Bhutto & Vermont

Pakistan's opposition leader and twice former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated during her campaign rally for the Pakistan People's Party on December 27.

Vermont's Senator Patrick Lehay and former prime minister to Cruiatia, Peter Galbraith, both shared deep respect and sorrow for the death of Ms. Bhutto

Before the assasinaton even took place, Senator Lehay, Senator Joseph Bidden and Senator Joseph Lieberman, had written to Pakistani President Musharraf asking that he provide Ms. Bhutto with the fullest possible security available, especially in light of the suicide attack back in on October 18 during a similar rally welcoming Ms. Bhutto where 140 citizens were killed.

The government did not honor this request, which is why Ms. Bhutto had to ask for help from her old Vermont friend, Peter Galbraith. Bhutto emailed him asking to get her extra security because she knew her life was in danger and her government was doing nothing.

An article in the Rutland Herald further described the strong relationship Ms. Bhutto and Galbraith shared. The two had met first when they were both students at Harvard. They stayed friends and their relationship only became stronger. Galbraith was often in Pakistan as he covered the country for 14 years for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Bhutto credited Galbraith for helping her get out of prison, where she was sent after her father was executed. Because of Galbraith's relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan, he helped with the negotiations between the Senate and Pakistan's General Zia, trading U.S. F-16s for Bhutto's release.

Galbraith thought just as respectably for Bhutto: "I was thinking today that she's like a character in a Greek tragedy who knows their fate and can do nothing about it — it's already written. I think that reflected her outlook. She knew the risks. She knew it was her destiny to champion democracy," Galbraith said.

Many of Ms. Bhutto's supporters openly blame the government for her death, while the government points fingers at Al Qaeda. There is pressure on the United States, from both withing and outside, for the U.S. to do its own investigation of the assassination, although there have been no promises from U.S. leaders.

A CNS news article quoted Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont saying it was "a sorrowful day for Pakistan and for people of good will across the globe," also expressing that the Jan. 8 elections in Pakistan should take place despite Bhutto's death. The elections are essential for democracy to have a chance in Pakistan.

VT taxes hurt clean energy

A recent VPIRG study showed that the current tax schemes in Vermont favors nuclear energy over renewable sources of energy. In fact, clean energy facilities have been found to pay more than 10 times that of dirty energy suppliers.

By comparing 53 electric generating facilities in Vermont, from 2004 to 2006, VPIRG examined the ratio of dollars spent on state education tax per kWh generated by these facilities. The study showed that the average ration of Education Tax per kwh we as follow for each generation type:

Wind: .01081      Hydro: .00512      

Wood: .00298     Nucelear: .00103

 The full report was about 20 pages long, and it gave background to help understand how energy facilities are taxed in Vermont, what their findings mean, and how they conducted the survey. For the full report go to the VPIRG website where there is a link to the PDF.

There are several ways in which owners of electric generating facilities can pay property tax. The most common is through the Grand List valuation and taxation system. Under this system, the town assesses a value to the property, and places this value in the town’s grand list.  The grand list value is multiplied by the town’s state education and local tax rates. The result of this simple formula is the total state and local property tax owned for that year.

While the Grand List system is simple in theory, using this formula to determine the tax paid on a specific generating facility is not as easy or fair as one may think. Each municipality not only determines value based on different methodologies, but also separates its parcels differently.  For examples, the methane electric plant at Blue Spruce Farm is included in a listing which includes nearly the entire farm. Furthermore, because rivers often act as natural borders, many hydro facilities must pay taxes to towns on both sides of the river.

While the majority of Vermont's electrical generating facilities are taxed through the grand list system,there are a few facilities which are exempt from this taxation system. Perhaps the most important tax exemption applies only to facilities with a very high amount of annual generation, which in theory would only apply to Vermont Yankee Nuclear Facility. Although Vermont Yankee is exempt from the grand list taxation system, the owners still pay a tax, which instead of being based on the town, is based on a formula set out in its statute.

If not local, then what?

On the front page of the New York Times today was an article titled, Tomato Pickers’ Wages Fight Faces Obstacles which told the plight of Florida tomato pickers in Florida who are trying to persuade fast food restaurants to pay their tomato pickers higher wages, but their campaign (supported by college campuses and church groups) is facing strong opposition from Burger King.

Seeing that the nation gets 85% of their winter tomatoes from Florida, there's a good chance that the tomatoes in some of our fridges come from these workers are quite underpaid. This is one more reason why buying local is so important. But buying local produce in Vermont is hard, but there are tons of local farmers markets that stay open all through the winter. It's also good to be prepared, stuffing your pantry while produce is still in season by preserving, canning, etc.

But let's be reasonable ... the average family is still going to want their tomatoes or grapefruit or whatever, even if it's not in-season and not local. Until the idea of buying local and seasonal produces becomes a moral issue to the average citizen, what is the next best thing?

If you aren't yet willing to sacrifice some of your favorite foods because of the season, then try to at least be conscious about the companies you are buying from. Going back to the first article I began with, about the tomato pickers who are paid unfairly, by not buying food from corporations (such as Burger King) who refuse to pay the farmers more money, then at least you are not supporting these practices. You may not be stopping them, but you are no longer a supporter, and that is one step in the right direction.

Knowing where you're food is coming from involves doing some research. To be an ethical food shopper it means being aware. We are only individuals, but we have the choice of where we put our money. Making sure we so don't support companies that treat the workers or the land unethically is important. It may seem small, but all big changes start tiny.

Holiday blues: Missing the green

WARNING: Rant! Pessimism! BAH HUMBUG!

With the holiday season upon me, I find it hard not to get a bit blue about how UN-green this time of year can be (and I don't mean the bare trees and white snow over the grass). Don't get me wrong, there is so much to love and be thanksful for around the holiday season, but it's harder and harder for me to accept or ignore all the senseless consumerism and needless buying buying buying. It reflects harshly on us as a society, and our actions directly impact the land and people all around us.

I feel like the Grinch, but all I want to do is go through one holiday season where we don't buy things we don't need and we just celebrate being here with these people ... wherever that may be or whoever it may be with.

I suppose what sparked this little rant of mine was my recent visit with my 26 year old sister, an eighth-grad teacher and compulsive shopper. "I only got two presents this year from my kids!" she complained ... "I thought they were one of my best classes, and they only gave me two freaking gifts ..." she said this in an obnoxious high pitched tone while rolling her eyes. (I rolled mine as well, not for the same reason I don't think!) She said this to me right after she showed me her new pair of UGGS boots (for those who don't know, they are ridiculously high-priced, must-have-for-the-sake-of-warmth-fashion boots). infact she has two new pairs of UGGS boots. One pair from her boyfriend and the other from the mother of the chidren she's a nanny for. Both were early Christmas presents. But why I asked, would you need two pairs of UGGS boots? She looked at me disgusted, "well one's light brown and one's dark," she snapped. Ohh, of course, I thought. I don't get to see my sister a lot, and the entire conversation I had with her was based around shopping and buying and complaining. It's unfortunate. There was a lot we had to catch up on.

I suppose the point of this rant is that the holiday season has become twisted into an ugly chatoic consumption driven holiday, but we don't have to allow it to. I'm not saying to not buy gifts for people, gifts can be good ways to express ourselves to our loved ones. But don't let this buying obsess you. Don't let it get you down or make you worry or make you unhappy. This is not the point of buying.

Always be conscious of what you buy and why you are buying it. This means being an informed shopper---if possible, don't buy from stores whose values don't reflect your own. Your purchases may indirectly be supporting ugly things like unecessary deforestation or child labor. Just be aware.

Stop! Breath! Realize you are breathing! Be happy! Step outside and feel the cool December air! Reflect on the year! But most important, BE HERE NOW!

EPA says 17 states CANNOT set emissions standards

Vermont is one of 17 states who proposed a stricter car and truck emissions standard than the federal governments standard.

The FEDERAL law requires automakers to meet a 35-mile-per-gallon fleetwide standard for cars and trucks sold in the United States by 2020. It does not address carbon dioxide emissions, but these emissions woud be reduced as vehicles become more fuel effiecient.

However, states like Vermont, California, Oregon and New Mexico want stricter standards that take an even bigger proactive stance against global warming. The emissions standards California proposed in 2004, but WERE NOT approved by the federal government, would have forced automakers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in new cars and light trucks by 2016, with the cutbacks to begin in 2009 models.

That would have translated into roughly 43 miles per gallon for cars and some light trucks and about 27 miles per gallon for heavier trucks and sport utility vehicles. The new federal law will require automakers to meet a 35-mile-per-gallon fleetwide standard for cars and trucks sold in the United States by 2020.

Vermont adopted these same California standards ... but apparantly the federal government does not agree!

Check out the full Rutland Herald article here.

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I don't understand why the administration would ever override these individual states emissions standards. With the threat of global warming nipping at our heels, I would think the president would be thrilled that individual states wanted to go above and beyond the federal's standards. It's not harming anyone or anything ... except maybe the automobile industry.

In fact, the only reason I could think that the Bush administration would surpess these progressive rules is that they had a lout of pressure put on them by the automobile industry, who really don't want these sorts of regulations.

Consequently, David McCurdy, president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers praised the presidents decisions. He said if individuals states start making their own standards it would lead to confusion, inefficiencry and competition.

States competeting with each other as to who could set the highest emission standards ... now that's healthy competition! These states are setting examples that the federal gov't should look up to, not surpress!

The NY Times asked readers: WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD REGULATE EMISSIONS STANDARDS. Check out the comments here!

Let is snow, snow, snow, snow, snow, SNOW, SNOW.........

Snow in Vermont at winter time ... seems pretty normal, right? Not so true. According to a new VPIRG report, When it Rains, It Pours: Global Warming and the Rising Frequency of Extreme Precipitation in the United States from Deceber 4, "storms with heavy rainfall or snowfall are now 61 percent more frequent in the New England region than they were 60 years ago."

Vermont, specifically, experienced a 57% percent increase in extreme rainstorms and snowstorms during the period studied. This sort of weather has negative affects on all walks of life, from independent farmers to big corporate ski resorts.

These sorts of severe weather trends have been linked to global warming. Scientests expect parts of the world to receive an overabundance of precipitation, coming in big spurts and storms, while other parts of the world will receieve much less precipitation.

The VPIRG report cites known global warming experts like Bill McKibbin and the IPCC, who give warnings and present solutions. Solutions lie in the hands of individuals like ourselves, but also in state and federal government.

Fortunatly, Bernie Sanders is helping lead the way. According to Bill McKibben, “Bernie Sanders has become the biggest hero in the U.S. Senate on climate change, and this study gives us one more reason to back his efforts. He's weighed the political challenges with great wisdom, and Vermonters should be very proud of how far he's moved the rest of the Senate." How wonderful.

Check out the full report here.

Vermont and mercury

In followup to my previous post on mercury emissions from a nearby NY plant, I found many articles on the VPIRG blog on mercury in vermont ... CHECK THEM OUT!

Vermont's Voice- VPIRG BLOG

Toxic mercury locally produced

Mercury is one of the most toxic substances on earth. In the last century, mercury levels in the global environment have tripled as a result of increased pollution from industrial, occupational, medicinal and domestic uses. Even in Vermont we are not immune.

A recent article in the Hill Country Observer raised awarness about a mercury emissions in NY ... a state close enough that their policies are ultimatley our policies, as mercury taints the water and air and food that comes into VT

NY's state gov't was concerned enough about mercury that it joined MA, VT and six other states a couple of years ago, suing the federal gov't, demanding a tougher federal standard for mercury emissions.

The state has more than 80 laakes, rivers and streams, and the fish can become contammianted with mercury at high doses enough to deem health advisories.

Last year, NY adopted new regulations to cut mercury emissions from the state 13 coal-fired power plant by 90 percent in the next 8 years.

Unfortunatly, they are moving slower than would be hoped.

The Lafarge cement plant in Ravena, NY now tranks as the largest in-state source of airborne mercury, emitting an estimated 400 pounds a year, which is one-third as much as all the states coal-fired power plans put together. Both the state and the plant are tyring to figure out what these emissions are so hight, but haven't seemed to come to any conclusions.

One possibility rasied by environmental groups is the plant's use of fly ash, a mercury-tainted waste product from coal-burning power plants. This ash is availale in abundance at little or even no cost, making it a popular option as opposed to more costly ingredients.

This practice has actually been encrouaged by some state and federal environmentalists because of the theory that it's environmentally beneficial as it keeps ash from being deposited in landfills.

However, the toxicity of fly ash has increased in recent years as a result of pollution control improvements at power plants. Furthermore, the scientific evidence is buding that mercury pollution is much more prevelnat in the environment than previously believed - and that larger quantities than previously realized are being depoited near the plant that emit it.

The rise of the chain motels

Vermont's a pretty unique place. There's a law against billboards here, making drives through Vermont magnificently beautiful ... and we're the only state whos capital has no McDonalds. Vermont is also a tourist state, people come here to experience what we live everyday, which is a beautiful landscape and open-minded people. Tourists often wish to experience the "true Vermont life," staying in a quaint Bed & Breakfast looking out upon a farm, or something of that wonderous sort.

Alas, despite Vermont's steadfast nature to remain natural, we cannot completley escape the craze of the chains. Motel and hotel chains see a niche, and they�re bringing with them their familiar, standardized designs and services, along with all the modern amenities -- from computer access and business centers to video arcade rooms and kid-pleasers like indoor swimming pools.

A recent article in the Hill County Observer further explains this ugly phenomenon. Check it out.

I'm back. GREENING THE CAMPUS.

Nothing happened with the environment around here in the last few weeks. That's why I haven't been blogging. Okay, okay ... that's a big f a t lie. Final exams just rolled around and I became swamped. Not an excuse, I know.

Anyways. The biggest news from my campus, Green Mountain College, are the five new student "greening" proposals that were accepted by our school, which will be putting in almost $30,000 into the five projects.
The Student Campus Greening Fund s a student-run program designed to help put into action greening initiatives that increase awareness and decrease the school’s ecological impact. The fund has $30,000 in it every year. Students proposed projects are then voted on by all other students.

This year, all five proposals will receive the full amount requested for a total of $28,988. The money will be used to construct a campus yurt, install additional bike racks, purchase outdoor recycling bins, use bio-diesel in campus maintenance equipment and upgrade the alternative energy systems that power the farm greenhouse. Two hundred and sixty-nine students – far more than in previous years – voted during one week in December. The lead individuals for the proposals are expected to implement their projects throughout the spring semester.