ENVIRONMENTAL
NEWS
S UMMA R Y Feb™a^!3 -!974
Office of Public Affairs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, D.C. 20460
EPA STILL "VITAL"
David Freeman (headed White House energy policy staff from '68 to '71) says
in Mash. Post (2/10/74) that while Simon, Federal Energy Office "focal point of pub-
lic attention," EPA "just as vi tal as ever. The medical evidence on air pollution
has not changed—it is still a health hazard. The damage from strip mining, oil spill|s
and the rest is still a clear and present danger." Says "crucial test" to come in '7
when agency implements primary air standards: "The ability of EPA to stick by its
guns and withstand the pressures from inside and outside will depend on how much the
public cares."
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ENERGY SHORTAGES SHAPE EPA BUDGET
Environment taking back seat to energy at EPA, opines Wall St. Journal (2/6/74)
Of $215 million increase from '74 in '75 fiscal year operating budget ($731 million,
this and following figures exclude sewage grants), $169 million to go for energy re-
search. Sizable chunk of funds, however, will be transferred to other fed agencies.,
Train hoped for $40 million more, says Wash. Post (2/5/74). Quotes him: "We will have
a strong, adequately funded program in 1975."Earlier, Nixon directed EPA to aTiocate
only $4 billion of Congressionally authorized $7 billion for sewage plant construction]
in '75 (see 1/17/74 News Summary).
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RESERVE MUST STOP DUMPING
In "classic" environmental case, U.S. vs. Reserve Mining Co., Federal District
Court judge Miles Lord warns Reserve to stop dumping 67,000 tons of taconite waste
(containing large amounts of asbestos fibers; daily into Lake Superior, or face possi-|
bility of plant closedown at conclusion of trial in three months. Unless "dramatic
new testimony [enters] case," vows Lord, Reserve will be required to switch to land
disposal. U.S. also contends airborne asbestos from Reserve plant endangers surround-|
ing town of Silver Bay, Minnesota. (N.Y. Times, 2/10/74)
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MASS TRANSIT RAILROADS GET $18 BILLION BOOST
Doubling present Fed commitment to mass transit, Nixon proposes $16 billion to
improve railroads, subways, bus lines, report N.Y. Times (2/10/74), Wash. Star (2/10/7B)
Two-thirds would be allocated to state, local governments, with local officials de-
ciding whether funds spent for capital investment or operating expenses. Companion
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
legislation asks $2 billion Fed loan guarantees to railroads for capital investment
in facilities, equipment. Nixon says, "Today our railroads are more necessary than
ever. They make extremely efficient use of fuel with little negative effect on the
environment."
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WILL SIMON HAVE FINAL SAY ON U.S. ENERGY SITES?
Administration abandons draft bill, opposed by Train, CEQ's Peterson, empowerini
Interior Secretary to designate energy facility sites, notes Wash. Post (2/10/74), but
Federal Energy Office, utilizing provisions of '73 Coastal Zone Management and Land
Use Policy Acts, plans to encourage power-plant siting by permitting Simon to reverse
decisions of fed line agencies refusing approval of state-planned projects.
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OCEAN POLLUTION BILL SIGNED
Implementing international oil damage agreement, Nixon signs bill permitting
Coast JSuard to prevent, clean up oil pollution threatening shoreline areas Wash. Star,
IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS. Famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau says ocean cri-
sis more serious than energy crisis, public must realize that sea "a delicate and fra-
gile thing... The chemical elements that are poured '-nto our rivers and oceans by the
various industries and the untreated waste products of our cities... will one day re-
turn to you, it never disappears . For instance, many of the penauins [in Antarctica]
have traces of DDT in them. The deep currents of the sea carry pollutants all around
the world. After World War I, the Allies dumped mustard gas into the ocean in huge
quantities and 30 years later children on French beaches were being severely burned
by it (Cleveland Plain Dealer. 1/21/74).
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PRIVATE CONCERN WILL MONITOR ALASKA PIPELINE
Interior's Morton signs "unprecedented" contract for Mechanics Research, Inc.,
Calif, engineering company, to devote a million man-hours over next four years to re-
viewing design, monitoring construction of Alaska Pipeline (permit signed 1/23/74),
minimizing disruption of terrain, wildlife. Morton emphasizes that fed government
not shifting responsibility— contractor employees will be under tight rein of Interior
at all times (N.Y. Times, 2/8/74).
IN OTHER OIL DEVELOPMENTS. In wakp of energy shortages, unemployment, bill
introduced in Delaware legislature to lift that state's '71 seacoast ban against oil
refineries, superports, other heavy industry, relates Wash. Post (2/5/74). Dupont
(state's largest employer), Building and Construction Trades Council (AFL-CIC), sup-
port repeal; Gov. Tribitt, rest of state politicians, "reappraising" their support
of Coastal Zone Act. Building Council tells members that Act keeping industry out of
Delaware, but state legislator Andrew Knox says Act encourages many to locate there
—partly because of desirable environment state has committed itself to preserve.
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NIXON CAN'T HALT CROSS- FLORIDA CANAL
ii. s. rirruit Judge Harvey Johnsen rules Nixon had no authority to halt construe
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
tion of cross-Florida barge canal in '71, since decision rests with Congress. Orders
OMB immediately to release impounded $150,000 for environmental study of canal project
(Wash. Post. 2/5/74).
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SUPREME COURT DECISION MAY SPELL DOOM FOR CLASS-ACTION SUITS
If Supreme Court upholds lower court ruling in case of Eisen v. Carlisle &
Jacguelin. "class-action suits. ..could be wiped out... say many consumer groups and
legal experts." Two crucial issues in case outlined by Christian Science Monitor
(2/6/74): (1) Do those bringing class-action suits have to notify class members in-
dividually? Class-action advocates says enormous notification costs would scuttle
suits before they begin, opponents say notification failure is unconstitutional;
(2) Should losers be required to lower their prices for specified time in lieu of
pay Inge damages to customers unable to be identified or located? Class-action propon-
fnts say it's only way to punish wrongdoers, opponents say benefiting those not hurt
by past actions of defendants is not supported by law. American Civil Liberties Un-
ion spokesman says, "What's at stake here is whether or not the 'class action' is go-
ing to be a device by which heretofore powerless segments of society—consumers-- are
going to be able to get together and stand up to large corporations."
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ENVIRONMENTAL ISM COSTS LITTLE IN ENERGY, MONEY
Six-month study by four Univ. of Mich, scientists shows pollution control pro-
jects increase energy use by only 3 percent—less than typical increase in yearly U.S.
energy consumption. Study team also asserts, "We have found the shortage of energy
is not grounds for reducing the effort to clean up the environment." (Detroit News.
2/3/74) ..... Study by NERC, Cincinnati , savs environmental control cost "isn't nearly
what critics claim": (1) Little of 50% per capita total energy consumption increase
since 50 is due to environmental control systems; (2) Temporary 10% fuel economy loss
from auto pollution control devices will be gained back when catalytic converters
used; (3) Energy required to operate S02 control devices, tertiary municipal waste-
water treatment plants, solid waste collection and disposal operations, will range
from 0.45 to 1.04% of today's total energy demand; (4) Electrical energy recovery
from 11% of nations solid waste would restore 0.45% energy loss for these environmen-
tal controls— recovery from 26% would supply the 1.04% energy demand (Cincinnati
Enquirer. 2/3/74). -
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AEC SPECIALISTS URGE BETTER REACTOR INSPECTION
n . ,o™x force recommen«!s agency improve inspection procedures, reports Wash.
Post (2/5/74). Says current regulatory practices adequate for 40 reactors now in -
operation, but considering hundreds of reactors expected by 2000, and equipment fail-
ures now occuring, "further continuing actions need to be taken to provide additional
assurance that chance of bad accident will be one in a million a year per reactor
. IN RELATED DEVELOPMENTS. AEC discloses plans to create centralized, computer-
equipped facility linked with reactors throughout nation, that would serve as special
warning system to minimize casualties in case of nuclear accident, relates N.Y. Times
(2/1/74). Within minutes after accident, would offer accurate forecasts of radioactive
to
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS SUMMARY
from 12 to six months, plus separate submittals of environmental reports, safety
analyses before construction permit issuance (currently simultaneous), says Wall St.
Journal (1/27/74). Also, under proposed changes AEC could routinely authorize certain
plant site work after favorable environmental ruling, but before final safety findings
Agency officials claim no easing of environmental, safety standards, say various -e-
quirements "merely being shuffled around." Syndicated columnist Jack Anderson
in Wash. Post (1/22/74) cites seven-month study by Michigan Public Interest Research
Group that finds dangerous laxity in atomic waste hauling by trucks and trains. Dri-
vers have no real training for hauling nuclear cargo, carry no radioactive leak de-
tectors. Police ignorant of routes, casks inadequately marked. "The Atomic Energy
Commission virtually does no testing of the casks either in its laboratories or under
road conditions. Instead, it leaves this grave responsibility to the manufacturers
and users, who can save money by winking at safety." Ralph Nader tells Congressionap
Joint Committee on Atomic Energy that nuclear power a "form of technological suicide,"
and committee should "quickly pursue the process of its own dissolution." Wash. Post;
1/29/74)
"ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME" DEPT.
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A Sacramento, Calif, restaurateur, reports Not Man Apart (2/74), was recently
escorted from a busy freeway for obstructing traffic. Wearing a Roman helmet and flow
ing cape, he was driving a chariot drawn by two horses. Undeterred, and determined
to "burn hay instead of gas," he plans to double his horse power.
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