Complete list of press releases

“Whether they are dressed as Harry Potter or the Powerpuff Girls, children should carry canvas bags or pillow cases to tote treats instead of disposable bags. Using durable bags is a great idea any time of year, especially at Halloween when disposable bags can tear and lead to unhappy trick-or-treaters,” said Elizabeth Sturcken, Environmental Defense project manager.

“Another idea to protect the environment is to make a costume from old clothes at home, instead of buying a disposable one from a store. This way you can scare your neighbors without spooking Mother Nature,” said Sturcken.

“When planning a Halloween monster bash, use reusable utensils, plates, napkins and tablecloths instead of disposable ones. Also, when you are shopping for Halloween goodies, buy candy that uses the least amount of packaging. Kids may clamor for chocolate and candy corn, but after Halloween’s over, wrappers may be as common as tummy aches - look for the recycled content in items you buy and carry reusable bags to put your groceries in,” Sturcken said.

Environmental Defense recommends walking, riding a bike, or using public transportation for Halloween parties or trick-or-treating. If you have to drive, carpool to help reduce traffic and air pollution.

“Fall is a great time to start backyard composting ? it’s a great way to recycle organic materials such as food scraps, leaves, yard clippings and jack o’ lanterns. A backyard bin is a lot more convenient than bagging leaves for collection. You get great soil for gardening, and you can compost all winter long - even in cold climates,” said Sturcken. “Check with your town or local hardware store or garden center for help getting started.”

“Try to re-use Halloween decorations in the same way that Christmas ornaments are used from year-to-year, instead of throwing them away each November first. Most of all, use this holiday to think about your everyday habits and actions to reduce waste 365 days a year. The scariest aspect of Halloween may not be the ghosts in the attic, but the waste on the floor. Individual actions can make a huge difference for our future,” said Sturcken.

Environmental Defense commended the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for developing a website that helps the public to compare tailpipe pollution levels of vehicles, but urged EPA to quickly integrate information on fuel economy as well so that users get a more complete and accurate environmental picture.

“It is critical for consumers to weigh all the relative environmental costs of their vehicle choice into their buying decision,” said Environmental Defense attorney Kevin Mills. “Consumers can make a difference by choosing the cleanest-burning and most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets their needs.”

“In the coming years, there will be more variability than usual in the tailpipe pollution levels of different vehicles on the market,” said Mills. “Therefore, it is an important time to spotlight and simplify EPA’s tailpipe pollution certification levels. The new website makes this information more accessible.”

But consumers need to know about fuel economy as well, since carbon dioxide emissions from burning gas contributes to the problem of climate change. EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) also publish information on fuel economy (www.fueleconomy.gov), but running separate sites makes it too difficult for the public to access the information they need and also creates difficulties in interpreting how different parts of a particular vehicle’s environmental profile relate.

Impacts from the manufacturing and disposal of vehicles are also important environmental issues but public data does not support comparisons of products on these parameters. Information on these manufacturing and disposal impacts is provided by Environmental Defense at www.environmentaldefense.org/greencar on the web.

“Over 90,000 people have pledged through the Clean Car Campaign (www.cleancarcampaign.org) to buy the cleanest vehicle that meets their needs and have challenged automakers to offer cleaner-built, cleaner-running vehicle choices,” said Mills. “Consumers need to have effective tools to act on their convictions.”

President Clinton has nominated Environmental Defense engineer Lois Epstein to the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSHIB), an independent agency that investigates chemical accidents and makes recommendations to prevent future accidents.

Ms. Epstein has worked for Environmental Defense for twelve years, and previously worked for two private sector consulting firms and the US Environmental Protection Agency. At Environmental Defense, Epstein works on pollution and accident prevention within the petroleum, vehicle assembly, and steel industries.

“It is indeed an honor for Environmental Defense and for the Chemical Safety Board to have someone of Ms. Epstein’s caliber,” said Fred Krupp, executive director of Environmental Defense. “Lois has devoted her career to a cleaner world and to increased public safety through accident prevention.”

“Ms. Epstein has demonstrated integrity, technical and analytical expertise, industrial plant knowledge, and a strong understanding of environmental laws and regulations,” said US Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). “She has the ability to work with a diverse array of interests, and a commitment to resolving environmental and worker safety problems. These qualities, in combination with Ms. Epstein’s expertise in engineering, petroleum refining, and her familiarity with the National Transportation Safety Board —the model for this Board — make her a strong candidate.”

Epstein has a B.A. in English from Amherst College, an S.B. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Stanford University.

The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is a scientific investigative organization. The Board is not an enforcement or regulatory body, but makes recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents to the Congress, industry, federal, state and local agencies, as well as trade associations and others.

Environmental Defense today criticized a massive water resources projects bill passed by the US House of Representatives that fails to enact reforms to curb poor conduct by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The bill was never considered by the House Transportation Committee, and the House leadership allowed no amendments on the floor of the House, so there was never any opportunity for public scrutiny and votes on any of the projects or provisions of the bill individually. Amendments by Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) to require independent peer review and by Congressman Mark Sanford (R-SC) for higher economic standards were not allowed under a rule.

“Even by the poor standards that govern federal water bills, the massive water resources projects bill passed by the House of Representatives today fails the public trust,” said Tim Searchinger today, senior attorney for Environmental Defense.

“Among the worst provisions,” said Searchinger, “are those that would further subsidize risky beachfront development and the dredging of ports to uneconomical depths. The bill would also direct the Army Corps of Engineers to build even bigger flood control projects than are economically optimal.”

“The Senate has so far refused to accept the rampant abuses in this bill. It is really up to Senator Bob Smith, as chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, to stand firm and not accept the House bill. We urge him to stand firm,” said Searchinger.

“Everglades restoration does not need to move on this bad bill. Congress should attach it to an appropriations bill,” said Searchinger.

Environmental Defense Rocky Mountain released a report today that measures growth and some of the factors that indicate whether Denver’s communities have “smart growth” or sprawling growth. The report, Sprawl in the Denver Region, documents population and development trends in the Denver Region.

“Most Coloradans agree that sprawl has a negative impact on our day to day lives, but sprawl can mean very different things to each of us. Sprawl can mean increasing traffic and long commutes to work, the loss of farmland and open space to development, and threats to the environment. We published this report to better understand how these issues relate to each other in communities and the region as a whole,” said report author Jennifer Pitt.

The report takes a community by community look at facts that help define sprawl. It also demonstrates which cities have tools in place to help plan for growth. The report’s data are compiled for each city in four chapters:

• LAND USE - Average Miles of Road Per Person, Average Residentially Developed Acres Per Person, Tools for Smart Growth,
• TRANSPORTATION - Motor Vehicles Per Household, People Who Spend More Than 20 Minutes Traveling to Work, Municipal Tools for Transportation Alternatives,
• JOBS AND HOUSING - Jobs Per Resident, People Working in Municipality of Residence, Growth of Jobs and Population, Mean Housing Price, Municipal Tools for Affordable Housing,
• ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - Parks and Open Space, Parks and Open Space as a percentage of Land within Municipal Boundaries, Municipal Tools for Environmental Protection.

Cities that are included in Sprawl in the Denver Region: Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Commerce City, Denver, Edgewater, Englewood, Erie, Federal Heights, Glendale, Golden, Greenwood Village, Lafayette, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Longmont, Louisville, Northglenn, Parker, Sheridan, Superior, Thornton, Westminster, Wheat Ridge.

“This report provides reliable information that will help cities, law makers, planners, citizens, and developers build communities to improve the quality of life in Colorado,” said Pitt.

The report was co-authored by Carl Castillo, a graduate student in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Colorado.

Some of the world’s largest corporations and the US advocacy group Environmental Defense have joined forces to further combat climate change. BP, Shell International, DuPont, Suncor Energy Inc., Ontario Power Generation, the Canadian aluminum company Alcan, the French aluminum company Pechiney and Environmental Defense today announced the creation of the Partnership for Climate Action. The primary purpose of the Partnership is to champion market-based mechanisms as a means of achieving early and credible action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that is efficient and cost-effective.

Each company in the Partnership for Climate Action has already set a firm target for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The targets will result in an annual reduction of at least 80 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2010. Further, each company agrees to measure and publicly report its emissions.

The partners include petroleum and petrochemical companies BP and Shell International, the energy company Suncor, a chemical company (DuPont), the electric utility Ontario Power Generation, and the world’s second and third largest aluminum companies (Alcan of Canada and Pechiney of France). Together, the annual 1990 emissions of the Partnership members are 360 million metric tons, placing them among the top 15 industrialized countries in terms of emissions. Never before have such a wide cross section of industry and a major environmental organization joined forces to institute such dramatic cuts in global pollution. To better understand and learn the benefits of market mechanisms, the participants intend to use emissions trading to cut greenhouse gas pollution swiftly and affordably.

“The Partnership for Climate Action shows that companies can cut greenhouse gas pollution while continuing to provide products to customers and profits to shareholders. The goal is to share learning and highlight the value of solid, market-oriented rules, which will encourage even more companies to step forward and reduce pollution,” said Fred Krupp, Executive Director of Environmental Defense.

“Alcan is a committed, engaged company that has taken early action and reduced emissions for a number of years. This Partnership for Climate Action is a significant opportunity to join a reputable group of companies in translating action — emissions reductions — into the future that includes emissions trading,” said Dan Gagnier, Alcan’s Senior Vice President, Corporate and External Affairs.

“Three years ago BP made a commitment to substantially reduce its emissions of CO₂ - and since then we have been working hard to achieve this goal,” said John Mogford, BP Vice President of Health, Safety, and Environment. “The formation of the Partnership for Climate Action will strengthen these efforts by creating a forum where like-minded participants can benefit from each other’s practical experience and action. By working together we hope to further encourage real and verifiable reductions of CO2.”

“DuPont is proud to be a founding member of the Partnership for Climate Action. We believe that the Partnership will demonstrate that market-based programs can provide the means to simultaneously achieve both environmental protection and economic development goals. Beginning with a commitment in 1991, we are very pleased to have achieved a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, on a CO2-equivalent basis, from our global operations. Over the next decade we have set goals to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions through point source reduction, improved energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy for 10% of our global needs. This Partnership will provide a forum for emissions trading and sharing of best practices to ensure that all of the members’ goals can be met in the most cost effective manner,” said Paul V. Tebo, DuPont Vice President, Safety, Health and Environment.

“Like many companies represented here today, Ontario Power Generation is committed to improving the quality of our air and to reducing the impact of global warming. I say this not just because of the obvious ecological and moral importance of these activities, but also because environmental performance is a significant business imperative and a source of competitive advantage for us. We believe this trend will intensify as new electricity suppliers strive to differentiate themselves in the new, deregulated and competitive marketplace,” said Ron Osborne, President & CEO, Ontario Power Generation Inc.

“Pechiney is particularly keen to develop a system of emission trading that will allow taking into account the benefits of reduced greenhouse gas emission created by the use of aluminum-based products, including the use of aluminum in lightweight automobiles,” said Philippe Varin, Senior Executive Vice President of the aluminum sector of Pechiney.

“Market-based solutions are the most effective way of addressing environmental challenges, including bringing down the cost of reducing GHG emissions. This initiative to develop and share best practice is yet another step in the right direction,” says Aidan Murphy, Vice-President, Global Climate Change, Shell International.

“We are pleased to be working alongside other leading organizations who share our belief in the power of market mechanisms to contribute to climate change solutions,” said Rick George, Suncor President and CEO. “It is my hope that by announcing our Partnership for Climate Action, we will send a clear message that it is possible for companies to address climate change and still meet the growing economic, environmental and social expectations of stakeholders.”

Environmental Defense today criticized the NC Environmental Management Commission (EMC) and Gov. Jim Hunt for failing to require the state’s outdated coal-burning power plants to meet modern emissions standards and reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution by 80%. The EMC voted instead to adopt a compromise rule that will require utility companies to lower dangerous NOx pollution by only 68% based on 1998 emission levels.

“A 68% reduction is a step in the right direction, but it is well documented that an 80% reduction is required to protect our health, our economy and our environment,” said Michael Shore, southeast air quality manager for Environmental Defense. “Comments from the public overwhelmingly supported strict clean air standards, but the EMC failed to listen to citizens. This plan sides with the power plants, rather than the people.”

During recent months North Carolinians flooded the EMC with more than 12,000 letters calling for tighter control on NOx emissions, which lead to the creation of smog. North Carolina has had the third highest smog level in the country in recent years, just behind California and Texas.

“We are extremely disappointed that the EMC did not use this opportunity to adequately reduce NOx emissions, a major source of environmental pollution and public health problems in our state,” said Shore. “Unfortunately, the state has failed to make a complete commitment to clean air.”

The deaths of 12 campers in New Mexico this August following an interstate natural gas pipeline explosion, one year after three young people died in a gasoline pipeline rupture in Washington state, presented Congress with the urgent need for stricter regulation and oversight of our nation’s aging pipeline infrastructure. Environmental Defense today praised the defeat of the Senate pipeline bill (S. 2438), which lacked provisions to reverse adverse industry trends.

“We need improved pipeline safety legislation as soon as possible. Those living and working near pipelines can’t wait. Environmental and safety groups will continue to work to pass effective pipeline safety legislation,” said Environmental Defense engineer Lois Epstein.

Approximately four major pipeline accidents causing death, injury, and/or property damage greater than $50,000 occur each week, according to a recent US General Accounting Office (GAO) report. GAO also found that major accidents are increasing by approximately 4% annually, at the same time that the federal Office of Pipeline Safety’s fines against the industry are declining. Currently, only one in 25 violators receives a proposed fine. Notably, oil pipelines spill over 6 million gallons annually, more than half the size of the Exxon Valdez release, and average spill size has been increasing since 1993 to over 44,000 gallons in 1999.

According to Epstein effective pipeline safety legislation needs to contain these elements:

1. Strong regulatory standards (including pipeline testing type and frequency, leak detection requirements, etc.), and effective enforcement of those standards;
2. Expanded liability for releases; and,
3. Public accountability through right-to-know reporting and establishment and funding of regional advisory councils (similar to the councils in Alaska created by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990).

“House leadership decided to vote on this bill rather than stronger House bills introduced by members of both parties that contain some or all of these critical pipeline safety provisions. These bills should be voted on this session,” said Epstein.