We received a question on the whether or not states like New Jersey have authority to enact more stringent rules on mercury emissions from power plants than what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued recently.
Here is the original question:
Community wind energy projects are expanding across the Midwest. These locally owned commercial-scale wind projects maximize local economic benefits. Take a look at how farmers and entrepreneurs are harvesting a new crop.
Below find some nice online resources describing successful community wind energy projects.
More
Wal-Mart and an Ohio developer spent heavily and attacked opponents as wealthy elites in a successful campaign to overturn a new law governing large-scale retail stores in the town of Bennington, Vermont.
The local ordinance capped retail stores at 75,000 square feet (about one-and-a-half football fields) and required proposals for stores over 30,000 square to pass a community impact review. It was enacted unanimously by the town’s select board in January after three years of extensive review, public meetings and deliberations.
Three Philadelphia City Councilors—David Cohen, Richard Mariano and Frank DiCicco—have introduced an ordinance that would bar "predatory superstores" from locating within the city.
The ordinance defines predatory superstores as any store over 180,000 square feet or any store over 90,000 square feet that devotes more than 10 percent of its floor space to nontaxable grocery items.
Both chambers of the Maryland legislature have approved a bill that would require Wal-Mart to spend more on employee health insurance.
The legislation applies to companies with more than 10,000 employees in the state that do not already spend at least eight percent of their payroll on health benefits.
By an 18-1 vote, the City Council in Madison, Wisconsin, endorsed a measure that would limit retail stores to a footprint of no more than 100,000 square feet. Stores may be larger if they are multi-story or have structured or underground parking.
A 100,000-square-foot store covers about the same land area as two football fields and typically requires at least twice as much land for the parking lot.
We received a question on whether or not the state of Montana should enact a requirement for a 10 percent ethanol blend in its gasoline supplies. Dr. Dave responded, noting that Montana is one of six states that has in place or is currently debating, an ethanol mandate.
Click Here for the complete Question and Answer from Dr.Dave.
In a unique collaboration, a Minnesota electric cooperative will supply the thermal energy requirements for an ethanol plant proposed in North Dakota.
Under a law enacted in 2002, communities in California were alllowed to aggregate electric utility customers and take control over their electric system. Three years later, implementation plans are being developed or under consideration by about two dozen California cities.
"I was driving home one day and saw it on the back of a bus," said Don Burch, owner of Qwest Outdoors, a retailer of outdoor gear in Louisville, Kentucky. The advertisement, in black with white lettering, said, "Keep Louisville Weird. Support Independent Businesses."
"I tried in vain to find out who was doing it," said Burch.
Weeks later he finally discovered that the ads, which have been appearing on billboards and buses around the city, were sponsored by John Timmons, owner of Ear X-tacy, a 20-year-old music store.
Your download has begun in a separate window. Please take a minute to help us better understand who is viewing our work by filling out the form below.