environmental Defense is concerned that the sections on nuclear power move too fast too soon, climate change has become such an urgent problem that the nation needs to reassess all low-carbon energy alternatives, including nuclear generation.”

To learn more about the bill and climate change, please visit www.undoit.org

(May 18, 2005 - Washington) Responding to Congressman Richard Pombo’s (R-CA) report on the Endangered Species Act, two new whitepapers released by Environmental Defense today offer a sharply different assessment of the efficacy of the Act in recovering endangered species and halting their decline.

The Endangered Species Act:  Success or Failure? examines the law’s record of accomplishment and concludes that many significant conservation gains have been achieved.  It asserts that still more could be accomplished by creating conservation incentives, fostering greater collaboration among state and federal agencies, and reducing procedural obstacles to timely conservation decisions.

Building on Success:  Improving the Endangered Species Act sets forth an agenda of administrative actions that the Executive Branch could undertake now, without any change in the law, to improve the effectiveness of the Act. 

Both whitepapers are available via PDF download at:

http://www.environmentaldefense.org/article.cfm?ContentID=4467 or

http://www.backfromthebrink.org/inthespotlight.cfm?subnav=story&ContentID=4467

“Congressman Pombo’s primary criticism is based on a flawed belief that because we haven’t removed more species from the endangered list yet, then the Act must be a failure,” said Michael Bean, wildlife chair of Environmental Defense, and the author of one of the papers. “It ignores decades of dramatic progress for many species and the inescapable fact that recovering highly imperiled wildlife is a long-term commitment.”

“More importantly, it ignores the relatively simple actions that the Administration can take to make some of the very improvements Congressman Pombo proposes,” Bean said.  “Improving the effectiveness of the Act does not require a major rewriting of the law.  It requires adequate resources and a genuine commitment to making the law work. “

Michael Bean is available to discuss these reports.  He can be reached at 202-387-3500.

Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization, represents more than 400,000 members.  Since 1967, Environmental Defense has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems.

www.environmentaldefense.org

The U.S. Senate today passed a $295 billion six-year transportation bill that takes small steps to open the door to sensible market incentives while cutting accountability for the impacts of roads on public health, the environment and communities.

“The Senate transportation bill is a throwback to 1960s-style pork-barrel sprawl-promoting road building,” said Michael Replogle transportation director of Environmental Defense.  “The bill makes barely a nod to the reality of what’s happening in the broader transportation finance world:  a shift to market incentives.” 

Around the world and across America, a growing number of cities are using market incentives to reduce congestion and better meet their transportation challenges.

“If London can cut congestion by 30% using pricing, San Diego can finance transit with new toll lanes, and New York City can cut traffic on its major entrances using congestion pricing, why can’t Congress recognize that market-mechanisms should be an integral part of our national transportation policy?” said Replogle. 

The Senate bill takes only baby steps in this direction and misses the opportunity to shift the country forward toward an accountable market-based system for clean air and transportation finance.

“In addition the Senate transportation bill significantly weakens long-standing protections for clean air, public health, and protection of the environment, parks and local involvement in transportation decisions,” said Replogle.  “There are a few bright spots in the Senate bill, such as new opportunities for toll-managed lanes, funding for storm-water cleanup and safe routes to schools for walking and biking.  But the House bill’s approach to clean air, planning, project reviews, and protections for parks would do less harm to our environment and public health.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kathleen Goldstein, 202-572-3243

(ALEXANDRIA, VA - May 11, 2005)- Menhaden Matter, a cooperative effort of conservation and environmental groups, endorsed today’s decision by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to move forward on a plan to limit the number of menhaden harvested by an industrial fishery from the Chesapeake Bay.

“This is an important step forward toward proactive conservation measures to ensure a healthy menhaden population in the bay,” said Bill Goldsborough, senior fisheries scientist at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  

The action taken by the ASMFC, the multi-state regulatory body that manages the stock, will seek public comment and conduct public hearings in Maryland, Virginia and other East Coast states on a management plan that would cap the annual harvest 110,400 metric tons.  This harvest cap is based on the average annual harvest over the past five years.  Both Governor Robert Ehrlich and the state’s congressional delegation urged the commission to place a limit on the industrial harvest at this level until more research can be done.

“It just makes common sense to cap the industrial purse seine harvest of menhaden while we try to learn more about its impact,” said Sherman Baynard, fisheries committee chairman of the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland.   “After all, as recreational anglers know, almost every fish caught in the bay has a catch limit.  Menhaden should also.”

The ASMFC rejected an initiative offered by Omega Protein, the Houston based company that takes 90% of the entire East Coast menhaden catch.  In their proposal the industry would voluntarily cap their harvest, but at an increased level of 135,000 metric tons annually for the next four years.  Omega, which recently opened up a newly enhanced processing plant in Reedville, Virginia, also wants to reopen state waters, such as those of Maryland and New Jersey, which are currently closed to industrial purse seine operations.

“While recreational anglers and conservationists are calling for maintaining the catch at current levels, Omega Protein is advocating a dramatic increase in their harvest,” said David Festa, oceans program director at Environmental Defense.  “Obviously, such a plan would only exacerbate the current situation - not remedy it.”

Menhaden have been called the “most important fish in the sea.”  They are prime food for striped bass and other popular sport fish.  They are also the prime filter feeder for the Chesapeake Bay, next to oysters that are grossly depleted.  However, recent studies have shown that the overall number of menhaden is at near historic lows and predators that depend on the fish as a food source, such as striped bass, are suffering malnutrition and poor body condition.

“This is a very important fish to the ecosystem. That is why anyone who cares about the future of the Chesapeake and the Atlantic Coast fishery should go to these public hearings,” said Ken Hinman, president of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation. “Through their comments and letters, they are going to help their commissioners make the right decision for the fish and the future of fishing.”

Menhaden Matter is a unique cooperative effort of concerned conservation and recreation organizations, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, Environmental Defense and the National Coalition for Marine Conservation, dedicated to protecting the ecological role of menhaden and the Chesapeake Bay.

The following statement can be attributed to Environmental Defense President, Fred Krupp, in response to General Electric CEO, Jeffery Immelt’s, speech at George Washington University today.

“Today, thanks to the strong leadership of Jeff Immelt, GE becomes by far the largest corporation to commit itself to reduce and cap its worldwide emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that warm the planet. Mr. Immelt quoted the ‘can do’ spirit of GE’s founder, Thomas Edison: ‘I find out what the world needs, then I proceed to invent it.’ Today Mr. Immelt, seeing that America needs strong and imaginative leadership on the issue of global warming, has stepped up to the plate to deliver it. He is seizing the big opportunity for U.S. businesses to put American ingenuity to work on the challenge of global warming, by committing his company to develop and market cleaner energy technologies and energy-efficient products.

“Mr. Immelt has added to the strong momentum that is growing in all sectors of America—from business leaders to bipartisan political leaders to evangelicals—calling for a responsive policy now on the crisis of climate change. He has highlighted the economic costs of congressional inaction, pointing out that U.S. companies suffer from uncertainty in national policy on global warming, while businesses elsewhere already are retooling to make what the world will soon be buying.

“Hats off to GE for putting its imagination to work on energy efficiency, because finding new efficiencies is like finding new energy. GE not only will improve its own energy efficiency by 30 percent, but also will invest heavily in developing energy-efficient products for the marketplace, from clothes washers to aircraft engines, and will market low-carbon energy technologies around the world.

“Not every company will step forward like GE to reduce and cap emissions voluntarily. So to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions overall, America needs a national cap on carbon dioxide, just like the successful cap Mr. Immelt mentioned on sulfur dioxide (which contributes to acid rain). He praised the U.S. sulfur dioxide trading system, which lets companies use whatever means are most cost-effective to achieve the cap, even by trading credits with other companies. A similar cap-and-trade approach for carbon emissions will ensure that global warming pollution is reduced with certainty and at least cost.

“A cap-and-trade policy for carbon, grounded in the traditional market principles of the American economy, represents a realistic achievable first step on global warming. It would give all players the incentive to invest in energy efficiency and low-carbon energy sources, as GE is doing. This adds a powerful business reason for passing the Climate Stewardship Act, co-sponsored by Senators McCain and Lieberman. The Climate Stewardship Act is the only pending bill on global warming that guarantees lower emissions, using the trading model favored by the Administration and Democrats alike.

“With his statement today, Jeff Immelt put the immense resources of GE to the wheel of getting America ready to address global warming. His words and GE’s actions will be heeded around the world. His statement ends the talk about whether we need global warming legislation and focuses the debate on what legislation is needed. Businesses need to know the rules of the game, and only a cap-and-trade market system for carbon can ensure both a healthy economy and a healthy environment.”

Mayor Bloomberg is expected to sign today a set of bills that will help clean up New York City’s air by curbing pollution from city owned vehicles.  The New York City Council passed these bills in April.

“The bills the Mayor will sign today represent the most comprehensive commitment New York City has yet made to bring clean car and truck technology to New York City streets,” said Janea Scott, staff attorney at Environmental Defense.  “Existing city fleet rules are over a decade old and are missing out on the cleanest and best technologies the market has to offer.  The Mayor’s signature today will set a precedent for the country and help drive the market for clean vehicles.”

The bills require clean air technology for cars, diesel trucks, school buses, sanitation trucks and sight-seeing buses controlled by city fleets or contracts.  In each case, the bills require the best available clean air technology to reduce fine particulate matter (soot) and nitrogen oxide (NOx), a key precursor to smog.   They also require improvements in fuel efficiency over time, to help cut greenhouse emissions, which lead to global warming.

“Tailpipe pollution produces over 80% of the cancer risk in the ambient air New Yorkers breathe, yet the technology exists to solve the problem”, said Scott.  “Cost effective technology exists to cut tailpipe pollution from school buses, trucks and buses up to 90%.  We thank the Mayor for building on the success of Local Law 77, enacted in 2003, and signing these bills into law quickly.”

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), has announced plans to add up to 75 hybrid diesel-electric trucks to its service fleet in the next 12 months, contingent upon pricing and availability.  The announcement coincided with the unveiling of two FedEx hybrid trucks in the nation’s capital on Thursday, which brought the company-wide total of hybrid trucks in use to 18.

“Placing hybrid trucks in Washington D.C., and the planned increase for next year reflects the growing viability of hybrid trucks,” said John Formisano, vice president of Global Vehicles, FedEx Express.  “It also shows the commitment of FedEx to pursue the use of promising technologies that both reduce fuel costs and provide more environmentally responsive vehicles for the communities in which we live and work.”
The Washington, D.C. rollout is a joint initiative with Environmental Defense and Eaton Corporation (NYSE: ETN).

The FedEx E700 hybrid electric vehicle decreases particulate emissions by 96 percent and travels 57 percent farther on a gallon of fuel than a conventional FedEx truck, reducing fuel costs by more than one third. 

The project began four years ago when Environmental Defense, an organization recognized for its work with industry leaders to create environmental and business innovations, and FedEx Express began working together to create the next generation delivery vehicle.

“The commitment by FedEx to purchase hybrids demonstrates the business viability of these trucks on the road,” said Gwen Ruta, director of Corporate Partnerships, Environmental Defense.  “As fuel prices continue to rise, fuel efficient trucks are an investment that every company should be making.  And since hybrids also reduce air pollution, oil dependency and climate change, they’re not only good for business but good for America.”

Cleveland, Ohio-based Eaton Corporation, one of the world’s most recognized industrial manufacturers, produced the hybrid electric powertrain for the vehicle.

“Eaton continues to be pleased with the performance - and the potential - of our advanced technology hybrid powertrain system,” said Jim Sweetnam, senior vice president and group executive of Eaton’s Truck Group.  “The system is working extremely well in FedEx Express trucks in Sacramento, New York City and Tampa, with high reliability, and we look forward to continued success with the Washington, D.C. roll-out.  In order to encourage wider adoption of hybrid technology, we need the support of Congress for the passage of incentive tax credits for purchasing this clean, fuel-efficient technology.  Doing so would provide benefits for our communities, our environment and our nation.”

FedEx currently has 18 hybrid trucks in service in Sacramento, New York, Tampa and now Washington, D.C.  The vehicles are performing exceptionally well.  They have experienced up-time ranging from 96 to 99 percent, which is impressive for any new vehicle considering that the average up-time for the rest of the fleet is 99.6 percent. 

The trucks are meeting environmental goals based on recent lab testing at the Southwest Research Institute, which found a particulate matter reduction of 96 percent, a NOx reduction of 65 percent and increased fuel efficiency of 57 percent, compared to the 1999 baseline vehicle.  Placement of new trucks is expected in Texas and New York City.

The project partners, Environmental Defense, FedEx and Eaton, have worked closely with a number of suppliers to find innovative, effective solutions to allow greater adoption of hybrid electric vehicles by more fleets around the country.   Freightliner Custom Chassis was instrumental in supplying the chassis and assembling the 18 vehicles that have been placed into operation over the past year, starting in Sacramento.  Utilimaster, Hitachi and Detroit Diesel each provided key components and worked with project partners to customize their components for the hybrid trucks.

Power of Innovation Produces New Vehicle

FedEx Express and Environmental Defense began working together in 2000 to create a delivery truck that would dramatically decrease emissions and fuel use.  Through a competitive process, Eaton Corporation was selected from more than 20 manufacturers who expressed interest in creating a cleaner vehicle using a variety of technologies.  Since the beginning of the project, progress toward goals has been assessed against the 1999 FedEx Express W700 standard delivery vehicle, which represented the most common model in the FedEx Express fleet.

Eaton’s Innovative Technology Produces Hybrid Electric Powertrain

Eaton’s hybrid-electric powertrain effectively combines a diesel engine and electric motor to drive the vehicle.  A computer determines the most efficient combination, depending on current operating conditions and driver demand.  A four-cylinder engine replaces the six-cylinder version currently used in the FedEx Express W700 delivery vehicle.  The engine size is reduced because of the added power provided by the electric motor.  A particulate trap has been added to the truck to further reduce emissions.

Batteries capture and store energy during the “regenerative braking” phase of the vehicle’s operation, providing a source of stored electric power for the motor during future
acceleration.  Therefore, all electrical charging of the battery is provided by the hybrid electric powertrain, and no external electrical infrastructure, such as a power cord or electrical outlet, is needed.  This balance between conventional and electric technology is an innovative method to improve environmental performance and decrease fuel use while eliminating the need for high electrical-demand infrastructure costs. The hybrid electric truck’s operating characteristics will remain virtually unchanged from that of a conventionally powered FedEx Express vehicle.

Eaton’s hybrid electric powertrain has been placed in the standard white FedEx Express W700 delivery truck, which utilizes a Freightliner chassis and a Utilimaster body.  The hybrid electric E700, which bears an OptiFleet brand decal on the sides and rear of the vehicle, has a gross vehicle weight of approximately 16,000 lbs. and a cargo capacity of approximately 670 cubic feet.

About FedEx
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services.  With annual revenues of $29 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand.  Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 250,000 employees and contractors to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit fedex.com.

About Eaton Corporation
Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2004 sales of $9.8 billion. Eaton is a global leader in electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution and control; fluid power systems and services for industrial, mobile and aircraft equipment; intelligent truck drivetrain systems for safety and fuel economy; and automotive engine air management systems, powertrain solutions and specialty controls for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has 56,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 125 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

Environmental Defense today urged President Bush to build upon the solid foundation established by the Clean Air Interstate Rule and support strong U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clean air standards to protect Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

On June 15, 2005 — under a court-ordered consent decree with Environmental Defense — EPA is required to issue clean up standards for 26 industrial source categories constructed between 1962-77 that contribute to air pollution problems at Great Smoky Mountains and other protected national parks across the country.   The EPA action is due exactly 71 years after the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park on June 15, 1934.   In addition to coal-fired power plants, the source categories include industrial boilers, pulp and paper mills, chemical facilities, and cement plants. 

“Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a national treasure that must be protected as a sacred American legacy for future generations,” said Environmental Defense senior attorney Vickie Patton.  “We call on the president to abandon the flawed Clear Skies legislation, vigorously implement the Clean Air Interstate Rule and, on June 15, support strong EPA clean air standards to protect the Great Smoky Mountains.”

Key facts about Great Smoky Mountains National Park (all from government data):

1.  Established by Congress on June 15, 1934, Great Smokies is the most visited national park, with 9.2 million recreational visitors in 2004.
2.  Visitors to Great Smokies annually support a total of $821 million in sales, $303 million in personal income (wages and salaries), and 14,588 jobs,
3.  Great Smokies is the only national park outside of California to be designated by EPA as part of a “nonattainment” area that is out of compliance with both the federal particulate pollution and ozone health-based air quality standards,
4.  During the 2002 high ozone (“smog”) season, the four monitors at Great Smokies recorded a total of 98 exceedances of the health-based ozone standard with 35 at Cove Mountain, 32 at Look Rock, 29 at Clingman’s Dome, and 2 at Cades Cove,
5.  The high ozone levels harm ecosystems at the Park with 90 plant species exhibiting injury,
6.  Natural visibility conditions are estimated to be 113 miles compared with actual average conditions of 25 miles and worst visibility conditions of 12-16 miles,
7.  Acid rain threatens streams, soils and forests at Great Smokies and the acidity of annual precipitation measured at the park is 5-10 times more acidic than natural rainfall,
8.   Current air quality conditions at Great Smokies, including actual web camera data, are available from the National Park Service online at:  http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/WebCams/parks/grsmcam/grsmcam.cfm