Sustainability

Yesterday's Greenwire featured a story profiling the use of a municipal solid waste (MSW) facility in Alexandria, Virginia that turns roughly 5,000 tons of trash generated by staff, members, and visitors at legislative buildings of the House of Representatives into enough electric power for 250 homes. The decision to switch from an on-site composting facility and use of corn-based utensils, to a MSW facility has some observers guessing that it could rekindle an interest in expanding the growth of the "energy recovery" industry - perhaps even in state renewable programs and rules.

America's largest supermarket chain, Cincinnati-based Kroger, recently announced it would install 225 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at 125 stores across California and Arizona according to an article in the Los Angeles Times.

On July 1st, provisions banning the disposal of electronic waste like TVs, computers, DVD players, and other devices will go into effect under Colorado's "Electronic Recycling Jobs Act." For consumers in the state looking for solutions to get rid of their unwanted gadgets, the Colorado Department of Public Health has created a website with information on the nearest recycling centers or retail stores like Best Buy or Staples that may also offer free recycling programs.

On a party line vote of 58-39, the Wisconsin General Assembly sent a high-profile bill to Governor Scott Walker's desk for consideration yesterday which would make substantial changes to existing permitting and environmental regulation to open a large iron mine near Lake Superior. Despite the objections of environmental groups and Native American tribes, the Governor is expected to sign the bill and in a statement he praised lawmakers for streamlining the regulatory review process in order to help create needed new high-skilled jobs.

A story appeared in today's FuelFix, which is run by the Houston Chronicle, highlighting the large amounts of hazardous waste generated by the solar industry in California. According to a study conducted by the AP that used data from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, 17 of the state's largest 41 solar manufacturers generated over 46 million pounds of sludge and contaminated water from 2007 to 2011.

Remember Nollan and Dolan?  The U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case which the Florida Supreme Court calls the clearest inconsistency in the interpretation of the scope of Nollan and Dolan in Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management District.  CSG signed onto an amicus brief filed by State and Local Legal Center (SLLC) in this case.  

Need a Nollan and Dolan refresher?  In these cases the U.S. Supreme Court held that when the government requests the dedication of land as a condition for issuing a permit there must be an “essential nexus” between the dedication of land and denying the permit and “rough proportionality” between the dedication of land and the impact of the development.   

Remember Nollan and Dolan?  The U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case which the Florida Supreme Court calls the clearest inconsistency in the interpretation of the scope of Nollan and Dolan in Koontz v. St. Johns River Water Management District.  CSG signed onto an amicus brief filed by State and Local Legal Center (SLLC) in this case.  

Need a Nollan and Dolan refresher?  In these cases the U.S. Supreme Court held that when the government requests the dedication of land as a condition for issuing a permit there must be an “essential nexus” between the dedication of land and denying the permit and “rough proportionality” between the dedication of land and the impact of the development.