How about Cancer Victims' Day, Rep. Argall?
'BENEFICIAL USE' DAY
By Dante Picciano
www.dante7.com
Did you know that August 29, 2007 in Pennsylvania was "Environmentally Beneficial Use of Waste Coal as an Alternative Energy Source Day?" This date was designated as such on July 7, 2007 by Resolution No. 363 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. July 7th was also the second anniversary of the notorious illegal pay raise that our representatives gave themselves in the early morning hours of July 7, 2005.
The Resolution informs us that the waste coal energy industry has beneficially utilized more than 73 million tons of by-products for abandoned mine land reclamation. Translation: This industry has burned millions of tons of waste coal mixed with waste solvents, has generated millions of tons of fly ash and has dumped the fly ash waste into unlined abandoned mines.
A recent report by the Clean Air Task Force and EarthJustice showed that disposing fly ash in mines is contaminating water supplies throughout Pennsylvania. In 10 of 15 mines examined across the state, groundwater and streams near areas where fly ash, or coal combustion waste, was placed had levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and selenium and other pollutants above safe levels.
The Resolution passed the House by a vote of 190 to 7 and our own representative, David Argall, voted for it. You should note that Mr. Argall received at least $12,500 in campaign contributions from corporate polluters and $35,770 from law firms and lobbyists in 2006 (Source: www.followthemoney.org).
Mr. Argall should introduce a resolution in the House of Representatives designating a day in 2008 as "Polycythemia Vera Victims' Day" for the people afflicted with the cancer in this area. In fact, Mr. Argall should introduce a resolution designating the entire year of 2008 as "Victims' Year" in honor of the thousands of people afflicted with cancer, asthma and other diseases caused by the polluting industries in Pennsylvania. However, I doubt that this will happen because not enough victims have contributed to Mr. Argall's re-election campaign.
I also find it interesting that our representatives have time to pass resolutions honoring corporate polluters but don't have time for property tax reform or bridge and highway repair.
By Dante Picciano
www.dante7.com
Did you know that August 29, 2007 in Pennsylvania was "Environmentally Beneficial Use of Waste Coal as an Alternative Energy Source Day?" This date was designated as such on July 7, 2007 by Resolution No. 363 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. July 7th was also the second anniversary of the notorious illegal pay raise that our representatives gave themselves in the early morning hours of July 7, 2005.The Resolution informs us that the waste coal energy industry has beneficially utilized more than 73 million tons of by-products for abandoned mine land reclamation. Translation: This industry has burned millions of tons of waste coal mixed with waste solvents, has generated millions of tons of fly ash and has dumped the fly ash waste into unlined abandoned mines.
A recent report by the Clean Air Task Force and EarthJustice showed that disposing fly ash in mines is contaminating water supplies throughout Pennsylvania. In 10 of 15 mines examined across the state, groundwater and streams near areas where fly ash, or coal combustion waste, was placed had levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and selenium and other pollutants above safe levels.
The Resolution passed the House by a vote of 190 to 7 and our own representative, David Argall, voted for it. You should note that Mr. Argall received at least $12,500 in campaign contributions from corporate polluters and $35,770 from law firms and lobbyists in 2006 (Source: www.followthemoney.org).
Mr. Argall should introduce a resolution in the House of Representatives designating a day in 2008 as "Polycythemia Vera Victims' Day" for the people afflicted with the cancer in this area. In fact, Mr. Argall should introduce a resolution designating the entire year of 2008 as "Victims' Year" in honor of the thousands of people afflicted with cancer, asthma and other diseases caused by the polluting industries in Pennsylvania. However, I doubt that this will happen because not enough victims have contributed to Mr. Argall's re-election campaign.
I also find it interesting that our representatives have time to pass resolutions honoring corporate polluters but don't have time for property tax reform or bridge and highway repair.
Labels: coal combustion waste, politics
posted by Sue Sturgis at
9:11 AM
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Reports
Fact Sheets | Presentations
Leaping Before They Looked: Lessons from Europe's Experience with the 2003 Biofuels Directive
(October 2007) After a thorough review of the European Union's biofuels directive mandating use of biofuels in part to reduce greenhouse gases, this report finds that Congress should slow down and consider the potential adverse consequences before it rushes ahead with a plan to dramatically increase mandated use of biofuels. The report finds that the E.U. strategy backfired, leading to increased greenhouse gases, tropical deforestation, and biodiversity loss as well as increased competition for food, water, land, and other resources in developed and developing countries. It notes that while tropical deforestation is occurring at a staggering rate in many countries seeking to produce biofuels for the new and growing markets, the destruction of boggy peat lands in Southeast Asia now represents one of the leading sources of global warming emissions worldwide. The conversion from peat lands to palm oil plantations releases the equivalent of 8% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel use, making Indonesia the 3rd ranking emitter of CO2, behind only the US and China. These unintended consequences - though not all unanticipated - highlight the need for updated, comprehensive tools to analyze the true net impacts of policies that increase biofuels use, the report concludes. The report notes that current life-cycle analyses do not account for greenhouse gas emissions and other global warming impacts that may be caused by changes in land use; food, fuel, and materials markets; and impacts and demand for natural resources such as water.
Impacts of Water Quality from Placement of Coal Combustion Waste in Pennsylvania Coal Mines
(July 2007) After four years of exhaustive study, the Task Force is releasing this comprehensive examination of monitoring data from 15 coal surface coal mines in Pennsylvania that have received large volumes of coal ash. Despite persistent claims by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that there is no evidence that coal ash has ever contaminated water in a coal mine in Pennsylvania, this Study finds plenty of evidence from monitoring data that ash is contaminating groundwaters and surface waters in ten of the fifteen mines with levels of lead, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, nickel, zinc, copper, and other pollutants exceeding drinking water standards and water quality standards often by many times. This contamination is posing a threat to humans and the environment and local organizations such as the Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association are already using the data in the study to call for EPA intervention under Superfund to address contamination at the largest minefill studied by the Task Force. The study catalogs basic and serious deficiencies in the permits for these minefills and recommends enforceable safeguards in regulations to isolate the ash, monitor it properly and cleanup the pollution it is causing.
CATF Special Report 2007-1: A Multi-City Investigation of Exposure to Diesel Exhaust in Multiple Commuting Modes
(February 2007) CATF white paper providing the methodology behind the "No Escape" report including additional findings on commuter exposures in car, rail, bus, ferry, subway and pedestrian commutes.
No Escape From Diesel Exhaust: How to Reduce Commuter Exposure
(February 2007) Every day, Americans are needlessly sickened from exposure to air pollution in the form of fine particles. Overall, health researchers estimate that fine particles, such as those found in diesel exhaust, shorten the lives of 70,000 Americans each year. Legions of published, peer-reviewed studies have documented the increased exposure and resultant health risk from particles in and around nearby roadways. When during our day are we exposed to these particles? According to the California Air Resources Board, although we spend only about six percent of our day commuting to and from work, it is during that time when we receive over half of our exposure. Using comparable instruments and research techniques as those employed by health researchers at major universities, Clean Air Task Force (CATF) investigated the exposure to diesel particles during typical commutes in four cities: Austin, Texas, Boston, Massachusetts, New York City, and Columbus, Ohio. In addition, CATF tested the air quality benefits due to emission control retrofits of transit buses in Boston and transit buses and garbage trucks in New York City. CATF's investigation demonstrated that whether you commute by car, bus, ferry, train, or on foot, you may be exposed to high levels of diesel particles.
Water Quality Impacts from Remediating Acid Mine Drainage with Alkaline Addition
(October 2005) This paper documents increases in arsenic concentrations in acid mine drainage at mine sites where coal combustion waste was used as an alkaline agent. The paper was submitted to the National Academy of Science's Committee on Mine Placement of Coal Combustion Wastes in July 2005.
A Preliminary Evaluation of the Potential for Surface Water Quality Impacts from Fly Ash Disposal at the Navajo Mine, New Mexico
(May 2005) This report examines the evidence of groundwater contamination from coal ash disposal in the Navajo Mine, adjacent to the Four Corners Power Plant on the Navajo Reservation in Farmington, New Mexico. This paper is one of several reports documenting the contamination of groundwater and surface water from coal combustion waste placed in mines.
Water Quality Impacts of Coal Combustion Waste Disposal in Two West Virginia Coal Mines
(April 2005) This report documents very high selenium and thallium in surface waters, and high levels of selenium and arsenic in groundwaters downstream from the Stacks Run Refuse Site and Albright Site, respectively, two West Virginia coal combustion waste disposal areas in surface mines.
An Analysis of Diesel Air Pollution and Public Health in America
(February 2005, revised June 2005) A full length treatment of CATF's diesel impacts analysis including methodology.
Diesel and Health in America: The Lingering Threat
(February 2005) For the first time, using EPA's methodology, Abt Associates for the Clean Air Task Force, estimates that diesels are responsible for heart attacks, cancer and over 20,000 premature deaths. Between now and 2030, 100,000 premature deaths could be avoided by an aggressive but feasible national program to clean up today's dirty diesels.
CATF School Bus Particulate Matter Study
(January 2005) A Multi-City Investigation of the Effectiveness of Retrofit Emissions Controls in Reducing Exposures to Particulate Matter in School Buses
Dirty Air, Dirty Power: Mortality and Health Damage Due to Air Pollution from Power Plants
(June 2004) Update of mortality and health damage due to power plant particle pollution. Comparison of leading clean up proposals.
Power Plant Emissions: Particulate Matter-Related Health Damages and the Benefits of Alternative Emission Reduction Scenarios
(June 2004) This report estimates the avoidable health effects of each of a series of alternative regulatory scenarios for power plants, focusing on the adverse human health effects due to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5, which are particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter).
Not in My Lifetime: The Fight for Clean Water in Town of Pines, Indiana
(April 2004) The story of Town of Pines teaches us the lesson of failed environmental policies at both the state and federal level. It is a story meant to inspire action, not just in Town of Pines, but nationally, to ensure responsible and environmentally safe disposal practices, particularly for toxic coal combustion wastes.
Wounded Waters: The Hidden Side of Power Plant Pollution
(February 2004) Power plants - well known for their impact on air quality - are also major water users. On a national scale, the environmental damage from water intake and discharge for power production is large, warranting serious attention from citizens and government alike.
Minefill Practices for Power Plant Waste: An Initial Review and Assessment of the Pennsylvania System
(May 2003, revised August 2003) A review and assessment of minefill practices - successes and failures - in Pennsylvania.
Mercury and Midwest Power Plants
(February 2003) Residents in the Midwest share a rich tradition of outdoor recreation. We also share a common threat to these traditions - mercury from coal-fired power plants.
Nitrogen Oxide Emissions and Midwest Power Plants
(January 2003)
Air of Injustice: African Americans and Power Plant Pollution
(October 2002) Presented in conjunction with the Black Leadership Forum, the Southern Organizing Committee for Economic and Social Justice and the Georgia Coalition for The Peoples' Agenda shows that African Americans are disproportionately affected by power plant pollution.
A Preliminary Analysis of the Benefits and Costs of Current New Source Review Litigation
(June 2002) Follow up to Power to Kill report (2001) describing how the benefits of NSR enforcement outweigh the annual costs of pollution controls.
Children at Risk: How Air Pollution from Power Plants Threatens the Health of America's Children
(May 2002)
Health Impacts of Air Pollution from Washington DC Area Power Plants
(May 2002)
The Last Straw: Water Use by Power Plants in the Arid West
(April 2002) While power plants can have a significant impact on water on water quality and quantity, there are practical opportunities to significantly reduce both types of impacts.
Climate Change and Midwest Power Plants
(February 2002)
Scraping the "Bottom of the Barrel" for Power: Why there is No Need to Relax Clean Air Safeguards on Dirty Power Plants to "Keep the Lights On"
(November 2001) A Rebuttal to the National Coal Council's Electricity Availability Report
Unfinished Business: Why the Acid Rain Problem is not Solved
(October 2001)
Sulfur Emissions and Midwest Power Plants
(August 2001)
Power to Kill: Death and Disease from Power Plants Charged with Violating the Clean Air Act
(July 2001)
Cradle to Grave: The Environmental Impacts from Coal
(June 2001)
The Particulate-Related Health Benefits of Reducing Power Plant Emissions
(October 2000)
Out of Sight: Haze in our National Parks
(September 2000)
Casting Doubt: Mercury, Power Plants and the Fish We Eat
(August 2000)
Out of Sight: The Science and Economics of Visibility Impairment
(August 2000) Technical document behind September 2000 Out of Sight advocacy report by Clean air Task Force and Clear the Air estimating benefits of eliminating power plant-related haze in our national parks and wilderness.
Laid to Waste: The Dirty Secret of Combustion Waste from America’s Power Plants
(March 2000)
Out of Breath: Health Effects from Ozone in the Eastern United States
(October 1999)
No Escape: Can You Really Ever "Get Away" from the Smog? A Midsummer Look at Ozone Smog in 1999
Fact Sheets
Presentations | Reports
CATF Investigations of Crankcase Emissions And Controls [118 KB] (January 2006)
CATF Position Paper on Biofuels Policy Development [1,035 KB] (December 2007)
Children at Risk State Fact Sheets (May 2002)
Diesel Engines: Emissions & Human Exposure [382 KB] (February 2003, revised February 2005)
Diesel Engines: Emissions Controls & Retrofits [387 KB] (February 2003, revised April 2005)
Diesel Engines: Emissions Sources & Regulations [409 KB] (February 2003, revised February 2005)
Diesel Engines: Health & Environmental Impacts [244 KB] (February 2003, revised February 2005)
Diesel In America Report Facts and Jones Day Rebuttal [48 KB] (March 2006)
EPA's Decision to Exempt Older Power Plants from New Water-Using Technology Requirements [112 KB] (February 2004)
The Impacts on Water Quality From Placement of Coal Combustion Waste In Pennsylvania Coal Mines [1,453 KB] (July 2007)
Presentations
Fact Sheets | Reports
America's Climate Security Act of 2007 - Modeling Results from the National Energy Modeling System [203 KB] (November 2007)
CATF was recently asked by Senators Lieberman and Warner to analyze their climate policy, "America's Climate Security Act". This presentation summarizes some of the key economic results from our modeling of the bill. This summary was submitted by Chairwoman Barbara Boxer to the official record of the final hearing on ACSA in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
CATF School Bus Study Summary Slides [1,842 KB]
This presentation briefly describes CATF and Partners' 3-year, 5 city study of cabin air quality in school buses and the effectiveness of diesel particulate filters and closed crankcase filtration.
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