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Aid to Environment, Or Threat to Lake?; Cornell Pursues Pumping Plan, But Critics Fear Fouled Water
By ANDREW C. REVKIN
Published: March 27, 1999
ITHACA, N.Y.— It seems an environmentalist's dream: a system that can cool 10 million square feet of Cornell University dormitories, laboratories and computer rooms simply by pumping frigid water from the depths of a nearby lake. No more chlorofluorocarbons, the refrigerants that can destroy protective ozone in the atmosphere. An electric bill 80 percent smaller than for conventional air conditioners. To top it off, nothing goes back into the lake, except water that came from the lake in the first place.
But an energetic group of local opponents insists that Cornell's $55 million plan to replace its aging air conditioners is actually an environmental nightmare. They say it could foster choking blooms of algae and bacteria at the south end of Cayuga Lake, one of the fjordlike Finger Lakes created where glaciers scratched across New York during the last Ice Age.
Pointing to five years of studies, thousands of pages of data, and more than a dozen permits from local and state agencies, Cornell scientists and engineers say the system could actually improve conditions in the lake. Yet another benefit, they say, is that the smaller electric bill would not just save the school money; it would reduce Cornell's contribution to global warming by reducing the need to burn coal to generate electricity.
For the most part, government officials have agreed, and construction is expected to get into high gear in April. But a small, determined coalition of critics from Ithaca and surrounding Tompkins County says the school's plan should never have been approved. They recently garnered support from as far afield as the Natural Resources Defense Council, a private environmental organization, and Ralph Nader.
They say New York State environmental officials granted permits for the project in violation of a provision of the Federal Clean Water Act, which prohibits new releases of anything into a lake or river that is included on a list of ''impaired'' water bodies. Even though the project would return to the lake only the water that it removed, that would be considered a new release under state law.
The south tip of Cayuga Lake was added to a list of impaired water bodies last year. Officials with Cornell and the state contend, however, that the listing is in a special category not covered by the Federal ban on discharges.
At the last minute, even as several dozen train cars loaded with miles of pipe sit along the lake shore, a burst of E-mails and letters persuaded the United States Environmental Protection Agency to begin a review of the project and the permits granted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The review, which could result in the permits being revoked, is expected to be finished in early April, said Mary Mears, a spokeswoman for the E.P.A. She said it was ''fairly unusual'' for the agency to conduct such a review, because states are given the authority to track water quality.
There is no panic yet at Cornell. Engineers and administrators say that they attended to every detail through five years of planning, research, and scrutiny. They have gained endorsements from the local Sierra Club chapter, the county and town governments, even from a biology professor at Ithaca College down the hill -- not a usual source of support for Cornell.
But some supporters of the plan say they are beginning to wonder whether any big project, good or bad, is possible anymore.
''This is a major societal problem,'' said Dr. John Confer, the biology professor at Ithaca College, who teaches ornithology now but is also an expert in the dynamics of lakes. He said he could find no environmental hazard from the project. ''We have gotten to the point where we distrust scientists,'' Dr. Confer said. ''A scientist says X and anybody says Y and you're at chaos.''
On the other side of the issue, Walter Hang, who runs an Ithaca business that maps toxic sites around New York State, has lent his company's expertise to the opponents of the Cornell project. His concern, he said, is that allowing it to proceed would weaken the Clean Water Act.
The city of Ithaca and a spreading zone of suburban and rural development sit at the south end of the 38-mile-long lake. There, the water often turns soupy in the summers, even though the rest of the lake is clean. Two sewage plants there together release about 12 million gallons a day of treated water.
At the same time, several communities, including the surrounding town of Ithaca, draw drinking water from the lake. Some residents fear that the Cornell project, even if it adds just a little to the problems, could threaten the water supply.
''If you believe the law, this lake is supposed to get studied, get a management plan, and there are supposed to be no new discharges,'' Mr. Hang said. ''But that's not happening. So citizens here have had to become legal experts, scientists, stream surveyors, all to force state and Federal authorities to do what they should have done on their own.''
An employee of his company, Toxics Targeting, has begun trudging along stream banks around the lake, mapping sources of pollution using a satellite positioning system. This is a procedure states are supposed to undertake around every water body that is formally deemed impaired by pollution, Mr. Hang said.
The Cornell staff engineers who conceived the cooling plan say their goal all along was to reduce the school's impact on the environment, not create new problems.


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AFL hopeful Peter Spurling provided the highlight from the lacklustre ODI between Australia and Sri Lanka
- From: Herald Sun
- January 13, 2013
IT has taken the freak athleticism of a promising AFL hopeful to provide the highlight in tonight's dull ODI between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Adelaide Oval.
Peter Spurling, an AIS-AFL Academy member, took a one-handed catch in the crowd off a towering Brad Haddin six, sparking a mega cheer and high-fives aplenty in the stands.
The catch was made even more remarkable given Spurling was holding an iced coffee in one hand and what looked to be two burgers in the other.
He tucked the drink under his arm while on the walkway under the second tier, threw his other mit high in the air and stuck the catch.
AFL talent expert Kevin Sheehan confirmed on Twitter it was Spurling who gloved it.
"Watching cricket and saw great one hander crowd catch by AIS AFL Academy young star Peter Spurling !! It was signature AFL !," he tweeted.
"Spurling is one of our best talls working with Brad Ottens in our L 1s which travel to NZ next Friday; a name to watch !"
Spurling, from Glenelg in Adelaide, is in the 2012-13 AIS-AFL Academy intake.
An AFL club talent expert confirmed tonight the 198cm 16-year-old was already looming large on the draft radar.
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282 results total, viewing 131 - 140
Matt Metcalf and Jacob Marrocco break down some notable upcoming games in Warwick, Cranston and Johnston. more
The number of games remaining in the collegiate softball career of Toll Gate graduate Pattie Turner can now be counted on one hand, but the former Titan standout is trying her best to make sure she … more
By Brenden Soares | 4/21/16
The Warwick Vets softball team scored 54 runs over its first five games, and its offense didn't slow down one bit on Tuesday against Middletown. The 'Canes put the game away with a five-run … more
The Warwick Vets Hurricanes got their first win of the season when they beat the Cranston East Thunderbolts, 6-5, at Cranston Stadium on Tuesday night. For Warwick, Eric Procaccini had two goals, … more
By Ryan D. Murray | 4/21/16
The Pilgrim girls' lacrosse team improved to 4-0 on its young season with a 13-2 victory over cross-town rival Toll Gate on Monday behind four goals from Molly Lynch and three from Hannah Page. … more
You guide your boat into a new harbor, drop the anchor and look around. After a leisurely lunch, you decide to dinghy in to explore. Great idea, but a little caution can prevent damage to an … more
By Roz Butziger | 4/21/16
I attended a celebration in Washington, D.C. last week on the 40th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), the fishing law of this nation. The celebration was organized by six conservation … more
By Captain Dave Monti | 4/21/16
The Toll Gate baseball team twice had opportunities to level the score with Johnston on Monday afternoon, but starter Jacob Pratte was too much as the Panthers escaped with the 5-2 win. Johnston … more
By Jacob Marrocco | 4/19/16
The Pilgrim baseball team had an afternoon to forget on Saturday after committing eight errors, which allowed seven unearned runs to score, in a 9-2 defeat at the hands of La Salle Academy. … more
By Jacob Marrocco | 4/19/16
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The Morning Pride: March 18, 2014
Welcome to The Morning Pride, ThinkProgress LGBT's daily round-up of the latest in LGBT policy, politics, and some culture too! Here's what we're reading this morning, but please let us know what stories you're following as well. Follow us all day on Twitter at @TPEquality.
– Among black Protestants, support for marriage equality jumped by 11 percent last year, from 32 percent to 43 percent.
– The editorial board at the Casper Star-Tribune has endorsed marriage equality for Wyoming.
– If proponents of a ballot initiative in Oregon that would allow religious liberty to be used as a reason to discriminate against marrying same-sex couples, that initiative will be titled with language proposed by LGBT advocates.
– Despite opposition from LGBT members, the Democratic Party of Virginia elected Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, who doesn't support marriage equality, as party chair.
– Conservatives in Illinois are campaigning against Republicans that supported marriage equality.
– A federal court in New York City has awarded Antonio Muñoz $500,000 in a wrongful termination suit against the Manhattan Club boutique hotel, which refused to offer him a day shift to accommodate the drowsiness caused by his HIV medication.
– News reports suggest that former ex-gay therapist John Smid encouraged someone to stop listening to Adele as an ex-gay strategy, but it seems to have been part of a "mock" intake staged for a documentary.
– Anti-LGBT activist Michael Brown is now spreading his harmful messages in Peru.
– A new study estimates that India loses $31 billion annually because of its homophobic culture.
– Wendy Williams and the guests that joined her for a transphobic panel about trans athletes have apologized.


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We travelled to Morocco for the first time ever....a family of 6 with four children (our youngest is now 9 years old).
We did not know what to expect, but from the moment we arrived at the airport when the driver met us to take us to the hotel to the time we left, it was an absolutely amazing and outstanding holiday. The hotel itself was an ideal location for a total break, with its tranquility, serenity and every detail was taken care of. The people are efficient, gentle and subtle. They genuinely want you to have a great relaxing break away from the real world....nothing was too much trouble. If you are wanting a holiday where you go out every night partying at clubs, you can do it there as your every need will be accommodated. We did not want to do that, as top of our list as a family was to relax, chill.....soak up Palais Namaskar's unique atmosphere, food, spa etc. The quad biking and camel trip was amazing. The trip to the Souks is a must do, but make sure you get the list of recommended shops and souk merchants from the concierge. It is also best to ask the hotel to arrange a guide. We were only there 5 days and 6 nights, but we are already planning another trip back to the Palais Namaskar for a big birthday celebration of one of our family members.
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- More than a hotel, Palais Namaskar, nestled in the heart of a magnificent park of more than 5 hectares, is a real destination. Between the Atlas Mountains and the mysterious Djebilet hills, the hotel offers its guests a space and unlimited freedom for unforgettable experiences. ... more less
- Reservation Options:
- TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Hotels.com, Expedia, Hotwire, Travelocity, Prestigia, Agoda, TripOnline SA and Jetsetter so you can book your Palais Namaskar reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.


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Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! coming to Riverside Jan. 21
Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! - the touring version of the Nickelodeon kids show with a cult following among some of pop and Hollywood's coolest stars - is coming back to Milwaukee for two daytime shows on Jan. 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Yo Gabba Gabba! is taking over the Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave., at 3 and 6 p.m. Jan. 21. Tickets - at $25, $35 and $45 - go on sale at noon Nov. 26 at the Riverside and Pabst theater box offices, (414) 286-3663 and the Pabst website. »Read Full Article(6)
2013 Holiday TV Schedule
We know you know Dasher and Dancer and Donner and Blitzen, but what about Gaga and Nestor and — Hasselhoff?
Just like those reindeer who work with Rudolph, they are just some of the personalities you can see in holiday-themed programming on your TV this time of year. »Read Full Article
WhiskeyBelles perform 'Mama Never Liked Christmas' from holiday album
Between "Let It Snow," "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and about a gazillion other tunes, there's no shortage of happy holiday songs to put a little spring in your Christmas step.
But what about music for the people who feel Christmas is just one big pain in the posterior? Local traditional country trio the WhiskeyBelles have just the song for them in a new original holiday song, "Mama Never Liked Christmas," from the group's new holiday album, "Nothin' Says Christmas Like Whiskey." »Read Full Article
Quilted Bear in Germantown to undergo huge renovation, reopen as Florian Park
Work is under way at the former Quilted Bear in Germantown, a popular wedding venue and restaurant for decades, as it becomes Florian Park.
The property at N111-W18611 Mequon Road, which closed a year ago, recently was sold to Project Design Management for $600,000. PDM also owns the neighboring Country Inn & Suites, and a frontage road will be built between the two venues to make travel easier between the two for guests of weddings, class reunions, corporate meetings and other events, said Ryan Rahl, director of operations. »Read Full Blog Post(8)
Free pizza all day at newly opened Blaze Pizza in Brookfield
Looking for an easy lunch or dinner? Blaze Pizza in Brookfield is offering free pizza all day Monday.
in celebration of its recent opening, Blaze Pizza in the Brownstones Shopping Center at 17530 W. Bluemound Road in Brookfield (between Metro Market and TJ Maxx) will be giving away free pizzas from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors can try the custom-built 11-inch thin-crust pizzas (normally $7) for free. No purchase or coupons necessary. »Read Full Blog Post(1)
One Direction; Yo Gotti; Daughtry, Billie Joe & Norah and more
One Direction »Read Full Article
Packers ratings fluctuate - just like the team
Ratings for Sunday's tie game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings on Fox affiliate WITI-TV (Channel 6) waxed and waned.
The average rating for the entire game was a 43.6, or about 394,000 television homes. The low was a 41.7 at 1:30 p.m. and the high was a 49.7 toward the end of the 4th quarter. »Read Full Blog Post
On Tap for Today: Wine education, polka music and Santa plus paws
It's a short holiday week with Thanksgiving on Thursday. Which means today is the day to seach your closet for a pair of your largest, most comfortable pants.
Or maybe just carry on as though today is any other Monday. Here's how: »Read Full Blog Post