NatureWise program to provide 10% of power
Green Bay Press-Gazette
February 18, 2006
By Terry Anderson
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Thursday, February 16, 2006
no "green drinks" tonight
Kavarna is closing at 4:00 PM today due to the weather (wimps!) and so there will not be a Kavarna "Green Drinks" tonight.
Orange and blue and then grey
The frosty twilight comes down
Through the thin trees. The fresh snow
Holds the light longer than the sky.
-Kenneth Rexroth, poet
ooo-oh that smell
Last Tuesday afternoon, there was a horribly obnoxious smell throughout Green Bay. I thought that there was a natural gas leak somewhere and my neighbor thought that someone was burning garbage in their fireplace. When Wednesday morning's paper came out, the mystery was solved. Apparently, the Kaukauna paper mill smells were reaching Green Bay for only the second time in 29 years! Green Bay residents can be grateful that they do not live in Kaukauna.
According to Patrick Schillinger, president of the Wisconsin Paper Council, an industry trade association, "there's nothing dangerous about" the smell. Sorry Pat, but I am not so sure we should take your word for it.
Here is the Press-Gazette article:
Paper mill odor wafts north, confuses some
Can an odor "waft"? I know that people can waft, in order to detect an odor, but can the odor itself waft? I don't think so. It can be wafted, but it can't waft.
I was one of the confused. That is not saying much though as I am perpetually confused.
eddy out,
rich
According to Patrick Schillinger, president of the Wisconsin Paper Council, an industry trade association, "there's nothing dangerous about" the smell. Sorry Pat, but I am not so sure we should take your word for it.
Here is the Press-Gazette article:
Paper mill odor wafts north, confuses some
Can an odor "waft"? I know that people can waft, in order to detect an odor, but can the odor itself waft? I don't think so. It can be wafted, but it can't waft.
I was one of the confused. That is not saying much though as I am perpetually confused.
eddy out,
rich
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Local DNR hearing deceived the public
This is a guest column sent to us by Steve Abitz.
A People's Forum letter commending Sen. (Alan) Lasee's DNR public hearing is laughable. The hearing was a setup. The results are intended to deceive the public.
The setup: The hearing occurred on a weekday, during the day, so most people could not attend. There was no speaker time limit. Those with an anecdotal DNR ax to grind could talk forever, and some did for 25 minutes. Speaker order was manipulated by letting those in favor of Lasee's agenda speak first. No one in opposition spoke the first hour, after which the TV media (shame on them) left and only one side of the story was aired.
The deception: Lasee's hearing was about personnel and communication problems in the DNR. Budget and personnel cuts, favored by Lasee, are the sources of these problems. He's using the hearing as a ploy to re-weaken Wisconsin's already weakened wetland regulations. It's a total disconnect.
Like ex-U.S. Speaker Tom DeLay, Lasee despises all governmental regulations.
Like DeLay, Lasee is a slave to the corporate and business agenda.
Like DeLay, Lasee has deceived the public and betrayed their interests.
Like DeLay, Lasee deserves the same fate.
Steve Abitz
A People's Forum letter commending Sen. (Alan) Lasee's DNR public hearing is laughable. The hearing was a setup. The results are intended to deceive the public.
The setup: The hearing occurred on a weekday, during the day, so most people could not attend. There was no speaker time limit. Those with an anecdotal DNR ax to grind could talk forever, and some did for 25 minutes. Speaker order was manipulated by letting those in favor of Lasee's agenda speak first. No one in opposition spoke the first hour, after which the TV media (shame on them) left and only one side of the story was aired.
The deception: Lasee's hearing was about personnel and communication problems in the DNR. Budget and personnel cuts, favored by Lasee, are the sources of these problems. He's using the hearing as a ploy to re-weaken Wisconsin's already weakened wetland regulations. It's a total disconnect.
Like ex-U.S. Speaker Tom DeLay, Lasee despises all governmental regulations.
Like DeLay, Lasee is a slave to the corporate and business agenda.
Like DeLay, Lasee has deceived the public and betrayed their interests.
Like DeLay, Lasee deserves the same fate.
Steve Abitz
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Walks with Charlie - Dec/Jan
This is a guest column from Charlie Frisk.
This is the first of what is hoped to be monthly phenology reports from Baird Creek. I hike the trails at Baird Creek two to three times a week and I am always fascinated with the seasonal changes. If any of you have contributions that you would like to make to this column e-mail them to kathyf44@netzero.net
Late December, early January reports
On Dec. 23 I observed a pileated woodpecker in the park for only the second time. The pileated was observed on the high ground just above the hemlock grove, the same location it was seen two years ago. Two years ago I was watching one pileated and heard another one in the distance so hopefully the park has a breeding pair. I have observed pileated excavations in many locations in the park. The pileated work can be easily identified because the holes are roughly rectangular and much deeper and larger than those of other woodpeckers.
This year was a bumper acorn crop. Oaks typically have three lean years followed by a bumper year. The lean years depress the squirrel and chipmunk populations so that in the bumper year many of the acorns go uneaten and have a chance to become great oaks. When there was still snow on the ground it was easy to see where deer had dug down through the snow and leaves to get to the acorns on the forest floor. During the lean years almost every acorn is eaten or stored away by squirrels or chipmunks as soon as they hit the ground. This year there are still acorns lying around on the forest floor in January.
On January 1st I observed skunk cabbage and marsh marigolds poking through the ground in the seeps at Christa McAuliffe Park. Gary Fewless, (botany professor from UWGB), said that when very cold weather such as we had in early December is followed by a period of above freezing temps like we had in late December that these plants are tricked into thinking spring has come. He said the skunk cabbage are well adapted to sub-freezing temps and will not be hurt, but the marsh marigolds will not survive their early adventures. Only a couple of marsh marigolds pushed through but Gary said that in years where large numbers of plants are fooled into sprouting early the population can be greatly depressed the following spring due to the die off.
This is the first of what is hoped to be monthly phenology reports from Baird Creek. I hike the trails at Baird Creek two to three times a week and I am always fascinated with the seasonal changes. If any of you have contributions that you would like to make to this column e-mail them to kathyf44@netzero.net
Late December, early January reports
On Dec. 23 I observed a pileated woodpecker in the park for only the second time. The pileated was observed on the high ground just above the hemlock grove, the same location it was seen two years ago. Two years ago I was watching one pileated and heard another one in the distance so hopefully the park has a breeding pair. I have observed pileated excavations in many locations in the park. The pileated work can be easily identified because the holes are roughly rectangular and much deeper and larger than those of other woodpeckers.
This year was a bumper acorn crop. Oaks typically have three lean years followed by a bumper year. The lean years depress the squirrel and chipmunk populations so that in the bumper year many of the acorns go uneaten and have a chance to become great oaks. When there was still snow on the ground it was easy to see where deer had dug down through the snow and leaves to get to the acorns on the forest floor. During the lean years almost every acorn is eaten or stored away by squirrels or chipmunks as soon as they hit the ground. This year there are still acorns lying around on the forest floor in January.
On January 1st I observed skunk cabbage and marsh marigolds poking through the ground in the seeps at Christa McAuliffe Park. Gary Fewless, (botany professor from UWGB), said that when very cold weather such as we had in early December is followed by a period of above freezing temps like we had in late December that these plants are tricked into thinking spring has come. He said the skunk cabbage are well adapted to sub-freezing temps and will not be hurt, but the marsh marigolds will not survive their early adventures. Only a couple of marsh marigolds pushed through but Gary said that in years where large numbers of plants are fooled into sprouting early the population can be greatly depressed the following spring due to the die off.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
conservation lobby day 2006
Last Wednesday, I took the opportunity to participate in Conservation Lobby Day, organized by the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters (WLCV). It was definitely a worthwhile trip.
There were about 270 participants, more than twice as many as last year. From what I could tell, about 10 people from the Green Bay area were there to lobby their legislators about environmental issues. The day was extremely well organized, had a relaxed pace, and offered several other events to participate in. Each group of citizen lobbyists was assigned a lead professional lobbyist to help guide them through the process and to help with talking points. No bribes were exchanged!!
Many kudos to Green Bay’s own WLCV staffer Jessica Garrels for helping to organize a day that went off without a hitch!! (-and for making EXCELLENT announcements!)
I had the chance to meet with two aides from Senator Rob Cowles’ office, and then met with Assemblyman Phil Montgomery. It did raise the eyebrows of Cowles’ staff members when seven constituents sat down in his office. I don’t think they expected to see that many. In both of my meetings, we discussed the importance of improving the current state energy bill, protecting children from mercury pollution, raising state tipping fees, and a variety of other conservation issues.
Perhaps the most exciting part about the day was meeting and spending the day with all the other people there who share the same concerns about environmental issues. Events like this are always energizing.
In Green Bay, environmentalists have a lot of lobbying to do!! We really have only one state legislator who consistently votes for the environment: Senator Dave Hansen. He deserves our support and thanks. Other than that, we are represented by some of the worst, including Alan Lasee. My own Assemblyman, Montgomery, had a dismal WLCV score of 27% during the last legislative session and has only voted pro-environment ONCE during the current session, out of fifteen chances to do so.
In both of my meetings, I asked for my representatives’ thoughts as to why they think environmental politics in this state has become so partisan. In general, Democrats are pro-environment while Republicans vote against it. At least that is the perception. Sometimes, perception IS reality. Both offices blamed the situation on the efforts of the special interest groups, such as the Sierra Club and WLCV. That argument is a crock. If I didn’t want to keep the meetings “positive” I would have responded by screaming, “You’ve got to be kidding!”
First of all, judging by all the “anti-environment” legislation that has been put forward in recent years, I would have to say that the conservation “special interest” groups don’t have all that much influence (yet). Secondly, the environmental groups in this state make every effort to be nonpartisan. If the WLCV gives you a low score, you deserve it. They listen to a huge variety of conservation groups in order to decide what legislative votes “count”. They include long-time Republicans on their board and look at MANY votes that impact the environment. In the past, a few Republicans have received very high scores. The fault for the partisanship on these issues lies with the Republicans. It is their recent legislative attacks on the environment that have energized the citizen based conservation special interest groups. The leaders of the Assembly and Senate are two viciously anti-conservation attack dogs: John Gard and Alan Lasee, both Republicans.
The WLCV does a remarkable job of making it very easy to find out how your state legislator has been voting on environmental issues. Go to their website and click on “SCORECARD” and “VOTE TRACKER”.
I look forward to attending “Lobby Day” next year. What is my advice for the rest of you who make the trip to Madison? Don’t skip the “After Lobby Day Social”. That is when the REAL lobbying begins. Next year, according to WLCV’s Anne Sayers, we are going to have 500 participants! (I THINK she was the one who said that.)
eddy out,
rich
There were about 270 participants, more than twice as many as last year. From what I could tell, about 10 people from the Green Bay area were there to lobby their legislators about environmental issues. The day was extremely well organized, had a relaxed pace, and offered several other events to participate in. Each group of citizen lobbyists was assigned a lead professional lobbyist to help guide them through the process and to help with talking points. No bribes were exchanged!!
Many kudos to Green Bay’s own WLCV staffer Jessica Garrels for helping to organize a day that went off without a hitch!! (-and for making EXCELLENT announcements!)
I had the chance to meet with two aides from Senator Rob Cowles’ office, and then met with Assemblyman Phil Montgomery. It did raise the eyebrows of Cowles’ staff members when seven constituents sat down in his office. I don’t think they expected to see that many. In both of my meetings, we discussed the importance of improving the current state energy bill, protecting children from mercury pollution, raising state tipping fees, and a variety of other conservation issues.
Perhaps the most exciting part about the day was meeting and spending the day with all the other people there who share the same concerns about environmental issues. Events like this are always energizing.
In Green Bay, environmentalists have a lot of lobbying to do!! We really have only one state legislator who consistently votes for the environment: Senator Dave Hansen. He deserves our support and thanks. Other than that, we are represented by some of the worst, including Alan Lasee. My own Assemblyman, Montgomery, had a dismal WLCV score of 27% during the last legislative session and has only voted pro-environment ONCE during the current session, out of fifteen chances to do so.
In both of my meetings, I asked for my representatives’ thoughts as to why they think environmental politics in this state has become so partisan. In general, Democrats are pro-environment while Republicans vote against it. At least that is the perception. Sometimes, perception IS reality. Both offices blamed the situation on the efforts of the special interest groups, such as the Sierra Club and WLCV. That argument is a crock. If I didn’t want to keep the meetings “positive” I would have responded by screaming, “You’ve got to be kidding!”
First of all, judging by all the “anti-environment” legislation that has been put forward in recent years, I would have to say that the conservation “special interest” groups don’t have all that much influence (yet). Secondly, the environmental groups in this state make every effort to be nonpartisan. If the WLCV gives you a low score, you deserve it. They listen to a huge variety of conservation groups in order to decide what legislative votes “count”. They include long-time Republicans on their board and look at MANY votes that impact the environment. In the past, a few Republicans have received very high scores. The fault for the partisanship on these issues lies with the Republicans. It is their recent legislative attacks on the environment that have energized the citizen based conservation special interest groups. The leaders of the Assembly and Senate are two viciously anti-conservation attack dogs: John Gard and Alan Lasee, both Republicans.
The WLCV does a remarkable job of making it very easy to find out how your state legislator has been voting on environmental issues. Go to their website and click on “SCORECARD” and “VOTE TRACKER”.
I look forward to attending “Lobby Day” next year. What is my advice for the rest of you who make the trip to Madison? Don’t skip the “After Lobby Day Social”. That is when the REAL lobbying begins. Next year, according to WLCV’s Anne Sayers, we are going to have 500 participants! (I THINK she was the one who said that.)
eddy out,
rich
Friday, January 27, 2006
(from the Green Bay Press Gazette, 1/27/06)
Guest column: Strong state energy bill needed
Guest column: Strong state energy bill needed
Energy is one of the most important issues facing our state and our nation.
Local governments and businesses, just like families, have seen energy costs skyrocket in recent years. Prices for heating bills are expected to increase by 40 percent this winter.
Those additional costs will encourage more cuts to government programs and services, will diminish the competitiveness and profitability of area businesses, and will weigh heavily on many families in our community. All in all, energy costs are taking a bigger bite than they should.
Our current energy choices have consequences for our quality of life as well. In Green Bay, we know the negative impacts of traditional sources of power on our property, recreation and natural resources like the bay and local lakes and streams. Locally, coal dust has created problems for homeowners and boat owners, not to mention folks who like to spend time outdoors.
Additionally, burning the coal produces mercury as a byproduct, resulting in mercury advisories for all in-state waters in Wisconsin, raising health concerns among anglers who catch fish for consumption.
Wisconsin needs a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Energy efficiency and renewable energy not only reduce the impact on the environment and public health, but have economic advantages as well.
Fiscal audits of our state's energy efficiency program, called the Public Benefits Fund and Focus on Energy, have found that for every dollar invested in these programs, you save at least $3 on energy bills. The cheapest and cleanest energy is that which you never have to generate. From a business perspective, these efforts save money and make "cents."
One source of renewable energy is wind. Wind power is not only pollution free, but is cost competitive with fossil fuels.
Once the initial investment is made, there are no fuel costs. Rather than exporting over $6 billion a year in fuel purchases because Wisconsin has no coal, natural gas or uranium deposits, we could be investing in wind-energy projects that can generate revenue for farmers and local communities.
The good news is that after several years of study, the state is now considering legislation, Senate Bill 459, that would establish a statewide goal of obtaining 10 percent of our energy from renewables by 2015. Not only is this goal attainable, but it is consistent with states around the U.S., including Minnesota, Texas, Colorado and Hawaii. The bill would also protect the money in the Public Benefits Fund from future government raids. Earlier this year, the village of Ashwaubenon and the Brown County Board passed resolutions supporting these goals.
While the intention of the bill is a good first step, the current version would close the door on future energy efficiency and renewables by letting the state off the hook for having to do anything more on these issues for the next decade. Rather than making this effort a floor, it could create a ceiling. Not only is that shortsighted, but it puts Wisconsin at an economic disadvantage if we want to remain competitive and sell ourselves as leaders on cutting edge energy policy and technology. Also, the legislation currently caps the amount of money for the Public Benefits Fund at levels that are less than half of its potential — this funding is not only effective, but in high demand and should be allowed to grow.
There is still time to change all this. Our local senator, Robert Cowles, is chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, and is working to offer a substitute bill that would clean up the current draft; the committee was expected to hold a public hearing at the Capitol this month. We applaud Sen. Cowles for his efforts on this bill and encourage him to continue working with members of the committee to ensure that this bill is as strong as it should be.
If we do not make this bill live up to its potential, we will have missed an important opportunity to move Wisconsin towards a cleaner energy future.
A-A Exteriors, Jeffrey Knutson, Winneconne; Bay Towel Linen and Uniform Rental, Paul Linzmeyer, Green Bay; C & F Repairs, Chris Fritsch, Hilbert; Highland Building Consultants LLC, Douglas Meek, Green Bay; and Sagrillo Power & Light, Mick Sagrillo, Forestville.
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