About Tara Holmes

Tara lives in San Francisco (but hails from Massachusetts). She is passionate about environmental conservation and increasing public awareness of environmental issues. Tara received a BA from Connecticut College and an MPA with a concentration in environmental policy from The Maxwell School of Syracuse University. She tends to focus on politics and business, but also touches on behavior. Tara has worked at the World Resources Institute, the MA Department of Energy Resources and spent summer 2010 working on UN-REDD research and policy in Paris, France for ONF International. She is currently involved with SF Environment, Friends of the Urban Forest and sits on the Board of Directors for Randall Museum Friends in San Francisco. She enjoys being outdoors as much as possible! Twitter: @tmhol. Personal Blog: http://taraholmes.wordpress.com/ In addition to the posts listed by clicking her username above, she also contributed to the post Whitehouse goes solar!

Hydrofracking Poses Serious Concerns

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Tara Holmes

Photo by flickr.com/photos/arimoore/

On February 26th, The New York Times released a front page exposé on the new “gold rush” of natural gas exploration in the United States: Hydrofracking. Natural gas is a relatively plentiful domestic energy resource and some environmentalists and policy-makers alike have heralded the recent jump in natural gas exploration as a means to curb carbon emissions (natural gas, supposedly, releases less carbon into the atmosphere than fossil fuels like oil and coal).

Nevertheless, the NYTimes article presents a disturbing case against such massive, and oftentimes unregulated, exploration. Hydrofracking, or the injection of water and chemicals under high pressure into rock formations to extract natural gas, can directly impact the quality of groundwater, and inevitably, our drinking water. Drilling supporters have responded that no contamination of groundwater has been directly linked to the practice, however, the NYTimes reported that the EPA has been aware of the potential risk associated with this technique citing internal documents “from the Environmental Protection Agency, state regulators and drillers [that] show that the dangers to the environment and health are greater than previously understood.”

Potential dangers of hydrofracking include leaked radioactive materials and other drilling wastes, such as corrosive salts and carcinogens, which are inadequately treated before being discharged directly into adjacent rivers that supply drinking water. Alarmingly, the NYTimes also disclosed a never made public 2009 EPA document that concluded some hydrofracking treatment plants in Pennsylvania could not remove wastewater contaminants and were thus violating the law. Furthermore, other undisclosed studies by the EPA and a confidential study by the drilling industry found that radioactivity in drilling waste cannot be completely diluted via discharge into rivers and other waterways. Yet, despite these startling findings, the EPA has taken no action to safeguard public water supplies and water sources downstream of hydrofracking wastewater and discharge sites have not been required to test for radioactivity. “In other words,” the NYTimes concludes, “there is no way of guaranteeing that the drinking water taken in by all these plants is safe.”

To learn more about hydrofracking and action steps, you can watch Gasland or visit the Sierra Club’s hydrofracking group at: http://connect.sierraclub.org/Team/Hydrofracking_Team.

Green Jobs get the Green Light

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Tara Holmes

Green jobs, no longer just an environmental buzz phrase, represent a critical component to the progressive growth of the US economy. On February 23rd, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announced the availability of $40 million in green jobs development grants. The funds are authorized for the Green Jobs Innovation Fund (GJIF) and are meant to encourage the growth of the green economic sector, which includes everything from renewable energy technology and implementation, to policy and programmatic work. The announced grant will also support individual training and development within the green jobs sector to ensure interested candidates receive the proper credentials to be competitive within the green economy.

The High-Speed Rail Future?

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Tara Holmes

Following the release of President Obama’s 2012 federal budget, buzz around high speed rail projects in the US has increased. In the budget, $8 billion is allocated for high speed rail projects in FY 2012 and $53 billion is allocated over the next six years. Vice President Biden, a self-proclaimed train lover and regular rider, stated recently “We know that public infrastructure investment increases private-sector productivity, promotes growth, and creates jobs.”

Nevertheless, debate on up-front costs, accessibility and ridership continues to haunt the high-speed rail future in the US, even though Ray LaHood, the current Secretary of Transportation, believes that no realistic alternative currently exists that makes more sense stating “…there is no amount of money that could build enough capacity on our highways and at airports to keep up with our expected population growth in coming decades. America’s population will grow by 70 million in the next 25 years and 100 million in the next 40 years. Adding capacity to an interstate highway in the congested Northeast would cost more than $40 million per mile and cause enormous traffic backups, assuming we even had the space. A relatively “inexpensive” airport runway can cost half a billion dollars to construct.” From LaHood’s quote alone, it’s clear an alternative to the existing train, car and airplane must take tangible shape, and soon.

High-speed rail is already regularly and heavily used in other parts of the world – France’s TGV, Japan’s Shinkansen and Shanghai’s Maglev Train to name a few of the successful lines. SNCF, the company that operates the TGV in France, has in fact proposed its services to the US a number of times with little to no movement from the US government. In addition, Talgo, a Spanish-owned rail manufacturer, recently set up business operations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin hiring more than 100 American workers with anticipated growth, however, when Governor Scott Walker closed the door on Wisconsin’s high-speed rail segment, Talgo ended its operations in that region and moved out. Amtrak’s Acela, which runs along the bustling Northeast corridor between Washington, DC and Boston, has demonstrated great success and high ridership, yet cannot match the high-speeds of TGV or Shinkansen, for example, due to federal speed regulation and existing landscape challenges. Nevertheless, high-speed rail segments are currently in plan and construction in Illinois and California with the aim of more to come.

That said, President Obama’s 2012 budget highlights the need to move high-speed rail to the front and center of the economic agenda. High-speed rail creates long-term domestic jobs, decreases carbon emissions through an efficient method of mass transportation and connects US business centers and cities in a much more streamlined, accessible – and rapid – way than what currently exists. As Ray LaHood said, “President Obama is launching a high-speed rail network that will serve 80% of Americans and its legacy will be more than trains, tracks, and ties. It will be an economy on the move and a future that we are prepared to win.”

America’s #1 Demand? Clean Energy.

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Tara Holmes

In a recent GOOD article, it was noted that a remarkable 83% of Americans want to see legislative support for clean energy projects according to a current Gallup poll; solar and wind energy specifically received greatest mention. This data is especially eye-opening since this percentage tops the list of all other current major American policy agendas, including health care, taxes and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

Of course, not all the energy-related responses supported 100% clean, renewable energy — 65% favored an “energy bill that expands drilling and exploration for oil and gas.” A significant percentage of respondents also showed support for both clean energy incentives and expanded fossil fuel extraction, illustrating that climate change, or general environmental concerns, are not as high a priority as energy independence. That said, 83% is a notable level of popular support. Now, will Congress actually listen to the voice of the American people? It will be interesting to watch this issue further develop and unfold over the coming months.

Green Communities Act

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Tara Holmes

Many Massachusetts residents want to live in a healthy and thriving green community, but don’t know how or where to start considering many of the broader environmental challenges that are so vast they can be paralyzing. With such a wide assortment of programs, subsidies and rebates, it can be a challenge for Massachusetts residents to stay on top of state and local energy efficiency options available to them [even though some communities have organizations like CEA to help navigate].

One useful state-wide resource was established under the Green Communities Act, which was signed into law by Governor Patrick in July 2008 and created the Green Communities Division within DOER to serve as the hub for all cities and towns on all matters related to energy. The Green Communities Act established the Green Communities Grant Program that provides grant funding to cities and towns and other local governmental bodies. In 2010, fifty-three cities and towns from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were designated as Green Communities. To become a Green Community, a city or town must meet the following five criteria as detailed in the program guidelines:

1). Provide for the as-of-right siting of renewable or alternative energy generating facilities, renewable or alternative energy research and development (R&D) facilities, or renewable or alternative energy manufacturing facilities in designated locations.

2). Adopt an expedited application and permitting process under which these energy facilities may be sited within the municipality and which shall not exceed one year from the date of initial application to the date of final approval.

3). Establish an energy use baseline inventory that includes municipal buildings, vehicles, street and traffic lighting, and put in place a comprehensive program designed to reduce this baseline by 20 percent within 5 years of the baseline year.

4). Purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use whenever such vehicles are commercially available and practicable.

5). Require all new residential construction over 3,000 square feet and all new commercial and industrial real estate construction to minimize, to the extent feasible, the life-cycle cost of the facility by utilizing energy efficiency, water conservation and other renewable or alternative energy technologies. The recommended method for meeting these criteria is adoption of the Stretch Code, 780 CMR 120.AA, appendix to the MA State Building Code.

While the Green Communities Act has already established a solid base and grant program for communities who wish to participate, it’s important to continue to increase public awareness of grant and education programs associated with the GCA. For example, coordinate state-wide community outreach efforts to expand GCA impact, use GCA success stories to promote more green-community advancement, encourage increased participation in DOER’s Energy Audit Program and utilize Green Communities Regional Coordinators to learn more specifics.

Green Communities Regional Coordinators:

Central Region: Kelly Brown, 627 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01103 (508) 767-2703 / Cell (617) 780-8144
Northeast Region: Joanne Bissetta, 205B Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA 01887, (978) 694-3315 / Cell (617) 823-4029
Southeast Region: Seth Pickering, 20 Riverside Drive, Lakeville, MA 02347 (508) 946-2838 / Cell (617) 780-7156
Western Region: Jim Barry, 436 Dwight Street, Springfield, MA 01103, (413) 755-2232 / Cell (617) 823-4588

Please note, this article will also appear in the MA E-Sierran this spring.

Everyday Smart Alternatives to Car Congestion Woes

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Tara Holmes

Sick of traffic? Tired of the long, isolated commute to and from the office? You’re not alone, and many analysts say it’s only going to get worse. In fact, according to a recent Grist article, Texas A&M just released its Urban Mobility Report, a report that quantifies just how much of a toll daily commuting and car congestion take on your physical, financial and emotional well being. Not to mention how much personal time you lose sitting idle in traffic. It was also reported that metro Chicago and DC are the worst-off given the current “years delay per auto commuter” index. Astoundingly, Chicagoan and Washingtonian car commuters lose 70 hours of their lives to rush-hour traffic every year. These cities are, not surprisingly, followed closely by Los Angeles at 63 hours and Houston at 58 hours.

Thankfully, there are alternatives if you’re willing to alter your lifestyle a bit and are willing to get to know your neighbors. Relay Rides, a startup that just launched recently in Boston, aims at car sharing as a better, more transparent modern-day model for car users. Riders can “rent out” their car by the hour to those in need of wheels. Need an extra incentive? The owner can make upwards of a few thousand dollars a year just by doing so, and insurance is covered by Relay Rides. There are also (of course) Zipcar and City CarShare in San Francisco, to name a few.

If you’re not into cars, and you live in an urban center, there are often subway lines or buses you can take. While at first many people dismiss public transportation in the US as old and unreliable, it’s an essential public service that needs consumer support to thrive and improve. Imagine if each person you saw on the T coming home from work was instead driving? How many more cars would be added to the road? It’s simply unfathomable. So, instead of festering in your car each day with road rage, explore your options for car sharing, or public transportation. Or, simply good old fashioned car-pooling. You get to meet new people, plus it’s good for your soul and the environment!

2005 and 2010 Tied for Hottest Years on Record

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Tara Holmes

The NYTimes recently cited that current NASA data matches NOAA data making 2005 and 2010 the two hottest years on Earth in recorded history. [NASA data is available here.]

From extreme flooding in Pakistan, California, Australia and Tennessee, to significant snow fall in England and France, to raging fires in Russia and extreme heat in New England, 2010 was indeed a notable weather year. While climate deniers continue to correlate varying weather patterns with the natural cycle of the Earth, climatologists disagree stating that the global average surface temperature was 1.12 degrees Fahrenheit above the average for the entire 20th century. In fact, according to the NYTimes article, 9 of the 10 warmest years on record have occurred since the year 2000. It will be interesting – and perhaps startling – to see what occurs in 2011. This data is a reminder that climate change is real, and immediate global action, both political and personal, is imperative to maintain a healthy, livable planet for all.

Massachusetts = Belgium?

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Tara Holmes

A recent Sierra Club magazine article illustrates, in a unique diagram, how the United States, with 4.5% of the world’s population, is responsible for nearly 20% of global carbon dioxide emissions. In fact, state by state, U.S. CO2 output equals that of entire countries, as illustrated on the map. Data are from the 2007 U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Massachusetts Plans for the Clean Energy Future

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Tara Holmes

On December 29th, Massachusetts officials announced a state-wide plan to cut heat-trapping carbon gases emitted by homes, cars and businesses in the state by 25 percent below 1990 levels over the next decade. The targets set by the plan are the highest allowed under climate legislation passed by the state in 2008 and among the most stringent in the nation. This aligns Massachusetts with states like California and New Mexico, who have already announced similar action.

The Massachusetts plan relies mainly on existing programs such as energy-efficiency standards for building construction, renewable-energy mandates and curbs in the electricity sector under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, of which Massachusetts is a signatory. Ian Bowles, the state’s energy and environmental secretary, highlighted that the plan is an example of how a state can alter its energy profile with minimal economic impact and predicts instead a net gain in jobs for Massachusetts in the clean energy sector.

Debra Boronski, president of the Massachusetts Chamber of Business and Industry, has doubts about the plan stating, “Our biggest concern — even though it is right to conserve energy — is that alternative resources have to be cost-effective … As far as we know, in Massachusetts, research has shown that alternative energy is more expensive.”

Interestingly, data released by state officials indicated that more than one-third of the total greenhouse-gas emissions in Massachusetts come from the transportation sector. In response to this information, Mr. Bowles announced the state will begin a pilot “Pay As You Drive” program giving drivers an incentive to cut back on unnecessary travel by linking car-insurance premiums to miles driven. Congress has authorized $15 million in grants to insure low-income drivers do not suffer an unequal burden.

Other energy options include hydroelectric power from Quebec, weatherization for resident homes, and economic incentives for homeowners to replace oil-fueled furnaces with more efficient models.

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Cambridge Energy Alliance is available to help guide you through the above-mentioned process of weatherization as well as retrofitting your home- all starting with signing you up to have your home looked at. If you would like to take advantage of your free energy assessment (which you have each already paid for via utility bills), please head to the CEA sign-up page, or call their Energy Advising line at 1-617-491-0488, extension 121 today!

Clean Water Woes in Boston

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Tara Holmes

In a breaking news article, the Boston Globe reported that the Boston Water and Sewer Commission is releasing polluted water into area rivers, including the Charles, Neponset and Mystic, all of which flow into Boston Harbor. Massachusetts US Attorney Carmen Ortiz and the Environmental Protection Agency’s New England office alleged the Commission is acting in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. Federal agencies are poised to take legal action in February following an official lawsuit by the Conservation Law Foundation. CLF said the lawsuit “documents serious failures in the system that are allowing ongoing unlawful pollution of Boston’s waterway.” A statement by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission evaded direct mention of the allegation commenting “We have no comments on the specifics, however, the commission takes its role as an environmental steward as seriously as any other and is proud of its contributions to the resurgence of Boston Harbor and the Waterfront.’’ Whatever the official findings, federal intervention marks the severity of the situation and the lawsuit carries an important message: clean water is a basic human and environmental right which must be upheld and respected.

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