Catching Wind Documentary

Raw video from the Documentary Catching Wind. Thanks for sharing this with us!

Melvin Wylie

13th Episode of GreenNews4U

Welcome to the 13th Episode of GreenNews4U Weekly Roundup This is a special edition of GreenNews4U where I interview Joanne Morrison who is working with James Taylor in producing a documentary called Catching Wind. If you would like to find out more information about this Documentary you can go to their blog at http://www.catchingwind.blogspot.com and on twitter @CatchingWindDoc I hope you enjoy the 13th Episode of GreenNews4U.   To download or embed this podcast you can go here You can visit my web page at http://greennews4u.com I am currently seeking sponsors for my podcast, you can contact me at melwylie@greennews4u.com or mel.greennews4u@gmail.com

Melvin Wylie

New Jersey Bans Hydraulic Fracturing

While New York considers allowing Hydraulic Fracturing in their state. Great news is coming out of New Jersey. They have voted to ban fracking. Of course ANGA's Executive Vice President Tom Amontree is very upset about this decision. Just read his press release below. WASHINGTON, DC - Following is a statement by America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) Executive Vice President Tom Amontree on the New Jersey legislature's passage of a statewide ban on drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing. "It is unfortunate that the New Jersey legislature has failed to recognize that energy production and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. The bill to impose a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing, the process through which we are able to extract clean, abundant and American natural gas, is based on fear rather than the facts. "New Jersey has long recognized the clean air benefits of natural gas when used to generate electricity and power vehicles. It is the nation's 11th largest consumer of natural gas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Natural gas is the main energy source used to heat more than two-thirds of the state's households. And, New Jersey uses natural gas to fuel many of its state and municipal fleets, including trash trucks and public buses in several communities. In fact, with a grant from the Department of Energy, cities throughout New Jersey are cleaning up the Garden State by converting fleets and building infrastructure to accommodate natural gas vehicles. "While New Jersey may not have significant supplies of natural gas, even a symbolic ban on hydraulic fracturing is an irresponsible step. Natural gas drilling is conducted safely and responsibly every day in communities across the country. Our industry has a six decade track record of safety and we are committed to answering people's questions in the communities where we work about the measures we take to ensure the safety of our process. "Natural gas is an economic engine in America, responsible for supporting more than 2.8 million American jobs and for contributing $385 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Even in a state like New Jersey, that has very little natural gas, our community supports more than 25,000 jobs and contributes $5.5 billion annually to the state's economy. "To ban the practice that produces this fuel is a classic case of not in my backyard. It is our hope that New Jersey will continue to advance its economy and air quality through greater use of clean, abundant and American natural gas. We also hope that state legislators will revisit their decision and be more open in the future to learning the facts and the science behind the safe and responsible development of this important American resource."

Melvin Wylie

New York Plans to Lift Hydraulic Fracturing Ban

NY is planning to lift the fracking ban. Apparently New York feels that natural gas can be developed safely and responsibly with appropriate oversight. According to the article America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) Executive Vice President Tom Amontree  is very excited about this possible ban lifting, after all he does represent over 30 companies that have their wallets in the natural gas field. I do not support or endorse the America's Natural Gas Alliance The full article is below: WASHINGTON, DC - Following is a statement by America's Natural Gas Alliance Executive Vice President Tom Amontree on the plan by New York to lift its ban on hydraulic fracturing. "In reviewing the New York Department of Environmental Conservation's statement in advance of the full SGEIS, we are encouraged by the apparent acknowledgement that natural gas can be developed safely and responsibly in New York with appropriate state oversight. However, we will have to review the full study before drawing any conclusions about the plan. "While the statement says certain areas of New York will be blocked from development, natural gas is produced safely in communities across our country every day and is subject to substantial state-led regulatory oversight. In the process, this abundant domestic resource supports 2.8 million jobs and nearly $400 billion a year in economic activity. "Despite having vast natural gas resources, New York today is a net importer of 96 percent of its natural gas. On the positive side, the state is our nation's fourth biggest consumer of the fuel, and the proposal clearly recognizes the potential natural gas has to produce cleaner power and transportation choices. The natural gas industry in neighboring Pennsylvania supports 53,000 jobs and is responsible for $12.9 billion in economic activity in that state. New York can reap similar substantial economic opportunities, while helping us continue to demonstrate our commitment to developing the resource in a responsible manner. "The natural gas community will participate vigorously in the discussion on safe development in the state, and we will continue to make a strong, science-based case to the people of New York and the nation that energy production and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. We look forward to working with New York's regulators to craft a comprehensive policy on natural gas development that protects the environment and that can open the door to the pent-up economic opportunity that exists in the state." America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) represents 30 of North America's leading independent natural gas exploration and production companies. ANGA members are dedicated to increasing the appreciation of the environmental, economic and national security benefits of clean, abundant, American natural gas. Learn more about ANGA at www.anga.us.

Melvin Wylie

12th Episode of GreenNews4U

Welcome to the 12th Episode of GreenNews4U's Weekly Roundup. This is a special edition of GreenNews4U where I interview Gregory Pitts who is an Eco Artist, Photographer, Entertainer, Producer, Actor and so much more. If you would like to get in contact with Gregory Pitts you can reach him at inyofaceprod@bellsouth.net or call him at 954-253-0288. Follow the links in the Source to view his art. I hope you enjoy the 12th Episode of Green News 4U.

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Melvin Wylie

Plactic Bag Ban Upheld by California Supreme Court

SAN FRANCISCO, July 14, 2011 - The California Supreme Court issued a ruling that impacts not only plastic bag bans throughout the state but has far-reaching ramifications for the circumstances under which public agencies must prepare environmental impact reports under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"). The court ruled in favor of the City of Manhattan Beach, paving the way for the city's ban on plastic bags to go into effect. Downey Brand partner Christian Marsh argued the case before the Supreme Court on behalf of the appellant, Manhattan Beach. He was joined in the argument by James Moose of Remy Thomas Moose & Manley for amici curiae Californians Against Waste. "We were confident the city had a right to impose the bag ban, and this ruling gives cities across California some real clarity," Marsh said. An industry coalition of plastic bag manufacturers and distributors known as the Save the Plastic Bag Coalition sued Manhattan Beach for its citywide ban on plastic bags, arguing that the environmental impacts associated with increased paper bag use would outweigh any environmental benefits of the ban. The city, among many in California with similar ordinances, imposed the ban to limit the number of plastic bags making their way into the ocean and marine environment. The case raised two important issues that have been facing fiscally-strapped cities and counties across the state: (1) whether the coalition, which had a commercial interest in overturning the ban, qualified for "public interest" standing under CEQA, and (2) what is the legal threshold under CEQA for when a project or ordinance necessitates preparing an environmental impact report, known as an EIR. In its ruling, the court sided with the city on the CEQA threshold, but ruled against the city on the coalition's standing to sue. Justice Carol Corrigan, writing for a unanimous court, upheld the city's ban, finding that "it is plain the city acted within its discretion when it determined that its ban on plastic bags would have no significant effect on the environment." In the face of a number of "life cycle" studies that had been put forth by the coalition, the court noted that "common sense leads us to the conclusion that the environmental impacts discernible from the 'life cycles' of plastic and paper bags are not significantly implicated by a plastic bag ban in Manhattan Beach." The decision on the threshold for producing an EIR was being closely-watched by public entities and private project proponents alike, as often they are compelled to prepare costly and time-consuming EIRs even though the activity in question has little or no environmental impact (and in this case, a tremendous environmental benefit). As Marsh reported, "Due to the risks associated with litigation over these decisions, public agencies often feel the need to go well beyond the requirements of the statute, at great time and expense. This decision sets a more reasonable threshold for when pubic agencies must prepare EIRs, and will reduce the ability of would-be challengers to delay projects across the state. Instead of conducting unwarranted environmental review, the decision allows public agencies to focus their limited resources on producing reports for projects that are much more likely to impact the environment than minor projects would." Code: EXNC8WPUNCF7

Melvin Wylie

The Filthy Anacostia River

Just blocks away from the majestic capitol is the Nation's true treasure, with a LEED certified Baseball Field on one side, Bolling Air Force Base and a beautiful park on the other side and our beloved Anacostia River in between. Yes I'm being sarcastic; the river is a treasure of filth! Are you thinking about "going green" and would you like to start recycling? You will find a treasure of recyclable materials floating in the river, bottles, bags, soda cans, wrappers, and God knows what else. Twice a day I make my way to and from work cycling over the John Phillip Sousa Bridge and it makes me sick when I look in the water. The other day I saw ducks swimming and sifting through the garbage. I often see people down near the train tracks or on the opposite side in Anacostia Park lounging in a chair, drinking a beverage, relaxing with a line in the water in hope of catching a toxic fish. I love to fish but you would not catch me fishing in that cesspool! The fish are not safe to eat due to storm water runoff which makes the fish sick and can make the people who consume the fish sick. There are large amounts of toxins in the river to include PCB's and PAH's, both are considered carcinogens. In a study made by the US Fish & Wildlife Service, two thirds of Brown Bullhead Catfish have cancerous lesions and sores caused by contaminants in their tissue. In the afternoon, cycling across the John Phillip Sousa Bridge I often see the Capitol Rowing Club on the Anacostia. Sometimes I stop to watch them row and I think to myself "it would be beautiful if they were actually rowing on a nice clean and scenic river instead of rowing over cans, bottles, bags and trash." I wonder how many oars have picked up grocery store bags. Since I've been in the area they have been trying to clean up the Anacostia. When I say "they" I'm talking about the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT), and the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). Even the Attorney General of Maryland, Doug Gansler got involved. On June 16 he led an audit of the Anacostia River. It's going to take more than Maryland and the other organizations to get involved. It's going to take a grass roots effort to make the river fishable and swimmable. Yes, it's a lofty dream but I fell like the government does not give a crap, it's all lip service for political gain to get the locals to rally behind them. 30 years of lip service with no results. Politicians can argue the point of "no results" but do a comparison on how the river is now as compared to 30 years ago and there is not much of a change. Despite the visual eye sore, it is reported that the river is improving but I wonder if this is true. It's been "improving" for the last 35+ years I've lived in the metro area. As a young boy living near Bolling Air Force Base, when the wind would blow the right way, I would remember the horrid smell and how filthy the river was. Brent Bolin the Director of Advocacy for the Anacostia Watershed Society has said "it is improving very, very slowly" and "it will take decades if not hundreds of years to reach water quality standards."  This is unacceptable! The Anacostia River can be a beautiful river, evidence of this can be seen when you go to the Aquatic Gardens. I like to take my kids there so they can see a "nice" part of the river. Here is an idea, when a company decides to build near the Anacostia, "hint, hint Nationals Stadium" They should invest in the area to include the Anacostia River. After all the Nationals Stadium, which is a LEED building, wants to use the river to boat people in for the games to reduce traffic. While you are doing that why don't you educate the passengers on recycling, conservation and the ecology of the river you are transporting them on? While they are celebrating a Nationals win and intoxicated make sure they don't throw their crap on the streets and in the river. Build an Anacostia Education Center at Nationals Park to help with the clean up. The revitalization around the stadium is going very, very slow (like the Anacostia clean up) so why not do something environmental for the area? There are parts of the river that are beautiful, after all the Anacostia is one of the Chesapeake Bay tributaries. But still I wonder if the river is in remission like a cancer ready to rear its ugly head or is it actually changing. Storm runoff is still a very big problem and has not been fixed. What you see on the streets of D.C. and Maryland wash right into the river. In my opinion this should be the first priority to get under control. Before I close out my rant, there is a very nasty part of the highway that needs to be addressed. People that ride past the Nationals Stadium, across the Frederick Douglass Bridge to get onto 295 or Suitland Parkway run into a smell that is worse than swimming in an outhouse with your mouth open. I believe it's a sewage pump station that sits right at the split from South Capitol Street South West and Suitland Parkway. If you travel that way or have traveled that way you know what I'm talking about. That pump station is a pure representation and a monument to the Anacostia River. At this moment it represents everything the river is about. When I was stuck in traffic beside a vehicle I heard them say "Is that the River? Man it stinks!"  Be smart D.C. do something about the location of that pump station or do something about the smell. I'm happy I don't have to travel that road every day. It's disgraceful and you should be embarrassed or are you so use to the smell that you enjoy it?

Melvin Wylie