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Since 1967, Protecting Everyone’s Right to Breathe Clean Air

Philadelphia Office Executive Director

135 S. 19th Street, Suite 300 Joseph Otis Minott, Esq.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.567.4004 Staff
Thurm Brendlinger
Harrisburg Office Eric Cheung, esq.
107 N. Front Street, Suite 113 Anthony DiSorbo
Katie Edwards
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Ryan Schneider
717.230.8806
Tommy Sestak
Kate Zaidan
Wilmington Office Mariko Franz
712 W. 26th Street Ryan Good
Wilmington, DE 19802 Sean McCormick
302.691.0112 Aaron Ritz
Jim Black
For four decades, members of Katie Feeney
Clean Air Council have made
Canvass Staff
a difference in Pennsylvania,
Will Fraser
New Jersey and Delaware,
Nate Fox
helping everyone to breathe a David Gibson
little easier. Members receive Martin Hage
quarterly issues of Fresh Air, Anderson McEwen
action alerts, invitations to James Woodend
special events and the annual Heather Parker
5K Run. Please send your Max Popel
comments to Joe Minott, Brandon Wright
Executive Director. Steve Ross
Brian Zeck

Thinking about a bequest? Volunteers, Interns & Part-time Staff

Consider leaving a gift to Norman Feldman
Mervyn Kline
Clean Air Council in your will.
Sarah Milner
Learn more by calling Tyler Peckham
215.567.4004, ext. 116.

Council Charts its Future
Course with Newly
Unveiled Strategic Plan
Clean Air Council released its first formal Strategic Plan
in January, 2010. As a reflection on the beliefs and
desires of its staff and Board members, this document is
intended to “provide guidance and direction for the
Council.” Included in this document, which is available
on the Council’s website, are sections on the organization’s
history, challenges it expects to face, its mission, and its
vision. Notably, the Council now views itself as serving a
wider geographic region and has modified its Mission
Statement accordingly. The heart of the Plan lays out the
Council’s goals and objectives for the next five years across
a range of program areas including air, global warming,
energy, transportation, waste, and public health.
JOE’S CORNER
Nanotchnology – the good, the bad, and the ugly!
Nanotechnology – it sounds like something confined to laboratories or science fiction.
According to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN), however, nanotechnology can
already be found in over 1,000 consumer products. From sunscreen, to socks, electronics and
children’s toys, nanotechnology is rapidly becoming a part of our lives.
Nanotechnology means working with materials on the nanoscale. One nanometer is one-
billionth of meter. To put this in perspective, a sheet of copier paper is approximately 100,000
nanometers thick; a DNA strand has a diameter of two nanometers. At this tiny scale, certain
materials exhibit unique properties which are driving nanotechnology research and development.
The ability to work on the nanoscale creates tremendous opportunities. Nanoparticles are being developed
which can specifically target and kill tumor cells. PEN also reports that coin-sized batteries are being developed
which have storage capacity comparable to hybrid car batteries. There is good reason to believe that nanotech-
nology will lead to solutions for many of the most pressing problems for human health and the environment.
Yet it may also lead to new problems. The unique properties that emerge at the nanoscale create unique
threats. It has been shown that certain types of carbon nanotubes – one of the most commonly used nanomateri-
als – can behave like asbestos in the lungs of mice. Nanoscale silver has been shown to kill or mutate fish
embryos and lung damage caused by overexposure to compounds containing nanomaterials led to the death of
two Chinese factory workers.
Unfortunately, although government action to promote nanotechnology has been robust, its efforts to research
the associated risks have been scant. According to the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), the federal
agency coordinating nanotechnology research and development, only about 5% of its 2009 budget went to
Environmental Health and Safety research. This is unacceptable, especially because the major challenge to safely
regulating nanotechnology is a lack of data.
Regulations, and indeed the entire regulatory framework, also lag behind this emerging technology. In the
United States, the only mandatory regulations that address nanotechnology as a category are in California. This
means that, with a few exceptions, nanotechnology is being developed, transported, consumed, and disposed of
with almost no regulation.
The history of the environmental movement is unfortunately dominated by reaction. Most of our time is spent
trying to clean up messes already made. With nanotechnology, we have an opportunity to anticipate and address
the negative effects before they become widespread. This will both keep us healthy and allow the benefits of
nanotechnology to be realized.
Our time to be proactive is limited, however. It is estimated that by 2015 nanotechnology will be a one trillion
dollar industry. We must therefore act now and promote greater research and regulation of nanotechnology in
order to prevent a future mess.
News and
Information for
Members of
Clean Air Council

February 2010
Number 12

The 29th Annual 5K Run for Clean Air Goes Green

and Adds Individual and Team Fundraising
In this issue:
Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 17th, 2010 and join Clean Air
1 29th Annual 5K Run for
Clean Air Goes Green
Council in celebrating the Philadelphia region’s largest and best-known
Earth Day event – the 5K Run for Clean Air. Located on the beautiful

1 Interview with CAC Member and

5K Run Participant Eric Wilden
1 Smart Meters
2 Truckers: Turn off Your Engines
2 Council Creates Green Jobs
Taskforce in NW Pennsylvania
banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, the Run is a celebration of
local communities, clean air, and healthy living.
The 2010 5K Run for Clean Air has been certified as a green run by
Active.com partner, A Fit Planet. In order to obtain certification and
achieve the Pledge of Sustainability, the Council has pledged to perform the
required practices, including:
• Reduce paper waste by requiring at least 95% of total pre-registered race

3 Council Goes International

field to register online
• No mailing of paper registration forms
3 Formner Soviet Union
Delegates Visit Council
• Provide recycling and composting bins at the event: recycle cardboard,
paper, plastic and other materials and compost all organic waste
For the entire list of sustainable practices visit the Run website, www.5krunforcleanair.org.
3 Council ACTS for Clean
Indoor Air
Also new for the 2010 5K Run for Clean Air are the individual and team fundraising programs. Through ActiveGiving.com, individuals
and teams can sign up and raise money to support Clean Air Council’s programs that reduce the air pollution that triggers asthma and other
4 Council Charts Future with New
Strategic Plan
respiratory problems, cut toxic mercury emissions, and slow global warming. ActiveGiving.com makes fundraising easy by providing an
interactive webpage where fundraisers can track donations, solicit support, and send thank you notes. In addition, the Council is giving away
4 Joe’s Corner–Nanotechnology–
the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
prizes, including a Fuji bike, for the top fundraisers!
To register, donate, or learn more about the 2010 5K Run for Clean Air visit www.5krunforcleanair.org.

Are you Smart Interview with Clean Air Council member

Enough to Use a
and 5K run participant Eric Wilden
Smart Meter
Why are you a member of Clean Air Council?
Clean Air Council has been a regional In addition to being a fun, down to earth group of people, the Clean Air Council does an
leader in promoting energy efficiency amazing job reducing the public health threats of air pollution, both indoor and outdoor.
and alternative energy throughout Their work to eliminate threats to children’s health is especially important to me, as the
Pennsylvania and Delaware. In father of two young girls who do not yet have a voice of their own on political issues like
Pennsylvania, the Council was responsi- those that the Clean Air Council is engaged in. Clean Air Council does a wonderful job
ble for bringing the first wind farms to advocating for those who are most at risk for long-term health problems because of air
Pennsylvania (see previous articles on pollution and other environmental hazards.
Community Energy), and in Delaware
the Council was instrumental in Why did you choose to participate in the 5K Run for Clean Air
passing the state’s vehicle-to-grid law. Individual Giving Program?
Over the last few months, the I did online fundraising last year during the Philadelphia Marathon, and found not only
Clean Air Council staff worked in that it was an easy way to support an organization I care about, but also that it made me
Pennsylvania and Delaware to design feel more invested in running a good race. Being able to let my friends and family know
and implement regulations to facilitate about the Clean Air Council and their work while working toward training and fundrais-
the adoption of Advanced Meter ing goals makes me feel like I have a whole team supporting me and makes race day that
Infrastructure (AMI– aka Smart much more fun.
Meters). AMI is a system that
integrates a two-way communication What is your favorite thing about the 5K Run for Clean Air?
system between ratepayer and energy I really love this race! It’s a great spring race with a laid-back group of runners. It’s also a
companies to provide real time infor- great opportunity to find out about what kind of green stuff is going on in Philly, and to
mation on energy usage and cost to the celebrate Earth Day, my favorite holiday. And you get a cool, organic, t-shirt. And you
ratepayer. In Pennsylvania, after the get to feel good about yourself for supporting Clean Air. What’s not to like?
rate caps are removed later this year in
Donate to Eric’s 5K Run for Clean Air Fundraising Campaign at
PECO territory, this type of demand
www.active.com/donate/CAC09/Ewilden.
control will be critical to help control
Register, Donate, and Volunteer for the 2010 5K Run for Clean Air at
escalating energy costs.
www.5krunforcleanair.org.
continued on page 3
 2

Clean Air Council to Truckers:

Turn Off Your Engines
Placemats like the one pictured above are being delivered to truck stop diners and service plazas across the state to educate
drivers about Pennsylvania’s diesel anti-idling law.
Over the next few months, truck drivers can expect to see
anti-idling messages and educational materials at truck stops,
welcome centers, eating establishments, and rest areas across
Pennsylvania. These materials are being produced by the
Clean Air Council in partnership with fellow air quality
advocates across the state and the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection (PA DEP). The partners are
spearheading the IdleFreePA Campaign to generate greater
awareness of the State’s first anti-idling law, which took
effect in February 2009. The Council is coordinating
IdleFreePA for the Eastern portion of the State. The anti-
idling campaign will begin with education of truck drivers
and the general public about the law and then move to reach-
ing out to local police departments, which have the authority
to enforce the law.
Truck and bus idling is a concern for the Council because
exposure to soot from diesel exhaust is linked to an increased
risk for asthma, heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Many coun-
ties in Pennsylvania exceed the maximum level of soot in the
air permitted under the federal clean air laws partly due to
unnecessary idling. The typical truck can waste 1,400 to
2,800 gallons of diesel fuel annually on idling, costing
more than $3,500 a year and generating additional
greenhouse gases.
While some municipalities in Pennsylvania, like
Philadelphia, already had ordinances in place that limited
idling by heavy duty diesel-powered vehicles, this is the first
law to cover the entire State. Pennsylvania’s law prohibits
trucks and buses from idling for more than five minutes
and requires owners of locations where 15 or more of these
vehicles can park to install “No Idling” signs. The Council’s
activities under this campaign complement its on-going work
in Philadelphia with the IdleFreePhilly program.
The first set of outreach materials, informational placemats,
has already been distributed to select truck stops in the State.
Leading with the header “Ladies and Gentlemen, turn off your
engines,” the placemats explain the health and economic con-
sequences of idling, while making it clear that such activity is
contrary to State law. In the coming months similar messages
will appear in tollbooth signs along the Pennsylvania Turnpike
and in posters posted in truck stops, welcome centers and rest
areas. Additionally, the Department of Environmental
Protection is coordinating a series of press events in early
March to mark the official start of the IdleFreePA Campaign.
Clean Air Council hopes that when all is said and done, the
Pennsylvania’s air quality sees significant improvement as a
result of truckers remembering not to leave their engines on
when parked. For more information on the Council
statewide anti-idling work contact Eric Cheung at
echeung@cleanair.org or 215.567.4004 ext 114

The Council Helps Create Green Job Task Force Clean Air is THE ANSWER!
in NW Pennsylvania
As state and federal leaders across the nation develop plans for more sustainable futures, a group of
nearly 50 stakeholders, representing industry, workforce development, economic development,
Chambers of Commerce, academia, community development nonprofits, environmental advocates, and
state agencies, have undertaken the task of bringing a vibrant green economy to one corner of
Pennsylvania.
The Northwest Pennsylvania Green Economy Task Force (NWPAGE pronounced “New Page”)
was formed by the Clean Air Council with assistance from the NWPA Regional Center for Workforce
Excellence (RCWE), the staff support of the NWPA Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and diverse
local stakeholders. This task force, the first of its kind in that part of the state, seeks to provide a collab-
orative network of resources and partnerships promoting the growth and awareness of a green economy
in Pennsylvania through leadership, innovation, workforce training, and job creation. Goals for the
group include promoting local green workforce training; putting the area on the map as a leader in
green jobs and technologies; and bringing green jobs and industries to the area.
The Council believes that Northwest Pennsylvania is unique because despite high unemployment
numbers in the past year, the region has an extremely skilled and displaced manufacturing workforce.
The goal is to accomplish two tasks with the region’s collective expertise – put the unemployed and
underemployed in the region back to work making the component parts for clean energy technologies
while simultaneously building a vibrant, local green economy.
The Council hopes this task force will serve as a model to use elsewhere in Pennsylvania in order to
join stakeholders in a common vision for greener local futures. For more information on the Council’s
work in NE Pennsylvania contact Katie Feeney at kfeeney@cleanair.org or 215.567.4004 ext 112.

The Council partnered with the Philadelphia 76ers and Mainline Health System to put on Smoking Prevention
Awareness Night at the Sixers game on Friday, December 11th 2009! Hundreds of fans stopped by the
Council’s table to sign up and pledge their home and car smokefree!
 3

Are You Smart Enough to Use a Smart Meter ... continued

These cost savings will be realized through the improved system efficiency and consumer
awareness. Ratepayers armed with the knowledge of their energy use will be better able to
Council ACTS for Clean
use the new system and conserve energy. Studies clearly show that ratepayers who know how
much energy they are using and how much it is costing, save an average of 10 percent on
Indoor Air
their bills. Ratepayers who take full advantage of AMI and the smart appliances that will
soon be available will save even more. These meters coupled with real time dynamic pricing
will give additional options for saving by allowing ratepayers to take full advantage of
cheaper night (non-peak) rates. By lowering peak demand and improving system efficiency,
we will reduce the need for new fossil fuel generating stations and reduce pollution.
In Pennsylvania, the Council is involved in the PECO case before the Public Utilities
Commission that will determine the kind of smart meter program and dynamic pricing the
utility will implement. The Council is also a party to PGW’s proposal to implement energy
efficiency programs in Philadelphia. Finally, the Council has been a key player in the
Delaware’s Net Metering and Vehicle to Grid programs. For more information on the
Council’s work in Pennsylvania contact Joe Minott at 215-567-4004 x 116 or
joe_minott@cleanair.org. For information on the Council Delaware energy work contact
Jim Black at 215.567.4004 x118 or jblack@cleanair.org.

The Council goes

International!
The Council has been asked to lend its expertise to help with an environmental campaign – in
the Bahamas! The Council is working with Abaco CARES, a Bahamian grassroots organization,
to challenge the building of a new Bunker C-fueled power plant, one of the world’s dirtiest fuels.
Bunker C power plants are major polluters and can cause irreparable havoc on environment and
public health. Because of this, it would be very difficult to permit a new Bunker C power plant
anywhere in the U.S. Unfortunately, the Bahamas does not have laws governing emissions
standards for power plants. Learn more about this campaign and sign the Abaco CARES
petition here: http://www.abacocares.org. For more information on the Council’s work in the
Bahamas contact Katie Feeney at kfeeney@cleanair.org or 215.567.4004 ext 112.
On January 1, ACTS Retirement-Life Communities enacted new smoke-free policies
that restrict employee and new residents to designated outdoor smoking areas only. These
measures exceed the requirements of the Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Act. Norm Feldman,
a volunteer for the Council and coordinator for the Clean Indoor Air hotline, assisted the
retirement facility in developing its policy. This action is the most recent of Norm’s long
list of clean indoor air accomplishments.
On Wednesdays for 27 years, Norm has staffed the telephone at the Council assisting
people with numerous indoor air problems. Whether it is tobacco smoke pollution, toxic
mold, radon, or what to do with a broken mercury thermometer, Norm is the expert armed
with information to assist businesses and residents to remedy the problem.
For information on any indoor air pollution problem, contact Norm on Wednesdays,
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at 215.567.4004, Ext. 101.
M E M B E R S H I P F O R M
Join Clean Air Council, the most active locally-based environmental organization in Pennsylvania and
Delaware with 7,000 members committed to the region's clean air future.
Send this form along with your tax-deductible Yes, I want to protect our air!
contribution to:
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Former Soviet Union Delegates to Clean Air Council

135 South 19th Street, Suite 300
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Visit Clean Air Council Philadelphia, PA 19103

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Seventeen representatives from former Soviet Name

Union countries visited the Council on
Address
February 11-12 as part of a Special American
Business Internship Training (SABIT) on City State Zip
renewable energy sponsored by the U.S.
Department of Commerce, International Trade Phone E-mail
Administration. Executives from Armenia,
Please charge my credit card: ● MasterCard ● VISA ● American Express
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova,
Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan were part of a month long training program to Card # Exp. Date
learn about energy efficiency, biomass, geothermal, green building technologies,
hydropower, solar, wind, engineering, and design. Signature

Clean Air Council was contacted by the Department of Commerce to arrange the
group’s visit to Philadelphia because of the Council’s longstanding leadership of the
Pennsylvania Wind Working Group. Their trip included a visit to a wind farm, a
green roof installation, and a vehicle to grid assembly plant in the greater Philadelphia
area. For more information contact Thurman Brendlinger at
Brendlinger@cleanair.org or 215.567.4004, Ext. 104.
*Cumulative yearly gift of $150 recognized at www.cleanair.org and in the annual report.
Membership Services may be reached directly at 215.567.4004, ext. 107.
Or become a member instantly by going to www.cleanair.org
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling
800.732.0999. Registration does not imply endorsement