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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. |
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May is Clean Commute Month!
 Every May the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and our Clean
Commute Partners host Clean Commute Month. This year's activities will include
Clean Car Clinics, Bike to Work Day on May 15th, and tons of fun outreach
events! Check out our calendar for May.
- May 1 Baltimore Flower Mart
- May 2 & 3 Towsontown Festival
- May 9 Carroll County Herb Festival (Piney Run Park)
- May 15 Bike to Work Day
- May 17 Baltimore Bike Jam (Patterson Park)
- May 19 Commuter Thank-you (Aberdeen MARC)
- May 28 Harford County Clean Car Clinic
Additional Clean Car Clinics will be held in June!
Find us on Facebook!
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MD Global Warming Bill Okayed by General
Assembly
This spring, both chambers of the Maryland
General Assembly passed a global warming bill, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act
of 2009. This legislation would mandate 25 percent reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions below 2006 levels by 2020. It would require that by 2012, a plan be
created for the State to achieve reductions.
The bill acknowledges that the manufacting sector would only be
regulated through a future federal program, the regional program - the Regional
Greenhouse Gas Initiative, existing state regulations, or voluntarily. The
bill also recognizes the need for a national program to control global warming
emissions.
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EPA Proposes Endangerment Finding for Greenhouse
Gases
On April 24, EPA published a proposal to find
that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. According to the
proposed finding, the observed and predicted future effects of these gases "are
effects on public health and welfare within the meaning of the Clean Air Act."
Six greenhouse gases are targeted: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous
oxide, hydroflurocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. The EPA
Administrator also proposes finding greenhouse gas emissions from new motor
vehicles and their engines are also contributing to dangerous greenhouse gas air
pollution.
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 Green Alleyways in
Chicago
The City of Chicago is "greening" its centuries-old alleyways. They are
redesigning the alleys to drain better and to produce less air, water, and light
pollution. Reconstructing the alleys with permeable pavement allows the water
to drain into the ground, rather than puddle on the surface. Water pollution
from cars and fertilizer is filtered as the water runs through the ground.
Highly reflecting, recycled pavement mixtures help to cool down the city in the
summer heat. Find out more.
 Smart Trash Cans in
Massachusetts
New garbage cans being installed in Somerville,
Massachusetts will have the ability to notify trash collecters when they are
full. This is expected to increase efficiency of trash collection.
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Events
Bike
to Work Day 2009!
Date:
Friday, May 15, 2009
Bike
to Work Day 2009, sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, will be
celebrated in the Baltimore region and across the nation on Friday May 15, 2009.
Between 7 and 8:30 a.m., bicycle commuters will gather at locations throughout
the Baltimore region, including:
- Anne
Arundel Co/Annapolis - City Dock, Annapolis
- Baltimore
City - War Memorial Plaza at City Hall (100 N. Holliday St.)
- Baltimore
County - Courthouse Square (400 Washington Ave, Towson)
- Carroll
County - Westminster (Noon)
- Harford
County - Government Center (220 S. Main St, Bel Air)
- Howard
County - The Mall in Columbia by Sears Service Center (10300 Little Patuxent
Parkway, Columbia)
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Sara Tomlinson
Baltimore Metropolitan Council
410-732-0500 x1035
stomlinson@baltometro.org |
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Environmental
News Brief