What Lies Beneath
The terms ‘green’ and ‘environmentally friendly’ look good on paper but can still cause serious economical and ecological problems in actuality.
The City of Spokane is home to one of the most controversial methods of garbage disposal on the planet: Incineration.
Incineration, a.k.a. Waste-to-Energy, is a process through which garbage in burned at over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. The superheated gases released from the burning waste are used to generate electricity through steam production.
Incineration provides an efficient method with which to drastically reduce the amount of waste by up to 80 percent but also presents serious pollution issues.
The Spokane WTE plant, constructed in 1991 at a cost of $110 million, currently employs 36 people and burns about 250,000 tons of waste annually.
Proponents for this technology explain that incineration not only greatly reduces the amount of waste but it is much more efficient than landfills.
“Incineration reduces waste weight by 70 percent and volume by 90 percent, all while recovering energy,” said Russ Menke, Director of Spokane Regional Solid Waste System.
Despite Waste-to-Energy claims of efficiency and cleanliness, opponents maintain that these facilities cause much more harm to the environment.
“The problem with garbage incineration is you never know what you’re burning,” said Spokane City Councilman Bob Apple, “you’re simply implementing the best technology you have to deal with it.”
According to a budget report released by the City of Spokane the Spokane WTE facility produced around $10 million in electricity in 2008, showing a significant drop from $12 million in electricity sales in 2007.
“2008 was just not a good year for us,” said Menke.
Menke explained that incinerator facilities are difficult to maintain and that the Spokane plant was starting to deteriorate. Wheelabrator, the operator of the facility, shut down the plant for repairs which ultimately cost the Spokane Regional Waste System money.
However, this is not the first time the facility has been shut down for repairs.
“The plant is down nearly 20 percent of the time,” said Spokane County resident Craig Sullivan.
Repairs are frequent and often costly; Menke estimates that Wheelabraor spent nearly $7 million in repairs during the shutdown in 2008.
Not all of the down time is spent on repairs. The facility spends several times a year conducting emissions and efficiency testing to ensure local, state and federal pollution guidelines are being met, though, the efficiency of the tests themselves are questioned by many.
“So much has to be done with the testing but nothing has been,” said Mike Noder, Spokane County Solid Waste Advisory Committee member.
The testing only occurs only a few times a year and the facility is aware of when those tests will take place Noder explained.
Sullivan approximated that for every 8,000 hours of operation at the facility, only 12.5 were spent testing and that brings up serious concerns about reliability of test results.
The Spokane WTE facility underscores a more sensitive issue within the county: the solid waste system itself.
“The problem is so much bigger than just a single facility,” said Noder.
Noder and Sullivan both agree that a lack of competition and transparency within the SRSWS are the main issues facing the City of Spokane and the residents of Spokane County. One of them being the $98 tipping fee, one of the highest in the country, that each Spokane County resident must pay for waste disposal.
“The city is managing both sides of the trade. How is that fair,” asked Noder.
Menke explained that County officials and others are currently looking for alternatives for the system and that they hope to put them in place by 2011.
“One of the recommendations is creating a different structure that would be more representative. Alternatives like having an independent entity as management instead of the city,” said Menke.
The contract for the operation of the Spokane WTE facility ends in 2011 and will present a unique situation for Spokane County: finding a new operator.
The fate of Spokane WTE and SRSWS are unclear, but one aspect seems apparent; change is inevitable.
For more information:
Spokane Regional Solid Waste System:
http://www.spokanesolidwaste.com/default.asp
Wheelabrator Technologies Inc.:
http://www.wheelabratortechnologies.com/
Washington State DOE:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0104010.html
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Bill Morlin Questions
1. How did you become an investigative reporter?
2. How do you maintain balance of opinion from sources when it comes to a sensative topic like polygamy?
3. Who or what first tipped you off to the polygamy story?
4. Since investigative reporting is such a time intensive form of journalism, do you find yourself following the issue long after it has been published?
5. In terms of investigative vs. daily journalism, what criteria/guidelines do you use to figure out what/who to write about?
6. Public records can lend significant credibility to a story. How does working with human interest pieces affect your articles debpth based on available records?
7. Investigative journalism takes time and knowhow. Currently, journalism is experiencing an increase in 'instant news' with the advent of the internet and the ability to instantaneously blog. Have or do you see a decline in investigative reporting as a result of that?
2. How do you maintain balance of opinion from sources when it comes to a sensative topic like polygamy?
3. Who or what first tipped you off to the polygamy story?
4. Since investigative reporting is such a time intensive form of journalism, do you find yourself following the issue long after it has been published?
5. In terms of investigative vs. daily journalism, what criteria/guidelines do you use to figure out what/who to write about?
6. Public records can lend significant credibility to a story. How does working with human interest pieces affect your articles debpth based on available records?
7. Investigative journalism takes time and knowhow. Currently, journalism is experiencing an increase in 'instant news' with the advent of the internet and the ability to instantaneously blog. Have or do you see a decline in investigative reporting as a result of that?
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Records Request Story proposal(s)
1) Spokane is home to one of only a handful of waste management facilities in the nation that converts waste into energy. This facility works on a fairly simple principle; waste is collected, then burned and the exhaust gasses are used to produce steam which is used to create electricity. However, the processes used to achieve energy from waste are actually quite complex and strictly regulated. The facility itself has been around for nearly 20 years and can incinerate nearly 800,000 tons of waste at over 2,500 degrees farenhieght a day. At capacity the plant can produce 26 Megawatts of energy. enough to power anywhere from 13,000 to 20,000 homes. This article would focus the environmental impacts of such a facility in comparison to its costs. Additionally, comparisons would be drawn between waste-to-energy facilities and traditional landfills and other waste management operations.
2) Currently, the US economy is at the forefront of nearly everyone’s concerns. Perhaps the second biggest issue is the environment. Both issues have been overlooked in the past and have since continued to affect our environment more so every day. The ramifications of a lack of proactive ideas and policies have created a unique situation. Environmentally friendly policies and practices continue to emerge, but many are often expensive and complex. The economy has taken a nosedive and as a result, pennies are being pinched and programs and jobs are being cut. This article would further examine the affects of a slowed economy versus increased concern for the environment. Substantiating aspects could be found with budget cuts from Olympia on environmental programs or cuts being made here at WSU. - I feel this is an interesting topic though I don’t have a clearly defined angle to take. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
2) Currently, the US economy is at the forefront of nearly everyone’s concerns. Perhaps the second biggest issue is the environment. Both issues have been overlooked in the past and have since continued to affect our environment more so every day. The ramifications of a lack of proactive ideas and policies have created a unique situation. Environmentally friendly policies and practices continue to emerge, but many are often expensive and complex. The economy has taken a nosedive and as a result, pennies are being pinched and programs and jobs are being cut. This article would further examine the affects of a slowed economy versus increased concern for the environment. Substantiating aspects could be found with budget cuts from Olympia on environmental programs or cuts being made here at WSU. - I feel this is an interesting topic though I don’t have a clearly defined angle to take. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Murrow College Recognizes Lifetime Achievements in Journalism
Bob Schieffer and Helen Thomas receive honors at the 35th annual Edward R. Murrow Symosium.
The 35th Edward R. Murrow Symposium held Tuesday night at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. honored two distinguished journalists for their coverage of the nation's capitol. Bob Schieffer and Helen Thomas, honorees of the Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, spoke about their work and current industry trends.
Both Schieffer and Thomas began their careers as Washington D.C. journalists during the Kennedy Presidency. Schieffer bares the distinction of completing the "Grand Slam" of D.C. coverage; covering the White House, Pentagon, State Department and Capitol Hill. Thomas, known as the "First Lady of the Press" has covered every president since Kennedy. Her red dresses and "Thank you Mr. President" comments have made her perhaps the most recognized White House correspondent.
"Murrow taught us not to be afraid of the powers-that-be," said Thomas, with the top of the podium and microphones standing just above her forehead.
Thomas explained that journalism has come a long way over the last half century, but the future seems uncertain at this point going on to say, "Reporters have let the world down... American journalists need to return to their mission: to follow the truth."
Schieffer also expressed concern for journalism, "Journalism is in a crisis." Newspapers in particular have seen the worst of the decline in journalism. "I cannot start my day without my coffee and my newspaper," said Shcieffer, "The future of newspapers... is in doubt."
Both speakers agreed that the speed at which technology is advancing is causing the journalism industry to change and change rapidly.
"Everyone with a laptop thinks they're a journalist...," Said Thomas.
Schieffer's and Thomas's concerns touch base on bigger idea that technology may be killing journalism, or at least in the traditional sense. News websites are growing dominant over print and subsequently caused the bankruptcy of large-scale print operations across the globe.
However, there is a much greater question of creditbility of information when dealing with online sources versus print.
Bob Schieffer compared websites lacking crediblity to that of someone standing on a corner holding a sign reading 'The end is near'. "He may be right, but we need to know what he is basing that on," said Schieffer.
What the immediate or distant impacts of this will be nobody is sure.
"We don't know where journalism is going," said Schieffer.
Both Schieffer and Thomas explained the need for journalists and their role in democracy. Journalists are the 'watch dogs' of democracy and that without them it will be much more difficult to keep those in power accountable for their actions.
"Independent sources are crucial to a democracy," Schieffer concluded.
The 35th Edward R. Murrow Symposium held Tuesday night at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. honored two distinguished journalists for their coverage of the nation's capitol. Bob Schieffer and Helen Thomas, honorees of the Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, spoke about their work and current industry trends.
Both Schieffer and Thomas began their careers as Washington D.C. journalists during the Kennedy Presidency. Schieffer bares the distinction of completing the "Grand Slam" of D.C. coverage; covering the White House, Pentagon, State Department and Capitol Hill. Thomas, known as the "First Lady of the Press" has covered every president since Kennedy. Her red dresses and "Thank you Mr. President" comments have made her perhaps the most recognized White House correspondent.
"Murrow taught us not to be afraid of the powers-that-be," said Thomas, with the top of the podium and microphones standing just above her forehead.
Thomas explained that journalism has come a long way over the last half century, but the future seems uncertain at this point going on to say, "Reporters have let the world down... American journalists need to return to their mission: to follow the truth."
Schieffer also expressed concern for journalism, "Journalism is in a crisis." Newspapers in particular have seen the worst of the decline in journalism. "I cannot start my day without my coffee and my newspaper," said Shcieffer, "The future of newspapers... is in doubt."
Both speakers agreed that the speed at which technology is advancing is causing the journalism industry to change and change rapidly.
"Everyone with a laptop thinks they're a journalist...," Said Thomas.
Schieffer's and Thomas's concerns touch base on bigger idea that technology may be killing journalism, or at least in the traditional sense. News websites are growing dominant over print and subsequently caused the bankruptcy of large-scale print operations across the globe.
However, there is a much greater question of creditbility of information when dealing with online sources versus print.
Bob Schieffer compared websites lacking crediblity to that of someone standing on a corner holding a sign reading 'The end is near'. "He may be right, but we need to know what he is basing that on," said Schieffer.
What the immediate or distant impacts of this will be nobody is sure.
"We don't know where journalism is going," said Schieffer.
Both Schieffer and Thomas explained the need for journalists and their role in democracy. Journalists are the 'watch dogs' of democracy and that without them it will be much more difficult to keep those in power accountable for their actions.
"Independent sources are crucial to a democracy," Schieffer concluded.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Murrow Symposium Background
On Tuesday, students at WSU will host two renowned journalists at the Murrow Symposium.Bob Schieffer and Helen Thomas are perhaps two of the most influential American journalists of the past half century. Their experience in the field of journalism takes them back as far as the Kennedy presidency and has focused on the nation's capitol and administration since then.Schieffer joined CBS news in 1969, according to an by CBS, and served an a principle anchor for the agency for over thirty years. Schieffer has the distinction of being one of only a few journalists who has covered all four beats in Washington; The White House, the Pentagon, the State Department and Capitol Hill.Helen Thomas is another of journalism’s trailblazers. Her career as a White house press member began during the Kennedy Presidency and has since earned her the nickname of "First Lady of the Press" according to an article from American Entertainment International Speakers. Here achievements in journalism are vast; "She was the first female officer of the National Press Club, the first female member and president of the White House Correspondents Association, and, in 1975, the first female member of the Gridiron Club", according to her bio on Wikipedia.These speakers will be recognized with awards at the Murrow Symposium in recognition of their industry achievements.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Media and War Critique
New Conflicts Offer New Angles and Continued Risks
Embedded journalism offers the media a front row seat to military operations, but at what cost?
Operation Iraqi Freedom was America’s second military presence in Iraq, but this time things were different.
Unlike the Vietnam and the Gulf War, the second occupation of Iraq gave new access to military operations for media outlets. Some 600 US and British Journalists became “embedded” with military units and would report from their locations.
Much has changed since America first began fighting its wars, and as a result the American media and military have continued to grow at odds, “During the short, successful Spanish-American War of 1898, reporters, if anything, led cheers for the military. Throughout World War I, journalists considered themselves part of the war effort, not independent observers. This pattern of press and military cooperation continued through World War II”, says a report from the Constitutional Rights Foundation.
The Vietnam War often referred to as “the living-room war,” gave America its first glimpse of warfare that had never been achieved.
A large portion of the American public was against the war. The US media for perhaps the first time received support for its critique of the military effort.
“Media criticism was a big deal, and most were critical of the military,” said Donald Kirk, previously a foreign correspondent for The New York Times and author of Who Wants To Be The Last American Killed In Vietnam?
Since the Vietnam era, technology has changed significantly for the media, military and consumers. Access to information is not only instantaneous but almost without any constraints. Reporting can be viewed in real time from anywhere in the world and stories can be published the minute the last key stroke is pushed.
Use of speedy reporting has perhaps seen its greatest exploitation in the US-led Iraq war.
The act of embedding select journalists within military units is seen as a catch-22 by many. In an article published by Kapi’olani Community College, associate professor of sociology Neghin Modavi explains that one of the major concerns for embedded journalists is the loss of objectivity through the relations that are formed with the troops they are connected to; “This they say, often results in reduced objectivity on part of the reporter and the practice of self-censorship,” said Modavi.
The article continues, “Some argue that today’s technology and the large number of journalists covering the conflict may counter some of the drawbacks that were associated with earlier embedded journalist practices,” said Modavi. “Thus the sheer number of immediate and live reports may provide some sense of the big picture for consumers of news.”
On the other side of the spectrum, some journalists have crossed the ‘line’ according to military officials with material they have published.
Senior Fox News Correspondent Geraldo Rivera violated perhaps the strictest of guidelines facing journalists when he drew an approximate picture in the sand of his and the 101st Airborne’s location and where they were headed during a television broadcast. The military strictly prohibits the release of information regarding sensitive military operations for obvious reasons.
Where the line begins to gray involves what many journalists consider outright censorship on the military’s behalf.
4,000 US Death, and a Handful of Images, an article from The New York Times explores the increased military influence on graphic images released from Iraq. In the article, freelance photographer Zoriah Miller explains why he was banned from Marine Corps-controlled areas of Iraq after publishing photos of killed Marines; “It is absolutely censorship,” Mr. Miller said. “I took pictures of something they didn’t like, and they removed me. Deciding what I can and cannot document, I don’t see a clearer definition of censorship.”
In the article military officials explain that censorship was not the case, rather, that Mr. Miller had broke embed rules, though preliminary investigations could find no such proof.
Miller’s case seems to reverberate more strongly as time passes in Iraq. The military has its agenda, and ultimately will enforce it. “There is leeway for commanders to make judgment calls, which is part of what commanders do,” said Col. Steve Boylan, the public affairs officer for Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq.
Criticism on both sides is also being felt across the Atlantic.
Early in the war, the British Broadcasting Corporation received much criticism for its alleged anti-war support. British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s director of communications Alastair Campbell made his case against the BBC. Campbell goes on to separate the BBC from other media organizations; “…there was a disproportionate focus upon, if you like, the dissent, the opposition, to our position. I think that in the conflict itself the prism that many were creating within the BBC was, one, it is all going wrong.”
Later studies performed in part by Justin Lewis, the deputy head of Cardiff University’s school of journalism on media coverage produced surprising results.
““Indeed, far from revealing an anti-war BBC, our findings tend to give credence to those who criticized the BBC for being too sympathetic to the government in its war coverage. Either way, it is clear that the accusation of BBC anti-war bias fails to stand up to any serious or sustained analysis,” said Lewis. The media industry is changing, and journalism is no exception. “Foreign correspondence is changing,” said Kirk. By how much is the question
Sources:
“Press Freedom Versus Military Censorship”
March 4, 2009 Constitutional Rights Foundation
Copyright 2009 http://www.crf-usa.org/america-responds-to-terrorism/press-freedom-versus-military-censorship.html
Seminar: So you want to be a foreign correspondent?
Donald Kirk, Foreign Correspondent; Christian Science Monitor
Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University
2009
“Positive, negative aspects of embedded journalism” Vol:26 Iss:34 2003
Frank Munden, Kapi’olani Community College
http://kapio.kcc.hawaii.edu/archive/v36/36_24/embedded_journalism.html
Kamber, Michael & Arango, Tim. “4,000 U.S. Deaths, and a Handful of Images”
The New York Times. July 26, 2008. Copyright 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/world/middleeast/26censor.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=4,000%20US%20deaths%20and%20only%20a%20handful%20of%20images&st=cse
Stevens, Robert. BBC was most pro-war of British network. 2003
International Committee of the Fourth International
World Socialist Website. Copyright 2009
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/jul2003/bbc-j10.shtml
Embedded journalism offers the media a front row seat to military operations, but at what cost?
Operation Iraqi Freedom was America’s second military presence in Iraq, but this time things were different.
Unlike the Vietnam and the Gulf War, the second occupation of Iraq gave new access to military operations for media outlets. Some 600 US and British Journalists became “embedded” with military units and would report from their locations.
Much has changed since America first began fighting its wars, and as a result the American media and military have continued to grow at odds, “During the short, successful Spanish-American War of 1898, reporters, if anything, led cheers for the military. Throughout World War I, journalists considered themselves part of the war effort, not independent observers. This pattern of press and military cooperation continued through World War II”, says a report from the Constitutional Rights Foundation.
The Vietnam War often referred to as “the living-room war,” gave America its first glimpse of warfare that had never been achieved.
A large portion of the American public was against the war. The US media for perhaps the first time received support for its critique of the military effort.
“Media criticism was a big deal, and most were critical of the military,” said Donald Kirk, previously a foreign correspondent for The New York Times and author of Who Wants To Be The Last American Killed In Vietnam?
Since the Vietnam era, technology has changed significantly for the media, military and consumers. Access to information is not only instantaneous but almost without any constraints. Reporting can be viewed in real time from anywhere in the world and stories can be published the minute the last key stroke is pushed.
Use of speedy reporting has perhaps seen its greatest exploitation in the US-led Iraq war.
The act of embedding select journalists within military units is seen as a catch-22 by many. In an article published by Kapi’olani Community College, associate professor of sociology Neghin Modavi explains that one of the major concerns for embedded journalists is the loss of objectivity through the relations that are formed with the troops they are connected to; “This they say, often results in reduced objectivity on part of the reporter and the practice of self-censorship,” said Modavi.
The article continues, “Some argue that today’s technology and the large number of journalists covering the conflict may counter some of the drawbacks that were associated with earlier embedded journalist practices,” said Modavi. “Thus the sheer number of immediate and live reports may provide some sense of the big picture for consumers of news.”
On the other side of the spectrum, some journalists have crossed the ‘line’ according to military officials with material they have published.
Senior Fox News Correspondent Geraldo Rivera violated perhaps the strictest of guidelines facing journalists when he drew an approximate picture in the sand of his and the 101st Airborne’s location and where they were headed during a television broadcast. The military strictly prohibits the release of information regarding sensitive military operations for obvious reasons.
Where the line begins to gray involves what many journalists consider outright censorship on the military’s behalf.
4,000 US Death, and a Handful of Images, an article from The New York Times explores the increased military influence on graphic images released from Iraq. In the article, freelance photographer Zoriah Miller explains why he was banned from Marine Corps-controlled areas of Iraq after publishing photos of killed Marines; “It is absolutely censorship,” Mr. Miller said. “I took pictures of something they didn’t like, and they removed me. Deciding what I can and cannot document, I don’t see a clearer definition of censorship.”
In the article military officials explain that censorship was not the case, rather, that Mr. Miller had broke embed rules, though preliminary investigations could find no such proof.
Miller’s case seems to reverberate more strongly as time passes in Iraq. The military has its agenda, and ultimately will enforce it. “There is leeway for commanders to make judgment calls, which is part of what commanders do,” said Col. Steve Boylan, the public affairs officer for Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq.
Criticism on both sides is also being felt across the Atlantic.
Early in the war, the British Broadcasting Corporation received much criticism for its alleged anti-war support. British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s director of communications Alastair Campbell made his case against the BBC. Campbell goes on to separate the BBC from other media organizations; “…there was a disproportionate focus upon, if you like, the dissent, the opposition, to our position. I think that in the conflict itself the prism that many were creating within the BBC was, one, it is all going wrong.”
Later studies performed in part by Justin Lewis, the deputy head of Cardiff University’s school of journalism on media coverage produced surprising results.
““Indeed, far from revealing an anti-war BBC, our findings tend to give credence to those who criticized the BBC for being too sympathetic to the government in its war coverage. Either way, it is clear that the accusation of BBC anti-war bias fails to stand up to any serious or sustained analysis,” said Lewis. The media industry is changing, and journalism is no exception. “Foreign correspondence is changing,” said Kirk. By how much is the question
Sources:
“Press Freedom Versus Military Censorship”
March 4, 2009 Constitutional Rights Foundation
Copyright 2009 http://www.crf-usa.org/america-responds-to-terrorism/press-freedom-versus-military-censorship.html
Seminar: So you want to be a foreign correspondent?
Donald Kirk, Foreign Correspondent; Christian Science Monitor
Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University
2009
“Positive, negative aspects of embedded journalism” Vol:26 Iss:34 2003
Frank Munden, Kapi’olani Community College
http://kapio.kcc.hawaii.edu/archive/v36/36_24/embedded_journalism.html
Kamber, Michael & Arango, Tim. “4,000 U.S. Deaths, and a Handful of Images”
The New York Times. July 26, 2008. Copyright 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/world/middleeast/26censor.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=4,000%20US%20deaths%20and%20only%20a%20handful%20of%20images&st=cse
Stevens, Robert. BBC was most pro-war of British network. 2003
International Committee of the Fourth International
World Socialist Website. Copyright 2009
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/jul2003/bbc-j10.shtml
Monday, February 16, 2009
Maj. Craig Whiteside
1. The incident regarding Michael Hensley and his sniper detail seems somewhat unique. Do situations like these happen often?
2. What bothered you the most about the sniper case; the fact that Hinsley was so manipulative/insubordinate, or the fact that it went unchecked so long that it took the murder of an Iraqi father intiate an investigation?
3. The situation with contractors and coalition funding seems like a catch-22. Would you agree?
4. Are uncompleted projects and ill-informed soldiers a problem throughout Iraq or just locally?
5. Is the rate of turnover the army's biggest problem when it comes to completing these civil projects?
2. What bothered you the most about the sniper case; the fact that Hinsley was so manipulative/insubordinate, or the fact that it went unchecked so long that it took the murder of an Iraqi father intiate an investigation?
3. The situation with contractors and coalition funding seems like a catch-22. Would you agree?
4. Are uncompleted projects and ill-informed soldiers a problem throughout Iraq or just locally?
5. Is the rate of turnover the army's biggest problem when it comes to completing these civil projects?
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