The annual meeting of the Environmental Federation of Oklahoma (EFO) was held Oct. 1-2 in Midwest City. Keith Klein attended for RWCS. The meeting's theme was "Environment . . . In This Economy?" Some highlights from the first day of the meeting:
- ODEQ Director Steve Thompson first discussed this year's budget shortfall and the potential for increased fees in 2011, then addressed increased federal regulation, including reductions in the ozone standard, increased Clean Water Act enforcement, and other programs.
- Lt. Gov. Jari Askins reviewed stimulus programs with a green focus, especially the Oklahoma Water Resources Board's use of $62 million in funds to leverage almost $250 million for water and wastewater projects.
- Michael Mondshine, SAIC, provided estimates of the economic impacts of pending "cap and trade" greenhouse gas reduction legislation. One observation: a gradual increase in the cost of natural gas until 2020, then a rapid increase in cost afterward.
- Derek Smithee, OWRB, explained the development of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP), including a water quality chapter, and invited participation in the working group and public review process currently underway.
Posted on
Thursday, October 1, 2009
by Keith Klein