More legal support for voluntary cleanups

For years, companies that elected to voluntarily clean up Superfund sites have been at a disadvantage, with legal precedent frustrating their attempts to collect payments from other parties who contributed to the contamination.

But more recent rulings are giving hope to their chances of recouping some of the costs of remediations that often can run into multi-million-dollar figures.

Today's issue of LAW.com reports on the most recent decision in "3rd Circuit Changes Direction in 'DuPont' Environmental Cleanup Case"

More on New Jersey nuclear advocacy

Yesterday, in "Nuclear energy support from a former foe" , we noted how interesting it was to see the environmentalist and Greenpeace founder Patrick Moore supporting the need for nuclear power in an article published in a state business magazine.

What we did not realize at the time, was that the author, Patrick Moore, is (along with former NJ Governor Christie Whitman) a paid consultant to the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition which receives funding from the Nuclear Energy Institute, a trade association of nuclear reactor operators.

This we learned today in Source Watch, a collaborative project of the Center for Media and Democracy.

The fact that Patrick Moore and Christie Whitman are both paid to promote the nation's nuclear industry does not, in itself, mean that each may not truly believe that New Jersey needs to expand its nuclear-generated electric power capacity. After all, New Jersey currently relies on nuclear power for some 50% of its total energy supply, the state's energy appetite continues to grow, and the re-licensing of one of its nuclear reactors is under challenge.

But it does raise valid concerns. Being paid to support a cause is not the same as offering your views voluntarily.

Commerce Magazine, where Moore's article was published, gets credit for noting that he is:

"Co-chair of an industry-funded initiative, the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition, which supports increased use of nuclear energy"

But the use of the term "co-chair" doesn't give a reader the entire story. "Paid consultant" adds an other dimension that also serves to inform.

Nuclear energy support from a former foe

A national figure, in Commerce, the magazine of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, writes:

"Independent environmentalists have come to the conclusion that nuclear power’s electricity, produced with virtually zero greenhouse emissions, is critical if we are to overcome the challenge of global warming."

No surprise there, you say, someone supporting nuclear energy in a business magazine. But, in this case, the author is Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace and now chairman of Greenspirit Strategies in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In the article, Moore notes that:

"A major new study, conducted for the Nuclear Energy Institute by Polestar Applied Technology, Inc., warns that without nuclear energy, Governor Corzine’s laudable goal of achieving a 10 percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2015 cannot be met. The same holds true, the report said, for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) goals, the benchmarks set by the Northeastern states to reduce emissions from the generation of electricity."

The full article can be found here.

Do you think Moore's on the right track? Click on the 'comment' line below and share your views with all our readers.

New Jersey town doubles its recycling

In one week after joining the much ballyhooed RecycleBank™ program, Cherry Hill, NJ saw the amount of recyclable materials collected more than double, according to program officials.

What motivates such a change? Rewards. RecycleBank measures the amount of recyclables collected at each house and converts the total into RecycleBank Points that can be used for purchases at such national outlets as IKEA, Starbucks, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Whole Foods. In Cherry Hill, the rewards also can be used for purchases from such local merchants as ACME, Norma’s, Erlton Bike Shop and Pat’s Pizza.

A RecycleBank press release claims that, after just one week of participation, there has been a 134 percent increase in recycling rates, with the amount of recyclables more than doubling from about 12 pounds per household to nearly 26 pounds.

Sounds like a program that other towns might want to consider, especially since New Jersey's recycling rates continue to decline. The state was a national environmental leader back in 1995 when it's municipal recycling tonnage total hit 45 percent. By last year, it had slumped to 32 percent.

City: Stimulating recycling wouldn't be fair

Once a national model for municipal recycling, New Jersey has been slipping in recent years, as many towns and counties seem to have lost their environmental zeal for encouraging residents to remove cans, bottles and newspaper from their trash.

But a recent decision by city fathers in New Brunswick, the home of Rutgers, the state university, may signal a new low.

University students, heeding the call to get recycling back on track, petitioned City Hall for additional pickups in two university neighborhoods where recycling bins are often overflowing in advance of the city's twice-monthly pickup days. Students say people, who otherwise would recycle, are forced to throw their recyclables into the trash.

Are you ready for the city's response? According to a the Home News Tribune, city spokesman Bill Bray said:

"The city can't provide any special services or provide any special treatment for any given population. If we were going to institute additional recycling pickups it would have to be citywide and there's simply no reason for that."

Oh, really? In other words, if the rest of the town is satisfied with doing less than they can to recycle, then they have, in fact, set the standard for everybody else. And it just wouldn't be fair for the city to deviate from the norm, would it? Providing added pickup days for those recycling show-offs over at the university would be a "special service." Downright undemocratic.

In adhering to the lowest-common-denominator approach, the city's missing a great opportunity to boost its recycling tonnage (and score some great PR headlines) by rewarding those citizens who are willing to do more to recycle.

To be fair, the city notes that it sets no limit on the amount of recyclables it will collect on a pickup day and that those who want to recycle more than what their one-free-bin can hold may purchase additional containers from the Department of Public Works for about $8 each.

One student leader says that's too much of a burden for undergraduates on a fixed budget.

Well, maybe. But its no more than the cost of a few imported ales. So a student idealist could opt for domestic brews for a bit and then celebrate with the purchase of a nice new 20-gallon recycling bin to hold lots of future empties.

Or some forward thinking, private-sector company in the waste management or recycling business might recognize this for the great opportunity it is and come riding to recycling's rescue with free cans for all those who promise to fill them.

What do you think? Let us know by clicking on the 'comment' line below.

'Cap and trade' coming to New Jersey

Some Trenton insiders are predicting that, before the end of the year, New Jersey state lawmakers will enact environmental legislation creating a "carrot-and-stick" system designed to:

- Limit CO2 emissions from electricity-generating utility plants

- Raise up to $70 million annually for energy conservation, solar installation subsidies, and other programs, and

- Provide financial incentives to businesses that reduce their CO2 gas emissions.

This so-called "cap and trade" system is the goal of seven Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, including New Jersey and New York. Pennsylvania has not signed onto the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative but is an "observer" the process, along with Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Enacting the legislation in New Jersey may prove a lot easier than subsequent negotiations over such key details as how much utilities have to pay and who divvies up the millions that could be raised for state coffers.

For details, we recommend the story in Sunday's Bergen Record by environmental writer Alex Nussbaum.

Also:
Energy and Climate in New Jersey
New Jersey Energy Master Plan
DEP ties global warming goal to auto emissions lawsuit
Governors Join in Creating Regional Pacts on Climate Change
Capitol to Buy Offsets in Bid to Go Green

To change the climate, change the burbs?

The recent Energy and Climate in New Jersey report, sponsored by Rutgers University, said it will be tough, but possible, to meet New Jersey's environmental goal of reducing the output of heat-trapping greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020.

To get there, it will be necessary to reverse the state and nation's entrenched suburban mindset, says Richard Hossay, a professor of political science at Richard Stockton College and consultant to sustainable-development projects.

"If we're going to handle climate change, we've got to get people out of their cars," Hossay told an audience last week in Ocean County, NJ.

The fact that transportation emissions make up 64 percent of greenhouse gases in the United States skews the environmental costs for other parts of society, he said, noting that the single biggest emission cost associated with schools comes from parents' vehicles--"those SUVs making two trips a day to pick up and drop off."

To evolve away from car-dependent lifestyles, "we need to change the balance of incentives," says Hossay. To reduce fuel use from carrying children every morning, that means putting housing close to schools, and spending money for better traffic safety and more police, so parents feel confident their children can walk to classes safely.

Reversing the trend toward large-lot, single-family homes on suburban fringes means changing a lot of attitudes, from those of home buyers to environmental activists, Hossay cautions.

"When you put a house on 5 or 10 acres, it seems like you're preserving the watershed," he said, but he notes that the disturbance associated with that kind of development brings other environmental problems. Hossay advocates a return to smaller, mixed-use developments with homes clustered close together and stores and services within walking distance.

With the right incentives, convenience and economic self-interest will lead people to use less energy, he says.

For more, see today's Asbury Park Press story by environmental writer Kirk Moore.

Also:
DEP ties global warming goal to auto emissions lawsuit

Week's top environmental/political news - November 12-16

Some of the top stories appearing in EnviroPolitics from Nov. 12 -16.
Captured from newspapers and other information sources in New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, New York and beyond.

New Jersey Environment
Fund may be used to clean up Meadowlands Star-Ledger
> Codey pledges hearings on EnCap Bergen Record
Bergen lawmaker calls for bottle bill Bergen Record
What to do about old landfills? Star-Ledger
Bill aims to shut door on affordable housing deals Gannett
Offshore wind power study to proceed Courier-Post
More nuclear energy ahead for New Jersey? Bergen Record

New Jersey Politics
Plan 2.0: Toll hikes and debt limits Star-Ledger Bergen Record
Corzine aiming to cut state's debt in half Star-Ledger
New stem cell labs now in question Star-Ledger
Toll bump to be $2 for Hudson crossings Star-Ledger
Tough issues await majority leader Bergen Record
Opinion: Governor Paralysis PolitickerNJ
Gossip: Too close for comfort NY Post

Pennsylvania Environment
DEP approves air plan for ethanol plant PA-DEP
Emissions high before PPL plant was retired Express-Times
Norfolk Southern to pay $7.35M in derailment case PA-DEP
Activists, McGinty meet on coal ash Observer Reporter AP
'Hormone-free' milk label banned in PA Associated Press
State threatens legal action against seven towns ENS
Cost of I-99 acid cleanup hits $79M Intelligencer

Pennsylvania Politics
Rendell presses House on gun bills Inquirer
Opinion: Scandal storm sinks 'Year of Reform' Philly.com
Nutter's pitch for jobs brings 1,000 resumes Inquirer
I-80 toll meeting: questions, concerns Morning Call
Nutter and Street show signs of a thaw Inquirer

New York/Nation/World
Cuomo criticizes nuclear plant review NY Times
Republican pits Bloomberg vs. Spitzer on climate NY Sun
Dropping license plan wins praise for Spitzer NY Times
First hydrogen pump in tri-state area opens LoHud Journal
No progress in effort to clean toxic gas-plant sites Newsday
Pigeon-control proposal:Fine hands that feed them NY Times
Court rejects mileage break for SUVs, light trucks NYT

Innovative New Jersey waste hauler re-opens closed Ohio landfill

New Jersey-based TransLoad America, (TLA) a company that shreds, compacts and shrink- wraps bales of municipal garbage for shipment by rail, tomorrow will celebrate the official re-opening of a landfill that it purchased in Alliance, Ohio.

Last year, the South Orange, NJ-based firm acquired Central Waste Landfill in Smith Township, Ohio after the Mahoning County commissioners agreed to provide $45 million in low-interest financing to TLA to fund the landfill's acquisition and expansion.

The 1,400-acre facility eventually will employ 30 to 40 people as laborers and heavy equipment operators. .

The landfill, which has not accepted waste since February, 2005, is expected to generate local host fees of about $196,000 for the county in the first year. That revenue stream could grow in a few years to $1 million annually.

The company said it expects the Central Waste facility to handle 2,000 tons of waste per day. In addition to accepting waste by truck, the facility has a new on-site rail spur, which can store up to 50 rail cars.

For local stories on the landfill re-opening, see Vindy.com and The Alliance Review.

For more on TLA's innovative approach to waste management, which involves shrink-wrapping huge bundles of compacted waste for rail shipment and possible future use as fuel, see articles in The Pennsylvania Gazette and Waste Age.

Congress caving on energy bill?

"All the tough talk in Washington, D.C. about the need to combat global warming, make America energy independent and stimulate the economy with homegrown, renewable energy sources turned to a whisper on Thursday, as House and Senate Democratic leaders reportedly said they would remove key provisions for the renewable energy industries from the latest energy bill. "

So reports Renewable Energy Access. The industry newsletter says that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi have "decided to remove a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and all tax provisions benefiting renewables so that they could pass an energy bill through Congress before Thanksgiving break on Friday, November 16."

“This is basically Congress delivering an early Christmas present to the American public — and it's a lump of coal,” said Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “We are feeling disgusted because this energy bill goes right back to maintaining the status quo.”

That status quo, said Resch, means continued support for coal, oil and natural gas, additional support for biofuels, but no support for renewable forms of electricity such as solar, wind and geothermal.

The impact of such a decision is already being felt. Bloomberg.com reports today that the European stock of two German solar companies--Solarworld AG and Ersol Solar Energy AG-- declined on SEIA's website report that Congressional leaders are planning to remove solar investment tax credits from the energy bill.

Today, in Where's That Energy Bill?, New York Times editorial writers echo the concerns of the nation's alternative-energy industry, noting: "With both houses feeling pressure to do something — anything — to deal with high oil prices, there’s a real danger that one or more essential provisions could be dropped just for the sake of producing a bill.

The Times says that "doesn’t have to happen if the leadership, Nancy Pelosi in the House and Harry Reid in the Senate, hold the line and insist on legislation equal to the country’s profound energy problems."

Do you have any faith in Congress to produce a meaningful energy bill? Click on the "comment" line below and tell us what you think.

EnviroBusiness News for NJ, PA & NY - 11/13/07

For the latest on:

NRG Energy
Toll Brothers
New Jersey Future
Aqua America
Foster
Wheeler
PSEG Global
A. D. Marble & Company

and more...

Check out EnviroPolitics' EnviroBusiness News
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EnviroPolitics welcomes news from your company or organization for its EnviroBusiness News column. You do not need to subscribe to the newsletter to utilize this free service. Send your information to: editor@enviropolitics.com

A flock of environmental bills lands in New Jersey's lame duck session

After a summer slumber that lingered into fall--and all the way through Election Day on Nov. 6--New Jersey lawmakers are back in action and introducing scores of new bills. Almost 50 of the news measures introduced on Nov 8 involve environmental and energy issues.

Here are a just a few of the fledgling fliers making their debut in the lame duck session:

A-4440 Dancer, R.S. (R-30)Provides for the licensure of tree experts and tree care operators, and the registration of their employers.

A-4469 Manzo, L. (D-31); McKeon, J.F. (D-27)
Authorizes DEP to remove or order abatement of environmental nuisance.

A-4477 Watson Coleman, B. (D-15); Scalera, F. (D-36)
Establishes school chemical management program; appropriates $90,000.

A-4483 Vainieri Huttle, V. (D-37)
The "Smart Container Act."

A-4513 Rooney, J.E. (R-39)
Provides that a solid waste collector will not collect the contents of a solid waste container containing designated recyclable materials until the resident removes the recyclable material.

A-4552 McKeon, J.F. (D-27)
Provides for decreases and eventual ban on use of non-compostable plastic grocery bags.

A-4555 Conaway, H. (D-7); Conners, J. (D-7)
"Plastic Bag Recycling Act."

A-4556 McKeon, J.F. (D-27)
Authorizes DEP to sell, by auction or otherwise, allowances from greenhouse gas emissions trading programs, and establishes "Global Warming Consumer Benefit Fund."

A-4559 Chivukula, U.J. (D-17)
The "New Jersey Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Act."

S-2856 Littell, R.E. (R-24)Prohibits State departments and agencies from considering or requiring compliance by Highlands planning area municipalities with Highlands regional master plan in certain circumstance.

S-2885 (A-4297) Adler, J.H. (D-6)Provides for civil and criminal penalties for giving false information pertaining to violations of environmental laws

S-2893 Sweeney, R.J. (D-3)Revises statutory law concerning shellfisheries

S-2936 Smith, B. (D-17); Buono, B. (D-18)Revises law concerning net metering for electricity and renewable energy portfolio standards.

SCR-148 Singer, R.W. (R-30)Proposes constitutional amendment to preserve right of people to hunt, fish and harvest game subject to certain restrictions as may be prescribed by the Legislature.

These new bills are in addition to more than 7,000 already introduced in the current, two-year session that ends at the start of the new year.
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Is your facility subject to new Homeland Security rules?

Don't assume that the Department of Homeland Security's new, anti-terrorist security regulations affect only chemical facilities.

Any office, apartment, hospital, college, public works department, small business or other location that uses or stores any of 300 listed chemicals over certain quantities is subject to the rules and must conduct a facility survey and submit certain reports by early January, 2008.

Failure to comply could result in civil or administrative penalties--even a shutdown order!

In an Environmental Alert prepared for its clients, the law firm of K&LGates describes the new program and details the steps facilities must take to comply with the regulations.

We recommend that you check it out. It might help you avoid a lot of grief and expense in January.

SIDEBAR: In an editorial today, the New York Times today ripped the new Homeland Security regulations. Here's a section of it:

"The rules the department issued last week are far too lax about when facilities need to report stockpiles of chemicals like chlorine, fluorine and hydrogen fluoride to the government. According to the new rules, which watered-down proposed rules that the department had released in April, a chemical plant does not have to report the storage of 2,499 pounds of chlorine, even if it is located in a populated area — or across from an elementary school.

If 450 pounds of chlorine are stolen, enough to cause mass casualties, the theft need not be reported. Chlorine has been used by insurgents in Iraq, and it is high on the list of chemicals that should be kept out of terrorists’ hands.

It is troubling that these industry-friendly rules were developed in part by Department of Homeland Security employees who previously worked for the chemical industry — and who may one day work for it again. Rick Hind, the legislative director of the Greenpeace Toxics Campaign, contends that such employees have had an “undue influence.” The department says it draws on former chemical industry workers simply because of their “relevant prior experience.”

Enviro-Events Calendar - November, 2007

The daily electronic newsletter, EnviroPolitics, accepts events information for free listings in its EnviroEvents Calendar. The calendar is updated daily and available 24/7
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November 3
4th Annual Pine Barrens Hall of Fame Awards Banquet 5 to 9 p.m., Braddock's Tavern, 39 South Main Street, Medford, NJ. Please join us and other lovers of the Pine Barrens in celebrating heroes of Pinelands preservation. The Pine Barrens Hall of Fame Awards have been created to recognize individuals who have played a vital role in New Jersey Pinelands preservation and awareness. The 2007 Awards recognize volunteer citizen activists who whose advocacy for the Pine Barrens helped bring about the creation of the Pinelands National Reserve and the passage of the Pinelands Protection Act of 1979. Citizen Activist Honorees: Nan Hunter Walnut, Col. Elmer C. Rowley, USMCR, and Janet Jackson Gould. Educator Honorees: Terry O'Leary, Christine Raabe and George Young. PROGRAM: 5 pm: Reception (cash bar); 6 pm: Greetings and Dinner; 6:45 pm: Hall of Fame Induction and Recognition of Pinelands Educators Tickets:$45 per person. Net proceeds benefit PPA's educational programs. Space Is Limited! For more information or ticket purchase, please contact Jane at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance at 609-859-8860 x12.

November 7
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Stakeholder Meeting 10 a.m., New York State Museum Theater, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York. The primary purpose of the meeting will be to allow the research team led by the University of Virginia and Resources for the Future to present their Phase-II findings and for agency staff to hear stakeholder comment on the draft report of that research and auction design issues. The agenda for the meeting, the draft Phase-II auction research report, and instructions for submitting written comments will be posted at http://www.rggi.org/ by October 26. The comment period will extend to November 15. Directions to the museum and parking information may be found Here. The meeting will start promptly at 10:30 a.m., but as check-in and registration will take some time, please plan to arrive at approximately 10 a.m. when the museum opens To facilitate check-in, please pre-register for the meeting. To pre-register, send an email to nyrggi@gw.dec.state.ny.us . Please include the phrase "Will Attend 11/07/07 RGGI Meeting" in the subject line of your email. There will be no response to this email. It is not necessary to email if you do not plan to attend this meeting. Questions? Contact Mark Lowery, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 518-402-8044, mdlowery@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

November 7
11th Annual SWEP Touchstone Award Reception 6 to 9 p.m., The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20thStreet, Philadelphia, PA. The Society of Women Environmental Professionals of Greater Philadelphia (SWEP) will honor Liz Robinson, Executive Director of the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia,Inc., with its annual Touchstone Award at a special reception. State Representative Carole Rubley will be the keynote speaker at the event. Representative Rubley serves on the House Environmental Resourcesand Energy Committee. SWEP’s Touchstone award is given annuallyto a woman who has made outstanding and significant contributions inthe environmental professions. Past recipients include women who have made environmental careers in government, business, science and advocacy including: Kathy Klein, Executive Director of the Partnershipfor the Delaware Estuary, Sarah M. Hetznecker, P.G., a leader in the environmental consulting industry, Louise Thompson, Esq. of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Carol Collier of the Delaware Basin Commission, Marilyn Hewitt, P.G. of Roux Associates, and Dr. Ruth Patrick of theAcademy of Natural Sciences. This year’s Touchstone recipient is Liz Robinson, Executive Director of the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia, Inc. The ECA is a non-profit corporation dedicated to ensuring that low and moderate income people have access to safe, affordable and reliable sources of energy and water. ECA works to develop a sustainable energy future for the region through energy conservation and renewable energy. Together with its citywide network of Neighborhood Energy Centers,ECA provides over 50,000 energy services to more than 30,000 low income households every year. SWEP members: $20/person in advance, $25/person at door. Non-SWEP members: $30/person in advance, $35 at door. RSVP by 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 31 to touchstone.2007@yahoo.com

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November 11-14
NARUC 119th Annual Convention Anaheim, California If you are responsible for regulatory affairs functions at your company, you MUST attend the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' Annual Convention. You will hear federal and State regulators and policymakers, consumer groups, and industry experts give their analysis on climate change, energy efficiency, natural gas markets, and disaster communications. Why read about it in the press when you can be there in person? Register Online - Click Here List of current registrants

November 13-15
2007 WASTEWISE & NPEP Conference: Building Community and Business Partnerships, Marriott Metro Center, Washington, D.C. Welcome Reception will be hosted by Anheuser-Busch and General Motors. Please join us on Tuesday, November 13th from 5– 7 pm at the Marriott Metro Center! PSEG will be hosting the Networking Reception on Wednesday, November 14th at the Capitol City Brewing Company. 2007 award winners include: Rutgers University, the City of Clifton, NJ, New Jersey Natural Gas Company and NJ Resources Corp. Revised agenda Registration

November 14-16
Geothermal Finance and Investment Summit Dolce Hayes Mansion, San Jose, CA. Visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=x6qouecab.0.x7ljffcab.gjkehun6.176783&ts=S0289&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infocastinc.com%2Fgeotherm%2Fregistration.html to view the Summit agenda and register or call 818.888.4444

November 14-16
Carbon Reduction Project - Development & Finance Omni Houston Westside Hotel, Houston, TX. Carbon Reduction Project Development & Finance is the first event to assemble experienced carbon market players, developers and financiers from throughout the world to share their insights into developing, certifying and financing profitable GHG emission reduction projects. Learn how to take advantage of the burgeoning opportunities in both international and US markets. To registeror obtain more information about this unique event, please visit the event website at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=yknmefcab.0.y4kkmfcab.gjkehun6.176783&ts=S0290&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infocastinc.com%2Fcarbonred.html, or call (818) 888-4444

November 16
Make Recycling Work for Your Business! 8 a.m. to Noon, Atlantic Cape Community College, Cape May Campus. The Cape May Solid Waste Management Plan designates 41 waste materialsfor mandatory recycling. Find out how your business can source separate these materials and comply with the law. $15 for CMCCofC members. $25 for non-members. A panel of business owners and managers representing Accommodations, Camping, Retail, Restaurant, Marina and small business industries will share their expertise on successful and effective methods of handling recycling materials. Invited speakers include: Guy Watson, NJDEP Bureau of Recycling and Planning; Charles M. Norkis, P.E., executive director, Cape May County MUA; Dominick D'Altilio, president, Association of New Jersey Recyclers, and Bridget O'Connor, Cape May County MUA Recycling Director. Information and registration: 609-465-5017. Brochure: http://www.cmcmua.com/

November 28-30
Wind Power Development Tutorial Hotel Derek, Houston, Texas. What does it really take to bring a wind farm successfully to market? What can the numbers look like, and what kinds of business models and financing vehicles will be best suited to your unique needs? This course will offer utilities and independent developers still new to wind power the essential tools and orientation to move ahead with confidence. It will help existing developers to bulletproof their plans and projects, while potential investors, partners and financiers will gain insights into the inner dynamics of wind business models so they can sharpen their due diligence, credit and valuation analysis. Information and registration at: www.infocastinc.com/winddev.html

November 29-30
5th Annual Volunteer Water Monitoring Summit Camden County Boathouse at Cooper River, in Pennsauken, NJ. Presented by The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with the Watershed Watch Network Advisory Council and Camden County Park Systems. This year’s theme is Protecting NJ's Water Resources: Improving Communication between Stewards. The goal is to increase efforts between local and governmental agencies. Keynote speaker is Maya von Rossom, the Delaware Riverkeeper. The audience for this forum includes local volunteers, watershed associations, volunteer program coordinators, private and public partners, academics, federal, state and local government representatives and other environmental stakeholders. Agenda and registration at: www.cookce.rutgers.edu/vmsummit For information, contact: Dalynn R. Knigge at: (732) 932-9271 x.622