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1) House Members of State Ag Committee Call for
Strong Hog Rules 1. House Members of State Ag Committee Call for Strong Hog Rules - In a letter to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), four members of the Alabama State House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, including the Chair and Co - chair, called on the department to implement new swine CAFO (Confined Animal Feeding Operation) regulations that are "at least equal to" or "greater than" protections that are being implemented in sister states in the Southeast. The letter also asked ADEM to engage the Alabama Department of Public Health in assessing the risks to public health associated with large hog operations. The letter was signed by Agriculture Committee Chair Rep. Thomas Jackson, Co - chair Rep. John Robinson, Rep. Andrew Hayden and Rep. Walter Penry, and delivered to ADEM and the CAFO working group (a group of agriculture and enviro interests working on new ADEM swine CAFO regulations) on March 16th. For more information about the negative impact hog factories have on the environment, ADEM's proposed swine CAFO rules, and the legislative letter calling for strong rules that protect the environment and public health, contact the Alabama Rivers Alliance at 205-322-6395. 2. TVA "Green Power Switch" Becoming a Reality - Giant wind turbines... solar panels at schools and museums... landfill gas to energy projects... Sounds like the future. Well, the future is now in Alabama and in the Tennessee Valley, because on April 22 Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation's largest public power company, will be launching it's "Green Power Switch" program. For the first time, customers will have the option of paying a small premium to ensure that a portion of their electricity comes from non-polluting, renewable energy sources. The utility plans to place 8.7 megawatts of renewable energy on line by the end of the year (this compares to TVA's 28,502 megawatt capacity-but it is significant start). TVA's new Green Power Program, which will be outlined today (March 29) in Nashville, will offer green power in 150-kilowatt blocks for a monthly premium of $4. That much power typically costs around $9. On average, TVA customers use about 1,200 kilowatt hours a month, and once the program is available they can purchase as many green power blocks as they want. The utility figures it will have enough green power blocks available initially for 30,000 homes, to each buy one 150-kilowatt block. Only eleven of TVA's 159 distributors, will be offering this service in 2000. The distributor in Alabama offering the service will be in Huntsville. For more information about this exciting and innovative new energy program, and how you can participate, contact the Tennessee Valley Energy Reform Coalition (TVERC) at 423-637-6055 or email sasmith@tngreen.com 3. Landmark Park: A Southeast Alabama Treasure - Just on the outskirts of the city of Dothan in Southeast Alabama, is a 100 acre park built to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Wiregrass region. Called Landmark Park, this regional treasure, takes you back to the 1890's, with a "living history farm," a schoolhouse and turn of the century church. On the environmental front, Landmark Park has developed some incredible environmental education programs, including a "walk through nature and woods" on an elevated and accessible boardwalk. They also have an interpretive center, wildlife exhibits and a planetarium. Please visit Landmark Park's website at: http://www.landmarkpark.com. It truly is an Alabama treasure. 4. Job Openings at the Cahaba River Society and B'ham Botanical Gardens - More job openings were announced last week in Birmingham. Please spread the word about these employment opportunities. Environmental Educator - the Cahaba River Society is seeking a full-time, environmental educator with a passion for the environment, children and the outdoors. The primary responsibilities of the Environmental Educator are to assist with program administration and conduct on-the-water educational field trips, restoration projects and workshops for students, teachers, community leaders and members participating in the education program of the Cahaba River Society. For more detailed information about this position please contact CRS's Randy Mecredy at: 205-32-CLEAN. Education Assistant - The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is seeking an education assistant to help carry out the successful environmental education programs at the gardens. To apply, send a resume to: Grace Smith, Staff Director, Birmingham Botanical Society, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35213. 5. Have a "Green Tie Affair" On April 15th - I can't think of a better way to celebrate tax day than to attend the Alabama Environmental Council's "A Green Tie Affair" in Birmingham. This 4th Annual event is one of the environmental community's "outright fun" social events of the year. It is all for a good cause - the Alabama Environmental Council. This year's benefit and auction will be held at the B&A Warehouse, 1531 1st Ave. South in Birmingham. For $35 there will be food (and we are talking some great food from Nabeel's), drinks and music by the Undergrounders. Call the AEC State Office for more details at; 205-322-3126. Please share BEN with friends and fellow conservationists. If you have any questions or comments about this publication, contact Pat Byington, the author and publisher of BEN at 205-226-7739 or pkbyington@aol.com We also encourage readers to visit our website at : http://www.BamaNews.com |
