• Power Grid More Reliable But Much Work Remains
  
• Appeals Court Orders Spill Water for Oregon Salmon
  
• Fines Paid by Polluters Fund Fish, Wildlife Restoration
  
• Public Welcome to Comment on Truck Stop Idling Rules
  
• Solid Oxide Fuel Cell One Step Closer to Commercialization
  
• Spring Storms Wipe Out Wisconsin Gypsy Moths
  
• Beckerink Family Wins New York 2004 Conservation Award
  
• Marijuana Ingredient Useful in Treating Brain Tumors
  

Power Grid More Reliable But Much Work Remains

The American and Canadian co-leads of the Power System Outage Task Force, David Meyer and Dr. Nawal Kamel, have released a joint report detailing key accomplishments over the last year and identifyng major challenges still ahead.

After its Final Report was issued in April 2004, the Task Force had its mandate extended for a year, underscoring the two governments' commitment to ensuring that its recommendations would be implemented. In the period since the release of the report, government agencies, the North American Electric Reliability Council and the electricity industry have pursued a wide array of initiatives to reduce the risk of future blackouts.

"The August 14th Blackout One Year Later: Actions Taken to Reduce Blackout Risk," says that the aggregate result of these actions "has been to reduce significantly the risk of future blackouts - even though that risk can never be eliminated entirely."

Despite these actions, the need for the U.S. Congress to enact the reliability provisions in pending legislative proposals (H.R. 6 and S. 2095) has in no way diminished, the Task Force says. The North American Electric Reliability Council also called for passage of this legislation in its separate report released last week. This is President George W. Bush's energy bill that has been stalled in Congress for months in disputes over its cost and liability exemptions for manufacturers of the gasoline oxygenate MTBE that has polluted groundwater across the nation.

But the Task Force says it is "essential" to enact the legislation to establish the jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for reliability matters over all participants in the U.S. portions of the North American bulk power systems. It is needed to provide a solid legal foundation for the certification of an electric reliability organization that will develop technically sound reliability standards, and to make compliance with such standards mandatory and enforceable under U.S. law, the Task Force leaders maintain.

In addition, there must be independent funding for the electric reliability organization and the existing regional councils. There must be reform of the roles, responsibilities, and boundaries of the regional councils; and enhancement of the overall security of the electricity sector, according to the Task Force report.

The detailed accomplishments of the various agencies on both sides of the border in the year since the blackout are outlined in the new report. Click here to read it.

Appeals Court Orders Spill Water for Oregon Salmon

Spill, which helps juvenile fish pass safely downriver, occurs when water is sent through dam spillways instead of through power-producing turbines. As scientists across the region have said, these water releases are the safest way to help young salmon get downstream past the dams to the ocean.

While these water releases have occurred during the summer months for years, this year the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) sought to curtail them.

The BPA plan rejected by the appellate court provides for spill at Bonneville, John Day, The Dalles and Ice Harbor dams through July. It ends spill at Ice Harbor and John Day dams in late August after most fish have passed the dams and eliminates spill entirely in August at Bonneville and The Dalles dams.

"This action is a winner for the economy and environment of the Northwest by implementing an effective and efficient means to help salmon," said Steve Wright, BPA administrator.

Salmon conservationists point out that the savings would have been only seven to 10 cents per month for residential customers in Portland and Seattle.

"The electric utilities have real concerns regarding the price of electricity ­ concerns that we take seriously and must come together to discuss," said Sara Patton, executive director, NW Energy Coalition. "Hurting salmon to save pennies, however is not a good plan, while aiding salmon and hurting people and businesses is not wise either. People in the Northwest want and deserve clean, affordable electricity and wild salmon and through listening to each other and looking for common ground we can get there."

The summer water release program is one of the few "firm and consistently successful requirements" in the Federal Salmon Plan for endangered salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers, conservationists say.

That plan, while ruled illegal in May 2003, remains in force until a new plan now being written takes effect. But the Bush administration and its agencies decided not to implement the plan's spill requirements, and instead put forth "offsets" allegedly designed to compensate for the dramatic harm that curtailing water releases would cause to salmon.

Scientists from the tribes, the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service all described these so-called offsets as "speculative" and unable to mitigate for the salmon killed by cutting water releases.

Federal District Court Judge James Redden agreed with these scientists last month when he enjoined the government plan to curtail water releases.

"By upholding Judge Redden's decision, the Ninth Circuit is affirming what we've known all along ­ gambling the future of wild salmon to save a few cents a month on our electric bills is not a tradeoff people in the Northwest want to make," said Todd True, staff attorney, Earthjustice. "We all look for ways to save money, but being penny wise and pound foolish hurts everyone. It's time for the administration to obey the law."

"Today is a day to celebrate; however we must not grow complacent," said Jan Hasselman, staff attorney, National Wildlife Federation. "If the recent attempts by this administration to thwart salmon recovery efforts are any indication, the draft plan due out later this month will be even worse than the one that the federal court threw out last year."

Fines Paid by Polluters Fund Fish, Wildlife Restoration

The Request for Proposals is posted on the foundation’s website at: www.nfwf.org. Applications are due by September 17, 2004. Questions can be directed to Krystyna Wolniakowski, director, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation-Pacific Northwest, at 503-417-8700, extension 22, or at wolniakowski@nfwf.org, or to Stephen Zylstra, manager, Environmental Resources Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at 503-231-6179 or at Stephen_Zylstra@fws.gov.

Public Welcome to Comment on Truck Stop Idling Rules

When trucks idle for long periods – typically to run the heat, air conditioning or other accessories while drivers rest – they waste fuel and emit harmful pollutants. The emissions, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, can enter the truck cab and create a potentially harmful environment in addition to fouling the air surrounding the truck stop.

The EPA says that a nationally consistent set of codes and standards for electric hook-ups will encourage truck stop electrification and prevent the need to idle during rest stops.

Truck stop electrification (TSE) requires installing stationary infrastructure to allow the electrical grid to provide power to the truck. In some TSE configurations, the truck is equipped with on-board components; in other cases, the truck needs no on-board modifications.

As the idea of electrification at truck stops has gained popularity, the need for greater government-industry cooperation has become apparent. Several truck and engine manufacturers have TSE truck designs, and two TSE technology manufacturers have deployed stationary technology at several locations.

Standardizing truck stop electrification technology has become a concern for the long-haul trucking industry.

Truck manufacturers, truck stop operators, and states and federal agencies need to know that if they assist in TSE deployment to reduce emissions and conserve fuel, the interface between the truck and stationary infrastructure will be compatible across the country.

Many different and divergent codes and standards potentially could be applied to truck stop electrification technology, including those set forth by the following organizations:

• National Electrical Code (NEC) providing standards for electric vehicle, recreational vehicle (RV) and marine power pedestals along with on-board wiring standards for RVs.

• Society of Automotive Engineers providing standards for high voltage primary system wiring design and components.

• Underwriters Laboratories (UL) providing standards for 120 VAC distribution wiring, plugs, receptacles, protective devices and on-board appliances.

• National Electrical Manufacturer's Association providing standards for plug and receptacle outlet configurations.

• Canadian Standards Association and Canadian Electrical Code providing standards similar to that of UL and NEC but for application in Canada.

The environmental agency has awarded $50,000 toward an interagency study on truck drivers’ exposure to harmful air pollutants while parked at truck stops. The study will be conducted by the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee.

For more information about EPA’s idling program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/idling.htm and: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/newsandevents.htm

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell One Step Closer to Commercialization

Sealants, which separate streams of oxygen and fuel in the cell to prevent explosion, are one of the last technological barriers to making solid oxide fuel cells commercially viable. Fuel cells operate at temperatures above 700 degrees Celsius (1,300 degrees Fahrenheit), so it is tough to to find a sealant that does not chemically react with other fuel components or deteriorate.

"With luck we will surpass this barrier and then we'll see fuel cells used in cars, homes and hospitals, along with the many other places they have been projected for use," said Dr. Richard Brow, chair of materials science and engineering and professor of ceramic engineering at UMR. The team's sealant is made from glass-ceramic materials, which are stronger than ceramics alone.

Ceramics that rapidly conduct oxide ions can be used as solid electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells - a different technology than hydrogen fuel cells. Solid oxide fuel cells convert natural gas, LPG, methane and other alternative and renewable fuels into electricity and heat, without combustion or noise.

The solid oxide fuel cell technology works by passing a methane rich gas across an anode on one side of a ceramic electrolyte while passing air across a cathode on the other side.

This creates an electro-chemical reaction that produces electricity and heat. Piling multiple fuel cells on top of one another to form fuel cell stacks and grouping stacks in parallel on a common gas manifold achieves higher voltage and power.

Environmental benefits are high efficiency, low vibration, and low greenhouse emission levels.

"The advantage to using a glass-ceramic, instead of just a ceramic, is that you can process the glass like a liquid and then convert it to a ceramic, which is stronger," says Brow.

This work is part of a new phase of fuel cell research, announced last September by Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, designed to speed the availability of zero-emissions energy sources. Ten DOE research grants totaling $4.2 million and a matching $1.2 million from universities and the private sector are helping scientists remove barriers to fuel cell use.

Spring Storms Wipe Out Wisconsin Gypsy Moths

Recent aerial surveys over eastern Wisconsin showed much healthier trees this year than in the recent past. Trained observers spotted only 20 acres of moderate defoliation near Wescott in Shawano County, just north of an area that was sprayed this spring to suppress a developing gypsy moth outbreak.

In 2003, 65,000 acres of wooded areas were defoliated by gypsy moth caterpillars, mostly in Marinette, Portage and Waupaca counties.

“The weather we had last May was inconvenient for most of us, but it was downright deadly in a number of ways for the gypsy moth,” said Andrea Diss, forest entomologist and manager of the Department of Natural Resources’ gypsy moth program. “A lot of caterpillars were killed early in the spring in southeastern, northeastern, and central Wisconsin.

“Newly hatched caterpillars, seeking food and shelter in trees and shrubs, were repeatedly knocked to the ground by driving winds and rain,” said Diss.

Those that survived the weather faced even more challenges, both natural and human. DNR introduced a fungal disease, Entomophaga maimaiga, which attacks and kills gypsy moth caterpillars. Well-established in the greater Milwaukee area and up the coast into northeast Wisconsin, the fungus thrives in cool, wet weather and attacks the caterpillars and kills them within days.

When the caterpillars are stressed in some way, a virusthat is always present in gypsy moth populations also begins to claim some caterpillars, Diss said. “Just like people, when we’re sick and starving, we’re more susceptible to other diseases. The same is true for the gypsy moth caterpillar."

At the request of local governments and property owners, the Department of Natural Resources also sprayed a bacteria based pesticide on about 50,000 acres that could have been defoliated.

Diss cautioned that people shouldn’t start thinking that Wisconsin has won the war against the gypsy moth simply because there was little defoliation this year.

“It’s unknown how much effect the reduction in this summer’s population will have on next year’s crop of gypsy moth caterpillars,” Diss said. “The population will likely be down next spring since there are fewer females to lay eggs, but if we have warm, dry conditions, the caterpillars could rebound and once again be a big problem in some areas in 2006.”

Beckerink Family Wins New York 2004 Conservation Award

The Environmental Stewardship Award was presented to the Beckerink family by New York State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan Rudgers at the annual Empire Farm Days in Seneca Falls.

The Beckerinks' were one of the first farms in the state to incorporate best management practices as defined by New York's Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program, along with the use of technology and technical support provided by the Chautauqua County

A bunk silo leachate containment system and a barnyard water management system to treat polluted water and remove clean water were installed. An integrated crop management plan, an integrated pest management plan and a nutrient management plan were all developed specifically for the family's Dutch Road Dairy.

Diversion ditches and waterways and a conservation cropping system have been set up.

Most recently, the Beckerinks have installed a manure treatment system to efficiently handle and recycle sand for bedding. They attribute use of this type of bedding to the exceptional production on the farm.

Rudgers said, "The Beckerink family is an excellent example of the type of innovative young farmers working here in New York State. This young couple understands the importance of environmental stewardship and has seen the positive effects of good management practices in the overall productivity and profitability of their farm. Congratulations to the Beckerinks and to the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District for nominating them."

The Environmental Stewardship Award is jointly sponsored by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, American Agriculturist Magazine and the Empire State Potato Growers. The award winner was chosen from nominees submitted by County Soil and Water Conservation Districts from around the State.

This is not the family's first environmental award. The Beckerinks received the county's Conservation Farmer of the Year Award and the New York State Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award in 2003.

Matthew and Nancy are both graduates of Cornell University with a B.S. in Animal Science. Matthew is a member of the Chautauqua County "Advocates for Agriculture," a leadership development program of LEAD NY. He has also served on the Agricultural Committee for Chautauqua County Cornell Cooperative Extension, the French Creek Agricultural Working group and the Findley Lake Watershed Management team.

Marijuana Ingredient Useful in Treating Brain Tumors

According to a new study published in the August 15, issue of the journal "Cancer Research," a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, the cannabinoids restrict the sprouting of blood vessels to brain tumors by inhibiting the expression of genes needed for the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

The administration of cannabinoids significantly lowered this growth factor activity in laboratory mice and two patients with late stage glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive form of glioma, strikes more than 7,000 Americans each year and is considered one of the most malignant and deadliest forms of cancer, generally resulting in death within one to two years following diagnosis.

"Blockade of the VEGF pathway constitutes one of the most promising antitumoral approaches currently available," said Manuel Guzman, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, with the Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, and the study's principal investigator.

"The present findings provide a novel pharmacological target for cannabinoid based therapies."

The disease is usually treated with surgery, followed by conventional radiation alone or in combination with chemotherapy. However, the main tumor often evades total destruction, surviving and growing again, eventually killing the patient. For this reason, researchers are seeking other therapeutic strategies, some of which might be considered novel.

In this study, the investigators chose to work with cannabinoids which, in previous studies, have been shown to inhibit the growth of blood vessels to tumors in laboratory mice.

The scientists induced gliomas in mice, which were then inoculated with cannabinoids. Using DNA array analysis, the team examined 267 genes associated with the growth of blood vessels in tumors and found that cannabinoids lowered the expression of several genes related to the VEGF pathway.

To test the effectiveness of cannabinoids on humans with brain tumors, the scientists obtained tumor biopsies from two patients with glioblastomas who had failed standard therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The biopsied tissue was analyzed before and after local injection of a cannabinoid.

"In both patients, VEGF levels in tumor extracts were lower after cannabinoid inoculation," said Guzman. The results suggest a potential new approach toward the treatment of these otherwise intractable brain tumors.

Also participating in the study were Cristina Blázquez and Amador Haro, from Complutense University; Luis González-Feria, from University Hospital, Tenerife, Spain; Luis Álvarez, from La Paz University Hospital in Madrid; and M. Llanos Casanova, from the Project on Cellular and Molecular Biology and Gene Therapy, also in Madrid.