environment

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has
awarded three energy conservation grants to the Town of Rhinebeck for projects totaling
approximately $355,000.  The projects to be funded are:

1. Solar Panels for the Highway Garage
2. Solar Panels for the Transfer Station
3. Lighting efficiency retrofit for the Highway Garage

The Town has through March 2012 to complete these energy conservation projects.  The
funds that the State will provide will come from the federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act.  The grants will cover 80% of the cost of these projects and the Town is
obligated to pay 20% of the cost.  It is estimated that the Town of Rhinebeck will save $10,650
per year in reduced energy costs.  At that rate, the Town’s investment will be paid back in less
than seven (7) years.
The Town Board worked with Hudson Valley Clean Energy, Terrapin Bright Green and
architect Susan Sie to prepare six grant applications (three of which were funded), with
numerous site visits and quotes provided by Bottini Fuel, Marvin Windows, Steve & Weber
Plumbing and Heating, Williams Lumber and Home Center, Window Master Inc., and Ms. Sie,
among others. The Town Board sincerely thanks these firms and the individuals and architects
involved for volunteering their time and efforts on behalf of the Town of Rhinebeck.
 

In a major victory for environmental advocates, New York State has ruled that outmoded cooling technology at the Indian Point nuclear power plant kills so many Hudson River fish, and consumes and contaminates so much water, that it violates the federal Clean Water Act.

READ MORE from The New York Times.

Today is World Water Day.

In honor of WWD we offer the following information/links to let you know more about your water and what's in it:

Environmental Working Group water quality report for Rhinebeck.

Rhinebeck annual drinking quality report for 2009.

Upcoming water discussion.

Levels of PCB contamination in the Hudson River are far greater than first estimated and General Electric's dredging operation must improve before the next phase of the toxic cleanup starts in 2011, according to a new report from federal regulators.

READ MORE at Lower Hudson Valley News.

The National Climate Seminar at Bard CEP

The National Climate Seminar is a bi-weekly, national phone conversation featuring top climate scientists, political leaders, and policy analysts. Hosted by the Bard Center for Environmental Policy, the seminars are available live to educators, students and citizens, by telephone at no charge.

Click HERE for additional details:

Fall 2009 National Climate Seminar Schedule: The World Decides

Move over, colony collapse disorder; the new mystery plague is “white nose syndrome.” Yes, I know it sounds like a disease involving celebrities and cocaine, but it’s actually attacking bats in New York and Vermont, where they’ve been dying in droves. Researchers are calling it “the gravest threat in memory to bats in the U.S.,” according to the AP:

"This is definitely unprecedented," said Lori Pruitt, an endangered-species biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Bloomington, Ind. "The hugest concern at this point is that we do not know what it is."A significant loss of bats is chilling in itself to wildlife experts. But — like the mysterious mass die-offs around the country of bees that pollinate all sorts of vital fruits and vegetables — the bat deaths could have economic implications. Bats feed on insects that can damage dozens of crops, including wheat and apples."Without large populations of bats, there would certainly be an impact on agriculture," said Barbara French of Bat Conservation International of Austin, Texas.You may not be crazy about bats, but I bet you’re even less fond of mosquitos. Fewer bats equals more bugs, and that could have devastating consequences for our own health, too.Scientists are trying to figure out whether it’s a virus, a bacteria, or some toxin in the environment that’s killing the bats. The white fungus that appears on the dead bats’ noses has never been seen before, and may only be a symptom, not a cause. “Whatever it is,” the AP reports, “afflicted bats are burning through their winter stores of fat before hibernation ends in the spring, and appear to be starving.”

(originally posted on takepart.com)