Turning Out the Environmental Vote in 2010

Clean Water Action builds grassroots strength in key states and communities to change politics and environmental policy in states, local communities and Washington, DC. We run muscular and effective grassroots campaigns to defeat anti-environment candidates, and support candidates who are committed to protecting our waters, our health, and our future. Our political program is non partisan.

Today’s guest blogger is Emma Shlaes, Clean Water Action National Campaigns Associate.

Summer is winding down. When you put your child on the bus for school, or take that one last road trip of the season, you expect that everyone will stay safe and healthy, as long as there are no accidents. But there is a hidden danger lurking around most school buses, highways and too many residential neighborhoods and schools. Dangerous and preventable diesel pollution from buses, trucks and construction vehicles is placing families in harm's way.

Dirty diesel engines emit a mixture of particles, metals and gases called "particulate matter" which include over 40 "hazardous air pollutants" as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. This mixture can cause a range of health problems. From increased rates of asthma, to lung cancer, stroke and heart attack, diesel pollution contributes to countless illnesses and 21,000 early deaths a year.

In addition to being a serious public health problem, diesel pollution contributes to climate change by emitting a pollutant that’s aptly named “black carbon”. Black carbon soot is approximately 2,000 times more potent as a global warming agent than an equal amount of carbon dioxide (CO2). Over half the black carbon emissions in the U.S. come from diesel engines. Fortunately, black carbon is a short-lived pollutant and does not remain in the atmosphere, so this is one aspect of climate change we can do something about right now.

How do you ask? Available retrofits can reduce diesel particulate matter and black carbon emissions by at least 90% from the 11 million old, dirty diesel engines that are currently used in the U.S. This means an instant reduction of black soot in our atmosphere. Additionally, studies indicate that for every dollar spent on reducing particulate matter pollution from diesel engines, $12 would be avoided in monetized health damages. That translates to improved health for you and your family.

Since 2005, the federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) has been funding retrofits for existing heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines in every state in the U.S. DERA has enjoyed support by: members of both parties in Congress, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and industry, labor, environmental and health groups. This important act is set to expire in 2011 and Congress must reauthorize it at the same level of funding if we are to see continued reduction in diesel pollution and the health effects it causes.

Clean Water Action works nationally and in the states to pass policies that will clean up diesel pollution and protect communities. Some states haven’t waited for government protections and funding to take action. For example, Clean Water Action recently helped Rhode Island pass the Clean Construction Law, which requires diesel-burning construction equipment on federally funded projects to be retrofitted to reduce emissions by 2013. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Jersey have also taken action at the state and local level. Find out more.

Clean Water Action works as part of the Diesel Clean-Up Campaign, a nationwide collaboration of organizations committed to reducing diesel emissions 40 percent by the year 2012, 55 percent by 2015 and 70 percent by 2020. You can visit their website at www.dieselcleanup.org

Providence—Clean Water Action is proud to announce our initial list of endorsed candidates for the 2010 city, state, and federal elections.

"Rhode Island voters have a real opportunity to support environmental candidates this year," said Sheila Dormody, Rhode Island director of Clean Water Action. "Rhode Island needs more leaders who will take action to promote clean renewable energy, create green jobs, protect our drinking water supply, and fund public transportation. These candidates have earned Clean Water Action's endorsement by demonstrating their commitment to protecting our environment."

 NEWPORT — Nearly 3 tons of waste generated at this year’s Newport folk and jazz festivals will be composted or recycled, thanks to the efforts of Clean Water Action-Rhode Island.

It was the first year the environmental organization collected compostable materials. The total collected represented 30 percent of the waste generated at the weekend festivals and a 10 percent increase from 2009, when only recycling was offered, according to Nicole Poepping, campaign organizer for Clean Water Action.

When advertised bids go out later this year for the construction of Waterfront Drive in East Providence, it will mark the beginning of a pilot project run by the R.I. Department of Transportation as the first step to implement the new Clean Construction law enacted by the R.I. General Assembly unanimously to reduce emissions from diesel engines. It became law without the governor’s signature the week of July 1.

What are all those chemicals in your shampoo? Your lipstick? your aftershave? And what do they have to do with asthma, breast cancer and learning disabilities?

Learn, share and help change this toxic mess: Watch The Story of Cosmetics, a 8-minute film exposing the ugly truth about personal care products - brought to you by Clean Water Action, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Annie Leonard's Story of Stuff Project and Free Range Studios, and take action to help pass the Safe Cosmetics Act.

Diesel Pollution Makes Us Sick

Diesel engines emit a mixture of particles, metals and gasses including over 40 "hazardous air pollutants" as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. Diesel pollution can trigger asthma and cause lung cancer, stroke, and heart attack, contributing to 21,000 early deaths a year. Nationally, diesel exhaust poses a cancer risk that is 7 times greater than the combined risk of all air toxics assessed by EPA. Diesel exhaust is particularly dangerous because it is emitted at ground level - just where people breathe it in¹ .

Dealing with transit issues in Rhode Island is a lot like riding a bike on a hilly road. To get to the top of each rise is a long haul and lots of work. While you are successful in reaching your immediate objective, you know there will be other hills to climb. But each one conquered gets you closer to your goal.

In the midst of all the weighty financial issues it faced last week, the General Assembly passed three environmental bills that were considered important to environmental advocates. For two of the measures, the advocates campaigned three years. The bills were:

•The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, designed to reduce diesel emissions with an anti-idling program, an ultra-low sulfur diesel use requirement and a retrofit program for school buses and construction equipment.

New law requires safe management of mercury thermostats found in homes/businesses across state

Providence, RI -- The Rhode Island General Assembly, with support from thermostat manufacturers, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and Clean Water Action passed the Mercury Thermostat Pollution Prevention Act both in the Senate (S2353A) and the House (H7199A). The bills, which were sponsored by Senator Dominick J. Ruggerio and Representative Jan P. Malik, were endorsed by the General Assembly on the last days of the legislative session and became law on June 25th. The new law requires thermostat manufacturers to manage the collection and recycling of old mercury-containing thermostats.