• Utilities Back Near Zero-Emission Coal Power
  
• Bay Area 30 Year Earthquake Probability 62 Percent
  
• New York City Enters Federal Clean Cities Program
  
• AT&T Wireless Offers Wireless Phone Recycling
  
• Oakland Glass Maker Fined $200,000 for Air Violations
  
• Oregon Forestry Board Members Threatened with Legal Action
  
• California Donner Memorial State Park Triples in Size
  
• Black Bears Will Roam as Florida Fills Gap in Protected Lands
  

Utilities Back Near Zero-Emission Coal Power

The facility will be a test bed for advanced coal based power generation technologies capable of producing electricity and hydrogen with near zero emissions. Provided that the results of an initial feasibility analysis are positive, the alliance members hope to forge a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to help facilitate design, construction, and operation of the facility.

The industry effort is in response to a February announcement by President George W. Bush in which he shared his vision for a near zero-emission coal-fueled power plant. The President committed the federal government to a 10 year public-private partnership focused on bringing the new power plant into operation.

Dubbed “FutureGen,” power plants of this design would produce electricity for consumers and businesses, as well as hydrogen to power a fuel cell based transportation system.

Formation of the alliance is being coordinated by Battelle, a research and development institution. The working group companies in the alliance are: American Electric Power; CONSOL Energy Inc.; Kennecott Energy, a member of the Rio Tinto Group; The North American Coal Corporation; PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of ScottishPower; Peabody Energy; RAG American Coal Holding, Inc.; Southern Company; and TXU.

Because the United States has more than a 300 year supply of coal; the industry alliance views the effort to design near zero-emission power plants as the creation of a new way for coal to power the U.S. economy with minimal environmental impacts. The alliance members look forward to substantive discussions with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and National Energy Technology Laboratory to work toward a public-private partnership.

The alliance said today, "In an age when energy must become increasingly compatible with environmental concerns, the alliance is seeking to take a bold step forward by developing designs for near zero-emission coal fueled power plants with the hope that these plants will make sense for the U.S. economy, the environment and shareholders."

The alliance members believe that the FutureGen initiative targets three of the most critical long term energy challenges facing the United States - ensuring the continued availability of low cost electricity; reducing the U.S. dependence on imported oil and limited U.S. natural gas reserves by advancing the production of hydrogen through the use of coal, and managing the potential environmental and financial risks of climate change.

As a group the alliance companies provide energy to more than 15 million American homes, businesses, and industrial customers in 30 states. They mine and market all major coal types consumed in the United States.

Bay Area 30 Year Earthquake Probability 62 Percent

The agency said that there is a 62 percent chance that a major, damaging earthquake of magnitude 6.7 or higher will strike the San Francisco Bay Region by 2032. These earthquakes are most likely to occur on one of the seven main faults crossing the region.

There is at least an 80 percent chance of one or more quakes with magnitude ranging from 6.0 to 6.6 occurring in the same period.

The predictions were based on an analysis by the USGS led Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities that included earthquake scientists from government, academia, and the private sector.

USGS scientist Mary Lou Zoback, lead author on the loss study, said the East Bay I-880 corridor along the Hayward fault would experience the most proportional property damage of the entire Bay area, a result of dense development directly along and next to the Hayward fault and the fact that earthquakes on this fault, while lower in magnitude than those on the San Andreas fault, have higher odds of occurring.

The report updates and revises the 1999 probability estimate which predicted a 70 percent chance of a major quake for the 30 year period 2000-2029.

Although the new earthquake probability for the Bay Area appears slightly lower than 1999 estimates, the new report is not a message that the earthquake hazard in the region has somehow lessened, said David Schwartz, one of the report's lead authors and chief of the USGS's San Francisco Bay Area Earthquake Hazards Project.

"It reflects new scientific information, as well as uncertainties about the effect of the great 1906 earthquake on the region's faults," Schwartz said. "Probabilities of 62 or 70 percent are high numbers. Regardless of where earthquakes occur in the Bay Area, they will produce damaging ground motions over broad areas and at substantial distances from the source of the earthquake."

The Bay Region experienced large, destructive earthquakes in 1838, 1868, 1906, and 1989. "Future large earthquakes to relieve the continually accumulating strain energy are a certainty," Schwartz said.

The report reveals that although earthquakes are most likely to occur on one of the region's seven main fault systems, they may also occur on faults not characterized in the study. The earthquake likelihood is distributed broadly across the region, from the San Gregorio fault on the west to the Green Valley and Greenville faults on the east.

While the urban core of the Bay Region remains at high risk, researchers identified significant additional earthquake hazards in three of the region's most rapidly growing areas. The easternmost faults along the I-680 corridor in central and eastern Contra Costa and Alameda counties together have about a 19 percent chance of a M6.7 earthquake.

The combined probability for M6.7 earthquakes east of San Francisco Bay is 46 percent. To the west of the Bay, there is a 34 percent probability for one or more 6.7 quakes occurring from 2003 to 2032.

Chris Wills, geologist with the California Geological Survey and a lead author on the report, said, "In the Bay Area loss of life is predicted to be highest if an earthquake occurs in the early afternoon when people are working in commercial buildings with varying susceptibility to quakes. The predicted mid-afternoon fatalities are about five times higher than deaths predicted at 2 am when most people are in their residences."

Richard Eisner, manager of Earthquake Programs for the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) said, "These scenarios paint a picture of the devastation that we will face in future Bay Area earthquakes if we don't act now to strengthen our buildings and prepare our citizens."

As part of the new report, the USGS is releasing on the web ShakeMaps of expected earthquake shaking intensities for all 34 potential earthquakes sources identified in the report.

In the event of a strong quake, ShakeMaps of the worst shaking intensity and likely damage, created by USGS' Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS), would be sent to first responders to speed aid to the most severely affected areas within minutes of the quake.

The study produced a computer based earthquake model for the Bay Area. As new information on the region's faults or new ideas on the physics of earthquakes are developed, the model can be used to re-calculate earthquake probabilities.

New York City Enters Federal Clean Cities Program

In an Earth Day ceremony held at City Hall Park, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Garman joined New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman and New York City officials to recognize the coalition for its commitment to increase the use of vehicles powered by alternative fuels.

"The New York City Clean Cities Coalition has made great progress in promoting the use of alternative fuel and alternative fuel vehicles," Garman said. "Their efforts to increase the use of domestically produced, cleaner burning alternative fuels such as ethanol, natural gas, propane, biodiesel, and electricity are helping to reduce our nation's dependence on imported oil, strengthen energy security and improve our environment."

In 1991, the New York City Department of Transportation began operating a fleet of alternative fuel buses and later introduced light duty vehicles into its fleet.

Later, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York City Department of Sanitation also began introducing alternative fueled vehicles into their fleets. In addition, the city residents and visitors can hail 200 natural gas taxis that each travel 50,000 to 80,000 miles per year. Together they displace some 1,000,000 gallons of gasoline per year.

Included among the 40 coalition stakeholders are the NYC Department of Transportation, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, Keyspan, Ford Motor Company, Honda, the New York Power Authority, the NY State Energy and Research Development Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Manhattan Beer, Consolidated Edison, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Environmental Business Association of New York State, Bronx College, and the American Lung Association.

Clean Cities is a locally based voluntary government and industry partnership coordinated by the U.S. Energy Department, which is designed to promote the use of alternative fuels.

AT&T Wireless Offers Wireless Phone Recycling

The company says the program was undertaken in support of the EPA's Plug-In To eCycling, a campaign that encourages Americans to reuse or recycle their used electronics, and Keep America Beautiful, a nonprofit organization that focuses on community improvement and beautification.

AT&T invites customers to recycle unwanted wireless phones, accessories, and batteries, regardless of the manufacturer or carrier, at any AT&T Wireless retail store. AT&T Wireless employees will do the same at office locations nationwide.

Wireless phones collected through the AT&T Wireless Reuse & Recycle program that cannot be refurbished will be recycled. The wireless phones that can be refurbished will be donated to groups that respond to emergency situations, such as the American Red Cross.

Proceeds from the recycled phones will be donated to Keep America Beautiful. In addition, AT&T Wireless volunteers will participate in various Keep America Beautiful cleanup activities throughout the year.

"We are honored to be the first wireless carrier to partner with the EPA and Keep America Beautiful to help protect our environment for the next generation," said Wally Hyer, vice president of AT&T Wireless, who oversees the company's Environment, Health & Safety division.

"AT&T Wireless deserves a lot of credit for its leadership in recycling old cell phones," said EPA Assistant Administrator Marianne Horinko. "We're very glad that they are partnering with EPA on the Plug-In To eCycling Campaign. Through efforts like these, AT&T Wireless is helping EPA and all Americans reduce the electronic waste stream and protect the environment."

"Keep America Beautiful applauds AT&T Wireless for its commitment to product stewardship," said Gail Cunningham, managing director, Great American Cleanup. "Together we are engaging individuals in activities that ensure safer, healthier, and more beautiful environments - today and for generations to come."

To learn more about the AT&T Wireless Reuse & Recycle program, visit http://www.attwireless.com/our_company/cares/recycle_program.

Oakland Glass Maker Fined $200,000 for Air Violations

The EPA cited Owens Brockway Glass Container, Inc. in East Oakland for allegedly failing to meet federal opacity standards 192 times from July 1994 to November 1997. During the same period of time, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District took enforcement action and fined the company for the opacity violations.

The emissions at Owens Brockway, which has manufactured glass food and beverage containers at this location since the 1930s, come from three glass melting furnaces.

Owens Brockaway has since improved its preventative maintenance program and no longer violates the opacity standard.

"Today's announcement essentially closes the book on a series of long-running environmental violations that potentially endangered the health of East Oakland residents," said Jack Broadbent, director of the EPA's Air Division in San Francisco. "Owens Brockaway implemented corrective measures that have improved the facility 's compliance with air regulations."

Glass manufacturing processes produce particulate emissions from raw materials that vaporize during the melting process and then condense in the exhaust stack. Frequent monitoring of the opacity of smokestack emissions prevents excess emissions of particulates that can penetrate deep into lungs and cause respiratory problems, ranging from short term coughs and wheezing to serious diseases such as emphysema.

The EPA measures opacity from smokestacks by shining a light through the emissions. If only 80 percent of the light passes through, the opacity is 20 percent. All of Owens Brockway's 192 alleged violations were for 20 percent opacity or greater, with many nearing 40 percent.

Oregon Forestry Board Members Threatened with Legal Action

The violations stem from board's January decision to allow clearcut logging on high risk sites regardless of the risk to federally protected coho salmon. Logging on steep hillsides often precipitates landslides that pour sediment into salmon spawning streams, killing salmon and smothering salmon eggs, the groups say.

On January 27, 2003, the Oregon Board of Forestry enacted a temporary rule eliminating the requirement of State Forester approval for many types forest operations on landslide prone sites.

The groups claim that this temporary rule amounts to a blanket authorization of all logging on landslide prone sites that meet current standards. "It tries to make it more difficult to hold the State Forester legally accountable for the logging, but without actually prohibiting logging that has a high risk of triggering landslides and harming coho salmon," says the nonprofit law firm Earthjustice which is representing the groups in their action before the board.

"The board's attempt to limit the State Forester's responsibility for protecting coho salmon has put the board itself in the hot seat," said attorney Patti Goldman of Earthjustice. "The board should live up to its legal obligation to ensure that logging will not wipe out threatened salmon."

"It makes no sense for other Oregon agencies and many landowners to spend time and money restoring salmon when the Board of Forestry is encouraging more landslides that kill them." said Glen Spain of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, which represents commercial fishing interests harmed by the decimation of the coho fishery.

"Rather than dodge and run from its resource protection responsibilities, the board should be leading Oregon to ensure that logging under state standards meets federal law - a policy that better serves all forest landowners, particularly the smaller ones, fishing-dependent communities, and all Oregonians," Spain said.

The conservation and fishing groups warn that the board members each share federal liability with Oregon's State Forester for harmful logging authorized under the state's forest practice rules. The groups can add individual board members as defendants to pending litigation against the State Forester once the legally mandated 60 day notice period has passed.

"The board has left us no choice but to bring them into this," said Sybil Ackerman of the Audubon Society of Portland, "It's sad and frustrating that we must go to such great lengths to gain real protection for Oregon's wild salmon."

The groups offer to work with the board to align state regulatory standards with the needs of federally protected species, such as by creating forest practice rules that are adequate to prevent logging that harms coho salmon.

"We have repeatedly encouraged the board to exercise stronger oversight and develop more protective rules," said Mary Scurlock of Pacific Rivers Council, "The board is doing exactly the opposite of what the fish need - allowing continued conflict between logging and salmon restoration."

California Donner Memorial State Park Triples in Size

The newly protected ridge will surmount the new 25 mile Donner Lake Rim Trail, which will connect Truckee and Emigrant Canyon to the Pacific Coast Trail. Saving Schallenberger Ridge will protect an important Sierra Crest to Truckee River habitat and wildlife corridor. Truckee Donner Land Trust expects six more properties in the region, totaling 341 acres, will be added to the park in the future.

The Schallenberger Ridge is visible from Truckee and the I-80 and forms the scenic backdrop to Donner Lake. Its protection is the result of a partnership between The Trust for Public Land (TPL), the Truckee Donner Land Trust (TDLT), and California State Parks. The California Department of Fish and Game, Placer County and the philanthropic community also made key contributions.

The Schallenberger Ridge property, adjacent to Donner Lake and the Sugarbowl Ski Resort, was the setting for much California history. The historic Emigrant Trail, used by thousands of California bound pioneers, passes through the property.

The ridgeline is named for Moses Schallenberger, who was a member of the first pioneer party to take wagons over the Sierra Nevada, opening the California Trail.

In 1844, the 18 year old Schallenberger volunteered to remain behind at what is now known as Donner Lake to guard wagons left by the main party. Alone, he survived nearly three months in a small cabin during the extreme winter of 1844-1845 before being rescued. Members of the ill fated Donner Party, who were stranded there in 1846-1847, would later use his cabin.

Using a low interest loan from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, TPL purchased the 1,923 acre ridgeline in 2001 from Croman Timber Corporation, an Oregon logging company. TPL has worked in partnership with the Truckee Donner Land Trust to protect the property, valued at $3.1 million, from logging and subdivision. The acquisition was funded through the Habitat Conservation Fund and state Land and Water Conservation Fund, CDFG mitigation funds, Placer County Placer Legacy funds, as well as through private donations from generous individuals across the state and the local community, including many Sugarbowl homeowners.

"TPL is pleased to have played a part in the protection of Schallenberger Ridge - a spectacular and historic California treasure," says David Sutton, Sierra Nevada program director for the Trust for Public Land. "Schallenberger Ridge is a gift back to the Sierra and to the public that loves it."

"The same rugged skyline that greeted the first pioneers to California is now protected forever," said Mary Nichols, California Secretary for Resources. "And, as part of the Donner Memorial State Park, Schallenberger Ridge will be cared for and made available for the general public to enjoy."

"In the rapidly growing Truckee area, the protection of these wild lands literally at Truckee's doorstep is a significant step towards protecting what residents and visitors cherish about the area," says Perry Norris, executive director of the Truckee Donner Land Trust.

"Protecting Schallenberger Ridge is a fitting finale to TPL's 30th year of conserving land for people, both here in California and across the nation," says Reed Holderman, executive director of TPL-California. "From the city of Truckee to Sugarbowl Ski Resort, the Donner Pass community wanted the Ridge saved from development and TPL was glad to have the opportunity to be involved."

"Schallenberger Ridge is so scenic and so integral to Donner Memorial State Park and adjoining US Forest Service properties that most outdoor enthusiasts assumed it was already in public ownership." says John Knott, Superintendent for the Sierra District of California State Parks. "It was vital that this property be protected now. This will be part of our legacy to future generations."

Black Bears Will Roam as Florida Fills Gap in Protected Lands

"This project has multiple benefits, both environmental and economic," said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary David Struhs. "It protects wildlife habitat and the water filtering into one of the most productive estuaries in the Northern Hemisphere."

The 200,000 acre project is surrounded by three other conservation areas - Apalachicola National Forest to the north, Apalachicola Wildlife and Environmental Area to the east, and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve to the south.

The state's largest population of Florida black bears, and other wildlife, can now roam freely throughout the entire unpopulated habitat that is vital for their survival. Expanses of wetlands act as filters for water entering the Apalachicola Bay, one of the richest shellfish harvesting areas in the world.

"We are privileged to have the opportunity to observe rare and magnificent wildlife in Florida," said Eva Armstrong, director of DEP's Division of State Lands. "By protecting the land and water resources, we ensure future generations will enjoy that same opportunity."

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Forestry will manage the property as a state forest. Recreational opportunities include fishing, hunting, canoeing, and wildlife observation.