Maryland's Public System of Higher Education

Week of May 24, 2010

News from Across the USM Campuses

Secret Formulas, Data Shortages Fuel Arguments Over Dispersants Used for Gulf Spill (By Paul Quinlan, Greenwire as reported by The New York Times, 5/24/10) [Article quotes Carys Mitchelmore, of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Oil spill's toll will go far beyond gulf (UPI, 5/22/10) [Article quotes Carys Mitchelmore, of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

BP is sticking with its dispersant choice (By Jonathan Tilove, The New Orleans Times-Picayune, 5/21/10) [Article quotes Carys Mitchelmore, of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

BP forced to admit leak is bigger: Success collecting oil with a milelong suction tube shows that the spill may be far worse than thought.  (By Julie Cart and Bettina Boxall, The Los Angeles Times, 5/21/10) [Article quotes Carys Mitchelmore, of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Experts testify on grim ecological fallout from Gulf oil spill (By Paul Courson, CNN, 5/21/10) [Article quotes Carys Mitchelmore, of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Scientists: Don't "Squander" Lesson of Oil Spill - House Subcommittee Told Environmental Disaster Was Inevitable; Experts Say U.S. Energy Policy Must Shift From Fossil Fuels (By David S Morgan, CBS News, 5/21/10) [Article quotes Carys Mitchelmore, of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Gulf Oil Disaster Getting Worse? (Reported by Campbell Brown, CNN, 5/21/10) [Article transcript quotes Carys Mitchelmore, of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Editorial: Must it always be war in the Delta? (The Sacramento Bee - Op Ed, 5/20/10) [Article quotes Pat Gilbert of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

BP's oil recovery shows estimates of spill are low (The Associated Press as reported in the Gainesville Sun, 5/20/10) [Article quotes Carys Mitchelmore, of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (Reported by Dan Rodricks, WYPR - National Public Radio - Dan Rodrick's Midday, 5/19/10) (Audio)?[Report quotes Dr.Donald Boesch, President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and Carys Mitchelmore of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Bay's health improves slightly, scientists say: Baltimore rivers get an 'F' in University of Maryland report (By Timothy B. Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun, 5/19/10) [Article quotes Bill Dennison of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

US scientists urge action on climate change (By Tim Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun - B'More Green Blog, 5/19/10) [Article quotes Dr. Donald F. Boesch, President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Invasive Species (Reported by Dan Rodricks, WYPR - National Public Radio - Dan Rodrick's Midday, 5/19/10) (Audio)?[Report quotes Andy Lazur of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Chesapeake's health is a C; lion born at zoo; nonprofits get tax deadline break (The Associated Press as reported in the Washington Post, 5/19/10) [Article cites the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Bay's health improves slightly, scientists say: Baltimore rivers get an 'F' in University of Maryland report (By Timothy B. Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun, 5/19/10) [Article quotes Bill Dennison of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Hundreds offer testimony for, against EPA veto (By Erica Peterson, West Virginia Public Broadcasting, 5/19/10) [Article quotes Margaret Palmer of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Chesapeake Bay gets C grade on health in report (By Brian White, The Associated Press as reported by Times-Leader, 5/18/10) [Article quotes Bill Dennison of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Bay health grade: C - County's rivers earn D-minus, up from an F (By Pamela Wood, The Capital, 5/18/10) [Article quotes Bill Dennison of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Wastewater blamed for killing Delta fish: Study paid for by exporters of estuary's water (By Alex Breitler, The Stockton Record, 5/18/10) [Article quotes Pat Gilbert of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Why deep-water oil spills do their damage deep down (By Phil McKenna, New Scientist, 5/18/10) [Article quotes Carys Mitchelmore of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Bay Gets 'C' On Annual Health Report Card (By Alex DeMetrick, WJZ-TV and The Associated Press, 5/18/10) [Article quotes Bill Dennison of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

USM Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Initiative

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O'Malley to roll out stream health website (The Capital, 5/18/10) [Article quotes staff of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

New UM Dean Brings Katrina Experience and Commitment to Sustainability (UM Newsdesk, 5/17/10)

Studies blame Delta fish decline on wastewater (By Matt Weiser, The Sacramento Bee, 5/17/10) [Article quotes Pat Gilbert of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

The Basics: Oil Spill Dispersants (By Jeff Swofford, Energy Boom, 5/17/10) [Article quotes Carys Mitchelmore, of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Delta decline linked to Sacramento sewage treatment in new study: Other researchers welcome information but say conclusion too broad (By Mike Taugher, Contra Costa Times, 5/17/10) [Article quotes Pat Gilbert of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

State of Maryland News

Grant will pay for more green collar jobs (By Meredith Cohn, The Baltimore Sun - B'More Green Blog, 5/21/10)

More than 1,300 participate in Bike to Work Day (By Meredith Cohn, The Baltimore Sun - B'More Green Blog, 5/21/10)

Harford to bring single-stream recycling (By Meredith Cohn, The Baltimore Sun - B'More Green Blog, 5/20/10)

National and International News

French farmers turn Champs-Elysees into huge farm (The BBC, 5/23/10)

Obama setting nation's sights on fuel efficiency; seeks tougher mileage, emission standards (By Erica Werner, Ken Thomas, The Associated Press as reported by The Baltimore Sun, 5/22/10) [Article and video]

BP delays attempt to plug leak with mud: White House taps Graham, Reilly to lead investigative panel (By Greg Bluestein, The Associated Press as reported by MSNBC.com, 5/21/10)

As oceans get warmer, Congress is facing heat (By David Perlman, The San Francisco Chronicle, 5/20/10)

Don't LEED us Astray (By Alec Applebaum, The New York Times - Op Ed, 5/19/10)

Arizona: Mayor Is Dared to Cut Power (NYT, 5/19/10)

Oil is Fouling Wetlands, Official Says (By James McKinley and Campbell Robertson,
The New York Times, 5/19/10)

U.S. Science Body Urges Action on Climate (By John M. Broder, The New York Times, 5/19/10)

Arctic Drilling Proposal Advanced Amid Concern (By William Yardley, The New York Times, 5/19/10)

Scientists Fault Lack of Studies Over Gulf Oil Spill (By Justin Gillis, The New York Times, 5/19/10)

U.S. Scientists Urge Action On Climate Change (By Christopher Joyce, NPR - All Things Considered, 5/19/10)

Arizona Fights Back Against Boycott Threats Due to Immigration Law: Says It Will Pull Plug on LA's Electricity (By Emily Friedman, ABC News, 5/19/10)

Submerged oil plumes suggest gulf spill is worse than BP claims: Scientists believe marine 'dead zones' being created; firm succeeds in blocking rig riser pipe with siphon (By Ed Pilkington, The [UK] Guardian, 5/17/10)

Warmest April on record, climate agency reports: Federal climate experts say April warmest ever; January-April period also had record warmth (The Associated Press as reported by The Baltimore Sun, 5/17/10)