New York City's Sustainability - Despite their low per capita emissions, the sheer size of the city makes it unsustainable. 9/3.
Humans at the End of the Day - Despite our technological abilities, we must respect god and the planet we live on.
From March 2006.
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(New York: A.472)
delivered to governor
Smart Growth for New Century Act
(New York: A.4874)
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rules report cal.847
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ordered to third reading rules cal.847
motion to amend lost
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Dignity for Students Act
(New York: A.3496)
vote reconsidered - restored to third reading
RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY
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amended on third reading 3496a
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E.P.A. Issues New Engine Rules For Small Engines. These new rules will regulate lawn mowers, chain saw and small outboard motors for row boats and seek to significant reduce emissions from these sources and save gas. Com'nt P'Link
Richford Farm Faces EPA Fines, Wetland Mitigation. They got in trouble for filling in wetlands or at least clearing brushy fields that turned out to be registered wetlands and growing hay on them. Now they will have to pay $100,000 in fines and restoration projects. Com'nt P'Link
Greene County Gets Many Benefits and Disadvantages in Master Land Plan. The Daily Mail looks at the new master plan for the Catskills. Com'nt P'Link
Chester Weighs Ban On Heaters. Another downstate town considers banning outdoor wood furances as more people are suffering from record high oil prices and are installing these devices to reduce costs. Com'nt P'Link
Wet Summer Brings Mushroom Boom to Northeast. Mushroomers are happy, but it also brings real danger to those who accidentally eat the wrong type. Com'nt P'Link
Police Do Annual Marijuana Harvest in Fulton, Montgomery Counties. They continue to use helicopters and ATVs to find Marijuana plants sticking up in cornfields and other areas. Com'nt P'Link
Catskill Park Truck Trails and Mountain Bike Trails to Close. The State DEC announced that they are banning Mountain Bikes from almost all wilderness areas, along with closing off many of the existing truck trails in wilderness areas, as part of a continuing process undergone by the Paterson administration to close of public access to public lands. Com'nt P'Link
Fibermark Gets A Big Efficent Boosted; Called the Vermont Way. This story is interesting:
FiberMark recently completed a lighting upgrade with Efficiency Vermont, the 17th project the company has worked on with Efficiency Vermont since 2000. The upgrade will save them $65,800 a year off their electric bill, or 880,000 kilowatt hours.
Since 2000, FiberMark has saved an estimated two million kilowatt hours and more than two million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of taking 200 cars off the road, said Alexandra Tursi, a public relations specialist for FiberMark.
"FiberMark is a prime example of the Vermont way of doing business in a way that's environmentally conscious," she said.
FiberMark is a specialty paperboard manufacturer based in Brattleboro. The company's recycled paperboard products, the majority of which are produced from renewable resources, end up in many offices around the world in the form of file folders, presentation binders and book covers.
The Power of Manure. The Brattleboro Reformer looks at one large dairy farm's plan to build a anaerobic digester and harvest the methane to generate electricity, and use the solids as animal bedding. Com'nt P'Link
Break for Utility Customers? The Iderodola deal could have many cost savings to customers across upstate New York. Com'nt P'Link
New "High-Low" Technology Reduces Price of Home Heating with Oil. This new technology allows boilers to accurately produce the amount of heat necessary, cutting oil use and electrical use by as much as 15-20%. Com'nt P'Link
Urge Congress to Permanently Protect the Arctic Refuge. Another quick petition you may want to consider signing to keep the Refuge safe from future development and drilling for oil. There are few lands safe from drilling and this should be one of them. Com'nt P'Link
ENN: Asian Pollution Could Spur U.S., European Warming. This is certainly something to watch.
Asian pollution from Asian power plants, cooking and heating could create summer hot spots in the central United States and southern Europe by mid-century, U.S. climate scientists reported on Thursday.
Unlike the long-lived greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, the particle and gas pollution cited in this report only stays in the air for a few days or weeks but its warming effect on the climate half a world away could last for decades, the scientists said.
"We found that these short-lived pollutants have a greater influence on the Earth's climate throughout the 21st century than previously thought," said Hiram "Chip" Levy of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
DEC Speaks on Revere Smelting Battery Recycling Plant. Residents who live nearby this Wallkill plant continue to express concerns about sickness from heavy metal contamination from the old on-site landfill and problems from battery acid and other chemicals leaking from the plant. Com'nt P'Link
Municipal Composting Program to Move, Irondequoit to Chili. The relocation is to reduce odor complaints caused by anaerobic digestion of leaf litter and other compost wastes in an residential area. Com'nt P'Link
Jack Lauber Still Loves WtE. And he is writing about this ever so expensive way of disposing of trash today in the Times Union. As I wrote back to him: it sounds good, as long as you plan to finance it out of your personal funds. We have far bigger priorities in our society and fancy contraptions for disposing of trash. Com'nt P'Link
State Environmental Task Force to Debate Banning PBDE. They are going to come together to review the science and decide what kind of regulatory or legislative steps can be taken to protect the public's health. Com'nt P'Link
Words They Used: 2008 Political Conventions. This Interactive Graphic from the NY Times is fascinating to play with. Com'nt P'Link
Pageant Protest Sparked Bra-Burning Myth. This story is great. Com'nt P'Link
Barber Criticizes Seward's Insurance Ties. Apparently Senator Seward has taken major contributions from the insurance lobby while blocking restrictions on increasing insurance rates. Com'nt P'Link
Insurers Fight Buffalo News On Probe of Redlining. They don't want the state insurance department to release data on insurance redlining, so they are sueing the state claiming breach of trade secrets.
Doesn't the public have a right to know with such an important topic, far exceed any damage to the business interest of insurers? Let's hope the courts do the right thing. Com'nt P'Link
TU Endorses Tracy Brooks. They think she would be a good representative in Congress. Com'nt P'Link
Worker Killed in 40-story Fall. Rigger was helping to disable crane when incident occurred at Manhattan skyscraper. Com'nt P'Link
Bethlehem Library Has Some of the Highest Circulation in the Nation. Which is not surprising as it's big library, and one of the nicest libraries in the Capital Region, where people far beyond town limits come to get books. I know I always have gone to the Bethlehem Public Library, long before I moved to Delmar from Westerlo. Com'nt P'Link
Troy Says Don't Worry About Discolored Water at the Tap. It's just iron from rusty pipes and it won't do any health problems except maybe stain your clothes. Com'nt P'Link
Roger Cusick Survives Petition Challenge. The Times Union looks at his petition challenge and how they usually proceed, if the Board of Elections knocks him off. The article doesn't say if the County Court will hear arguments over the challenged signatures, but if Cusick still has a 500-signature margin, it seems unlikely the Soares will continue to fight to get Cusick off. Com'nt P'Link
Disabled Man's Mobility Taken in Street Theft. Some jerk cut lose his motorized scooter and stole it that allowed this one person to get around on his own. Disgusting. Com'nt P'Link
Hunting for Right Combination. Memories on how to make those difficult lockers locks actually open when you need your notebook. I can remember when they banned backpacks in classrooms after Columbine, and I was forced to learn how to use my locker. That was fun. Com'nt P'Link
Albany Council Supports Wage Gap Bill. They passed a resolution in favor of state legislation that would suppostly make it illegal for employers to pay minorities less then other New Yorkers. Sounds like a fun symbolic act. Com'nt P'Link
Eight Months Later, Colonie Workers Unionize. Concerns about the Colonie Democrats cutting jobs and benefits to employees has lead them to form a union for the first time. Com'nt P'Link
Local Food Shelves in More Demand. People continue to demand more local food reports the Addison County Independent. Com'nt P'Link
Country Fair/Cow Pie Bingo Comes to Penfield. Fun out in the Rochester area. Com'nt P'Link
Clinton County to Restrict Parking Lot Camping. Basically any parking lot with more then 5-recreational vechicles will require a county camping facility permit to ensure sanitary conditions. Com'nt P'Link
Summer Wetter and Hotter Than Usual. This is mixed news for farmers and certainly for those who enjoy playing outdoors. Com'nt P'Link
Amish Influx Taxing Staff. Apparently the extension offices out in the Montegomery and Fulton-County areas are struggling with new amish farmers looking for their services to help them get up and going with farming in NYS. Com'nt P'Link
Mayfield Keeping Eye Out for Diesel Thief. They've found themselves $500 short in diesel fuel after people where stealing out of the town's tank after hours in this rural community. Com'nt P'Link
Entergy Accused of 'Consumer Fraud' by VPIRG. They don't like the nuclear power plant's slogans which are quite untrue.
MONTPELIER - Entergy, the owner of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant in Vernon, is being targeted in a consumer fraud complaint with the state that says the plant's owners have been engaging in deceptive advertising.
The Vermont Public Interest Research Group takes issue with the plant's advertising slogan, "safe, clean, reliable." It says the plant has not been reliable in recent years, suffering several operational mishaps.
VPIRG also takes issue with the plant's claims that it produces zero greenhouse gas emissions, noting that Entergy officials have acknowledged that production of nuclear fuel and shipment of nuclear waste are among numerous nuclear industry activities that generate greenhouse gases.
Very much so. But that never stopped every other company from other deceptive tactics. Com'nt P'Link
Wind, Solar Energy Are Built On Temporary Tax Breaks. Renewable energy companies are dependent on Congress to constantly renew their tax credits.
ongress is putting the short-term future of renewable energy companies in jeopardy even as the presidential candidates and most lawmakers hail windmills, solar panels and biofuels as long-term solutions to high gasoline prices and global warming.
Some $500 million in investment and production tax credits will expire Dec. 31 unless Congress renews them. Without that help, solar and wind power companies say they will reverse planned expansions and, in many cases, cut payrolls and capital investment.
Schott Solar has visions of quadrupling its operation in Albuquerque, N.M., to reach 1,500 jobs and $500 million in investment. But the investment tax credit, company spokesman Brian Lynch said, is what makes solar power cost-competitive. Without it, expansion plans must be reconsidered.
"We don't want to build a giant factory that the market doesn't need or want," Lynch said.
The Solar Energy Industries Association says some 20 utility-scale solar power plants, many in California and together capable of producing power for a million homes, are at risk because of the uncertainty in Congress.
I can't imagine what big business would say if they had to beg congress every year for a tax credit. Com'nt P'Link
The Fight Continues Against NYRI. Those opposed to the 1.2 MV line continue to fight the line, despite having the application to PSC being deemed complete and ready for review. Com'nt P'Link
Biofuel Researchers Look for the Good in Stinkweeds. They think that this weed might make a good biofuel crop.
ALBANY - The request caught dairy farmer Brian Ziehm off guard: Would he devote an acre of his fields near the Vermont border this fall to grow stinkweed?
"It was like, 'What the heck? I've been trying to get rid of these things for 30 years. Now you want me to plant them?'"
But Ziehm happily agreed to grow the hardy weed called field pennycress - a.k.a. stinkweed - to help test a potential new source of fuel for the booming biodiesel market. A handful of fields around upstate New York will be planted with pennycress later this month under the pilot program launched by an Albany-based biodiesel company, Innovation Fuels Inc.
Past promises of cheap fuel grown on American soil have sometimes become, umm, stuck in the weeds as prices for commodities like corn and soybean oil rose. But a number of researchers now believe that this winter weed with oily little seeds has an advantage in that it is not a food crop.
Deal to Double Wind Power in the State. Now that Iderloda has bought up Energy East, they can invest more in wind power in our state or so they promise. Com'nt P'Link
Noise Deciding Factor in Turbine Rules. Richmondville officials want to require wind turbines be set back from roads and houses to ensure any modest noise that they make doesn't detract from the so-called rural life. Not because cows don't make any noises either. Com'nt P'Link
Energy Star Claims Not Met In Consumer Reports' Tests. Apparently tests by Consumer Reports suggests that Energy Star Appliances don't save as much energy as promised. Com'nt P'Link
Colonie Plaza Price Chopper to Be LEED Certified. The idea is to save money by building efficiently, and to burnish up the chain's image. Now if they could only develop a municipal composting program to take back some of the massive quantities of food waste tossed by every supermarket. Com'nt P'Link
Colonie Waste Fraud Probe Deepens. Attorney General Cuomo has asked the town for more information to determine if town employees where in on the scheme to defraud taxpayers.
own officials were served Wednesday with a subpoena from state investigators probing millions of dollars in alleged fraud by a private waste hauler at the town landfill, a town official said.
Peter Gannon, an aide to Supervisor Paula Mahan, confirmed that an investigative subpoena arrived at town offices Wednesday from the office of state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
Gannon declined to detail what records Cuomo's office is seeking, citing the ongoing investigation, but did say it is the first such subpoena the town has received in connection with County Waste & Recycling.
This is a story to continue following. Com'nt P'Link
League of Conservation Voters Pushes Stratton. Now that they supported his re-election, they want him to push more aggressively for policies that will reduce the city's carbon footprint.
League spokesman Dan Hendrick said his group had a good relationship with Stratton and praised his efforts so far. He said the league turned to a public campaign only to "energize" voters behind a comprehensive climate-change package.
The league wants commitments to an all-hybrid city fleet by 2012, use of clean fuel in all city buildings, creation of city "green building standards," a citywide tree planting campaign, and more emphasis on attracting green industries and new development near mass transit lines.
When Stratton successfully ran for re-election in 2007, he was one of only three local officials statewide who got campaign backing from the league, which was rebuilding political clout after years of flagging influence.
After the campaign, Stratton estimated the league's campaign mailings and telephone banks were probably worth $50,000 to his campaign.
"I was dumbfounded that they would promote me as the champion of green energy and on the other hand seem to send a message that I have not done anything," Stratton said.
It will be interesting to see what happens. Com'nt P'Link
DIA: On the State Senate Primary. DIA takes a look at the upcoming primary and has some good things to say about David Weiss.
He seems like a really nice guy with good ideas. It's too bad I couldn't be more involved in his campaign, but I was too busy going on vacations, throwing rocks into the Hudson River, and to a much lesser extent helping out Phil Steck. Then again, I have my doubts that he will pull it off as I think most people where involved in other campaigns or don't really know much about the shit of a senator we currently have. Com'nt P'Link
In a More Diverse America, A Mostly White Convention. There are almost no blacks at the GOP convention. Com'nt P'Link
Productivity Is Revised Higher, Easing Fears of Wage Inflation. No signs of inflation through wages at this time. Com'nt P'Link
Wal-Mart, Discounters Lead Way In Tepid Month of Same-Store Sales. Big box stores continue to do well in the down economy. Com'nt P'Link
Council Members Feel Left Out of City Budget Loop. They want more say in the budget. Com'nt P'Link
CNY Candidates Pledge to Run Clean Campaigns. I'll believe it when I see it. Com'nt P'Link
Ball Alleges Smear, Denies Harassment. More fun from the 99th AD. Com'nt P'Link
Facebook | Society for the Protection of Caribou from Gun-Toting Ex-Beauty Queens. You can't make things like this up. Com'nt P'Link
Silver's Primary Challenger Rakes in Contributions. Well sort of:
One of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's challengers in next week's primary election has raised more than twice as much as the powerful Democrat in the latest round of campaign fundraising.
But Silver has little to worry about: overall, he has more than $2.9 million in his campaign account, compared to community activist Paul Newell's nearly $38,000.
According to the latest state elections reports reviewed Wednesday, Silver raised more than $19,500 between Aug. 5 and Aug. 25. Newell brought in a little more than $40,000 during the same period.
A third contender, attorney Luke Henry, raised just $510 in August and has a little more than $9,000 on hand for campaigning.
Battle of Plattsburgh Next Week. For those who are going to be up in the North Country next week, that's an event you may want to attend. Com'nt P'Link
Small Plane Makes Perfect Landing On Adirondack Northway. Engine trouble on a small plane in the Adirondacks forced the pilot to land on the Adirondack Northway near the North Hudson checkpoint. Com'nt P'Link
State to Require Obesity Tracking. Some schools will be required to regularly check and report BMI data to the state in an effort to reduce obesity. Com'nt P'Link
Times Union Continues to Fight Comptroller's Office. They want more detailed information on employee pay, but the Comptroller says it's not possible to provide such information without creating a new record with social security numbers redacted. Com'nt P'Link
Jewett Justice Punished by State Judiciary Panel For Helping Out Family Member. The local judge up in this rural Catskill Mountain community got in trouble by sitting on the bench for cases relating to relatives and giving them preferential treatment. He has resigned. Com'nt P'Link
Fire Damages Family Home. Not exactly good news for any family, but the cause is original:
Nuzback said the fire started when a candle fell onto empty pizza boxes on the back deck. Officials have determined the fire was an accident.
That certainly is a first as far as I know. Com'nt P'Link
Troy Considers Buying Gun Shot Detection System. It's basically an electronic system that listens for sounds similar to gun shots, and alerts police when a gun may have been discharged, to discourage people from discharging firearms in urban places. Com'nt P'Link
YouTube: Sarah Palin Acceptance Speech at RNC. This made me want to puke:
Doesn't she just strike you as the nosy neighbor who can't keep herself out of your business. The one who is complaining about everything, making your life a living hell, just because she can't find another thing to keep herself busy. Com'nt P'Link
EMILY's List: National Polling On Women Voters and the McCain-Palin Ticket. What women really think of Palin:
No surpises there. Com'nt P'Link
Golisano is Spending Big. His money is going all over the place and spending it fast in his push for candidates which he likes their ideology. Com'nt P'Link
CDTA Plans Better Schenectady Service; Awaits Funding. They need some significant new cash to implement new routes that they've determined is neccessary to address changing needs in an era of record high gas prices.
Capital District Transportation Authority officials say they're ready to do for Schenectady bus riders what they've done in Saratoga Springs, where ridership has tripled since they overhauled service a year ago.
All they need is about $3 million to put in place a revamped route and service plan now awaiting a final round of public review and fine tuning.
"The exact details of the routing, etc., are yet to be ironed out, but we are close," said Carm Basile, deputy director for business development. "If it happens, we should be able to count on quite a ridership surge in and around the city."
CDTA Eyes More Suburban Routes in Saratoga County. They are considering further service expansions north of the city to better address the needs of suburban commuters struggling with high gas prices. Com'nt P'Link
PickupTrucks.com: First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid. It's a fun new little toy that doesn't use as much gas, if you can afford one of these super nice trucks. Com'nt P'Link
Investigators Close Tacoma Probe. Despite over 400 compliants, the federales couldn't figure out why so many people where complaining about unexpected surging by the truck.
My 1994 Plymouth Sundance used to have the same problem. A lot of that had to do with the bad oxygen sensor and the fact that not all 4-spark plugs regularly fired. But that wasn't a new truck by any means, hell it wasn't even a pickup truck. Com'nt P'Link
Welch Rides Bus, Talks to Passengers About Public Transit System in Vermont. He discusses the troubles and perks of riding mass transit. Com'nt P'Link
Public Eye: Officers Talking On Cell Phones. They legally have the right on official business, but it's kind of frowned upon. Com'nt P'Link
August Auto Sales Dodge Economic Slowdown: MarketWatch. At least the drop wasn't as bad at in July when gas prices reached record high prices. Com'nt P'Link
August Auto Sales Flop. Heavy discounting and promotions have failed to attract buyers. Only Nissan reports positive August sales. Com'nt P'Link
Investments Are Faltering in Chrysler and GMAC. Making your money in the auto business is not a good idear about now. Com'nt P'Link
August Auto Sales Drop for 10th Month. Bad news for the auto industry as high gas prices keep people from buying new cars. Com'nt P'Link
Where Fareboxes & Drivers Take Hit. Some New York City buses are really rough both on the drivers and passengers who are abused by other passengers.
They are the toughest bus routes in the city, the ones where riders beat the fare - and sometimes the driver.
Drivers working 11 routes, most in Brooklyn and the Bronx, have been assaulted 103 times between January 2007 and July, an NYC Transit listing of the most attack-prone routes shows.
Many of those routes are also on another roster - the one for the most fare-beating.
"Most involve drivers getting punched, kicked, beaten," said Joseph Smith, senior vice president of buses. "Some have had their eye sockets broken, teeth broken, you name it."
The agency has a broad definition of assault, ranging from being spat on to being punched or seriously injured with a weapon. Most of the 103 reported assaults are not minor, Smith said, adding that many start with a "fare dispute."
Because of the risk, drivers are instructed to politely remind riders of the fare, but not to challenge them, officials said. Still, even that can lead to trouble with the most volatile of riders, bus managers said.
Hurley Won't Issue Waivers On Outdoor Woodburning Stoves. They are forcing local homeowners to comply with the new law, regardless of the burden on them to upgrade to the new smokestack height standard. Com'nt P'Link
Harvest of Adirondack Trees Could Help Budget? Yes, they could, except for that little constitutional problem that this LtE in the TU conveniently forgets to mention. Bad forestry practices in the mid-1800s are the reason why the Adirondack Park was created, and even though we do a far better job nowadays, the land is still protected as forever wild. Com'nt P'Link
Oil Prices Plunge to 5-month Low. This is good news for consumers. Com'nt P'Link
Forum to Focus On Home Heating. Kingsbury officials will hold a hearing to discuss ways to reduce heating costs, an essential thing this year with record oil prices. Com'nt P'Link
Hearing To Focus On Effects of Upstate Drilling On Water. The New York Sun reports that New York City Councilmembers will be holding a hearing on natural gas drilling using hydrofracting to study the impact if any on New York City's massive reservoirs update.
The City Council will hold an emergency public hearing next week to address concerns that plans for natural gas drilling in the city's upstate watershed could contaminate local drinking water.
Environmental groups have warned that a bill signed by Governor Paterson in July allowing for more drilling activity authorizes a technique known as "hydraulic fracturing" that they say has caused toxic chemical leaks at sites in New Mexico and Colorado. Earlier this month, Senator Clinton wrote a letter to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation calling for regulations surrounding the expanded drilling operations to be reviewed and tightened based on such environmental fears.
Council Member James Gennaro, who is organizing the hearing, said yesterday that drilling also threatens to cost taxpayers billions of dollars if the city loses a waiver from the federal government that exempts it from filtering its drinking water. The city's water supply is allowed to go unfiltered as long as periodic federal testing finds it to be clean. According to Mr. Gennaro, if the water supply were to be contaminated as a result of the drilling and the exemption taken away, the city would be forced to pay billions of dollars to construct and maintain a new filtration plant.
It should be interesting to find out what is learned and if more preventive methods need to be taken reduce the risk of frack fluid contaminating city water. Com'nt P'Link
Potential for Gas Drilling in Southern Herkimer, Oneida Counties. The problem however is that the gas is very deep under the ground, even further down then the Marcellus Shale we've been hearing about lately.
The formations typically have to be 3,000 feet to 6,000 feet underground in order for there to be enough pressure for the gas, Engelder said. It’s not impossible to drill locally, but the formations dip farther below the surface in the southwestern parts of the state, he said.
Engelder recently traveled through Oneida County as part of a journey to study rock formations deep underground that could change the future of energy production in the state.
Engelder primarily is studying the Marcellus Shale, the Utica Shale also has received attention.
Both rock formations have the potential to become major sources of natural gas in the Northeast, experts say, but they’re only located under the most southern parts of Herkimer and Oneida counties.
Interesting development. One to watch for sure. Com'nt P'Link
Regulators Approve Iberdrola Acquisition, 4-0. They have to deal with some minor conditions which include a rate cut but do not include any commitment to wind energy in their proposal that has been informally proposed by the company.
The Public Service Commission early this afternoon unanimously approved Spanish utility Iberdrola SA’s proposed $4.5 billion acquisition of Energy East Corp.
The PSC approval includes a requirement that Iberdrola commit to at least $200 million in wind power projects statewide, up from $100 million previously. In addition, Iberdrola will be required to provide another $275 million in so-called public benefits. In this case, that will result in a 5 percent decline in delivery rates for electricity and natural gas paid by Energy East’s utility customers in New York, business writer Larry Rulison reports from today’s hearing.
Iberdrola has said it plans up to $2 billion in wind power projects statewide, but that isn’t a binding investment, Rulison reports.
Hopefully ratepayers won't get socked by this deal and Iberdrola will do the right thing and expand their efforts to promote wind energy and other sources in our state. Com'nt P'Link
PSC May Vote On Iberdrola-Energy East Deal Today. The merger that has raised competitiveness concerns by the Public Service Commission in the Agency 4 building, but is universally loved by politicians as a way to bring new generation to our state by new wind mills, may get moved ahead today. Com'nt P'Link
New Gravel Pit Proposed for Route 116 in Middlebury. That will be taken up per their state laws including hearings and the alike. Com'nt P'Link
Niagara Falls to Study Sick Urban Trees. They are looking for ones in need of replacement to ask the state for funds for there replacement. Com'nt P'Link
State Concurs Hotel Plan Could Affect Wildlife. The hotel proposed in the Pine Bush has raised concerns by the DEC according to a recent letter.
The eastern hognose snake and the worm snake are living on or next to the 3.6-acre vacant field near Crossgates Mall where Tharaldson Development Co. of North Dakota, proposes to build a 124-room hotel, according to an Aug. 13 letter sent to the city by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
DEC environmental analyst Angelo A. Marcuccio repeatedly wrote that information provided in the developer's draft environmental impact statement is erroneous.
"The issue of potential impacts to this species of special concern has not been adequately evaluated," Marcuccio wrote three times.
Using a Rare Veto, EPA Rejects Controversial Mississippi Project. Big water control project killed on environmental grounds.
In an unusual blow against a big federal flood-control project, the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday rejected a proposal to build a huge water pump intended to reduce flooding in the Mississippi Delta, saying it would have had an "unacceptable, adverse" impact on thousands of acres of wetlands.
The agency's decision to kill the $220 million Yazoo Pumps Project marks only the 12th time that the EPA has exercised its power under the 1972 Clean Water Act to veto projects that could harm water supplies, wildlife or recreational or fishing areas. The decision represents a setback for Mississippi politicians and farmers who have championed it for decades, and a victory for environmentalists who argued that it would damage wildlife refuges. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program was first authorized in 1941 and designed to reduce flooding between the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers.
Moving Ahead on Timber Rights Sale in the Adirondacks. The Nature Conservacy Lands will go up for sale today according to the Daily Gazette.
The company’s Web site, LandVest.com, lists the conservancy’s land as follows:
“The properties are being offered by Sealed Bid in 5 Sale Blocks ranging from 1,691 acres to 58,502 acres, thereby providing a broad range of investment price points, and diverse timber portfolios. The land is being sold subject to a Fiber Supply Agreement and a Working Forest Conservation Easement.”
The fiber supply agreement is a 20-year deal allowing what is now Finch Paper to take a designated volume of trees from its former land. The conservancy and state are writing the easement agreement that would prohibit development of the lands that are being sold.
Prickett said the conservancy’s mission is to protect the forests and its wild inhabitants, and it has worked to ensure the land being offered will be protected.
It's good to see them moving forward on this deal and protecting the lands. Let's also hope for some kind of resolve of the concerns by local government about access to the lands and hunting and fishing camps. Com'nt P'Link
Sarah Palin's Frontier Justice. Or the use of political power to get things not-so-good done. Com'nt P'Link
War Trumps Health Needs. That's what one observer says in the Bennington Banner today. Com'nt P'Link
Computer Glitch Closes Albany High for a Week. Who ever said that computer problems wouldn't be the downfall of our society? Because the computer ate class schedules they had no other alternative but close the high school down for a whole week. Com'nt P'Link
Dutchess Sheriff Got Ball Call, Warned Leibell. More entertaining politics from the Hudson Valley. Unbelievable. Com'nt P'Link
McEneny Endorses Tonko. No suprises here with this news. McEneny had spoke fawningly of Tonko previously in the race, so it's about time. Tonko's going to win one way or another, so at this point it's largely a moot point. Com'nt P'Link
60 Senate Seats in Sight? It's possible Democrats could pick up 60 seats in the US Senate this year.
"Our goal is to pick up as many seats as possible," said DSCC communications director Matt Miller. "The map this year includes a lot of red states, so getting to 60 would be very, very difficult, but it's not out of the question."
Is Miller right?
Let's start with the basics.
Thirty five seats—23 held by Republicans, 12 held by Democrats—are up for re-election in the fall.
Of those 35 seats, the three top Senate handicappers in the business—Charlie Cook/Jennifer Duffy and Stu Rothenberg—consider roughly one-third truly competitive. The Cook Political Report lists 12 Republican seats and two Democratic seats in their competitive columns while Rothenberg sees 11 GOP seats and just one Democratic one as truly up for grabs.
That would be quite amazing if it happened, and would bode a President Barack Obama quite well. Com'nt P'Link
Bush and Lieberman Hail McCain As a Leader. The old fueds are over, as Republicans make nice and talk up their candidate for President. Com'nt P'Link
Schenectady Library Aims to Minimize Disruption. While there will be new heating and cooling equipment installed this year as part of the modernization of the library, the intent to keep allowing people access to the library except for 4-days when construction will make it impossible for the library to remain open.
It sounds like they are doing an excellent job at balancing patron needs, keeping the historical nature of the building intact, while modernizing it to reduce energy consumption and give it a fresh up-to-date appearance. Com'nt P'Link
Schenectady Library Aims to Minimize Disruption. While there will be new heating and cooling equipment installed this year as part of the modernization of the library, the intent to keep allowing people access to the library except for 4-days when construction will make it impossible for the library to remain open.
It sounds like they are doing an excellent job at balancing patron needs, keeping the historical nature of the building intact, while modernizing it to reduce energy consumption and give it a fresh up-to-date appearance. Com'nt P'Link
County Court: NY May Recognize Out of State Marriages. Paterson got a victory as did gay people, when the executive order recognizing out of state marriages was upheld in county court. It will probably be appealed. Com'nt P'Link
Cusick: No Plea Deals for Gun Offenses. He says such a tough on crime policy will help end gun crime. I doubt it, and it will lead to many minor offenses becoming overblown. Com'nt P'Link
Democrats Face Split in Saratoga Springs. There is a big primary up there for committee seats that might forever change the direction of the party in that city. Com'nt P'Link
State to Crack Down on Health Insurance Violators. The latest solution to balance the state budget is to investigate college students and spouses to make sure they are still eligible for health insurance. Com'nt P'Link
All Uninsured NY Kids Now Eligible for Coverage. Good news for uninsured kids, not such good news for taxpayers:
ALBANY, N.Y. - Starting this month, all New York families with uninsured children are eligible for moderate or no-cost health care coverage.
Gov. David Paterson says eligibility for Child Health Plus was expanded to include families whose income is four times the federal poverty level, up from the 2 1/2 times previously required.
For example, a child in a family of three whose income exceeded $44,000 would not have been able to participate in the program before the expansion. Now, that child will be eligible for coverage at no cost, or at a reduced monthly premium, if the family's income is no greater than $70,000.
Any family with income above the new cutoff can buy into the program at the full monthly premium, which is $156 on average.
At least most kids now will be able to get insurance. Com'nt P'Link
Warm Evening Out There. It's actually purty sticky out there for sure. I'm finally getting recovered from my vacation, although it still does not feel like September, and I still can't get over how great the Finger Lakes Region of the state really is.
Busy day at work that seemed to go by too quickly without getting nearly enough work done. And the sun sure sets way too early.
Yes, I accidentally posted some photos that where out of focus and some that where corrupted. I'm trying to fix the photo code but I'm a piss-poor perl programmer.
And now a little 1970...
Sugar Loaf - Green Eyed Lady Com'nt P'Link
Summer is Over. While it doesn't take a genius to figure out that summer is unofficially over with school getting back into session and primary day nearing, that time seemed to come once again too quickly. Before we know it the leaves will be turning colored, then drying up, with a cold fall wind, that will eventually bring Christmas and winter weather
Seasons come and go much like the years do. The summer of 2008 will recede into memory as we move forward toward the next year, with a new President and hopefully a new direction in our country. Nobody can really see what's going to happen next year, but we can all hope for the best. Com'nt P'Link
Lock 16 Working After Repairs. Abit slower then usual due to mechanical problems that won't be fixed until the canal closes for the year. Com'nt P'Link
Clifton Park to Tackle Traffic and Travel Sore Spots. The sprawling town is taking step to improve traffic safety and reduce congestion by planning for better highway growth.
Identifying hot spots for traffic snarls, dangerous intersections for pedestrians and the possible addition of a roundabout to improve traffic flow on Clifton Park roads is the multi-pronged job to be tackled by a new town Highway Safety Committee.
The group of seven volunteer residents all have backgrounds in transportation or engineering, and are hopeful they can communicate residents’ concerns to the Town Board and Planning Board.
“We will be an advisory committee on travel issues all around town, as well as issues on the major roadways,” said Jim Fitzgerald, former state trooper and organizer of the committee. “We’ll look at intersections that have been problems for years, and also at new issues as they come up.”
Let's hope that committee comes up with some good solutions that are affordable and sensible to the community's character. Com'nt P'Link
Foresters: Cutting Trees Helps Keep Planet Green. An interesting article on logging and maintaing the health of state forests. Com'nt P'Link
Deer Trackers Go On Missions of Mercy. Dogs go out to help hunters find wounded deer that have been shot but run away and can not be found by hunters. Com'nt P'Link
Outdoor Wood Boilers Regulated. Several Tri-Lakes Communities in the Northern Adirondacks have banned or restricted in their communities over concerns with air pollution.
Two out of three villages in the Tri-Lakes now restrict outdoor wood boilers.
Both Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake held public hearings and passed laws this week restricting the outdoor furnaces.
Outdoor wood boilers have become increasingly popular in northern states, especially as the price of heating oil rises. The wood-burning furnaces can be connected to boilers to heat hot water or radiators. But many outdoor wood boilers emit plumes of heavy smoke, which can be a nuisance for neighbors, especially in densely populated areas.
Saranac Lake has adopted a number of setbacks and chimney-height requirements, while Tupper Lake has banned them outright.
The two or three outdoor furnaces existing in the Village of Tupper Lake will likely not be affected as long as they conform to the manufacturer's recommended chimney height, according to the new law.
Old Wells Rouse Dormant Tennessee Oil Industry. High oil prices make old wells valuable once again, despite limited oil production. Com'nt P'Link
Schools Struggle With High Energy Prices. They continue to explore new bus routing and ways to cut back on bus milage, as they are stuck with the budget that voters approved back in June before energy prices soared.
Apparently, most local schools don't buy diesel or fuel oil on the futures market so they have to buy at current prices. That is a stupid strategy, but it may be what they can do under state law. Schools should know a year in advance what they will be paying for fuel, and not have to suffer from market fluxations. Com'nt P'Link
Oil Prices and Gas Prices Fall. Now that Gustov is a memory posing little danger to oil and gas wells off-shore, and summer driving is over.
Crude oil for October delivery fell as low as $105.46 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, 8.7 percent less than on Aug. 29. Natural gas for October delivery dropped 8 percent to $7.308 per million British thermal units.
Gasoline futures slumped as low as $2.6082 a gallon, the lowest since April 1, and traded at $2.6690 as of 2:25 p.m. London time.
That's good news for everybody. Let's hope for future drops as the summer driving season is officially over, and the whole spectualation market floor drops out. Com'nt P'Link
New York Needs $50 Billion to Keep Waters Clean. They are talking big bucks to fix old wastewater treatment plants so they don't pollute so much, particularly after heavy rains. Com'nt P'Link
Toxic Sites Brought to Surface. A new site Toxic Targeting gives info about nearby potentially hazardous sites. Com'nt P'Link
Northern Hemisphere Sets 1300 Year Climate Warming Record. The climate continues to get warmer.
Surface temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere were warmer over the last 10 years than any time during the last 1300 years, according to researchers at Penn State's Earth System Science Center and three other U.S. universities.
And, if the climate scientists include the somewhat controversial data derived from tree-ring records, they say that warming is greater from 1998 to the present than at any time for at least 1700 years.
Steven Vasquez? Why is he running for Congress? Not for the seat. Jim Tedisco, his Assemblyman is 68 years old. He may not run in 2010 or 2012. He fits the mold perfectly—think Ball or Amedore. Alternatively, he could be looking at Hugh Farely's seat. He is 1976. Just a thought. Com'nt P'Link
Upstate Assemblyman Greg Ball Accused of Stalking Former Girlfriend. More happy news from the Greg Ball camp:
A CNN producer and former girlfriend of Republican Assemblyman Greg Ball of Westchester and Putnam counties got a temporary protective order against him on grounds he stalked her and threatened to destroy her career.
The order sought by Linda Fern Roth - a copy of which was obtained Monday by the Daily News - also contended Ball even told her he had a transmittable sexual disease that he had never told her about.
Contacted by The News on Monday, Ball, a first-term Assemblyman locked in a heated GOP primary with former Brewster Mayor John Degnan, denied that a restraining order was ever issued. He also blamed his opponent for orchestrating a smear campaign.
"This was not a criminal matter and there were never any allegations of violence," Ball said an email sent to the Daily News early Tuesday.
State Enacts More Stringent WARN Regulations. Good news for employees who jobs are to be cut.
The new measure, signed into law by Gov. David Paterson, requires employers with 50 or more employees to give workers at least 90 days’ notice in advance of a layoff.
The federal WARN Act, by comparison, sets the threshold for notification at 100 employees, with advance notice required 60 days before the layoff.
The new regulations were announced at a press conference this morning at the former Tech Valley Printing plant in Watervliet, which shut down abruptly in February, notifying the state Labor Department only after the fact that it had laid off 50 employees. In fact, according to the Labor Department, 150 employees lost their jobs.
“The actions against the workers of Tech Valley Printing are a textbook example of what not to do,” said Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith. “Had the Labor Department and local officials been provided sufficient notice by the company, we could have intervened on behalf of the workers, offered them services while they were still employed, and even helped them land new jobs…”
Leibell Home Guarded After Ball Reveals Unlisted Number. Talk about some crude politics. Com'nt P'Link
Alcohol Czar Rips Drinking Age Drive. Karen Carpenter-Palumbo says that lowering the drinking age makes no sense. Com'nt P'Link
Just Say 'No' to Police Searches. How to lawfully deal with police checkpoints and other encounters that can lead to troublesome consequences, even if you haven't violated any law. Com'nt P'Link
New York State Senate Notable Races: 9/1/08. From The Albany Project some analysis of the State Senate races this fall. I suspect some of those ratings are somewhat biased towards Democrats, and still am not sure that Darrel Aubertine's seat is totally safe, just by the nature of the district.
Likewise, I don't see Rick Dollinger having it that easy to take Robach's seat, even though he may be able to ultimately pull it off if his volunteers work hard enough, and national conditions are right for it in November. Com'nt P'Link
Google Unveils Free Browser Chrome. They want to change the way you surf with a Mozilla-based browser that taps into Google's many services. Com'nt P'Link
Sen. Obama: Families Are Off Limits. I agree that we should not pay any attention to choices people make in their families, and I understand many families face similar choices and problems in their lifetimes. Com'nt P'Link
GOP Wants To Turn Minnesota Red With RNC. It seems that they hope to win this state this year. Com'nt P'Link
Some FBI Agents Pay High Price For Using Snitches. Sometimes it turns out using informants is not a good idear, reports NPR. Com'nt P'Link
Giuliani Out, Thompson and Lieberman in for GOP Convention. The schedule continues to change. Com'nt P'Link
Iroquois Culture is Featured. An event was held on Indian culture at the Howes Cave Indian Museum. I haven't been there since I was in elementary school, but it was a cool experience. Com'nt P'Link
Why the GOP Hearts Gustav. The fact that it wasn't a bad storm made everybody look good.
Matthew Wallace, a 20-year-old Young Republican from Shreveport, La., wearing a string of red, white and blue beads that lit up like Christmas lights and added almost the only festive note of the day, was among the delegates seeing Gustav as an opportunity for Republicans to show "we learned our lessons from Hurricane Katrina. You see the response has been 180 degrees from that, and Gov. Jindal has done a wonderful job."
So is this episode actually helpful politically for Republicans? "I think so," Wallace said. "I think it's a way for Senator McCain to showcase his experience and his talent to the country—that when it's 3 a.m. and you have that national crisis, who do you want picking up that phone? I think Senator McCain is shifting focus here, making a sacrifice rather than taking this opportunity to showcase himself to the nation. It really shows that he's an American first and a Republican second." And that he's not Bush? "I think so."
The Associated Press: AP Photographer, Democracy Now! Host Arrested. This is some good news:
Democracy Now! producers Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties, Democracy Now! said in a statement. Democracy Now! said Kouddous and Salazar were arrested on a felony riot charge while Goodman was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of a legal process and interference with a peace officer.
All three appeared on Goodman's show on Tuesday and recounted their experience. A video of Goodman's arrest, aired on her program and also posted on YouTube, shows her begging police not to arrest her before being taken away in handcuffs.
I look forward to hearing the show. Com'nt P'Link
Palin Secured Earmarks for Town. She milked the federal cow for lots of money for her rural community. Can you imagine what it would be like if we could that kind of money to upstate communities? Com'nt P'Link
Health Care Theme of Labor Picnic. Labor activists discuss and fight for better health care for people across the country who often find themselves unable to afford the kind of care they deserve. Com'nt P'Link
Police Raids Enrage Activists, Alarm Others. They use informants in groups and other tacitics to supress free speech at the RNC Convention:
Aided by informants planted in protest groups, authorities raided at least six buildings across St. Paul and Minneapolis to stop an "anarchist" plan to disrupt this week's Republican National Convention.
From Friday night through Saturday afternoon, officers surrounded houses, broke down doors, handcuffed scores of people and confiscated suspected tools of civil disobedience.
The show of force was led by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office in collaboration with the FBI, Minneapolis and St. Paul police, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office and other agencies.
But a St. Paul City Council member described it as excessive, while activists, many of whom were detained and then released without charges, called it intimidation designed to quash free speech.
Amy Goodman Was Released. In this video she talks about her arrest.
King: We Need a Farm Team. He says that the Republicans need an organization to save their butts in New York State as they rapidly appear to be going extinct. Com'nt P'Link
Riot: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. The history of riots from wikipedia. Com'nt P'Link
Pictures from Inside the GOP Convention. It appears their convention is very subdued with little excitement or glamor going on inside of it. It's actually appears to be pretty much a disappointment, compared to the Democratic Convention of last week.
Understandably, they toned down the convention after the threat of the Gustov hurricane which turned out to be much of anything. But it's still a convention of elderly white men, without much passion for anything. Com'nt P'Link
RNC Day One Diary: All Roads Lead to Kellogg Boulevard. I'm sure these are the kind of images they want to be projecting from the Republican National Convention.
Amy Goodman, Others Detained Outside RNC. Read the Nation's coverage of this event. Com'nt P'Link
YouTube: Amy Goodman Arrested at RNC. Definately worth a watch:
Since when exactly has asking the police a question equal to inciting a riot? It seems like some awful abusive behavior on the police's behalf. Com'nt P'Link
Allison Kilkenny: Amy Goodman Arrested at RNC; Reports of Tear-Gassing. More from the RNC Convention. Com'nt P'Link
McCain's Sexist VP Pick? This American Prospect article is interesting. Com'nt P'Link
2008 Republican National Convention. It of course started yesterday, without out of the glizz or glamer of the Democratic Convention. Find out more on the convention website, including media schedules. Com'nt P'Link
Road Alternative Being Advocated. Business owners are trying to find an alternative for reconstructing Erie Blvd without destroying so many local businesses. Com'nt P'Link
Project Will Replace Aging Rte. 7 Bridge. It appears that finally the Northway Exit 6 / Route 7 interchange construction is on track to be started next year.
It will be converted to a SPUI, which should reduce the congestion of the existing diamond-interchange which is more suited for rural highways without traffic lights and with light traffic volumes. Com'nt P'Link
Welcome to GreendrivingUSA. Some idears on how to save gas and reduce emissions when driving. Com'nt P'Link
Post-Trip Conclusions. I enjoyed my vacation a lot. I am now purty tired, sweaty, and looking forward to taking a shower in a couple of minutes. I am still unpacking my gear and trying to get all those things back in their proper location, and looking for some good sleep in the comfort of my bed.
In many ways the trip expanded my horizons. I learned new things about wind power, landfills, the Finger Lakes, and other parts of the state. I learned some things about myself up in the woods, and about the difficulties of telling direction sometimes when driving. Most of all, it was a good distraction from the normal life. Com'nt P'Link
Day 5 of Finger Lakes Trip. I decided to get up really early this morning. At the first break of light, probably around 6 AM, I got up and made a pot of coffee. I quickly got my gear thrown in the back of the pickup, and things organized in the front of my pickup, and I was off by 7 AM. From there I drove up to the Central Camp in Sugar Hill State Forest, where I went up the firetower to shoot several photos.
Then I drove down to the City of Watkins Glen and put some gas in pickup. I drove around a bit and found some on-street parking. I walked up to the Watkins Glen State Park, and walked in without paying for parking. I explored and photographed the Glen for about two hours. I then headed up the west side of Seneca Lake, passing a natural gas well, and stopping a few places to take pictures. I wish I had stayed a bit longer to take pictures of the natural gas well, but I was tired and somewhat in a rush to get back to Albany.
I drove up through towns like Geneva, stopping briefly at the lake front park, and then east on Route 20. I drove up Mound Road in Seneca Falls, past the Seneca Meadows Landfill. It was big, towering over commercial strips between Seneca Falls and Waterloo, but not as impressive as I might have first estimated it to be. It went on for seemingly miles along Mound Road, but didn't really seem all that obnoxious. The air pressure was quite high then, so there was only a minimal hydrogen sulfide odors in the air. It did seem to stretch along for miles of Route 414, but at 55 MPH it seemed to quickly recede into the expanses of Central New York.
From there I continued east on Route 20. and saw signs for the Montezoma National Wildlife Refuge. I tuned into their radio station that talked about the preserve. I decided to stop at the Vistor's Center, then decided to take the 3 ½ mile auto tour through the bogs. I also got out and went for a short hike, before hopping in my pickup and hopping back on Route 20 to go east.
Then drove and drove. I went through Skanteles, which I discovered was a Finger Lakes town and not really a suburb of Syracuse like I thought it was. It was quite beautiful, but the traffic was horrendous. It must have taken 15 minutes to get through that town. Places like Pompey where much more calm, and rural. I then passed several miles of truly beautiful mountains and fertile farm country in the area south of Syracuse. Mostly dairy, but some great country, with mountains bigger then I would have predicted.
Then Cazenovia, Morrisville, Nelson, and eventually Madison. The order hasn't changed much since the last time I was there. I spent some time exploring the Madison Windfarm, driving a backcountry road to get fairly close to one of
