Montana
The
Montana Environmental Information Center and other groups won a victory in their appeal of a clean air permit issued to Southern Montana Gas & Transmission Cooperative last year. In a likely far-reaching decision, a Montana appeals board is forcing the state to redo a best available control technology (BACT) analysis for a proposed coal-fired power plant to include first-time reviews of fine particulate matter emissions (PM2.5). This is a strong rebuke to EPA's long-running argument that BACT analyses can use larger coarse particles (PM10) as a surrogate for PM2.5. If Montana ultimately sets stringent PM2.5 requirements at the plant, other states reviewing power plant permits will have to consider adopting the same limit, or explain why they cannot impose the same controls.
Connecticut
Connecticut Fund for the Environment reported the unanimous passage of HB 5600: An Act Concerning CT Global Warming Solutions. Governor Rell has stated that she will sign the bill which caps emissions of global warming pollution to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and by approximately 80% by 2050.
Minnesota
The
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and other groups are celebrating the ruling of two administrative law judges who recommended that power lines should not be built across Minnesota from a proposed coal-fired plant on the South Dakota side of Big Stone Lake. The judges found that the applicant power companies failed to show that demand for electricity could not be better and more cost-effectively met through renewable energy and energy efficiency. The judges also found that the power companies had not adequately considered the costs of global warming pollution. Without the power lines, the proposed Big Stone II power plant could not be built.
more
Ohio
An
Ohio Environmental Council-led effort has resulted in the recent passage of a strong energy efficiency standard to reduce energy use, save consumers money, and grow Ohio jobs. The approved version includes a 22% energy efficiency standard and a 12.5% renewable energy standard.
more
Maryland
1,000 Friends of Maryland helped push through the Critical Area Reform Bill which made urgent updates to the 1984 Critical Area Act. Among other changes, the bill revises the Critical Area Act to provide full regulatory authority for the Critical Areas Commission, provides for more robust enforcement and penalties, creates consistent standards for development; and expands the buffer that protects waterways from development.
Alabama
Three SELP member organizations--
Conservation Alabama,
Alabama Rivers Alliance and
Mobile Baykeeper--are celebrating a successful bid to reduce that state's permissible cancer risk from 1 in 100,000 to 1 in a million. This victory for public health and environmental protection will significantly reduce the amount of carcinogens emitted into Alabama's waters.
Do you have a story to tell about a recent victory for your organization? If so, we'd love to hear about it! Successes will be featured in our quarterly updates, so please send us your stories so that your great work can inspire and encourage your SELP colleagues.