Students push state spider status for daring arachnid
By HOLLY RAMERJanuary 27, 2021 GMT
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) Third graders urging lawmakers to adopt yet another state symbol presented a compelling case Wednesday for a creature that embodies everything from New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” motto to its famed fall foliage: The daring jumping spider.
The House Environment and Agriculture Committee held a public hearing on a bill to designate the fuzzy, quarter-sized arachnid as the official state spider of New Hampshire. Tara Happy, a science teacher at Hollis Primary School, said the legislation grew out of a weeklong unit designed to reduce fear of spiders.
Goodbye, gas heat? Proposals in Washington state seek to phase out fossil fuel heating in buildings
A long goodbye to natural gas furnaces and water heating â and possibly other gas appliances â could begin with action by the Washington Legislature this winter.
Separately, the Seattle City Council this week begins consideration of a similar proposal to eliminate fossil fuel-based heating in new commercial buildings. Buildings are one of our state s most significant and fastest growing sources of carbon pollution. We must do better â and we can do better, testified Michael Furze, head of the state energy office, on behalf of Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee.
Tom Banse / NW News Network
A long goodbye to natural gas furnaces and water heating and possibly other gas appliances could begin with action by the Washington Legislature this winter. Separately, the Seattle City Council this week begins consideration of a similar proposal to eliminate fossil fuel-based heating in new commercial buildings. Buildings are one of our state s most significant and fastest growing sources of carbon pollution. We must do better and we can do better, testified Michael Furze, head of the state energy office, on behalf of Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee.
Natural gas utilities and major business associations spoke against the state legislative proposal during an initial public hearing on Friday. The opponents said they want to preserve consumer choice and questioned whether the Pacific Northwest electric grid could handle a big increase in winter heating load.
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January 22, 2021
Maryland lawmakers are seeking to amend the state constitution to establish that everybody has an inalienable right to a healthy environment.
Subscribe I think it s important to formally recognize environmental rights as civil rights, the bill s sponsor Del. Wanika B. Fisher (D-Prince George s) said during a House Environment and Transportation Committee hearing Wednesday afternoon. This issue is dear to my heart as my constituents face the harsh effects of environmental injustice.
Fisher spoke specifically of environmental harms that disproportionately affect communities of color including in her own district in Prince George s County. Several others also testified of the grim realities of environmental injustices in Maryland.
Democrats and Republicans may not agree on much these days, but in the Maryland General Assembly lawmakers of both parties have come together to protect sea turtles, shorebirds and other wildlife.
One of the first bills to be heard during the 90-day legislative session that began Jan. 13 is a bipartisan measure that would impose a statewide ban on intentional releases of helium-filled balloons. A violation would be punishable by a fine of up to $250.
This partially decomposed sea turtle was found washed ashore at Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. A necropsy on the animal found two latex balloons in its digestive tract. (US Fish & Wildlife Service)