NYC looking at sewage treatment as source of renewable energy

I think it's incredible that New York City is thinking of more ways to make money out of our wastewater treatment by-products. This type of local innovation that helps the country take bigger strides towards clean(er)* energy.

Think about what's going on here: NYC collects all of our wastewater (via combined sewer and storm water system); filters out the organic material; cleans the water before sending it into the environment; and will now be selling energy (in the form of natural gas) in the open-market.

"Through a partnership with National Grid that is already in the works, officials said, the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Brooklyn is expected to add enough methane gas to the city’s natural gas network next year to heat 2,500 homes." 

It's not like the City is new to this industry; it already sells "biosolids,"the end-product of dried sewer sludge, in the open market.

Hey, way to make the most of the situation, New York.

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*Clean energy from wastewater. The irony makes me laugh.

Criminal Charges for Brooklyn Businesses, Dumping Raw Sewage

Four individuals and four businesses at a Brooklyn shopping center face criminal charges over dumping raw sewage and restaurant grease into Sheepshead Bay. The charges are punishable with charges of $75k per day and up to three years imprisonment.

Next Week's Breakfast Forum - Building for New York's Future with Joseph B. Rose‏

Professors Andrew R. Berman and Ross Sandler cordially invite you to a Breakfast Forum on

Building for New York's Future

Co-sponsored by the Center for Real Estate Studies and the Center for New York City Law

Keynote Speaker: Joseph B. Rose, Partner, The Georgetown Company and Former Chairman, NYC Planning Commission

Date/Time: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 from 8:15-9:30 a.m.
Location: New York Law School, 185 West Broadway, between Leonard and Worth Streets

Registration: Online by clicking the invitation image below OR calling 212-431-2135

November 4th: NYLS Center for Real Estate Studies Master Class on Preservation (12:50pm-2pm)

You preservation junkies should enjoy this one. And there's free pizza lunch involved! Win-win!

The New York Law School Center for Real Estate Studies (CRES) will be hosting another one of its Master Class Series this Thursday, November 4th from 12:50pm-2pm in W320.

See full details below.





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Searching For Science In Marcellus Shale Decisions (Law360)

-Image: Geology.com

Law360, New York (October 20, 2010) -- Along with lower energy costs and new jobs, investment in the development of natural gas resources in the Marcellus Shale formation in Pennsylvania has brought claims of groundwater contamination and litigation to the commonwealth. Marcellus Shale development has also precipitated increased scrutiny by federal and state lawmakers and regulators.

Critical and scientific evaluation of reports and other information concerning the potential link between Marcellus Shale production activities and environmental problems is essential to reasoned decisions in the courtroom and in setting public policy for this industry.





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General Interest Meeting: Wednesday Oct 20, 2010 1-2 PM RM W303

Among other things, we will be discussing:

-The ABA Environmental Law Conference in New Orleans

-The Pace Environmental Law Moot Court Competition

- West Virginia Environmental Law Moot Court Competition

- Job Opportunities in Environmental Law

- Labels for Household Cleaner Project

- EPA Open Government Project

- Does the Gowanus Canal really have gonorrhea?

Snacks will be served!

Alternative Food Channels for NYC Neighborhoods

The evolution and outlook for food cooperatives as a strategy to bring healthy, affordable food to under resourced neighborhoods. What are the challenges and needs of these efforts? What are the potential resources? Is there a role for policy?

Food Systems Network NYC is hosting an open networking meeting to discuss alternative food channels for NYC neighborhoods this Wednesday. Panelists include: Joe Holtz, General Manager and founding member of the Park Slope Food Co-op in Brooklyn, Natalie Soleil from the Fourth St. Food Co-op in Manhattan, and Shira Shaham from the Bushwick Food Co-op.

Date: October 19, 2010

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Fund for the City of New York, Main Conference Room

121 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor

New York, NY 10013-1590

NYC Mayor and DEP Commissioner Announce New Green Infrastructure to Reduce Sewer Overflows, Improve Quality of City Waterways and Save the City $2.4 Billion

"Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway unveiled a new plan to utilize “green infrastructure” to improve the quality of waterways around New York City by capturing and retaining stormwater to reduce sewer overflows."


"The new plan, called NYC Green Infrastructure, will replace the existing approach for sewer overflow control, which relies solely on traditional investments like holding tanks and tunnels, with a mix of green infrastructure and cost-effective traditional infrastructure that will reduce sewer overflows into waterways by 40 percent by 2030 by capturing more stormwater." 


CLICK HERE to read the rest of the Mayor's Press Release.