AAEA Featured On Korea Broadcasting Station

AAEA President Norris McDonald is interviewed for the Program "Science Cafe," about the pending Nuclear Renaissance. The interview was conducted by a Korean production crew on December 1, 2007.

Environmental Justice & Nuclear Power

The State of Environmental Justice in America 2008 Conference at the Howard University School of Law on Friday, May 23, 2008 was a complete success. So was our forum: Environmental Justice & Nuclear Power: "Business Opportunities in the Nuclear Energy Industry." The Environmental Justice and Nuclear Power forum examined how African American businessmen and women can participate in the anticipated nuclear power plant construction renaissance. Blacks do not generally own companies that provide energy products and services, particularly in the nuclear power industry. Blacks do not own any of the energy infrastructure in the U.S. There are many reasons for this lack of participation, but one glaring reason is the very large amount of money needed to participate in an ownership capacity in the energy sector.

This forum examined how companies can benefit by serving as mentors to minority entrepreneurs and investors. It also showed how minority entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders can be helpful in assuring the success of these huge investments. Such partnerships could bring fresh perspectives and unique opportunities to both partners. America is poised to launch a renewal of nuclear power plant construction, which will involve billions of dollars for each plant. There are huge opportunities to participate in this renaissance if minority entrepreneurs and investors are aware of the products and services needed.

Of course, it would also help to have contacts in companies that will be building new plants. There are also many ancillary opportunities because of the nature of the business. These include transportation of nuclear waste by truck, rail and barge, security, construction of casks for transport of spent fuel to Yucca Mountain, electricians, physicists, metal and concrete workers, plumbers, computers, electronics, and more.The forum examined potential constraints to participation and how these problems can be overcome. Although nuclear power is not normally included as providing green jobs, the workshop clearly described how this industry will be creating such employment and how it can be leveraged to create opportunities in other areas, such as emissions trading. Finally, the forum described how these opportunities in the nuclear area can also complement new developments in conservation, efficiency, coal, carbon dioxide and transportation fuels.

National Harbor Broad Creek Sewer Overflow Easily Fixable

Technical Inquiry: Why is sanitary sewage being pumped up hill at least 200 feet high and several miles away to a pumping station when Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant is on a level plain about a mile away? Jurisdiction?  Maryland versus DC water permitting?

 The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission should install a new waste water pumping station at the Broad Creek Waste Water Pumping Station in Fort Washington. The station is almost 40 years old and it cannot handle the additional capacity generated by National Harbor during rain storms. Richard Krueger, chairman of the Broad Creek Historic District Local Advisory Committee has the right recommendations:

"Although WSSC has proposed to upgrade the station’s generators to address power outages, a second pumping station should be constructed to handle sewage generated in the Henson Creek basin east of Route 210 that will feed into the main Piscataway treatment plant. This would allow the Broad Creek Pumping Station to efficiently pump the anticipated increases in volume from National Harbor and new development west of 210." Gazette.Net

Usually sewer overflows are directed to outfalls at rivers instead of creeks. For instance, the Potomac River was partially 'cleaned' by directing the sewer overflows to outfalls along the Anacostia River. Thus, the overflows at WSSC’s Broad Creek Pumping Station in Fort Washington, MD are unacceptable. WSSC flows are directed to the Anacostia and Patuxent Rivers.

Sanitary sewer overflows occur in all older Eastern cities every times it rains. Every time it rains the excrement from toilets in the Washington Metropolitan Area ends up going directly into the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers. It is the designed Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system. The same occurs in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and elsewhere. Sanitary pipes also run parallel to creeks and rivers in many areas to serve as backup systems when the pipes leak.

ABOUT WSSC'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM

WSSC already has a consent decree generated multi-year action plan to dramatically minimize, and eliminate where possible, sewage overflows. The comprehensive 12-year plan settles a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in November 2004 on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding overflows in WSSC’s wastewater collection system. [CONSENT DECREE]

Sewer Overflow Causes

Overflow News

February 11, 2008 Overflow

May 9, 2008 Overflow

May 11, 2008 Overflow

May 12, 2008 Overflow

WSSC is the 8th largest water and wastewater utility in the nation, serving more than 1.8 million residents in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. They operate and maintain seven water and wastewater plants, nearly 5,500 miles of fresh water pipeline and more than 5,300 miles of sewer pipeline. In their 89-year history, WSSC has never had a drinking water quality violation.

The D.C. Soccer Stadium Plan Is Back Big Time

The soccer team owned by Victor MacFarlane, left, D.C. United, wants the District of Columbia to put up $225 million to build a new stadium. The District plans to consider $150 million for the stadium with D.C. United putting up any cost above that amount. AAEA supports the soccer stadium plan and has briefed MacFarlane's staff about environmental issues near the proposed project. Mayor Adrian Fenty, and Council Members Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), Vincent C. Gray (D) and Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) are leading the effort to get the stadium built.

The proposal would be financed with $150 million in construction bonds with excess tax revenue being collected to pay for Nationals Park (new publicly financed $611 million baseball stadium). The soccer stadium would be part of a larger mixed use development in Poplar Point, 110 acres along the Anacostia River in Ward 8. The ward is 91% black, 8% white and 1% other races. (The Washington Post 5/29/08)

Exxon Mobil Corp Holds Off Rockefeller Revolt

John D. Rockefeller, Sr. founded Standard Oil in 1870, which became Exxon in 1911. Now 73 of 78 of his great great grandkids recently sought to (percent of vote):

1) Separate the Chairman and Chief Executive positions (39.5)

2) Look beyond fossil fuels by developing a renewable energy policy (27.4)

3) Set specific goals for greenhouse gas emissions (30.9)

4) Produce a report on the impact of climate change on poor communities (10.4)

Current Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerman rejects the philosophy and effort of the Rockefeller family descendants, led by Neva R. Goodwin and Peter O'Neill, and does not believe nonfossil fuels will make a significant contribution in global energy demand until at least 2050. Today the Rockefeller family owns only 0.006 percent of ExxonMobil.

The Standard Oil Trust either bought competitors or drove them out of business and controlled the majority of the U.S. oil industry in the first decade of the 20th Century. In 1911 the U.S. Supreme Court broke up Standard Oil. The companies springing from the break up included:

1) Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (now Exxon)

2) Standard Oil Company of New York (now Mobil)

3) Standard Oil Company of Indiana (later Amoco and now part of BP)

4) Standard Oil Company of California ( now Chevron)

5) Standard Oil Company of Ohio (later Sohio and now part of BP)

(The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal)

U.N. Makes It Harder To Get Carbon Dioxide Offset Approval

Projects that generate carbon dioxide (CO2) credits under the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) are finding it harder and impossible to get their offsets approved. If a project or retrofit leads to a reduction in carbon dioxide that would not have otherwise occurred as a natural order of business, then the U.N., through the Kyoto Protocol sanctioned CDM, allows for the selling and purchasing of credits.

One example is the burning of bagasse, leftover sugarcane husks that are a renewable energy source, which the U.N. approved in the past but now considers it business as usual.

AAEA, through its parent, Center for Environment, Commerce & Energy, has established two emissions trading exchanges: 1) Clean Carbon Bank (GCB) and 2) Carbon Mercantile Exchange (CMX) to market CO2 offsets and other gases. We are promoting CDM offsets and have met with the Asia Development Bank (ADB), headquartered in the Phillipines, to utilize a competitor to the U.N. program. (The Wall Street Journal, Graphic: Carbon Atom)

Coal Use To Produce Electricity Is Growing

Electricity generation accounts for 93% of coal consumption and use increased from 1.026 billion short tons in 2006 to 1.046 billion short tons in 2007 (a 1.95% increase compared to a 1.6% increase in electricity production). Utilities paid about $36 a short ton for delivered coal in 2007, up nearly 40% from $25.82 in 2003.

The coal industry also has an outreach and lobbying arm: The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is being funded by $45 milllion a year by utilities, coal producers, equipment makers, railroads and other coal stakeholders. It is the successor organization for Americans for Balanced Energy Choices and the Center for Energy and Economic Development, founded respectively in 1992 and 2000. (DOE-EIA, The Wall Street Journal)

PJM Interconnection Says Blackouts & Brownouts Likely

The Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland Interconnection (PJM) says there will be brownouts in Maryland and Virginia by 2011 if high power transmission line are not built across Loudoun County, Virginia. Of course, local NIMBY activists want to stop all transmission lines and usually say utility companies have enough power and are just trying to increase profits. Many states are facing the same problems as those in the PJM service territory, particularly New York and California. You cannot NIMBY all the time everywhere and expect electricity everywhere and all the time.

Although there is a federal imminent domain law, utility companies are reluctant to utilize it because they want friendly business relationships with local and state governments. Botched half hearted deregulation of electricity only makes the situation worse as public service commissions approve rate increases that were frozen for up to a decade. Just as people are now noticing gasoline, soon they will also be 'noticing' electricity.

What To Do With The Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs

Most people will probably throw their compact flourescent light bulbs in the trash can but broken bulbs can release a mercury containing powder that can get airborne. Mecury is a neurotoxin that can adversely affect fetuses, infants and young children.

If a bulb is broken in the home or office, the area should be vented well by opening windows to reduce mercury concentrations in the air and it should be scooped up or picked up using tape or some other sticky material and seal in a glass jar or plastic bag. EPA has guidelines for clean up broken CFL bulbs and a listing of state laws regarding the disposal of CFLs. (AP)

Damu Smith

It has been two years since we lost this great environmental justice activist. Know that you are missed Damu. We need you now more than ever. (1952-2006)

AAEA Supported Woodrow Wilson Bridge Replacement

AAEA was the only environmental group in the United States to support the replacement of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. When the replacement was proposed, NIMBYs and most other environmental groups opposed the new bridge because they believed it would create more traffic because such an amenity would 'encourage' people to drive their cars. We aggressively disagreed with that assessment and led the environmental fight to get the bridge approved. AAEA presented testimony in favor of the project at the hearings for the bridge and generated positive publicity through press conferences and support rallies. Specifically, we showed that the 12-lane bridge would improve air pollution and family time by getting people to their destinations faster. We also pointed out that bridges do not 'emit' pollution.

Of course, as we have become accustomed to with other such successes, AAEA is getting no public recognition for this great success. This stealth quality seems to apply to much of our good work. Fortunately we live in the age of the Blog. But it appears that we are not alone this time. According to The Washington Post:

"Event organizers said the region's U.S. House delegation could not make the ceremony because of a scheduled vote, an explanation seconded by the office of Rep Frank R. Wolf (R-Va). But U.S. Rep. James P. Moran (D-Va) said he, Wolf and Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) boycotted the event because they felt snubbed. "Frank and Tom and I were a little bit peeved that we worked as hard as we did to get all that money and were put up in the peanut gallery, and the three people who had nothing to do with it tooted across the bridge," Moran said. He was referring to the two governors and to D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), who was not at the event."

The event organizers are the same people who were constantly in contact with us and encouraged our support when all other environmental groups opposed the project. Yet AAEA did not receive an invitation to participate in the dedication ceremony that caused massive complaints from commuters yesterday because of rubbernecking delays. We are finding that our support is appreciated at the proposal stage of project development, but we are not included in the celebrations, recognition and other benefits after the projects are approved and built. Every time we see or cross the new bridge, we will smile at the knowledge that we played a small but significant role in its construction. AAEA will continue to do good work and support projects that we think benefit society and are environmentally friendly.

Drawing: Original rendering of bridge. Courtesy Woodrow Wilson Bridge Center

Bush Administration Protects 'Threatened' Polar Bear

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) of the Department of the Interior listed polar bears as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act on May 13, 2008 due to the loss of Arctic sea ice. The FWS will now draft a recovery plan that will include assessing the population and its habitat. (News Release)

The Center for Biological Diversity, Greenpeace and the Natural Resources Defense Council petitioned to list the polar bear in 2005 and ultimately sued the Interior Department to force the regulation. A concern of the administration is that environmental groups will use the regulation to limit carbon dioxide emissions throughout society instead of waiting for global warming legislation to pass in Congress.

Proposed ESA Special 4(d) Rule

Update: Reported after the enviro groups sued, now the state of Alaska will sue to challenge listing because they fear it will stop oil and gas development in polar bear habitat off the state's northern and northwestern coasts.

Update: A week later the same green groups sued the Interior Department over the listing of the polar bear as a threatened species instead of endangered and for excluding habitat protection, which could be used to fight global warming.

CBO Study on Nuclear Power's Role In Generating Electricity

The May 2008 U.S. Congressional Budget Office study, "Nuclear Power's Role in Generating Electricity:"

1) assesses the commercial viability of advanced nuclear technology as a means of meeting future demand for electricity by comparing the costs of producing electricity from different sources under varying circumstances.
2) estimates the cost of producing electricity using a new generation of nuclear reactors and other base-load technologies under a variety of assumptions about prospective carbon dioxide charges, Energy Policy Act (EPAct) incentives, and future market conditions.
3) compares the cost of advanced nuclear technology with that of other major sources of base-load capacity that are available throughout the country—including both conventional and innovative fossil-fuel technologies.
4) focuses only on technologies that can be used as base-load capacity in most parts of the country, it does not address renewable energy technologies that are intermittent (such as wind and solar power) or technologies that use resources readily available only in certain areas (such as geothermal or hydroelectric power).

CBO's analysis yields the following conclusions:

■ In the absence of both carbon dioxide charges and EPAct incentives, conventional fossil-fuel technologies would most likely be the least expensive source of new electricity-generating capacity.
■ Carbon dioxide charges of about $45 per metric ton would probably make nuclear generation competitive with conventional fossil-fuel technologies as a source of new capacity, even without EPAct incentives.
■ Also at roughly $45 per metric ton, carbon dioxide charges would probably make nuclear generation competitive with existing coal power plants and could lead utilities in a position to do so to build new nuclear plants that would eventually replace existing coal power plants.
■ EPAct incentives would probably make nuclear generation a competitive technology for limited additions to base-load capacity, even in the absence of carbon dioxide charges. CBO anticipates that only a few of the 30 plants currently being proposed would be built if utilities did not expect carbon dioxide charges to be imposed.
■ Uncertainties about future construction costs or natural gas prices could deter investment in nuclear power.

In another report from Amory Lovins, founder and president of the Rocky Mountain Institute, he says: "Forget Nuclear"

Fannie Mae Posts $2.2 Billion Loss In First Quarter of 2008

Fannie Mae, which owns or guarantees nearly $3 trillion of mortgage-related investments, posted a loss of $2.19 ($2.57 per share) from January through March of this year. Fannie Mae is chartered by the government to keep mortgage money flowing and is responsible for about half the securities being issued to fund home mortgages. It packages mortgages into securities for sale to investors, promising to make the payments if the borrowers default. The company also buys mortgages directly. Those activities help lenders get mortgages off their books and replenish the funds needed to make more loans.

One factor in the loss is that home prices fell an average of 3 percent in the quarter and are expected to fall 7 to 9 percent nationally this year. (The Washington Post)

U.S. Nuclear Power Agreement With Russia Good and Bad

The U.S. signed an agreement with Russia on May 6 to import, store and reprocess thousands of tons of spent nuclear fuel that had been supplied by the U.S. for reactors around the world. The agreement is good because it promotes nuclear fuels reprocessing. It is also good because it will reduce the risk for countries to divert that material to weapons programs. The agreement is bad because it is a poor substitute for America having its own nuclear fuels reprocessing facilities. The agreement is a complement to the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).

Russia is planning to build a nuclear fuel reprocessing facility in eastern Siberia. An agreement with Washington is key to the plant's viability, as the U.S. controls the vast majority of the world's spent fuel through agreements with third countries that it supplies with nuclear material. The agreement does not require congressional approval but could be blocked by majority votes in the House and Senate. The deal must be ratified by Russia's lower house of parliament but there should not be any opposition to the agreement. (The Washington Post)

New Black Deputy Mayor of London To Fight Crime

Newly elected Mayor Boris Johnson, left, appointed Ray Lewis, right, a black conservative, as a Deputy Mayor for Young People, which will focus on mitigating London's increased crime rate. It was the first appointment that Boris Johnson, the Conservative Party candidate who unseated incumbent Ken Livingston of the Labor Party in the mayoral election last week.

Born in Guyana in 1963, Mr. Lewis grew up in suburban Walthamstow. He began his career working as an administrative officer for the Civil Service, before becoming a Clerk in Holy Orders for the Church Commissioners in 1990. After working at HM Prison Woodhill, Mr. Lewis became Executive Director of Eastside Young Leaders' Academy in 2001. Source: Booker Rising

Futures Contracts - June

Gasoline.........................................$ 3.10/gallon

Fuel Oil..........................................$ 3.34/gallon

Coal................................................$ 99.50/ton

Natural Gas...................................$ 11.065/MMBtu (thousand cubic feet)

Ethanol..........................................$ 2.55/gallon

Corn...............................................$ 6.00/bushel

Soybeans........................................$ 12.00/bushel

Source: The Wall Street Journal (Reuters)

The Chickens Are Coming Home To Roost - Ethanol

PRESIDENT'S CORNER: By Norris McDonald. I talked to Jim Perdue recently and we both agreed that ethanol is causing serious food price problems. Of course, Jim is on the front line. I agree with him that relief is needed from the ethanol mandate. This is a nationwide and global problem now. Yet looking right here in Maryland, according to Delawareonline: "Perdue expects chicken feed will cost about $200 million more this year compared to last year." Barack Obama, John McCain and about a quarter of the U.S. Senate are urging EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson to use his waiver authority to eliminate the biofuels mandate. Title XV of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R. 6) authorizes a waiver:

Cites conditions under which the Administrator may waive requirements for the renewable fuel program, based in part upon an assessment by the Secretary of Energy whether the renewable fuel requirement will likely result in significant adverse impacts on consumers on a national, regional, or state basis in 2006.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R. 6) mandated 7.5 billion gallons of ethanol. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (H.R. 6) increased the mandate to 36 billion gallons by 2022. Although we support a mix of energy sources, we always expressed reservations about ethanol based on two primary concerns: 1) food prices and 2) increased smog (ethanol use will increase nitrogen emissions--a component of smog). There is also the water conundrum: it takes 1,700 gallons of water to produce one gallon of ethanol.

But it appears that frat hedged his bets by diversifying into the ethanol biz. Perdue formed Perdue BioEnergy LLC, a new company that focuses on the growing biofuels industry. The company currently partners with biodiesel and ethanol producers to provide feedstocks and to market co-products. In May 2006, Perdue signed an agreement to provide corn to Northeast Biofuels LLC for an ethanol plant to be built in Fulton, New York. Yet Jim's strength is chickens and his chicken business and American food prices are being hurt by ethanol.

At signing of the 2005 law

Photo: Norris & Jim at Perdue AgriRecycle Plant

Business Opportunities in the Nuclear Power Industry

AAEA is sponsoring a forum entitled "Environmental Justice & Nuclear Power: "Business Opportunities in the Nuclear Energy Industry," at The State of Environmental Justice in America 2008 Conference at the Howard University School of Law. The forum will examine how African American businessmen can participate in the anticipated nuclear power plant construction renaissance. The forum will bring together representatives from the nuclear power industry, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders interested in assuring that America will have the power it needs to satisfy our society.

FULL DESCRIPTION

Blacks do not own any of the energy infrastructure in the U.S. This forum will examine how companies could benefit by serving as mentors to minority entrepreneurs and investors. America is poised to launch a renewal of nuclear power plant construction, which will involve billions of dollars for each plant. There are huge opportunities to participate in this renaissance if minority entrepreneurs and investors are aware of the products and services needed. These opportunities include steel and concrete delivery, transportation of nuclear waste by truck, rail and barge, security, construction of casks for transport of spent fuel to Yucca Mountain, electricians, physicists, metal and concrete workers, plumbers, computers, electronics, and more.

The forum will also examine potential constraints to participation and how these problems can be overcome. Although nuclear power is not normally included as providing green jobs, this workshop will clearly describe how this industry will be creating such employment and how it can be leveraged to create opportunities in other areas, such as emissions trading.

Moderator: Ken Theobalds, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for Entergy Nuclear Northeast. Panelists: Daniel Mussatti, Senior Environmental Economist, Office of New Reactors, Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Brian Reilly, Principal Vice President and Manager, Nuclear Operations of Bechtel Power Corporation. Derrick Freeman, Senior Director of Legislative Programs, Nuclear Energy Institute. Norris McDonald, President, African American Environmentalist Association.

Environmental Justice & Nuclear Power: "Business Opportunities in the Nuclear Energy Industry," The State of Environmental Justice in America 2008 Conference, Howard University School of Law, Houston Hall B, Classroom #4, Friday, May 23, 2008, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Videos From 2007 Nuclear Forum

Friends of the Earth Endorses Senator Barack Obama

Friends of the Earth Action, a national environmental group based in Washington, D.C., announced today that it is endorsing Senator Barack Obama, right, to be the nation’s next president.

“We endorse Senator Obama because we believe he is the best candidate for the environment,” said Friends of the Earth Action President Brent Blackwelder, left. “The ‘gas tax holiday’ debate is a defining moment in the presidential race. The two other candidates responded with sham solutions that won’t ease pain at the pump, but Senator Obama refused to play that typical Washington game. Instead, Obama called for real solutions that would make transportation more affordable and curb global warming. He showed the courage and candor we expect from a president.”

Blackwelder cited Obama’s strong pro-environment record, his policy proposals, the profile he has given global warming in his campaign, and the broad mandate he is building for change as other reasons for the endorsement. Obama earned a 96 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters during his first two years in the Senate. Blackwelder said Friends of the Earth Action plans to inform its more than 100,000 activists in the U.S. about its support for Obama and to campaign for him in remaining primaries. (Press Release)

Friends of the Earth Action serves as Friends of the Earth's political arm, making thoughtful political endorsements, providing direct support to candidates to ensure that we have lawmakers who will work to protect the environment. Friends of the Earth Action previously endorsed John Edwards in the Democratic primary process and engaged in early state independent expenditures on his behalf.

AAEA President Norris McDonald has been a friend and colleague of Brent Blackwelder for 30 years.

Turner's Station: The Most Polluted Community on Earth?

Phyllis Seward and Maxine Thompson

AAEA and activists from Turner's Station, a black community just outside of Baltimore City, have agreed to work together to protect residents from pollution. The community exists in the middle of a perfect storm of pollution sources. The Maryland Department of the Environment, which was located less than a mile away from this community, even moved out of the area several years ago. Turner's Station is surrounded by a steel production plant, landfill, electric utility plant and the high power lines run through the community, soil and groundwater chromium contamination, Interstate Highway 695 yards away and nearby Patapsco River dredge spoil. Turner's Station has to be the most polluted neighborhood in the United States.

Maxine Thompson and Phyllis Seward, pictured above, are two of the principal local activists working to protect Turner's Station. As long time residents of the community, they are knowledgeable about all of the pollution sources threatening their community. With little to no resources, they plead their case to whomever will listen. To date, there has been little to no protection offered or solutions applied. AAEA has agreed to work with Mrs. Thompson and Ms. Seward to protect this community, particularly the most vulnerable: asthmatic children and elderly residents.

AAEA believes that Turner's Station is in an industrial zone and humans should not live there. Our hope is that the multibillion dollar international companies will step up to assist with mitigating the environmental conditions faced by residents of Turner's Station. We know that such generosity would create goodwill among federal agencies considering environmental injustice issues and state agencies charged with approving air and water permits. Turner's Station is in serious need of help. AAEA is promoting two principle solutions to the problems at Turner's Station:

1) Buyout for every resident household

2) Minority partnership and equity in any proposed facilities.

Severstal, Russia's largest steelmaker, run by billionaire Alexei Mordashov, purchased and is currently operating the Sparrows Point steel mill southeast of Baltimore for $810 million, fulfilling an antitrust mandate that Arcelor Mittal divest itself of the Mittal Steel plant. The purchase places Severstal among the five largest U.S. steel producers. Mittal Steel, owned by Indian billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, merged with Luxembourg-based Arcelor in 2006 to form Arcelor Mittal, the world's biggest steel company. It agreed to relinquish the Baltimore plant to resolve Justice Department antitrust concerns.

Bethlehem Steel owned Sparrows Point from the early 1900s until the company declared bankruptcy in 2000. In 2003 the plant was purchased by International Steel Group (ISG), which merged with LTV Steel to create the largest U.S. steel producer. Mittal bought ISG for about $4.5 billion in 2004, merging it with his Ispat International and LNM Holdings. Then in 2006, Mittal merged with Arcelor, prompting the divestment.

AES has a proposal to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility on the front end of the Severstal site at Sparrows Point. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will be holding a hearing on the LNG project on June 9, 2008 at Patapsco High School Auditorium, 8100 Wise Avenue, Baltimore, MD 410-887-7060 at 7 p.m. The FERC has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and a hard copy is available for review at the North Point Library, 1716 Merritt Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21222. The DEIS is woefully inadequate in addressing the environmental justice issue facing Turner's Station. There are also many questions about the way AES has dealt with the Turner's Station community.

MORE

1st EPA Administrator Endorses Senator Barack Obama

NOW: President Obama should appoint Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo as his EPA Administrator.

Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Wiliam 'Bill' Ruckelshaus endorsed Senater Barack Obama today. Ruckelshaus is from Indiana and hopes to influence voters in next weeks primary. Ruckelshaus became the EPA's first administrator when the agency was formed in December 1970. He was nominated to the position by President Richard Nixon, pictured at left, with Ruckelshaus at the swearing-in.

He conducted a three-month hearing on DDT and instituted a ban on pesticide. The EPA activity and ban were came as a result of heightened fears about pesticides that was featured in Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. Unfortunately, the hysteria created by the book and EPA's action led to an international ban on its use, which could help in preventing millions of deaths in African countries suffering and dying from the malaria parasite carried in mosquitos.

William Doyle Ruckelshaus served as the EPA Administrator from December 1970 to April 1973. He left EPA in 1973 to serve as Acting FBI Director, during the Nixon Administration's cabinet openings during the Watergate scandal, then served briefly as Deputy Attorney General at the Justice Department. The official birthday of EPA is December 2, 1970.

AAEA On WEAA Radio 88.9 in Baltimore, Maryland

AAEA President Norris McDonald was interviews on WEAA Radio 88.9 by Mario Armstrong yesterday. They discussed local, regional and national environmental issues. WEAA is a public radio station that strives to educate and enlighten Baltimore and beyond by offering programming that is culturally diverse and artistic in nature. As the leading provider of jazz, news and public affairs programming WEAA operates free from commercial influence. National news and talk are complemented by our award winning locally produced interactive content. Consistent with public radio’s core values of integrity, credibility and respect of our listeners we maintain the highest journalistic standards.

Mario Armstrong's Digital Spin every Wednesday 7p-8p EST on NPR affiliate WEAA - 88.9 fm - Listen online 7pm est