Article

15 Dec 2004

California court voids approvals for two big-box projects

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 15 Dec 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

In a ruling that could have broad implications, a California appeals court this week nullified zoning approvals given to two big-box shopping centers by the city of Bakersfield. The court held that the environmental impact reports (EIRs) prepared for the projects were insufficient and did not adequately address the potential for urban decay and associated ecological effects that could be caused by extensive new retail development. The ruling orders the city to complete new impact studies and public hearings, and reconsider the projects. … Read More

9 Dec 2004

California Feels Global Warming Heat From Automakers

by John Farrell | Date: 9 Dec 2004 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

A coalition of U.S. and foreign automobile manufacturers and car dealerships in California joined together to file a lawsuit against California’s innovative rule to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles in that state. In a tug of war between federal and state authority, the stage is set for a public debate on how far a state can go in directing its own energy future.

8 Dec 2004

New Jersey Considers Regional Impact Studies for Big-Box Stores

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 8 Dec 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

Lawmakers in New Jersey have proposed legislation that would require communities to weigh the regional economic impact of proposed big-box stores before granting approval. As drafted, the law would apply to stores over 130,000 square feet that sell at least 25,000 items with a minimum of ten percent of their revenue in nontaxable groceries. The measure would therefore cover Wal-Mart, Target, and Kmart supercenters, but would not affect big-box stores that do not sell groceries, such as Home Depot and Staples. … Read More

6 Dec 2004

Voters Decide to Take Control of Their Electric Systems in Three Cities

by John Farrell | Date: 6 Dec 2004 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Everyone knows that President Bush was reelected on November 2nd but did you know that voters in three municipalities voted to take control of their electric systems? In Rolfe, Iowa (pop. 675), the vote was 182-19, in Wellman, Iowa (pop. 1,393) the vote was 470-159, and in Auburn, New York (pop. 28,574) the vote was 4,726-987 to allow their cities to form municipally-owned power companies. The two Iowa cities already control their natural gas utilities so the move toward electricity should be a natural extension.… Read More

6 Dec 2004

Private Company Offers Employees $5,000 to Purchase Fuel-efficient Vehicles

by John Farrell | Date: 6 Dec 2004 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

While Democratic Energy is primarily tracking energy innovations in the public sector, we thought that you’d be interested in this energy policy development from the private sector announced last week by the Hyperion Solutions Corporation.

6 Dec 2004

Contract Talks Underway at Wal-Mart’s Only Unionized Store

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 6 Dec 2004 | posted in: Retail | 0

Negotiations that could lead to the first union contract at any of Wal-Mart’s 5,000 stores worldwide began last week in Jonquiere, a town about 250 miles north of Quebec City in Canada. … Read More

30 Nov 2004

New York Renewable Standard Carves Special Niche for Onsite Power

by John Farrell | Date: 30 Nov 2004 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

In September 2004, The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) adopted a renewable energy portfolio standard that requires 25 percent of the state’s electricity to be supplied from renewable energy sources by 2013. The NY RPS will require about 3,700 megawatts (MW) of new renewable fueled electricity projects to come on-line between 2006 and 2013.

28 Nov 2004

Ethanol production makes sense, when you consider the facts

by David Morris | Date: 28 Nov 2004 | posted in: From the Desk of David Morris, The Public Good | 0

Ethanol production makes sense, when you consider the facts by David Morris Originally published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 28, 2004 A recent column by Craig Westover claimed it takes more energy to make ethanol than is contained in ethanol (“Let’s have both sides of ethanol debate,” Nov. 17). The only evidence he offered … Read More

28 Nov 2004

Who gets fruits of public R&D?

by David Morris | Date: 28 Nov 2004 | posted in: From the Desk of David Morris, The Public Good | 0

Who gets fruits of public R&D? by David Morris Originally published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, November 28, 2004 In 1980, Congress allowed universities to own federally supported research and grant exclusive licenses to businesses to commercialize that research. Since then, the landscape of America’s research universities has changed dramatically. Before 1980, U.S. universities applied for … Read More