We have reached a point where we MUST no longer accept ANY level of pollution in new development. We need a timetable to remedy the ills we have already imposed on a segment of our population, but allowing any amount of pollution in the name of progress can no longer be tolerated. Progress that reduces the quality of life of anyone in the name of rewarding another is not progress, that's injustice. We are smart enough now to know better and do better.
Permit hearing for Delaware City refinery draws vocal opponents and supporters
"'No community should be subject to pollution levels that hinder their ability to lead full, healthy lives,' the critics said in a May 31 letter to Delaware’s environment secretary Collin O’Mara and Shawn Garvin, the U.S. EPA’s regional administrator. 'Neighbors of the Delaware City Refinery have long been subjected to high levels of toxic pollutants, resulting in the area being identified as a census tract of high cancer risk.'"
When we consider the negative health effects of our choices in pursuit of higher quality of life, we cannot dismiss potential hazards as beyond risk (or beyond consideration as mostly happens).
Leak found in steel tank for water at Fukishima
"Recently, Tepco has struggled to deal with tens of millions of gallons of contaminated, toxic water at the plant, which must be stored in the large steel tanks that now occupy virtually every available bit of space there. The amount of radioactive water has continued to grow as groundwater has flowed at a rate of 100,000 gallons per day into the basements of the damaged reactor buildings. This contaminated water must be drawn off every day to prevent it from overwhelming makeshift systems that cool the melted reactors."
Thankfully, we saw some considered decision making on the part of Illinois regulators when a company sought to acquire coal plants with outdated technology and get a variance to keep pumping pollution into the atmosphere at unhealthy rates. Hopefully we can continue this pattern, although I personally do not hold out much hope.
Illinois regulators: Amren pollution variance can't be Itransferred to Dynegy
"The Illinois Pollution Control Board on Thursday unanimously denied a motion to transfer variances on pollutant standards for five coal-generated power plants from Ameren Energy Resources to Illinois Power Holdings LLC, which has agreed to purchase the plants."
It's hysterical to see a community/environmental issue like bike sharing getting the "Daily Show treatment", so regardless of the factuality of the piece, I find it cool for green to become a bit more mainstream.
Full pedal racket: Part I
Full pedal racket: Part II
"We used to say the same thing about the Irish, and look at 'em now! They're runnin' the joint!"
And this is just way too cool for words....
MIT's magic bag of sand
Right now, Daniela Rus' lab is working in two dimensions only, and they are only beginning to figure out how to downsize their cubes into sand grains. How long will that take? I figured something like 100 years — that's my normal guess for ideas that seem totally out there — but, in an interview on the Flexible Elements podcast series Kyle Gilpin said he could imagine having a smart sand model in less than 10 years."
Happy Friday!
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