February 25, 2003

Environmental Watch: May joins marine sciences lab in Sequim

SEQUIM -- Christopher May, Ph.D., has joined the Marine Sciences Laboratory of Battelle's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a senior research engineer. May will extend ecosystem assessment and restoration capabilities in the marine and nearshore environment into freshwater ecosystems, with a focus on watershed analysis, stormwater management, non-point-source pollution issues and salmonid habitat assessment.

He has served as a researcher and adjunct faculty member at the University of Washington and Western Washington University; a private consultant; and technical adviser to the Navy and Department of Defense for stormwater and watershed management issues.

May has been principal investigator on projects including a study to evaluate the impacts of urbanization on aquatic ecosystems and the effectiveness of stormwater best management practices.

Biodiesel legislation introduced in Olympia

OLYMPIA -- A package of four bills aimed at promoting biodiesel is winding its way through the state House.

Sponsored by Rep. Brian Sullivan (D-Mukilteo), the bills would provide tax incentives for the production, distribution and retail sale of biodiesel; require use of biodiesel by state agencies; and launch a biodiesel school transportation pilot project.

The Technology, Telecommunications & Energy Committee has sent the package to the Finance Committee. Sullivan expects the bills to reach the House floor. "There's a lot of excitement about them."

Biodiesel is a clean-burning fuel produced from fat or vegetable oil. One goal is to make the fuel from Washington-grown crops, such as canola and mustard seed. Backers of biodiesel say it is environmentally beneficial, and would boost economically distressed farming communities.

Wind farms may come to Kittitas County

ELLENSBURG -- Two wind energy projects totaling nearly 362 megawatts of potential capacity have been formally proposed for Kittitas County, according to Con.Web.

Texas-based Zilkha Renewable Energy has filed an application with the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council for an approximately 181.5-MW project between Ellensburg and Cle Elum. It's the first time a wind developer has sought EFSEC endorsement. EFSEC recommendations are forwarded to the governor, who has the final say.

Meanwhile, California-based enXco has applied to Kittitas County for approval of a proposed 180-MW-capacity project north of Ellensburg, near the proposed Zilkha site.

Together these projects would exceed the current 300-MW capacity of Stateline Wind Energy Center in Southeast Washington.

City wins climate protection kudos

SEATTLE -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given Seattle a 2003 Climate Protection Award in honor of three City Light programs. The city joins winners from China, India and Korea.

City Light is being commended for its commitment to meeting all of its growth in energy demand through renewable resources and conservation; mitigation of all greenhouse gas emissions from any fossil-fuel-based power; and for its inventory of all corporate greenhouse gas emissions. The city's emissions in 2000 were 60 percent below 1990 emission levels.

Cummins NW joins Clean Cities Coalition

SEATTLE -- Cummins Northwest, a Renton company that distributes Cummins engines, has joined the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition.

Cummins is considered a leader in the development and manufacture of alternative fuel engines in buses, trucks and other medium- to heavy-duty vehicles. Among its products are a propane-powered engine that was the first heavy-duty engine to be certified as an ultra-low emissions vehicle, and a natural gas-powered engine that was the first that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certified to meet the agency's more stringent 2004 standard.

Students gear up FutureTruck for national show

MOSCOW, Idaho -- The University of Idaho's experimental "#13 Summit" FutureTruck is headed to the Society of Automotive Engineers Congress March 3-5 to demonstrate the first concept truck with triple-power systems.

The converted Ford Explorer runs on gasoline, electricity and stored hydraulic power.

"We won't have the passive cooling system installed on the roof yet, but the hydraulic-assisted energy system, hybrid electric, modified gas engine and other redesigned energy and emissions features are ready for the show," said Frank Albrecht, the team's faculty adviser.

The team dismantled a stock 2002 Ford Explorer and redesigned it to use less energy and reduce emissions. They are part of a four-year project to re-engineer a conventional truck into a lower-emissions vehicle with at least 25 percent higher fuel economy.

'E' events planned for the Pacific Northwest

SEATTLE -- The following events for the environment industry have been scheduled:

•The South Pacific Chapter of the Olympia Master Builders will host its first Green Building Conference at the Chautauqua Lodge in Long Beach Feb. 28. Kathleen O'Brien of O'Brien & Co. will facilitate the one-day meeting for Realtors, builders, mortgage brokers and municipal leaders. The fee is $65. To register, mail payment to OMB, 1211 State Ave N.E., Olympia, WA 98506. For more information, call (360) 754-0912 or (800) 456-6473.

• The city of Seattle will offer a free two-hour class, Watershed-wise Lawn and Gardening Care, at 10 a.m. March 1 at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N. Call (206) 783-2244 to pre-register or see www.phinneycenter.org for more information.

• Ron Bowen a hazardous materials specialists with the state Fire Marshal's Office will speak at the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Academy of Hazardous Materials Management dinner meeting at 6 p.m. March 4 at Seattle's Rock Salt Steak House, 1232 Westlake Ave. N. Reservations are due by Feb. 28 and can be made by writing diana.cull@ci.bothell.wa.us or by calling Diana Cull at (425) 489-4872.

• Environmental Insurance is the topic of the Olympic Chapter of the Northwest Environmental Business Council's 11:30 a.m. March 5 lunch at McCormick & Schmick's Harborside Seafood Restaurant, 1200 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle. Sean McVay of Marsh's Environmental Practice and Kelley George of AIG Environmental will speak. They have experience in structuring environmental coverage to limit liability and costs during complex property transactions, remediation projects, brownfields redevelopments and construction projects. For more information, see www.nebc.org or telephone 1 (888) 609-NEBC.

• Mold: The Next Asbestos is the topic of a daylong continuing education course that begins at 8 a.m. March 11 at The Mountaineers Club, 300 Third Ave. W., in Seattle. The class, which costs $175 for those who register today and $205 after, is for industrial hygienists, safety professionals, physicians, occupational health nurses, public health professionals, attorneys and facilities managers. The University of Washington's Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety is presenting the course. For more information, see http://depts.washington.edu/ehce');">http://depts.washington.edu/ehce, write ce@u.washington.edu or telephone (206) 543-1069.