Complete list of press releases

(29 October 2004 — Boulder, CO)  Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a comprehensive analysis of recent scientific studies that shows particulate pollution is associated with premature death, heart attacks, lung cancer and respiratory damage.  The EPA analysis is required under provisions of the Clean Air Act directing the Agency to periodically review the adequacy of the nation’s health-based limits on air pollution in light of recent scientific research.  A lawsuit by the American Lung Association, Environmental Defense and others put EPA on a court-ordered schedule to complete the updated analysis by October 29, 2004. 

“Air pollution is causing intolerable levels of illness that especially endanger children and the elderly.  EPA’s best scientific analysis shines a bright light on the need for swift, effective federal action to clean up the particulate-forming pollution from power plant smokestacks and motor vehicle tailpipes,” said Environmental Defense senior scientist Dr. Jana Milford.  

“EPA’s newest research clearly shows that particulate pollution from power plants and diesel engines on our highways is associated with a greater array of health problems and at lower levels of exposure,” said Dr. John Balbus, a physician and head of the Environmental Defense health program.

EPA’s analysis indicates children, the elderly and people with pre-existing heart and respiratory diseases are particularly susceptible to harmful health effects from particulate pollution exposure.  Recent research also identifies heightened concerns about the adverse effects of particulate pollution on young children and infants.   The new science also suggests that particulate pollution can shorten life spans significantly - not by just a few days but rather by a year or more. 
 
EPA national emissions inventory data indicates the country’s fleet of power plants discharge 68% of all sulfur dioxide and 22% of all oxides of nitrogen released nationwide.  Both of these contaminants transform in the atmosphere into harmful particulate pollution.  EPA’s own studies show that tighter controls on power plants are a highly cost-effective way to reduce power plant pollution.

Contact:  Kathleen Goldstein, 202-572-3243

(26 October 2004 — Annapolis, MD)  Leading recreational fishing and conservation organizations announced today the formation of “Menhaden Matter,” a cooperative effort to protect Atlantic menhaden from industrial harvesting in the Chesapeake Bay by Virginia-based purse seine operators. The group called on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission—the multi-state regulatory body responsible for managing the stock—to take proactive measures, including catch limits, at its upcoming meeting in November.

A report issued by “Menhaden Matter,” which includes the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, Environmental Defense, and the National Coalition for Marine Conservation, concludes that menhaden’s important ecological roles in the Chesapeake Bay are at risk. Menhaden are principal filter feeders of the Bay’s waters, second only to the grossly depleted oyster. They are also the primary food source for many popular sport and commercial fish, including striped bass.

The report finds that the overall numbers of menhaden, including its juvenile population, are at near historic lows and predators, such as striped bass, are showing signs of stress and lesions that may be tied to malnutrition. It also cited the lack of menhaden as affecting the population of seabirds, such as loons and ospreys.

“Taken alone each indicator may not be enough for managers to act, but collectively they paint a compelling picture of a food web starved by lack of forage fish. It suggests we no longer have the luxury of conducting an industrial scale fishery with no catch limits on an ecologically critical species in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Bill Goldsborough, senior scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

“Every menhaden is important, not just the spawning stock,” added Coastal Conservation
Association senior scientist Dick Brame. “They all play a critical forage role for a variety of fish from the smallest grey trout to the largest striped bass. Managing for abundance is critical for forage species like menhaden and we are not doing that now.”

Like most Atlantic states Maryland has closed its waters to the industrialized harvest of
menhaden, but Virginia has not. A single Houston-based company, Omega Protein, which operates a newly enhanced facility in Reedville, Virginia, harvests 90 percent of the entire catch on the East Coast.

“The ecological role of menhaden is at serious risk because a Virginia-based fishing fleet takes more than 100,000 tons of these fish every year from the Bay and nearby waters,” according to Ken Hinman, President of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation. “We believe there is a danger to striped bass and other key predators, if we continue to harvest menhaden the way we do.”

“Let’s be clear about one thing from the beginning. None of the groups involved in this effort want to shut down the industrial fishing of menhaden,” according to David Festa, Director of the Oceans Program for Environmental Defense. “But we believe the commission should take proactive measures to protect the stock. Currently no conservation measures—not even fishing limits—are in place to ensure that menhaden remain at healthy levels within the Chesapeake. That must change.”

For more information please visit the Menhaden Matter website at: www.menhadenmatter.org or Environmental Defense’s Oceans Alive campaign at www.oceansalive.org.

New York, October 20, 2004 — In addition to packages, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), is also delivering cleaner air.  The company today announced it had placed into service ten low-emission, hybrid electric delivery vehicles in New York City just in time for its holiday peak season.   The New York launch is a joint initiative with Environmental Defense, Eaton Corporation (NYSE: ETN) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

The FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric vehicles began delivering packages on routes in the New York metropolitan area following an agreement with NYSERDA to demonstrate the viability of lower-emission hybrid powertrains in heavy-duty vehicles. The roll out took place today at a FedEx facility on 48th Street and 12th Avenue in Manhattan. 

“New York City is a dynamic economy with many trucks on its streets essential to keep commerce moving, so it is important that we continue to develop innovative solutions to reduce vehicle emissions,” said John Formisano, Vice President of Global Vehicles, FedEx Express. “Today’s roll-out not only represents one-half of FedEx’s total commitment for these vehicles this year, but is also a positive step in our commitment to effective environmental management as a global corporate priority and in the local communities we serve.”

NYSERDA awarded federal NYCDOT Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds to FedEx Express to support the placement of the FedEx OptiFleet E700 hybrid electric vehicle in New York.

“Governor Pataki has made a commitment to New Yorkers to improve air quality  throughout our State, especially here in the New York City area,” said Peter R. Smith, President of NYSERDA. “The promotion and use of low-emission, energy-efficient hybrid vehicles is a critical step in achieving cleaner air and a healthier environment.”

Smith commended FedEx Express and its project partners for their efforts on behalf of New York City and said the hybrid project “exemplifies the achievements business, non-profits and government can make when they partner to improve our environment.”

The New York City Department of Transportation, which works closely with NYSERDA, also played a pivotal role in making hybrid vehicles possible in New York.
 
“The clean movement of goods in and around New York City is a long standing commitment of the Bloomberg Administration,” said NYCDOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall. “I applaud FedEx for taking advantage of our incentive program and putting hybrid technology on the streets of New York. They are taking action all New Yorkers can be thankful for.”

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

“A revolution in the trucking industry is underway,” said Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense.  “With these trucks FedEx is leading the pack.  Environmental Defense now challenges all fleet owners to adopt clean trucks to reduce air pollution, oil dependency and climate change impacts.”

Cleveland, Ohio-based Eaton Corporation, one of the world’s leading diversified 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 well in the FedEx Express trucks in Sacramento, and we look forward to continued success with the New York City roll-out.”

The New York City announcement follows the March roll-out of two FedEx hybrid trucks. These trucks continue to operate and achieve a 99 percent up-time in the field.
The FedEx hybrid electric vehicle decreases particulate emissions by 96 percent and travels 57 percent farther on a gallon of fuel, reducing fuel costs by over a third.  FedEx is currently taking steps to introduce more of these vehicles into its fleet over time.
 
FedEx is committed to utilizing the enormous potential represented by hybrids. For example, if 10,000 hybrid electric vehicles were on the road rather than current standard vehicles, substantial reductions in emissions and fuel use would occur annually:

• Smog-causing emissions (nitrogen oxides) would be reduced by 1,700 tons, the equivalent of taking passenger cars off New York City roads for 25 days.
• Carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by 83,000 tons, which is equivalent to planting 2 million trees.
• Diesel fuel usage would be reduced by 7.2 million gallons, which requires 1 million barrels of crude oil to produce.

The project partners, Environmental Defense, FedEx and Eaton, have worked closely with a number of suppliers to find innovative, cost-effective solutions to bring the production of
this vehicle closer to commercialization.  Freightliner Custom Chassis was instrumental in supplying the chassis and assembling the 16 vehicles that will be placed into operation in the next few months.  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 delivery vehicle will be differentiated from the standard FedEx Express delivery vehicle only by an OptiFleet brand decal on the sides and rear of the vehicle.  The hybrid electric E700 has a gross vehicle weight of approximately 16,000 lbs. and a cargo capacity of approximately 670 cubic feet.

This initiative is the second major FedEx environmental innovation announcement this week. In Oakland, California on Monday, FedEx Express announced that it was building California’s largest corporate solar electric system atop its hub at Oakland International Airport. The 904 kilowatt solar array will provide approximately 80 percent of the peak load demand for the company’s Oakland facility.
 

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 $26 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 240,000 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 the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 by the New York State Legislature. NYSERDA administers the New York Energy $martSM program, which is designed to support certain public benefit programs during the transition to a more competitive electricity market. Some 2,700 projects in 40 programs are funded by a charge on the electricity transmitted and distributed by the State’s investor-owned utilities. The New York Energy $martSM program provides energy efficiency services, including those directed at the low-income sector, research and development, and environmental protection activities.

NYSERDA derives its basic research revenues from an assessment on the intrastate sales of New York State’s investor-owned electric and gas utilities, and voluntary annual contributions by the New York Power Authority and the Long Island Power Authority. Additional research dollars come from limited corporate funds. Some 400 NYSERDA research projects help the State’s businesses and municipalities with their energy and environmental problems. Since 1990, NYSERDA has successfully developed and brought into use more than 150 innovative, energy-efficient, and environmentally beneficial products, processes, and services. These contributions to the State’s economic growth and environmental protection are made at a cost of about $.70 per New York resident per year.
Federally funded, the Energy Efficiency Services program is working with more than 540 businesses, schools, and municipalities to identify existing technologies and equipment to reduce their energy costs.

For more information, contact the Communications unit, NYSERDA, 17 Columbia Circle, Albany, New York 12203-6399; (518) 862-1090, ext. 3412.

About Environmental Defense

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.  The work of Environmental Defense in this project was supported by a lead grant over three years from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund.  Additional support was received from the Hewlett Foundation, Oak Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the David H. Smith Foundation. For more information, visit www.environmentaldefense.org.
 
About Eaton Corporation

Eaton Corporation is a global diversified industrial manufacturer with 2003 sales of $8.1 billion that is a leader in fluid power systems; electrical power quality, distribution and control; automotive engine air management and powertrain controls for fuel economy; and intelligent drivetrain systems for fuel economy and safety in trucks.  Eaton has 55,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 100 countries.  For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Richard Charter 707-875-2345
Rod Fujita 510-658-8008
Jennifer Witherspoon 510-658-8008

(18 October 2004 - Oakland, CA)  Environmental Defense praised Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Protecting Our Ocean: California’s Action Strategy released today.  This strategy includes his recent signature of the California Ocean Protection Act (COPA) and his decision to restart the California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process. COPA was designed to meet the urgent need for restoration and additional zones of protection for our oceans, as outlined in two prestigious national reports by the Pew Oceans Commission and the president’s U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. 

“The governor’s dedication to our coastal environment puts California on the right track in protecting our oceans,” said Environmental Defense marine conservation advocate Richard Charter.  “California can lead the nation in restoring our living marine resources and bringing back damaged fisheries if we seize the momentum.”

COPA creates the California Ocean Council, comprised of state agency leaders, to coordinate the activities of the Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency and the State Lands Commission to address major threats such as pollution, overfishing and habitat damage. 

COPA will implement the Ocean Protection Trust Fund to pay for ocean conservation projects such as pollution control, scientific research, monitoring and enforcement programs.  The Ocean Protection Trust Fund’s innovative revolving loan program could provide seed money for fisheries reform measures and sustainable business plans that will repay the state’s investment both financially and with healthier ocean ecosystems and coastal communities.

Environmental Defense also praised the governor, the Department of Fish and Game, the Resources Agency and the Legislature for funding and implementing California’s existing landmark MLPA to manage the state’s network of marine protected areas and to create an inclusive science-based stakeholder process to consider new protected areas in nearshore coastal waters. 

“Environmental Defense urges Governor Schwarzenegger to push forward with ocean restoration,” said Environmental Defense senior scientist Dr. Rod Fujita.  “His leadership is critical in keeping our oceans alive.”

Environmental Defense’s Oceans Alive campaign seeks a Teddy Roosevelt of the Oceans, who left an enduring legacy in protecting our nation’s last great places on land. Either President George W. Bush or Senator John Kerry could become the Teddy Roosevelt of the Oceans by stepping forward to champion meaningful action to protect our oceans.

www.oceansalive.org

(5 October 2004 — NY) The Day After Tomorrow DVD is due out next week on October 12.  The new DVD delivers more extras in its depiction of Earth in the very near future coping with the disastrous impacts of global climate change.  While the DVD has added a few special features to make this fictional movie even more entertaining, the fact remains that global warming is real and its impacts can be seen happening now.  People either accept this reality and are working toward solutions or are in denial.

“The Day After Tomorrow uses wild dramatic license and special effects to dramatize a very real problem.  Global warming isn’t just something happening in movies.  It’s happening all around us, and will keep happening until we get greenhouse gas pollution under control,” said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense.

“The Day After Tomorrow exaggerates the impacts of global warming, but it’s no exaggeration to say that global warming is happening now, and that our children and grandchildren will have to live with the consequences,” said Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, Environmental Defense science advisor and a Princeton professor.

“It won’t take as much flooding as in the movie to turn New York upside down.  New York’s infrastructure; the airports and the train, subway and automobile tunnels are all at serious flood risk in a greenhouse future.  Weather related shutdowns of these facilities could become the rule, rather than the exception, if global warming is not controlled,” said Krupp.

A video news release is available at www.undoit.org/dat.cfm and a Public Service Announcement is available at www.undoit.org/psa.cfm.  Contact Elyse Eisenberg at 212 505-2100 for a Beta tape.  A white paper on climate change is downloadable at www.environmentaldefense.org/go/heatison.

(1 October 2004 - - New York)  Environmental Defense chief economist Dan Dudek met yesterday with the Chinese Premier and was awarded the Chinese Government’s National Friendship Award, the highest tribute paid to foreigners.  The Chinese government grants the award to foreign experts that have made significant contributions to China’s development.  For eight years, Dr. Dudek has worked with Chinese experts, local municipalities, the central government and businesses on controlling acid rain.

“Environmental Defense is honored to have Dan receive the National Friendship Award from the Chinese government,” said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense.  “He has played an important role in establishing the effectiveness of market-based approaches to environmental protection in the United States and now in China.  Successfully applying total emissions control and emissions trading to the problem of acid rain will bring our people and both of our nations closer to our shared goal of finding practical solutions to protect the planet’s health.”

“Dr. Dudek and his team are working with local governments, the national government, and private power companies in China on practical, on-the-ground systems using emission caps that reduce China’s burgeoning air pollution and reward those companies that develop the most cost-effective ways of doing so.  Dan’s work has been seminal as an intellectual contribution to the field, and has been aimed strategically at two countries with the largest environmental footprint in the 21st century. ” said Peter Goldmark, Environmental Defense Climate and Air program manager. 

“The award is really recognition of the contributions of our team and colleagues in China,” said Dan Dudek.  “Our work is to bridge our respective experiences and build smart, effective and lasting environmental policies developed and applied with Chinese characteristics.  What few outside China realize is that a real environmental revolution is occurring in the country.  China has capped its sulfur dioxide emissions.  New power plants have to use not only modern control technology but they must offset their remaining emissions.  A permit system is being drafted and formal public participation in the policy making process has begun.  There is a new openness as NGOs are encouraged by the government to take a more active role in society.  These are very fundamental changes.”

(30 September 2004 — NY)  Environmental Defense president Fred Krupp praised the Russian Government’s decision today to submit the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change to the Russian Duma for ratification.  “It’s the first clear sign since May that Russia is committed to taking the steps to usher in the age of carbon limits and climate stabilization.  Sadly this leaves the U.S. isolated in its refusal to join the international effort to reduce greenhouse gas pollution,” said Krupp 

“Russian ratification will bring into force a landmark international treaty under which for the first time nations will work together to safeguard Earth’s climate.  If the Duma approves, the Kyoto Protocol will be activated, creating the world’s first global platform for addressing the dangers of global warming,” Krupp said.  The Protocol has been ratified by over 100 nations, and is expected to take effect about 90 days after Russian ratification.  The Bush administration withdrew from the treaty in 2001.

“It’s not over until the fat lady sings, but it certainly seems she is clearing her throat in anticipation.  If Russia does ratify it will be the opening bell for a new and fateful set of negotiations, with Russia and Europe facing China and the U.S. in a critical dialogue over how to cut greenhouse gas pollution but still allow the increases in energy generation needed for economic growth.  This dialogue will involve all the large economies of the world and President Putin has now assured himself a key seat at that table,” said Peter C. Goldmark, Jr., director of Environmental Defense’s Climate and Air Program.

“Russia is expected to ratify the measure.  There is wide understanding in Russia that the Kyoto Protocol will benefit the economy, while improving public health and saving lives,” said Alexander Golub, senior economist at Environmental Defense.

Russian ratification will launch the Kyoto Protocol’s global market for trading reductions in emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.  In that market, those who come up with better, cheaper, faster ways to reduce greenhouse gas pollution will be able to sell pollution reductions to others who find it more costly to make reductions.  Experience with other pollutants indicates that this market-based approach can help nations and businesses meet greenhouse gas reduction targets in an extremely cost-efficient manner.  “Russian policy-makers understand that participating in Kyoto’s emissions trading market can help attract new investment to make Russia’s energy infrastructure more efficient and less polluting,” said Dan Dudek, Environmental Defense chief economist.

“Transportation creates nearly half of California’s greenhouse gas pollution,” said Environmental Defense policy associate, Kate Larsen. “CARB’s action this month will cut pollution and save drivers money without sacrificing safety or affordability.”

“The technology to make cuts in greenhouse gas pollution is available today,” said Environmental Defense automotive engineer John DeCicco. “For years, California has shown the way to cut car pollution without harming the economy or undercutting driver choice. The rest of the nation, and the world, will soon follow the state’s lead.”

Today’s action by CARB will put in place regulations that achieve the maximum feasible and cost-effective reduction of greenhouse gases emitted by passenger vehicles, in accordance with California’s Assembly Bill 1493 (“Pavley”), which was passed in 2002. The measure is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2006, and will apply to model year 2009 vehicles and beyond.

In testimony at the hearing, Environmental Defense economist Eric Haxthausen said, “It is clear that any reasonable policy to stabilize the climate will include greenhouse gas emissions reductions from California vehicles.”

“We have an amazing opportunity to return Yosemite’s second crown jewel to the American people,” said Tom Graff, Environmental Defense California regional director. “Environmental Defense believes this study lays a credible framework for local, state and federal officials to consider restoring the valley as the Bay Area spends billions of dollars to retrofit its water supply system.”

The study, Paradise Regained: Solutions for Restoring Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy Valley, provides solutions for continuing to bring water from the Tuolumne River to the San Francisco Bay Area without storing the river water in Yosemite’s Hetch Hetchy Valley. The group offered the study as the San Francisco Bay Area is undertaking a $3.6 billion retrofit and expansion to its Tuolumne River supply system. “This comprehensive overhaul of the system provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to evaluate whether drinking water and power supplies can be met without storing water in Yosemite National Park,” said Spreck Rosekrans, senior analyst for Environmental Defense. “We believe our study shows that it can.”

Using information and methodology provided by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and the State of California, Environmental Defense created a water-planning model to ensure that the water system continues to meet present and projected needs for San Francisco and its suburban customers. The group concluded that San Francisco could continue to receive the majority of its drinking water and hydropower generation from the Tuolumne River by using Eleanor, Cherry and Don Pedro reservoirs also located on the Tuolumne River. A new pipe or “intertie” connecting Don Pedro to the City’s water delivery pipes would be required.

“Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is less than 25% of the SFPUC’s total system storage,” said Rosekrans. “The results of our water modeling show that other reservoirs are sufficient to meet full delivery objectives in four out of five years. Our study identifies a variety of additional water resources that can be used as a buffer in the dry years.” The water model, Tuolumne River Equivalent Water Supply Simulation (TREWSSIM), shows that in the driest one out of five years, approximately 18% of additional supplies would be needed in order to meet water delivery objectives while maintaining sufficient reserves.

The study indicates that these additional supplies could be obtained by increasing local Bay Area storage capacity, purchasing from agricultural districts, and using groundwater banking (storing supplies in existing underground reservoirs). The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has already outlined these additional supplies as options in its Water Supply Master Plan (2000).

The City of San Francisco also uses the Tuolumne River to generate hydropower for energy supply to its public buildings and municipal facilities such as the San Francisco Airport. In 2002, an average year, the SFPUC used slightly less than half of the system’s output, and sold most of the remaining output to the Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts. The Environmental Defense study found that San Francisco would still be able to produce energy using at least two of its three powerhouses, reducing generation output by 20-40%. The group indicated that the lost energy could be replaced through conservation, renewable resources or through supplies from one of many new gas-fired power plants being built in California.

“The small amount of energy lost from restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley could be replaced through energy conservation, new renewable energy production or by less than one-fifth the power from just one of the dozen new power plants that have come online in California since 2001,” said Dr. Nancy Ryan, senior economist for Environmental Defense. “That’s a small investment to make in order to restore Hetch Hetchy to the national park system for people to enjoy for countless generations.”

Environmental Defense estimated costs for adding the intertie and making retrofits to the system leading to restoration of Hetch Hetchy Valley. Further, the group recommends that local, state and federal agencies should negotiate to cover these costs and make new arrangements that respond to the legitimate demands placed on the Tuolumne River for water supply and power production.

“Environmental Defense recognizes that our Hetch Hetchy solutions study presents a number of challenges to water agencies and elected officials as San Francisco undertakes its Capital Improvement Program,” said Graff. “But Californians over many years have been leaders in solving tough environmental problems. Now is the time to unleash that same ‘can-do spirit’ in order to restore Hetch Hetchy Valley to its rightful place in Yosemite National Park.”

(23 September 2004 — NY)  Environmental Defense president Fred Krupp called late breaking reports today that the Russian government decided to submit the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change to the Russian Duma for ratification “the first clear sign since May that Russia is committed to taking the steps to usher in the age of carbon limits and climate stabilization.” 

“Russian ratification will bring into force a landmark international treaty under which for the first time nations will work together to safeguard Earth’s climate.  If the Duma approves, the Kyoto Protocol will be activated, creating the world’s first global platform for addressing the dangers of global warming.  Sadly, for now this leaves the U.S. isolated in its refusal to join the international effort to reduce greenhouse gas pollution,” Krupp said.  The Protocol has been ratified by over 100 nations, and is expected to take effect about 90 days after Russian ratification.  The Bush administration withdrew from the treaty in 2001.

“Russia is expected to ratify the measure.  There is wide understanding in Russia that the Kyoto Protocol will benefit the economy, while improving public health and saving lives,” said Alexander Golub, senior economist at Environmental Defense.

“For the first time since World War II a major international agreement will be implemented without significant participation or leadership by the U.S. Government,” said Peter C. Goldmark, Jr., director of Environmental Defense’s Climate and Air Program.  “The next order of business will be to build a bridge across which countries such as China, India, Brazil and the United States can join this global effort.”

Russian ratification will launch the Kyoto Protocol’s global market for trading reductions in emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.  In that market, those who come up with better, cheaper, faster ways to reduce greenhouse gas pollution will be able to sell pollution reductions to others who find it more costly to make reductions.  Experience with other pollutants indicates that this market-based approach can help nations and businesses meet greenhouse gas reduction targets in an extremely cost-efficient manner.  “Russian policy-makers understand that participating in Kyoto’s emissions trading market can help attract new investment to make Russia’s energy infrastructure more efficient and less polluting,” said Dan Dudek, Environmental Defense chief economist.

(23 September 2004 — New York) At a City Council hearing today, Environmental Defense testified in favor of a package of bills that will significantly cut pollution from vehicles owned, operated or contracted by the City.  The bills would require City agencies to use the cleanest available cars and trucks, including for example, hybrid vehicles, compressed-natural-gas vehicles and advanced retrofit technologies for diesel fleets.  The bills would cover school buses, cars, sanitation trucks and other fleets. 

“New York City is working with an old rule book when it comes to the purchasing guidelines for the vehicles in their fleets,” said Janea Scott, air policy attorney at Environmental Defense.  “Cleaner technologies are available, cost-effective, and proven.  The City Council has an opportunity with these bills to attract the cleanest vehicles to New York’s streets and set a valuable precedent for other cities.” 

In its testimony, Environmental Defense referenced a report it released earlier this week that ranked New York City as the third dirtiest city for kids.  According to the report, nearly 22% of the days of summer put children with asthma at risk of worsening their disease.  The NYC Department of Health has found that one in eight New Yorkers has been diagnosed with asthma, including about 300,000 children.  For more information on the report, visit www.dangerousdays.org.

These bills will curb pollution from the transportation sector, which is one of the biggest sources of air pollution in the City.  Mobile sources in New York City release 80% of the City’s criteria air pollutants, which include ozone, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and lead.  These pollutants contribute to both chronic and acute respiratory injury, stroke, asthma attacks and more.  Mobile sources also release hazardous air pollutants that can cause cancer.  In New York City, 94% of the added cancer risk is from air pollution from the mobile sector. 

Environmental Defense also released this week the Cleaner Diesel Handbook, aimed at providing the private sector, public officials and ordinary citizens with the means to reduce harmful pollution from diesel engines.  The handbook is available at www.environmentaldefense.org/dangerousdays.cfm?subnav=handbook. 

(20 September 2004 — New York)  A new report from Environmental Defense ranks the top 50 U.S. cities where the worst air pollution impacts the greatest number of kids.  The Dangerous Days of Summer report recognizes the serious impact poor air quality has on the health of children, but especially on those with asthma, and lays out a plan to reduce by 80% the most important sources of air pollution that trigger asthma.

“This report is a wake up call.  Fighting for clean air in this country means fighting for the millions of kids that struggle to breathe every day because of pollution,” said John Balbus, M.D., M.P.H., director of the health program at Environmental Defense.  “The good news is that the country can curb the triggers of asthma and ease the burden of other health consequences from air pollution.  An urgent first step toward this goal is for EPA to cut the harmful pollution from power plant smokestacks instead of weakening long-standing clean air protections.”

The top ten cities, with the most dangerous days are:  Los Angeles, Riverside-San Bernardino, New York City, Philadelphia, Houston, Washington, DC, Chicago, Baltimore, Atlanta and Detroit.

For the complete ranking, download the full report [PDF].

The report found that in Los Angeles, playing outside was dangerous for healthy children 20% of summer days.  For the more than 200,000 children with asthma in Los Angeles, nearly half the days of summer put them at risk for more attacks.  The Riverside-San Bernardino area, which ranked second because of its lower population of children, had even worse air quality.  In this city, an average of nearly 70% of summer days were dangerous for children with asthma, and more than one-third of summer days were potentially harmful for all children. 

“Over the past three summers, millions of children with asthma were put at risk because air pollution levels were dangerously high,” said Dr. Balbus.  “Reducing pollution from tailpipes and smokestacks is possible, but the public must demand action from our leaders.”

In the report, Environmental Defense describes an effective and practical plan to cut:

• Smokestacks pollution. EPA must strengthen and finalize its proposal to clean up particulate and smog-forming pollution from eastern power plants and expand its clean smokestack initiative nationwide.
• Diesel pollution. EPA recently adopted strong standards for new diesel engines, but their full impact won’t be felt until 2030 or later.  A commitment to clean up existing diesel engines is needed today.  A federal funding program should also be expanded beyond school buses to other sectors.  
• Exposure to road pollution. Federal leaders must support a national transportation policy that promotes market tools to limit congestion, increase travel options, foster smart growth and encourage cleaner vehicles. 

Contact: Kathleen Goldstein 202-572-3243
 

(September 20, 2004 — Washington, DC)  The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP), the federally appointed body charged with reviewing the status of America’s oceans and U.S. ocean policy, released its final report today.  The report follows on the heels of a similar one released last year by the independent Pew Oceans Commission. Although the makeup of the two commissions was very different, they made similar recommendations and reached a common conclusion: Our oceans are in serious trouble and urgent action is needed to address the myriad problems plaguing them. (To see the reports, go to: www.pewoceans.org and www.oceancommission.gov)

Made public at its last meeting in July, USCOP’s final recommendations take into account responses from governors, tribes and other stakeholders to the commission’s draft report. President Bush has 90 days to respond to the final report.

“President Bush has a historic opportunity to show leadership and commit federal resources to restructure our ocean management system and invest in ocean science, exploration and education,” said Environmental Defense oceans program director David Festa. 

As part of their new Oceans Alive campaign, Environmental Defense has appealed to both presidential candidates to offer their visions for the oceans.

“Just as Teddy Roosevelt expanded the area protected in national parks, an oceans president should expand the protected areas that are critical for ocean recovery,” said Festa.  “President Bush should take the U.S. Ocean Commission findings seriously and pledge to steer such a course.”

As the president reviews the final USCOP report, Environmental Defense strongly urges him to advocate fundamental ocean reform measures that will: