BHeiney
Mon, 12/23/2024 - 15:58
Edited Text
In This Issue...
"The True
Cost of Coal"
by Todd
Nesbitt
The Hemlock
Volume 2, Issue 3 (November 2008)
"When chill November's surly blast make fields and forest
"Natural
Resource
bare..."
Extraction in
--Robert Burns
Pennsylvania:
Past and
Future"
"Worms in the
Kitchen" by
Lisa Cass and
Mark Cohen
"Lock Haven
History" by
Danielle
Tolton
"Pennsylvania
Clean Water
on the Ballot"
by Md.
Khalequzzam
an
"America
Recycles Day"
by William
Shetler
"Wild Pennsylvania"
"Hike of the Month:
Bald Eagle Mountain"
Past Issues
"Fall Perspective" was taken by Nathan Fought (LHUP Art Major) at Highland
Cemetery on October 16, 2008.
November in Pennsylvania
Despite the dourness of Robert Burns, November is an exciting part of the Pennsylvania
year. As the election draws near, the attention of the nation will once again be focused
on our state as we continue to play a key role in determining the winner. November
also brings deer season, a central component of central-Pennsylvania culture. And the
slightly chillier weather should be no barrier to enjoying the beauty of the area. The
theme to this month's issue is eluding me, but from worms to water and from coal to
canals, we do have a variety of excellent articles on topics relating to the environment,
culture, and outdoor recreation opportunities of Pennsylvania. As always, we would
be pleased to publish your work in our next issue--if you have something you'd like to
submit, please email Bob Myers.
Panel Discussion: "Natural Resource Extraction in Pennsylvania: Past and Future"
From the lumber and coal industry of the nineteenth century to the recent discovery of
technologies that enable the extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale,
Pennsylvania's history has been shaped by its abundant natural resources. Please join
us on Wednesday, November 12, at 7 p.m. in the Hall of Flags for a panel discussion on
the ways that the extraction of natural resources affects the economy and the
environment of Pennsylvania. The panelists include a diverse group of experts, who
will represent different perspectives on these issues. Rebecca Dunlap is Project
Manager for Trout Unlimited’s West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Initiative, one of
four regional restoration programs in the nation. Mary B. Wolf is an intergovernmental
relations consultant to Anadarko Petroleum and the PA Economy League. Dan Vilello
is the North Central Region local government liaison for the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection. Md. Khalequzzaman is a Professor of Geology at Lock
Haven University. This event is sponsored by the Environmental Focus Group.
The True Cost of Coal
--Todd Nesbitt (LHUP Geography Professor)
In an age of soaring energy prices and geopolitical chaos in the Middle East, Americans
are once again concerned with the United State’s dependency on foreign oil. Although
the United States comprises only four percent of the world’s population, it consumes
twenty-five percent of the world’s oil. Furthermore, seventy percent of oil consumed in
the Unites States is imported. According to the Institute for the Analysis of Global
Security, six Middle Eastern countries comprise sixty-six percent of the world’s proven
oil reserves. As the quest for domestically produced energy becomes increasingly
important, many Americans wonder if coal might be the answer to our energy crisis.
Both Republicans and Democrats have argued that the massive reserves of coal in the
United States are a partial solution to our energy crisis. Through the use of so called
"clean coal technology", they assert that the United Sates can take an important step in
ridding itself of dependency on foreign oil. Never has there been a more egregious
oxymoron with such devastating effects. Clean coal technologies may in fact reduce
carbon and mercury emissions from coal fired power plants (see
www.americaspower.org), but clean coal technologies do nothing to prevent the
wholesale obliteration the Central Appalachians, one of the most biodiverse forest
ecosystems on the planet. The Unites States currently generates fifty percent of its
electricity from coal-fired power plants. As a result, one of the greatest environmental
and human rights tragedies is occurring in Central Appalachia.
The practice of mountaintop removal is the primary method for extracting coal in
Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. This method of coal extraction
literally involves blowing off the tops of mountains with massive explosives, and
dumping the waste into adjacent valleys and streams. The resultant valley fill, as it is
termed by the coal industry, results in a biologically barren moonscape. The impacts of
mountaintop removal are devastating. For the last twenty years this practice has been
polluting water systems, creating deadly floods, and literally burying residents alive in
their homes. According to the grassroots organization iLoveMountains.org:
More than 7 percent of Appalachian forests have been cut down and more than
1,200 miles of streams across the region have been buried or polluted between
1985 and 2001.
Over 1000 miles of streams have been permitted to be buried in valley fills - a
greater distance than the length of the entire Ohio River.
Mountaintop removal mining, if it continues unabated, will cause a projected
loss of more than 1.4 million acres by the end of the decade—an area the size of
Delaware—with a concomitant severe impact on fish, wildlife, and bird species,
not to mention a devastating effect on many neighboring communities.
800+ square miles of mountains are estimated to be already destroyed. (This is
equal to a one-quarter mile wide swath of destruction from New York to San
Francisco – it is also significantly underestimated).
On a broader scale, the health impact of coal extraction and plant emissions go far
beyond Central Appalachia. A report by the Environmental Protection Agency
concludes that emissions from technologically obsolete coal-fired power plants
contribute to 24,000 premature deaths a year, and that nearly 22,000 of those deaths are
preventable with currently available technology. A similar report by Abt Associates
concluded that fine particle pollution (a result of mixing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides) from U.S. power plants attributes for 30,000 deaths per year. Even more
disconcerting is the Bush Administrations efforts roll back pollution reduction
requirements established by the 1970 Clean Air Act that would dramatically increase
toxic pollutants from coal fired power plants. The Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC) has reported that:
NRDC obtained a leaked copy of the final rule, which essentially repeals the "new
source review" provision of the Clean Air Act. That provision requires industrial
facilities to install modern pollution controls when they make upgrades to plants that
increase air pollution. The new final rule would allow facilities to avoid installing
pollution controls when they replace equipment -- even if the upgrade increases
pollution -- as long as the cost of the replacement did not exceed 20 percent of the cost
of what the EPA broadly defines as a "process unit." For example, if a coal-fired power
plant replaced a boiler whose cost was less than 20 percent of the replacement cost of
the entire process unit -- the boiler, turbine, generator and other equipment that turns
coal into electricity -- the company would not have to control the resulting pollution
increases.
Coal is, without question, extremely damaging to the environment and public
health. Yet, the true cost of coal remains hidden in the marketplace. This is because the
environmental impact of coal extraction and use is not reflected in the price of
coal. One way to minimize the negative impact of coal, and ultimately facilitate a
transition to more environmentally sustainable energy sources, is through what is
known as the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP). The PPP is an environmental policy
principle which requires that the costs of pollution be borne by those who cause it – in
this case the coal companies. By internalizing the cost coal’s environmental impact, the
cost of coal extraction will increase (as will the cost of coal to consumers). As
environmentally destructive energy sources such as coal become less profitable due to
the PPP, capital investment will redirect itself to more sustainable and less
environmentally damaging energy sources. The PPP is only possible, however, if policy
is enacted to regulate the coal industry in ways that reflect the true cost of
environmental degradation caused by extracting and burning coal. Sadly, the Bush
administrations record on the environment reflects no such interest. In seems that for
now, and as long as the public will allow for it, profitability has been given credence
over environmental sustainability.
For additional information on mountaintop removal coal mining, go to the following
websites:
Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (source of the picture above)
Stop Mountaintop Removal
Mountain Justice
Worms in the Kitchen
--Lisa Cass and Mark Cohen (LHUP Computer Information Science Professor)
My husband and I have worms in
our kitchen. Technically, they are
red wigglers (Eisenia foetida). I
suppose they are called that
because they wiggle a lot, but we
like to think of it as squirming.
Believe it or not, these worms
were actually invited into our
kitchen and we happily provide
them with room and board. In
exchange, the worms work for us by disposing of our kitchen scraps and unwanted
paper products and providing nutrient-rich compost that does wonders for the
garden. This process of using worms to compost food scraps and other organic
material is called vermicomposting. Although this may sound like a lot of trouble for a
little bit of compost, a basic worm bin with 1,000 worms (the recommended number
when getting started) can actually consume up to a half-pound of food in a single day.
A colony of compost-creating wigglers can be kept quite happy in something as simple
as a plastic bin or as complex as a multi-tier worm condo--all they ask is that it has good
aeration, a comfortable temperature (~55-80°F), and some moist bedding to burrow
into. Any paper product that isn’t plastic-coated makes good bedding material,
including newspaper, computer paper, and even junk mail (yes, our worms actually
appreciate the endless unwanted credit card solicitations we get each day).
Red wigglers will not only burrow in their bedding, but they will eat it as well (fiber is
good for them too!). We add a little spice and variety to their lives by occasionally
mixing in other organic bedding materials such as dry leaves, shredded cardboard or
paper egg cartons, coconut fiber (coir), peat moss, or dryer lint (yummy). The worms
balance their diet with the food scraps we provide. Fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta,
other grains, egg shells, coffee grounds, and tea bags are all foods they like--but no meat
or dairy please!
Of course our worms live in style. They begin life in a single story flat, and as they
successfully fill the currently inhabited story with compost we reward them by adding
a new story with freshly stocked bedding and food. The worms naturally take
residence in the new level thus leaving behind compost, which is ready for harvesting.
The compost created by worms, often referred to as worm castings, is great for
fertilizing both indoor and outdoor plants. It can be applied directly to the soil, or
mixed with water to create a ‘compost tea’ that is used to water or spray on
plants. Worm castings contain a natural supply of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate
(the components also found in synthetic fertilizers), as well as other nutrients and
beneficial microorganisms. In fact, worm castings are actually sold in many garden
stores as an organic alternative to chemical fertilizer (but if you buy castings, then you
miss out on the fun of doing it yourself).
In addition, if you provide a romantic setting worms will reproduce quickly. Red
wigglers lay eggs that are incubated in cocoons and, under well-maintained conditions,
the worms can be expected to double in population every 3 months. As a result, if you
like to fish, you will never pay for bait again. In fact, red wigglers can actually stay
alive for several days in water, unlike nightcrawlers that die almost immediately.
If keeping a worm bin in your kitchen conjures up images of uninvited guests on your
dinner plate or in your dishwasher, don’t worry: Worm bins can be kept in a shaded
area outside during the warmer months, and will do just fine in your basement as
well. Moreover, in nature red wigglers feed almost exclusively on organic matter in
the moist upper layer of soil, are communal, and avoid light; therefore they will be
happy to remain in the company of their buddies in your dark moist worm bin.
A note of caution, however – not all worms are created alike! You should not attempt
vermicomposting with earthworms collected in your backyard. Many of these
earthworms normally live in solitary burrows and some are accustomed to light, so
they are likely to refuse your offer of a new home and flee the worm bin. These worms
are happier outdoors where they provide an important service in aerating the soil and
re-distributing nutrient-rich humus generated by other organisms.
Like keeping an aquarium or terrarium, caring for a colony of worms can be an
educationally rewarding hobby – especially for kids. Life in a worm bin is a delicate
world of bacteria, insects, worms, mold, and more. Successfully keeping worms can
help children learn about ecosystems and the symbiotic relationship between its
inhabitants.
The internet is a great resource if you want to learn more about how to invite worms
into your household. Several models of worm bins can be purchased online or, if you
are handy, you can find designs for constructing your own worm bin. Red wigglers can
also be purchased online, and of course there are many other helpful tips for
vermicomposting. For more information, check out the following websites:
The Rodale Institute: Worm Bin Construction (source of the above picture)
EPA Vermicompost Website
Directory of Vermicompost Suppliers
Finally, before you get started we would like to leave you with just one piece of
important advice: If you like to have dinner parties, you may not want to share with
your guests what you do with the leftovers.
Lock Haven History
--Danielle Tolton (LHUP Biology Major)
On of the goals of the
Environmental Focus
Group is to develop an
awareness of the history of
central Pennsylvania. A
good place to start is the
city of Lock Haven itself,
which is celebrating it's
175th year anniversary. In
the eighteenth century,
Iroquois and Lenni-Lenape
(or Delaware) Indians lived
throughout this region. In
the late 1700’s, the city became settled by European loggers and traders. During this
time one of the earliest frontier forts was established along the Susquehanna River, near
the Jay Street Bridge. Fort Reed, as it was known, became a frequented traveler’s
stop. In 1833 Jeremiah Church and his brother Willard saw the potential of the area for
logging and trading, so they formally founded the town, naming it Lock Haven for the
canal locks (a way of moving boats from level to level) and because it was an ideal
resting place for travelers. By 1859, the railroad had reached Lock Haven, further
boosting its population. In 1870 Central State Normal School (pictured above) was
founded by Albert N. Raub--in 1983 this college became Lock Haven University.
By the end of the nineteenth century the timber resources were being depleted, and
Lock Haven turned to manufacturing. In the 1930’s, the Piper Aircraft Corporation
began producing small planes, eventually becoming the leading employer of the area
for the next fifty years. The company relocated to Florida in the 1980s, devastating the
economy and bumping the unemployment rate up to 20%. Although the economy
eventually recovered, the economic loss during that time was felt strongly by the
citizens and inhabitants. The aircraft plant was purchased soon after and The Piper
Aviation Museum was set up in memory of the airplane industry.
Throughout its history, a major problem for Lock Haven has been flooding from the
Susquehanna River. After a major flood damaged the city in 1972, the town finally built
a 6.5 mile levee. Completed in 1994, the levee provides opportunities for exercise and
appreciation of the beauty of Lock Haven. Lock Haven currently has 9, 149
residents. Famous people from Lock Haven include Alison Bechdel (cartoonist),
Robbie Gould (NFL kicker for the Patriots, Ravens, & Bears), and John French Sloan
(artist).
Pennsylvania Clean Water on the Ballot
--Md. Khalequzzaman (LHUP Geology Professor); photograph by William Shetler
On Election Day, the voters of Pennsylvania will not only cast their ballots to elect the
next president and other public officials, they will also decide whether to authorize the
state government to spend $400 million for upgrading the infrastructures for sewage
treat facilities (STF) and drinking water. This referendum is not a part of any bailout
plan, but will help upgrade many aging STF that were built several decades ago. In
many cases these upgrades will help reduce nutrient (nitrogen phosphorus) discharges
that degrade the quality of water in our rivers and streams, as well as the Chesapeake
Bay. Pennsylvania is under federal and state mandate under the Clean Water Act to cut
down on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of nutrients discharges. As many as 184
STFs in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, of which our own West Branch Susquehanna
watershed is a major part, are faced with legal mandates, at a cost estimated to be over
$1 billion. There are 123 STFs are located in the Susquehanna watershed in
Pennsylvania.
The proposed allocation of $400
million, however, will not be spent to
upgrade the aging SFTs
only. Although, maintenance,
upgrades and replacement cost of all
of these plants in Pennsylvania will
cost over $20 billion. Of the
proposed allocated amount, about
$70 million will be spent for other
programs that include cost share to
farmers to install conservation
practices, to expand technical
supports by county conservation districts, and to restore cuts to the Department of
Agriculture in farm programs.
The major contributors to nutrient and sediment pollutions to our local rivers and the
Chesapeake Bay are agricultural run-off, STFs, urban run-off, septic tanks, and air
deposition. Pennsylvania contributes about 40%, 19%, and 23% of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and sediments, respectively to the Chesapeake Bay. Of Pennsylvania’s
contribution, agricultural run-off accounts for 48%, 59%, and 73% of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and sediments, respectively. It is obvious that nutrient discharges from
agricultural run-off will have to be curtailed significantly should we target to achieve
the set goal to reduce nutrient discharges to our rivers and the Bay by more than 50%
by the year 2010. Pennsylvania is far from its target.
Results from a long-term research carried out by this author on agricultural impacts on
water quality in Clinton County indicate a slight reduction in the nutrient discharge in
agriculturally intensive Sugar Valley and Nittany Valley. In addition, when compared
to monitoring locations both upstream (Karthaus) and downstream (Lewisburg)
Clinton County streams carry relatively low amount of sediment pollution. However,
our streams carry disproportionately high amounts of both nitrogen and
phosphorus. Data from the published sources indicate that the nitrogen discharges to
the West Branch of Susquehanna river by the STF at Lock Haven is among one of the
highest in central Pennsylvania. In other words, nutrient discharges from both
agriculture and sewage treatment facility in our area are relatively higher compared to
other locations in Pennsylvania. We need to find ways to cut down the nutrient
pollution.
The approval of the $400 million clean water referendum will be a good starting point
in term of setting up the right mindset to pay our fair share for clean water of our
streams and the Chesapeake Bay.
America Recycles Day – November 15th
---William Shetler (LHUP Exploratory Studies
Major)
Recycling – Why worry about it? Why
bother? Unfortunately, apathy on this subject is all too
common among many of us. According to LHUP
Facilities manager, Dave Proctor, the university
has been committed to "Going Green," for 20 years and
taken many steps to make recycling easy. Yet, despite
all these measures, there is one area however that is
lacking--student participation.
Many people hold the mistaken view that they won’t make a difference in the larger
scheme of recycling. But here are a few facts that are surprising:
The average American uses seven trees a year in paper, wood, and other
products made from trees. This amounts to about 2,000,000,000 trees per year.
Each ton (2000 pounds) of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil,
three cubic yards of landfill space, 4000 kilowatts of energy, and 7000 gallons of
water. This represents a 64% energy savings, a 58% water savings, and 60
pounds less of air pollution!
Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours -or the equivalent of a half a gallon of gasoline.
These examples show how very important it is for each and everyone to implement
recycling methods, and use the ones that are presently available.
After reaching a high of 80.2 tons of recycled material in 2002, LHUP's recycling dipped
to 38.1 tons in 2006. This year LHUP's ongoing commitment to going green has
resulted in over 48 tons of material recycled to date, material which otherwise would
have been put in a landfill. In response to America Recycles Day, the university will be
collecting recyclables on Saturday, November 15th, at the Hursh-Nevel Building, from 9
a.m. until 3 p.m. The items that can be dropped off for recycling include: cans (bi-metal
& alumninum), glass, plastics, office paper (magazines, junk mail), newspaper,
corrugated cardboard, batteries, electronics (computers, printers, televisions, vcrs, cell
phones, stereos, dvd players), appliances, metal, and tires. There is no better time than
now to become aware of the importance of recycling to help reduce energy
consumption, emissions, and the increasing loss of our finite natural resources. For
more information on recycling at LHUP or LHUP's America Recycles Day, contact
Colleen Meyer (570-484-2949). You might also want to check out the following
websites:
A Recyling Revolution
National Recycling Coalition (try "The Conversionator")
earth911
Wild Pennsylvania
On Thursday, November 6th at 7 p.m. Michael Gadomski
will present the 48-minute multi-media program Wild
Pennsylvania at the Kelly Township Building, near
Lewisburg. In over 400 images, Mr. Gadomski covers the
entire state in this celebration of the natural beauty of our
state. The program will be shown using a high resolution
digital projector. Mr. Gadomski is a professional
photographer located in the Pocono Mountains. For 25
years he was employed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of
State Parks as a park naturalist and ranger. In 2002 he left
the State Parks to become a fulltime photographer. He has
also produced a major coffee table book entitled Wild
Pennsylvania. Come for a relaxing evening of great photography. For additional
information, including directions to the Kelly Township Building, go to the
Otzinachson chapter of the Pennsylvania Sierra Club newsletter.
Hike of the Month: Bald Eagle Mountain
This hike is a strenuous climb (1000 feet in a little less than a mile), but the view at the
top is well worth it. The hike follows a powerline straight up the mountain, and the
path is badly eroded and covered with rocks, so hiking boots are strongly
recommended.
From campus, go east on Water Street to Jay Street (the courthouse) and turn
right. Follow Jay Street/PA-120 for 1 mile, crossing over Bald Eagle Creek into Castanea
(Latin for "chestnut," presumably because of the many chestnut trees in the area). The
road becomes Jarrett Avenue;
continue to the end (yellow
arrow sign) and turn right. The
gravel road leading to the
powerline is on the right--you
can park there or along Jarrett
Avenue.
The climb is steep with several
false peaks. Depending upon
your speed and the number of
breaks you take, it should take
you about 30 minutes to get
up. Once you reach the top of
the powerline, stop and enjoy the view. To the north is Castanea and the city of Lock
Haven (the university is visible to the far left). This is an excellent vantage point to
appreciate the remarkable geology of this area. You are standing on the westernmost
ridge of the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Province that runs from Georgia to
Maine. Stretching away to the north, you can see the rolling hills and narrow valleys of
the Appalachian Plateau, a completely different mountain formation. The Susquehanna
River curves toward Renova (northwest), and Jersey Shore/Williamsport (east). Behind
you, to the south, is the second fold of Bald Eagle Mountain. In the valley below is
Harveys Run; just beyond the second fold is the Lock Haven exit of Interstate 80, which
cuts south through a gap in Nittany Mountain (the next ridge of the Appalachians). To
the east Bald Eagle Mountain continues past the gap cut by Harvey's Run. These
mountains were formed 250 million years ago when Africa collided with North
America (imagine pushing on a carpet--the folds are the Appalachian mountains). As
bizarre as it seems, my colleagues in geology tell me that the top of Bald Eagle
Mountain is actually the base of the Nittany Anticline, a now-eroded mountain that
rose an additional 10,000 feet above where you are standing.
If you follow the trail to the right, you will shortly reach the peak (1705 feet above sea
level). There isn't much of a view from here, but you can feel good about having
reached the top of one of the highest mountains in this area. Return the way you came,
stopping frequently to enjoy the different views as you come down. Thanks to Mark
Smith for telling me about this hike, to Khaleq for help with the geology, and to my
wife, Elizabeth, for accompanying me on a windy Tuesday to take the pictures.
All previous Hikes of the Month can be found at Hemlock Hikes.
Environmental Focus Group
Bob Myers (chair), Md. Khalequzzaman, Lenny Long, Jeff Walsh, Danielle Tolton, John
Crossen, Sandra Barney, David White, Tom Ormond, and Ralph Harnishfeger. The
committee is charged with promoting and supporting activities, experiences, and
structures that encourage students, faculty, and staff to develop a stronger sense of
place for Lock Haven University and central Pennsylvania. Such a sense of place
involves a stewardship of natural resources (environmentalism), meaningful outdoor
experiences, and appreciation for the heritage of the region.
"The True
Cost of Coal"
by Todd
Nesbitt
The Hemlock
Volume 2, Issue 3 (November 2008)
"When chill November's surly blast make fields and forest
"Natural
Resource
bare..."
Extraction in
--Robert Burns
Pennsylvania:
Past and
Future"
"Worms in the
Kitchen" by
Lisa Cass and
Mark Cohen
"Lock Haven
History" by
Danielle
Tolton
"Pennsylvania
Clean Water
on the Ballot"
by Md.
Khalequzzam
an
"America
Recycles Day"
by William
Shetler
"Wild Pennsylvania"
"Hike of the Month:
Bald Eagle Mountain"
Past Issues
"Fall Perspective" was taken by Nathan Fought (LHUP Art Major) at Highland
Cemetery on October 16, 2008.
November in Pennsylvania
Despite the dourness of Robert Burns, November is an exciting part of the Pennsylvania
year. As the election draws near, the attention of the nation will once again be focused
on our state as we continue to play a key role in determining the winner. November
also brings deer season, a central component of central-Pennsylvania culture. And the
slightly chillier weather should be no barrier to enjoying the beauty of the area. The
theme to this month's issue is eluding me, but from worms to water and from coal to
canals, we do have a variety of excellent articles on topics relating to the environment,
culture, and outdoor recreation opportunities of Pennsylvania. As always, we would
be pleased to publish your work in our next issue--if you have something you'd like to
submit, please email Bob Myers.
Panel Discussion: "Natural Resource Extraction in Pennsylvania: Past and Future"
From the lumber and coal industry of the nineteenth century to the recent discovery of
technologies that enable the extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale,
Pennsylvania's history has been shaped by its abundant natural resources. Please join
us on Wednesday, November 12, at 7 p.m. in the Hall of Flags for a panel discussion on
the ways that the extraction of natural resources affects the economy and the
environment of Pennsylvania. The panelists include a diverse group of experts, who
will represent different perspectives on these issues. Rebecca Dunlap is Project
Manager for Trout Unlimited’s West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Initiative, one of
four regional restoration programs in the nation. Mary B. Wolf is an intergovernmental
relations consultant to Anadarko Petroleum and the PA Economy League. Dan Vilello
is the North Central Region local government liaison for the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection. Md. Khalequzzaman is a Professor of Geology at Lock
Haven University. This event is sponsored by the Environmental Focus Group.
The True Cost of Coal
--Todd Nesbitt (LHUP Geography Professor)
In an age of soaring energy prices and geopolitical chaos in the Middle East, Americans
are once again concerned with the United State’s dependency on foreign oil. Although
the United States comprises only four percent of the world’s population, it consumes
twenty-five percent of the world’s oil. Furthermore, seventy percent of oil consumed in
the Unites States is imported. According to the Institute for the Analysis of Global
Security, six Middle Eastern countries comprise sixty-six percent of the world’s proven
oil reserves. As the quest for domestically produced energy becomes increasingly
important, many Americans wonder if coal might be the answer to our energy crisis.
Both Republicans and Democrats have argued that the massive reserves of coal in the
United States are a partial solution to our energy crisis. Through the use of so called
"clean coal technology", they assert that the United Sates can take an important step in
ridding itself of dependency on foreign oil. Never has there been a more egregious
oxymoron with such devastating effects. Clean coal technologies may in fact reduce
carbon and mercury emissions from coal fired power plants (see
www.americaspower.org), but clean coal technologies do nothing to prevent the
wholesale obliteration the Central Appalachians, one of the most biodiverse forest
ecosystems on the planet. The Unites States currently generates fifty percent of its
electricity from coal-fired power plants. As a result, one of the greatest environmental
and human rights tragedies is occurring in Central Appalachia.
The practice of mountaintop removal is the primary method for extracting coal in
Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. This method of coal extraction
literally involves blowing off the tops of mountains with massive explosives, and
dumping the waste into adjacent valleys and streams. The resultant valley fill, as it is
termed by the coal industry, results in a biologically barren moonscape. The impacts of
mountaintop removal are devastating. For the last twenty years this practice has been
polluting water systems, creating deadly floods, and literally burying residents alive in
their homes. According to the grassroots organization iLoveMountains.org:
More than 7 percent of Appalachian forests have been cut down and more than
1,200 miles of streams across the region have been buried or polluted between
1985 and 2001.
Over 1000 miles of streams have been permitted to be buried in valley fills - a
greater distance than the length of the entire Ohio River.
Mountaintop removal mining, if it continues unabated, will cause a projected
loss of more than 1.4 million acres by the end of the decade—an area the size of
Delaware—with a concomitant severe impact on fish, wildlife, and bird species,
not to mention a devastating effect on many neighboring communities.
800+ square miles of mountains are estimated to be already destroyed. (This is
equal to a one-quarter mile wide swath of destruction from New York to San
Francisco – it is also significantly underestimated).
On a broader scale, the health impact of coal extraction and plant emissions go far
beyond Central Appalachia. A report by the Environmental Protection Agency
concludes that emissions from technologically obsolete coal-fired power plants
contribute to 24,000 premature deaths a year, and that nearly 22,000 of those deaths are
preventable with currently available technology. A similar report by Abt Associates
concluded that fine particle pollution (a result of mixing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides) from U.S. power plants attributes for 30,000 deaths per year. Even more
disconcerting is the Bush Administrations efforts roll back pollution reduction
requirements established by the 1970 Clean Air Act that would dramatically increase
toxic pollutants from coal fired power plants. The Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC) has reported that:
NRDC obtained a leaked copy of the final rule, which essentially repeals the "new
source review" provision of the Clean Air Act. That provision requires industrial
facilities to install modern pollution controls when they make upgrades to plants that
increase air pollution. The new final rule would allow facilities to avoid installing
pollution controls when they replace equipment -- even if the upgrade increases
pollution -- as long as the cost of the replacement did not exceed 20 percent of the cost
of what the EPA broadly defines as a "process unit." For example, if a coal-fired power
plant replaced a boiler whose cost was less than 20 percent of the replacement cost of
the entire process unit -- the boiler, turbine, generator and other equipment that turns
coal into electricity -- the company would not have to control the resulting pollution
increases.
Coal is, without question, extremely damaging to the environment and public
health. Yet, the true cost of coal remains hidden in the marketplace. This is because the
environmental impact of coal extraction and use is not reflected in the price of
coal. One way to minimize the negative impact of coal, and ultimately facilitate a
transition to more environmentally sustainable energy sources, is through what is
known as the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP). The PPP is an environmental policy
principle which requires that the costs of pollution be borne by those who cause it – in
this case the coal companies. By internalizing the cost coal’s environmental impact, the
cost of coal extraction will increase (as will the cost of coal to consumers). As
environmentally destructive energy sources such as coal become less profitable due to
the PPP, capital investment will redirect itself to more sustainable and less
environmentally damaging energy sources. The PPP is only possible, however, if policy
is enacted to regulate the coal industry in ways that reflect the true cost of
environmental degradation caused by extracting and burning coal. Sadly, the Bush
administrations record on the environment reflects no such interest. In seems that for
now, and as long as the public will allow for it, profitability has been given credence
over environmental sustainability.
For additional information on mountaintop removal coal mining, go to the following
websites:
Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (source of the picture above)
Stop Mountaintop Removal
Mountain Justice
Worms in the Kitchen
--Lisa Cass and Mark Cohen (LHUP Computer Information Science Professor)
My husband and I have worms in
our kitchen. Technically, they are
red wigglers (Eisenia foetida). I
suppose they are called that
because they wiggle a lot, but we
like to think of it as squirming.
Believe it or not, these worms
were actually invited into our
kitchen and we happily provide
them with room and board. In
exchange, the worms work for us by disposing of our kitchen scraps and unwanted
paper products and providing nutrient-rich compost that does wonders for the
garden. This process of using worms to compost food scraps and other organic
material is called vermicomposting. Although this may sound like a lot of trouble for a
little bit of compost, a basic worm bin with 1,000 worms (the recommended number
when getting started) can actually consume up to a half-pound of food in a single day.
A colony of compost-creating wigglers can be kept quite happy in something as simple
as a plastic bin or as complex as a multi-tier worm condo--all they ask is that it has good
aeration, a comfortable temperature (~55-80°F), and some moist bedding to burrow
into. Any paper product that isn’t plastic-coated makes good bedding material,
including newspaper, computer paper, and even junk mail (yes, our worms actually
appreciate the endless unwanted credit card solicitations we get each day).
Red wigglers will not only burrow in their bedding, but they will eat it as well (fiber is
good for them too!). We add a little spice and variety to their lives by occasionally
mixing in other organic bedding materials such as dry leaves, shredded cardboard or
paper egg cartons, coconut fiber (coir), peat moss, or dryer lint (yummy). The worms
balance their diet with the food scraps we provide. Fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta,
other grains, egg shells, coffee grounds, and tea bags are all foods they like--but no meat
or dairy please!
Of course our worms live in style. They begin life in a single story flat, and as they
successfully fill the currently inhabited story with compost we reward them by adding
a new story with freshly stocked bedding and food. The worms naturally take
residence in the new level thus leaving behind compost, which is ready for harvesting.
The compost created by worms, often referred to as worm castings, is great for
fertilizing both indoor and outdoor plants. It can be applied directly to the soil, or
mixed with water to create a ‘compost tea’ that is used to water or spray on
plants. Worm castings contain a natural supply of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphate
(the components also found in synthetic fertilizers), as well as other nutrients and
beneficial microorganisms. In fact, worm castings are actually sold in many garden
stores as an organic alternative to chemical fertilizer (but if you buy castings, then you
miss out on the fun of doing it yourself).
In addition, if you provide a romantic setting worms will reproduce quickly. Red
wigglers lay eggs that are incubated in cocoons and, under well-maintained conditions,
the worms can be expected to double in population every 3 months. As a result, if you
like to fish, you will never pay for bait again. In fact, red wigglers can actually stay
alive for several days in water, unlike nightcrawlers that die almost immediately.
If keeping a worm bin in your kitchen conjures up images of uninvited guests on your
dinner plate or in your dishwasher, don’t worry: Worm bins can be kept in a shaded
area outside during the warmer months, and will do just fine in your basement as
well. Moreover, in nature red wigglers feed almost exclusively on organic matter in
the moist upper layer of soil, are communal, and avoid light; therefore they will be
happy to remain in the company of their buddies in your dark moist worm bin.
A note of caution, however – not all worms are created alike! You should not attempt
vermicomposting with earthworms collected in your backyard. Many of these
earthworms normally live in solitary burrows and some are accustomed to light, so
they are likely to refuse your offer of a new home and flee the worm bin. These worms
are happier outdoors where they provide an important service in aerating the soil and
re-distributing nutrient-rich humus generated by other organisms.
Like keeping an aquarium or terrarium, caring for a colony of worms can be an
educationally rewarding hobby – especially for kids. Life in a worm bin is a delicate
world of bacteria, insects, worms, mold, and more. Successfully keeping worms can
help children learn about ecosystems and the symbiotic relationship between its
inhabitants.
The internet is a great resource if you want to learn more about how to invite worms
into your household. Several models of worm bins can be purchased online or, if you
are handy, you can find designs for constructing your own worm bin. Red wigglers can
also be purchased online, and of course there are many other helpful tips for
vermicomposting. For more information, check out the following websites:
The Rodale Institute: Worm Bin Construction (source of the above picture)
EPA Vermicompost Website
Directory of Vermicompost Suppliers
Finally, before you get started we would like to leave you with just one piece of
important advice: If you like to have dinner parties, you may not want to share with
your guests what you do with the leftovers.
Lock Haven History
--Danielle Tolton (LHUP Biology Major)
On of the goals of the
Environmental Focus
Group is to develop an
awareness of the history of
central Pennsylvania. A
good place to start is the
city of Lock Haven itself,
which is celebrating it's
175th year anniversary. In
the eighteenth century,
Iroquois and Lenni-Lenape
(or Delaware) Indians lived
throughout this region. In
the late 1700’s, the city became settled by European loggers and traders. During this
time one of the earliest frontier forts was established along the Susquehanna River, near
the Jay Street Bridge. Fort Reed, as it was known, became a frequented traveler’s
stop. In 1833 Jeremiah Church and his brother Willard saw the potential of the area for
logging and trading, so they formally founded the town, naming it Lock Haven for the
canal locks (a way of moving boats from level to level) and because it was an ideal
resting place for travelers. By 1859, the railroad had reached Lock Haven, further
boosting its population. In 1870 Central State Normal School (pictured above) was
founded by Albert N. Raub--in 1983 this college became Lock Haven University.
By the end of the nineteenth century the timber resources were being depleted, and
Lock Haven turned to manufacturing. In the 1930’s, the Piper Aircraft Corporation
began producing small planes, eventually becoming the leading employer of the area
for the next fifty years. The company relocated to Florida in the 1980s, devastating the
economy and bumping the unemployment rate up to 20%. Although the economy
eventually recovered, the economic loss during that time was felt strongly by the
citizens and inhabitants. The aircraft plant was purchased soon after and The Piper
Aviation Museum was set up in memory of the airplane industry.
Throughout its history, a major problem for Lock Haven has been flooding from the
Susquehanna River. After a major flood damaged the city in 1972, the town finally built
a 6.5 mile levee. Completed in 1994, the levee provides opportunities for exercise and
appreciation of the beauty of Lock Haven. Lock Haven currently has 9, 149
residents. Famous people from Lock Haven include Alison Bechdel (cartoonist),
Robbie Gould (NFL kicker for the Patriots, Ravens, & Bears), and John French Sloan
(artist).
Pennsylvania Clean Water on the Ballot
--Md. Khalequzzaman (LHUP Geology Professor); photograph by William Shetler
On Election Day, the voters of Pennsylvania will not only cast their ballots to elect the
next president and other public officials, they will also decide whether to authorize the
state government to spend $400 million for upgrading the infrastructures for sewage
treat facilities (STF) and drinking water. This referendum is not a part of any bailout
plan, but will help upgrade many aging STF that were built several decades ago. In
many cases these upgrades will help reduce nutrient (nitrogen phosphorus) discharges
that degrade the quality of water in our rivers and streams, as well as the Chesapeake
Bay. Pennsylvania is under federal and state mandate under the Clean Water Act to cut
down on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of nutrients discharges. As many as 184
STFs in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, of which our own West Branch Susquehanna
watershed is a major part, are faced with legal mandates, at a cost estimated to be over
$1 billion. There are 123 STFs are located in the Susquehanna watershed in
Pennsylvania.
The proposed allocation of $400
million, however, will not be spent to
upgrade the aging SFTs
only. Although, maintenance,
upgrades and replacement cost of all
of these plants in Pennsylvania will
cost over $20 billion. Of the
proposed allocated amount, about
$70 million will be spent for other
programs that include cost share to
farmers to install conservation
practices, to expand technical
supports by county conservation districts, and to restore cuts to the Department of
Agriculture in farm programs.
The major contributors to nutrient and sediment pollutions to our local rivers and the
Chesapeake Bay are agricultural run-off, STFs, urban run-off, septic tanks, and air
deposition. Pennsylvania contributes about 40%, 19%, and 23% of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and sediments, respectively to the Chesapeake Bay. Of Pennsylvania’s
contribution, agricultural run-off accounts for 48%, 59%, and 73% of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and sediments, respectively. It is obvious that nutrient discharges from
agricultural run-off will have to be curtailed significantly should we target to achieve
the set goal to reduce nutrient discharges to our rivers and the Bay by more than 50%
by the year 2010. Pennsylvania is far from its target.
Results from a long-term research carried out by this author on agricultural impacts on
water quality in Clinton County indicate a slight reduction in the nutrient discharge in
agriculturally intensive Sugar Valley and Nittany Valley. In addition, when compared
to monitoring locations both upstream (Karthaus) and downstream (Lewisburg)
Clinton County streams carry relatively low amount of sediment pollution. However,
our streams carry disproportionately high amounts of both nitrogen and
phosphorus. Data from the published sources indicate that the nitrogen discharges to
the West Branch of Susquehanna river by the STF at Lock Haven is among one of the
highest in central Pennsylvania. In other words, nutrient discharges from both
agriculture and sewage treatment facility in our area are relatively higher compared to
other locations in Pennsylvania. We need to find ways to cut down the nutrient
pollution.
The approval of the $400 million clean water referendum will be a good starting point
in term of setting up the right mindset to pay our fair share for clean water of our
streams and the Chesapeake Bay.
America Recycles Day – November 15th
---William Shetler (LHUP Exploratory Studies
Major)
Recycling – Why worry about it? Why
bother? Unfortunately, apathy on this subject is all too
common among many of us. According to LHUP
Facilities manager, Dave Proctor, the university
has been committed to "Going Green," for 20 years and
taken many steps to make recycling easy. Yet, despite
all these measures, there is one area however that is
lacking--student participation.
Many people hold the mistaken view that they won’t make a difference in the larger
scheme of recycling. But here are a few facts that are surprising:
The average American uses seven trees a year in paper, wood, and other
products made from trees. This amounts to about 2,000,000,000 trees per year.
Each ton (2000 pounds) of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil,
three cubic yards of landfill space, 4000 kilowatts of energy, and 7000 gallons of
water. This represents a 64% energy savings, a 58% water savings, and 60
pounds less of air pollution!
Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours -or the equivalent of a half a gallon of gasoline.
These examples show how very important it is for each and everyone to implement
recycling methods, and use the ones that are presently available.
After reaching a high of 80.2 tons of recycled material in 2002, LHUP's recycling dipped
to 38.1 tons in 2006. This year LHUP's ongoing commitment to going green has
resulted in over 48 tons of material recycled to date, material which otherwise would
have been put in a landfill. In response to America Recycles Day, the university will be
collecting recyclables on Saturday, November 15th, at the Hursh-Nevel Building, from 9
a.m. until 3 p.m. The items that can be dropped off for recycling include: cans (bi-metal
& alumninum), glass, plastics, office paper (magazines, junk mail), newspaper,
corrugated cardboard, batteries, electronics (computers, printers, televisions, vcrs, cell
phones, stereos, dvd players), appliances, metal, and tires. There is no better time than
now to become aware of the importance of recycling to help reduce energy
consumption, emissions, and the increasing loss of our finite natural resources. For
more information on recycling at LHUP or LHUP's America Recycles Day, contact
Colleen Meyer (570-484-2949). You might also want to check out the following
websites:
A Recyling Revolution
National Recycling Coalition (try "The Conversionator")
earth911
Wild Pennsylvania
On Thursday, November 6th at 7 p.m. Michael Gadomski
will present the 48-minute multi-media program Wild
Pennsylvania at the Kelly Township Building, near
Lewisburg. In over 400 images, Mr. Gadomski covers the
entire state in this celebration of the natural beauty of our
state. The program will be shown using a high resolution
digital projector. Mr. Gadomski is a professional
photographer located in the Pocono Mountains. For 25
years he was employed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of
State Parks as a park naturalist and ranger. In 2002 he left
the State Parks to become a fulltime photographer. He has
also produced a major coffee table book entitled Wild
Pennsylvania. Come for a relaxing evening of great photography. For additional
information, including directions to the Kelly Township Building, go to the
Otzinachson chapter of the Pennsylvania Sierra Club newsletter.
Hike of the Month: Bald Eagle Mountain
This hike is a strenuous climb (1000 feet in a little less than a mile), but the view at the
top is well worth it. The hike follows a powerline straight up the mountain, and the
path is badly eroded and covered with rocks, so hiking boots are strongly
recommended.
From campus, go east on Water Street to Jay Street (the courthouse) and turn
right. Follow Jay Street/PA-120 for 1 mile, crossing over Bald Eagle Creek into Castanea
(Latin for "chestnut," presumably because of the many chestnut trees in the area). The
road becomes Jarrett Avenue;
continue to the end (yellow
arrow sign) and turn right. The
gravel road leading to the
powerline is on the right--you
can park there or along Jarrett
Avenue.
The climb is steep with several
false peaks. Depending upon
your speed and the number of
breaks you take, it should take
you about 30 minutes to get
up. Once you reach the top of
the powerline, stop and enjoy the view. To the north is Castanea and the city of Lock
Haven (the university is visible to the far left). This is an excellent vantage point to
appreciate the remarkable geology of this area. You are standing on the westernmost
ridge of the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Province that runs from Georgia to
Maine. Stretching away to the north, you can see the rolling hills and narrow valleys of
the Appalachian Plateau, a completely different mountain formation. The Susquehanna
River curves toward Renova (northwest), and Jersey Shore/Williamsport (east). Behind
you, to the south, is the second fold of Bald Eagle Mountain. In the valley below is
Harveys Run; just beyond the second fold is the Lock Haven exit of Interstate 80, which
cuts south through a gap in Nittany Mountain (the next ridge of the Appalachians). To
the east Bald Eagle Mountain continues past the gap cut by Harvey's Run. These
mountains were formed 250 million years ago when Africa collided with North
America (imagine pushing on a carpet--the folds are the Appalachian mountains). As
bizarre as it seems, my colleagues in geology tell me that the top of Bald Eagle
Mountain is actually the base of the Nittany Anticline, a now-eroded mountain that
rose an additional 10,000 feet above where you are standing.
If you follow the trail to the right, you will shortly reach the peak (1705 feet above sea
level). There isn't much of a view from here, but you can feel good about having
reached the top of one of the highest mountains in this area. Return the way you came,
stopping frequently to enjoy the different views as you come down. Thanks to Mark
Smith for telling me about this hike, to Khaleq for help with the geology, and to my
wife, Elizabeth, for accompanying me on a windy Tuesday to take the pictures.
All previous Hikes of the Month can be found at Hemlock Hikes.
Environmental Focus Group
Bob Myers (chair), Md. Khalequzzaman, Lenny Long, Jeff Walsh, Danielle Tolton, John
Crossen, Sandra Barney, David White, Tom Ormond, and Ralph Harnishfeger. The
committee is charged with promoting and supporting activities, experiences, and
structures that encourage students, faculty, and staff to develop a stronger sense of
place for Lock Haven University and central Pennsylvania. Such a sense of place
involves a stewardship of natural resources (environmentalism), meaningful outdoor
experiences, and appreciation for the heritage of the region.
Media of