Press Releases
Banning the Foam in California
(San Francisco) - Senator Alan Lowenthal's bill, SB 568, which would phase out the use of polystyrene foam food containers by January 1, 2016, passed the Senate and two committees in the Assembly. Because it didn't have enough votes to pass out of the Assembly this year, Senator Lowenthal decided to hold the bill and bring it up for a vote next year. "No one thought we would get SB 568 as far as we did" said Senator Lowenthal. He added, "This is a major accomplishment. Hundreds of organizations, and thousands of individuals across the state - support our efforts. We will use the interim to continue to gain momentum and support. I am committed to this endeavor and am looking forward to 2012 as the year California becomes the first state in the nation to phase out the use of polystyrene foam food-ware."
Foam Litter
Foam Litter a threat to Coastal Tourism:
SB 568 Would Solve Litter Problem and Add Jobs
(Long Beach) – A just released study by the Algalita Marine Research Foundation shows that foam packaging is the most common type of trash flowing from the Greater Los Angeles area into its two main rivers, the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers. According to research scientist Charles Moore, “our investigation of the debris flowing from urban Los Angeles streets to the rivers found that, in terms of the number of pieces of debris, 71% were foam.”
National Drinking Water Week - Monterey Park Tract may finally have a reason to celebrate
Where: 7655 Foy Avenue, Ceres, CA
When: Wednesday, May 4, 10AM (press event followed by community tour)
The City of Ceres may be coming to the rescue of Monterey Park Tract. This community of about 150 people six miles south of Ceres has been warned for years against drinking their tap water, which is contaminated with nitrates and arsenic. For the past several months, consultants funded by state and county grant funds have been looking for a site to drill a new well, but have been unable to find anyplace near the community that is free of contamination.
Other Press Releases
Industry Interests Dominate the Public Interest
pennsylvania senate & house vote for preemption of municipal zoning to favor gas drilling and operations
Organizations decry lack of concern for communities, health, and property
Protesters Walk Red Carpet in Trenton for "Fracky Awards"
As Legislature Ponders Ban Bill, Activists Protest Oil and Gas Industry Pow Wow Across from Statehouse
Trenton, NJ--Today activists protested one of several planned regional workshops by the American Petroleum Institute in Trenton, NJ, countering the oil and gas industry association's event discussing the development of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) with a recommendation of their own: ban fracking entirely. Protestors handed media and passersby "swag bags" filled with information on the risks associated with fracking and staged an award ceremony for the Frackies.
Great Lakes–Mississippi River Separation is Possible, Practical and Preventive
Alliance for the Great Lakes - Clean Water Action Minnesota - Freshwater Future -
Great Lakes United - Healing Our Waters–Great Lakes Coalition –
National Wildlife Federation - Natural Resources Defense Council -
Sierra Club-Ontario - Ohio Environmental Council
A much-anticipated study says separating the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins to prevent the spread of Asian carp and other invasive species is not only possible, but a natural step toward much-needed action to improve Chicago’s water infrastructure.
State Legislatures Tackle Toxic Chemicals To Protect Citizens
Lack Of Federal Reform Makes State Laws More Urgent
(Boston, MA) - In 2012, Massachusetts and 27 other state legislatures will consider bills that address concerns over toxic chemicals in consumer products, according to a new analysis by Safer States, a national coalition of state-based environmental organizations which Clean Water Action participates in. Bills to be introduced this year will cover a broad list of topics, including safer alternatives to toxic chemicals to bans on toxic chlorinated Tris flame retardants and cadmium, and requirements that makers of consumer products publicly disclose chemicals in products.
Clean Water MA and Green Justice Coalition Push Energy Efficiency Bill Forward!
Taxpayers in Massachusetts currently fund statewide energy efficiency programs, but policymakers lack the tools to track who is being served by the programs and how they have impacted local communities. A new piece of Green Justice legislation, approved by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy (TUE) on January 24, would change that.
“We applaud the Committee for its role in advancing transparency and increasing access for previously underserved communities,” said Staci Rubin of Alternatives for Community & Environment, a member of the Green Justice Coalition (GJC). The GJC has, since 2008, worked with utility companies and state agencies to address inequities in state efficiency programs and address job quality standards. “We are encouraged that the bill aims to provide equitable access to efficiency programs for hard to reach communities, including low-to-moderate- income homeowners and renters, residents whose primary language is not English, and small businesses.”
The bill, “An Act Further Promoting Energy Efficiency and Green Jobs,” mandates public accountability in Massachusetts’ energy efficiency programs and would establish a new Oil Heat Energy Efficiency Fund.