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