great lakes town hall

Madison's Biodiversity Project has started a new website called "The Great Lakes Town Hall". The purpose of the website is stated on their "About" page:

Like the town meetings on which it is modeled, the Great Lakes Town Hall provides a "space" where residents from all across the Great Lakes basin - and all walks of life within the basin - can come together to identify common concerns, set the political agenda, share and develop collective solutions, and demand - as a public - that the Lakes are clean, abundant, and natural for generations to come.

Sounds like a great effort. Hopefully people will take advantage of it and become involved because we DON"T want THIS:

DO SOMETHING: attend a Lasee "hearing"

State Senator Alan Lasee (De Pere) loves to hate the DNR. It is one of his favorite targets. During the month of January, Lasee is holding “hearings” to once again try to get people to take pot-shots at the DNR. It would be great if local environmentalists could show up and tell Lasee what we REALLY think of the DNR. The Green Bay "hearing" is scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. It will be held in the Brown County Library Auditorium.

This could be the first time the Senator has ever stepped inside of a library. Yes Alan, those are BOOKS, and please take your hat off when you are inside of a building.

You can also submit comments through this website. Notice that he is asking for “comments and complaints”. He is definitely not fishing for examples of jobs well-done or pleas for more enforcement, funding, and manpower.

The RIVER ALLIANCE of Wisconsin has a very accurate description of what is going on, and what you can do, in its current C.A.N.O.E. newsletter:

Don't They Have Something More Important To Do?

Campaigns for next fall's elections are getting underway, so it's time to trot out everyone's favorite target, DNR. Senators Lasee (De Pere) and Zien (Wheaton) lead the new "Senate Select Committee on DNR Regulatory Reform" to study DNR's so-called overzealous enforcement of environmental regulations. We've seen this one before - rile up a few folks, then win a few points by proposing legislation to weaken environmental rules, and follow that with a few more staff cuts at DNR. The committee will hold hearings some time after the first of the year to hear complaints against DNR, and Senator Lasee is seeking email complaints.

Well, we've got a few complaints of our own, but they're probably not what the committee hopes to hear.Sometimes due to political pressure, and more often than not, sheer lack of adequate funding and staffing, DNR can not provide the enforcement we depend upon to protect our resources. We've all seen examples - the new subdivision under construction with rivers of mud flowing off site into the nearest stream; the questionable wetland fill permit granted; the house built too close to the water. We suggest using Senator Lasee's email form, and the upcoming hearings if you've got the stomach for it, to let the committee know what DNR does right, as well as personal experiences with lack of enforcement. Glad the wardens have nabbed poachers? Angry that DNR couldn't respond to a problem in a timely way? Think DNR needs more stormwater inspectors? Let Senator Lasee know

Lasee is definitely no friend of the environment. His last score from the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters was dismal 11%. During the current legislative session, he has NEVER voted for the environment.

Sign Up! for Conservation Lobby Day 2006

Make Your Voice Heard – Attend Conservation Lobby Day 2006 - January 25!
Visit http://conservationvoters.org/lobbyday/ to sign-up!

The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters is once again organizing an opportunity for you to make your voice heard in the Capitol.

Last year, more than 120 citizens and 70 organizations descended on the Capitol to share their conservation values and speak with a unified voice for clean water, clean air and sporting opportunities.

As Chuck Manske from Stevens Point said, “I wasn't alone. There was a roomful of people like me, citizens who had come to Madison to talk to elected leaders about the conservation issues important in our lives.”

The event, organized by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, gave conservationists a chance to speak with Legislators and Gov. Doyle about the need to remedy Wisconsin’s leading water quality problem – polluted runoff.

Polluted runoff, generated when pesticides, manure, motor oil and other pollutants run into surrounding water bodies, contaminates 90% of Wisconsin’s lakes and 40% of its streams. In 2002, the legislature passed the toughest rules in the country for reducing polluted runoff. Since the rules were implemented, however, funding to reduce polluted runoff and other water protection programs has decreased.

Conservation Lobby Day 2005 got results.

In large part because of the unified voice of citizens on Lobby Day, funding for polluted runoff was not one of the issues on the chopping block when the legislature negotiated the state budget.

You can be a part of building on the success of the 2005 Lobby Day, and continue to work to ensure that legislators vote for the things Wisconsinites values - clean water, clean air, special places and sporting opportunities.

According to Jeremy Jansen of La Crosse, who attended Lobby Day 2005, “Far too often special interest groups dominate lobbying and leave citizens feeling powerless. Conservation Lobby Day was very rewarding.”

The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters is already planning Conservation Lobby Day 2006 which will be held on January 25. To register, or for more information, contact us at 608-661-0845 or anne@conservationvoters.org.

WISCONSIN AIR ADVISORY 12/23/05

Air quality health advisory issued for large portion of Wisconsin

DATE: December 23, 2005
CONTACT: Larry Bruss, DNR, (608) 267-7543
Henry Anderson, DHFS, (608) 266-1253

Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is issuing an air quality health advisory for approximately one-half of Wisconsin,
effective today Friday, December 23, 2005 until 12:00 p.m., Saturday, December 24, 2005. This advisory affects people living in the area south of a line from Rice Lake through Wausau and Green Bay to Kewaunee, and north of a line from La Crosse through Madison to Milwaukee.

The advisory is being issued because of persistent elevated levels of fine particles in the air. These fine particles come primarily from combustion
sources, such as power plants, factories and other industrial sources, vehicle exhaust, and outdoor fires. Current weather conditions leading to this advisory are air stagnation, light winds and warmer air aloft, trapping particle pollution near the ground. The air may continue to be stagnant through the Christmas weekend and people affected by fine particle pollution should check the web pages listed at the bottom of this advisory for more information on current conditions.

Due to the holiday weekend, DNR will not issue any additional health advisories before December 27, 2005. If you are sensitive to particle pollution, use caution this weekend and reduce your exposure to unhealthy levels of particle pollution.

The Air Quality Index is currently in the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for people in sensitive groups and others, including people who are not in sensitive groups but who are engaged in strenuous activities or exposed for prolonged periods of time. People in those sensitive groups include those with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. When an air quality health advisory is issued, people in those groups are advised to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities.People with lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis and heart disease should pay attention to cardiac symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms like coughing, wheezing and discomfort when taking a breath, and consult with their physician if they have concerns or are experiencing symptoms. To receive air quality health advisories by e-mail, visit http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/health/listserv.html.

There are several actions the public can take to reduce their contributions to this regional air quality problem.

-Reduce driving when possible and don’t leave vehicle engines idling
-Postpone activities that use small gasoline and diesel engines.
-Avoid burning leaves, brush, grass or wood. Composting is preferred, but if you must burn and your community allows it, do not burn on an air quality health advisory day.
-Never burn household garbage, plastic, rubber, painted wood or other
materials that must be recycled or landfilled and cannot be legally burned.
-Practice electrical energy conservation.

For more information:

-Federal interagency air quality web site, for information on the Air Quality Index and nationwide air quality forecasts and air quality conditions, http://airnow.gov
-DNR’s statewide air quality monitoring web page, http://maps.dnr.state.wi.us/wisards
-For local DNR air management program contacts, http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/staff/regions.htm

lumps of coal

This recent "RUSTLE THE LEAF" (which you can always read on this site) was pretty funny.

BROWN COUNTY AIR ADVISORY 12/22/05

DATE: December 22, 2005
CONTACT: Larry Bruss, DNR, (608) 267-7543
Henry Anderson, DHFS, (608) 266-1253

SUBJECT: Air quality health advisory issued for Waukesha, Brown Counties

Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is issuing an air quality health advisory for Waukesha and Brown Counties of Wisconsin effective immediately, today Thursday, December 22, 2005 until 12:00 p.m.(noon), Friday, December 23, 2005.

The advisory is being issued because of persistent elevated levels of fine particles in the air. These fine particles come primarily from combustion sources, such as power plants, factories and other industrial sources, vehicle exhaust, and outdoor fires. Current weather conditions leading to this advisory are air stagnation and warmer air aloft, trapping particle pollution near the ground. Air quality is expected to gradually improve for the affected area by midday Friday.

The Air Quality Index is currently in the orange level, which is considered unhealthy for people in sensitive groups and others, including people who are not in sensitive groups but who are engaged in strenuous activities or exposed for prolonged periods of time. People in those sensitive groups include those with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults and children. When an air quality health advisory is issued, people in those groups are advised to reschedule or cut back on strenuous activities.

People with lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis and heart disease should pay attention to cardiac symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath or respiratory symptoms like coughing, wheezing and discomfort when taking a breath, and consult with their physician if they have concerns or are experiencing symptoms. To receive air quality health advisories by e-mail, visit http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/health/listserv.html.

There are several actions the public can take to reduce their contributions to this regional air quality problem.

-Reduce driving when possible and don’t leave vehicle engines idling.
-Postpone activities that use small gasoline and diesel engines.
-Avoid burning leaves, brush, grass or wood. Composting is preferred, but if you must burn and your community allows it, do not burn on an air quality health advisory day.
-Never burn household garbage, plastic, rubber, painted wood or other materials that must be recycled or landfilled and cannot be legally burned.
-Practice electrical energy conservation.

For more information:

-Federal interagency air quality web site, for information on the Air Quality Index and nationwide air quality forecasts and air quality conditions, http://airnow.gov
-DNR’s statewide air quality monitoring web page, http://maps.dnr.state.wi.us/wisards
-For local DNR air management program contacts, http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/staff/regions.htm

jessica said that!

We have too many cows.
-Jessica Garrels

inspired by the recent Stahl farm manure spill

air pollution and kids

The Press-Gazette carried most of the this AP article today. More and more people seem to be waking up to the serious health effects of pollution. It's about time.

Parents Ask How Air Pollution Affects Kids

water conservation for the great lakes

In last Sunday’s Press-Gazette, there was a great article on the Great Lakes. It is on page A-12, the “PERSPECTIVE” page, and is not posted on their website. The Annex 2001 agreement has actually been strengthened. It makes it very difficult for any business or municipality outside of the Great Lakes watershed to use Great Lakes water. The eight governors and two premiers of the states and provinces surrounding the Great Lakes are signing the agreement in Milwaukee tomorrow. It needs to be ratified by the legislatures of the those bodies and the U.S. Congress in order to have legal teeth. In the meantime, individual cities and states could voluntarily meet the standards on their own.

The article, written by AP reporter John Flesher, discusses the utmost importance of conservation in terms of solving our water problems. It is online at YAHOO! NEWS. It points out that conservation is not only good ecological policy, it is what’s best for business.

This is such an important issue. Along with shoreline development, toxic chemicals, and invasive species, water use is one of the top ecological concerns regarding the Great Lakes. The rest of the world is going to have its eyes on our water in much the same way it currently has its eyes on Mideast oil. I keep picturing that scene from a futuristic sci-fi movie a few years back where Lake Superior was drained dry because we were piping the water away to the rest of the country. That is not such a far-fetched possibility. Sometimes I think that the states and provinces around the Great Lakes should secede from their respective countries and form a new “Great Lakes Republic”. Pseudo-leaders like George Bush would not be allowed! -the new “green” states

The scariest part of the article is the following two paragraphs:

Fair enough, said George Kuper, president of the Council of Great Lakes Industries, which represents corporate heavyweights such as Eastman Kodak and Dow Chemical Co. Encourage efficiency, but don't entangle businesses in rules and paperwork. And don't limit access to the abundant water supply that is the region's biggest advantage in the nationwide competition for jobs.

"One problem I've always had with the Annex approach is that in the name of protecting water, we're locking it up," Kuper said. "Water is a renewable resource, like air."

I say scary because George Kuper probably has a lot influence. He is obviously a very short-sighted person.

Clean water is clearly not a renewable resource and there is less clean water available all of the time. Water can be used in a sustainable way, but I definitely wouldn’t classify it as renewable. The article does a good job of responding to Kuper’s point and explains how water is clearly not inexhaustible and clean water renews itself at very slow rates. I send kudos to Flesher for correcting a great error in thinking! It is not often a modern reporter actually clears up the misstatements spewed forth by industry.

One sign of hope is that water use along the Great Lakes has begun to decline. This is mostly due to more efficient industrial practices.

I thought one point was clearly missed. The Press-Gazette includes a list of nine typical things that individuals can do to save water. One of the most significant ways people can conserve water is to stop eating meat. That was definitely NOT on the list. A huge percentage of the 43 billion gallons of water drawn from the Great Lakes by its citizens in 2002 was used to irrigate crops. Over half of those crops are used to feed livestock. It takes more than 2000 gallons of water to raise one pound of beef. That is more water than 6 months worth of showers! (Worldwatch Institute) The meat industry is incredibly water intensive. If you want to save water, skip a steak. This is the monster in the corner that rarely gets mentioned.

eddy out,
rich

Join Us For "Green Drinks" - Dec. 15

Green Bay, WI Green Drinks

-a monthly 'social space' meeting Thursday Dec. 15, 2005 at Kavarna, in Green Bay's near westside downtown.

If people remark that "the environment" is your middle name, you'll probably find value in Green Drinks Green Bay. At this new monthly event, people who labor in the environmental field as professionals, educators or neighborhood activists meet up for a structure-free social time known as Green Drinks.

If you look elsewhere on this website, you'll see that "Green Drinks" is an international movement. The movement arrived in Green Bay in April. We start to gather shortly after 6pm, but don't worry if you can't show up until much later. Peak attendance has been 7:30-8:30pm so far. The hours you attend will influence who you may meet, however. Pick up your 'hey, I'm green' ribbon from one of the greeters. People come and go all evening until Kavarna closes at 11pm. Come when you can, leave when you need to. Kavarna is a smokefree vegetarian coffeehouse/restaurant that sells bottled beers and wine. All ages welcome. Feel free to bring your kids. There is some outdoor seating.

We expect to have a lively mixture of people from non-profits, academia, government, journalism and business. There's no agenda, no speaker. If you have a nametag, wear it. Wear something green if you can. See www.kavarna.com for directions to 112 S. Broadway, located on downtown Green Bay's near west side.

Soups, salads, chai and juices are among the many offerings.

Google Map

Eliminate the “Four Poison Pills” in the Energy Bill—Call IMMEDIATELY!

Last month, Senator Rob Cowles (Green Bay), and Representative Montgomery (Allouez), the Chairs of the Energy Committees, released the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act, an energy bill for Wisconsin. While the bill is encouraging in its attempts to increase renewable energy to 10% by 2015, and to make the State a leader by purchasing renewable energy, there are several components that keep Wisconsin tied to fossil fuel dependence.

It’s time to follow-up on the initial public hearing held in Madison last month and keep the momentum going! This week, Senator Cowles and Representative Montgomery are considering suggestions presented at the public hearing, and we cannot let them forget how critical it is to present a bill that truly champions a forward-thinking, long-term energy plan.

Senator Cowles and Representative Montgomery need to hear from YOU! Call their offices today and ask them to please support efforts to introduce a substitute bill that would eliminate the Four Poison Pills of the current energy bill.

1) Overreach of Compliance with the Energy Priorities Law: The State Energy Policy Act is critical to maintaining an energy policy that prioritizes clean and renewable sources over dirty, non-renewable sources. As written, this bill references the State Energy Policy Act in a way that could reduce the State’s ability to enforce this law and could remove the state’s future responsibility to pursue clean renewable energy. If the bill passes as drafted, it means that Wisconsin will have no requirement to pursue renewable energy sources after 2015, thereby eliminating any barriers to the expansion or construction of dirtier, non-renewable energy facilities like coal burning power plants. Legislators should remove references to the Energy Policy Act, Section 1.12.

2) The Public Benefit Funds is still Susceptible to Budget Raids: The Public Benefits Fund is invaluable to Wisconsin business and home owners, providing expert advice and offering grants for conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy. Though the proposed bill creates a third party fiscal agent to handle the funds, it does not do enough to secure those funds from diversion for other purposes. To prevent future raids by politicians, a segregated account must also be created that separates Fund dollars from the state treasury.

3) Remove the Cap on Money for Energy Efficiency: The proposed bill caps the amount of money that can be used for energy efficiency at its current levels, which is approximately $63 million a year. Estimated need, however, is $75-$125 million a year. These programs have been saving businesses and homeowners $3 for every $1 spent, meaning that investing $125 million will SAVE customers $375 million on their gas and electric bills. At a time when energy efficiency is precisely what we need to focus on, funding must be given the flexibility to grow and continue helping Wisconsin residents.

4) Do Not Double Count Renewable Energy: We must ensure that renewable energy purchased by the state is not counted as renewable energy produced by utilities. The bill aims to increase renewable energy production to 10% by 2015, and commits the State to purchasing 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2011. These policies are forward-thinking, responsible, and set a good example for all Wisconsinites. Keeping these initiatives separate would yield the greatest amount of renewable electricity and ensure that the state’s voluntary purchase does not needlessly reward utilities for something they must provide anyway.

Let’s make this bill one Wisconsinites can support! Call Senator Cowles and Representative Montgomery today! Then, please email me your comments (jessica@conservationvoters.org) so that we can make sure they are documented.

Senator Rob Cowles: (608) 266-0484

Representative Phil Montgomery: (608) 266-5840 or (888) 534-0004

Suggested message:

“I want to thank ________ for his/her work on the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act. As a resident, I am concerned about energy costs this winter and about the long-term costs of fossil fuel dependence. I would like to ask ________ to support a substitute bill that would eliminate the Four Poison Pills of the Energy Bill so that Wisconsin really is moving towards a cleaner energy future.”

For more information on the Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables recommendations, visit http://energytaskforce.wi.gov/ .

UWGB master plan presentation

It looks like there are some very exciting things happening these days at UW-GB. Today's Press-Gazette had an article about a meeting where environmental science grad students will present recommendations about the campus' new master plan. They are seeking public imput.

The meeting will be this Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in Room 206 of Mary Ann Cofrin Hall on the UWGB campus, 2420 Nicolet Drive.

See the article for more details: Students take part in UWGB plan

You know what this blog needs? -Someone to become an "official contributor" with reports from UW-GB. If anyone is interested, they can email me at <eddyout@gmail.com> and I will set it up! Or, if someone wants to just send me a "column" once in a while, they can email it to me, and I can post it.

congressman mark NOTgreen

-first, some good news. Mark notGreen is not going to be our Congressman anymore! This alone is cause for much celebration.

During his eight years as our Congressman, Mark has managed to compile one of the worst environmental voting records possible. He was anti-conservation before being anti-conservation was cool, and before he became one of Bush's lackeys. During the last Congressional session, Congressman notGreen received a dismal score of 18% from the bipartisan League of Conservation Voters. While others from the Wisconsin congressional delegation received scores of 100%, no one scored lower than notGreen. His embarrassing conservation voting record is definitely not in line with how most Green Bay citizens feel.

Not only that, but the Congressman and his campaign manager (and best friend) Mark Graul seem to be on the verge of becoming embroiled in the DeLay and Abramoff investigations:

Green gets pass from WDC on DeLay $$$

New Details in Abramoff Investigation

It is about time that we get a Congressman that we can actually be proud of. The timing may be very good to actually elect an environmentalist to the 8th district. So far, there are three (that I know of) candidates worth taking a look at:

Jamie Wall
Steve Kagen
Nancy Nusbuam

-and now for some BAD news! John Gard wants to be our Congressman (fat chance, I hope), but even worse, Mark notGreen wants to be our Governor. Nothing would be worse for Wisconsin than if Mark became Governor. All of the wingnut ideas passed by our legislature during the last three years (and vetoed by Doyle) would become law. The DNR would become even more emasculated than it already is. Governor Doyle's "Conserve Wisconsin" conservation agenda would become a thing of the past instead of a hopeful start in the right direction. We need to work very hard during the upcoming political season to make sure we do not end up with "the Governor from Green Bay".

"green vision" for green bay???

Today, Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett said its time for Milwaukee to "think green" and he released his "Green Vision" for the city. The most interesting part about his efforts are the formation of a "Milwaukee Green Team", the recommendation that the city purchase "renewable energy blocks" and encourage citizens to do the same, an effort to form "Green Industry Clusters", and the formation of an Office on Sustainability. He also seems to be trying to deal with the issue of Milwaukee's storm sewer run-off problems.

To read today's announcement from Mayor Barrett go HERE.

I think Green Bay's environmental community needs to work with our own mayor to develop a similar vision for Green Bay, especially considering all of the new construction that is planned for downtown. Hey, that's POSSible!!!

eddy out,
rich

Save Energy at Home

Worried about high energy costs this winter? Do you want to talk to someone about what you can do about it? Interested in energy solutions for Wisconsin?

Monday, November 14th, 6:30 pm

Downtown Library—Green Bay, 515 Pine Street

The constant change in fossil fuel prices is creating concerns for citizens in Green Bay and across the nation. Right now, the State is working on energy legislation that may help create some energy independence for Wisconsin. One program already in place to help is the Focus on Energy program—the State’s energy conservation and research program which offers advice and financial assistance to energy customers.

On Monday evening, a Doug Meek from the Focus on Energy program will be giving an informational session geared towards homeowners and individuals who are concerned about saving money this winter or in future home projects. He will talk about how to reduce energy usage in your homes as well as what types of grants the Focus on Energy program offers to help weatherize and update your homes.

Please join us on Monday, November 14^th at 6:30 pm to learn more about what you can do to conserve energy this winter and in the future. (The program will last about 1-1.5 hours depending on audience questions.)

last week's clean air meeting

I thought last week's Pulliam plant clean air meeting at the Brown County Library was quite successful. There were at least 40 people in attendance and most were very eager to talk about this topic.

The most effective part of the meeting was the presentation made by Green Bay pediatrician Ellen Neuhaus. She spoke very eloquently about the increase in health problems caused by dirty air, especially the problems posed by coal. I totally agreed with her comments about the contamination of fish. She reminded us that EVERY lake and waterway in Wisconsin is under a mercury fish contamination advisory. Dr. Neuhaus was dismayed that people are not furious about this. We have this food source that should be incredibly nutritious and healthy but we have to worry about being poisoned by it. She's right. People SHOULD be furious. This great food source has been "taken" from us.

For more information about the health effects of dirty power plants, go to http://www.cleartheair.org/dirtypower/

eddy out,
rich

pulliam power plant meeting

A community meeting to discuss Green Bay’s air will be held at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 7, in the lower level of the Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St., Green Bay. This meeting is being organized by the Sierra Club and Clean Wisconsin.

neo-Ludditism

I recently had a Press-Gazette letter to the editor about the Pulliam plant. My letter basically said the same things as my posts here. In yesterday's letters there was a response! I think this guy is calling me a Luddite. Cool. I always wanted to be a Luddite.

happy sunday,
rich

pulliam emission data

In a recent Green Bay Press-Gazette article, (Oct. 21, 2005), Ed Newman, the Pulliam plant's environmental services director said that "we don't emit smog or soot". (see previous post) Technically, he is correct. But, this is a matter of language and definitions. He might as well have said "we don't emit any junk". So just what IS emitted by the Pulliam power plant? It all depends on what your definition of is is.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 2004 Air Emission Inventory (AEI) data is hot off the press and the most current pollution data available. According to the 2004 AEI, Pulliam emissions in 2004 are as follows:

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx) - 16,066,600 pounds
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2) - 13,706,060 pounds
• Particulate matter - 1,268,529 pounds
• Mercury - 93 pounds

Particulate matter is sometimes referred to as soot; nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides can interact to form particles that some people also refer to as soot; and nitrogen oxides can form ozone which some people refer to as smog. None of that is important because they are just different names for air pollution that causes asthma and heart attacks. Mercury is also a potent neurotoxin that robs children of their ability to think and learn.

The Pulliam Plant:

• Emits more nitrogen oxides than all other industries in Brown County combined. That includes all the paper mills.
• Emits more particulate matter than any other Brown County facility.
• Is second in Brown County for sulfur dioxide emissions.
• Puts out 32% more mercury than all other Brown County industries combined.

The bottom line: The Pulliam plant is the largest source of air pollution that causes asthma and heart attacks in Brown County, as well as the largest source of mercury in Brown County. They refuse to install readily-available technology that can cut all of that pollution by 90% or more. Worse yet, they have been breaking the law for years by spewing too much pollution into our air.

The solution to all of this is to install the technology that allows us to cleanly burn coal. At the same time, Green Bay needs to develop alternative energy sources that are locally produced, off the grid, clean, and sustainable.

DO SOMETHING: attend Great Lakes hearing

This Tuesday, Nov. 1, the International Joint Commission is holding a meeting/hearing on Great Lakes water quality. Today's Press Gazette's editorial page has a good editorial on this topic and provides the meeting information:

Editorial: You can help clean up the Great Lakes

THEGreenGUIDE Online Open House

October 24th-30th
Get Free Access to all premium content
Win Organic Turkey

That's right. The Green Guide - your source for healthy living tips, eco-friendly product advice and green home news - is holding an Open House online from October 24th -30th. Please help spread the word. Let everyone on your list know ALL The Green Guide's online content is FREE for them to browse for any 24 hour stretch during that week.

The idea for the open house came from a reader who, increasingly concerned about environmental and health issues, wanted to introduce people she knows and cares about to The Green Guide and its ever-expanding information base of eco-friendly and healthier products for the home and beyond. For her, The Green Guide's an indispensable resource, the place she goes time and time again, to look up which fish has the least mercury, where to get a PBDE-free mattress (PBDEs may cause nervous system damage in kids), what are the safest cleaning products to use, and the better ways to grill...

We hope you'll want to share The Green Guide for a day with the people you know and care about too. And if you purchase a gift subscription during Open House week, we'll include your name and the gift recipient's name in our "Holiday Raffle." You (and they) could win not a boat, or car or cruise, but a delicious Organic Prairie turkey that we promise to deliver in time for Thanksgiving! And they'll receive our absolutely fabulous special buying guide issue (chock full with more than 100 top product picks for 2006) free.

So spread the word with our thanks.

Wendy Gordon, Publisher, and Mindy Pennybacker, Editor

pg pulliam plant article

On Friday, the Press Gazette ran an article about the Pulliam power plant lawsuit.

I couldn't BELIEVE some of Ed Newman's (WPS Pulliam environmental services director) comments!

He used his grandchildren as pawns in the discussion about the lawsuit filed against the Pulliam power plant. Newman said, “I haven’t seen their lawsuit yet, but I know we’re not putting any children at risk. I have five grandchildren who live right in this area. Would I defend something that put my grandchildren at risk?”

His grandchildren could not live anywhere without being at risk. Mercury (from coal plants) and other toxins circulate the globe. Living in Green Bay may put them at more risk than usual. We are put under DNR Air Quality Index alerts many days of the year. Every waterway in Wisconsin is under a mercury contamination advisory.

His grandchildren’s cognitive and physical development may already have been hampered by their unwitting exposure to mercury, soot, and thousands of other chemical pollutants in our environment. I think Newman should send in samples of his grandchildren’s hair to be tested for mercury. He may be alarmed at what he discovers. Instead of defending one of the dirtiest power plants around, he may be inspired to use his position to move Green Bay into a future based upon clean, renewable, and sustainable energy sources. Exposure to toxins is not something his grandchildren should have to put up with.

The technology to burn coal very cleanly exists. The Pulliam plant should no longer be allowed to break the law.

Newman also said that "we don't emit smog or soot". I will post the data on THIS in the near future. By the way, why do I have to look up that information. Isn't that reporter Terry Anderson's job?

Conservation Listening Session

In February of 2005, the conservation community of Wisconsin released the Wisconsin Conservation Briefing Book to legislators. This book represented a united agenda for air, land and water protections from Wisconsin’s conservation, environmental and sporting organizations. The Briefing Book provides details and recommended solutions for the most important conservation issues facing the state legislature through 2005 and 2006 and has been a critical resource in setting the agenda for strong conservation and environmental policy in Wisconsin. The 2005 Briefing Book was delivered to legislators during Conservation Lobby Day in February, where over a hundred concerned citizens from across the state converged on the capital to discuss conservation issues with their legislators.

Now, nearly half-way through the current legislative session, it's time to update the Conservation Briefing Book to reflect new issues. We're looking for your ideas.

Please join the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters and organizations and citizens from the Green Bay/Appleton area in a conservation listening session. You can help us make sure our state's legislative agenda reflects Wisconsin’s strong conservation ethic and protects our air, land and natural places.

What are the most pressing conservation issues in Wisconsin? How are they affecting Fox Valley residents? How can the state legislature fix them? Come and share your ideas.

Listening sessions will be held throughout the state. Details for the Green Bay/Appleton listening session:

Conservation Briefing Book Listening Session
Tuesday, October 11, 6:30PM-8:30PM
Green Bay Public Library, Downtown
515 Pine Street
Green Bay

RSVP requested. Call Jessica at (920) 429-9008, or email jessica@conservationvoters.org .

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

View the current Conservation Briefing Book at: http://www.conservationvoters.org/brbk05/index.shtml

Save the Date!
The updated Briefing Book that you'll help prepare will be delivered to legislators on January 25, 2006. Reserve the day to come to Madison to meet one-on-one with your Senator and Representative. Stay tuned for more details!

Green Drinks

THE GRIST LIST mentions "Green Drinks" !!

So THAT'S why we meet there.

I will be posting details about the next Green Bay "Green Drinks" meeting in the near future.

after oil

Last week, I sent a message to all of my co-workers asking them for any copies of the August 2005 National Geographic. The magazine has an article, FUTURE POWER, and a cover photo of two old "dry" gas pumps with the caption "After Oil". I am going to use the article in my environmental science class. One person who read the article talked to me about how he is very concerned about this topic, even to the point of losing sleep over it. I am sure he is concerned first and foremost about the future world his children are going to grow up in. He was also wondering what people can do about this situation.

Basically, world oil production has peaked, or will do so in the very near future, and every new barrel is going to be more difficult and more expensive to find and extract. We are running out of oil. Oil is the very fabric of the economy and lifestyle we have created. We currently swim in it in many ways. The world, especially the United States, is not prepared for the changes to come. It is going to be a very serious problem, though NOT worth losing sleep over. NOTHING is worth losing sleep over. There are solutions to this problem. Europe is light years ahead of the U.S. in terms of looking towards an oil free future. Even in America, there are pockets of hope.


In Portland, Oregon, a 35 block neighborhood may become the first urban neighborhood to cut itself off of the fossil fuel power grid. (Can you see this happening in Green Bay?)

There are already calls for re-building New Orleans in a sustainable manner.

In Wisconsin, the Citizens Energy Cooperative offers citizens the opportunity to invest in, purchase, and expand the use of renewable energy resources.

Yes! magazine has a great special issue out called "Can We Live Without OIL?" . It offers many ideas and resources for living in an oil-free economy.

Despite what most people think, there is a lot of potential in locally produced alternative energy sources.

Sales of gus-sucking SUVs are finally declining while there are waiting lists for hybrids.


Actually, the "end of oil" gives me reason to be optimistic about our future. The transition is not going to be easy, but can you imagine the future if we did NOT run out of oil? We may finally be FORCED into building sustainable and pollution-free communities.

I saw a powerful movie a couple of weeks ago called "The End of Suburbia" that dealt with these exact issues. It also warns that people are not ready for the "shit-storm" that is about to come and that our over-extended, resource-sucking, petroleum-driven suburbs may indeed become the "slums of the future". If you have not seen it, it is well worth your time. I know that some local libraries have a copy. (And I now have a copy.) Basically, the movie is about how our oil dependency crisis has been caused by our consumptive suburban culture and in order to deal with the end of the age of oil, we need to become a nation of city dwellers and to make our cities places that are enjoyable places to live and work.

The importance of cities is something that environmentalists have realized for a long time. After all, if everyone moved to the country, it wouldn't be the country anymore. Audubon magazine had an article about this topic a couple of years ago called "Real Enviros Live in Town". A huge part of the solution to our most serious environmental problems is to eat (but not meat!), work, shop, grow food, produce energy, and breathe LOCALLY! In order to make this work, our cities need to be exciting places to live and work.

Which brings me to the topic of Green Bay. Local environmentalists (including myself) need to be more concerned about the development of our downtown. Currently, more businesses seem to be leaving the city for suburban profits than coming into our city. This is actually an environmental issue. We need to participate in the downtown development discussion and help Green Bay develop an exciting (And did someone say sustainable?) downtown where people want to hang out and live and work.

thinking of new orleans,
rich

fox river cleanup

The Duluth News Tribune recently had this article about the paper company / insurance company battles over the Fox River cleanup: "Insurance firms, paper mills fight over Fox River cleanup bill". It was brought to my attention by the blog "BABBLEMUR!". I don't need to comment because BABBLEMUR did. 'nuf said

DO SOMETHING: Great Lakes

The bulletin below is taken from a recent email sent out by the Wisconsin InterNetwork. If you would like to become involved with many Wisconsin environmental issues, their list is a great one to become a part of. Also, for two great reads about the Great Lakes, go to:
*THE GREAT LAKES (The Detroit News)
*Greatest Lakes in the World (National Wildlife)

DO SOMETHING !!
Help protect the Great Lakes.

ACTION NEEDED:
Please attend an upcoming public hearing on the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact in Green Bay (Ashwaubenon) and ask Governor Doyle to strengthen the pact in order to protect the Great Lakes.

August 29- Ashwaubenon 5-8pm
Ashwaubenon Village Hall
Council Chamber
2155 Holmgren Way
Enter the north public entry.
Open House - 5:00-5:30 (Comment forms and DNR staff will be available.)
Formal Presentation - 5:30, followed by public comment period.

It is important to attend the hearings as a visible demonstration of support. However, if you cannot attend the hearings, submitting your comments to Governor Doyle will make a big impact.

Governor Jim Doyle
Office of the Governor
115 East State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
608-266-1212
608-267-8983 (Fax)

Deadline for responding:
Please take action
by August 29, 2005.

PROBLEM:
The Great Lakes, one of the natural wonders of the world, are a place we call home and the heart of the ecosystem that we rely on for life. The Great Lakes are vast, but they aren't infinite - only one percent of the water in the Lakes is renewed by rainfall and snowmelt every year. The remaining 99 percent is a one-time gift from the retreating glaciers of the world's last ice age. Piping more water out of the Great Lakes without protective standards threatens the future health and supply of fresh water in the Great Lakes drainage basin. It's not a sustainable solution for communities that are using water faster than it can be replenished. Although more than 40 million residents drink it every day, there is no plan that will ensure the long-term protection and sound management of our Great Lakes water. We should all be working to change this.

SOLUTION:
On June 30th, 2005, the bi-partisan governors and premiers of the U.S. states and Canadian provinces that share the Great Lakes released a draft cooperative agreement for the future protection of our waters. The agreement, known as the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact, calls for the responsible use and protection of Great Lakes waters. This binding "responsibility pact" sets rules for the withdrawal of Great Lakes waters and ensures that local communities will have a say on any future diversions of our water to areas outside of the Great Lakes basin. The draft agreement contains many important protections for our Great Lakes, but we must do better.

ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATION IN THIS CAMPAIGN:
1000 Friends of Wisconsin
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
Citizens for Safe Water
Around Badger
Clean Wisconsin
Environmental Defense
League of Conservation Voters
League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
Madison Audubon Society
River Alliance of Wisconsin
Sierra Club, John Muir Chapter
Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Institute
Wisconsin Wetlands Association

DO SOMETHING: Governor's "Conserve Wisconsin" Event

Attend Governor Doyle's announcement of his "Conserve Wisconsin" conservation agenda. This event will take place Thursday, August 18. It would be great to have a nice crowd.

For details, click HERE.

McMansions on the shore

I found a bit of sad news among my emails yesterday morning. The Alexian Brothers Novitiate property (176 acres) along the Red River, near Gresham, is going to be developed and subdivided into 17 private lots. The property is worth millions of dollars. The mansion/novitiate on the site is the one taken over by the Menominee Warrior Society in 1975. For more information about the history of that takeover and the current impending development, see “Gresham Mansion, land to be sold” in yesterday’s Wisconsin State Journal.

Every kayaker and canoeist who lives in Green Bay knows about the Red. It is where many of us learned to paddle whitewater and was even one of the training grounds for Olympic silver medalist and Green Bay native Rebecca Giddens. Besides being a perfect river for teaching and learning, it offers challenges for even the best paddlers. The Red River is a great place for paddling, tubing, swimming, fishing, just hanging out, (as the “locals” and the “Tuesday night paddlers” know too well), and enjoying the company of other people who appreciate rivers. Some of the best people I have ever known, I met on the Red River. What draws a lot of people to this river is just its simple beauty. The historic Novitiate property, with the burned out mansion at this point still standing, is especially beautiful because it borders “Monastery Falls”.

A few years ago I still had some hope that this area would remain undeveloped. There were rumors that a state assemblyman at the time, DuWayne Johnsrud, was going to introduce a bill to set it aside as a state park. Some DNR employees that I know pursued that idea vigorously. I really do think the area, because of its beauty, historical significance, and recreational uses, is worthy of state park status. However, that idea never did come to fruition. (did i just use the word fruition?)

So now, here come the “McMansions” to the shores of the Red River. The rapids will still be there, but there is no way that this development will be good for the river. Even if this developer is planning a perfectly sustainable environmentally correct development with organic farms and wind mills and solar panels and “green construction”, the river will be harmed. The extraction, transport, manufacture, and use of the materials and fossil fuels needed to build these homes will harm ALL rivers. At the site, there will be soil erosion, nutrient loss, loss of forest habitat, increased runoff, a lowering of the water table, more air pollution caused by increased traffic, and more water pollution caused by fertilizer and herbicide use. -And most importantly to me, the site will become much less beautiful. Downright ugly.

I doubt if any environmental group or land trust or the DNR has enough money to buy this property. However, there still may be hope. I situations like this, I am always looking for what can be done and for the smallest glimmer of hope. Maybe President Bush could set aside the area as a national monument. (Fat chance!) Maybe some government entity could use its powers of eminent domain to set aside this natural treasure, but seeing how Town of Richmond Board Chairman Steve Guerths is salivating over the “increased tax base from new homes” (Is he forgetting about all the services these homeowners are going to demand?) and how the Supreme Court has recently made it easier to grab land for mini-mall development than it is to preserve natural areas, I doubt that this will happen.

Maybe somebody will organize a protest campout, ala Cindy Sheehan. If anyone else starts camping, I will be there. We could get Rebecca Giddens to camp out with us and draw some national attention! We could convince the developer to set aside the land as a conservation easement. We could have a demonstration at the auction.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal article, the 1975 dispute was ended when the Alexian Brothers agreed to sell the land to the Menominee Tribe (whose land it was initially) for one dollar. The dollar was delivered, but the land was never signed over to the Tribe. Maybe it is time for the Tribe to step in and claim their deed, and for the Alexian Brothers to step in and do the right thing. Maybe.

eddy out,
rich

welcome

Happy August everyone! I am starting this blog for a few reasons. First of all I feel it is needed and could be helpful. Secondly, it will give a few very good area environmental commentators a popular forum in which to express themselves. I plan to invite area writers to be official contributors to this blog. They will be introduced as they start posting. Also, for some strange reason, I am curiously attracted to blogs and their current raging popularity. They may be just a fad but for now they are turning out to be a very useful way to encourage discussion and disseminate information, especially among young people. Anyone will be allowed to post comments, but we will be doing some moderating.

If anyone knows of a similar forum or blog that is already out there, please let me know. I have no need to be the only one doing this and would gladly become a part of what is already being done or would simply close down this particular blog.

For now, this blog is posted on blogger.com. My goal, within the next year or so, is to have it posted on an independent server such as these two well known blogs:

*The Vast Dairy State Conspiracy
*DAILY KOS

If anyone reading this in the Green Bay area has the technical know-how and would be willing to help me set up an independent blog, please contact me!

eddy out,
rich