Wolfowitz on World Bank and Environment

World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz Wraps up Brazil Trip With Call for Stronger Global Action on the Environment

According to Mr. Wolfowitz, there is a need for broad, consistent environmental policies that balance the importance of encouraging development and protecting natural resources-to reap the double dividends that may be possible. He also noted that the World Bank could help in three ways: by stimulating knowledge sharing and policy advice at the local and global levels; by supporting partnerships on global public goods; and by providing financial resources for development.

Commitment? Or just fluff? Wolfowitz does seem to be drawing a strong connection between the World Bank's mandate to reduce proverty, and environmental protection.

EIS needed for proposed Spaulding Peak drilling?

EPA requests more study on Spaulding Peak drilling

Calling this a "precedent-setting industrial use of national forest lands unlike any other activity on the Grand Mesa National Forest,” the director of the Office of Ecosystems Protection and Remediation in Denver says an EIS is necessary. Naturally, company officials who want to drill in the region disagree. The Forest Service will decide whether to issue a permit to Gunnison Energy Corp. and allow drilling in the region.

Firm pushes for go-ahead to drill near Grand Mesa

Chrysler settlement over defective catalytic converters

Chrysler parent to pay $94M in defect case

The settlement is the largest ever involving the failure to report an emissions-related defect to the Environmental Protection Agency.

EPA's press release on the settlement can be reviewed here, and includes a copy of the consent decree, which is now in a 30-day comment period.

Town Refuses Sewage Treatment Plant Loan

Or, as the Mercury News puts it, State water board yanks city's $135-million loan over sewer fight.

[CA] The state's water board voted Friday to take away a $135 million loan after civic infighting in this Central Coast community derailed plans for a wastewater treatment plant the money was to pay for.

Local officials said they couldn't keep taking the money because the state wouldn't permit any changes to the sewer plan under which the loan originally was granted years ago.

The town halted construction on the original plant, and started researching out-of-town sewage treatment options, due to concerns about costs imposed on residents. It seems, though, that having to repay the loan -- with interest -- will hit the town even harder. Apparently, Los Oslos had a sewage treatment problem for the last two decades.