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VOLUME II, Issue 14
http://www.GreenForNewEngland.org

JULY 19, 2001
    1 – Every Breath
    2 – Get Busy
    3 – A Bright Idea
    4 – Monumental Milk News
    5 – Bus Stop Blues
    6 – The Fun Continues 

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1 – Every Breath
On July 10, MASSPIRG and Clean Water Action joined other environmental organizations and public health advocates in releasing a study showing the impacts that upwind pollution from the nation’s oldest and dirtiest coal-burning power plants has on Massachusetts residents.  The study focused on 51 plants, including the Massachusetts based “Filthy Five,” that have been targeted by federal regulators for violating the Clean Air Act.  The study found that each year in Massachusetts approximately 2000 asthma attacks are triggered by pollution, and over 100 premature deaths may occur.  The study entitled “Power to Kill” (available at www.cleartheair.org) was based on research performed by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s consultants.  For more information on this study and other projects from MASSPIRG or Clean Water Action call 617-292-4800 (MASSPIRG) or 617-338-8131 (Clean Water Action).  You can also visit each of these organizations’ websites: www.pirg.org/masspirg and www.cleanwateraction.org.   

2 – Get Busy
Don’t spend these beautiful summer days sitting in front of the television!  Enjoy the great outdoors and do your part to protect Vermont’s natural beauty by volunteering with the Vermont chapter of the Nature Conservancy.  TNC is always in need of a few helping hands in any one of the 40 preserves across Vermont.  Key projects this summer involve collecting seeds in the Southern Lake Champlain Valley for restoration plantings and field surveys of invasive plant species.  A complete list of summer volunteer opportunities can be found at nature.org/states/vermont/, or call 802-229-4425.

3 – A Bright Idea
Are you staying up nights worrying about those poor Californians and their energy crisis?  Do you suspect that we won’t solve the crisis by drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge?  Well why not replace your night light with a Compact Fluorescent Lamp?  CFLs are a great way to conserve electricity while saving some money at the same time.  CFLs last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs, use ¼ of the energy, and produce less heat than conventional bulbs.  A standard 75-watt bulb will last only 750 hours, while a CFL lasts between 6,000 and 10,000 hours!  Although you do pay more up front for a CFL, the savings in operating costs make the lifetime cost of a CFL much less.  You can purchase CFLs and support an environmental group by visiting the Building Materials Resource Center at 100 Terrace Street in Roxbury, MA.  For more information on the BBMC, call 617-442-2262 or visit their website www.bbmc.com.

4 – Monumental Milk News
Thanks to the Vermont Land Trust, one Vermont family has preserved their family farm from development while contributing to Monument Farms growth—a popular area dairy.  Monument Farms Dairy, Inc., one of Vermont’s most widely known farms and milk brands, is purchasing the 355-acre Barnes Farm in Weybridge, VT in order to increase the size of its herd.  Monument Farms is the only Vermont dairy that sells milk exclusively from its own herd; due to the milk’s popularity, Monument needed to expand its operation.  With Vermont Land Trust’s assistance, the Barnes family sold its farm to Monument while maintaining a conservation easement for the Trust.  VLT will be responsible for ensuring that all future owners of the land adhere to the terms of the easement, keeping the fertile land as farmland.  More VLT conservation news and information can be found at www.vlt.org or by calling 802-223-5234.

5 – Bus Stop Blues
Have you ever held your breath while walking by an idling bus?  The residents of South Boston can’t hold theirs any longer.  The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is helping South Boston resolve a dispute with the Greyhound Bus garage in the neighborhood.  Greyhound filed a request with the City of Boston to expand its current property only to find out that the company lacked the proper zoning requirements to park buses at the site.  This discovery upset residents who were already angry about Greyhound’s unwillingness to separate its property from surrounding homes.  Residents regularly complain that buses are left idling for lengthy periods of time, exhaust fumes chase children indoors, and families must close their windows on hot days.  A $200,000 mitigation project proposed by Greyhound to separate the station from surrounding homes was turned down by residents and elected officials, who want the station moved completely.  CLF is working to develop a plan that will satisfy both Greyhound and the neighborhood.  Further information can be obtained by calling 617-350-0990 or by visiting www.clf.org.

6 – The Fun Continues
Still celebrating their centennial year, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests invites you on a hike through the Hope Forest in Danbury.  Stroll along peaceful woodland trails, picnic along cascading waterfalls, and enjoy the spectacular views of Mt. Kearsarge and Ragged Mountain.  The 373-acre forest is home to bear, moose, and other species of New Hampshire wildlife.  Numerous plant species, some of them rare, can also be found in the Hope Forest.  The hike takes place on Sunday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For further information call 603-224-9945 or visit www.spnhf.org.

Be a Friend!
The Environmental Federation of New England values your friendship, but you can’t have enough friends!  We are looking for people this fall willing to be our friends during our annual workplace giving campaigns.  It can be as easy as using one of our coffee mugs or posting one of our posters, but we need your help to let people know about us.  If you’re interested, send an email to info@GreenForNewEngland.org. 

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