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On a 31-29 vote, the Oregon House passed SB 528, a bill to limit the amount of field burning in Oregon. The bill now heads to the Governor.
Senate Bill 528 would limits on field burning
throughout the Willamette Valley, phasing out the practice by 2013 except for 15,000 acres in the Silverton Hills. There is a
large body of evidence linking the practice of open field burning of grass seed
crops to severe health effects as well as increasing the average particulate
pollution by as much as 40% on field burning days.
Congratulations to Rep. Paul Holvey and Sen. Floyd Prozanski, who have worked tirelessly on this issue. All 24 House Republicans voted against the bill, as did Reps. Clem, Komp, Schaufler, VanOrman, and Witt.
On a 39-19 vote, the Oregon House today voted to pass SB 596A, a bill to phase out a dangerous chemical. From the press release: The House passed a phased-in ban of a flame retardant commonly found
in mattresses and other household products.The bill, SB 596, adds Deca-BDE to the list of hazardous substances currently being
phased out of the market due to potential public health risks.
“Deca is
an effective fire retardant, but it poses potentially serious health
risks,” said Representative Ben Cannon (D-Portland), who carried the
bill on the House floor. “Using it does not make us safer when
there are safe and equally effective alternatives to Deca.”
Leading companies have been phasing out deca over the past several years, including HP, Ikea, and others. The bill had the support of Oregon's fire fighters. More coverage from OLCV previous news. The bill was championed by Sen. Mark Hass, and carried in the House by Rep. Ben Cannon.
Congrats also to Sue Marshall, lobbyist for Willamette Riverkeepers and Aubudon Society of Portland, who advocated for the bill.
The chemical industry had spent over $100,000 on four high-profile lobbyists to try to kill the bill, but it passed with the support of five Republican Representatives (Reps. Berger, Bruun, Cameron, Kennemer, and Sprenger) as well as 34 Democrats (all Democrats but Rep. Schaufler, who voted no, and Rep. Komp, who was excused). The bill now goes to the Governor.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
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).
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!
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.
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.
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