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High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2004 Introduced in Congress

U.S. Sens. Jim Jeffords, I - Vt., and Frank Lautenberg, D - NJ, today introduced legislation to promote the development and construction of environmentally friendly federal buildings and schools. The "High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2004," authorizes $35 million over five years to support federal buildings and schools that are designed and operated to boost environmental, economic, health and productivity performance above that of conventional buildings. Jeffords, the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee said, "Green buildings are an environmental investment in our future. This legislation promotes buildings that incorporate energy efficiency, waste reduction and other efficient design features. Green buildings improve the health of their occupants, protect our natural resources, and in the long-run can save our nation billions of dollars in energy and other costs. It's time for the federal government to catch up to the private sector and work together to reap the many benefits of high-performance buildings." Lautenberg said, "Since people, on average, spend 90% of their time indoors, we must encourage the proliferation of 'green buildings' to make those hours healthier. We will do a lot through our legislation to improve the indoor air quality and safety of school buildings, while […]

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Montana Prepares for Public Hunt of Yellowstone Bison

BOZEMAN, Montana, July 9, 2004 (ENS) – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is planning to let members of the public kill Yellowstone bison that move outside the national park boundaries. The Yellowstone bison are the last genetically pure wild remnants of the millions of bison that once roamed the American plains. The state agency has produced an environmental assessment that evaluates the proposed bison hunt. The 30 day public comment period on the hunt closed Thursday. The 2003 Montana Legislature approved a bill that provides for a public hunt of the bison in southwestern Montana. The Yellowstone bison are controlled by a federal-state management program to keep them from passing the abortive disease brucellosis to Montana cattle, although no such transmission has ever been documented. State and federal agencies now haze and kill the bison, male and female alike, although only females can transmit brucellosis. "Public responses to our scoping document issued in February were evenly divided between respondents in favor of hunting, and those opposing hunting," said Kurt Alt, regional wildlife manager. "At this point we would like to gather the public's opinions of the four alternatives contained in the environmental assessment." The four alternatives include a no hunting […]

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