OLCV Talk

IKEA, Fire Fighters, Audubon, Willamette Riverkeeper and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether

I am currently in a hearing on Senate Bill 596. The bill passed the Senate on a 22-8 vote and is under consideration by the House Environment and Water Committee.

SB 596 would phase-in a ban of DecaBDE, a flame retardant commonly found in mattresses and other household products. SB 596 adds Deca-BDE to the list of hazardous substances currently being phased out of the market due to potential public health risks.

"There is a lot that we do not know about the toxins in our everyday life, but the evidence on Deca-BDE suggests that it could pose serious, long-term affects to our health," said Senator Mark Hass (D-Beaverton), chief sponsor of the legislation.

"As long as there are safe alternatives out there to this product, I can think of no reason why we would want to risk exposing our children and ourselves to Deca-BDE," said Deputy Majority Leader Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham), who sponsored the 2005 legislation banning certain BDEs.

Testimony in favor of the concept also came from the International Association of Fire Fighters and Oregon State Fire Fighters Council:

"Unlike other flame retardants, when PBDEs burn they release dense fumes and black smoke that reduce visibility and a highly corrosive gas known as hydrogen bromide. In addition, PBDEs produce highly toxic byproducts... Many studies involving fire fighters exposed to these and other toxic gases during active fire fighting, overhaul, and long term exposure from these chemicals penatrating protective gear, have found that fire fighters have a much greater risk of contracting cancer, hear and lung disease, and other debilitating diseases."

Many noted that IKEA, Dell, Apple, and HP are phasing out the use of decaDBEs. Representatives of Willamette Riverkeeper and Audubon Society of Portland also testified eloquently in favor of the bill.

Despite the diverse support for the bill, opponents -- mainly chemical companies -- flew in people from other states to try to kill to bill.

Q: What do Oakridge, Klamath Falls, Burns, Lakeview and Prineville Have in Common?

A: They currently, or are projected to soon, violate federal clean air regulations regarding fine particulate matter.

These five cities in Oregon have at least four days a year with fine particulate levels higher than federal health standards. Oakridge and Klamath Falls are certified "non-attainment areas" and the other three cities violate the standards but do not have three years of data doing so.

I'm sitting in the House Environment and Water Committee, listening to debate on Senate Bill 102, which would require certain dirty wood stoves, more than 20 years old, to be removed from homes when the home is sold. Household wood burning accounts for almost two-thirds of Oregon's particulate pollution.

From DEQ's testimony: "Particulate matter in woodstove smoke can be easily inhaled and reach the deepest part of our lungs. It is known to cause or contribute to respiratory disease, asthma attacks, heart problems, and premature death. Wood smoke also contains toxic organic compounds known to cause cancer."

Approximately 310,000 homes in Oregon use woodstoves and half of them have older uncertified woodstoves, which emit up to 70% more particulate air pollution, 25% more benzene, and 50% more global warming emissions than newer certified woodstoves.

All about wood stoves.

The Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association is now testifying in support of the bill, which passed the Senate on a 19-11 vote. The description of the HPBA, which I love: "Trade association  promoting the welfare of the barbeque industry." Associated Oregon Industries is also supportive of the bill, as industry can have restrictions put on it if they end up being in a non-attainment area.

Oregon Senate Passes Bioaccumulative Toxins Ban, 22-8

On Tuesday the Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 596 by a vote of 22-8. The bill is a phased-in ban of a toxic chemical flame retardant, decaBDE.

The bill's lead sponsor is Senator Mark Hass (D-Raleigh Hills), and Oregon Conservation Network member groups Willamette Riverkeeper and Aubudon Society of Portland are working on the bill.

From Senator Hass's newsletter:

I am proud to announce the passage of Senate Bill 596. This bill establishes a phased-in ban of DecaBDE. This dangerous chemical is used as a flame retardant commonly found in mattresses and other household products.

 

DecaBDE migrates from its host product into the environment and eventually into our bodies. There, like PCBs, it builds up in the fat tissue of people and animals. Studies show that DecaBDE breaks down over time into more toxic cousins, PentaBDE and OctaBDE, which Oregon already banned.

 

Oregon will follow Maine and Washington and the European Union in their restrictive use of DecaBDE.

 

Feasible, safer and effective alternatives like resorcinol bisdiphenyl phosphate (RDP) has helped the bill garner the support of Oregon firefighters.

The bill now heads to the Oregon House for consideration.

Email Senator Hass or call him at (503) 986-1714 to send your thanks. And contact your Representative and urge his or her support of the bill.

Countdown to 2009

Countdown to the 2009 Legislative Session that is...

The first day of session is January 12 and we can't wait to get to work.

We'll be working on critical environmental legislation as a member of the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN), a coalition of fifty of Oregon’s leading environmental groups. 

Implement Global Warming Solutions We must take action to reduce global warming pollution, which if left unchecked will lead to increased forest fires, water shortages, and major disruptions to our economy. The Legislature should place a mandatory, declining cap on global warming pollution.

Promote Water Conservation Farmers, fishermen, cities, businesses and local communities all need adequate water supplies to thrive. It’s our responsibility to ensure a legacy of healthy rivers for everyone and everything that depends on them

Preserve Oregon’s Coastal Legacy Global warming, pollution, increasing population, and coastal development are taking a toll – and our ocean’s future health is at risk. The Legislature should create a system of marine protected areas and reserves in Oregon’s Territorial Sea.

Increase Transportation Options As the Oregon Legislature considers new transportation investments, we must make sure to use more efficient land use planning and invest in transportation options. This will reduce the amount of time Oregonians spend in traffic, improve our health, and reduce the amount we spend on gas.

Ensure New Energy Supplies are Responsible Liquefied natural gas (LNG) emits 20-30% more global warming pollution than domestic natural gas. LNG terminals planned for Oregon would mainly send gas to California, which has rejected LNG because of safety and environmental concerns.

Stop the Spread of Invasive Species Oregon must take action to stop the spread of invasive plant, animal, and aquatic species. The Legislature should require boats entering the state be cleaned, to prevent the introduction of invasive snails and mussels into Oregon’s waterways.

Learn more about our Priorities for a Healthy Oregon.

To stay up to date on our priorities and other environmental bills during the session, sign up for SalemWatch, our legislative e-newsletter.

Solving the Plastic Bag Dilemma: Is Oregon Ready?

 

Recycling Advocates' much anticipated recycling event of the summer has been rescheduled and relocated to accommodate the anticipated large turnout for this important and topical meeting. The meeting will focus on the debate raging around the use, recycling, and banning of plastic and paper bags.

 

If you have already sent us an RSVP for September 15th, please take a moment to reconfirm your RSVP for the new date of September 22nd. . .Thank you

 

Solving the Plastic Bag Dilemma: Is Oregon Ready?

A forum hosted by Recycling Advocates

When: September 22, 2008

          6:30 pm - Reception

          7-9 pm - Annual Member Meeting & Public forum

Where: Portland City Hall, Council Chambers, 1221 Southwest Fourth Avenue 

 

RSVP:  info@RecyclingAdvocates.org

   
 

Countries as diverse as Ireland, China, Bangladesh, Uganda and South Africa have all passed laws that in some way restrict the free distribution of plastic check-out bags and many more are currently considering it.

 

Last year San Francisco became the first major US city to pass a bill that will eventually ban all plastic bags from grocery stores and pharmacies. Los Angeles followed suit and Seattle's City Council voted to implement a 20-cent fee for plastic and paper bags at grocery, drug and convenience stores.

 

Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams recently announced his plans to bring a resolution forward before the end of 2008 that will impose a fee on both paper and plastic check-out bags.

• What are the implications of the massive and widespread use of plastic and paper bags? 
• How does Commissioner Adams' proposal compare to Seattle's or San Francisco's?
• How will grocery stores and consumers handle the fee?
• Where do compostable bags fit into the equation? 
• Now that Portland is considering a solution, when can the rest of Oregon expect the same?

The panel includes:

· David Allaway, Waste Prevention Specialist, Oregon DEQ

· Tom Watson, King County Recycling Specialist and Seattle-Times Eco-consumer columnist

· Sam Adams, Portland City Commissioner and Mayor-Elect

· Brian Rohter, CEO, New Seasons Market

This forum is FREE and open to the public.

Please be sure to RSVP to info@RecyclingAdvocates.org

 

Read other posts on this topic:

The debate paper vs. plastic is more aptly named plastic vs. anything is better

Deep sigh... Portland missed out on another first - Again.

An environmental policy even a Bush could love

Politicians want stores to recycle plastic bags

Will Oregon be the first state to ban plastic bags?

San Francisco City Council votes to ban plastic bags

 

The debate paper vs. plastic is more aptly named plastic vs. anything is better

While away in Seatle, the person ahead of me in line at Pike's market - the only person ahead of me in a deep line that didn't have a cloth bag over their shoulder - sheepishly looked around and answered, "Yes, I need a bag."

I laughed a little inside my head. Wow, times have changed. He is actually so embarrassed that he didn't bring his own bag that he can't make eye contact with the clerk!

 

Still, the debate continues locally:

Paper or plastic?

Where does that plastic bag come from?

Plastic is a petroleum product - it comes from oil.

Plastic is a by-product of oil refining and accounts for 4% of the worlds total oil production. It is a 'biogeochemical' manipulation of certain properties of oil, into polymers. Plastic polymers are manufactured into five main types; plastic bags are made from polyethylene. Polyethylene, as a raw material, can be manipulated into any shape, size, form or color. It is watertight and can be made UV resistant. Anything can be printed on it and it can be reused.

For the most part, the whole process of making plastic bags requires only electricity (minus the large, fuel burning heavy machinery required to acquire the oil). The electricity used in the actual production and manufacturing of plastic bags comes from coal fire power plants, which, it is interesting to note, 50% of that electricity is generated from the burning of old tires (made from rubber which is essentially, plastic).

Learn more about paper vs. plastic at greenfeet.net.

Maybe if we didn't waste so many of our resources on such an unnecessary evil, we'd have cheaper prices at the pump, cleaner air and feel a little better not having to answer paper or plastic.

There are many alternatives to plastic bags: you can bring your own bag (BYOB - the most environmentally friendly choice) or urge your store to start using biodegradable or compostable bags.

But remember - the best way to shop is with your own reuseable bag. There are tons of styles out that and you'll look really cool doing it.

 

It is long overdue for Portland to shift from plastic. Let's make it happen!

Nalgene Ingredients Becoming Easier to Pronounce

Those of you in the outdoors environmental community have likely run into the discussion around the potential toxicity of Nalgene plastic bottles. Nalgene announced today that it will stop making bottles with bisphenol-a. Instead, they'll be making them with Tritan copolyester.

The announcement coincides with news that, as the New York Times reported:
"Canada’s chemical review program said this week that the government had decided to list the compound as a toxic substance under the country’s environmental protection act."

From a press release:

On Tuesday, the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) reversed its earlier findings and declared evidence of links to cancer from bisphenol A. The NIH statement was issued after a Congressional investigation spurred by Environmental Working Group revealed that only studies from the chemical industry were recognized in FDA’s bisphenol A’s evaluation despite dozens of scientific studies linking the chemical to an array of illness, including obesity, diabetes, thyroid disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer and schizophrenia.

Many environmental groups, including the Oregon Environmental Council, have raised concerns about bisphenol-a in products from baby bottles to beer cans, and are looking at state legislation to address it.

On the federal level, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley has joined Senator Chuck Schumer in pursuing legislation.

Read the New York Times story.

Top 5 environmental victories of 2007

What were the top 5 environmental victories of 2007?

1.) Measure 49

OLCV E-bulletin subscriber, Stan Seleen, said it best, "The passage of Measure 49 must be the most important success in 2007.  It is a tremendous relief to know that Oregonians have once again shown their support for our land use planning."

2.) Passage of SB 838, the renewable Energy Standard

The 2007 Legislature passed legislation setting a new renewable energy standard that is among the best in the country.

3.) Passage of all five Oregon Conservation Network's (OCN) Priorities for a Healthy Oregon

You can find out what these priorities are and what they mean for you at OCN's website

4.) More positive pro-environment bills became law in 2007 than in the period from 1991-2005 combined

The record number of environmental bills passed through the Legislature can be attributed to strong leadership fueled by the urgent need to take responsibility to combat global warming, promote energy independence, and a strong wish to protect our children from toxic pollution in our air and water.

The passage of legislation requiring municipal water quality enforcement in Oregon, a major breakthrough in an area where we have had few major victories since the heyday of the 70s, is just one example of such legislation. Thanks to OLCV E-bulletin reader, Chuck Johnson, for this contribution.

5.) The average scores in both the House and Senate climbed to heights not seen since 1977.  The average Senate score was 73% and the House was 69%.

Voters have made the environment a priority and they are choosing to vote for people that understand this.  Expect to see even more environmental leaders elected locally and statewide in 2008.

You can find out how your elected officials voted on the environment in OLCV's Environmental Scorecard for the 2007 Legislature.

What were your top five?