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DEFENDING ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA
February 14
"To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival" Wendell Berry
(1) DEMOCRACY: Victory on Campaign Finance Reform!
(2) BIRD-DOGGING: Activists Give Bush "Rocky" Reception in Colorado
(3) CLEAN AIR: Washington D.C. Makes "Capitol" Improvement to City Bus Fleet (4) ENERGY: Take Action for a Cleaner, Cheaper, and Safer Energy Future
1. Victory on Campaign Finance Reform!
Members of the House of Representatives did the right thing this morning, voting by 240-191 to pass the Shays-Meehan bill - without the dreaded "poison pill" amendments that might have scuttled it. The Sierra Club was deeply involved in the push for reform right up to the eleventh hour: check out the picture of Club Deputy Political Director Deanna White - with John McCain, Dick Gephardt, Russ Feingold, and Martin Meehan - on the front page of today's Washington Post. Way to go Deanna!
Obstacles still exist: the bill now heads back to the Senate, where its arch-foe Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has vowed to lead a filibuster. But the House vote is a major step towards getting big money and big corporations like Enron out of politics, and that's great news for the environment.
To find out how your representative voted, go to https://www.sierraclub.org/votewatch/2002/shays-meehan.asp
2. Activists Give Bush "Rocky" Reception in Colorado
President Bush addressed a cattle industry convention this week in Colorado, but he couldn't avoid a group of local citizens and Sierra Club members, who drew attention to the administration's irresponsible and ineffective energy plan, and other environmentally damaging policies.
Holding signs and banners, the group called for a cleaner, cheaper, and safer energy plan, which protects America's unique wild lands. "While he is here, the President should look around at the beautiful public lands that are threatened by his short-sighted, Enron-influenced energy policy proposals," said Steve Smith, the Club's associate Southwest regional representative. Let's hope the President takes that advice!
For more information on this story, go to https://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1002,53%257E390735,00.html?search=filter
3. Washington D.C. Makes "Capital" Improvement to City Bus Fleet
Residents of the nation's capital will breathe easier from here on, thanks to this week's unveiling of 164 new natural gas buses. The arrival of the buses - which emit 90% less soot than their diesel counterparts - will come as a relief to the 32,000 capital residents who suffer from asthma.
The move came after the Sierra Club and other environmentalists waged a spirited campaign to clean up the country's fifth largest bus system, eventually winning the crucial support of Mayor Anthony Williams and Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. The next step? Ensuring that the D.C. transit authority keeps to its pledge to upgrade the city's 1,432 remaining diesel buses.
For more information on this story, go to https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60314-2002Feb11.html
4. Take Action for a Cleaner, Cheaper, and Safer Energy Future
First, the Bush Administration brought us its Enron-influenced energy plan, which would destroy some of our most beautiful places and increase global warming pollution. Then yesterday, it unveiled its "global warming plan", which does not mandate emissions reductions, instead allowing industry to emit more or less pollution depending on the state of the economy!
America deserves better, and you can make sure we get it. The Daschle Senate energy bill, which will be debated when congress returns from next week's recess, creates a framework for a cleaner, cheaper, and safer energy future, but it needs strengthening. Here's what to do: 1) Set up district meetings while your Senators are home over the recess this week (February 18-22), and urge them to strengthen the Daschle Senate energy bill. 2) Click below for more information on strengthening the Daschle bill, and to send a message to your Senators on the subject. There's even a draft provided!
https://www.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=57&rf=-57999
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." John Muir
(1) OLYMPICS: Games Open as Air Pollution Triggers Public Health Fears
(2) ENERGY: Darden and Joe's Fuel-Efficient Adventure
(3) WILD FORESTS: Conservationists Preserve Massive Area in Bitteroot National Forest
(4) CONGRESS: "Eco-Terrorism" Hearings to Open Today
(5) TAKE ACTION: Crucial Week for Campaign Finance Reform
1. Games Open as Air Pollution Triggers Public Health Fears
The Olympics opened in Salt Lake City last week during one of Utah's "air inversions", during which air pollution is trapped in Utah's valleys. Last Monday was officially a red, 'unhealthy' day. On several occasions during inversions, Utah's hospital emergency rooms have been crowded with asthmatic children.
The Sierra Club, which has criticized Olympic officials for giving short shrift to public transportation and instead obtaining 4000 polluting SUVs, called on Utah's drivers and visitors to the Games to use what little mass transit there is. The Club has also been spear-heading opposition to Governor Leavitt's proposed 125-mile Legacy Highway, which would only increase air pollution and sprawl from automobile use.
For more information, go to: https://lists.sierraclub.org/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?A2=ind0202&L=ce-scnews-releases&D=1&T=0&H=1&O=D&F &S=&P=220
2. Darden and Joe's Fuel-Efficient Adventure
The results are in! Darden Rice and Joe Murphy wrapped up their tour of Florida last week, after criss-crossing the state, Darden in a hybrid Toyota Prius and Joe in a gas-guzzling GMC Yukon SUV. And over the 700-plus mile journey, in addition to spewing out way more global warming pollution, Joe's SUV made him fork out almost three times as much on gas compared to Darden's Prius. No surprises there!
The tour attracted the attention of county commissioners, mayors, fellow activists, and the news media, as it made stops in Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville, and Tallahassee. You can still check it out it out on the web at https://www.sierraclub.org/roadtrip/
3. Conservationists Preserve Massive Area in Bitteroot National Forest
After a marathon negotiating session with Forest Service officials and the timber industry, Sierra Club activists and their allies in Montana applauded a decision to exempt 27,000 acres of the Bitteroot National Forest from a controversial logging plan. By scaling back the size of the area to be logged, the decision will greatly limit the damage to important fish and wildlife habitats and watershed areas, which were targeted by the timber industry after fires swept through in the summer of 2000.
Sierra Club President Jennifer Ferenstein was present throughout the grueling 36 hour mediation process. "The original plan was a transparent attempt by the Bush Administration to increase commercial logging on our national forests," she said. "The Forest Service must now minimize the damage to the soil, water, and wildlife."
For more information, go to: https://lists.sierraclub.org/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?A2=ind0202&L=ce-scnews-releases&D=1&T=0&H=1&O=D&F
4. "Eco-Terrorism" Hearings to Open Today
So-called "eco-terrorism" got a brief flurry of headlines when Congress announced its intention to hold hearings on the subject this week. As Sierra Club members know, we've always condemned violence, including that done in the name of protecting the environment, and we do not participate in illegal activities. Politicians recognize they get headlines when they join the Sierra Club in denouncing this violence. Last fall, when Rep. Scott McInnis (R-CO) tried to make this an issue, Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope pointed out that the Club had been denouncing violence since long before Rep. McInnis took notice of the topic.
But while they stand with us in condemning "eco-terrorism", some politicians give a disturbing wink and nod to anti-government extremists who use violence and intimidation to wreak havoc on our land. In Montana, where emotions are running high over efforts to conserve sensitive forests and save endangered bull trout, Gov. Judy Marks inflamed the situation by taunting environmentalists while speaking at a loggers' rally. In yesterday's Bozeman Chronicle, writer Todd Wilkinson shined a spotlight on Marks' rhetoric, arguing that those who denounce eco-terrorism must also denounce the right's inflammatory tactics: https://news.mywebpal.com/partners/311/public/news251935.html
5. Take Action: Crucial Week for Campaign Finance Reform
At last, "Armageddon" has arrived! Today the House begins debating legislation to get big money out of politics, and you can help make sure the bill passes.
Remember: the less influence that big corporations wield in our political system, the better for the environment. So contact your representative and urge them to support the Shays-Meehan bill, WITHOUT the "poison pill" amendments that would weaken or kill it. Call them toll-free at 1-800-660-8244. Or send them an email by clicking below. There's even a draft provided: https://www.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=65&rf=-65999
"I believe in God, only I spell it nature." Frank Lloyd Wright
(1) CLEAN AIR: Sierra Club Flags Tyson's "Fowl" Odor
(2) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Club Joins Local Residents in Memphis Fight
(3) ENERGY: New Report by Sierra Club and Allies Slams House Energy Bill
(4) TAKE ACTION: Help Get Big Money out of Politics
1. Sierra Club Flags Tyson's "Fowl" Odor The Sierra Club plans to sue food giant Tyson Foods for not reporting hazardous releases of ammonia from four of its Kentucky chicken factories. The factories are said to release over 100 pounds of ammonia per day, levels which, under both the Superfund law and Community-Right-to-Know laws, must be reported.
Ammonia is toxic. In addition to the stench it creates for local residents, it can trigger respiratory problems and can even be fatal when people breathe it in. Superfund and Community-Right-to-Know laws exist to ensure that people have access to information about toxic pollution in their community.
Tuesday, Sierra Club activists and local citizens created a stink of their own, gathering on the steps of the Louisville federal courthouse in gas masks to highlight the problem. They carried signs that read, "Clean Up Big Chicken" and "We All Need Clean Air".
"Americans ought to know when factory farms are spewing plumes of toxic gases into their community," said Sierra Club attorney Barclay Rogers. "Tyson, unfortunately, acts like it is above the law."
For more information on this story, go to: https://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2002/02/05/ke020502s150354.htm
https://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/2002/02/06/news/state/2614515.htm
https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/kentucky/4085112.htm
2. Sierra Club Joins Local Residents in Memphis Environmental Justice Fight
North Memphis residents are saying enough is enough when it comes to toxic pollution in their neighborhood. Backed by Sierra Club activists, they turned out in force last week at a public meeting to denounce the Velsicol Chemical Corporation for its plans to continue operating an incinerator which spouts cancer-causing chemicals just yards from where their children play.
Singing spirituals, carrying signs, and even passing out t-shirts, community residents got their message out loud and clear to Velsicol, Tennessee's environmental officials, and the throngs of t.v. and newspaper reporters who were there.
The fight for clean air in North Memphis has seen Sierra Club activists come together with local members of the faith community. "This is about justice," said Rev. Balinda Moore, a key opponent of the plant. "One of my neighbors has lung cancer. In the year that one girl has lived here she developed asthma. If Doctor King were alive, he'd be here with us fighting for environmental justice."
For more information on the struggle for justice in Memphis, contact Rita Harris at(901)324 7757
3. New Report by Sierra Club and Allies Slams House Energy Bill
Thought cutting spending was a priority for this government? Not if the money's for the oil, coal, and nuclear power industries. A report released last week by the Sierra Club and other groups shows how the Bush administration's energy bill could double government subsidies to these polluting industries and further jeopardize America's fiscal health.
The report, "Running on Empty: How Environmentally Harmful Energy Subsidies Siphon Billions from Taxpayers," was released by the Sierra Club along with the Arkansas Coalition for Alaska, Friends of the Earth, Taxpayers for Common Sense and Republicans for Environmental Protection. It comes as the Senate prepares to begin debating sweeping energy legislation, which has already passed the House.
These handouts would occur at a time when record surpluses have turned into a potential $100 billion deficit, as Sierra Club representative Randy Zurcher pointed out. "With the tight budget situation we're in, there's a clear challenge here to the Senate to do the right thing and avoid the route the House has taken," Zurcher said.
For more information on this report, contact Randy Zurcher at (501)571 3005
4. Take Action to Get Big Money out of Politics
Advocates of real campaign finance reform are gearing up for a showdown in the House next week, as the Shays-Meehan bill at last comes up for a vote. And you can help make sure it passes.
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, a staunch opponent of reform, called next week's House vote "Armageddon" (whoa!), and his allies still have tricks up their sleeves to defeat or dilute the bill. But since the Enron scandal, the movement to rid politics of the corrupting influence of soft money has gathered unstoppable momentum, and Shays-Meehan has a real chance of passing.
Remember: the less influence that big corporations wield in our political system, the better for the environment. So contact your Representative and urge him or her to support the Shays-Meehan bill.
Thanks to the AARP, you can now call your Representative toll-free: 1-800-660-8244. Or you can send them an email by clicking below. There's even a draft provided:
https://www.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=60&rf=-60999
For more information, contact deanna.white@sierraclub.org To take action on all your favorite Sierra Club issues, please visit: https://www.sierraclub.org/action
CORRECTION: The February 5th edition of Currents incorrectly stated the number of SUVs acquired by the organizers of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games as 40,000. The correct figure is 4000. Currents regrets the error.
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