Paper nor plastic?

Seattle debated whether the city may follow in the footsteps of San Francisco, on July 8 discussing a proposal for a 20 cent fee on all disposal shopping bags, as well as a long overdue ban on foam food containers. The meeting was called by the City Council's Environment, Emergency Management and Utilities Committee.

Those who attended the meeting (including The Bag Monster) heard from fellow citizens in overwhelming support of the ban, which if approved would go into effect in 2010. One provision of the ban is that each household in the city would receive a free reusable shopping bag.

Who opposes the fee? Professional curmudgeons and the grocery industry, who counterproposed a per-visit fee.

Is Masdar for real?

Many are excited about the green technologies that could come out of the zero carbon, zero waste project in the desert. Others call it hype.

eager000010 (Flickr)

The good Puget Sound news

Lest anyone think Puget Sound environmental policy and water quality are going completely to hell, I am glad to report that a piece of good news happened last week. The Neah Bay rescue tug, which stands ready to assist oil tankers and other vessels transiting the can-be-stormy Strait of Juan de Fuca entrance to Puget Sound, returned to duty on July 1.

"The tug" is actually two boats that will split the assignment: the Hunter and the Gladiator, both under contract from Crowley Maritime.

What is notable is that this marks the first time the tug will be on duty for 12 continuous months. In past years state funding was only available for part of the year. As if oil spills check the calendar. This time the state legislature voted a full 12 months, but there is no guarantee for the following year.

Court ignores environmental factors

I have received word that a state appeals court has struck down King County's "65/10 rule," requiring property owners retain 65% of forest and limiting impervious surface to 10%. This rule is critical to the issue of reducing stormwater runoff, which is a major source of pollutants that enter Puget Sound.

65/10 is meant to comply with Washington State Growth Management regulations, but my source has told me the appeals court has held the rule to be an illegal fee.

More as it develops.

Update (1518 PDT): The Seattle P-I has the first media report on the ruling. (since updated and extended)

Update (08 July 0926 PDT): King County's rural-land restrictions go too far, court rules -

Locking-in green behavior

Ten observations related to how people are adjusting to high fuel prices, and maybe we can have a discussion.

1. "Peak oil" is on the digital lips of many progressive bloggers. This event, assuming it has happened, signals the start of a fundamental restructuring. The economy will have to respond by replacing oil with another energy input.

2. Progressive opinion leaders are observing, however, that the problem is not supply, and speculation is responsible for higher pump prices. This is borne out by events and expert opinion:

John McCain's Connection to Big Oil