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Amid Budget Debate, Few Lawmakers Own Pieces of U.S. Debt
For a select group of members of Congress, the debate over the debt ceiling has more than political implications. For those with investments in U.S. Treasury notes, bonds and bills, there's a bit of a personal skin in the game too. In 2010, at least 14 veteran members of Congress personally owned a portion of the U.S. debt, according to a Center for Responsive Politics review of congressional personal financial disclosure reports. » Read More
Pennsylvanians Show Santorum the Money
It's good to have home state allies, but will they be enough for for Rick Santorum, the former senator from Pennsylvania, who announced he would be seeking the Republican presidential nomination in June? At least 27 percent of the $582,100 Santorum raised through June 30 has come from residents of the Keystone State, according to a preliminary analysis of campaign finance filings by the Center for Responsive Politics. Pennsylvanians have so far given Santorum at least $160,660. » Read More
- OpenSecrets Blog: First Presidential Finance Reports Show Clout of Wall Street, Retirees
- OpenSecrets.org profiles of presidential fund-raising
Money Talks: An Interview with Top Campaign Finance Attorney Trevor Potter
Attorney Trevor Potter has been a part of the campaign finance world for two decades, serving as counsel for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and comedian Stephen Colbert. Along the way, he founded the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit group that focuses on legal issues surrounding campaigns and elections and supports campaign finance regulations. OpenSecrets Blog recently sat down with Potter to discuss the changing campaign finance landscape. The wide-ranging conversation touched on the seriousness of Colbert's super PAC, how political speech isn't for "sissies" and how the U.S. Supreme Court is made up of "theorists" who are "not in touch with reality" when it comes to how money is being raised and spent. » Read More
Which Members of Congress Feel the Love From Dunkin' Brands?
The Dunkin' Brands Group, owner of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins, got a lot of love from investors when it debuted on the stock market last week. But how much love has the company given to Washington? During the 2010 election cycle, Dunkin' Brands' political action committee contributed some $42,000 to mostly Democratic candidates. But it also donated to several Republicans -- including some of the highest-ranking GOP leaders in Congress. » Read More
Happy Birthday MTV
MTV celebrated its 30th birthday this week. Much has changed since the channel was first launched -- remember when it actually played music videos rather than bad reality television shows? But for nearly MTV's entire life, it has been owned by a single parent-company: Viacom. And while MTV does not have its own political action committee, Viacom's PAC has been a prolific supporter of federal politicians. During the 2010 election cycle, Viacom's PAC contributed more than $237,000 to federal politicians, with 58 percent of that sum benefitting Democrats. » Read More
Join OpenSecrets.org on the West Coast
Join OpenSecrets.org Outreach Coordinator Evan Mackinder at informal meet and greet sessions on Saturday, Aug. 13, in Seattle and Saturday, Aug. 20, in San Francisco. These are informal sessions, meant to give supporters of OpenSecrets.org and activists a chance to meet with a member of our staff and talk about issues related to campaign finance and government transparency. It's also a chance for us to hear what's on your mind! Come, join us!
Numerous Media Outlets Citing OpenSecrets.org's Research, Reporting
Numerous media outlets have this past week cited OpenSecrets.org's research and experts, including MSNBC.com, Politico, Washington Post, New York Times, Scripps Howard News Service and Associated Press.
Other news organizations relying on the Center this week include:
- iWatch News, on the clout of commercial banks
- Des Moines Register, about Koch Industries
- Forth Worth Star-Telegram, on mega-donor Bob Perry
- St. Lous Post-Dispatch, on campaign spending
- Variety, on presidential fund-raising
See all the news outlets and blogs who've been citing our work at our "In the News" page.
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Center for Responsive Politics1101 14th St. NWSuite 1030Washington, District of Columbia 20005
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7
901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District in Missouri to Pay $4.7 Billion to Cut Sewer Overflows
Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, Blackberry: 816-518-2794, whitley.christopher@epa.gov
Environmental News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Kansas City, Kan., Aug. 4, 2011) - The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) has agreed to make extensive improvements to its sewer systems and treatment plants, at an estimated cost of $4.7 billion over 23 years, to eliminate illegal overflows of untreated raw sewage, including basement backups, and to reduce pollution levels in urban rivers and streams, the Department of Justice and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. This injunctive relief is historic in its scope and importance to the people of St. Louis.
The settlement reached between the United States, the Missouri Coalition for the Environment Foundation and MSD, requires MSD to install a variety of pollution controls, including the construction of three large storage tunnels ranging from approximately two miles to nine miles in length, and to expand capacity at two treatment plants. These controls and similar controls that MSD has already implemented will result in the reduction of almost 13 billion gallons per year of overflows into nearby streams and rivers.
MSD will also be required to develop and implement a comprehensive plan to eliminate more than 200 illegal discharge points within its sanitary sewer system. Finally, MSD will engage in comprehensive and proactive cleaning, maintenance and emergency response programs to improve sewer system performance and to eliminate overflows from its sewer systems, including basement backups, releases into buildings and onto property.
"We are fully committed to vigorous enforcement of the Clean Water Act, and will continue to work in partnership with EPA to advance the goal of clean water for all communities in our nation's cities," said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "The people of St. Louis, including those who live in minority and low-income communities, will receive tangible, lasting benefits from this significant settlement."
"St. Louis, America's Gateway City, grew up alongside the Mississippi. Unfortunately, for too long it treated the river's tributaries as a dumping ground for sewage," EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. "By moving forward with this Clean Water Act settlement, the community is facing its responsibilities. This agreement will bring jobs and long-term economic investments while significantly improving the environment for future generations."
Today's settlement will also significantly advance the use of large scale green infrastructure projects to control wet weather sewer overflows by requiring MSD to invest at least $100 million in an innovative green infrastructure program, focused in environmental justice communities in St. Louis. Environmental justice communities include low-income or minority communities who have suffered a disproportionate burden from air, water or land pollution. Green infrastructure involves the use of properties to store, infiltrate and evaporate stormwater to prevent it from getting into the combined sewer system. Examples of potential green infrastructure projects include green roofs, bioretention, green streets, rain barrels, rain gardens and permeable pavement.
MSD, in conjunction with the city of St. Louis economic redevelopment authorities, will transform numerous vacant or abandoned properties to productive use – helping to revitalize disadvantaged communities and resulting in cleaner air and green space. MSD will conduct public education and outreach, and collaborate with local residents and neighborhood groups, including those representing minority and/or low-income neighborhoods, in selecting the locations of green infrastructure projects.
MSD has also committed to spending $230 million in a mitigation program to alleviate flooding and another $30 million in an enhanced pipe lining program, both of which are focused exclusively in environmental justice areas. These programs and the pioneering green infrastructure program of the settlement will further the Department of Justice and EPA's work to advance environmental justice.
In addition to improving its sewer system and treatment plants, MSD will spend $1.6 million on a supplemental environmental project to implement a voluntary sewer connection and septic tank closure program for low-income eligible residential property owners who elect to close their septic tanks and connect to the public sewer. MSD will also pay a civil penalty of $1.2 million to the United States.
MSD's sewer system collects and treats domestic, commercial and industrial wastewater from a population of approximately 1.4 million in the city of St. Louis and nearly all of St. Louis County. The system covers more than 525 square miles, and includes seven wastewater treatment plants, 294 pumping stations and more than 9,630 miles of sewer lines, making it the fourth largest sewer system in the United States.
The settlement resolves the claims brought by the United States in a lawsuit filed in June 2007 which the Missouri Coalition for the Environment Foundation later intervened under the citizen suit provisions of the federal Clean Water Act. In that lawsuit, among other things, the United States alleged that on at least 7,000 occasions between 2001 and 2005, failures in MSD's sewer system resulted in overflows of raw sewage into residential homes, yards, public parks, streets and playground areas.
Overflows pose a significant threat to public health and water quality because raw sewage can have high concentrations of bacteria from fecal contamination, as well as disease-causing pathogens and viruses. These overflows can occur in basements, backyards, city streets, and directly into stream and rivers. This settlement goes a long way in preventing these overflows.
Today's settlement is the latest in a series of Clean Water Act settlements that will reduce the discharge of raw sewage and contaminated stormwater into United States' rivers, streams and lakes. Keeping raw sewage and contaminated stormwater out of the waters of the United States is one of EPA's National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011 to 2013. The initiative focuses on reducing discharges from sewer overflows by obtaining cities' commitments to implement timely, affordable solutions to these problems, including the increased use of green infrastructure and other innovative approaches.
The settlement, lodged today in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court approval. A copy of the consent decree and its appendices is available at www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.
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Learn more about the consent decree with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District:
www.epa.gov/region7/enforcement_compliance/MSD_consent_decree_cwa.htm
Learn more about EPA's civil enforcement of the Clean Water Act
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7
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View all Region 7 News Releases
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Rooftop solar panels and wind turbines mounted over garages power all 32 homes at Lexington Farms, a new Jerseyville subdivision designed to provide residents no-cost electricity.
MidAmerica Solar of Imperial, Sachs Electric of Fenton, and Capstone Development Group of Webster Groves built the subdivision, which is about 40 miles north of St. Louis.
"Over the course of a year the solar array and wind turbines provide all the energy needed to power heating and air-conditioning systems, along with other household electricity needs," said Jeff Lewis, president of MidAmerica Solar. "While similar technology has been used in homes, it hasn't been done on this scale in an entire subdivision."
Construction of Lexington Farms, an affordable housing project of rental homes, began last summer. Residents began arriving in December but landscaping is winding up now.
Each home can produce up to 7.2 kilowatts of energy from roof-mounted solar panels.
Wind turbines mounted on masts over garages provide up to 1 kilowatt of additional energy. Lewis said tests were conducted to make sure the turbines' vibrations were so slight as to be unnoticed by the homes' occupants.
Ground-mounted solar panels at the subdivision's entrance generate power for the community center.
Lexington Farms' three-bedroom homes rent for $590 per month to families with incomes of $41,000 or less. The houses have central air conditioning, heat, hot water and other appliances that are powered by electricity generated by the solar panels and wind turbines.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority provided more than $2.5 million in assistance for the project, including federal low-income housing tax credits and federal stimulus money. Funding also came from a $260,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity and financing from Sterling Bank.
Included in the project are 16 streetlights that operate entirely off the electrical grid.
The streetlights, made by MidAmerica Solar, have their own wind turbines and solar panels that provide electricity to energy-efficient LED lights and a backup battery. The lights used to come from China. Now they come from a small factory in Affton.
Lewis said Friday he moved streetlight production to the United States more than a year ago because of quality-control problems in China.
"I like to keep Americans employed," he said. "We're making the streetlights here for about the same price as in China, when you consider the shipping."
The lights are built at a plant owned by BZ Products, another solar energy firm that uses American-made components. BZ makes controls to charge batteries with electricity produced by solar panels. Frank Lewon, BZ's owner, said he has customers worldwide.
"Everything we make, we make in the United States," he said. "All the components, the circuit boards, everything, are made in the United States."
Final assembly is done by six workers at BZ's small plant.
"We cannot keep up with the demand," Lewon said.
Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/article_d6789801-8ed7-596e-bf0e-57b1c7b30c33.html#ixzz1U1WL1ClD
