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Draft of Baltimore\'s Sustainability Plan

The Baltimore Office of Sustainability is pleased to announce that the Draft Sustainability Plan is now available for public comment.

 

 

The Draft Plan can be accessed through either of the following links:

www.transformbaltimore.net

or

www.baltimorecity.gov/sustainability

 

To comment on the online document, you must first register and login.  This online tool will allow you to leave comments about specific sections or goals within the document.  This site is shared with another document “Transform Baltimore”.  To access the Sustainability Plan, scroll to the bottom and click on the “Sustainability Plan- draft”. Please note that this is a draft, and the layout of the final version will include graphics, tables, and photographs, etc.

 

The Draft will be available at this site for public comment until January 30, 2009

The Planning Commission Hearing will be February 5, 2009

 

Many thanks to all those who contributed to the creation of this document.

 

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Environmental News Brief

sunflowerEnvironmental News Brief  Presented by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council for the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board
Quick Links
Additional Links
January 2009
Baltimore Region Nonattainment for Fine Soot
Greenhouse Gas Auctioning Process Begins
BMC Board Creates Regional Sustainability Committee
Transportation Outlook 2035 Draft Amendment Open for Review
Report of Interest

The following news "briefs" highlight recent news regarding transportation-related environmental issues, primarily air quality, affecting the Baltimore region. Please note that this brief is not all inclusive of the variety and magnitude of activities in the region. It is intended for informational purposes only; refer to the source, guidance, or program for additional information.

 

Baltimore Region Designated Nonattainment for New Fine Particle Standard

On December 22, 2008, the EPA announced Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford County,
Howard County, Anne Arundel County, and Carroll County have all been designated "nonattainment" for the 2006 24-hour fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) standard. This means that they do not meet the standard for daily levels of PM 2.5 that was established by the EPA to protect human health.
 
Fine particle pollution is around 1/30th the diameter of a human hair.  It consists of liquid droplets and microscopic solids that are suspended in the air.  This pollution comes from power plants, industrial facilities and vehicles, as well as other sources such a wood burning.
 
The State of Maryland must submit an air quality implementation plan to EPA by April 2012.
 
smogGreenhouse Gas Auctioning Process Begins
On December 17th, a second auction was held as part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.  The purpose of RGGI is to reduce emissions from power plants, which contribute to global warming and climate change. 
 RGGI is a cap-and-trade program for carbon dioxide emissions, a key greenhouse gas.  A cap is set on the total amount of these emissions allowed from electricity generators in the RGGI region, which includes ten states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S.  Then, an auction is held in order to distribute allowances for emissions.  Total emissions in the RGGI region are capped at 2009 levels, from 2009 to 2014.  From 2015 to 2018, the cap will go down by 10 percent.  The first RGGI auction was held in September 2008.  The first two auctions were pre-compliance because the obligations for compliance did not come into effect until the beginning of 2009.
 
In Maryland, revenue from the auctions will go towards promoting cleaner energy sources, energy efficiency and conservation, and provide rate relief for low and moderate income households.
 
Click for more information on RGGI.
BMClogoBMC Board Creates Regional Sustainability Committee
The Board of Directors of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council has created a Regional Sustainability Committee to share information and coordinate activities that will benefit the entire Baltimore region. Joshua Feldmark, Director of Howard County's Office of Environmental Sustainability, serves as the committee's chair.

The committee has initially identified a number of areas to address:
1. Coordinate regional sustainability programs.
2. Foster cooperation between state and local governments.
3. Maximize partnerships with public, private and quasi-governmental agencies.
 
View the BMC press release. 

Transportation Outlook 2035 Draft Amendment Open for Review
The BRTB is pleased to present, for public review and comment, the draft preferred alternative for the amendment to the Baltimore region's long-range transportation plan, Transportation Outlook 2035: Creating a Blueprint for the Baltimore Region's Future.

This draft preferred alternative proposes $225 million in funding for regional transit projects, beginning in the year 2020.  The projects included in this amendment focus on ways to make the regional transit system more user-friendly and attractive to a broader segment of the region's population and workforce. This amendment will not affect currently funded projects in Transportation Outlook 2035 which was adopted in November 2007.

A public input period is being held from Tuesday, December 16, 2008 to Friday, January 23, 2009.  During this time, public comments will be accepted by mail, fax, and online using our public comment form.  All comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. 
 
Comments may also be submitted in person at a public meeting on Thursday, January 15, 2009 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. or 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the BMC offices located at 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224.
 Report of Interest   cap photo The Climate Action Plan. Maryland Commission on Climate Change. August 2008.
This final report, released on August 27, 2008, documents a plan of action for the state to "address the drivers of climate change, to prepare for its likely impacts in Maryland, and to establish goals and timetables for implementation."    Download the report.
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Tennessee Vally Authority toxic spill into public water way

[This makes my blood boil, a security force that rivals Area 51 and not a cleanup crew to be seen.]

The dam failure of 2008 is evolving into an environmental debacle. TVA seems to be showing its true colors - which appear to be the opposite of green. We have to wonder where the EPA is as TVA permits continuing pollution to occur. Grey blood in the river….

Appalachian Voices and the Waterkeeper Alliance have paddled up to the site - check the video:

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'Green' Jobs Compete for Stimulus Aid

In one of the first internal struggles of the incoming Obama administration, environmentalists and smart-growth advocates are trying to shift the priorities of the economic stimulus plan that will be introduced in Congress next month away from allocating tens of billions of dollars to highways, bridges and other traditional infrastructure spending to more projects that create "green-collar" jobs.

The debate has centered on two competing principles in the evolving plan: the desire to spend money on what President-elect Barack Obama calls "shovel-ready projects," such as highway and bridge construction, vs. spending on more environmentally conscious projects, such as grids for wind and solar power.
...
"If we're going to call it a stimulus package, it has to be stimulating and has to be stimulating now. I think there are members of our caucus who are trying to create a Christmas tree out of this," said Rep. Baron P. Hill (Ind.), incoming co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition, a caucus of 51 fiscally conservative House Democrats.
...
But environmentalists and their allies view old-fashioned highway construction as encouraging longer commutes and increasing the energy-consumption crisis of the past year. "They're going to put a bunch of money through a broken system to stimulate the economy. That doesn't make sense to me," said Colin Peppard, a transportation expert for Friends of the Earth.
...
Goldberg's group has studied infrastructure proposals from 15 states and found that 75 percent of their requests are for roadway construction, and of that, the overwhelming majority of money would fund new projects in outer suburbs that have been hard hit by the mortgage crisis. "We're building all this stuff for where the economy isn't anymore," he said.
...

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County Announces 10 Percent Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goal

[The question is if bicycling will be made more attractive to reduce Vehicular Miles Traveled (VMT) as it is the largest component of Baltimore County's Green House gases. If I can prevent 5 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere (~34% reduction compared to the average) just with my bike, getting others to bike more can go a long way.]

"As a parent, I am keenly aware of the importance of preserving our planet for our children and grandchildren," said Baltimore County Council Chairman Kevin Kamenetz. "The council has been very supportive of environmental initiatives, and it is very important that county government lead the way in the effort to reduce our carbon footprint.

[How about giving our children an opportunity to bike and be healthy as well?]

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BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM

a monthly environmental education & discussion forum

Global warming and uncontrolled growth ARE affecting Maryland! Find out how YOU can be part of the solution.

In continuation of this second year of exciting programs: This month's Baltimore Green Forum will feature a briefing on the environmental policies expected to be introduced in Annapolis during the 2009 Legislative Session. You will learn about the environmental threats of global warming and uncontrolled growth; provide feedback on potential environmental legislation, and discuss using your power as a voter to protect the environment.

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BMC Board Creates Regional Sustainability Committee

Baltimore, MD (October 27, 2008) The Board of Directors of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) has created a Regional Sustainability Committee to share information and coordinate activities that will benefit the entire Baltimore region. Joshua Feldmark, Director of Howard County's Office of Environmental Sustainability, serves as the committee's chair.

"All of our jurisdictions are exploring environmental practices that can be integrated into government operations and into all aspects of everyday life," said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, the BMC Chair. "But we cannot afford to duplicate efforts, work at cross-purposes, or re-invent the wheel in every jurisdiction. This committee can make certain we're all moving in the same direction."

"Sustainability involves many departments in local governments," added Mr. Feldmark, "from Planning and Zoning to Recreation and Parks to Public Works to Purchasing. We have reached the point where economics and doing the right thing are coming together. We now have an opportunity to make changes that will reap benefits for years to come."

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CHILDREN LIVING IN AREAS WITH MORE STREET TREES...

"...have lower prevalence of asthma;" article by Lovasi, Quinn, Neckerman, Perzanowski, & Rundle; in the July 2008 Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (62:569). Quote: "Street trees were associated with a lower prevalence of early childhood asthma. This study does not permit inference that trees are causally related to asthma at the individual level. The PlaNYC sustainability initiative, which includes a commitment to plant one million trees by the year 2017, offers an opportunity for a large prospective evaluation."

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US DHH RELEASES NEW PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

According to the Oct. 8th Physical Activity and Public Health On-Line Network newsletter, "Adults gain substantial health benefits from two and a half hours a week of moderate aerobic physical activity, and children benefit from an hour or more of physical activity a day, according to the new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The comprehensive set of recommendations for people of all ages and physical conditions was released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"The guidelines are designed so people can easily fit physical activity into their daily plan and incorporate activities they enjoy. Physical activity benefits children and adolescents, young and middle-aged adults, older adults, and those in every studied racial and ethnic group, the report said."

[Note: A small sampling of Maryland Schools reveals a policy of less then a half hour of aerobic physical activity per *week* is provided for school age children.]

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Talk by "Earthship" architect Michael Reynolds November 6

On Thursday, November 6, the Neighborhood Design Center, in conjunction with the American Visionary Art Museum, is proud to present eco-architect Michael Reynolds, who will talk about his work over the past forty years to build self-sufficient, off-the-grid houses and communities. The talk kicks-off NDC's 40th Anniversary celebration, which includes a Gala party after - featuring a silent auction and music by Groove Mammals.

Michael Reynolds has been challenging the status quo with his experimental approach to building ever since he graduated from Architecture School in 1968. One of his earliest efforts - a house made from beer can bricks - so upset the national bricklayers' union that it forced him to halt construction. Undaunted, Mr. Reynolds went on to develop the concept of the "Earthship": an off the-grid solar-powered home built from used car tires, which recycles rainwater and sewage and costs next to nothing to run.

Mr. Reynolds will discuss the principles behind &quot;Earthship Biotecture&quot;, the opportunities and challenges he has faced over the years to create his structures, and the relevance that his approach has for helping poor and underserved communities in the United States and abroad. To learn more about Michael Reynolds and his &quot;Earthships&quot; visit <a href="http://www.earthship.net">www.earthship.net</a>;.

When: November 6, 5:30pm - 7pm

Where: James Rouse Visionary Center at the American Vsionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230.

Tickets: $15 Talk only; $40 Gala Party (7pm-10pm); and $50 for both (a savings of $5). You can purchase tickets at <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/181983317">www.eventbrite.com/event/181983317</a>; or visit <a href="http://www.ndc-md.org">www.ndc-md.org</a>; for more information about the Gala.

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