Green Living

Flame Retardant Banned In Washington

January 23, 2009
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Interesting timing.

Less than a week after the EPA warned of increasing levels of PBDEs in the Columbia River Basin, the use of these flame retardants has finally been banned in Washington state.

PBDEs, also known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are used in many household products including furniture, televisions and computers.

Two of the three most widely used PBDEs were banned a year ago. But the legislature held off on outlawing the third type until government officials found alternatives that were not so toxic.

That paperwork was completed Wednesday and the ban kicked in.  It takes effect in January of 2011.

The EPA warning about PBDEs came January 15 in a report called, Columbia River Basin State of the River Report for Toxics. The report says levels of PBDEs are increasing in fish and wildlife in the Northwest. In the Spokane River, PBDE levels are up almost 400% in some fish.

Washington’s Department of Ecology says PBDE levels are doubling every five years and people in North America have the highest levels in the world. Lab tests show the chemicals can can damage the developing brain, affecting behavior, learning and memory. These effects can be permanent and may worsen with age.

Clearing The Air In Oregon

December 2, 2008
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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) wants to clear the air in Oregon, but it comes with a hefty price tag.

Today, DEQ released a plan to reduce haze at wilderness sites in the state. The centerpiece is reducing pollution at PGE’s coal fired power plant near Boardman.

DEQ says the Boardman plant is the single biggest contributor to haze in the region. It wants PGE to install $470 million worth of emissions controls by 2018. The agency says that will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions 66% by 2014 and nitrogen oxide emissions 80% by 2018.

PGE customers will have to pay for that. DEQ says residential bills will increase 3.5% as a result and business customers will see increases ranging from 3.5% to 5.4%. On average, residential bills will go up about $3 per month.

Other facilities that will also have to add pollution controls:

  • PGE Beaver power plant, Clatskanie.
  • International Paper (formerly Weyerhaeuser), Springfield.
  • Amalgamated Sugar, Nyssa (not currently operating).
  • Georgia Pacific, Wauna Mill, Clatskanie.

The goal is to reduce haze at 12 “Class 1″ wilderness areas including, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, the Three Sisters, Crater Lake National Park, Eagle Cap, and the Hells Canyon Scenic Area.

The Columbia Gorge Scenic Area is not on that list. But DEQ says this plan will have the added benefit of reducing haze in the Gorge too.

Public meetings begin in January. Click here for a complete list.

Salmon Killers and New Ocean Reserves

November 18, 2008
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SALMON KILLING PESTICIDES

NOAA is calling for some pretty tough restrictions on three commonly used pesticides, diazonin, malathion, and chlorpyrifos.

The report, officially known as a Biological Opinion, says these three chemicals can damage or even kill salmon. It describes them a threat to 27 species of threatened and endangered salmon on the west coast.

So what can be done about this?

NOAA says farmers who use these pesticides shouldn’t be allowed to apply them near salmon streams. The report calls for buffer zones of 1000 feet for aerial spraying and 500 feet when these pesticides are applied on the ground. Other restrictions include not applying them during windy conditions, or when a storm is in the forecast. The rain could wash the freshly applied pesticides into the streams.

The report says the chemicals hurt salmon by impairing their sense of smell, making it harder for them to catch prey. It says the pesticides also reduce populations of small fish and insects that salmon eat. And if concentrations are high enough, the three pesticides are outright salmon killers.

For now, these are only recommendations. The Environmental Protection Agency asked for NOAA’s advice as it looks at new restrictions on the use of these pesticides. NOAA says this is only the first in a series of Biological Opinions it will forward to the EPA in the next three years.

No word on when the EPA will issue its final ruling.

2 OCEAN RESERVES FOR OREGON?

A state panel is calling on Governor Kulongoski to establish two ocean reserves, one near Depoe Bay and the other near Port Orford.

Ocean reserves are “fishing free” zones that are set aside as refuges for marine life and areas for scientific research.

The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) received about 20 proposals for these marine parks, but after a series of public hearings whittled them down to just two. Four other sites were forwarded to the Governor as worthy of further study.

This has been one of the most controversial issues along the coast since Governor K proposed establishing the zones back in 2000. Fishermen are worried that they’ll be kept out from some of their best fishing spots. The pressure was made more intense because they may also be losing other fishing areas to wave and wind energy farms.

Supporters argue that marine reserves can actually boost fishing stocks and note that Washington and California already have similar zones. Our Ocean, a group that has advocated for the ocean reserves, says these recommendations are a “strong first step.” But it adds that a system of nine reserves is what’s really needed.

No word yet on what the Governor will do with these proposals. The Oregon legislature has the final word.

A Shortage Of Sewage?

October 15, 2008
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The writers at Oregon State are having a little too much fun this week with a warning that we may soon face a worldwide “stubborn shortage of sewage”.

That’s their clever way of telling us about some serious research into generating electricity from biowastes, including the stuff you flush down the toilet.

Hong Liu, an Associate Professor, has developed a process of producing hydrogen from waste at a cost that may be commercially viable. The hydrogen could be used in fuel cells, which in turn could power cars or even generate electricity. Liu says her process is much cheaper than electrolysis, which is the usual method for creating hydrogen.

In a press release, Liu says, “In the laboratory we’re already quite close to the Department of Energy hydrogen cost goal of $2 to $3 per gasoline gallon equivalent, or GGE. And with some additional research it should be possible to scale these systems up to levels needed for commercial use.”

The process uses microorganisms that break down the waste, while probes (an anode and a cathode) draw out protons and electrons that combine to produce hydrogen. Think of it as a sewage powered battery.

Plus, and Liu says this may be the best news of all, along with producing hydrogen the process also produces clean water.

Liu tells Natural Oregon that so far, she’s been working with small scale projects. But the hope is to create a commercial sized facility where sewage and other biowastes go in one end, and clean water and hydrogen come out the other.

Which is how the writers came up with the whole “shortage” of sewage concept. If you’re turning sewage into clean water and energy, we’re sure to run out of it, right? Get it? Okay, let’s move on.

For the full press release including the dire predictions of sewage shortages, click here:
Oregon State University: Researchers Moving Closer to Creating Viable Energy From Sewage.

City Help For Ecoroofs

October 15, 2008
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If you’ve ever thought about getting an ecoroof, then this might be one of the best times.

The city of Portland is giving away money help people install ecoroofs. Maybe “giving away” money is little unfair. It’s a grant program and you have to apply and meet certain standards, so on and so forth… But still, it’s actual dollars that’ll help you get started.

The announcement doesn’t say how much money is available, only that you can get up to $5 per square foot. It’s not clear if the grants are available for just businesses, or if private homes also qualify.

For more information check out this website:
Portland Ecoroof Grant Program

And if you’re really curious, there’s a day long seminar coming up on Wednesday, October 22.
Ecoroof Seminar