Jun 25
2014
The harmful algae blooms in western Lake Erie may be a problem over the next century. In fact, some parts of the western basin could see huge increases of blooms. A story from the Columbus Dispatch in Ohio.
Jun 3
2014
President Obama’s Power Plant Rule requires power plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent by 2030, using 2005 emissions as the baseline. “But Environmental Protection Agency data shows that the nation’s power plants already have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 13 percent since 2005, or about halfway to the goal,” the AP reports. This rule alone would make a small improvement on global warming. But when this effort is coupled with Obama’s rule to reduce carbon dioxide from cars and trucks by doubling fuel economy, there is a much bigger gain. Five things you must know about[...]
Apr 22
2014
A secret network of beekeepers in Buffalo has developed. Well, it’s no secret now after this report from Grist. The city doesn’t have laws that prohibit beekeeping at a time when towns, cities and counties across the country are changing rules to be more bee friendly while also protecting neighbors.
Apr 16
2014
Allegany Wind LLC wants to build a wind farm with 29 turbines in Cattaraugus County but needed an extension of its special use permit after a bout of legal challenges. The town of Allegany declined the extension, setting off another lawsuit. The courts sided with the town. A report by Great Lakes Echo.
Apr 16
2014
A federal appeals court upheld President Obama’s EPA toxic air regulations that aim to cut lead, arsenic, mercury and other pollutants from coal- and oil-burning power plant emissions. The rules require out-of-compliance plants to install pollution control technology.
Apr 4
2014
Wheatfield residents are concerned about Quasar’s proposal for a 5-million-gallon sludge storage tank at its Liberty Drive plant. The sludge is used as farm fertilizer and to produce methane for electricity. The tank would be close to a creek that connects to the Niagara River. A report from WGRZ.
Mar 26
2014
Air pollution killed 7 million worldwide last year, the World Health Organization reports. Put another way: dirty air is associated with one in eight deaths. While the problem is more prevalent in rapidly developing Third World nations, we in WNY deal with the problem, as well. A story from the New York Times.
Mar 24
2014
He’s been protecting male lawmakers who sexually harass female employees for years. Now comes a report that the Assembly speaker has used his influence to thwart development that would have brought low-income residents to Silver’s neighborhood. A report from The New York Times.