• Gasoline Price Hits New High for the Year as Oil Price Slides
  
• New York Governor Would Exempt Ethanol from Exclusivity Contracts
  
• Southeast Louisiana Emergency Evacuation Maps Available
  
• Entergy Renews Commitment to Cut Greenhouse Gases
  
• New Standard Set for Greener Computers
  
• EPA Grants $69.9 Million to Restore Brownfields
  
• Nuclear Regulators to Hear Riverkeeper, Greenpeace Concerns
  

Gasoline Price Hits New High for the Year as Oil Price Slides

AAA's Fuel Gauge Report is based on data from Oil Price Information Service, the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing information. AAA purchases the data and makes it available free on the Internet at: http://www.aaafuelgaugereport.com/

New York Governor Would Exempt Ethanol from Exclusivity Contracts

The bill would exempt renewable fuels from the provisions of “exclusivity” contracts between fuel providers and retail service stations, which only allow the service stations to sell specific brands of fuel. In most cases, these brands do not include renewable fuels. The bill is intended to make it easier for drivers in New York state to buy these clean, homegrown fuels.

Since the “exclusivity” contracts prohibit service stations from obtaining renewable fuels like ethanol (E85) from other sources, these fuels are not available for sale to consumers. The governor’s proposal would exclude renewable fuels from these contracts if the distributor does not offer these types of fuels. At the present time, no major petroleum fuel distributor offers E85 in New York state.

E85 is the term for motor fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Made from plant materials such as corn or soybeans, ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline. It is a completely renewable, domestic, environmentally friendly fuel that enhances the nation's economy and energy independence.

“One of the key strategies to reduce our dependence on imported energy is to diversify our fuel supplies, and we can do that by making renewable fuels more readily available to all New Yorkers,” Governor Pataki said. “To achieve this, we must end the use of exclusivity agreements between fuel providers and service stations that prevent motorists from having access to renewable fuels."

If this legislation is enacted, New York state would allow service stations to sell E85 or biodiesel regardless of any existing contractual provisions. Iowa has already passed similar legislation.

There are an estimated 200,000 flex fuel vehicles registered in New York state. These vehicles can operate on either traditional gasoline or ethanol.

Peter Smith, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) said, “Ethanol and biodiesel are generating a tremendous amount of interest now in the marketplace, and we need to put the infrastructure in place to take advantage of this opportunity to increase the use of renewable fuels in New York.”

Ashok Gupta, Air and Energy Program director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said, “The best thing the nation and the state can do to help consumers with high gasoline costs is to move as quickly as possible to clean alternatives to gasoline and make every vehicle sold more efficient. The governor’s announcement today addresses a critical barrier to getting homegrown ethanol to market – the exclusive contracts between fuel providers and retail service stations."

The enacted New York State Budget includes a renewable fuel production tax credit, which will provide New York companies that make renewable fuels with tax savings up to $2.5 million annually based on the quantity of fuel they produce.

There also is a $20 million program to develop a pilot cellulosic ethanol facility, which would produce more energy efficient ethanol using materials from common organic materials that are abundant in New York state, such as willow, switchgrass, agricultural and forestry residues, corn stalks, and pulp and paper mill wastes.

The Clean Pass and Green E-Z Pass programs provide incentives for the use of hybrid vehicles. And the New York State Thruway Authority is moving forward with an initiative to install renewable fuel pumps at all 27 travel plazas.

But, the New York Legislature has not adopted other renewable fuel initiatives in the energy independence plan, including proposals to eliminate all state taxes on renewable fuels at the pump and a $5 million grant program to assist gasoline stations install renewable fuel pumps.

Southeast Louisiana Emergency Evacuation Maps Available

DOTD's Customer Service Center representatives can answer questions about the evacuation map. The center is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 am to 1 pm Saturday and Sunday. Call (225) 379-1232 or 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683) with questions.

Entergy Renews Commitment to Cut Greenhouse Gases

This second five year long commitment is part of Entergy’s long-term reduction target, which was originally announced in May 2001 and was implemented in partnership with Environmental Defense, a national environmental advocacy group.

Entergy was the first U.S. electric company to publicly announce such a greenhouse gas emissions target in 2001. The New Orleans-based company partnered with Environmental Defense to develop a program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from Entergy’s plants in the United States that generate electricity through burning fossil fuels.

In recognition of the first commitment made in May 2001, Entergy and Environmental Defense signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the second commitment on May 1, 2006, five years after the first commitment.

“Under the first voluntary greenhouse gas-limiting commitment that Entergy made in May 2001, the company exceeded its stabilization commitment and reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent under the established target, while simultaneously increasing its electrical sales by 21 percent over the same time period," said Gary Serio, vice president of Safety and Environment for Entergy.

From 2000 to 2005 Entergy reduced its greenhouse gas emissions through 61 internal reduction projects and 13 external projects, including carbon sequestration on company property and greenhouse gas emission trades.

“Entergy is proving every day that it’s possible to cap and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, make money, and provide power for jobs and growth,” said Environmental Defense President Fred Krupp. “Their leadership has been exemplary and we’re pleased to be working with them.”

The second commitment also will be a mix of internal and external carbon-reducing projects beneficial to Entergy’s generation plants, as well as to the company’s customer service territory.

Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second largest nuclear power generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of over $10 billion and approximately 14,000 employees.

New Standard Set for Greener Computers

SAN FRANCISCO, California, May 16, 2006 (ENS) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards Association have a new environmental performance standard to help large computer buyers make environmentally sound purchases.

Announced last week in Burlingame at the annual International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, the new standard was initiated by a group of manufacturers, environmentalists, and purchasers, and developed with support from the EPA.

“Determining which computers are environmentally preferable is a challenge for companies, government agencies and other organizations,” said Jeff Scott, the EPA’s waste division director for the Pacific Southwest region.

“This standard will change the marketplace and measurably reduce the environmental impacts of computers," said Scott.

The new standard – IEEE 1680TM, Standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products – is the first U.S. standard to supply environmental guidelines for institutional purchasing decisions involving desktop and laptop computers and monitors.

It offers criteria in eight categories – materials selection, environmentally sensitive materials, design for end of life, end-of-life management, energy conservation, product longevity and life-cycle extension, packaging, and corporate performance.

The new standard will encourage manufacturers to design their products to be used longer, be more energy efficient, easier to upgrade and recycle, and contain less hazardous materials.

“IEEE 1680 will foster green product design by setting challenging, yet realistic criteria for environmental performance,” says Larry Chalfan, co-chair of the IEEE 1680 Working Group and executive director of the Zero Waste Alliance, which ran the process to develop the standard.

“It creates mechanisms for identifying and verifying that computer products meet these criteria without delaying time to market. It also rewards leading product designs by giving manufacturers a low-cost way to promote product environmental performance,” said Chalfan.

“This standard will provide institutional purchasers with a critical tool to help ensure their IT needs are met while at the same time making the IT marketplace more environmentally smart and economically sound,” said Ed Pinero, the White House’s Federal Environmental Executive.

IEEE 1680 and its product registration and verification system are part of the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, which is managed by the Green Electronics Council under a grant from the EPA.

The Council will maintain a registry of computer products that meet IEEE 1680 criteria at www.epeat.net starting in June.

“This comprehensive standard responds to a strong call from purchasing agents who want consistent environmental criteria for comparing and selecting computers and monitors,” says Jeff Omelchuck of the Green Electronics Council.

“The standard provides for a registry of products that comply with IEEE 1680, and the means to verify compliance, so purchasers can find computer products that meet their IT needs and have less of an effect on the environment,” Omelchuck explained. The Council will verify that the information provided by manufacturers is accurate and up to date.

Federal agencies and private purchasers have already referenced the new standard in more than $21 billion of IT equipment contracts or requests for proposals. Most state an intention to buy EPEAT registered products as soon as they become available.

EPA Grants $69.9 Million to Restore Brownfields

WASHINGTON, DC, May 16, 2006 (ENS) - Communities in 44 states and two territories, as well as three tribes, will share $69.9 million in grants to help transform community eyesores into useable properties. The grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promote the redevelopment of abandoned and contaminated or potentially contaminated waste sites known as brownfields.

In all, 209 applicants were selected to receive 292 grants for assessment or cleanup of properties.

EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson said, "By turning problem properties back into community assets, EPA is handing down better health and a brighter future to the next generation of Americans."

The $69.9 million in grants include:

• 184 grants totaling $36.6 million for conducting site assessment and planning for eventual cleanup at one or more brownfields sites or as part of a community-wide effort.

• 96 grants totaling $18.3 million for cleanup activities at brownfields sites.

• 12 grants totaling $15 million to capitalize a revolving loan fund and provide subgrants for cleanup activities at brownfields sites. Revolving loan funds are generally used to provide low interest loans for brownfields cleanups.

Nuclear Regulators to Hear Riverkeeper, Greenpeace Concerns

ROCKVILLE, Maryland, May 16, 2006 (ENS) - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will hold a public meeting May 19, in Rockville, to discuss enhancements to the agency’s emergency preparedness guidance and regulations for nuclear power plants in a post-9/11 threat environment.

The May meeting builds on a two-day meeting held on August 31 and September 1, 2005, during which senior management from the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response participated in roundtable discussions with local, state and tribal representatives, the Department of Homeland Security, advocacy groups and nuclear industry staff.

In an attempt to further understand the perspective of the nongovernmental organizations, the May meeting will seek additional comments on how the NRC can both enhance emergency preparedness and ensure openness in the regulatory process.

Among the topics to be covered are security-based emergency action levels, security-based drills and exercises, offsite protective actions and alternate ways to alert the public.

NGO representatives include attorney Phillip Musegaas, policy analyst at Riverkeeper, an environmental group that is concerned about the security of the Indian Point nuclear power plant at Buchanan, New York, on the Hudson River 35 miles north of New York City.

Riverkeeper has filed a formal request with the NRC for enhanced security regulations at U.S. nuclear power plant reactors.

The groups are calling for aggressive and visible measures to deter and guard against attacks at facilities located on navigable waterways as well as those in close proximity to large cities

In January, soon after filing the request, Musegaas said, "New Yorkers should be outraged that the federal regulators are not requiring Indian Point and other vulnerable reactors to protect these facilities against attacks as sophisticated and coordinated as those on September 11th."

“Existing protection against air and water attacks at Indian Point, and other reactors, is largely a symbolic gesture. We are calling on the federal government to require physical barriers that would prevent intrusion of a boat, scuba diver or floating explosive device anywhere near the reactor or intake canals,” said Musegaas.

Also invited to participate in the meeting is Greenpeace nuclear policy analyst James Riccio.

In April, Greenpeace released the first analysis of the dangers posed by nuclear reactors in the United States in report entitled "An American Chernobyl: Nuclear “Near Misses at U.S. Reactors Since 1986." The report, based on NRC records, reveals that nearly 200 “near misses” to nuclear meltdowns have occurred in the United States.

"This report shows that nuclear power plants are a clear and present danger and that each reactor is a potential Chernobyl," said Riccio.

Also participating in the meeting are Mary Lampert of Massachusetts Citizens for Safe Energy, and Paul Gunter of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service.

The meeting will take place on Friday, May 19 from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm at the Ramada Inn-Rockville at 1775 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. A meeting notice and complete agenda is available on the NRC’s Web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/public-meetings/index.cfm. Contact Lisa Gibney at: 301-415-8376 or email: lag1@nrc.gov.