pennfuture's Podcast

Dr. Ellen Silbergeld supports the Safe Food, Safe Families campaign

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Pennsylvania has an opportunity to make sure that medicines keep working for us, by passing new legislation aimed at banning the use of antibiotics in healthy animals to promote growth and prevent disease. This overuse and unnecessary use of important antibiotics that are also used to treat dangerous bacterial infections in humans is helping to contribute to a widespread public health crisis as bacteria are becoming resistant to the very medicines we need to use to fight them.

In this podcast, PennFuture's Jan Jarrett speaks to environmental health expert Dr. Ellen Silbergeld, professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Silbergeld came to Pennsylvania earlier this summer to support the introduction of the Safe Food and Safe Families Act, House Bill 2195 (HB 2195), sponsored by Rep. Daylin Leach (D-149).

Dr. Silbergeld has been researching the area of the health and environmental impacts of industrial food production for over nine years. She describes how bacteria (pathogens) become resistant to antibiotics, and the linkages between many current livestock practices and this major public health threat. Many "conventional" livestock operations routinely administer antibiotics in animal feed, not to treat or prevent disease in the animals, but out of a belief (that Dr. Silbergeld's research has proven is incorrect) that these antibiotics promote growth in the animals and reduce costs to the farmers.

Humans can become exposed to antibiotics-resistant bacteria through the food supply, one reason why safe food-handling procedures is so important. But in places like southeastern and central Pennsylvania, where there are enormous numbers of concentrated animal feedlot operations, or factory farms, farmers and farm laborers as well as nearby community members are also at risk from these pathogens, since air-borne contamination and animal waste disposal problems occur.

What's worse is that we are now beginning to see problems in produce as well as in livestock. Dr. Silbergeld describes how application of contaminated livestock waste to farm fields ran off into irrigation water and subsequently contaminated lettuce, spinach, and green onions, for example.

New research from a number of countries is revealing that the very dangerous MRSA bacterium (commonly thought of as the hospital bug), that is responsible for very difficult-to-treat infections in humans, is being found in non-hospital settings, namely hog and dairy farms. People working at these contaminated facilities not only are at risk themselves, but can serve as human carriers of MRSA into their communities.

The bottom line is that it is becoming increasingly important to eliminate as many of the pathways as possible that exist toward creating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. That's why the Safe Food, Safe Families campaign is so important in Pennsylvania. Learn more on our campaign page, where you can also sign up to support the effort and receive updates and alerts about the campaign. You can also make a tax-deductible contribution to PennFuture to help us continue our successful work in promoting Responsible Farming.

Kathleen McGinty joins PennFuture's Jan Jarrett for an exit interview

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:00:00 GMT

(Note: This video takes about one minute to download.)

On July 10, 2008 the world learned that Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty would be leaving her position. Just before she was due to attend her agency's farewell party for her, McGinty agreed to sit down for an "exit interview."

In this podcast, hear PennFuture's Jan Jarrett's discussion with McGinty, in which she reflected on her nearly six year tenure heading up DEP. McGinty talks about her environmental philosophy -- that a good environment is vital to a good economy; what she considers her greatest achievements while in office; her bruising confirmation process, in which her public service in the White House was considered a detriment by some; her advice to those who come after; and her need for a vacation!

PennFuture has worked with McGinty on a number of issues from creating and nurturing the green energy market to giving Pennsylvanians access to the cleanest cars available to protecting babies from mercury pollution from outdated power plants to biofuels, environmental law enforcement and much more. She also made it possible for Al Gore to appear at PennFuture's 10th Anniversary Gala (where she joined in the dancing with her daughters -- see photo above).

In our press release, John Hanger, president and CEO of PennFuture praised McGinty.

âThe saying goes, âThe cock crows, but the hen delivers. And as the first woman ever appointed secretary of environmental protection, McGinty delivered â big time. Thanks to her insistence that environmental laws must be obeyed by enforcing those laws, and to her vision of bringing Pennsylvania into the dynamic green economy, Pennsylvania is a cleaner and brighter place to live, work and play. She has our undying thanks for her amazing public service, and we hope she will return to public service in the not too distant future.â

Citizens in action at the Pennsylvania Capitol

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:00:00 GMT

In early June 2008, PennFuture together with PennEnvironment, Clean Air Council, and many Pennsylvania renewable energy and energy conservation businesses that endorsed the Campaign for Great Green Jobs gathered in Harrisburg to meet directly with legislators about the need for swift passage of critical energy legislation. In all, about 100 people participated in this lobby day for the environment. Midday, a press event featuring representatives from many participating organizations and legislators from both sides of the political aisle, together with Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Katie McGinty, drew television coverage and drove home the need for action in the Pennsylvania Senate.

In this podcast, PennFuture's Jan Jarrett talks with a few of the PennFuture members who took the day to travel to the Capitol to educate their elected officials. We hear from Stephanie (Wyoming, PA); Ricke (Thornhurst, PA); Sr. Constance (Dallas, PA); and Bev and Wally (Bear Creek, PA) about why each of them felt it was so important to make the trip. Each had a different perspective, but all agreed that it is essential for citizens to be informed and involved in the political process to help shape positive outcomes for the future. And the consensus was overwhelming: it was worth the trip and the time, and they'd do it again! Like we always say, citizen action really does work.

In the final days of the legislative session before the summer recess, you too can play a role in shaping the way we make and use energy in Pennsylvania. Take a few minutes to get up to speed on what's at stake and what's at play on our Campaign for Great Green Jobs page, and then don't delay-- take action using our action center.

We welcome your comments. Simply send us an e-mail, or click on "Comments" below.

Need for federal action on global warming: Senator Bob Casey, Jr.

Fri, 6 Jun 2008 15:00:00 GMT

In May 2008, PennFuture hosted our first conference on global warming to be held in northeastern Pennsylvania at the University of Scranton. U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. opened the conference as the keynote speaker.

In this podcast, PennFuture's president and CEO John Hanger introduces Senator Casey at the event. Senator Casey talks about his work and the current state of affairs in Washington on global warming. This is particularly timely since the Senate began the week of June 2 to debate the Climate Security Act (S. 3036, formerly S. 2191), sponsored by Senators Lieberman and Warner. Senator Casey is a co-sponsor. This marks the first time that the U.S. Congress has seriously begun to consider federal legislation on climate change.

In his address, Senator Casey said that we simply must enact legislation to slow, stop, and reduce the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. He became particularly concerned about the rising occurrence of drought through the world, noting that drought leads to death and darkness in many corners of the globe, and that if you know nothing else about climate change, that should be enough to convince you to take action. You can learn more about the Pennsylvania- and northeast U.S.-specific impacts of climate change from a recent report by Union of Concerned Scientists.

Senator Casey mentions his concerns for workers in manufacturing states like Pennsylvania, and has worked with Senator Barbara Boxer (chair of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee) to ensure that this legislation if passed will takes care of workers. Senator Casey's amendment would create a fund for workers that would cover any needed wage replacement, health care coverage, and job training for the thousands of new, green family-sustaining jobs that will emerge from enacting climate change legislation.

Senator Casey expressed how difficult it is to adequately summarize the widespread, devastating impacts of global warming in the U.S. and throughout the world. But he says it is obvious that we must reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases that are causing global warming, but at the same time, we need to embrace the good-paying jobs of the future that will come from those reductions, and commit to helping other nations do the same. As he said, this is a very simple question: "What did you do when you had the power?" Senator Casey feels a responsibility to act now on climate change, and to mobilize, because the future won't wait.

Please get involved: urge the federal government to pass this or stronger legislation as soon as possible. There are also many opportunities at the state level, including passing landmark legislation to change how Pennsylvania makes and uses energy, significantly cutting our contributions to global warming.

As always, we welcome your comments. Simply e-mail us, or click on "Comments" below.

The smart electricity grid: It's all about demand

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT

PennFuture held our annual energy conference on May 28 and 29 in Camp Hill. This year's conference was entitled "Pennsylvania's Clean Energy Boom in 2008 and Beyond," and focused on jobs, investment, and environmental protection. Emphasized throughout the conference was the need for swift passage of pending energy legislation in the Pennsylvania Senate: the Energy Savings Bill (HB 2200) and the Clean Energy Funding Bill (SHB 1).

In this podcast, we hear a presentation from Phil Harris, PennFuture's senior fellow in our Center for Energy, Enterprise, and the Environment. Harris is introduced by PennFuture's president and CEO John Hanger. Harris is a 30-year veteran of the electric industry, and was most recently the president and CEO of PJM Interconnection, our regional electric transmission organization, for 15 years. Under his leadership, PJM became the world's largest electric grid operator and wholesale power market, serving over 51 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia. At the conference, Harris talked about the "smart grid"-- specifically about the many challenges we face in order to make the grid truly smart and efficient.

Harris details how reliability in the grid can only be achieved through a balance of supply and demand, but how the industry and most of our policies have for the past century focused almost entirely on the supply side of the equation, namely electricity transmission and distribution. But more than half of the industry is involved with electricity demand and very little has been accomplished there.

Harris speaks repeatedly of the need to enact legislation like HB 2200 so that we can make much-needed strides in creating a healthy, robust energy industry. Problems including a rapidly aging workforce and serious shortages in the numbers of skilled professionals or technical training and education programs point to the need for green job creation and related programs that will emerge from HB 2200 and SHB 1. Energy use continues to rise, and the costs are mounting. The gains to be had from focusing on making the grid truly a smart grid are huge, and lie on the demand side.

To learn more about how you can support the Campaign for Great Green Jobs, visit our web site. There you can take action, find upcoming events, or sign up to receive more information. As always, we welcome your comments. Simply click on "Comments" below or send us an e-mail.

Urban Sustainability Forum: Faith & the Environment

Fri, 23 May 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Philadelphia's Urban Sustainability Forum recently played host to an impressive, interfaith collaboration of individuals, as members from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian congregations gathered to share their stories about being good stewards of the environment.

PennFuture's Joy Bergey played the role of moderator at the event, while Christine Knapp captured interviews. We hear first from Shaheen Kanchwala, a Master's student at the University of Pennsylvania who helped research and plan the event. Ms. Kanchwala got involved in part to see faith in action, and she was not disappointed at this event.

Christine then talks with Rabbi Lawrence Troster, Director of the Fellowship Program and Rabbinic Scholar-in-Residence at GreenFaith, an interfaith environmental coalition in New Jersey. Rabbi Troster has a wealth of experience in the interfaces between faith and environment, serving also as the Rabbinic Fellow of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), the Jewish Chaplain of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson and an Associate of Bard's Institute of Advanced Theology. Rabbi Troster also co-chairs the Interfaith Partnership for the Environment of the United Nations Environment Program (UPEN).

Finally, we hear from Aleciah Anthony, field director at the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition. She has worked with the NWBCCC for eight years, starting as a neighborhood organizer apprentice in the Training Institute for Careers in Organizing, a program that she currently directs. Ms. Anthony has also worked with a team of grassroots community leaders in the Bronx to create the Community Leadership Academy, a training center at NWBCCC that offers a full range of training in the art and science of community organizing.

Discover more about the faith-based organizations involved in the May forum here. To learn more about PennFuture's work in Philadelphia, the Next Great City, visit our site. There you get more involved. As always, we welcome your comments. Simply click "comments" below, or e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org.

Transportation options for a livable city

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:00:00 GMT

Transportation continues to be a prime source of heat trapping gases, soot, smog and serious health problems across the globe. Convenient and cleaner public transit offers one key ingredient for a sustainable city.

On April 17, Sustainable Philadelphia held a Green Transportation Fair and a Forum on Sustainable Transportation to show Philadelphians the latest technology and to learn what other cities are doing to improve their transportation options.

In this podcast, PennFuture's Christine Knapp interviews two of the experts presenting at the forum. Walter Hook, executive director of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy discusses the creative solutions being used globally to create public transportation, and to encourage the use of bikes. And Steve Weber, assistant commissioner for strategic planning for New York City's Department of Transportation, talks about the advances made in the past year since Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the city's sustainability plan.

The forum was part of the work of the Next Great City coalition, dedicated to creating a positive future for Philadelphia by advocating for common sense, cost effective policies that enhance environmental quality, strengthen neighborhoods and increase our economic competitiveness.

To learn more about PennFuture's work with the Next Great City project, visit our website. There you can also sign up to receive more information, or make a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. As always, we welcome your comments. Simply click on "Comments" below.

Video: Clean Energy Means Great Green Jobs for Pennsylvania

Fri, 9 May 2008 12:48:00 GMT

(Note: this video podcast may take a moment to load. Once you see the download progressing, press "play" on your video player to begin.)

Pennsylvania ranks third worst in the nation for our production of heat-trapping gases causing global warming, and Pennsylvania cities continue to rank among the least safe in the country thanks to dangerous air pollution. But we have the tools, technologies, know-how, and work force to reverse these trends-- we simply need to change policies around how we make and use energy. Investing today in clean, renewable energy development like solar and wind, and ensuring that we conserve electricity through an array of demand-reduction strategies and efficiency upgrades, will continue to reward Pennsylvanians with lower electric bills, new family-sustaining jobs, and healthier communities.

In this video podcast, PennFuture tours the commonwealth to meet a few of our clean energy and new energy economy leaders. With critical legislation like the energy savings bill (HB 2200) and the clean energy funding bill (SHB 1) pending in the state senate, it is important to understand the vast array of opportunities that passing this legislation will bring to Pennsylvanians.

You will meet Philadelphia Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, stressing the importance of green building and energy investments that are resulting in creation of many new great green jobs for Philadelphians. Near Philadelphia, companies like Alan Rushforth's Rushforth Solar, that installs efficient and cost-effective solar thermal heating systems for hot water in large buildings, are demonstrating how small companies support scores of jobs. You will get a peek into how Westmoreland County's Solar Power Industries will be employing 400 people in the near future, and learn how the U.S. needs to catch up to its international competitors to increase our share of the exploding solar energy market, as we talk with company vice president Dick Rosey. We will see wind energy working statewide and hear from Iberdrola Renewables' Paul Copleman who describes how existing policies like the Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard (passed in 2004) have been key to attracting major new private investment and jobs from the wind industry-- but how we could be losing out to neighboring states if we don't do more now.

Focusing on how we use energy is as important as shifting patterns in how we make energy. Pittsburgh is home to the Green Building Alliance, where executive director Rebecca Flora explains that the built environment has major strides to make in improving energy efficiency. Doing so makes real sense, however, as the cost savings add up. And the demand for products and materials in the green building arena is rising quickly-- Pennsylvania is already a major supplier, but the opportunities to do more are enormous. Practical Energy Solutions' founder Paul Spiegel knows firsthand how understanding where improvement and upgrades in building systems, insulation and lighting, for example, can result in major economic savings. His company is helping commercial entities, schools, and municipalities to stop wasting energy and start reinvesting the significant money saved back into their core missions. And forward-thinking companies like Dan Orzech's Earth Rising Homes are helping to set the bar higher for everyone in the new construction business, as he brings homes to the market that have zero energy costs for the new homeowners.

These leaders and the many, many more who are part of the Campaign for Great Green Jobs know that Pennsylvania has all the right stuff when it comes to the new, clean energy economy. We simply need to act now to put the pieces together into a comprehensive, strategic set of policies. Visit our Web site to learn how you can support this critical effort today.

Local Solutions to Global Warming

Wed, 9 Apr 2008 20:00:00 GMT

PennFuture, LaRoche College, and the Pennsylvania Interfaith Climate Change Campaign recently co-sponsored a conference in southwestern Pennsylvania called Cool Pennsylvania: Solutions for a Warming Planet. The event brought together citizens, organizations, businesses, and elected officials, all exploring the latest facts about global warming and its impacts, and the variety of solutions that we can and must employ.

Enacting critical legislation at the state level that will help Pennsylvania significantly change the way we make and use energy is one part of the strategy. A state policy panel moderated by PennFuture's CEO and president John Hanger included Allen Kukovich (director of Office of Governor Ed Rendell for the southwest region), Rep. Lisa Bennington (D-21), and Brian Hill (president and CEO of Pennsylvania Environmental Council).

In this podcast, listen in to another panel discussion from the conference. PennFuture's Jan Jarrett moderates the state solutions panel, including representatives from a variety of Pennsylvania organizations and businesses all working to reduce our significant contributions to global warming. You'll hear from Dick Rosey of Solar Power Industries; Tim Vought from Gamesa Energy USA; Eamon Geary from the Green Building Alliance; Brian Snyder from the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture; and Nathaniel Doyno from Steel City Biofuels. The panel discussion lasted approximately one hour, and included a range of excellent questions from the audience.

You can become part of the solution in Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit our Web site to join the Cool Pennsylvania campaign. You can also sign up to attend an upcoming global warming conference to be held in Scranton featuring U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and many other national, state, and local experts.

The Business of Producing Clean Energy

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:30:00 GMT

The green industry sector in Pennsylvania is gaining momentum right now as you read this post. We have leaders in our state who are working very hard to produce clean energy, green jobs, and working to solve the problem of climate change through business initiatives that focus specifically on the sustainable future of Pennsylvania. The benefits are vast, as public interest, economic growth, and environmentally-conscious practices work in concert.

This week, PennFutureâs Christine Knapp and Tom Tuffey share inspiration from the monthly Urban Sustainability Forum in Philadelphia. The March forum took an in-depth look into the business of supplying clean energy and energy efficiency services. Hear from Sally Silver with the Chester County Economic Development Council, coordinating the Smart Energy Initiative for Southeastern Pennsylvania, a public/private partnership actively involved in both the supply side and the demand side of the clean energy/energy efficiency market; Sarah Hetznecker, northeast regional business manager of SunTechnics Energy Systems, a leading supplier of solar energy systems, helping to promote state and federal policies to make solar power systems more accessible to the public; Audrey Zibelman, executive vice president and chief operating officer of PJM Interconnection, which operates the world's largest competitive wholesale electricity market and ensures the reliability of the largest centrally dispatched grid in the world; and Brent Alderfer, executive vice president, Iberdrola Renewable Energies USA, a global leader in wind energy, already bringing thousands of new jobs to Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is well positioned in the clean energy sector, and our potential to grow Great Green Jobs for the people of the Commonwealth is overwhelming. Support PennFutureâs initiatives to bring thousands of new jobs home, cut electric bills, and help stop our contributions to global warming by joining our campaign, and by becoming a PennFuture member today.

Policy changes will help make or break the new, clean energy economy of the future. Get involved in passing two critical pieces of legislation, SHB1 and HB2200, both pending in the Pennsylvania Senate. Contact your Senator today, and tell them the importance of a timely "yes" vote on these two bills.

Special Feature: CityLive! Labor=Green

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:30:00 GMT

All eyes in Pennsylvania are beginning to turn towards green jobs, as we focus on the overwhelming need to combat global warming, cut back on energy costs, and provide new opportunities for working families statewide. Pittsburgh recently played host to the first national Blue/Green Alliance conference, this year entitled Good Jobs, Green Jobs. The conference began a national discussion between labor, environmental, industry, financial, and government leaders on the economic, health and security benefits that are being and will be realized through the growth in the clean, renewable energy field, energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades, green chemistry, and many other environmentally-responsible endeavors.

A pre-conference event organized by cityLIVE, a monthly forum showcasing intellectual talent in Pittsburgh, brought s few of those national leaders together with a young leader from Pittsburgh to bring the green jobs conversation to a broader audience. Armed with a balanced blend of viewpoints, the cityLIVE forum featured moderator Nathaniel Doyno, executive director of Steel City Biofuels; Donele Wilkins, executive director of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice; Dr. Jerry Paytas, director of research for the Economic Architecture practice of GSP Consulting; and David Foster, executive director of the Blue/Green Alliance, a strategic partnership between the United Steelworkers (USW) and the Sierra Club.

In this podcast, PennFuture's Alex Bard visits the Labor=Green forum, exploring with the presenters many of the principal concepts. You have an important role to play in the movement to bring thousands of great green jobs to Pennsylvania. Use PennFuture's Action Center to contact your state senator urging timely âyesâ? votes on two critical pieces of legislation that will significantly change the way we make and use energy in Pennsylvania: SSHB1 and HB2200. Passing this legislation will lay the policy framework necessary to support new green pipelines and support industries, and consequently a brighter, more secure, and healthy future.

PennFuture invites your business, organization or group to sign on to the Great Green Jobs Campaign. Visit the links within our campaign headquarters to learn more, and become a leading force behind the green jobs movement by joining PennFuture as a member and supporter.

Campaign for Great Green Jobs

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Itâs time to turn a new leaf. In America today, we are on the cusp of a major paradigm shift encompassing how we think about the environment, the economy and the way that these important areas of our lives interact. In the clean energy, carbon-constrained future, economic stability and job stability will grow together as we change the way we use and make energy.

In Pennsylvania, there are two critical pieces of legislation currently in the state Senate that are essential to us making the shift. Special Energy Session House Bill 1 (SHB1, the clean energy funding bill) and House Bill 2200 (the energy savings bill) will position Pennsylvania as a leader in the field of renewable energy development, at the same time spurring thousands of new family-sustaining jobs.

To inspire this change, PennFuture has launched our Campaign for Great Green Jobs this week, together with dozens of businesses, community groups, faith-based organizations, and environmental/conservation groups. Passing this legislation as soon as possible will not only enable Pennsylvanians to begin to reap the energy savings benefits such as lower electricity bills, rebates for energy efficient appliances, and grants for solar energy, it will enable the Commonwealth to compete with neighboring states for thousands of outstanding new jobs. And it will begin to significantly curb our state's massive contribution to the crisis of global warming.

Citizen action is essential. Contact your state senator today, and tell them that you want a âyesâ? vote on both SSHB1 and HB2200. Passing House Bill 2200 and Special Session House Bill 1 by the Senate would be a one-two punch against an economy sliding into recession, skyrocketing fuel prices and pollution.

Listen in to this weekâs podcast, as John Hanger discusses the importance of the green economy and Pennsylvaniaâs clean energy future. PennFuture knows that a thriving economy depends on a healthy environment and healthy communities. Help us achieve this mission by joining us as a PennFuture member. Membership with PennFuture offers the opportunity to become a part of the solution to the challenges Pennsylvania is facing. Your voice counts: let it be heard loud and clear.

Public Health Dilemma: Dr. Amy Sapkota on Antibiotic Resistance

Fri, 7 Mar 2008 17:30:00 GMT

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a growing problem. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that 70 percent of all antibiotics manufactured are fed to healthy animals at livestock operations. Because of the concern of the role that the routine use of antibiotics plays in creating these super germs, many public health organizations have called for a complete or partial ban on the practice. These organizations include American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, the World Health Organization, and the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.

Animals at factory farms (large, concentrated animal feedlots that are becoming all-too-commonplace in the Commonwealth) are routinely fed low doses of antibiotics to enhance growth and to prevent outbreaks of disease. The constant low doses of antibiotics kill susceptible bacteria, but bacteria resistant to the drug survive and multiply. In short order, most of the bacteria become resistant to treatment by antibiotics.

In this podcast, PennFuture's Heather Sage talks with public health expert Dr. Amy Sapkota from the University of Maryland School of Public Health/Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health. Dr. Sapkota's work focuses on evaluating the relationships between human diseases stemming from infection, and the pathways to humans from agriculture, water production, and the environment. She explains the basics of antibiotics resistance and why public health officials worldwide are so concerned with this situation.

While overuse and misuse of antibiotics in agriculture are certainly not the only contributing causes to antibiotics resistance, they are a significant part of the problem, and one that must be addressed. Many of the antibiotics used in animal feed are also used in human medicine. If a person becomes infected with resistant bacteria, the use of antibiotics to treat a resulting disease may not work at all, or less effectively. People can be exposed to these bacteria by handling contaminated meat, drinking contaminated water or breathing contaminated air.

There are ways that we can protect ourselves from exposure to bacteria in our daily lives. Dr. Sapkota advises to wash hands regularly with warm water and regular soap (not antibacterial soap-- which is also contributing to antibiotics resistance), avoiding the use of personal products that are labeled as antibiotic, employing safe meat handling and meat cooking practices, buying organic products, and by taking any prescribed antibiotics properly.

But what about exposures from other pathways, such as contaminated air or water? This is where policy changes must be implemented. Part of the answer lies in limiting the use of antibiotics at livestock facilities. PennFuture's Safe Foods, Safe Families campaign is beginning to do just that. Visit our Web site to learn more about how we are working to keep medicines working for you. There is also a wealth of information at the Keep Antibiotics Working site.

We welcome your comments. Simply click on "Comments" below, or send us an e-mail.

Building Green Pathways out of Poverty: Van Jones on the Green Collar Jobs Movement

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:00:00 GMT

We can create the movements we've always dreamed of-- by linking them together. Efforts to end social injustices including poverty and unemployment, linked with efforts to end global warming and pollution, will become stronger and more effective when combined. These are the visions of powerhouse activist Van Jones, who at the helm of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, CA, is making those visions realities in cities nationwide.

Jones' work is focused on getting and keeping urban youth out of jail and into jobs in the "green" economy. Called "Green Collar Job Creation", and operating under Jonesâ slogan "Green Jobs, Not Jails", the program was established in 2005, and is emerging as a powerful beacon of hope for both the underprivileged youth of America, and the future of the environment in which we all live, work, and play.

PennFutureâs Christine Knapp met with Jones before his appearance as the keynote speaker at the February 2008 Urban Sustainability Forum in Philadelphia, organized by the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia. Philadelphia, America's Next Great City, is well on its way to becoming a frontrunner in the new green economy. Under the leadership of newly-elected Mayor Michael Nutter, who included many of the Next Great City coalition's key recommendations in his first budget address, Philadelphia is poised to implement many of Jones' recommendations as well, creating those linkages between the environment and the economy at every level. Mayor Nutter was on hand at the event to introduce Jones.

Listen in as we explore the inspiration for the program and learn important lessons for the implementation of similar green training programs in Pennsylvania. You can also watch the entire event (well worth your time!) by clicking here.

Support for green collar job creation will come in part from the Green Jobs Act of 2007, which authorizes $125 million per year to train individuals in the green trades. At the federal level, this is a small step towards the necessary economic support that green businesses require in order to survive. Citizen activism in bringing programs like Jonesâ to the eyes and ears of state and local governments are the next steps in fostering the support for widespread green job growth. And this new green workforce will be implementing vital components of the solutions to global warming.

Today in Pennsylvania, the state's General Assembly is on the cusp of enacting legislation that itself will result in an explosion of good-paying, family-sustaining green jobs. Legislation like House Bill 2200 will require statewide programs to save energy, using new strategies like more efficient lighting or heating/cooling systems. The bill would also mean that every Pennsylvanian can save up to 20 percent a year on electric bills thanks to energy savings. Another bill, Special Energy Session House Bill 1, will jump start major investments in new, clean energy projects throughout Pennsylvania such as wind and solar energy developments and green buildings. Again, this legislation will result in thousands of new jobs. Coupled with job training and comprehensive outreach programs, Pennsylvania could soon lead the nation in green jobs, green technologies, and a growing economy.

Take action! There are a few simple steps you can take to make these visions reality in Pennsylvania. Watch the Van Jones presentation. Contact your state senator to support Pennsylvania legislation to grow green collar jobs and the new green economy through energy conservation and new clean energy development. And if you are a Philadelphian, contact city council to support the types of programs Van Jones is promoting nationwide. Make a contribution to PennFuture to help us continue our work. As always, we welcome your feedback. Leave a comment below to let others know about why the green jobs movement matters to you, or e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org.

Pennsylvania's Mercury Rule Stands Tall, Federal Rule Falls

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Powerful in its toxicity, and dangerous in its neurological health effects, mercury pollution has been a focus of PennFuture initiatives for several years. The mercury pollution that threatens health is largely emitted from coal-fired power plants, and is considered to be more toxic than lead. These emissions accumulate in plants and animals like fish, which can be passed along as we eat them. The dangers from mercury are particularly high for developing babies and children.

Pennsylvaniaâs mercury pollution is among the worst in the nation thanks to the large number of coal-fired power plants here and in upwind states like Ohio. So bad, in fact, that PennFuture spearheaded a campaign to establish a state rule to dramatically cut mercury pollution from our power plants. Finalized in early 2007, Pennsylvaniaâs mercury regulation is a testament to the power of citizen advocacy, as a broad coalition of anglers, hunters, people of faith, medical experts, environmental groups, women's organizations, organized labor, and many others spoke out against the dismal failure that was the federal Clean Air Mercury Rule, and in favor of swift and aggressive state action. Pennsylvania's mercury rule requires coal-fired power plants to cut their mercury pollution by 80 percent by 2010, and by 90 percent by 2015.

Pennsylvania won a critical battle for human health and our environment. In mid-February 2008, our state victory was magnified as a legal challenge brought by Pennsylvania and 16 other states asserting the federal mercury rule was in essence illegal under the federal Clean Air Act was won in federal court.

In this podcast, PennFuture's Christine Knapp talks with Senior Attorney and Chair of PennFuture's law staff Charles McPhedran, who authored PennFuture's initial petition for the state's mercury rule. He describes the significance of the recent legal decision at the federal level, and explains how Pennsylvania's rule has taken on even greater importance in its wake.

For more podcasts on PennFutureâs initiatives on mercury, visit our archive by clicking here. There you can listen in to state and national experts. To support PennFuture's work on this and other critical issues to our health, environment, and economy, please consider a making a tax-deductible donation. As always, we welcome your comments. Simply send us an e-mail, or click on "Comments" below.

Focus the Nation on Global Warming

Fri, 8 Feb 2008 16:11:00 GMT

This weekâs podcast features speakers from just a few of the nearly 40 teach-ins and other events held recently as part of Focus the Nation. All these events were created to build awareness of global warming and other environmental emergencies, and to move all involved to action in finding solutions. These events featured students and other activists, scientific experts and elected officials.

PennFutureâs Joy Bergey participated in the event at Ursinus College, and brought us two terrific interviews. First, Andrew Revkin, award winning journalist who covers environment for the New York Times, talks about how global warming is felt in the underdeveloped world; then Dr. Heidi Cullen, climate expert for The Weather Channel, discusses some of the science behind climate change.

Pam Fendrock, PennFutureâs northeast Pennsylvania outreach coordinator, attended two Focus the Nation events. At the first, at Moravian College, she interviewed one of the student organizers, Samantha Lukasiewicz, who talked about how the organizing impacted on the lives of students. At Wilkes University, she interviewed Dr. Marleen Troy, associate professor of environmental engineering, who talked about green initiatives currently at Wilkes.

You can be part of the solution by joining PennFutureâs Cool Pennsylvania campaign. Visit our website, and attend our upcoming global warming workshops â Saturday. April 5 at LaRoche College just outside of Pittsburgh, or Saturday. May 17 at the University of Scranton.

The Fight for Energy Independence Continues - Part Deux

Fri, 1 Feb 2008 21:02:00 GMT

Sometimes the best part of any presentation is the unscripted part â the question and answer session. Click to hear the pas de deux between Hanger and the committee members.

The Fight for Energy Independence Continues

Fri, 1 Feb 2008 20:42:00 GMT

The fight for the 21st Century energy policy continues in Harrisburg.

This podcast features PennFuture's president and CEO, John Hanger, who testified before the House Consumer Affairs Committee on Thursday, January 31, 2008 about the need to give Pennsylvanians the tools they need to use energy smarter.

The hearings were called to consider two pieces of legislation. House Bill 2200, sponsored by Rep. Camille âBudâ? George (D-Clearfield), builds on the leadership and ideas of Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester) by creating energy conservation programs in the service territories of all electric distribution companies. HB 2201/SHB 20, sponsored by Rep. Keith McCall (D-Carbon), includes a requirement for smart meters.

These bills are critical to reducing energy demand in Pennsylvania, thereby saving citizens money and energy, eliminating the need to build at least 12 new 300-megawatt power plants and hundreds of miles of new transmission lines, and cutting air pollution and heat-trapping gases.

These bills are expected to be voted on by the Consumer Affairs Committee on Tuesday, February 5. Visit our website to learn more about the Energy Independence Strategy and how you can make a difference.

Bike Sharing is Transforming Urban Transportation

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:10:00 GMT

January weather in Philadelphia didnât stop more than 400 people from attending the Urban Sustainability Forum on bike sharing. This event focused on the array of benefits from established bike sharing systems in Europe and the United States. It received quite a lot of good press, including a great blog post from a PennFuture member and a couple of articles where you can learn more.

Public use bicycle programs are changing urban transportation in cities worldwide. In this podcast, PennFuture's Christine Knapp first interviews Gilles Vesco, the Vice-president Communaute Urbaine de Lyon who oversees for the highly successful Velo'V system implemented in Lyon and duplicated in Paris.

Nate Kvamme, Director of Humana's Innovation Center, also discusses his initiatives in Louisville, KY to develop the FreeWheelin' bike sharing program for Humana healthcare.

Bike sharing programs offer many benefits including healthier citizens, livelier streets, and less noise and pollution. Luckily for Pennsylvanians, we have an extensive network of trails and a variety of biking organizations statewide. Explore some of the organizations listed below, or comment on our blog if you have your own story to share.

Bike Pennsylvania
Bike Pittsburgh
Dasani Blue Bike Program
Great Allegheny Passage
Streets Philadelphia Bike Map

Greener Goes The Farm Show

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:49:00 GMT

Every year in Harrisburg those who cultivate, grow, harvest, and farm the bounty of land throughout the state gather together for the largest indoor agricultural convention in the country, the Pennsylvania Farm Show. This year marked the 92nd annual gathering, and PennFutureâs Jan Jarrett was on site to talk with some of the leading renewable energy groups at the convention this year.

Not surprisingly, more and more sustainable, green products are cropping up at the annual convention. This year, show organizers embraced this detail and called the show âNew Ideas for New Marketsâ?. Special attention was given to promoters of wind energy, biofuels, solar energy, and other state-harvested sources of fuel and power.

Tune in to explore with us research advancements in biofuels, integrated solar energy construction methods, Pennsylvania carbon trade, and the International Solar Decathlon.

To learn more about PennFuture's Safe Foods, Safe Families campaign and our other work to promote healthy, sustainable agriculture policies, visit our Web site. There you can also make a donation to support our work. We welcome your comments! Simply send us an e-mail or click on "Comments" below.

Path to Sustainability: Green Chemistry

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:06:00 GMT

LaRoche College near Pittsburgh recently sponsored the "Global Problems, Global Solutions" conference, with a focus on the need to reduce toxics in the environment. PennFuture's Sharon Pillar attended and captured a portion of the event for this podcast.

We hear from Dr. Terry Collins, Thomas Lord Professor of Chemistry and director of the Institute for Green Oxidation Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Collins is an internationally-recognized leader in the field of green chemistry. There is a clear relationship between sustainability and chemistry, in that the more than 80,000 chemical compounds that are today in commercial use have not, for the most part, been adequately assessed for their toxic effects on humans or the environment. Obviously chemicals can and do cause many serious problems. For the first time in nearly 150 years, chemists are beginning to think very carefully about how to solve those problems in advance, by creating chemical products and using chemical processes that remove hazards before chemicals get to the marketplace.

The consequences of this new approach to chemistry are extraordinary. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that already, green chemistry is eliminating 1.2 billion pounds of hazardous chemicals from the environment each year; saving 16 billion gallons of water annually; and preventing 57 million pounds of carbon dioxide from being released (the equivalent of taking 37,000 automobiles off the road).

Listen in as Dr. Collins explains how new technologies and approaches to chemistry can be part of the range of powerful solutions we need to attain a sustainable future.

Visit our Web site to learn about ways that PennFuture is working to protect our health and the well-being of the places we live, work, and play. There, you can get involved in helping make important policy changes that will shape our cleaner, healthier future. You can also make a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. We welcome your comments! Simply e-mail us or click "Comments" below.

Green Power Awards and Leaders 2007

Thu, 3 Jan 2008 19:48:00 GMT

PennFuture and our friends annually celebrate the diverse achievements of businesses, people, and institutions that are blazing the trail towards a cleaner, healthier Pennsylvania by purchasing green power, advancing policies that develop the renewable energy market, and taking the lead in creating new renewable supply. You can peruse the Green Power Awards Hall of Fame list on our site to get a sense of the wide array of contributions being made toward Pennsylvania's clean energy future.

In this podcast, PennFuture's Joy Bergey takes us back to our 2007 Green Power Awards luncheon where she spoke with some of the honorees and partners at the event about their many projects and endeavors.

Since the Pennsylvania legislature still has major work to do on the Energy Independence Strategy, it is fitting to kick things off in 2008 with a sense of the enormous impacts that renewable energy is already making in the Commonwealth, with an eye toward all that can (and must) be achieved if we are to reduce our contributions to global warming, cut our addiction to fossil fuels, and spur new economic growth.

Joy first speaks with Bill Capouillez from one of the 2007 award-winners, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, about the Wind Energy Collaborative and the Game Commission's work with the wind energy industry on addressing environmental concerns, siting issues, and wildlife protection. To date, 17 wind energy development companies have voluntarily agreed to cooperate with the Game Commission when pursuing new projects, signing an agreement that is truly a national model for addressing wildlife protections.

Next we hear from Bruce Arnold, a member of the national 25 x 25 Project. The project has a straightforward goal: derive 25 percent of our energy in the U.S. from clean, renewable sources by 2025. Today, we are at 7 percent. Next Joy talks with Ian Bowman from Energy Window, assisting large companies with making renewable energy purchases.

Joy speaks with another 2007 awardee, Peter Alyanakian from Epuron. The company was recognized for their new Philadelphia project, where they are building a 3-megawatt solar field on a 14-acre brownfield site. Epuron is a European company, yet another of the many new companies that are investing significantly in Pennsylvania through renewable energy projects or related support industries.

Andrew McDowell, a Chester County-based environmental activist, and Nadia Adawi from the Energy Co-op, describe ground-breaking new work in Chester County in partnership with the Krapf bus company to convert a number of their school buses to biodiesel thanks to new funding.

And finally, Joy talks with another 2007 award-winner, Richard Rosey from Solar Power Industries, based in Westmoreland County. The company manufactures solar cells, and has been developing new rooftop technology. The company has nearly doubled in size in the past two years, selling out its products. The demand for solar energy products is outstripping supply in many cases.

To nominate a person, business, or institution for a 2008 Green Power Award, visit our site. There you can also see a list of all of the 2007 awardees, including the Philadelphia Eagles, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and many, many more. To support PennFuture's work to promote green energy and stop global warming here at home, make a tax-deductible contribution. As always, we welcome your comments.

Energy Independence: Who's on First?

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:03:00 GMT

In this podcast, PennFuture's VP Jan Jarrett interviews President and CEO John Hanger, who gives an extensive play-by-play of what happened in the legislature this month on renewable energy, and what to expect in January. Youâll discover why passing a 21st Century energy plan is vital, and the pain ordinary Pennsylvanians will continue to suffer if this plan isnât passed soon. High gas prices, the climate in crisis, increased air pollution and rising electricity rates will all get worse as the legislature fails to act.

To learn more about the campaign for Energy Independence, visit our Web site. There you can also sign up to receive important updates and action alerts on energy and other issues. And there's still time to make your tax-deductible contribution before year's end! As always, we welcome your comments. Thanks for listening.

Santa's Naughty & Nice List 12/11/07

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:03:00 GMT

Dear Boys and Girls,

Santa knows that governing is hard work. And coming to an agreement can be contentious. But Pennsylvaniaâs families are suffering real pain now without a modern energy policy. Having to spend $50 to fill up your minivan makes having a happy holiday harder. And skyrocketing energy bills will only get worse by waiting.

Thatâs why Santa really hopes the nice boys and girls in the legislature can put aside their differences and get to an agreement soon.

And even though we are not near final passage of the Energy Independence Strategy, there has been real progress.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee overwhelmingly passed Special Session HB 1, the funding bill that would provide $850 million for renewable electricity projects and for energy conservation. The nice boys and girls who voted for it include: Camille âBudâ? George (D-Clearfield), Chair of the Committee; H. Scott Conklin (D-Centre); Michael Gerber (D-Montgomery); James Wansacz (D-Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wyoming); John T. Yudichak (D-Luzerne); Lisa Bennington (D-Allegheny); Mike Carroll (D-Luzerne, Monroe); Eugene DePasquale (D-York); Robert Freeman (D-Northampton); John Hornaman (D- Erie); David K. Levdansky (D-Allegheny, Washington); Jennifer Mann (D-Lehigh); Michael P. McGeehan (D-Philadelphia); Tim Seip (D-Berks, Schuylkill); Greg Vitali (D-Delaware); Kate Harper (R-Montgomery); Jay R. Moyer (R-Montgomery); Chris Ross (R-Chester); and Carole A. Rubley (R- Chester, Montgomery).

The Senate is close to passing Special Session SB 1, which would provide $650 million for mostly good energy projects, though $25 million would go to owners of highly profitable coal burning plants. But there is a groundswell to improve that bill to add more money for renewable energy and research and development of new clean technologies.

The House is moving the smart meter bill (Special Session HB 38) toward passage, and it may be voted on tomorrow in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. But there is little movement on the critical energy conservation bill, Special Session HB 31, sponsored by Reps. Chris Ross and Robert Freeman.

These bills will give Pennsylvaniaâs families and businesses the tools they need to use energy smarter, and to cut their electricity bills. And the conservation bill will save Pennsylvanians between $9 and $12 billion in avoided costs for building more power plants, big transmission lines and other costs that we would have to incur just to keep up with growing demand.

Santa is still very hopeful that the Energy Independence Strategy will be passed, but it doesnât look like it will happen this year. But if Pennsylvanians are to have relief from high heating bills next season, the legislators will need to work on this as soon as they come back in the New Year. Santa thinks the new energy policy should be passed no later than February.

Say, that would make a very nice Valentineâs gift to the voters of Pennsylvania. Santa is going to contact his compatriot in the League of Fictional Nice Characters (LFNC), Cupid, and get him on the case. Look out for those arrows!

Love, Santa (R&D-North Pole)

Santa's Naughty & Nice List 12/10/07

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:15:00 GMT

Dear Boys and Girls,

Time is really getting short now. After one last blowout (my birthday party on Thursday night â you donât turn 1,700+ years old every day!), the elves and I are now working at warp speed. So many toys still to be built, and so many names still to classify as naughty or nice.

Time is short for the legislature, too. I expect both the Pennsylvania Senate and House will also be at warp speed, working furiously to pass legislation this week, so that they can leave for their nice long winter break.

Santa is very excited that the Senate is going to vote on Special Session SB 1 this week. SB 1 is a bill to fund many good energy projects, but it needs some significant improvements. We need more money â and invested faster â into renewable energy like solar and wind, and more funding for research and development of new clean energy technologies.
And thereâs one truly bad idea that should be deleted from SB 1. Thatâs the plan to give the highly profitable dirty power plants $25 million to meet legally required pollution restrictions. I guess I should be glad that the amount of the pork for the coal-fired power plants is down from $75 million, but any money is too much. This would be like giving taxpayer money to Microsoft to clean up the bugs in its software. Itâs the Pottery Barn rule: You broke it, you bought it. The old power plants made the pollution; they should clean it up, especially when their owners are rolling in dough.

The good news is some very nice boys and girls are planning to introduce amendments to SB 1 when it comes up this week. Senators Constance Williams (D-Delaware, Montgomery) and Vincent Fumo (D-Philadelphia) are just two of those who are determined to make sure our money doesnât go up in smoke.

And that very nice boy in the house, Representative Camille âBudâ? George (D-Clearfield), who is chair of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, will be moving Special Session HB 1, legislation that would fully fund the Energy Independence Strategy, through his committee on Tuesday. As long as the boys and girls on the committee vote yes, the bill could then move to the floor of the House of Representatives.

So, boys and girls, Santa still holds hope in his heart of hearts that there will be far more nice members of the General Assembly than naughty, and heâll get his wish. I wonder if it would help if I sang, âAll I want for Christmas is Energy Independence?â?

I also wanted to show you what a good time we had talking to Philadelphians about the need for energy legislation. And let me tell you, they gobbled up those compact fluorescent light bulbs we were handing out faster than Santa can down the milk and cookies on Christmas Eve! People are hungry for clean and green energy.

Keep sending me your own naughty and nice lists at Santa@PennFuture.org.

Urban Voids: Grounds for Change Competition

Fri, 7 Dec 2007 16:31:00 GMT

In mid-November 2007, the Urban Sustainability Forum hosted a special program with presentations from five finalist teams from the "Urban Voids: Grounds for Change" competition. Urban Voids is part of a three-phased program called Philadelphia LANDVisions. Initiated by the City Parks Association, this program seeks to develop a long-term vision for developing vacant lands throughout the City of Philadelphia.

PennFutureâs Christine Knapp interviewed three of the finalist teams from the competition on the night the awards were handed out.

We first hear from the finalist team Timescapes, about how the Urban Voids program got started and why. According to finalist team Urban Arboretum, the common issues addressed in this design competition were mostly environmental in nature, while in some cases economics played a role. But the two go hand in hand: every environmental victory grows the economy. To that end, the Urban Arboretum proposal looked at methods of transforming the land not only for their direct environmental benefits, but also as a means for production. Taking a more global perspective, the Timescapes proposal sought to develop connectivity between the existing vacant spaces. The result of building several continuous passages on these vacant lands would prompt the emergence of a 24-hour living city.

The Grand Winner of the Urban Voids competition, which attracted 220 proposals from 25 countries, was the proposal from a local Philadelphia team called Waterwork. Their concept involves reclaiming Philadelphiaâs vacant land for use as a stormwater filter. Philadelphia's serious problems with both stormwater management and vacant land are turned into creative and achievable opportunities, by adapting watersheds to the current urban topography.

Hear from team members Julliet Geldi, Chariss MacAfee, Charles Loomis, and Gavinn Riggall as they explain how their system that would effectively capture the stormwater runoff from homes, and create a network of streams within the cityâs vacant lands. Water would be incorporated with the development of parks and trails to create new community areas, and would result in the re-establishment of existing underground rivers and streams that had long ago been piped over or buried. While implementation of this plan has challenges, the team plans to start small and work towards the bigger picture, helping to make Philadelphia the Next Great City.

To learn more about PennFuture's work with the Next Great City project, visit our Web site. There you can also sign up to receive more information, or make a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. As always, we welcome your comments. Simply send us an e-mail or click on "Comments" below.

Santa's Naughty & Nice List 12/06/07

Thu, 6 Dec 2007 16:10:00 GMT

Dear Boys and Girls,

Winter swept through the state yesterday, with piles of snow in many places. That makes Santa happy, since snow makes delivery by sleigh a lot easier, but it also means that Pennsylvanians are facing cold weather with no help with their heating bills.

Families are really hurting right now because of energy costs. A poll of central Pennsylvanians released last night by Susquehanna Polling & Research, Inc., found that the most important problem facing families is the current cost of gas and home heat. For 18 percent of those polled, the high price of gas and energy was the problem that impacted them most on a daily basis, followed by taxes and healthcare. Gas prices have had a significant financial impact on their budget for nearly one-third, and 42 percent said the impact was moderate. Only six percent said there was no impact. And people are really worried, with 67 percent of participants saying they were very concerned by gas and energy prices and 29 percent saying they were somewhat concerned. Central Pennsylvanians are not seeing any light at the end of the energy tunnel, and the lack of action on Capitol Hill just reinforces their despair.

Santa is disappointed with the legislature. First, the agreement in the senate to move Special Session SB 1, the bill to fund the energy independence programs, broke down. That means there was no vote yesterday (or this week) on this important bill. Time is slipping away and Pennsylvania families are the ones who will suffer, with higher heating and electricity bills, and without any tools to help themselves. And renewable energy investors are surely starting to look elsewhere to invest, since they canât count on Pennsylvania. There also seems to be no movement in the house that Santa can find.

This can all be corrected, so Santaâs not going to put anyone on the naughty list. Not yet, anyway.

There was other action in the senate yesterday â but not in the right direction. The senators mooshed together two bills and added amendments, then passed legislation that would add Pennsylvania-only paper pulp waste and old hydro plants to the Tier 1 mandate of truly clean energy under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS). They did indicate that they were worried about getting on the naughty list though. They added language to expand Tier 1, showing theyâve been reading Santaâs notes. But that still doesnât mean that this is a good idea.
Last I checked, Pennsylvania is in the United States (Dasher â get me Google maps!) and is required to follow the U.S. Constitution. Restricting the plan to only Pennsylvania plants creates a problem with the interstate commerce clause (no relation). And the lack of a severability clause (again, no relation) means the whole law could be thrown out as unconstitutional.

Then thereâs the message it sends to investors: âHey, weâre Pennsylvania â we change the rules in the middle of the game. Heyâ where you going?â? And should I mention the pork express? If a few legislators can change the law created to build new clean energy and use it to subsidize existing not-so-clean local plants, whatâs to stop the rest of them?
I said it before: If you want to change the AEPS, do it thoughtfully and strategically, not just by throwing extraneous changes at it. Otherwise, itâs naughty AND dumb.

There were a whole lot of nice senators, who voted to keep the AEPS clean. They are Senators John Eichelberger (R-Blair); Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny); Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny); Stewart Greenleaf (R-Bucks); Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia); Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia); Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks); John Rafferty (R-Montgomery); Michael Stack (D-Philadelphia); Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia); Leanna Washington (D- Philadelphia); Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia); and Constance Williams (D-Delaware). You go, grrrls and boyz.

Santa and his elves are going to be in Philadelphia today and Wilkes-Barre tomorrow, handing out the naughty and nice lists. But we may miss the Capitol newsroom on Friday â today is Santaâs birthday (my birth name was Nicholas, you know), and I promised to let the elves throw me a shindig. They get pretty wild sometimes, so I donât know if Iâll be up to facing the Fourth Estate in its natural habitat.

But keep sending me your own naughty and nice lists at Santa@PennFuture.org.

Santa's Naughty & Nice List 12/05/07

Wed, 5 Dec 2007 23:53:00 GMT

Dear Boys and Girls,

There are a lot of very happy Pennsylvanians today, and Santa is smiling right along. And itâs all because of the nice boys and girls at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Yesterday, the DOE announced that it would rehear the case made by the state of Pennsylvania to stop the plan to build ginormous power lines through 52 of the Commonwealthâs 67 counties as part of the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor. Governor Rendell greeted the news with pleasure, saying, âOur people should not have to accept that these transmission lines will be on our soil, depreciate our property values, but may not benefit our consumers. And we will not stand by and watch while our efforts to build a new, clean energy economy are undermined by electricity shipped across our state from dirtier fossil-fuel-fired plants to the south and west of us.â? Wow. No "Night before Christmas," but pretty good for a non-holiday non-poem, IMSO. We canât all be Clement Moore.

But this may just be a temporary reprieve. And unless we start using new methods to deal with our galloping electricity appetites, our state will have to make room for at least 12 new 300 megawatt power plants âwith high costs of construction, and possibly dire human health costs and an exponential increase in our contribution to global warming. We will also have to build hundreds of miles of new towers and transmission lines, and we will be subject to unpredictable fuel prices. Unless, that is, our state legislators pass the Energy Independence Strategy and weâre able to invest in helping all Pennsylvanian save energy rather than waste it. Getting his wish for energy independence would make Santa very happy â and Santa would be really, really happy if that happened before the legislature leaves for its long winter recess.

And there are now rumblings that movement is afoot. There is real chance that the Pennsylvania Senate will pass an amended version of Special Session SB 1 early next week. SB 1 is a bill to fund the Energy Independence programs, and while it is far from perfect, it is a great starting point to work from. And when the Senate passes the bill, it could move to the House immediately. That means the House could consider it and pass it, with or without amendments, well before the winter break. Lots of boys and girls in both houses would move to the nice list if that happens! Santa really hopes that nice boy Keith McCall, (D-Carbon), the Majority Whip of the House will help move the legislation along.

But some not very nice things are also moving in the senate. Those two bad bills that Santa talked about yesterday, Special Session SB 25 and Special Session SB 31, have been merged. The senate continues to think that itâs okay to monkey around with the Tier 1 truly renewable portion of the AEPS piecemeal, and make sweetheart deals with old power plants to magically declare those new and renewable too. But with the new renewable energy industry having invested millions and created over 1,500 good paying jobs in just a few years â based on the AEPS as passed â we risk destroying the confidence those businesses have in Pennsylvania. We surely donât want to kill the goose thatâs laying those precious golden eggs. Doing that would be not only naughty, but dumb.

Santa and his elves are going to be in Philadelphia tomorrow, handing out compact fluorescent light bulbs â and the naughty and nice list â at the Independence Visitorâs Center. But weâll also be visiting those naughty and nice reporters (mostly nice) in the Capitol newsroom. So see you there. And send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org.

Santa's (Hanukkah) Naughty & Nice List 12/04/07

Tue, 4 Dec 2007 16:29:00 GMT

Dear Boys and Girls,

Hanukkah starts tonight. Because Hanukkah memorializes the miracle that occurred when one nightâs supply of oil lasted for eight full nights during the rededication of the temple, it is a special time to reflect on energy conservation and energy independence. In fact, the nice girls and boys of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life provide special services and prayers using the blessings and story of Hanukkah as a basis to rededicate the community to the Jewish tradition of being stewards of the planet. The coalition urges congregations to model the modern day miracle of light and install compact fluorescent light bulbs as part of the celebration. Is that a great idea, or what?

The opening day of the Bali conference on global warming went well, with record numbers of participants (and reporters) participating. The morning's opening session was "very upbeat," according to the executive Secretary of the United Nationâs Framework Convention on Climate Change, culminating in long applause when Australia announced its ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, which he called "a very significant political decision." All agreed that this two-week conference will not deliver a fully negotiated and agreed climate deal, but will set the necessary wheels in motion for a future agreement.

Unfortunately, there is still some naughty behavior going on in Harrisburg. Remember when I told you last week about Special Session SB 25, legislation that would allow paper mill waste to be added to the inadequate 8 percent Tier 1 renewable mandate of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS), crowding out wind and other truly clean energy technologies? Well, I said that this legislation would help one naughty company, but I was wrong. No, this bill will help two naughty companies â one in the district of bill sponsor Senator Michael Waugh (R-York), chair of the Republican caucus.

And then thereâs Special Session SB 31, which would redefine renewable to include two specific old hydro plants and allow those plants to crowd out cleaner energy sources in the 8 percent Tier 1 renewable portion of the AEPS. One plant is in the district of bill sponsor Senator Donald C. White (R-Armstrong, Butler, Clearfield, Indiana, Westmoreland), who serves on the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. People, donât you get it? The purpose of the AEPS was to build new, truly clean electricity sources, not prop up plants that are decades old. Even the elves know that if you want to increase new clean energy, you should increase the paltry 8 percent Tier 1 requirement, not nibble away at the standard. This drives Santa crazy! See what I meant by naughty?

Santa is happy to be hearing rumors out of the House of Representatives that the house will be moving soon â maybe even this week â on legislation for smart meters and energy conservation. That is very nice to hear.

As always, send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org.

Santa Visits Pittsburgh: Joined by Good Little Elves

Mon, 3 Dec 2007 23:07:00 GMT

Last week, Santa came to Pittsburgh to urge swift action on the Energy Independence Strategy legislation before the winter holidays, and to highlight his Naughty and Nice list.

He was joined by PennFuture's Heather Sage; State Representative Joe Preston, Jr. (D-24); Group Against Smog and Pollution's Michael Parker; Conservation Consultant Inc.'s Ann Gerace; and Steel City Biofuels' Nathaniel Doyno, all speaking on the urgency for Pennsylvania to move now toward our clean energy future.

You can help by taking action to contact your legislator to voice your support for this crucial legislation.

Santa's Naughty & Nice List 12/03/07

Mon, 3 Dec 2007 23:01:00 GMT

Dear Boys and Girls,

December is here, and this is where the rubber hits the road â or in my case, where the sleighâs runners hit the snow. Not much time left to get on the nice list.

Nice countries from around the globe began meeting this morning in Bali, Indonesia, to develop a worldwide plan to combat global warming. The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change, the host of the meeting, spoke of the emerging momentum which began early in the year with President Bushâs State of the Union address in which he indicated that climate change is a global issue requiring a global response. Hopes are high of reaching a plan to develop long term agreements among all nations to take serious action to fight global warming. Much of the Bali conference is being webcast online, but remember â Bali is 13 hours ahead of Pennsylvania! Also, as Pennsylvanians deal with an early attack of winter weather, know that the official dress code for the conference is no jackets and no ties, to avoid excess energy use from having to over air condition in the hot and humid Indonesian weather.

All the nice boys and girls in the Pennsylvania legislature are back for their
race to the winter recess. Santa knows that they will all be working hard on a lot of very important issues, but is reminding them that creating a 21st Century energy policy just canât wait. Gasoline prices are through the roof, heating oil is sky high and the electricity rate caps will be off everywhere around the state within a few years. Waiting isnât going to make life any easier for hard working Pennsylvanians; they are suffering now. And we have no idea what impact that naughty boy with lots of oil,
Hugo Chavez, will have on our energy markets, now that heâs lost the referendum to make him president for life.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives will be moving the biofuels bills to a final vote this week, but Santa worries that it will be severely weakened in the senate. If that happens, that would be very naughty. Santa also believes that there will be movement on other portions of the Energy Independence Strategy (EIS) in the house, including hearings and votes.

But the big action this week will come in the Pennsylvania Senate, which should vote on the senate bill on main EIS, SB 1 (Special Session), which, while better than it was originally, still stops short of the mark. For one thing, the bill gives money to the old outdated coal plants to do the environmental cleanup the law requires â kind of like giving Wal-Mart
money to clean up the lead paint in the toys they sell from China. This pork is about one-third of the original gift of corporate welfare, but Santa wonât be happy until it is down to zero. Come on, boys and girls, this is about our clean and green energy future; it shouldnât be about subsidizing the antiquated, highly profitable coal plants of the last century.
Another problem with SB 1 is that it provides too little too late in funding for renewable energy entrepreneurs to compete in the current energy market. And the source of the money may make any grant received under this bill â say for a family to add solar panels to their home â taxable as income. So keep on amending this bill as it comes up on Wednesday for a floor vote, boys and girls, if you want to be on Santaâs nice list.

Weâre already behind in the regional race for Pennsylvaniaâs fair share of the new green and clean renewable energy industry â weâre not going to win by taking baby steps. We need broad and fast action to be competitive. And donât be surprised to see Santa turn up in other areas of Pennsylvania this week â my elves and I will be sharing our Naughty and Nice List with voters far and wide.

As always, send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org.

Santa's Naughty & Nice List 11/30/07

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:00:00 GMT

Dear Boys and Girls,

Santa has started some dry runs for Christmas Eve â testing the sleighâs new GPS system courtesy of Mrs. Claus. (She muttered something about men refusing to ask for directions as I unwrapped it.) The system works very well, and combined with Rudolphâs shiny new compact fluorescent nose, we should be in good shape. But the folks in southwestern Pennsylvania are worried and, after talking to them, so am I.

The nice boys and girls with Stop the Towers told me about the plan by Allegheny Energy to run a massive 240 mile 500 kilovolt power line through Washington and Greene Counties in Pennsylvania, across northern West Virginia and into northern Virginia. The transmission towers could be up to 160 feet tall and the rights of way could be 200 feet wide. The lines will be engineered to be capable of carrying twice the power of a normal 500kv line. I donât need to tell you what kind of damage hitting those monsters would do to my sleigh, all its contents and the reindeer, too.

Everyone who is anyone in Pennsylvania seems to be against the power lines â from Governor Rendell to the local state representatives and senators to all elected officials, not to mention the more than 2,000 local residents who testified against it and the Energy Conservation Council of Pennsylvania, which has filed a lawsuit to stop it. But the Stop the Towers nice boys and girls are also working to help make new transmission lines less necessary by pushing for passage of the Energy Independence Strategy (EIS).

If the legislature passes the EIS, power companies would need to meet all of our new electricity demand through energy efficiency programs, not by building more power plants and power lines. And we could save up to $12 billion, too.

Nice boy Senator Edwin (Ted) Erickson (R-Chester, Delaware) has introduced the legislation in the senate, Special Session SB 35, which would make energy conservation and efficiency the way to go. His bill is cosponsored by the nice Senators John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-Berks, Chester, Montgomery), Raphael J. Musto (D-Carbon, Luzerne, Monroe) and John N. Wozniak (D- Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Somerset).

Nice Representative Chris Ross (R-Chester) introduced a similar bill, Special Session HB 31, last month, with these nice boys and girls as co-sponsors: William F. Adolph, Jr. (R-Delaware), Stephen Barrar (R-Chester, Delaware), Robert E. Belfanti, Jr. (D-Columbia, Montour, Northumberland), Scott W. Boyd (R-Lancaster), Steven W. Cappelli (R-Lycoming), Paul I. Clymer (R-Bucks), Mike Fleck (R-Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin), Dan B. Frankel (D-Allegheny), Mauree A. Gingrich (R-Lebanon), Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh, Northampton), C. Adam Harris (R-Juniata, Mifflin, Snyder), Tim Hennessey (R-Chester), Arthur D. Hershey (R-Chester), John Hornaman (D-Erie), Mark Keller (R-Franklin, Perry), Duane Milne (R-Chester), Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne), Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny), Steven R. Nickol (R-Adams, York), Bernie O'Neill (R-Bucks), Michael Peifer (R-Monroe, Pike, Wayne), Douglas G. Reichley (R-Berks, Lehigh), Carole A. Rubley (R-Chester, Montgomery), Stanley E. Saylor (R-York), Mario M. Scavello (R-Monroe), Curt Schroder (R-Chester), John J. Siptroth (D-Monroe, Pike), David J. Steil (R-Bucks), Rosemarie Swanger (R-Lebanon), W. Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia), Gregory Vitali (D-Delaware), Jim Wansacz (D-Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wyoming), Katherine M Watson (R-Bucks), and Rosita C. Youngblood (D-Philadelphia).

Hope you like the picture from my road trip to Pittsburgh on Wednesday with Representative Joseph Preston, Jr. and other nice boys and girls from PennFuture, Conservation Consultants, Inc., Group Against Smog and Pollution and Steel City Biofuels. We had a lot of fun!

As always, send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org.

Santa's Naughty & Nice List 11/29/07

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:51:00 GMT

Dear Boys and Girls,

The elves came to me with a new project yesterday, inspired by those very nice boys and girls at Google. The gurus at Google announced they were going to invest millions into renewable energy technologies, with a goal of driving down the cost. Google aims to produce one gigawatt of power from renewable energy, enough to supply all of San Francisco, at prices below the rates of electricity generated at coal-burning plants. And the company expects to do it in âyears, not decades.â?

Well, Santa doesnât have Googleâs billions. So what was the elvesâ brainstorm? âMethane, Santa, think methane,â? they yelled. âThose reindeer are practically an endless supply!â? The more the elves talked, the more excited they got. They convinced me that we couldnât waste any more time âwe needed to clean up our own pollution right away. So I moved 10 percent of the elves off the toy shop floor and they are now busily creating a methane digester (with a portable collector for Christmas Eve).

And speaking of no time to waste â itâs now been 10 months since the Energy Independence Strategy was proposed, but the General Assembly still hasnât acted. And State Senator Mary Jo White (R-Venango) told Public Radio Capitol Newsâ Jen Rehill that there really wasnât any urgency. âWe know that electric rates are going to go up, we know that gasoline prices are high, we know that we have infrastructure needs in our transportation, and none of these bills is going to solve any of those problems in the short run. Maybe a long way down the road. . .â?

Santa confesses that he has a warm spot in his heart for Senator White. But Senator White is wrong. For families that have to decide between paying their heating bills or buying Christmas presents, the ten month delay means they wonât have help for this winter or the next, since the EIS programs will take a few months to ramp up. Families who are paying a dollar more a gallon for gasoline would welcome the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative, so that more ethanol, and cheaper fuel, would soon be in sight. Families who could use smart meters to reduce their electricity bills still donât have them, although about 400,000 of these meters could have been installed in the past ten months. Pennsylvania has lost nearly $1 billion in private investment in our growing renewable energy industry â investments that are now going to New Jersey, New York and other states that had the foresight to act. The longer we wait, the more serious our energy problems become, and the harder it will be to dig out. Santa doesnât want to put Senator White on the naughty list â heâs hoping that maybe she just didnât think this through.

Earlier this week, some senators made the nice list with their votes against Special Session SB 25 in the Energy Policies committee. This is the bill that would allow paper mill waste to be added to the inadequate 8 percent Tier 1 renewable mandate of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, crowding out wind and other truly clean energy technologies. These nice boys and girls â Senators Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), Andrew Dinniman (D- Chester, Montgomery) Edwin (Ted) Erickson (R-Chester, Delaware), Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny, Armstrong, Westmoreland), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), and Leanna Washington (D-Montgomery, Philadelphia).

But there is a very naughty company trying to cash in on the EIS â Conoco Phillips, the worldâs fifth-largest refiner and the sixth-largest reserves holder of nongovernment-controlled companies. Conoco Phillips wants a piece of the biofuels business, but it doesnât actually want to make biofuels. Instead, the company is pushing for an amendment to the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative to add âbio-based diesel fuelâ? to satisfy the biodiesel mandate. Biodiesel is a clearly defined and accepted term; bio-based diesel is not. So what does Conoco want to provide? Regular diesel with up to 5 percent rendered chicken fat. This bogus plan would kill Pennsylvaniaâs burgeoning biodiesel industry, crowding out our homegrown true biodiesel. Pennsylvaniaâs farmers would be denied a new cash crop â one that may make the very difference in survival for a family farm â and the definition of renewable would be turned on its head.

As always, send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org.