Week of January 11, 2010

News from Across the USM Campuses

Recyclemania is January 17 - March 27, 2010 - University System of Maryland institutions typically participate in this national event, which is a friendly competition among college campuses to increase recycling participation, raise awareness about waste management and recycling, and lowers waste generated on campus.

Coppin State University - Sustainability Taskforce Meeting - January 21, 2010 from 3:30 - 5:00pm in Room 218B of the Dining and Meeting Hall, on the Coppin State University campus. For more information, contact Dr. Monica Randall at 410-951-3845.

Scientists say mountaintop mining should be stopped (By David A. Fahrenthold, The Washington Post, 1/8/10) [Article quotes Margaret Palmer and Keith Eshleman of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Scientists call for halt to mountaintop coal mining (By Tim Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun - B'More Green Blog, 1/8/10) [Article quotes Margaret Palmer of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Scientists urge end to mountaintop mining permits (By Ry Rivard, The Charleston Daily Mail, 1/8/10) [Article quotes Margaret Palmer and Keith Eshleman of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Pressure builds against mountaintop coal mining: The Obama administration, which has pledged to heed scientific expertise on the issue, should reject all new mountaintop removal permits, scientists say, citing environmental and health effects. (By Tom Hamburger, The Los Angeles Times, 1/8/10) [Article quotes Margaret Palmer of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Scientists Call for Moratorium on Mountaintop Mining Permits (By Genevieve Long, The Epoch Times, 1/8/10) [Article quotes Margaret Palmer of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Mountaintop removal mining: EPA says yes, scientists say no (By David Biello, Scientific American, 1/8/10) [Article quotes Margaret Palmer and Keith Eshleman of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Study: Mining damage 'pervasive and irreversible' (By Ken Ward, Jr., The Charleston Gazette, 1/7/10) [Article quotes Margaret Palmer and Keith Eshleman of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Experts Urge Officials To End Mountaintop Mining (By Christopher Joyce, National Public Radio - All Things Considered, 1/7/10) [Article quotes Margaret Palmer of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

USM Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Initiative

• Practices
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• Facilities Master Planning
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• ACUPCC National Benchmarking
• Useful Links and References

State of Maryland News

D.C. heat stagnates Baltimore's air: Hot air rises off capital's buildings, pavement, blows north and gets trapped here (By Frank D. Roylance, The Baltimore Sun, 1/8/10)

Schools look for ways to cover costs: Budget cuts means state won't pay tab for 6th-graders outdoors program (By Don Marcus, The Baltimore Sun, 1/4/10)

Area lawmakers get high marks on green scorecard (By Tim Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun - B'More Green Blog, 1/4/10)

Christmas tree recycling (By Susan Reimer, The Baltimore Sun, 1/4/10)

National and International News

Gas prices edge close to $3 (CNN Money, 1/10/10)

Coal-Burning Campuses Face Increased Pressure to Find Alternative Fuels: Under scrutiny from environmental groups and students, colleges seek alternatives to the popular fuel (By Scott Carlson, The Chronicle of Higher Education - Buildings and Grounds Blog, 1/10/10)

Popular kids' trinkets loaded with toxic metal: Barred from using lead, Chinese makers using more dangerous cadmium (By Justin Pritchard, The Associated Press as reported by MSNBC.com, 1/10/10)

Obama Awards $2.3 Billion Clean Energy Tax Credits (By Reuters as reported by The New York Times, 1/8/10)

EPA proposes stronger smog standards (By Sam Eaton, National Public Radio - Marketplace, 1/7/10)

Sustainability Tracking System to Be Released This Month (By Scott Carlson, The Chronicle of Higher Education - Buildings and Grounds Blog, 1/7/10)

EPA Strengthens Smog Standard/Proposed standards, strictest to date, will protect the health of all Americans, especially children (Environmental Protection Agency News Release, 1/7/10)

Winter blast sends oil prices to 14-month high (By Mark Williams, The Associated Press as reported by Yahoo News, 1/6/10)

Renovation of 1968 Hamilton College Building Earns LEED Gold (By Lawrence Biemiller, The Chronicle of Higher Education - Buildings and Grounds Blog, 1/5/10)

Outdoors delight: Maine triples conserved acreage (By Glenn Adams, The Associated Press as reported by Yahoo News, 1/4/10)

Use of potentially harmful chemicals kept secret under law (By Lyndsey Layton, The Washington Post, 1/4/10)

Federal appliance rebates modeled after Cash for Clunkers launch (By Vinnee Tong, The Associated Press as reported by The Baltimore Sun, 1/4/10)