Penn State Ag Sciences Newsline -- April 15, 2008

Pennsylvania's nutrient credit trading system is put to the test (:48)

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Suggested Intro:

PENNSYLVANIA PASSED A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL MILESTONE RECENTLY WHEN A YORK COUNTY SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT USED THE STATE'S NUTRIENT CREDIT TRADING PROGRAM TO OFFSET NUTRIENT DISCHARGES. AN ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT IN PENN STATE STATE'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES SAYS TIME WILL TELL WHERE THIS FIRST STEP LEADS. MORE FROM GARY ABDULLAH:

Story:

(:17) FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP'S SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITY BECAME THE FIRST TO USE THE STATE'S NUTRIENT CREDIT TRADING PROGRAM TO MEET 2010 REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCHARGE OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS. PENN STATE ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMIST JIM SHORTLE SAYS PENNSYLVANIA IS A NATIONAL LEADER IN CREDIT TRADING, AND OTHERS MAY FOLLOW ITS EXAMPLE:

Shortle Actuality:
(:23) "WELL, I THINK THIS PARTICULAR EVENT CERTAINLY MAY BREAK THE ICE AND MAY LEAD TO ADDITIONAL TRADES OF THIS TYPE. BUT I THINK THERE'S STILL A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY IN THIS AREA. PARTLY BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE REQUIREMENTS DON'T COME INTO PLACE FOR A FEW YEARS. AND THEN THERE ARE MUNICIPALITIES THAT ARE NOW SUING D-E-P OVER ITS APPROACH AND THAT MAY HAVE SOME IMPACT ON THE WILLINGNESS OF SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS TO ENGAGE IN CREDIT PURCHASES NOW."

(:08) SHORTLE SAYS OTHER MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES WILL BE WATCHING CLOSELY TO SEE IF THE PROGRAM CAN WORK FOR THEM. FROM PENN STATE, I'M GARY ABDULLAH.

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Learn more:

PENN STATE OFFERS FREE "PRIMER" ON WATER QUALITY CREDIT TRADING (from the College of Agricultural Sciences news archive)

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