Regarding British Petroleum and corroded pipes on the North Slope--who is to blame? Cook Inletkeeper has an informed analysis, but first, who is Cook Inletkeeper? Cook Inletkeeper "is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the vast Cook Inlet watershed and the life it sustains." The organization conducts a range of activities regarding the monitoring of water quality, education, and more. See the impressive website for details.

A key staff member of Cook Inletkeeper is Lois N. Epstein, P.E. Senior Engineer/Oil and Gas Industry Specialist. She has written and interviewed extensively on the issue of the corroded pipes. She blames BP, and the federal and state governments for the current situation. See her extensive analysis including interviews and additional resources documented in a special section of the organization's website.

I have written extensively about the recent destruction of the pension systems for public employees in Alaska (traditional ?defined benefit? plans), and their replacement with ?defined contribution? plans similar to 401(k) plans, which are little more than savings accounts. Some time ago a legislator mentioned to me that he thought this was the worst piece of legislation passed in many years in Alaska? and I would have to agree.

However, this is what is important: the struggle by ideologues and by those who believe they can profit from the destruction of traditional pension plans for public workers is increasingly being met by a powerful upsurge of resistance by public employees and their families who understand the critical necessity of having a defined benefit plan, in other words, a traditional pension. Two recent victories in this regard come to mind--one in Colorado and one in West Virginia. See a recent ACPP blog posting which discusses these public employee pension victories, and includes links to additional information pertaining to this critical issue.

Here is a great idea from the other side of the Lower-48. North Carolina Governor Mike Easley recently signed into law a bill that will establish a commission to review claims of innocence by inmates who have evidence that was not presented at trial. The independent, eight-member panel will be comprised of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, victims? advocates and citizens of the state. HB 1323 is considered the first law of its kind in the nation.

I found this public policy gem in my copy of the July edition of CPANews, a monthly email newsletter from the Center for Policy Alternatives. You can sign up for CPANews on the home page of the Center?s website. The Center describes itself as ?the nation?s only nonpartisan nonprofit organization working to strengthen the capacity of state legislators to lead and achieve progressive change.? CPA is a wonderful organization, and I encourage you to poke around their website to find a vast array of public policy treasures.