News and

Information for
Members of
Clean Air Council

May 2007
Number 4

In this issue:
Clean Air Council Announces Diesel
1 Diesel Pollution
Retrofit
Pollution Retrofit with Local Port Operators
Thanks to the Council’s Green Ports
1 Delaware Supports
Wind
Program, Philadelphia residents, and anyone
who spends time along the Delaware River,
can breathe a little easier due to the diesel
emissions reductions undertaken by local

1 Online Electronics
Recycling
Philadelphia port terminals. Over the next
months, 83 pieces of diesel cargo-handling
equipment will be retrofitted with diesel
oxidation catalysts at Packer Marine

2 PECO Wind at the

Schuylkill Center
Terminal and at Tioga Marine Terminal.
The pollution reduction devices, 75 at the
Packer Terminal and 8 at the Tioga
Terminal, will eliminate 20% of diesel

3 Donor Recognition
particulate matter, 40% of carbon
monoxide, and 50% of hydrocarbons
from their cargo-handling equipment.

3 Council Fights for

Mercury-Free
Made possible by a National Clean Diesel
grant from the United States Environmental
Protection Agency and facilitated through
Thermostats the Council’s Green Ports Program, the

3 VX Transport Dead
demonstration project is the first of its kind
in Philadelphia. The Council is thrilled
with the commitment of the local port com-

4
munity to clean air and looks forward to
Global Warming developing its partnerships with
Philadelphia-area port operators and their
Policy Heats up neighborhoods. For more information on
the Council’s Green Ports Program, contact
Sean Jacobs at 215.567.4004, ext. 102 or
sjacobs@cleanair.org. Cummins Power Systems

Delaware Supports Wind Online Electronics Recycling and

C lean Air Council gave wind energy a boost in April, spending the month
Reuse Center Now At Your Fingertips
reaching out to Delawareans to build support for the nation's first offshore wind
farm at Bethany Beach.
W ith the addition of an electronics
recycling and reuse resource center, Clean
Here is the story. When residential electricity rates increased by 60%, the
Air Council has updated its Use It
Delaware Legislature passed a law that required the state to develop
Again, PA! website,
additional in-state generating capacity. Three bids to provide this energy
www.useitagainpa.org, providing infor-
were received - one for coal, one for natural gas, and one for wind.
mation on how and where to recycle,
The Council reviewed these three bids, finding that the coal
donate, sell, and buy used electronics.
gasification combined cycle plant at NRG's Indian River facility and
This past holiday season, electronics
the natural gas combined cycle united proposed by Connectiv at
gifts accounted for 25% of all sales, with
the Edgemoor power plant would add more greenhouse
revenues approaching $21 million.
gases to the atmosphere and contribute to global
Popular electronic gifts, such as video
warming. The Bluewater Wind project is the most economically and
game systems, digital cameras, comput-
environmentally beneficial one. Its offshore wind farm will generate 600
ers, mp3 players, DVD players, televi-
megawatts of energy, enough energy to provide electricity to 130,000
sions, and cell phones, are often purchased to replace older versions of similar products.
homes in Delaware.
These older products, more often than not, end up in the trash.
To help ensure that Delaware policy makers recognized the depth
Discarded electronics are now the fastest growing waste stream in the United States and
of public support for clean, stable-priced wind energy, the Council
pose a serious threat to the environment and public health. When electronics are buried in
collected letters from Delaware residents across the state in support of
a landfill or burned in an incinerator, toxics are released into the air, land, and water.
the offshore wind project. In a few short days the Council’s community
Recycling or donating old computers, cell phones, and other electronic equipment can help
continued on page 3
continued on page 2
 2

PECO Wind at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

By Dennis Burton, Executive Director, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education

W e can trace the region’s environmental history from

Benjamin Franklin who argued in his Gazette for "public
rights" in reducing tannery stream pollution in order to
“deliver a great Number of Tradesmen from being poi-
soned by a few and restore to them the Liberty of
Breathing freely in their own Houses," to Rachel Carson’s
1962 Silent Spring and the industrial changes it brought,
to the founding of Clean Air Council in 1967 to protect
our regional airshed, to today’s emphasis on sustainability
and carbon sequestering.
This long history of environmental awareness, advoca-
cy, and action benefits us in many ways, primarily by giv-
ing us the tools to both prevent further damage to the
environment, thus our health, and to repair the damage
already done. When Franklin advocated for cleaning up
Dock Creek, he took a stand against a powerful industry
and, by persevering, added one of the country’s first tools
– the public voice – to the strategic toolbox of environ- Located directly adjacent to the front entrance of the Main
mental awareness and action. Education Building, The Schuylkill Center’s Solar PV Array
In the 18th century, environmental issues were local. helps the Center save approximately $1,600 annually on
Stream pollution, over-harvesting of local resources, and electricity costs and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by
erosion were the most common problems. In the 21st 24,759 pounds each year.
century, though we still have local issues, they have
compounded to what have become international concerns, offsetting a percentage of our carbon emissions. Wind
such as climate change, oceanic degradation, and conti- farms also create more jobs in rural Pennsylvania, and
nental deforestation. But as environmental problems bolster state wide support for the Governor Rendell’s
increased so did the tools increase and improve, especially renewable energy and Growing Greener initiatives. Now,
the public voice, and with it a new tool: corporate respon- along with The Schuylkill Center’s solar panels, partial
sibility – and in the case of PECO Energy, contributing green roof, native plant nursery, and dedicated recycling The Schuylkill Center’s 2,215 square foot
more than $5 million annually to the environment, efforts, we can proudly add wind power to our environ- vegetated “green” roof reduces stormwater
education, arts, and community development. mental education tool box and look forward to advancing
runoff and provides a unique habitat for wildlife.
For all of these reasons, The Schuylkill Center has pur- new initiatives toward regional sustainability.
chased PECO Wind through Clean Air Council. This is a For this and other sustainable environmental
winning collaboration. We recognize that by investing in initiatives at the The Schuylkill Center visit
local wind power and supporting the Council, we are www.schuylkillcenter.org or contact Erin Johnson at
helping to protect local air and water quality while ejohnson@schuylkillcenter.org.

Electronics Recycling continued

to reduce billions of pounds of lead, cadmium, and mercury

destined for landfills in the next few years. Exposure to
these toxics can lead to serious brain and nervous system
damage, developmental delays and birth defects in newborn
children, and cancer. In addition to recycling or donating
electronics, reuse offers a solution to the e-waste problem
and helps preserve raw materials.
Use it Again, PA!’s online electronics recycling and reuse
resource center offers a list of local electronics recyclers across
Pennsylvania, a list of national donation-based charities
and industry take back programs, general information on
electronics recycling and reuse, current legislation, and a
list of the harmful effects of e-waste on the environment
and public health.
To learn more, visit www.useitagainpa.org.

Think Twice Before Tossing Your

Old or Unwanted Electronics
• By the end of this year, there will be between
315-600 million obsolete computers in the United
States, approximately 75% of which will be stored
in households, offices, and warehouses.
• Computers destined to become obsolete within
the next few years contain more than one billion
pounds of lead, 1.9 billion pounds of cadmium, 1.2
million pounds of chromium, and nearly 400,000
pounds of mercury.
Clean Air Council’s Katie Edwards discusses the environmental impacts of storm water in an urban area with youth leaders
of United Communities Southeast Philadelphia. As part of its work with the Packer Marine Terminal to reduce pollution
• Consumer electronics account for 40% of lead
found in landfills.
from storm water, the Council brought youth leaders to the Terminal in late April to see the importance of planning for
storm water runoff. • In 2006, 50-60 million new computers were sold
in the United States.
 3

Council Fights for Mercury-Free

Donor Recognition Thermostat Act in Pennsylvania
Clean Air Council is grateful for contributions of every size that it receives
from its wide circle of friends and supporters. Here, the Council acknowledges M ercury in thermostats represents the largest single source of mercury in any ordinary house-
individual donors who made significant gifts in 2006. hold product, with a single mercury thermostat usually containing between 3-5 grams of the
potent neurotoxin. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a reservoir of over
$1,000 and greater $150 and greater 200 tons of mercury exists in thermostats currently installed in homes and businesses across the
Brent & Deirdre Alderfer Jack Abgott nation. When these thermostats are inevitably replaced, much of this mercury escapes into the
Elizabeth Block Jane Abrams environment. The good news: comparably priced snap-switch and electronic programmable
Nancy B. Davis Gregory Adams thermostats that do not contain mercury are affordable, efficient, and readily available.
George Martin Russell & Pamela Amundson Working with Clean Air Council and a broad public health coalition, Rep. Carole Rubley has
David Mindel * Jan Armon & Genevieve Burns now introduced HB 44, the Mercury-Free Thermostat Act. The bill would prohibit the sale and
Laren Pitcairn * Mary Barrett improper disposal of mercury thermostats in the Commonwealth. For more information on the
Richard & Marjorie Rogalski Jonathan & Linda Berger Mercury-Free Thermostat Act, contact Sean Jacobs at 215.567.4004, ext. 102.
Philippa Strahm Peggy Blair
Morris Birnbaum & Barbara Reville
$500 and greater
Anonymous
Amy Broaddus
James Burke Clean Air Council Writes an Obituary
Russ Allen *
Alan J. & Roslyn K. Davis
Ray Cheung
E.T. Cleary for VX Nerve Agent Transport
Ignace Goethals Laurence & Cynthia Carolan
Richard Hayden Ellen Gilbert Cole When first proposed in 2004, it looked like a losing idea; after that, it failed to win any
Nan Davenport friends; now it is finally dead. The dangerous plan of the United States Army to bring four
Lisa Webb Howe
Hal Dean million gallons of caustic wastewater distilled from the deadly VX Nerve Agent through the
Marsha Low *
Paul Droesch & Claudia Crane Delaware Valley for treatment in New Jersey has been abandoned.
Samuel Madeira, Jr.
Jeff Durachta An opponent from day one, Clean Air Council championed efforts in Delaware, New Jersey,
Edward & Ann Matey
Alan & S. Naheed Flake and Pennsylvania to stop the transport plan.
Carolyn Mather
Margaret Fuchs With its recent press release, “DuPont Elects Not to Participate in U.S. Army’s Wastewater
Mindy Maslin *
Edward & Nancy Gardiner Proposal,” DuPont appears to have buried the dangerous plan for good. A hearty thanks to all of
Herbert Patrick *
Kathy Geschke you who made your voices heard.
Ameet & Genie Ravital
Jay Tarler * Larry Goldberg
Rachel Wilson Hugh Gordon & Sheila Murnaghan Delaware Supports Wind continued
Albert J. Zepp * Scott W. Hall & Kathryn Walker
John Harris outreach team generated 1262 constituent letters. Under the bright glare of television
Chris Hasson lights, these letters were delivered to Delaware legislators on May 1, 2007. Upon receipt
$250 and greater of 216 letters from his constituents, Terry R. Spence, the Speaker of the House, expressed
Pat Hatcher
Leah Barrows Peter & Gail Hearn his unwavering support for the wind farm and his excitement at the prospect of Delaware
Stephen Bradley Anne Hilton becoming a leader in renewable energy.
William Bredbenner & Rachel Colin Hingley In a May 8 meeting, the Delaware Public Service Commission unanimously agreed
Greisler William & Maryl Hitchings that Delaware should move forward with an offshore wind farm as a future source of
Thomas Callan Karen Holm electric power. But with Delaware politics anything can happen, and the Council will
William & Ann M. Carey Jed & Pamela Horovitz stand strong with its support of a wind energy project in the state.
Judith Koch Carlson Paul Hummer & Lynda Hubbell For more information, visit www.cleanair.org, or contact Joe Minott at 215.567.4004,
Steven & Leslie Coren Walter & Nancy Hunter ext. 116 or joe_minott@cleanair.org.
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Jim Kippen Join Clean Air Council, the most active locally-based environmental organization in Pennsylvania and
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Since 1967, Protecting Everyone’s Right to Breathe Clean Air

Philadelphia Office Executive Director

135 S. 19th Street, Suite 300 Joseph Otis Minott, Esq.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Staff
215.567.4004 Thurm Brendlinger
Fax: 215.567.5791 Michael Burri
Eric Cheung, Esq.
Harrisburg Office Maurine Devine
Jeremy Heffner
107 N. Front Street, Suite 113 Sean Jacobs
Harrisburg, PA 17101 Tim Kelly
717.230.8806 Michael Leone
Fax: 717.230.8808 Emily Linn

Canvass Staff
Wilmington Office Jim Black
100 W. 10th Street, Suite 106 Martha Black
Wilmington, DE 19801 Will Frasier
Alec Garvey
302.691.0112
Dorothy Ann Hyman
Fax: 302.691.0124 Andy McEwen
Nicole Sestak
For nearly four decades, members Tommy Sestak
of Clean Air Council have helped James Woodend

improve environmental quality in Volunteers, Interns & Part-time Staff

Pennsylvania, allowing everyone to Cara Lampton
breathe a little easier. Members Katie M. Edwards
receive quarterly issues of Fresh Air, Norman Feldman
Justin Nachod
the Council’s membership newsletter,
as well as environmental updates,
action alerts, and invitations to the
annual 5K Run and other events.
Please send your comments and
inquiries to Maurine Devine, Editor
and Membership Director.

HOW I SEE IT: JOE’S CORNER Joe Minott is the Executive Director of Clean Air Council

Global Warming (Policy) Gets Intense

L to R: State Representative Babette Josephs (182nd District);
Jeff Braff, Center City Residents Association; Emily Linn, Clean
Air Council; Maurice Sampson, Chair of the Recycle Now
Philadelphia Campaign.
On January 8th, Clean Air Council, through its work
with the Recycling Alliance of Philadelphia, teamed up
with Center City Residents Association (CCRA) to hold a
special Recycle Now Philadelphia Campaign meeting
for Center City residents. For more information on
the Recycle Now Philadelphia Campaign, visit
www.recyclenowphila.org.
This February, Governor Rendell surprised many of us with the announcement of his Energy
Independence Strategy, a major policy initiative, that embraces energy conservation, promotes alter-
native energy, and invests in alternative energy infrastructure. He also announced that he would
release an ambitious global warming policy plan due in May.
In April, Senator Tom Carper of Delaware introduced the Clean Air Planning Act of 2007, a
multi-pollutant bill that will also set up a mandatory cap-and-trade program for utilities to reduce
their carbon dioxide pollution.
Newly elected Pennsylvania Senator Casey reiterates his desire to address global warming
though he hasn’t decided which Senate Bill to support yet!
A few days ago, Senator John Kerry asked his colleague in the Senate to support the Clean Coal Act, new legislation that
prohibits the construction of all new coal-fired power plants in the United States unless they use carbon capture and storage
technology.
Welcome to global warming policy in the year 2007. I may be endlessly optimistic, but the momentum to do something on
global warming both nationally and locally seems different than just a few months ago.
On the one hand, 2007 may turn out to be very much the same as last year dressed up in this year’s rhetoric. After all, when
Congress held hearings on global warming last September, Clean Air Council and others noted that 233 Congressional hearing
had been held in the last thirty years that dealt at least in part with global warming. Accumulating evidence, holding hearings,
and proclaiming the need for solutions may be many things, but it is not new.
On the other hand, I still think that global warming policy in 2007 feels different. According to a recent New York
Times/CBS Poll, for example, Americans in large bipartisan numbers say that the earth’s atmosphere is heating, that this heating
is having serious effects on the environment, and that immediate action is required to slow atmospheric warming and its effects
on the planet.
And yet, with at least seven bills now before Congress purport to address global warming in the United States Senate alone,
the growing majority of Americans who seek action on global warming have some very consequential choices in front of them.
Which policy actions will actually slow global warming and which are insufficient or will certainly fail? What greenhouse gas
reduction measures should be non-negotiable and which could be reconsidered? If I am right and Congress really will pass a bill
to address global warming –what should it have at a minimum to earn the support of Clean Air Council?
Here is my bottom line on global warming. Any credible policy on greenhouse gas reduction must include at least the fol-
lowing:
• A multi-sector cap-and-trade program with fixed greenhouse gas reduction goals and penalties for failing to comply. The
Council endorses a goal of 20% reduction from the current emissions levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
• A greenhouse gas market created with cautious allocations to carbon emitters, meaningful verification protocols, consistent
measurement rules, and a sound market design.
• A policy of no construction of new coal plants that are not carbon neutral.
• A significant investment in new technologies to develop and promote clean energy.
Some difficult policy choices lie ahead, as we work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But basic minimum principles matter here
and I believe that this is where we should keep our focus. It’s an exciting time to be involved in these issues. Stay tuned.