News stories tagged with "pollution"

(07/12/11) A political activist from western New York is suing the state over its involvement in a 10-state carbon-trading program.

Lisa Thrun heads up the grassroots campaign for the New York chapter of Americans for Prosperity. She's also the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the state's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Thrun's lawsuit alleges that cap-and-trade policies in New York are placing an undue burden on taxpayers. The suit also claims that lawmakers didn't get a chance to properly vet the state's commitment to the program. more

(03/10/11) A new report calls on the U.S. and Canada to do more to protect human health and water quality in the Great Lakes. The International Joint Commission's biennial report says beach closures, contaminated groundwater, and invasive species continue to be significant problems in the region. Todd Moe reports. more

(03/09/11) A judge has approved a deal between "Old GM" -- the bankruptcy offshoot of the auto giant -- and the Federal Government for the cleanup of contaminated sites across 14 states. As Innovation Trail's Ryan Morden reports, that includes two sites in Upstate New York.

(01/05/11) A prominent property-rights activist was arraigned yesterday in a Clinton County court for allegedly dumping hazardous materials on his property near Ausable Forks.

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the felony charges against LeRoy Douglas could bring up to four years in prison and a fine of 150 thousand dollars.

Douglas - who has been an outspoken critic of state environmental policies - pleaded not guilty and was released without bail.

DEC officials say they began investigating the case in 2008 after they received complaints about the property near Silver Lake in Clinton County.

They say a state investigator found a wide range of contamination on Douglas's land, including a pile of lead acid batteries, dead animals and medical waste.

According to the Plattsburgh Press-Republican, Douglas's attorney has requested that a special prosecutor be named to handle the case.

Douglas has claimed in the past that investigations of his property are politically motivated.

(12/20/10) A new report issued on Friday by the Environmental Protection Agency says the Finch, Pruyn paper mill in Glens Falls generates the most pollution of any manufacturing plant in New York state.

Other top polluters in the North Country include Alcoa, Fort Drum, and International Paper. Brian Mann has details. more

(12/16/10) In a settlement deal between General Motors and the White House, the car maker will set aside nearly three quarters of a billion dollars for environmental clean up of contaminated properties. The public got to weigh in on plans for a site near Syracuse last night. As the Innovation Trail's Ryan Morden reports, there are worries about PCBs. more

(12/02/10) Lake Champlain is back in the news this week, as politicians from New York, Vermont, and Quebec signed a new compact aimed at cleaning up the lake. Phosphorous pollution has been a growing problem for decades, triggering noxious and potentially toxic algae blooms. A new film about the problem, called Bloom, airs tonight on Mountain Lake PBS.

Brian Mann first reported in-depth on this debate in 2007. In today's Story 2.0, we revisit Brian's trip to talk to the major players in the valley.

(10/08/10) The group 350.org is spearheading a world-wide community workday Sunday. It's called 10.10.10. Volunteers across the region will pick up hammers, shovels and garden tools and join the Global Work Party. It's being called the world's largest day of practical action to fight the climate crisis. Todd Moe found some SUNY Potsdam students and community volunteers who got ahead of the game last weekend by helping with fall chores at a community garden in Potsdam.

(09/22/10) When you did laundry this week, did you hang it outside to dry? Alexander Lee is hoping so. He's the founder of Project Laundry List and is leading the "Right to Dry" movement. Lee is biking from New Hampshire to Canton for the Sustainable Living Festival this weekend. Todd Moe spoke with him about using traditional clotheslines instead of dryers. Lee has been featured in People magazine, the Colbert Report and even Swedish radio.

(06/29/10) New York State's Department of Health recently published an Internet-based map of cancer data by county. (see link below)

The American Cancer Society says the maps can be misinterpreted, and that the huge amounts of information on chemicals, and cancer, need further study. But public health advocates are raising alarms over a class of chemicals we eat, drink and breath in, and that can stay in our bodies for years. On the list: dioxin, PCBs and other organic compounds. Martha Foley has more. more