Three Philadelphia City Councilors—David Cohen, Richard Mariano and Frank DiCicco—have introduced an ordinance that would bar "predatory superstores" from locating within the city. The ordinance defines predatory superstores as any store over 180,000 square feet or any store over 90,000 square feet that devotes more than 10 percent of its floor space to nontaxable grocery items.… Read More
Both chambers of the Maryland legislature have approved a bill that would require Wal-Mart to spend more on employee health insurance. The legislation applies to companies with more than 10,000 employees in the state that do not already spend at least eight percent of their payroll on health benefits.… Read More
By an 18-1 vote, the City Council in Madison, Wisconsin, endorsed a measure that would limit retail stores to a footprint of no more than 100,000 square feet. Stores may be larger if they are multi-story or have structured or underground parking. A 100,000-square-foot store covers about the same land area as two football fields and typically requires at least twice as much land for the parking lot.… Read More
We received a question on whether or not the state of Montana should enact a requirement for a 10 percent ethanol blend in its gasoline supplies. Dr. Dave responded, noting that Montana is one of six states that has in place or is currently debating, an ethanol mandate. The complete Question and Answer from Dr.Dave: Are … Read More
In a unique collaboration, a Minnesota electric cooperative will supply the thermal energy requirements for an ethanol plant proposed in North Dakota.
Under a law enacted in 2002, communities in California were alllowed to aggregate electric utility customers and take control over their electric system. Three years later, implementation plans are being developed or under consideration by about two dozen California cities.
“I was driving home one day and saw it on the back of a bus,” said Don Burch, owner of Qwest Outdoors, a retailer of outdoor gear in Louisville, Kentucky. The advertisement, in black with white lettering, said, “Keep Louisville Weird. Support Independent Businesses.”I tried in vain to find out who was doing it,” said Burch. Weeks later he finally discovered that the ads, which have been appearing on billboards and buses around the city, were sponsored by John Timmons, owner of Ear X-tacy, a 20-year-old music store. … Read More
We received a question on whether or not hybrid electric/gas vehicles should be allowed to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Dr. Dave responded, calling hybrid cars an essential component of a sustainable transportation strategy but policies to let them use HOV lanes would be unnecessary and counterproductive. The complete Question and Answer from Dr.Dave: Is … Read More
If a new ordinance limiting big-box retail development in the town of Bennington, Vermont, is endorsed by voters in an April referendum, two lawmakers say they will introduce bills to extend those restrictions statewide. In January, the Bennington Select Board voted unanimously to ban stores over 75,000 square feet and to require retail development projects larger than 30,000 square feet to pass a community impact review.… Read More
