Week of August 17, 2009

News from Across the USM Campuses

Additional USM institutions signed on to the Maryland Green Registry - As of 8/16/09, the following USM institutions have signed on to the Maryland Green Registry: Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Frostburg State University, Salisbury University, Towson University, University of Baltimore, University of Maryland Baltimore, University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, University of Maryland College Park, as well as the University System of Maryland Office. Other USM institutions are in the process of joining the state's Green Registry.

8/16/09 UMBC welcomes new IGERT trainees Aaron Churchill, Nick Magliocca, Laura Merner, Anna Johnson, Danielle Schwartmann, and Sheena Young. For more information about the IGERT program visit the IGERT site.

Bay advocates to feds: Now it's your move: EPA to outline plans to clean up Chesapeake next month (By Sean R. Sedam, SoMdNews.com, 8/14/09) [Article quotes Dr. Donald Boesch, President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

State of Maryland News

Baltimore 'green' rules on par with Boston, D.C.: City's regulations include private and smaller buildings (By Meredith Cohn, The Baltimore Sun, 8/15/09)

Maryland's Nitrogen-Reducing Septic Upgrade Program a Success: Program to Upgrade Septic Systems, Paid for through the Bay Restoration Fund, In High Demand; Highest Priorities Will be Given to Failing Systems in Critical Area and Failing Systems Elsewhere (Maryland Department of the Environment Press Release, 8/14/09)

State receives stimulus money for energy programs (By Meredith Cohn, The Baltimore Sun, 8/14/09)

National and International News

Oil Group's 'Citizen' Rally Memo Stirs Debate: Firms Asked to Recruit Employees, Retirees (By David A. Fahrenthold, The Washington Post, 8/16/09)

Alaska's Kensington gold mine gets a green light: The Army Corps of Engineers allows a controversial plan to dump millions of tons of waste into Lower Slate Lake. (By Kim Murphy, The Los Angeles Times, 8/16/09)

Big Tropical Storms in Atlantic Hit 1,000 -Year High: Study Suggests Hurricane Frequency Has Increased Dramatically; Climate Change a Potential Culprit (By Patrik Jonsson, ABC News, 8/16/09)

A New Test for Business and Biofuel (By Kirk Johnson, The New York Times, 8/16/09)

Antarctic Glacier Thinning At Alarming Rate (Science Daily, 8/15/09)

Bottled water sales see a drought: Amid the recession, thrifty consumers have rediscovered another source for their third-favorite drink: the tap. (By Ylan Q. Mui, The Los Angeles Times, 8/14/09)

Seattle is front line in grocery bag fee fight (By Phuong Le, The Associated Press as reported by The Washington Post, 8/14/09)

USM Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Initiative

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• Climate Change Definitions
• Facilities Master Planning
• Statewide Sustainability Efforts
• ACUPCC National Benchmarking
• Useful Links and References

Bottled Water Boom Appears Tapped Out: Environmental Concerns, Recession Put Crimp in Sales (By Ylan Q. Mui, The Washington Post, 8/13/09)

Environmental movies have a green problem: money - Despite 'Food, Inc.'s' success, few new ecological documentaries are enjoying robust box-office takes. Chalk it up to audiences preferring escapist tales rather than disturbing reality. (By John Horn, The Baltimore Sun, 8/13/09)

Why 'clunkers' program won't take some of the most polluting cars: The classic car lobby pushed to exclude vehicles made before 1984, protecting the market for parts. Consumer and environmental groups, too busy fighting for fuel efficiency, went along with it. (By Ralph Vartabedian and Ken Bensinger, The Baltimore Sun, 8/13/09)

Pesticides in your peaches: Tribune and USDA studies find pesticides, some in excess of EPA rules, in the fragrant fruit: Latest government report shows more than 50 pesticides on the fruit. How can you avoid the risks? (By Monica Eng, The Baltimore Sun, 8/12/09)

Cash for the Climate (By Eric A. Morris, The New York Times - Freakonomics Blog, 8/13/09)

As Prices Slump, Solar Industry Suffers (By Kate Galbraith, The New York Times - Green, Inc. Blog, 8/13/09)

'Energy Citizens' Take Aim at Climate Legislation (By Alex Kaplun, The New York Times, 8/12/09)

Satellite data show Indian water stocks shrinking: Groundwater depletion raises spectre of shortages. (By Quirin Schiermeier, Nature News, 8/12/09)

Canadian changes in the air: British Columbia aims to become a leader in clean-energy technology. (By Virginia Gewin, NatureJobs.com, 8/12/09)

Stimulus cash for weatherization still unspent: Officials blame delay on federal rules governing how much to pay workers (By The Associated Press as reported on MSNBC.com, 8/12/09)

Scientists explore how the humble leaf could power the planet: Researchers at Imperial College London embark on 'artificial leaf' project to produce power by mimicking photosynthesis (By Alok Jha, The [UK] Guardian, 8/11/09)

Lobby Groups to Use Town Hall Tactics to Oppose Climate Bill (By Ian Talley, The Wall Street Journal - Washington Wire Blog, 8/11/09)

Urban Farms Take Root (By Enrique Gili, IPS News - Environment-US, 8/11/09)

China's Incinerators Loom as a Global Hazard (By Keith Bradsher, The New York Times, 8/11/09)

GM says mercury pollution not its problem anymore (By Ken Thomas, The Associated Press as reported on Yahoo News, 8/11/09)

GM says new Volt to get 230 mpg in city driving (By Kimberly S. Johnson and Tom Krisher, Associated Press as reported on Yahoo News, 8/11/09)