Environmental Coalition Praises Governor Perdue For Vetoing GOP-Backed Bills That Would Have Hurt North Carolina's Environment and Economy
Coalition includes: Clean Water for North Carolina, Environment North Carolina, Environmental Defense Fund, North Carolina Coastal Federation, NC Conservation Network, NC League of Conservation Voters, NC Sierra Club, NC Wildlife Federation, Southern Environmental Law Center, Western North Carolina Alliance and others.
Governor Perdue’s historic vetoes of S 781 and S 709 are to be commended. The 2011 session of the N.C. General Assembly has carried out a relentless assault on the environment, and Governor Perdue understands that. The legislature has attacked environmental safeguards, land conservation, financial incentives for the wise management of our natural heritage, and even environmental education. We applaud the Governor for standing up to these assaults.
S 781, Regulatory Reform Act of 2011, would have handcuffed state agencies from creating environmental protections for North Carolina’s air and water. By vetoing S 781, the Governor recognizes that North Carolinians overwhelmingly support keeping or strengthening N.C.’s environmental safeguards.
S 709, Energy Jobs Act, would have put North Carolina’s thriving coastal tourism economy at risk, in search of elusive offshore drilling revenues. The bill would have also pushed North Carolina to begin hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas, a dangerous process which contaminates groundwater and has caused devastation in other eastern states.
Also, a copy of the letter submitted to the Governor asking for the veto of anti-environmental bills, which contains a complete listing of all 33 groups, can be found at: http://www.wral.com/asset/news/state/nccapitol/2011/06/21/9758002/Env_veto.PDF
For More Information
Clean Water for North Carolina -- Hope Taylor, 919-401-9600, hope@cwfnc.org
Environment North Carolina -- Elizabeth Ouzts, 919-833-0015, elizabeth@environmentnorthcarolina.org
Environmental Defense Fund - Jane Preyer, w 919-881-2912, c 919-740-6727, jpreyer@edf.org
North Carolina Conservation Network - Brian Buzby, 919-247-3617, brian@ncconservationnetwork.org
North Carolina League of Conservation Voters - Dan Crawford, 919-839-0020, dan@nclcv.org
N.C. Wildlife Federation --Tim Gestwicki, 704-332-5696, tim@ncwf.org
N.C. Sierra Club --Molly Diggins, 919-919-833-8467, molly.diggins@sierraclub.org
Southern Environmental Law Center - Derb Carter, 919-967-1450, derbc@selcnc.org
Western North Carolina Alliance - Julie Mayfield, 828-258-8737, Julie@wnca.org
Showing posts with label Sierra Club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sierra Club. Show all posts
1/09/2009
6/23/2008
More Evils from King Corn and Big Agri
CATCH THE BUZZ
Sierra Club Wants Treatments stopped, NOW!
From Alan Harman
The Sierra Club accuses the U.S. Department of Agriculture of caving in to lobbyists over massive bee deaths and compares this with Germany taking a major step to keep their bees pollinating crops.
In light of the mounting evidence that new seed chemical coatings are deadly to bees and action by Germany calling for their immediate suspension, the Sierra Club reaffirmed its call for a U.S. moratorium on specific chemical treatments to protect our bees and crops until more study can be done.
It cites Germany's federal agricultural research institute as saying, "It can unequivocally be concluded that poisoning of the bees is due to the rub-off of the pesticide ingredient clothianidin from corn seeds."
At issue are the neonicotinoids, including clothianidin, being used in a new way - as seed coatings.
For years, farmers have been spraying neonicotinoids onto their crops to stop insect infestation. Now Bayer, Syngenta and Monsanto have acquired patents to coat their proprietary corn seeds with these neonicotinoids.
"Part of the equation in the U.S. is genetically engineered corn, as more and more corn seeds are being gene spliced with a completely different species -- a bacterium," says Walter Haefeker of the German Beekeepers Association Board of Directors. "Bayer and Monsanto recently entered into agreements to manufacture neonicotinic-coated genetically engineered corn. It's likely that this will worsen the bee die-off problem."
A Sierra Club statement says American Beekeeping Federation former president David Hackenburg has been urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to do more study.
"Look at what's time-based,” it quotes Hackenburg as saying. “The massive bee decimation started when regulatory agencies rubber stamped the use of neonicotinoid spraying and coating."
Sierra Club genetic engineering committee chairman Laurel Hopwood says the club joins the concern of beekeepers.
"It's unfortunate that regulatory agencies are using double speak,” he says. “They claim to protect our food supply - yet they aren't doing the proper studies. The loss of honey bees will leave a huge void in the kitchens of the American people and an estimated loss of $14 billion dollars to farmers. We call for a precautionary moratorium on these powerful crop treatments to protect our bees and our food."
This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping www.BeeCulture.com
Subscribe to the Apis Newsletter http://apis.shorturl.com
Sierra Club Wants Treatments stopped, NOW!
From Alan Harman
The Sierra Club accuses the U.S. Department of Agriculture of caving in to lobbyists over massive bee deaths and compares this with Germany taking a major step to keep their bees pollinating crops.
In light of the mounting evidence that new seed chemical coatings are deadly to bees and action by Germany calling for their immediate suspension, the Sierra Club reaffirmed its call for a U.S. moratorium on specific chemical treatments to protect our bees and crops until more study can be done.
It cites Germany's federal agricultural research institute as saying, "It can unequivocally be concluded that poisoning of the bees is due to the rub-off of the pesticide ingredient clothianidin from corn seeds."
At issue are the neonicotinoids, including clothianidin, being used in a new way - as seed coatings.
For years, farmers have been spraying neonicotinoids onto their crops to stop insect infestation. Now Bayer, Syngenta and Monsanto have acquired patents to coat their proprietary corn seeds with these neonicotinoids.
"Part of the equation in the U.S. is genetically engineered corn, as more and more corn seeds are being gene spliced with a completely different species -- a bacterium," says Walter Haefeker of the German Beekeepers Association Board of Directors. "Bayer and Monsanto recently entered into agreements to manufacture neonicotinic-coated genetically engineered corn. It's likely that this will worsen the bee die-off problem."
A Sierra Club statement says American Beekeeping Federation former president David Hackenburg has been urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to do more study.
"Look at what's time-based,” it quotes Hackenburg as saying. “The massive bee decimation started when regulatory agencies rubber stamped the use of neonicotinoid spraying and coating."
Sierra Club genetic engineering committee chairman Laurel Hopwood says the club joins the concern of beekeepers.
"It's unfortunate that regulatory agencies are using double speak,” he says. “They claim to protect our food supply - yet they aren't doing the proper studies. The loss of honey bees will leave a huge void in the kitchens of the American people and an estimated loss of $14 billion dollars to farmers. We call for a precautionary moratorium on these powerful crop treatments to protect our bees and our food."
This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping www.BeeCulture.com
Subscribe to the Apis Newsletter http://apis.shorturl.com
4/20/2008
More Endorsements for Dan Besse
More endorsements for Dan from around North Carolina!
As the primary counts down toward two weeks to go until May 6, we're adding still more endorsements for Dan from around our state!
In Greensboro, the members of Progressive Democrats of America (Greensboro Chapter) have endorsed Dan. Thanks friends!
Meanwhile, up in our mountains, Democracy for America (Asheville Chapter) has overwhelmingly voted to endorse Dan Besse for Lieutenant Governor. Thanks again!
As shown by this kind of rising excitement, our campaign is building toward a peak--to win on May 6. That's why we're putting out our strongest call yet for volunteers for polling place work--both on May 6, and starting now for early voting sites.
If you can help as a volunteer, know that you will be the deciding factor in this race!
If you haven't already, please fill out the form below and return it to coordinator@danbesse.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
VOLUNTEER FORM
___I will help distribute signs to polling places.
___I will help greet voters at an early voting site.
___I will help greet voters at the polls on May 6.
___I will help recruit pollworkers for May 6.
NAME:
COUNTY:
PHONE:
EMAIL:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Endorsements for Dan Besse now include the following:
--Winston-Salem Journal
--Yes Weekly
--N.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club
--Progressive Democrats of N.C.
--Conservation Council of N.C.
--Progressive Democrats of America (Greensboro)
--Democracy for America (Asheville)
For more information on Dan Besse, you can always go to www.danbesse2008.org.
We're moving! Thanks very much for your support!
Christine Toole, Campaign Manager
Dan Besse for Lieutenant Governor
As the primary counts down toward two weeks to go until May 6, we're adding still more endorsements for Dan from around our state!
In Greensboro, the members of Progressive Democrats of America (Greensboro Chapter) have endorsed Dan. Thanks friends!
Meanwhile, up in our mountains, Democracy for America (Asheville Chapter) has overwhelmingly voted to endorse Dan Besse for Lieutenant Governor. Thanks again!
As shown by this kind of rising excitement, our campaign is building toward a peak--to win on May 6. That's why we're putting out our strongest call yet for volunteers for polling place work--both on May 6, and starting now for early voting sites.
If you can help as a volunteer, know that you will be the deciding factor in this race!
If you haven't already, please fill out the form below and return it to coordinator@danbesse.org.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
VOLUNTEER FORM
___I will help distribute signs to polling places.
___I will help greet voters at an early voting site.
___I will help greet voters at the polls on May 6.
___I will help recruit pollworkers for May 6.
NAME:
COUNTY:
PHONE:
EMAIL:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Endorsements for Dan Besse now include the following:
--Winston-Salem Journal
--Yes Weekly
--N.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club
--Progressive Democrats of N.C.
--Conservation Council of N.C.
--Progressive Democrats of America (Greensboro)
--Democracy for America (Asheville)
For more information on Dan Besse, you can always go to www.danbesse2008.org.
We're moving! Thanks very much for your support!
Christine Toole, Campaign Manager
Dan Besse for Lieutenant Governor
4/05/2008
Conservation Insider Bulletin, April 4
Conservation Insider Bulletin
Published weekly for the Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation News to Peruse & Use
Editor: Dan Besse, cib@conservationcouncilnc.org
April 4, 2008
Riding the rails proves unexpectedly popular in Charlotte, while statewide there's campaign news and more, this week in CIB:
--Local Government Watch: Popular Trains
--Campaign Watch: CCNC Scorecard Gets Blogged; Sierra Club Announces Statewide Endorsements
--Environmental People: Dorney Wins Wetlands Award
Local Government Watch: Popular Trains
Charlotte is already seeing ridership on its new light rail line top projections. In fact, according to an article in the 4/3/08 Charlotte Observer, the Lynx Blue Line's I-485/South Boulevard station's 1,120-space parking deck is consistently filling up. In response to the welcome news of heavy interest, CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) is studying ways to add more spaces, such as re-striping some spaces for compact cars.
Overall, the Observer reports, the number of cars at Lynx park-and-ride lots has more than tripled since the system's opening last November. CIB supposes that the John Locke Foundation crowd is gnashing its teeth about this display of serious public demand for the Lockies' despised rail transit service.
Campaign Watch: CCNC Scorecard Gets Blogged; Sierra Club Announces Statewide Endorsements
CCNC Scorecard Gets Blogged: CCNC's 2007 Conservation Legislative Scorecard is getting some deserved attention online. (This is the report on N.C. state legislators' environmental voting records, including the legislator of the year as well as the "Dirty Dozen" and "Filthy Five" anti-recognitions.)
CCNC's Mike Nelson points out that the Scorecard is covered on the progressive Democratic blogsite BlueNC at http://bluenc.com/environmental-scorecard-results-are-available-now%21. It was also covered on the Greensboro reporter's blog http://edcone.typepad.com/wordup/2008/03/greening-nc.html. Finally, he says that Asheville and Watauga County bloggers are expected to post the report soon.
Mike suggests that CCNC volunteers go to the various blogsites and make informed comments on the content and utility of the Scorecard. For an example, see Mike's own blog at www.electmikenelson.blogspot.com.
Sierra Club Announces Statewide Endorsements: The N.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club has begun announcing its endorsements for 2008. Sierra has announced endorsements of Janet Cowell in the Democratic primary for State Treasurer, and Dan Besse in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor. (CCNC's Conservation PAC previously announced endorsements of both.) Sierra's endorsement letters in these contests may be found at http://nc.sierraclub.org/politics/2008%20Endorsements.htm.
Environmental People: Dorney Wins Wetlands Award
Long-time North Carolina state employee John Dorney has won a 2008 Environmental Law Institute (ELI) National Wetlands Award. ELI this week announced its seven citizens honored this year for "their on-the-ground wetland conservation efforts and decades-long dedication to protecting these important natural resources." Dorney was honored as the Supervisor for the N.C. Division of Water Quality's Program Development Unit, for his work in development of North Carolina's state wetlands and stream protection efforts.
According to ELI's 4/1/08 news release, "Program co-sponsors--the Environmental Law Institute, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service--hope that recognizing wetland leaders for their efforts will inspire others to follow their example. Given the national importance of wetlands, the federal agencies that sponsor the Awards welcome the opportunity to recognize and encourage voluntary wetland conservation efforts."
Published weekly for the Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation News to Peruse & Use
Editor: Dan Besse, cib@conservationcouncilnc.org
April 4, 2008
Riding the rails proves unexpectedly popular in Charlotte, while statewide there's campaign news and more, this week in CIB:
--Local Government Watch: Popular Trains
--Campaign Watch: CCNC Scorecard Gets Blogged; Sierra Club Announces Statewide Endorsements
--Environmental People: Dorney Wins Wetlands Award
Local Government Watch: Popular Trains
Charlotte is already seeing ridership on its new light rail line top projections. In fact, according to an article in the 4/3/08 Charlotte Observer, the Lynx Blue Line's I-485/South Boulevard station's 1,120-space parking deck is consistently filling up. In response to the welcome news of heavy interest, CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) is studying ways to add more spaces, such as re-striping some spaces for compact cars.
Overall, the Observer reports, the number of cars at Lynx park-and-ride lots has more than tripled since the system's opening last November. CIB supposes that the John Locke Foundation crowd is gnashing its teeth about this display of serious public demand for the Lockies' despised rail transit service.
Campaign Watch: CCNC Scorecard Gets Blogged; Sierra Club Announces Statewide Endorsements
CCNC Scorecard Gets Blogged: CCNC's 2007 Conservation Legislative Scorecard is getting some deserved attention online. (This is the report on N.C. state legislators' environmental voting records, including the legislator of the year as well as the "Dirty Dozen" and "Filthy Five" anti-recognitions.)
CCNC's Mike Nelson points out that the Scorecard is covered on the progressive Democratic blogsite BlueNC at http://bluenc.com/environmental-scorecard-results-are-available-now%21. It was also covered on the Greensboro reporter's blog http://edcone.typepad.com/wordup/2008/03/greening-nc.html. Finally, he says that Asheville and Watauga County bloggers are expected to post the report soon.
Mike suggests that CCNC volunteers go to the various blogsites and make informed comments on the content and utility of the Scorecard. For an example, see Mike's own blog at www.electmikenelson.blogspot.com.
Sierra Club Announces Statewide Endorsements: The N.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club has begun announcing its endorsements for 2008. Sierra has announced endorsements of Janet Cowell in the Democratic primary for State Treasurer, and Dan Besse in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor. (CCNC's Conservation PAC previously announced endorsements of both.) Sierra's endorsement letters in these contests may be found at http://nc.sierraclub.org/politics/2008%20Endorsements.htm.
Environmental People: Dorney Wins Wetlands Award
Long-time North Carolina state employee John Dorney has won a 2008 Environmental Law Institute (ELI) National Wetlands Award. ELI this week announced its seven citizens honored this year for "their on-the-ground wetland conservation efforts and decades-long dedication to protecting these important natural resources." Dorney was honored as the Supervisor for the N.C. Division of Water Quality's Program Development Unit, for his work in development of North Carolina's state wetlands and stream protection efforts.
According to ELI's 4/1/08 news release, "Program co-sponsors--the Environmental Law Institute, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service--hope that recognizing wetland leaders for their efforts will inspire others to follow their example. Given the national importance of wetlands, the federal agencies that sponsor the Awards welcome the opportunity to recognize and encourage voluntary wetland conservation efforts."
3/28/2008
Sierra Club Endorses Besse
Sierra Club: Besse the "champion of environmental stewardship"
Friends,
I'm pleased and excited to receive the Sierra Club's endorsement for Lieutenant Governor.
In announcing their support, the Sierra Club's North Carolina Political Committee chair, Chris Dowdle, said, "Dan Besse has distinguished himself as a champion of environmental stewardship."
And I really appreciate what the Sierra Club said about why I got their support: "The Sierra Club notes that several other candidates for Lt. Governor have expressed similar commitment to key conservation issues, but chose to endorse Mr. Besse because he has a long-established record of action on environmental issues." (Emphasis added.)
In other words, I have the Sierra Club's support because I'm the environmental candidate with the record to prove it.
Getting the nod from America's oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization inspired me to record my thoughts on how I got into advocacy for a clean and green environment in the first place. Our volunteer video whiz Frank has done his usual great job with that, and here's the result:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji9hScPittM
As I say in the video, this big endorsement from the Sierra Club, added to the earlier endorsement from the Conservation PAC, gives me a "clean sweep" of support from our state's citizen environmental advocates.
My thanks go to all these folks who also care deeply for our clean water and air, our green and productive land, and our people's health. I won't let you down. These are gifts that we hold in trust for out children, and their children, and all future generations.
As North Carolina's next Lieutenant Governor, I pledge to do all that I can to see that we honor that trust and meet our responsibility for our children's future.
Dan
Dan Besse
Democrat for Lieutenant Governor
Dan Besse 2008
www.danbesse2008.org
Email paid for by Dan Besse 2008.
PO. 15346
Winston-Salem, NC 27113
Friends,
I'm pleased and excited to receive the Sierra Club's endorsement for Lieutenant Governor.
In announcing their support, the Sierra Club's North Carolina Political Committee chair, Chris Dowdle, said, "Dan Besse has distinguished himself as a champion of environmental stewardship."
And I really appreciate what the Sierra Club said about why I got their support: "The Sierra Club notes that several other candidates for Lt. Governor have expressed similar commitment to key conservation issues, but chose to endorse Mr. Besse because he has a long-established record of action on environmental issues." (Emphasis added.)
In other words, I have the Sierra Club's support because I'm the environmental candidate with the record to prove it.
Getting the nod from America's oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization inspired me to record my thoughts on how I got into advocacy for a clean and green environment in the first place. Our volunteer video whiz Frank has done his usual great job with that, and here's the result:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji9hScPittM
As I say in the video, this big endorsement from the Sierra Club, added to the earlier endorsement from the Conservation PAC, gives me a "clean sweep" of support from our state's citizen environmental advocates.
My thanks go to all these folks who also care deeply for our clean water and air, our green and productive land, and our people's health. I won't let you down. These are gifts that we hold in trust for out children, and their children, and all future generations.
As North Carolina's next Lieutenant Governor, I pledge to do all that I can to see that we honor that trust and meet our responsibility for our children's future.
Dan
Dan Besse
Democrat for Lieutenant Governor
Dan Besse 2008
www.danbesse2008.org
Email paid for by Dan Besse 2008.
PO. 15346
Winston-Salem, NC 27113
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