BEN Spring 2004 Calendar Call For Events

MWe are currently gathering a list of events for the BEN Spring 2004 Calendar. Here are the submission guidelines. Submit conservation events that fall between March 1st to July 1st. Provide the following information: The event's name, place, time, contact information, cost (if needed) and a website address if possible, but not required. Please send your event submission to pkbyington@aol.com . Our deadline to submit an event is February 20th.

BEN is sent to over 3500 readers from across Alabama. The Annual BEN Spring Calendar has been regularly promoted by conservation groups on their websites and email listserves. It is a great way to promote your spring event..

1. Mobile Register Poll: Growing Opposition To LNG - According to a recent Mobile Register-University of South Alabama (USA) survey, a significant majority of Mobile and Baldwin residents oppose locating a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Mobile Bay.

In July 2003, ExxonMobil Corp. announced plans to build a $600 million LNG docking facility at the old Navy home port, about two miles south of the Mobile city limits. According to the Register, tankers longer than a football field would dock at the port and unload tens of millions of gallons of super-chilled and highly concentrated liquid gas. The liquid would be warmed and converted back to the more familiar vaporous form of natural gas. Along with the ExxonMobil proposal, Cheniere Inc., this month announced a proposal to build another LNG facility on Pinto Island, about one mile south of downtown Mobile.

Local community and environmental groups including Better Growth Mobile and Mobile Bay Watch have opposed the facilities based primarily on safety concerns. The groups have been joined by local and state public officials calling for independent safety studies to be conducted.

The following are some of the Mobile Register/USA survey results.

Two companies have proposed building liquefied natural gas import terminals on Mobile Bay. Industry officials say that LNG terminals have excellent safety records, and that their location here will help ensure that Mobile and the rest of the US have a plentiful supply of natural gas. But some groups have said that the highly compressed liquid gas poses serious safety hazard for fires and explosions, and that terminals should not be located near populated areas. Based on what you've read or heard, would you approve of disapprove of such a facility being built on Mobile Bay?

Some people feel we should not rely solely on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and that before any decision on building an LNG terminal, there should be a full independent safety study conducted. Do you agree or disagree?

Agree 86% Disagree 12% DK/NA 2%
How closely have you followed the issue of construction of an LNG terminal on Mobile Bay? Would you say..

Very closely 23%

Somewhat closely 49%

Not very closely 16%

Not closely at all 11%

DK/NA 1%

2. Rep. Davis to Launch Environmental Justice Initiative - LAccording to the Birmingham News, Congressman Artur Davis will be launching an environmental justice initiative this spring, which he will formally announce in the next two weeks.

Environmental justice refers to the fight against unequal distribution of environmental hazards among populations. Historically, poor or minority communities have had more of a burden. Rep. Davis' district includes parts of the Black Belt, the poorest section of the state.

Some of the issues of concern include, housing contaminated with lead, polluted waterways and landfills. Currently, according to the News, in Perry County, the county commission will decide soon whether to allow a landfill to be built near Uniontown that could receive up 7500 tons of solid waste a day from Alabama and 15 other states as far as New York. Perry County is in Davis' district.

3. ADEM Cleanup Fund Making Progress - The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has released its annual Alabama Hazardous Substance Cleanup Fund (AHSCF) report for fiscal year 2003. Established in 1989, the fund is used to assess, remediate and monitor abandoned or inactive hazardous substance sites throughout the state.

During 2003, AHSCF provided approximately $104,000 for use at 11 hazardous substance sites. Since its inception, the Fund has addressed almost 300 hazardous substance sites, with approximately 250 sites remediated or cleaned up. The FY2003 AHSCF report can be viewed on the Department's web site at http://adem.state.al.us.

4. City of Hoover Leads Way On Clean Air - PIn partnership with Alabama Partners for Clean Air and Central Alabama Clean Cities (CACC), the city of Hoover has received funding for the installation of a 12,000 gallon ethanol (E85) tank and pump at the new Hoover Public Safety Center.

Hoover currently has a fleet of nine Flexible Fuel Vehicles, so-named because they are able to be fueled by either E85, which is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, or by 100% gasoline. NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) a major contributor to ground level ozone, is reduced 10-20% by the use of ethanol blends. PM (particulate matter) is reduced by 20%. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are lowered by 15-30% and CO (carbon monoxide) is decreased by 25-30%.

For information about this program and available clean fuels programs in the Birmingham region, contact Justin Joffrion, Central Alabama Clean Fuels at 205-241-5040.

5. BEN Notes: SELC Seeking Environmental Attorney, Arbor Day Poster Contest, Bon Secour Expands Guided Tours, Auntie Litter Announces New Educators, Alabama Coastal Foundation Enviro. Commitment Award, SELC Nature Writing Award, Walkable Community Workshops in Birmingham

SELC Seeking Environmental Attorney - The Southern Environmental Law Center Deep South regional office in Atlanta is seeking to hire an experienced environmental attorney. The attorney will work on a range of environmental issues including major federal, state and administrative litigation in Alabama and Georgia.

Arbor Day Poster Contest - 5th Grade students are invited to be a part of the 2004 Arbor Day National Poster Contest sponsored by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Urban Forestry Association, The National Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota. Contest rules and procedures can be found at http://www.aces.edu/Calhoun/arborday/ This year's theme is "Trees are Terrific... in Cities and Towns!" The winning poster from schools must be sent to Arbor Day Poster Contest, c/o Dr. David West, 1702 Noble Street, Suite 108, Anniston, Alabama, 36201 by February 10th.

Bon Secour Expands Guided Tours - The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge has tripled the number of guided tours it will offer this winter and early spring, holding free excursions on Tuesdays and Thursdays during February and March. Space is limited and reservations are required. To make a reservation or obtain additional information call 251-540-7720 or visit their website at http://bonsecour.fws.gov.

Auntie Litter Announces New Educators - Auntie Litter, Inc., based in Birmingham, has announced the availability of five new Auntie Litter Educators, who can provide entertaining and educational programs at no cost to schools statewide. To schedule a program for your school or to become a sponsor, contact Auntie Litter, Inc., at 205-879-3009 or visit their website at http://www.AuntieLitter.org.

Alabama Coastal Foundation Enviro. Commitment Award - The Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) has recognized Aaron Oil Company, Inc. with the presentation of its first Environmental Commitment Award. The award encourages integration of environmental excellence into business management practices through the establishment of prevention-based environmental management systems. For more information about the award visit the ACF website at http://www.alcoastalfoundation.org

SELC Nature Writing Award - The Southern Environmental Law Center is now accepting submissions for the 11th Annual Phillip D. Reed Memorial Award for Outstanding Writing on the Southern Environment. The award seeks to enhance public awareness of the richness and vulnerability of the region's natural heritage by giving special recognition to writers who most effectively tell the stories about the South's environment. For detailed information about the award, go to http://www.SouthernEnvironment.org/AboutSELC/nwf_award.shtml or send inquiries Cathryn McCue at SELC.

Walkable Community Workshops in Birmingham - The Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will be holding a series of eight workshops over the course of a week - March 1st to March 5th - in Jefferson and Shelby counties, to helps assist elected officials, community planners, developers and local citizens in planning and building more "walkable" communities. For more information about these workshops contact Tom Maxwell at 205-264-8445 or go to the MPO website (look under "Event Calendar" : http://www.bhammpo.org.

In October 2003 Poll* (Questions measured general support, but wording different)
Approve 50%	Disapprove 35%	Don't Know/No answer 15%
In January 2004 Poll
Approve 29%	Disapprove 62%	Don'tKnow/No Answer 9%