David Tessein

December 5, 2010

Federal Court Orders Destruction of GMO Sugar Beets

A district court judge has determined that the USDA's 2005 approval of Monsanto's "Roundup Ready" sugar beets was illegal and has subsequently banned the planting and sale of those plants. Despite the importance of sugar beets, the district court ruled that the USDA had failed to conduct a proper environmental impact review. Monsanto plans to appeal the ruling.

Source:

Carey Gillam, Monsanto to appeal ruling against GMO sugar beets, Reuters, Dec. 1, 2010, available at http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN309085420101201.

Cape Wind Overcomes Obstacle as National Grid Allowed to Purchase Half of the Project's Power

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved National Grid's purchase of half of the power from the Cape Wind Project. However, the Department rejected a proposal for the purchase of the remaining half of the project's power. As a result, financing for the entire project has become somewhat uncertain which could potentially lead to changes to the project itself. The project is still awaiting permits from the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Source:

Beth Daley, Last big hurdle passed for Cape Wind, The Boston Globe, Nov. 23, 2010, http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2010/11/23/state_removes_last_big_hurdle_for_cape_wind/.

All but Two States Meet EPA Submission Deadline for Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan

In its effort to reduce nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment pollution in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, the EPA established a deadline for the submission of Watershed Implementation Plans. Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and Washington D.C. all met the deadline, with only New York and Maryland failing to offer a timely submission. The EPA will make determinations on the adequacy of these plans within the next few weeks.

Source:

Darryl Fears, Most meet EPA deadline for bay cleanup plan, The Washington Post, Nov. 30, 2010, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/29/AR2010112906085.html.

ICCAT Agrees to Hold Endangered Bluefin Tuna Quota Levels Steady

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas announced that it would be reducing the total allowable bluefin catch by a miniscule 600 tons. With the recent rejection of the proposal to protect bluefin tuna under CITES, many groups are expressing extreme disappointment over the actions by ICCAT.

Source:

David Jolly, Group Votes to Keep Fishing Levels of Bluefin Tuna Stable, N.Y. Times, Nov. 27, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/world/europe/28tuna.html?_r=2.

Despite Past Success, EPA Administrator Says New Challenges Face the Agency

In a recent talk, current EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson says that many Americans are taking the environment for granted. Much of the current generation in the U.S. is disconnected with the events that helped form the EPA 40 years ago. However, despite this attitude and the recent political resistance, Jackson feels optimistic about overcoming the challenges facing the Agency.

Source:

Gabriel Nelson, EPA's Success Presents New Challenges, Agency's Chief Says, N.Y. Times, Nov. 29, 2010, http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/11/29/29greenwire-epas-success-presents-new-challenges-agencys-c-73961.html.