7/18/2008
Happy Worms = Happy Soil = Happy Harvest
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807E1DD1439F932A05754C0A962958260&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
To Plan for Community Survival
http://www.amazon.com/Plan-Community-Survival-Strategies-Climate/dp/0865716072
Al Gore's Challenge
Gore challenges US to ditch oil
US ex-vice-president Al Gore tells Americans to abandon electricity generated by fossil fuels in 10 years - an idea critics dismiss.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7513002.stm
US ex-vice-president Al Gore tells Americans to abandon electricity generated by fossil fuels in 10 years - an idea critics dismiss.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7513002.stm
7/17/2008
7/16/2008
ACLU Sues Govt., July 10
Govt. sued over dragnet wiretapping law
Jul. 10- The American Civil Liberties Union filed a landmark lawsuit on July 10 to stop the government from conducting surveillance under a new wiretapping law that gives the Bush administration virtually unchecked power to intercept Americans' international e-mails and telephone calls. The case was filed on behalf of a broad coalition of attorneys and human rights, labor, legal and media organizations whose ability to perform their work – which relies on confidential communications – will be greatly compromised by the new law.
The FISA Amendments Act of 2008, passed by Congress the day before and signed by President Bush, not only legalizes the secret warrantless surveillance program the president approved in late 2001, it gives the government new spying powers, including the power to conduct dragnet surveillance of Americans' international communications.
"Spying on Americans without warrants or judicial approval is an abuse of government power – and that's exactly what this law allows. The ACLU will not sit by and let this evisceration of the Fourth Amendment go unchallenged," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. "Electronic surveillance must be conducted in a constitutional manner that affords the greatest possible protection for individual privacy and free speech rights. The new wiretapping law fails to provide fundamental safeguards that the Constitution unambiguously requires."
In their legal challenge, the ACLU argues that the new spying law violates Americans' rights to free speech and privacy under the First and Fourth Amendments to the Constitution. The new law permits the government to conduct intrusive surveillance without ever telling a court who it intends to spy on, what phone lines and email addresses it intends to monitor, where its surveillance targets are located, why it's conducting the surveillance or whether it suspects any party to the communication of wrongdoing.
Plaintiffs in the case are The Nation magazine and its contributing journalists Naomi Klein and Chris Hedges; Amnesty International USA, Global Rights, Global Fund for Women, Human Rights Watch, PEN American Center, Service Employees International Union, Washington Office on Latin America, and the International Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
"As a journalist, my job requires communication with people in all parts of the world – from Iraq to Argentina. If the US government is given unchecked surveillance power to monitor reporters' confidential sources, my ability to do this work will be seriously compromised," said Naomi Klein, an award-winning columnist and best-selling author who is a plaintiff in today's lawsuit. "I cannot in good conscience accept that my conversations with people who live outside the US will put them in harm's way as a result of overzealous government spying. Privacy in my communications is not simply an expectation, it's a right."
The ACLU's legal challenge, which was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York today, seeks a court order declaring that the new law is unconstitutional and ordering its immediate and permanent halt.
In a separate filing, the ACLU asked the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) to ensure that any proceedings relating to the scope, meaning or constitutionality of the new law be open to the public to the extent possible. The ACLU also asked the secret court to allow it to file a brief and participate in oral arguments, to order the government to file a public version of its briefs addressing the law's constitutionality, and to publish any judicial decision that is ultimately issued.
"The new law allows the mass acquisition of Americans' international e-mails and telephone calls," said Jameel Jaffer, Director of the ACLU National Security Project. "The administration has argued that the law is necessary to address the threat of terrorism, but the truth is that the law sweeps much more broadly and implicates all kinds of communications that have nothing to do with terrorism or criminal activity of any kind."
In 2006, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the National Security Agency (NSA) to stop its illegal, warrantless spying program. A federal district court sided with the ACLU, ruling that warrantless wiretapping by the NSA violated Americans' rights to free speech and privacy under the First and Fourth Amendments of the Constitution, ran counter to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and violated the principle of separation of powers. The Bush administration appealed the ruling, and an appeals court panel dismissed the case. However, the court did not uphold the legality of the government's warrantless surveillance activity and the only judge to discuss the merits of the case clearly and unequivocally declared that the warrantless spying was unlawful. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case earlier this year.
"A democratic system depends on the rule of law, and not even the president or Congress can authorize a law that violates core constitutional principles," said Christopher Dunn, Associate Legal Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. "The only thing compromised in this so-called 'compromise' law is the Constitution."
Jul. 10- The American Civil Liberties Union filed a landmark lawsuit on July 10 to stop the government from conducting surveillance under a new wiretapping law that gives the Bush administration virtually unchecked power to intercept Americans' international e-mails and telephone calls. The case was filed on behalf of a broad coalition of attorneys and human rights, labor, legal and media organizations whose ability to perform their work – which relies on confidential communications – will be greatly compromised by the new law.
The FISA Amendments Act of 2008, passed by Congress the day before and signed by President Bush, not only legalizes the secret warrantless surveillance program the president approved in late 2001, it gives the government new spying powers, including the power to conduct dragnet surveillance of Americans' international communications.
"Spying on Americans without warrants or judicial approval is an abuse of government power – and that's exactly what this law allows. The ACLU will not sit by and let this evisceration of the Fourth Amendment go unchallenged," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. "Electronic surveillance must be conducted in a constitutional manner that affords the greatest possible protection for individual privacy and free speech rights. The new wiretapping law fails to provide fundamental safeguards that the Constitution unambiguously requires."
In their legal challenge, the ACLU argues that the new spying law violates Americans' rights to free speech and privacy under the First and Fourth Amendments to the Constitution. The new law permits the government to conduct intrusive surveillance without ever telling a court who it intends to spy on, what phone lines and email addresses it intends to monitor, where its surveillance targets are located, why it's conducting the surveillance or whether it suspects any party to the communication of wrongdoing.
Plaintiffs in the case are The Nation magazine and its contributing journalists Naomi Klein and Chris Hedges; Amnesty International USA, Global Rights, Global Fund for Women, Human Rights Watch, PEN American Center, Service Employees International Union, Washington Office on Latin America, and the International Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
"As a journalist, my job requires communication with people in all parts of the world – from Iraq to Argentina. If the US government is given unchecked surveillance power to monitor reporters' confidential sources, my ability to do this work will be seriously compromised," said Naomi Klein, an award-winning columnist and best-selling author who is a plaintiff in today's lawsuit. "I cannot in good conscience accept that my conversations with people who live outside the US will put them in harm's way as a result of overzealous government spying. Privacy in my communications is not simply an expectation, it's a right."
The ACLU's legal challenge, which was filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York today, seeks a court order declaring that the new law is unconstitutional and ordering its immediate and permanent halt.
In a separate filing, the ACLU asked the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) to ensure that any proceedings relating to the scope, meaning or constitutionality of the new law be open to the public to the extent possible. The ACLU also asked the secret court to allow it to file a brief and participate in oral arguments, to order the government to file a public version of its briefs addressing the law's constitutionality, and to publish any judicial decision that is ultimately issued.
"The new law allows the mass acquisition of Americans' international e-mails and telephone calls," said Jameel Jaffer, Director of the ACLU National Security Project. "The administration has argued that the law is necessary to address the threat of terrorism, but the truth is that the law sweeps much more broadly and implicates all kinds of communications that have nothing to do with terrorism or criminal activity of any kind."
In 2006, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the National Security Agency (NSA) to stop its illegal, warrantless spying program. A federal district court sided with the ACLU, ruling that warrantless wiretapping by the NSA violated Americans' rights to free speech and privacy under the First and Fourth Amendments of the Constitution, ran counter to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and violated the principle of separation of powers. The Bush administration appealed the ruling, and an appeals court panel dismissed the case. However, the court did not uphold the legality of the government's warrantless surveillance activity and the only judge to discuss the merits of the case clearly and unequivocally declared that the warrantless spying was unlawful. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case earlier this year.
"A democratic system depends on the rule of law, and not even the president or Congress can authorize a law that violates core constitutional principles," said Christopher Dunn, Associate Legal Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. "The only thing compromised in this so-called 'compromise' law is the Constitution."
7/15/2008
Cheap Gas is No Blip
http://transitionculture.org/2008/07/15/matt-simmons-and-the-five-psychological-stage-of-grief/
7/14/2008
7/12/2008
IndyMac Goes Bust, CA
Key US mortgage lender goes bust
One of the largest mortgage lenders in the US, the California-based IndyMac Bank, collapses amid a growing credit crisis.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/business/7503109.stm
One of the largest mortgage lenders in the US, the California-based IndyMac Bank, collapses amid a growing credit crisis.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/business/7503109.stm
7/11/2008
Conservation Insider Bulletin, July 11
Conservation Insider Bulletin
Published weekly for the Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation News to Peruse & Use
Editor: Dan Besse, cib@conservationcouncilnc.org
July 11, 2008
Bush punts greenhouse gas regulation over to the next administration, plus legislative and judicial news, this week in CIB:
--Washington Watch: No Responsibility on His Watch
--Legislative Watch: Watered-down Drought and Stormwater Bills Advance; Farmworker Protection Approved; Beach Hardening Continues to Lurk
--Judicial Watch: Appeals Court Throws Out CAIR
Washington Watch: No Responsibility on His Watch
In another stunning display of arrogant irresponsibility, the Bush White House has successfully forced a protesting EPA to stall off action on regulating greenhouse gases to the next administration. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson announced today that the agency would release its draft "advanced notice of proposed rulemaking" together with the explanations from higher Administration sources for its rejection of that draft.
This action is remarkable in that the U.S. Supreme Court declared in April 2007 that (contrary to the Bush Administration's assertions) the EPA has the authority and duty to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Pursuant to that directive, the EPA last December sent to the White House a report laying out the technical support for a draft rule, which concluded that greenhouse gas emissions clearly represent a threat to human welfare and further that it is economically justified to regulate them. The White House uber-bureaucrats charged with overseeing the EPA refused to receive the report, which languished in political limbo while other Administration officials prepared their rejection of its reasoning.
In plain language, what the Bush Administration has done is this: tell the Supreme Court that it doesn't like its decision, won't implement it, and by the time anybody can do anything about the refusal, they'll be gone. Here's a link to today's complete Washington Post story laying the matter out in more detail: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/11/AR2008071101703.html?hpid=topnews.
CIB encourages our readers to check it out: It's breathtaking...pun intended.
Legislative Watch: Watered-down Drought and Stormwater Bills Advance; Farmworker Protection Approved; Beach Hardening Continues to Lurk
Watered-down Drought and Stormwater Bills Advance: CCNC's Director of Governmental Relations Dan Crawford reports that stakeholder negotiations have produced a classic compromise on stormwater rules (i.e., a deal with which no one is happy). Under the compromise bill, which has passed the Senate and been recommended by the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, coastal stormwater rules would be strengthened from the status quo—but not by as much as the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) rules would have done. In the short run, CCNC is backing the compromise. In the longer run, Crawford says to state policy-makers, "We need to let them [the EMC] do their job!"
Drought management legislation has also been brought forward for consideration in compromised form. HB 2499, "Drought/Water Management Recommendations", would specify the governor's emergency powers during water shortages, and increase the authority of the N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to impose restrictions on local water systems during drought. However, the compromise bill fails to include specific mandatory minimum water conservation measures, and is therefore viewed as a major "missed opportunity" by conservationists.
Farmworker Protection Approved: SB 847, "Prevent Agricultural Pesticide Exposure", has been approved by the legislature and sent to the governor for his signature. Toxic Free NC (formerly the Agricultural Resource Project) hailed the bill as a victory for farmworkers, who will gain explicit protection against retaliation for reporting pesticide safety problems. The bill also strengthens pesticide use record-keeping requirements by employers.
Beach Hardening Continues to Lurk: Rumors continue to circulate that some unspecified "compromise" approach may emerge late regarding SB 599, the so-called "Inlet Stabilization Pilot Program" bill. This legislation represents the latest attempt by a small group of wealthy beachfront property owners to carve out exceptions to North Carolina's anti-hardening policies on its ocean shore. The deceptively-named "pilot programs" authorized by the bill are the same old rock groins which have long been conclusively discredited as beach protection tools. These oceanfront hard structures act only to accumulate sand in front of one spot at the expense of down-current areas. Coastal conservationists vigorously oppose this legislation, which passed the Senate last year and has been held in the House since that time. By barring new oceanfront seawalls, groins, and jetties, North Carolina has protected much of its natural beach shoreline for more than 20 years. This is no time to retreat from that sound policy.
Judicial Watch: Appeals Court Throws Out CAIR
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit this week unanimously struck down the Bush EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). CAIR is a controversial rule which requires 28 states (mostly Eastern states) to reduce air pollutant emissions which travel interstate and affect smog and soot levels elsewhere. Some environmental groups defended the EPA's approach, while others challenged it as too slow and overly reliant on a "cap and trade" pollutant-trading approach.
In its ruling, the Court found that the EPA had exceeded its authority, and ordered the entire rule scrapped. The practical impact of the Court's decision will be to delay final rulemaking on the subject matter until the next presidential administration. As of CIB press time today, most environmental groups' comments on the ruling were not available online, although some were reportedly calling for Congressional action in response. Several North Carolina-based groups had criticized CAIR in 2006 as insufficiently protective of North Carolina's air.
Published weekly for the Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation News to Peruse & Use
Editor: Dan Besse, cib@conservationcouncilnc.org
July 11, 2008
Bush punts greenhouse gas regulation over to the next administration, plus legislative and judicial news, this week in CIB:
--Washington Watch: No Responsibility on His Watch
--Legislative Watch: Watered-down Drought and Stormwater Bills Advance; Farmworker Protection Approved; Beach Hardening Continues to Lurk
--Judicial Watch: Appeals Court Throws Out CAIR
Washington Watch: No Responsibility on His Watch
In another stunning display of arrogant irresponsibility, the Bush White House has successfully forced a protesting EPA to stall off action on regulating greenhouse gases to the next administration. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson announced today that the agency would release its draft "advanced notice of proposed rulemaking" together with the explanations from higher Administration sources for its rejection of that draft.
This action is remarkable in that the U.S. Supreme Court declared in April 2007 that (contrary to the Bush Administration's assertions) the EPA has the authority and duty to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Pursuant to that directive, the EPA last December sent to the White House a report laying out the technical support for a draft rule, which concluded that greenhouse gas emissions clearly represent a threat to human welfare and further that it is economically justified to regulate them. The White House uber-bureaucrats charged with overseeing the EPA refused to receive the report, which languished in political limbo while other Administration officials prepared their rejection of its reasoning.
In plain language, what the Bush Administration has done is this: tell the Supreme Court that it doesn't like its decision, won't implement it, and by the time anybody can do anything about the refusal, they'll be gone. Here's a link to today's complete Washington Post story laying the matter out in more detail: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/11/AR2008071101703.html?hpid=topnews.
CIB encourages our readers to check it out: It's breathtaking...pun intended.
Legislative Watch: Watered-down Drought and Stormwater Bills Advance; Farmworker Protection Approved; Beach Hardening Continues to Lurk
Watered-down Drought and Stormwater Bills Advance: CCNC's Director of Governmental Relations Dan Crawford reports that stakeholder negotiations have produced a classic compromise on stormwater rules (i.e., a deal with which no one is happy). Under the compromise bill, which has passed the Senate and been recommended by the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, coastal stormwater rules would be strengthened from the status quo—but not by as much as the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) rules would have done. In the short run, CCNC is backing the compromise. In the longer run, Crawford says to state policy-makers, "We need to let them [the EMC] do their job!"
Drought management legislation has also been brought forward for consideration in compromised form. HB 2499, "Drought/Water Management Recommendations", would specify the governor's emergency powers during water shortages, and increase the authority of the N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to impose restrictions on local water systems during drought. However, the compromise bill fails to include specific mandatory minimum water conservation measures, and is therefore viewed as a major "missed opportunity" by conservationists.
Farmworker Protection Approved: SB 847, "Prevent Agricultural Pesticide Exposure", has been approved by the legislature and sent to the governor for his signature. Toxic Free NC (formerly the Agricultural Resource Project) hailed the bill as a victory for farmworkers, who will gain explicit protection against retaliation for reporting pesticide safety problems. The bill also strengthens pesticide use record-keeping requirements by employers.
Beach Hardening Continues to Lurk: Rumors continue to circulate that some unspecified "compromise" approach may emerge late regarding SB 599, the so-called "Inlet Stabilization Pilot Program" bill. This legislation represents the latest attempt by a small group of wealthy beachfront property owners to carve out exceptions to North Carolina's anti-hardening policies on its ocean shore. The deceptively-named "pilot programs" authorized by the bill are the same old rock groins which have long been conclusively discredited as beach protection tools. These oceanfront hard structures act only to accumulate sand in front of one spot at the expense of down-current areas. Coastal conservationists vigorously oppose this legislation, which passed the Senate last year and has been held in the House since that time. By barring new oceanfront seawalls, groins, and jetties, North Carolina has protected much of its natural beach shoreline for more than 20 years. This is no time to retreat from that sound policy.
Judicial Watch: Appeals Court Throws Out CAIR
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit this week unanimously struck down the Bush EPA's Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). CAIR is a controversial rule which requires 28 states (mostly Eastern states) to reduce air pollutant emissions which travel interstate and affect smog and soot levels elsewhere. Some environmental groups defended the EPA's approach, while others challenged it as too slow and overly reliant on a "cap and trade" pollutant-trading approach.
In its ruling, the Court found that the EPA had exceeded its authority, and ordered the entire rule scrapped. The practical impact of the Court's decision will be to delay final rulemaking on the subject matter until the next presidential administration. As of CIB press time today, most environmental groups' comments on the ruling were not available online, although some were reportedly calling for Congressional action in response. Several North Carolina-based groups had criticized CAIR in 2006 as insufficiently protective of North Carolina's air.
Willing to Hold Impeachment Hearings
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/10/pelosi-house-judiciary-co_n_111976.html
Preemptive Attack, Iran
Israel Hints at Pre-Emptive Attack on Iran
http://www.truthout.org/article/israel-hints-pre-emptive-attack-iran
Rupert Cornwell, of The Independent UK: "The sabre-rattling over Iran's nuclear progamme has grown louder as a defiant Tehran claimed to have conducted missile tests for a second day running, the US warned that it would defend its interests and its allies in the region, and Israel hinted it was ready to stage a preventive attack to destroy Iranian nuclear installations."
http://www.truthout.org/article/israel-hints-pre-emptive-attack-iran
Rupert Cornwell, of The Independent UK: "The sabre-rattling over Iran's nuclear progamme has grown louder as a defiant Tehran claimed to have conducted missile tests for a second day running, the US warned that it would defend its interests and its allies in the region, and Israel hinted it was ready to stage a preventive attack to destroy Iranian nuclear installations."
A Piece of the Farm
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/us/10farms.html?ei=5087&em=&en=655d2d9570e156bb&ex=1215921600&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1215774844-79Fyh53evyVBxiclHf999Q
Impeachment Storm, Wexler
Capitol Hill is buzzing today with major developments regarding our campaign for impeachment hearings for President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. Just today, in what could be described as a perfect impeachment storm:
• Karl Rove once again thumbed his nose at Congress and the American people by brazenly ignoring a lawful congressional subpoena to testify before the House of Representatives;
• Judiciary Chairman John Conyers indicated his willingness to use the power of inherent contempt against Rove if necessary;
• Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduced another article of impeachment on Bush's lies regarding the Iraq war; and
• Speaker Nancy Pelosi was quoted today saying that the House Judiciary Committee should address the issues that Kucinich raises in the House Judiciary Committee.
After years of work by so many of you, the time appears ripe to finally hold Bush and Cheney accountable.
Conyers Opens Door to Inherent Contempt for Rove
Karl Rove has simply refused to appear, as he is legally required to do. His actions, endorsed by the Bush/Cheney Administration, are a challenge to our system of checks and balances and Congress must respond to this type of outrageous behavior with appropriate severity.
Today, Judiciary Chairman John Conyers courageously stated today that inherent contempt will remain an option for the House of Representatives so long as Rove and this Administration refuses to abide by the law.
We must now bring Mr. Rove (and other renegade Bush officials) in compliance with the law.
This is a defining moment for Congress: Will we continue to allow legislative power to be eroded by an out of control executive branch that ignores the rule of law - or will we finally put an end to this congressional capitulation and properly force Administration officials to testify in full view of the American people?
It is time for Congress to hold Karl Rove in inherent contempt. I congratulate Chairman Conyers' positive move in this direction, and we must work to move other Members of Congress in support of the use of inherent contempt. Inherent contempt properly enables the House Sergeant of Arms to physically take custody of Mr. Rove and bring him to the House of Representatives to testify.
How do you think a state or federal judge would react to a witness refusing to comply with a legal subpoena? The wayward witness would be arrested.
Should the Congress of the United States be shown any less respect than any courtroom in the nation?
Should the Congress react any differently than how any American judge would react? Absolutely not.
We are long past the time for threats and negotiation. We must bring Mr. Rove in front of the full Judiciary Committee, under oath. No administration official - not even the President - is above the law. They cannot be allowed to redefine it at will. We must all appear when called or suffer the consequences.
Speaker Pelosi's Shift on Hearings and Rep. Kucinich's New Article of Impeachment
After stating unequivocally that impeachment "is off the table," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated to CBS News today that the House Judiciary Committee should address the issues that Rep. Kucinich's has raised in his impeachment resolution.
Pelosi's words provide genuine hope for our cause of accountability for this Administration. We must use Speaker Pelosi's openness to new hearings in the Judiciary Committee to pursue aggressively the serious allegations against Bush and Cheney relating to lies about the Iraq War, the illegal use of torture, the improper disclosure of the identity of a covert agent, the political firing of US attorneys, and on and on.
I again congratulate Congressman Kucinich on his continued leadership and work on behalf of this vital cause.
This issue now reaches far beyond the substance of the Judiciary Committee's original inquiry regarding the firing of US Attorneys for political purposes. The crisis at hand relates to our most fundamental laws and of our Constitution. It is, in many ways, more serious than the Constitutional crisis surrounding Watergate – yet the national media ignores the facts and ramifications of this renegade Executive.
Congress has a duty to protect the balance of powers. Mr. Rove, Mr. Bolten, and Ms. Miers have taken actions that severely undermine these powers, and we should not rely on a federal court alone.
The political tide begins to be turning and that is why I feel so strongly that we should aggressively push for inherent contempt for Karl Rove and impeachment hearings for President Bush and Vice President Cheney.
Thanks you for your work and your commitment to our constitution.
- Congressman Robert Wexler
Paid for by "Wexler for Congress"
PO Box 810669
Boca Raton, FL 33481
• Karl Rove once again thumbed his nose at Congress and the American people by brazenly ignoring a lawful congressional subpoena to testify before the House of Representatives;
• Judiciary Chairman John Conyers indicated his willingness to use the power of inherent contempt against Rove if necessary;
• Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduced another article of impeachment on Bush's lies regarding the Iraq war; and
• Speaker Nancy Pelosi was quoted today saying that the House Judiciary Committee should address the issues that Kucinich raises in the House Judiciary Committee.
After years of work by so many of you, the time appears ripe to finally hold Bush and Cheney accountable.
Conyers Opens Door to Inherent Contempt for Rove
Karl Rove has simply refused to appear, as he is legally required to do. His actions, endorsed by the Bush/Cheney Administration, are a challenge to our system of checks and balances and Congress must respond to this type of outrageous behavior with appropriate severity.
Today, Judiciary Chairman John Conyers courageously stated today that inherent contempt will remain an option for the House of Representatives so long as Rove and this Administration refuses to abide by the law.
We must now bring Mr. Rove (and other renegade Bush officials) in compliance with the law.
This is a defining moment for Congress: Will we continue to allow legislative power to be eroded by an out of control executive branch that ignores the rule of law - or will we finally put an end to this congressional capitulation and properly force Administration officials to testify in full view of the American people?
It is time for Congress to hold Karl Rove in inherent contempt. I congratulate Chairman Conyers' positive move in this direction, and we must work to move other Members of Congress in support of the use of inherent contempt. Inherent contempt properly enables the House Sergeant of Arms to physically take custody of Mr. Rove and bring him to the House of Representatives to testify.
How do you think a state or federal judge would react to a witness refusing to comply with a legal subpoena? The wayward witness would be arrested.
Should the Congress of the United States be shown any less respect than any courtroom in the nation?
Should the Congress react any differently than how any American judge would react? Absolutely not.
We are long past the time for threats and negotiation. We must bring Mr. Rove in front of the full Judiciary Committee, under oath. No administration official - not even the President - is above the law. They cannot be allowed to redefine it at will. We must all appear when called or suffer the consequences.
Speaker Pelosi's Shift on Hearings and Rep. Kucinich's New Article of Impeachment
After stating unequivocally that impeachment "is off the table," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated to CBS News today that the House Judiciary Committee should address the issues that Rep. Kucinich's has raised in his impeachment resolution.
Pelosi's words provide genuine hope for our cause of accountability for this Administration. We must use Speaker Pelosi's openness to new hearings in the Judiciary Committee to pursue aggressively the serious allegations against Bush and Cheney relating to lies about the Iraq War, the illegal use of torture, the improper disclosure of the identity of a covert agent, the political firing of US attorneys, and on and on.
I again congratulate Congressman Kucinich on his continued leadership and work on behalf of this vital cause.
This issue now reaches far beyond the substance of the Judiciary Committee's original inquiry regarding the firing of US Attorneys for political purposes. The crisis at hand relates to our most fundamental laws and of our Constitution. It is, in many ways, more serious than the Constitutional crisis surrounding Watergate – yet the national media ignores the facts and ramifications of this renegade Executive.
Congress has a duty to protect the balance of powers. Mr. Rove, Mr. Bolten, and Ms. Miers have taken actions that severely undermine these powers, and we should not rely on a federal court alone.
The political tide begins to be turning and that is why I feel so strongly that we should aggressively push for inherent contempt for Karl Rove and impeachment hearings for President Bush and Vice President Cheney.
Thanks you for your work and your commitment to our constitution.
- Congressman Robert Wexler
Paid for by "Wexler for Congress"
PO Box 810669
Boca Raton, FL 33481
NC Legislative Update from CCNC
Drought and Stormwater Meet the House and Senate
Support Drought Legislation. On Tuesday, the House Environment and Natural Resources Commission approved HB 2499, Drought/Water Management Recommendations. The bill now will be considered by the full House. This bill is a significant step forward for the State, specifying the governor’s emergency powers during water shortages and increasing the authority of state officials to impose restrictions on local water system during the increasing stages of drought.
The bill presented to the Committee was quickly criticized by legislators and environmental organizations because it failed to set uniform minimum conservation measures or set water-savings goals for counties across the state. Previous bill drafts had proposed such uniform conservation measures for all systems that required reduced water use by 10% and then 20% under the two worst levels of drought. But, opposition to such uniform measures quickly mounted and shamefully the mandatory minimum measures went by the wayside.
Local governments had already been charged with filing water shortage response plans with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) by the start of this month; however, prior to this session’s proposed legislation, no standards existed that these water shortage response plans had to meet. Section 5 of HB 2499 directs DENR to approve the local government or water system’s plan if it meets just three criteria, the two most descriptive criteria being that: the plan should includes a tiered level of water conservation measures or other response actions; and that each tier of water conservation measures should be based on increased severity of drought/water shortage that would lead to stricter water conservation measures. At Tuesday’s committee meeting, Representative Weiss wisely questioned if the current legislation by just stipulating a tiered system was adequate and expressed the need for DENR to amend this language. Much depends on these individual plans that DENR must now approve. Environmental groups on the NC Common Agenda 2008 remain strongly supportive of linking water conservation goals back to a specific, quantifiable savings for the state.
If the local government or water system fails to implement proposed restrictions during severe, extreme, or exceptional drought, this legislation allows state official s to force restrictions. Should these restrictions fail to minimize harm to public health, safety, and the environment, then even more stringent restrictions would be authorized by state officials. In a water shortage emergency, the governor is further permitted to force water sharing if the supplying system has excess water beyond their need.
On improving general state-wide efforts, Rep. Tarleton and Rep. Luebke further suggested that more public education and outreach to the public on water conservation was needed. Certainly, the public and the legislators have much to learn and do in order to prepare and manage the state’s precious water resources. HB 2499 is a welcome start. Please Support HB 2499. HB 2499 passed the third reading on the Senate floor yesterday. This afternoon, the bill was removed from the calendar, even after yesterday's unexpected caucus on the floor for amendments; but will be taken up as priority on Monday when the House meets again.
Support Stormwater Management Revisions. Stormwater regulations over this session have been rendered palatable enough to gain the “whole hearted” endorsement of the developers and general acceptance by coastal cities and municipalities. On Tuesday, SB 1967, formerly the “Disapprove Coastal Stormwater Bill” was replaced with the committee substitute, “Improve Coastal Stormwater Management,” which is the product of the series of eight negotiation meetings that began back in April. The environmental community supports the coastal stormwater compromise. The newest costal stormwater rules require stricter setback and drainage requirements for these 20 coastal counties; but some scientists and environmental regulators still think that this new rule is not enough. The environmental community believes more could have been done to protect our environment but recognizes that the “compromise” bill will protect the environment more than rules currently in place. The environmental community asks lawmakers to support the committee substitute of SB 1967. Further, the environmental community also encourages legislators oppose amendments that would upset the compromise reached at stakeholder meetings. Finally, legislators should reject efforts to disapprove or delay implementing the Coastal Stormwater Program.
We all have a responsibility to protect and enhance our state’s water quality. Chronic lowering of environmental standards and protections is a trend the State’s legislature should avoid at all costs. Great concern was expressed in the environmental community after the Honorables mentioned on Tuesday that the EMC’s authority might be repealed after, SB 1967 is voted on, to set coastal stormwater rules for a certain length of time. This pronouncement is disquieting for many outside of the legislature. If the EMC’s authority is tampered with, then those most experienced and knowledgeable on the impacts to state waters are effectively forced by the legislators to take the back seat to political considerations. Shouldn’t our water quality protection measures be based on pragmatic conservation approaches and sound science rather than political pandering?
Updates
Strengthen North Carolina's drought response.
SUPPORT H2499 (S1879)
Protect our coast from stormwater pollution.
SUPPORT the Committee Substitute for SB1967 (adopted 7/8/08)
Defend our shoreline from hardened structures.
OPPOSE S599
Stop global warming, start clean cars.
SUPPORT H 2526 and H1179(S1307)
The NC Common Agenda is endorsed by: Audubon NC / Conservation Council of NC / Environment NC / Environmental Defense Fund / NC Coastal Federation / NC Conservation Network / NC Sierra Club / Penderwatch & Conservancy / Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Legislative Summaries
H838 Ban Incandescent Light Bulbs
This legislation would prohibit the sale of general service incandescent light bulbs in the state. Support.
H1134 Cleanup of Abandoned Manufactured Homes
This legislation would protect public health and the environment by encouraging counties to develop plans for deconstructing abandoned manufactured homes and removing reusable or recyclable components. The legislation would impose an environmental remediation tax on the sale of new and used manufactured homes to fund the deconstruction of abandoned manufactured homes. Support.
H1154 Oak Island/Erosion Setback Line
This legislation, which applies to the Town of Oak Island, alters setback rules in cases of beaches that have undergone renourishment programs. Altering the setback rules undermines sound planning principles and prudent coastal management rules that have been in place for some time. Oppose.
H1179/S1307 Clean Cars Program/Funds
This legislation would establish North Carolina's low emission vehicle program. Support.
H1611 Stormwater Requirements' cost to County/City
This legislation requires the ERC to prepare and submit a fiscal note to the county or city detailing the costs of meeting post-construction stormwater management standards. Oppose.
H1834 Local Government Economic Impact
This legislation expands the Local Government Fiscal Information Act to require an economic impact statement (EIS) rather than just a fiscal note, similar to the EIS used in the rulemaking process. This act effectively alters the procedures for all parties of local governments who expect to experience substantial economic impacts (of at least $3 million in a 12-month period) from the costs of meeting State regulations and rules. Oppose.
H1889 Present Use Value System Modifications
This legislation would provide property tax relief to landowners who manage their lands for wildlife and other conservation benefits. The House passed H1889 by an overwhelming vote in the 2007 session. This bill awaits the Senate's ruling. Support.
H1997 Economic Impact/Regulatory Legislation
This legislation would require economic impact statements (EIS) for all bills proposing regulatory changes, similar to he fiscal notes agencies must prepare during the rule making process. Oppose.
H2499 / S1879 Drought/Water Management Recommendations
This legislation requires that surface and groundwater withdrawls and transfers (between river basins) of greater than or equal to 100,000 gallons per day be registered with the Environmental Management Commission. Support.
H2506 Sedimentation Ctrl/Local Gov't Envorcement
This legislation would clarify the process for appeals from civil penalties assed by a local government that have established and approved erosion and sedimentation control programs. In keeping with a recommendation by the Environmental Review Commission, this legislation would provide local governments with such programs to issue stop work orders. Support.
H2526 Motor Vehicle Emissions Study
This legislation would direct the Environmental Review Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to study the costs and benefits--economic and environmental--of adopting the California motor vehicle emissions standards for the State. This act further directs that a report of findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals be submitted by 1 April 2009. Support.
H2675 Adopt-A-Trail Funds
This legislation would increase the funds for the Adopt-a-Trail Program within the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources by $892,000 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Support.
H2709 No Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
This legislation would prohibit any public utility that operates a coal-fired generating unit in the State to generate electricity from purchasing or using coal extracted by mountaintop removal coal mining. This bill provides for cost recovery and appropriates funds for any utility's incremental costs of purchasing or using coal extracted by some method other than mountaintop removal coal mining. Support.
H2710 Income Tax Credit - Energy-Efficient Homes
This legislation would provide an income tax credit for builders of: state-certified energy-efficient homes, under the NC Healthy Build Homes Program, of $2,000; or the federally qualified energy-efficient home under the ENERGY STAR Program of $1,000. Support.
H2718 N.C. Green Business Fund
This legislation would change the NC Green Business Fund from a grant-making fund to a no-interest loan-making fund and would appropriate funds to the Department of Commerce for this purpose. Support.
H2720 Energy-Efficient State Motor Vehicle Fleets
This legislation would require every new passenger motor vehicle transferred to or purchasaed by the Department of Administration or by the Department of Transportation to have a fuel economy rating, as set by the U.S. EPA for the new vehicle's model year, in the top 10 percent for its class of vehicles. Support.
Support Drought Legislation. On Tuesday, the House Environment and Natural Resources Commission approved HB 2499, Drought/Water Management Recommendations. The bill now will be considered by the full House. This bill is a significant step forward for the State, specifying the governor’s emergency powers during water shortages and increasing the authority of state officials to impose restrictions on local water system during the increasing stages of drought.
The bill presented to the Committee was quickly criticized by legislators and environmental organizations because it failed to set uniform minimum conservation measures or set water-savings goals for counties across the state. Previous bill drafts had proposed such uniform conservation measures for all systems that required reduced water use by 10% and then 20% under the two worst levels of drought. But, opposition to such uniform measures quickly mounted and shamefully the mandatory minimum measures went by the wayside.
Local governments had already been charged with filing water shortage response plans with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) by the start of this month; however, prior to this session’s proposed legislation, no standards existed that these water shortage response plans had to meet. Section 5 of HB 2499 directs DENR to approve the local government or water system’s plan if it meets just three criteria, the two most descriptive criteria being that: the plan should includes a tiered level of water conservation measures or other response actions; and that each tier of water conservation measures should be based on increased severity of drought/water shortage that would lead to stricter water conservation measures. At Tuesday’s committee meeting, Representative Weiss wisely questioned if the current legislation by just stipulating a tiered system was adequate and expressed the need for DENR to amend this language. Much depends on these individual plans that DENR must now approve. Environmental groups on the NC Common Agenda 2008 remain strongly supportive of linking water conservation goals back to a specific, quantifiable savings for the state.
If the local government or water system fails to implement proposed restrictions during severe, extreme, or exceptional drought, this legislation allows state official s to force restrictions. Should these restrictions fail to minimize harm to public health, safety, and the environment, then even more stringent restrictions would be authorized by state officials. In a water shortage emergency, the governor is further permitted to force water sharing if the supplying system has excess water beyond their need.
On improving general state-wide efforts, Rep. Tarleton and Rep. Luebke further suggested that more public education and outreach to the public on water conservation was needed. Certainly, the public and the legislators have much to learn and do in order to prepare and manage the state’s precious water resources. HB 2499 is a welcome start. Please Support HB 2499. HB 2499 passed the third reading on the Senate floor yesterday. This afternoon, the bill was removed from the calendar, even after yesterday's unexpected caucus on the floor for amendments; but will be taken up as priority on Monday when the House meets again.
Support Stormwater Management Revisions. Stormwater regulations over this session have been rendered palatable enough to gain the “whole hearted” endorsement of the developers and general acceptance by coastal cities and municipalities. On Tuesday, SB 1967, formerly the “Disapprove Coastal Stormwater Bill” was replaced with the committee substitute, “Improve Coastal Stormwater Management,” which is the product of the series of eight negotiation meetings that began back in April. The environmental community supports the coastal stormwater compromise. The newest costal stormwater rules require stricter setback and drainage requirements for these 20 coastal counties; but some scientists and environmental regulators still think that this new rule is not enough. The environmental community believes more could have been done to protect our environment but recognizes that the “compromise” bill will protect the environment more than rules currently in place. The environmental community asks lawmakers to support the committee substitute of SB 1967. Further, the environmental community also encourages legislators oppose amendments that would upset the compromise reached at stakeholder meetings. Finally, legislators should reject efforts to disapprove or delay implementing the Coastal Stormwater Program.
We all have a responsibility to protect and enhance our state’s water quality. Chronic lowering of environmental standards and protections is a trend the State’s legislature should avoid at all costs. Great concern was expressed in the environmental community after the Honorables mentioned on Tuesday that the EMC’s authority might be repealed after, SB 1967 is voted on, to set coastal stormwater rules for a certain length of time. This pronouncement is disquieting for many outside of the legislature. If the EMC’s authority is tampered with, then those most experienced and knowledgeable on the impacts to state waters are effectively forced by the legislators to take the back seat to political considerations. Shouldn’t our water quality protection measures be based on pragmatic conservation approaches and sound science rather than political pandering?
Updates
Strengthen North Carolina's drought response.
SUPPORT H2499 (S1879)
Protect our coast from stormwater pollution.
SUPPORT the Committee Substitute for SB1967 (adopted 7/8/08)
Defend our shoreline from hardened structures.
OPPOSE S599
Stop global warming, start clean cars.
SUPPORT H 2526 and H1179(S1307)
The NC Common Agenda is endorsed by: Audubon NC / Conservation Council of NC / Environment NC / Environmental Defense Fund / NC Coastal Federation / NC Conservation Network / NC Sierra Club / Penderwatch & Conservancy / Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Legislative Summaries
H838 Ban Incandescent Light Bulbs
This legislation would prohibit the sale of general service incandescent light bulbs in the state. Support.
H1134 Cleanup of Abandoned Manufactured Homes
This legislation would protect public health and the environment by encouraging counties to develop plans for deconstructing abandoned manufactured homes and removing reusable or recyclable components. The legislation would impose an environmental remediation tax on the sale of new and used manufactured homes to fund the deconstruction of abandoned manufactured homes. Support.
H1154 Oak Island/Erosion Setback Line
This legislation, which applies to the Town of Oak Island, alters setback rules in cases of beaches that have undergone renourishment programs. Altering the setback rules undermines sound planning principles and prudent coastal management rules that have been in place for some time. Oppose.
H1179/S1307 Clean Cars Program/Funds
This legislation would establish North Carolina's low emission vehicle program. Support.
H1611 Stormwater Requirements' cost to County/City
This legislation requires the ERC to prepare and submit a fiscal note to the county or city detailing the costs of meeting post-construction stormwater management standards. Oppose.
H1834 Local Government Economic Impact
This legislation expands the Local Government Fiscal Information Act to require an economic impact statement (EIS) rather than just a fiscal note, similar to the EIS used in the rulemaking process. This act effectively alters the procedures for all parties of local governments who expect to experience substantial economic impacts (of at least $3 million in a 12-month period) from the costs of meeting State regulations and rules. Oppose.
H1889 Present Use Value System Modifications
This legislation would provide property tax relief to landowners who manage their lands for wildlife and other conservation benefits. The House passed H1889 by an overwhelming vote in the 2007 session. This bill awaits the Senate's ruling. Support.
H1997 Economic Impact/Regulatory Legislation
This legislation would require economic impact statements (EIS) for all bills proposing regulatory changes, similar to he fiscal notes agencies must prepare during the rule making process. Oppose.
H2499 / S1879 Drought/Water Management Recommendations
This legislation requires that surface and groundwater withdrawls and transfers (between river basins) of greater than or equal to 100,000 gallons per day be registered with the Environmental Management Commission. Support.
H2506 Sedimentation Ctrl/Local Gov't Envorcement
This legislation would clarify the process for appeals from civil penalties assed by a local government that have established and approved erosion and sedimentation control programs. In keeping with a recommendation by the Environmental Review Commission, this legislation would provide local governments with such programs to issue stop work orders. Support.
H2526 Motor Vehicle Emissions Study
This legislation would direct the Environmental Review Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to study the costs and benefits--economic and environmental--of adopting the California motor vehicle emissions standards for the State. This act further directs that a report of findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals be submitted by 1 April 2009. Support.
H2675 Adopt-A-Trail Funds
This legislation would increase the funds for the Adopt-a-Trail Program within the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources by $892,000 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Support.
H2709 No Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
This legislation would prohibit any public utility that operates a coal-fired generating unit in the State to generate electricity from purchasing or using coal extracted by mountaintop removal coal mining. This bill provides for cost recovery and appropriates funds for any utility's incremental costs of purchasing or using coal extracted by some method other than mountaintop removal coal mining. Support.
H2710 Income Tax Credit - Energy-Efficient Homes
This legislation would provide an income tax credit for builders of: state-certified energy-efficient homes, under the NC Healthy Build Homes Program, of $2,000; or the federally qualified energy-efficient home under the ENERGY STAR Program of $1,000. Support.
H2718 N.C. Green Business Fund
This legislation would change the NC Green Business Fund from a grant-making fund to a no-interest loan-making fund and would appropriate funds to the Department of Commerce for this purpose. Support.
H2720 Energy-Efficient State Motor Vehicle Fleets
This legislation would require every new passenger motor vehicle transferred to or purchasaed by the Department of Administration or by the Department of Transportation to have a fuel economy rating, as set by the U.S. EPA for the new vehicle's model year, in the top 10 percent for its class of vehicles. Support.
7/08/2008
AT&T Whistleblower Against Immunity for Telecoms
AT&T Whistleblower Urges Against Immunity for Telecoms in Bush Spy Program
The Senate is expected to vote on a controversial measure to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act tomorrow. The legislation would rewrite the nation's surveillance laws and authorize the National Security Agency's secret program of warrantless wiretapping. We speak with Mark Klein, a technician with AT&T for over twenty-two years. In 2006 Klein leaked internal AT&T documents that revealed the company had set up a secret room in its San Francisco office to give the National Security Agency access to its fiber optic internet cables.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7//att_t_whistleblower_urges_against
The Senate is expected to vote on a controversial measure to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act tomorrow. The legislation would rewrite the nation's surveillance laws and authorize the National Security Agency's secret program of warrantless wiretapping. We speak with Mark Klein, a technician with AT&T for over twenty-two years. In 2006 Klein leaked internal AT&T documents that revealed the company had set up a secret room in its San Francisco office to give the National Security Agency access to its fiber optic internet cables.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7//att_t_whistleblower_urges_against
7/03/2008
Coal Power Plant Blocked, GA
Climate concerns halt coal plant
The US state of Georgia blocks construction of a new coal power plant based on concerns over carbon emissions.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/science/nature/7485936.stm
The US state of Georgia blocks construction of a new coal power plant based on concerns over carbon emissions.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/science/nature/7485936.stm
7/02/2008
Thumbnail Info on NC House and Senate Bills
Legislative Summaries [from Conservation Council of NC]
H838 Ban Incandescent Light Bulbs
This legislation would prohibit the sale of general service incandescent light bulbs in the state. Support.
H1134 Cleanup of Abandoned Manufactured Homes
This legislation would protect public health and the environment by encouraging counties to develop plans for deconstructing abandoned manufactured homes and removing reusable or recyclable components. The legislation would impose an environmental remediation tax on the sale of new and used manufactured homes to fund the deconstruction of abandoned manufactured homes. Support.
H1154 Oak Island/Erosion Setback Line
This legislation, which applies to the Town of Oak Island, alters setback rules in cases of beaches that have undergone renourishment programs. Altering the setback rules undermines sound planning principles and prudent coastal management rules that have been in place for some time. Oppose.
H1179/S1307 Clean Cars Program/Funds
This legislation would establish North Carolina's low emission vehicle program. Support.
H1611 Stormwater Requirements' cost to County/City
This legislation requires the ERC to prepare and submit a fiscal note to the county or city detailing the costs of meeting post-construction stormwater management standards. Oppose.
H1834 Local Government Economic Impact
This legislation expands the Local Government Fiscal Information Act to require an economic impact statement (EIS) rather than just a fiscal note, similar to the EIS used in the rulemaking process. This act effectively alters the procedures for all parties of local governments who expect to experience substantial economic impacts (of at least $3 million in a 12-month period) from the costs of meeting State regulations and rules. Oppose.
H1889 Present Use Value System Modifications
This legislation would provide property tax relief to landowners who manage their lands for wildlife and other conservation benefits. The House passed H1889 by an overwhelming vote in the 2007 session. This bill awaits the Senate's ruling. Support.
H1997 Economic Impact/Regulatory Legislation
This legislation would require economic impact statements (EIS) for all bills proposing regulatory changes, similar to he fiscal notes agencies must prepare during the rule making process. Oppose.
H2138/S1967 Disapprove Coastal Stormwater Rule
This legislation which would disapprove existing stormwater regulations in coastal counties. Oppose.
H2499 / S1879 Drought/Water Management Recommendations
This legislation requires that surface and groundwater withdrawls and transfers (between river basins) of greater than or equal to 100,000 gallons per day be registered with the Environmental Management Commission. Support.
H2506 Sedimentation Ctrl/Local Gov't Envorcement
This legislation would clarify the process for appeals from civil penalties assed by a local government that have established and approved erosion and sedimentation control programs. In keeping with a recommendation by the Environmental Review Commission, this legislation would provide local governments with such programs to issue stop work orders. Support.
H2526 Motor Vehicle Emissions Study
This legislation would direct the Environmental Review Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to study the costs and benefits--economic and environmental--of adopting the California motor vehicle emissions standards for the State. This act further directs that a report of findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals be submitted by 1 April 2009. Support.
H2675 Adopt-A-Trail Funds
This legislation would increase the funds for the Adopt-a-Trail Program within the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources by $892,000 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Support.
H2709 No Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
This legislation would prohibit any public utility that operates a coal-fired generating unit in the State to generate electricity from purchasing or using coal extracted by mountaintop removal coal mining. This bill provides for cost recovery and appropriates funds for any utility's incremental costs of purchasing or using coal extracted by some method other than mountaintop removal coal mining. Support.
H2710 Income Tax Credit - Energy-Efficient Homes
This legislation would provide an income tax credit for builders of: state-certified energy-efficient homes, under the NC Healthy Build Homes Program, of $2,000; or the federally qualified energy-efficient home under the ENERGY STAR Program of $1,000. Support.
H2718 N.C. Green Business Fund
This legislation would change the NC Green Business Fund from a grant-making fund to a no-interest loan-making fund and would appropriate funds to the Department of Commerce for this purpose. Support.
H2720 Energy-Efficient State Motor Vehicle Fleets
This legislation would require every new passenger motor vehicle transferred to or purchasaed by the Department of Administration or by the Department of Transportation to have a fuel economy rating, as set by the U.S. EPA for the new vehicle's model year, in the top 10 percent for its class of vehicles. Support.
S215 Litter Reduction
This legislation would reduce roadside and other littering, as well as encouraging recycling by requiring a deposit on beverage containers and requiring redemption centers to accept returned beverage containers and refund the deposits. Support.
S273 Funds for Sylvan Heights Water Fowl Park
This legislation would provide funds ($150,000) for the construction of Phase II of the Sylvan Heights Water Fowl and Eco-center in Scotland Neck. Support.
S396 Clarify EMC and DENR Authority
This legislation would limit the authority of DENR and EMC to impose conditions on their approval of permits. Oppose.
S505 Income Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Homes
This legislation would provide an Income Tax Credit for the building or improvement o fenergy efficient homes. Support.
S569 Wildlife Conservation Property Tax Relief
This legislation would provide property tax relief from qualified wildlife conservtion land. Support.
S599 Inlet Stabilization Pilot Program
This legislation would allow the construction of permanent seawalls or groins on the coastline as part of a pilot program to evaluate their effectiveness. Oppose.
S927/H1073 Green School Construction Loan Fund/Program
This legislation would create the green school construction revolving loan fund to be used for no interest loans to local boards of education for certain energy related construction, commissioning, and installation projects. It would also establish the green school construction program, a voluntary program for the construction or major renovation of high performance school buildings. Support.
S967/H1600 NC Organic Economic Opportunities Study
This legislation would ensure that economic market research is conducted for the expansion and development of organic agriculture production, marketing and business enterprises in the State. Support.
S1522/H990 Land & Water Conservation Bond Act of 2007
This legislation authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds of the State, subject to a vote of the qualified voters of the State, to address statewide needs regarding land conservation, water quality protection, historic preservation, and job creation. Support.
S1553 Recyling Discarded Computer Equipment
This legislation would the establish the North Carolina Producer Responsibility Program for the recycling of discarded computer equipment. Support.
S1597 Cary Energy Efficiency Incentive
This legislation authorizes Cary to provide land-use development incentives for reductions in energy consumption. Once passed into law, this legislation would apply to the cities of Asheville, Charlotte, and Wilmington, and the towns of Carrboro, Cary, and Chapel Hill. Support.
S1871/H2526 Motor Vehicle Emissions Study
This legislation directs the ERC to consult with DENR to conduct a cost-benefit of adopting the higher California motor vehicle emissions stands in the State. Support.
S1894/H2363 Congestion Relief/Intermodal Transport Fund
This legislation, recommended by the 21st Century transportation committee, would establish a congestion relief and intermodal transportation fund, providing for the allocation of these funds to local governments and transportation authorities for transportation purposes. Such benifits and services would include short line railroads; railroads for intermodal facilities, multimodal facilities and inland ports; improvements on existing rail lines to ports and military installations; and expand intercity passenger rail service, especially among three urban regions,a llowing other local governments similar local transit funding options. Support.
S1930 State Park System Additions
This legislation, following an ERC recommendation, authorizes the addition of Bear Paw State Natural Area and Yellow Mountain State Natural area to the NC State Park System. Support.
S1933 Amend Environmental Laws 2008
This legislation, following ERC recommendations, adjusts environmental and natural resource laws to provide that drinking water wells be tested for additional parameters such as benzene, methyl tert-butyl or isopropyl ether, benzene, toluene, and other similar compounds. Support.
S1946 Codify Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings
This legislation, following ERC recommendations, codifies energy efficiency and water use standards used for major facility construction or renovation projects to state, university, or community college buildings in order to reduce water and energy consumption. Support.
S1959 Water Resource Management Funds
This legislation would secure funds for NC's regional councils to develop and implement water resource management programs which address water quality issues which extend beyond local governmental boundaries. Support.
SJ1987 ERC Study Offshore Drilling For Energy Needs
This legislation would authorize the ERC to study the desireability of encouraging offshore drilling exploration for oil or natural gas in coastal waters with in the State's jurisdiction. This feasibility study would have to address whether the State could urge U.S. Congress to pass new federal legislation which would try to lift a federal moratoria on offshore drilling exploration for oil or natural gas within federal jurisdiction. Oppose.
S2035 North Carolina Sea Grant Funding
This legislation would secure $750,000 for fiscal year 2008-2009 for NC State University's NC Sea Grant Program. Support.
S2077 Stock Assessments of Marine Fish
This legislation would secure $100,000 worth of state funds for NC State University for marine fish stock assessments. Support.
The Conservation Council Lobbying Advisory Council is supported by these other environmental organizations...
Audubon Society North Carolina
www.ncaudubon.org
Carolina Recycling Association
www.cra-recycle.org
Conservation Trust for NC
www.ctnc.org
Carteret County Crossroads
www.carteretcrossroads.org
Eno River Association
www.enoriver.org
Friends of State Parks
www.rasman.com/fsp
Neuse River Foundation
www.neuseriver.org
New Hope Audubon
www.newhopeaudubon.org
NC Coastal Federation
www.nccoast.org
NC Native Plant Society
www.ncwildflower.org
NC Rail-Trails
www.ncrail-trails.org
NC Recreation & Park Association
http://www.ncrpa.net
NC Sustainable Energy Association
www.ncsustainableenergy.org
Pamlico-Tar River Foundation
www.ptrf.org
South River Association
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
www.cleanenergy.org
H838 Ban Incandescent Light Bulbs
This legislation would prohibit the sale of general service incandescent light bulbs in the state. Support.
H1134 Cleanup of Abandoned Manufactured Homes
This legislation would protect public health and the environment by encouraging counties to develop plans for deconstructing abandoned manufactured homes and removing reusable or recyclable components. The legislation would impose an environmental remediation tax on the sale of new and used manufactured homes to fund the deconstruction of abandoned manufactured homes. Support.
H1154 Oak Island/Erosion Setback Line
This legislation, which applies to the Town of Oak Island, alters setback rules in cases of beaches that have undergone renourishment programs. Altering the setback rules undermines sound planning principles and prudent coastal management rules that have been in place for some time. Oppose.
H1179/S1307 Clean Cars Program/Funds
This legislation would establish North Carolina's low emission vehicle program. Support.
H1611 Stormwater Requirements' cost to County/City
This legislation requires the ERC to prepare and submit a fiscal note to the county or city detailing the costs of meeting post-construction stormwater management standards. Oppose.
H1834 Local Government Economic Impact
This legislation expands the Local Government Fiscal Information Act to require an economic impact statement (EIS) rather than just a fiscal note, similar to the EIS used in the rulemaking process. This act effectively alters the procedures for all parties of local governments who expect to experience substantial economic impacts (of at least $3 million in a 12-month period) from the costs of meeting State regulations and rules. Oppose.
H1889 Present Use Value System Modifications
This legislation would provide property tax relief to landowners who manage their lands for wildlife and other conservation benefits. The House passed H1889 by an overwhelming vote in the 2007 session. This bill awaits the Senate's ruling. Support.
H1997 Economic Impact/Regulatory Legislation
This legislation would require economic impact statements (EIS) for all bills proposing regulatory changes, similar to he fiscal notes agencies must prepare during the rule making process. Oppose.
H2138/S1967 Disapprove Coastal Stormwater Rule
This legislation which would disapprove existing stormwater regulations in coastal counties. Oppose.
H2499 / S1879 Drought/Water Management Recommendations
This legislation requires that surface and groundwater withdrawls and transfers (between river basins) of greater than or equal to 100,000 gallons per day be registered with the Environmental Management Commission. Support.
H2506 Sedimentation Ctrl/Local Gov't Envorcement
This legislation would clarify the process for appeals from civil penalties assed by a local government that have established and approved erosion and sedimentation control programs. In keeping with a recommendation by the Environmental Review Commission, this legislation would provide local governments with such programs to issue stop work orders. Support.
H2526 Motor Vehicle Emissions Study
This legislation would direct the Environmental Review Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to study the costs and benefits--economic and environmental--of adopting the California motor vehicle emissions standards for the State. This act further directs that a report of findings, recommendations, and legislative proposals be submitted by 1 April 2009. Support.
H2675 Adopt-A-Trail Funds
This legislation would increase the funds for the Adopt-a-Trail Program within the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources by $892,000 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Support.
H2709 No Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
This legislation would prohibit any public utility that operates a coal-fired generating unit in the State to generate electricity from purchasing or using coal extracted by mountaintop removal coal mining. This bill provides for cost recovery and appropriates funds for any utility's incremental costs of purchasing or using coal extracted by some method other than mountaintop removal coal mining. Support.
H2710 Income Tax Credit - Energy-Efficient Homes
This legislation would provide an income tax credit for builders of: state-certified energy-efficient homes, under the NC Healthy Build Homes Program, of $2,000; or the federally qualified energy-efficient home under the ENERGY STAR Program of $1,000. Support.
H2718 N.C. Green Business Fund
This legislation would change the NC Green Business Fund from a grant-making fund to a no-interest loan-making fund and would appropriate funds to the Department of Commerce for this purpose. Support.
H2720 Energy-Efficient State Motor Vehicle Fleets
This legislation would require every new passenger motor vehicle transferred to or purchasaed by the Department of Administration or by the Department of Transportation to have a fuel economy rating, as set by the U.S. EPA for the new vehicle's model year, in the top 10 percent for its class of vehicles. Support.
S215 Litter Reduction
This legislation would reduce roadside and other littering, as well as encouraging recycling by requiring a deposit on beverage containers and requiring redemption centers to accept returned beverage containers and refund the deposits. Support.
S273 Funds for Sylvan Heights Water Fowl Park
This legislation would provide funds ($150,000) for the construction of Phase II of the Sylvan Heights Water Fowl and Eco-center in Scotland Neck. Support.
S396 Clarify EMC and DENR Authority
This legislation would limit the authority of DENR and EMC to impose conditions on their approval of permits. Oppose.
S505 Income Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Homes
This legislation would provide an Income Tax Credit for the building or improvement o fenergy efficient homes. Support.
S569 Wildlife Conservation Property Tax Relief
This legislation would provide property tax relief from qualified wildlife conservtion land. Support.
S599 Inlet Stabilization Pilot Program
This legislation would allow the construction of permanent seawalls or groins on the coastline as part of a pilot program to evaluate their effectiveness. Oppose.
S927/H1073 Green School Construction Loan Fund/Program
This legislation would create the green school construction revolving loan fund to be used for no interest loans to local boards of education for certain energy related construction, commissioning, and installation projects. It would also establish the green school construction program, a voluntary program for the construction or major renovation of high performance school buildings. Support.
S967/H1600 NC Organic Economic Opportunities Study
This legislation would ensure that economic market research is conducted for the expansion and development of organic agriculture production, marketing and business enterprises in the State. Support.
S1522/H990 Land & Water Conservation Bond Act of 2007
This legislation authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds of the State, subject to a vote of the qualified voters of the State, to address statewide needs regarding land conservation, water quality protection, historic preservation, and job creation. Support.
S1553 Recyling Discarded Computer Equipment
This legislation would the establish the North Carolina Producer Responsibility Program for the recycling of discarded computer equipment. Support.
S1597 Cary Energy Efficiency Incentive
This legislation authorizes Cary to provide land-use development incentives for reductions in energy consumption. Once passed into law, this legislation would apply to the cities of Asheville, Charlotte, and Wilmington, and the towns of Carrboro, Cary, and Chapel Hill. Support.
S1871/H2526 Motor Vehicle Emissions Study
This legislation directs the ERC to consult with DENR to conduct a cost-benefit of adopting the higher California motor vehicle emissions stands in the State. Support.
S1894/H2363 Congestion Relief/Intermodal Transport Fund
This legislation, recommended by the 21st Century transportation committee, would establish a congestion relief and intermodal transportation fund, providing for the allocation of these funds to local governments and transportation authorities for transportation purposes. Such benifits and services would include short line railroads; railroads for intermodal facilities, multimodal facilities and inland ports; improvements on existing rail lines to ports and military installations; and expand intercity passenger rail service, especially among three urban regions,a llowing other local governments similar local transit funding options. Support.
S1930 State Park System Additions
This legislation, following an ERC recommendation, authorizes the addition of Bear Paw State Natural Area and Yellow Mountain State Natural area to the NC State Park System. Support.
S1933 Amend Environmental Laws 2008
This legislation, following ERC recommendations, adjusts environmental and natural resource laws to provide that drinking water wells be tested for additional parameters such as benzene, methyl tert-butyl or isopropyl ether, benzene, toluene, and other similar compounds. Support.
S1946 Codify Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings
This legislation, following ERC recommendations, codifies energy efficiency and water use standards used for major facility construction or renovation projects to state, university, or community college buildings in order to reduce water and energy consumption. Support.
S1959 Water Resource Management Funds
This legislation would secure funds for NC's regional councils to develop and implement water resource management programs which address water quality issues which extend beyond local governmental boundaries. Support.
SJ1987 ERC Study Offshore Drilling For Energy Needs
This legislation would authorize the ERC to study the desireability of encouraging offshore drilling exploration for oil or natural gas in coastal waters with in the State's jurisdiction. This feasibility study would have to address whether the State could urge U.S. Congress to pass new federal legislation which would try to lift a federal moratoria on offshore drilling exploration for oil or natural gas within federal jurisdiction. Oppose.
S2035 North Carolina Sea Grant Funding
This legislation would secure $750,000 for fiscal year 2008-2009 for NC State University's NC Sea Grant Program. Support.
S2077 Stock Assessments of Marine Fish
This legislation would secure $100,000 worth of state funds for NC State University for marine fish stock assessments. Support.
The Conservation Council Lobbying Advisory Council is supported by these other environmental organizations...
Audubon Society North Carolina
www.ncaudubon.org
Carolina Recycling Association
www.cra-recycle.org
Conservation Trust for NC
www.ctnc.org
Carteret County Crossroads
www.carteretcrossroads.org
Eno River Association
www.enoriver.org
Friends of State Parks
www.rasman.com/fsp
Neuse River Foundation
www.neuseriver.org
New Hope Audubon
www.newhopeaudubon.org
NC Coastal Federation
www.nccoast.org
NC Native Plant Society
www.ncwildflower.org
NC Rail-Trails
www.ncrail-trails.org
NC Recreation & Park Association
http://www.ncrpa.net
NC Sustainable Energy Association
www.ncsustainableenergy.org
Pamlico-Tar River Foundation
www.ptrf.org
South River Association
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
www.cleanenergy.org
Recycle, July 12, Sou. Pines
Mixed paper--shredded office, junk mail, phone books, greeting cards, gift-wrap, newspapers, mags, shiny ads, cardboard, cereal boxes, batteries
Saturday, July 12
9:00 - 3:00
Gas station at Fresh Market
sponsors: Keep Moore Co. Beautiful and League of Women Voters of MC
Saturday, July 12
9:00 - 3:00
Gas station at Fresh Market
sponsors: Keep Moore Co. Beautiful and League of Women Voters of MC
Political Autonomy
"Political independence and the ability to engage in society has a lot to do with from what position of autonomy do we stand. And if we stand totally dependent on a one or two or three day food supply chain, we don't really have any position of political autonomy." David Holmgren, Co-Originator of the Permaculture Concept
Ground Zero Off, Naval Fleet On
Ground Zero rebuild plan scrapped
The timetable for rebuilding work at the site of the 9/11 attacks in New York is abandoned as projects run over budget.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7483590.stm
US fleet on Latin American patrol
The United States Fourth Naval Fleet resumes operations in waters off the Caribbean for the first time since 1950. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7484039.stm
The timetable for rebuilding work at the site of the 9/11 attacks in New York is abandoned as projects run over budget.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7483590.stm
US fleet on Latin American patrol
The United States Fourth Naval Fleet resumes operations in waters off the Caribbean for the first time since 1950. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7484039.stm
7/01/2008
Are We Resiliant? Hopkins, UK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGHrWPtCvg0&eurl=http://www.wordpress.peakmoment.tv/conversations/?p=180
6/30/2008
Secret Operations Against Iran
Hersh: Congress Agreed to Bush Request to Fund Major Escalation in Secret Operations Against Iran
Congressional leaders agreed to a request from President Bush last year to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran aimed at destabilizing Iran's leadership, according to a new article by veteran investigative journalist Seymour Hersh in the New Yorker magazine.
The operations were set out in a highly classified Presidential Finding signed by Bush which, by law, must be made known to Democratic and Republican leaders.
The plan allowed up to $400 million in covert spending for activities ranging from supporting dissident groups to spying on Iran's nuclear program.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/30/hersh_congress_agreed_to_bush_request
Congressional leaders agreed to a request from President Bush last year to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran aimed at destabilizing Iran's leadership, according to a new article by veteran investigative journalist Seymour Hersh in the New Yorker magazine.
The operations were set out in a highly classified Presidential Finding signed by Bush which, by law, must be made known to Democratic and Republican leaders.
The plan allowed up to $400 million in covert spending for activities ranging from supporting dissident groups to spying on Iran's nuclear program.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/30/hersh_congress_agreed_to_bush_request
Conservation Insider Bulletin, June 27
Conservation Insider Bulletin
Published weekly for the Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation News to Peruse & Use
Editor: Dan Besse, cib@conservationcouncilnc.org
June 27, 2008
Another state politician's "convictions" on offshore drilling have drifted off in the political winds. Plus, there's more campaign and legislative news, this week in CIB:
--Campaign Watch: Dole Flips on Drilling; Donnan Wins Labor Nomination; Business Lobby Splits Over Campaign Strategy
--Legislative Watch: Drought Legislation Still Pending
--Local Government Watch: Warning—Propaganda Mailers to Your Local Leaders
Campaign Watch: Dole Flips on Drilling; Donnan Wins Labor Nomination; Business Lobby Splits Over Campaign Strategy
Dole Flips on Drilling: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) this week abandoned her longstanding support of a federal moratorium on Atlantic coast offshore oil drilling. She told press that she now supports lifting the moratorium in order to "increase our energy independence". Sorry, Liddy--U.S. government and industry analysts report that if the moratorium were lifted, it would likely be 2030 before new offshore leases could be brought into production. Dole's general election opponent, N.C. State Senator Kay Hagan (D-Guilford), opposes lifting the moratorium.
The score now for high-profile 2008 contests in North Carolina:
Barack Obama: opposes more offshore drilling
John McCain: supports more offshore drilling
Kay Hagan: opposes
Elizabeth Dole: supports
Bev Perdue: opposes
Pat McCrory: waffles
Donnan Wins Labor Nomination: Mary Fant Donnan on Tuesday defeated former Labor Commissioner John Brooks by more than a 2-to-1 margin in a statewide runoff primary. Donnan, a Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation program officer, and the director of research and policy under former Labor Commissioner Harry Payne, thus becomes the Democratic nominee for Labor Commissioner this fall. A central issue in the general election is certain to be the need for stronger enforcement of workplace safety and health laws.
Business Lobby Splits Over Campaign Strategy: NC FREE. long one of North Carolina's most influential business organizations in the political realms, may be breaking up. NC FREE is probably best known for its well-researched analyses of state legislative campaigns, and the competitiveness of candidates for those seats. It has also served as a forum for business leaders to share their preferences on these candidates. Recently, the organization has begun building more overtly partisan efforts to recruit and assist candidates. Most recently, its leadership has begun promoting the election of candidates who work in business as opposed to some other profession or occupation. Apparently, this trend has proceeded too far for the comfort of some of NC FREE's largest corporate members. According to a 6/27/08 article in the Charlotte Observer, "at least a dozen" member companies (including major corporations Bank of America, Duke Energy, Wachovia, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Progress Energy) have dropped their memberships in recent months. The companies reportedly are concerned that the group's increasingly partisan tone will undercut their ability to maintain influence with elected leaders in both major parties. Because the organization's dues are based on companies' size, the loss of such memberships represents a major financial hit for the group. The group's board of directors is said to be reviewing its policies and organizational status.
Legislative Watch: Drought Legislation Still Pending
One of the environmental priorities for 2008, drought and water resources management, is still alive for potential action this year, but not moving while legislative leadership finalizes the budget. HB 2499, "Drought/ Water Management Recommendations", would strengthen water conservation requirements during droughts, require better reporting of major water withdrawals, prohibit water rate structures that encourage waste, allow use of "gray water" for irrigation, encourage leak detection and repair efforts, and generally improve water supply planning. Environmental groups including CCNC are encouraging members to contact their legislators in support of this legislation.
Local Government Watch: Warning—Propaganda Mailers to Your Local Leaders
CIB has previously reported on an industry-funded right-wing advocacy group known as the Heartland Institute. Here's an updated propaganda alert: Heartland has mailed out to local government elected officials around the state (presumably around the nation) a deceptively serious-looking document titled, "Nature, Not Human Activity, Rules the Climate".
Here's a refresher regarding the Heartland Institute's real background. It has received extensive funding from ExxonMobil and other corporations financially invested in the policy debates on which it "reports". Heartland most recently embarrassed itself by releasing a report which included a list of 500 scientists who allegedly doubted that human factors are causing climate change. Heartland soon found itself furiously backtracking and blaming its own "PR department" for errors, after dozens of the scientists cited on the list began expressing outrage that they were included, pointing out that their research and analysis actually contradicted Heartland's claims.
To give you a further idea of who these folks are, here's a tip: Heartland Institute's director of Climate Strategies Watch, Paul Chesser, is also a contributing editor for the John Locke Foundation's Carolina Journal.
The subtitle of the report now being sent to local elected leaders is "Summary for Policymakers—Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change" (NIPCC). The NIPCC is an industry front entity with a name plainly seeking to create confusion with ongoing genuine scientific reports from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). That gives you another picture of the level of scruples shown by this crowd.
For a summary review of Heartland Institute in some detail, here's one source: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Heartland_Institute.
CIB encourages readers to touch base with your local leaders on this point. If they're receiving Heartland's propaganda pieces, let them know what they're really getting.
Published weekly for the Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation News to Peruse & Use
Editor: Dan Besse, cib@conservationcouncilnc.org
June 27, 2008
Another state politician's "convictions" on offshore drilling have drifted off in the political winds. Plus, there's more campaign and legislative news, this week in CIB:
--Campaign Watch: Dole Flips on Drilling; Donnan Wins Labor Nomination; Business Lobby Splits Over Campaign Strategy
--Legislative Watch: Drought Legislation Still Pending
--Local Government Watch: Warning—Propaganda Mailers to Your Local Leaders
Campaign Watch: Dole Flips on Drilling; Donnan Wins Labor Nomination; Business Lobby Splits Over Campaign Strategy
Dole Flips on Drilling: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) this week abandoned her longstanding support of a federal moratorium on Atlantic coast offshore oil drilling. She told press that she now supports lifting the moratorium in order to "increase our energy independence". Sorry, Liddy--U.S. government and industry analysts report that if the moratorium were lifted, it would likely be 2030 before new offshore leases could be brought into production. Dole's general election opponent, N.C. State Senator Kay Hagan (D-Guilford), opposes lifting the moratorium.
The score now for high-profile 2008 contests in North Carolina:
Barack Obama: opposes more offshore drilling
John McCain: supports more offshore drilling
Kay Hagan: opposes
Elizabeth Dole: supports
Bev Perdue: opposes
Pat McCrory: waffles
Donnan Wins Labor Nomination: Mary Fant Donnan on Tuesday defeated former Labor Commissioner John Brooks by more than a 2-to-1 margin in a statewide runoff primary. Donnan, a Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation program officer, and the director of research and policy under former Labor Commissioner Harry Payne, thus becomes the Democratic nominee for Labor Commissioner this fall. A central issue in the general election is certain to be the need for stronger enforcement of workplace safety and health laws.
Business Lobby Splits Over Campaign Strategy: NC FREE. long one of North Carolina's most influential business organizations in the political realms, may be breaking up. NC FREE is probably best known for its well-researched analyses of state legislative campaigns, and the competitiveness of candidates for those seats. It has also served as a forum for business leaders to share their preferences on these candidates. Recently, the organization has begun building more overtly partisan efforts to recruit and assist candidates. Most recently, its leadership has begun promoting the election of candidates who work in business as opposed to some other profession or occupation. Apparently, this trend has proceeded too far for the comfort of some of NC FREE's largest corporate members. According to a 6/27/08 article in the Charlotte Observer, "at least a dozen" member companies (including major corporations Bank of America, Duke Energy, Wachovia, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Progress Energy) have dropped their memberships in recent months. The companies reportedly are concerned that the group's increasingly partisan tone will undercut their ability to maintain influence with elected leaders in both major parties. Because the organization's dues are based on companies' size, the loss of such memberships represents a major financial hit for the group. The group's board of directors is said to be reviewing its policies and organizational status.
Legislative Watch: Drought Legislation Still Pending
One of the environmental priorities for 2008, drought and water resources management, is still alive for potential action this year, but not moving while legislative leadership finalizes the budget. HB 2499, "Drought/ Water Management Recommendations", would strengthen water conservation requirements during droughts, require better reporting of major water withdrawals, prohibit water rate structures that encourage waste, allow use of "gray water" for irrigation, encourage leak detection and repair efforts, and generally improve water supply planning. Environmental groups including CCNC are encouraging members to contact their legislators in support of this legislation.
Local Government Watch: Warning—Propaganda Mailers to Your Local Leaders
CIB has previously reported on an industry-funded right-wing advocacy group known as the Heartland Institute. Here's an updated propaganda alert: Heartland has mailed out to local government elected officials around the state (presumably around the nation) a deceptively serious-looking document titled, "Nature, Not Human Activity, Rules the Climate".
Here's a refresher regarding the Heartland Institute's real background. It has received extensive funding from ExxonMobil and other corporations financially invested in the policy debates on which it "reports". Heartland most recently embarrassed itself by releasing a report which included a list of 500 scientists who allegedly doubted that human factors are causing climate change. Heartland soon found itself furiously backtracking and blaming its own "PR department" for errors, after dozens of the scientists cited on the list began expressing outrage that they were included, pointing out that their research and analysis actually contradicted Heartland's claims.
To give you a further idea of who these folks are, here's a tip: Heartland Institute's director of Climate Strategies Watch, Paul Chesser, is also a contributing editor for the John Locke Foundation's Carolina Journal.
The subtitle of the report now being sent to local elected leaders is "Summary for Policymakers—Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change" (NIPCC). The NIPCC is an industry front entity with a name plainly seeking to create confusion with ongoing genuine scientific reports from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). That gives you another picture of the level of scruples shown by this crowd.
For a summary review of Heartland Institute in some detail, here's one source: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Heartland_Institute.
CIB encourages readers to touch base with your local leaders on this point. If they're receiving Heartland's propaganda pieces, let them know what they're really getting.
6/29/2008
The Way We Eat
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/mark_bittman_on_what_s_wrong_with_what_we_eat.html
Huh--So It Wasn't About Building Democracy?
http://www.truthout.org/article/it-was-oil-all-along?print
Small Farms Up by 20%
After declining for more than a century, the number of small farms has increased 20% in the past six years. Dept of Agriculture
6/27/2008
Geopolitics of Energy
As Oil Hits Another Record High, A Look at the New Geopolitics of Energy
Oil prices have jumped to yet another record high, nearing $142 a barrel in Asian trading today. The latest price surge comes a day after OPEC's president said crude prices could reach $170 this summer. Meanwhile, Libya has threatened to cut oil production in response to US threats against oil producers. We speak with Michael Klare, author of Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet and Arun Gupta of The Indypendent.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/2/as_oil_hits_another_record_high
Oil prices have jumped to yet another record high, nearing $142 a barrel in Asian trading today. The latest price surge comes a day after OPEC's president said crude prices could reach $170 this summer. Meanwhile, Libya has threatened to cut oil production in response to US threats against oil producers. We speak with Michael Klare, author of Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet and Arun Gupta of The Indypendent.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/2/as_oil_hits_another_record_high
Bees Down, Prices Up
[CNN.com]
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Food prices could rise even more unless the mysterious decline in honey bees is solved, farmers and businessmen told lawmakers Thursday.
Farmers say their businesses are feeling the sting of the decline of honey bees.
"No bees, no crops," North Carolina grower Robert D. Edwards told a House Agriculture subcommittee. Edwards said he had to cut his cucumber acreage in half because of the lack of bees available to rent.
About three-quarters of flowering plants rely on birds, bees and other pollinators to help them reproduce. Bee pollination is responsible for $15 billion annually in crop value.
In 2006, beekeepers began reporting losing 30 percent to 90 percent of their hives. This phenomenon has become known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Scientists do not know how many bees have died; beekeepers have lost 36 percent of their managed colonies this year. It was 31 percent for 2007, said Edward B. Knipling, administrator of the Agriculture Department's Agricultural Research Service.
"If there are no bees, there is no way for our nation's farmers to continue to grow the high quality, nutritious foods our country relies on," said Democratic Rep. Dennis Cardoza of California, chairman of the horticulture and organic agriculture panel. "This is a crisis we cannot afford to ignore."
Food prices have gone up 83 percent in three years, according to the World Bank.
Edward R. Flanagan, who raises blueberries in Milbridge, Maine, said he could be forced to increase prices tenfold or go out of business without the beekeeping industry. "Every one of those berries owes its existence to the crazy, neurotic dancing of a honey bee from flower to flower," he said.
The cause behind the disorder remains unknown. Possible explanations include pesticides; a new parasite or pathogen; and the combination of immune-suppressing stresses such as poor nutrition, limited or contaminated water supplies and the need to move bees long distances for pollination.
Ice cream maker Haagen-Dazs and natural personal care products company Burt's Bees have pledged money for research and begun efforts to help save the bees.
The problem affects about 40 percent of Haagen-Dazs' 73 flavors, including banana split and chocolate peanut butter, because ingredients such as almonds, cherries and strawberries rely on honey bees for pollination.
Katty Pien, brand director for Haagen-Dazs, said those ingredients could become too scarce or expensive if bees keep dying. It could force the company to discontinue some of its most popular flavors, Pien said.
Haagen-Dazs has developed a new limited-time flavor, vanilla honey bee, and will use some of the proceeds for research on the disorder. Burt's Bees has introduced Colony Collapse Disorder Lip Balm to "soften your lips while saving honeybees."
The House Appropriations Committee approved $780,000 on Thursday for research on the disorder and $10 million for bee research. The money awaits approval by the full House and Senate.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Food prices could rise even more unless the mysterious decline in honey bees is solved, farmers and businessmen told lawmakers Thursday.
Farmers say their businesses are feeling the sting of the decline of honey bees.
"No bees, no crops," North Carolina grower Robert D. Edwards told a House Agriculture subcommittee. Edwards said he had to cut his cucumber acreage in half because of the lack of bees available to rent.
About three-quarters of flowering plants rely on birds, bees and other pollinators to help them reproduce. Bee pollination is responsible for $15 billion annually in crop value.
In 2006, beekeepers began reporting losing 30 percent to 90 percent of their hives. This phenomenon has become known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Scientists do not know how many bees have died; beekeepers have lost 36 percent of their managed colonies this year. It was 31 percent for 2007, said Edward B. Knipling, administrator of the Agriculture Department's Agricultural Research Service.
"If there are no bees, there is no way for our nation's farmers to continue to grow the high quality, nutritious foods our country relies on," said Democratic Rep. Dennis Cardoza of California, chairman of the horticulture and organic agriculture panel. "This is a crisis we cannot afford to ignore."
Food prices have gone up 83 percent in three years, according to the World Bank.
Edward R. Flanagan, who raises blueberries in Milbridge, Maine, said he could be forced to increase prices tenfold or go out of business without the beekeeping industry. "Every one of those berries owes its existence to the crazy, neurotic dancing of a honey bee from flower to flower," he said.
The cause behind the disorder remains unknown. Possible explanations include pesticides; a new parasite or pathogen; and the combination of immune-suppressing stresses such as poor nutrition, limited or contaminated water supplies and the need to move bees long distances for pollination.
Ice cream maker Haagen-Dazs and natural personal care products company Burt's Bees have pledged money for research and begun efforts to help save the bees.
The problem affects about 40 percent of Haagen-Dazs' 73 flavors, including banana split and chocolate peanut butter, because ingredients such as almonds, cherries and strawberries rely on honey bees for pollination.
Katty Pien, brand director for Haagen-Dazs, said those ingredients could become too scarce or expensive if bees keep dying. It could force the company to discontinue some of its most popular flavors, Pien said.
Haagen-Dazs has developed a new limited-time flavor, vanilla honey bee, and will use some of the proceeds for research on the disorder. Burt's Bees has introduced Colony Collapse Disorder Lip Balm to "soften your lips while saving honeybees."
The House Appropriations Committee approved $780,000 on Thursday for research on the disorder and $10 million for bee research. The money awaits approval by the full House and Senate.
The No Poo Movement
http://allalongtheedge.blogspot.com/2008/06/no-poo-movement.html
[Another small way to untangle corporate America from our lives.]
[Another small way to untangle corporate America from our lives.]
6/26/2008
6/25/2008
Gilberto Gil: Life, Music, Digital Divide
* From Political Prisoner to Cabinet Minister: Legendary Brazilian Musician Gilberto Gil on His Life, His Music and the Digital Divide
* Forty years ago, the legendary Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil was a political prisoner. Today, he is a cabinet official in the Brazilian government. As protests raged across the globe in 1968, Gil was at the center of a cultural and political revolution in Brazil known as Tropicalia. The movement was seen as such a threat to Brazil's military dictatorship that Gil was jailed, then forced into exile, where he would become one of the world's most celebrated musicians as well as a spokesperson for Brazil's emerging black consciousness movement.
Today, Gil remains one of Brazil's best known artists, as well as the country's Minister of Culture. He is now spearheading a different kind of anti-establishment revolution. This time it¹s about democratizing the distribution of intellectual property rights.
We spend the hour with Gilberto Gil in a wide-ranging interview on his life, his music, the black consciousness movement and the future of the internet.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/25/from_political_prisoner_to_cabinet
* Forty years ago, the legendary Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil was a political prisoner. Today, he is a cabinet official in the Brazilian government. As protests raged across the globe in 1968, Gil was at the center of a cultural and political revolution in Brazil known as Tropicalia. The movement was seen as such a threat to Brazil's military dictatorship that Gil was jailed, then forced into exile, where he would become one of the world's most celebrated musicians as well as a spokesperson for Brazil's emerging black consciousness movement.
Today, Gil remains one of Brazil's best known artists, as well as the country's Minister of Culture. He is now spearheading a different kind of anti-establishment revolution. This time it¹s about democratizing the distribution of intellectual property rights.
We spend the hour with Gilberto Gil in a wide-ranging interview on his life, his music, the black consciousness movement and the future of the internet.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/25/from_political_prisoner_to_cabinet
Hansen on Oil Exec Culpability
http://www.juancole.com/
Scroll down and click on YouTube for "Real News."
Scroll down and click on YouTube for "Real News."
Obama Stands for Moore, June 26, Pinehurst
First Organizational Meeting for the General Election
The Obama Stands for Moore group; a nonpartisan, grassroots organization of Moore County citizens, is holding its First Organizational Meeting for the General Election this Thursday, June 26th, at the Pinehurst Village Hall from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Come help us plan our efforts for the general election! We need your input and ideas.
Please bring whatever snacks/refreshments/paper plates/napkins and drinks you can. We are expecting a huge turnout of folks.
Call 246-0872 and ask for Timothy. We would like to know how many people to expect!
The Pinehurst Village Hall is located at 395 Magnolia Rd. Pinehurst - 28374 Click Here for a Google Map of this address.
Organize Smorganize!!! -
Come meet our new Field Organizer, Cisco Robinson from the Obama for America campaign. Cisco will be at the Pinehurst Village Hall on Thursday night. Here's your opportunity to meet our new "Lance Orchid". He's looking forward to meeting you all and will have news about the re-opening of the Obama office in Southern Pines, as well as information directly from the Obama for America campaign.
Black Arts Festival Followup -
Thanks to everyone who turned out for the Obama Stands For Moore booth at the Black Arts Festival this weekend! Nancy Barton, Jane Deaton and others raised over $100 dollars and registered new voters for the general election. A donation from the Obama Stands For Moore group was also made to help send Tessie Taylor find her way to the National Democratic Convention from the funds raised.
What's Next? -
Mark your calendars for the Fourth of July! The Obama Stands for Moore group is looking for volunteers to help decorate our float for the Pinehurst Parade. A $100 prize will be awarded to the best float in the parade, so we need your ideas and creativity. More details to be discussed on Thursday night.
“America, this is our moment. This is our time.” – Barack Obama
The Obama Stands for Moore group; a nonpartisan, grassroots organization of Moore County citizens, is holding its First Organizational Meeting for the General Election this Thursday, June 26th, at the Pinehurst Village Hall from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Come help us plan our efforts for the general election! We need your input and ideas.
Please bring whatever snacks/refreshments/paper plates/napkins and drinks you can. We are expecting a huge turnout of folks.
Call 246-0872 and ask for Timothy. We would like to know how many people to expect!
The Pinehurst Village Hall is located at 395 Magnolia Rd. Pinehurst - 28374 Click Here for a Google Map of this address.
Organize Smorganize!!! -
Come meet our new Field Organizer, Cisco Robinson from the Obama for America campaign. Cisco will be at the Pinehurst Village Hall on Thursday night. Here's your opportunity to meet our new "Lance Orchid". He's looking forward to meeting you all and will have news about the re-opening of the Obama office in Southern Pines, as well as information directly from the Obama for America campaign.
Black Arts Festival Followup -
Thanks to everyone who turned out for the Obama Stands For Moore booth at the Black Arts Festival this weekend! Nancy Barton, Jane Deaton and others raised over $100 dollars and registered new voters for the general election. A donation from the Obama Stands For Moore group was also made to help send Tessie Taylor find her way to the National Democratic Convention from the funds raised.
What's Next? -
Mark your calendars for the Fourth of July! The Obama Stands for Moore group is looking for volunteers to help decorate our float for the Pinehurst Parade. A $100 prize will be awarded to the best float in the parade, so we need your ideas and creativity. More details to be discussed on Thursday night.
“America, this is our moment. This is our time.” – Barack Obama
Action Alert, Call Your Reps and Senators
ACTION ALERT: Mandatory Requirement for NAIS in School Lunch Program Put in House Agriculture Appropriations Bill. CALL NOW!
The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee has included pro-NAIS provisions in the Agriculture Appropriations bill for 2009.
According to the press release, the bill would require USDA to purchase meat products for the School Lunch Program from livestock premises registered with National Animal Identification System beginning in July 2009.
This is a back-door method for mandating NAIS through the power of the purse strings. The bill also provides a total NAIS funding level of $14.5 million or about $4.8 million above 2008.
We must stop these provisions from going any further.
The full House Appropriations Committee will meet about the Agriculture Appropriations bill this Thursday, June 26. Sometime after that, it will go to the full House. We also need to contact our Senators now, to keep them from doing the same thing.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
1) Call or fax your US Representative. You can look up who represents you at www.congress.org or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or toll-free at 866-340-9281.
2) Call or fax the members of the House Appropriations Committee who come from your State. The members are listed at: http://appropriations.house.gov/members110th.shtml When you see a member who comes from your state, click on his or her name to get contact information.
3) Call or fax your Senators. You can look up who represents you at www.congress.org or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or toll-free at 866-340-9281.
With each person, ask to speak to the staffer who handles appropriations. If you get their voice mail, leave the following message, or something in your own words that makes the same points:
MESSAGE: My name is ____. I am a constituent [or live in your state, if you aren't in their district]. I am calling because the Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee has inserted language requiring the School Lunch Program to only buy meat from farms registered in the National Animal Identification System. I am against NAIS, and I do not want it to be tied to school lunch programs. NAIS, which tracks live animals, will not improve food safety because most food safety problems start at the slaughterhouse and food processing facilities. Funding for NAIS, particularly any mandatory NAIS, needs to be stopped. Please call me back at _____ to let me know where the Congressman/woman stands on this issue.
When you talk to the staffer, be sure to make the same points as in the message, and expand on them with some of the talking points below.
For more information, contact the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance at info@farmandranchfreedom.org or 866-687-6452.
The press release, from Chairwoman DeLauro (D-CT) is available at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/DeLauroSubMarkup06-19-08.pdf
MORE TALKING POINTS - state your concerns in your own words
* This bill uses the government's power to economically coerce farmers into NAIS. That is not a "voluntary" program.
* This bill throws good money after bad, supporting a program that is not sound economically or scientifically.
* USDA has presented no science to back up its claims that NAIS will address livestock diseases.
* The USDA has never completed a cost/benefit analysis to show that NAIS is worthwhile.
* NAIS will not improve food safety. The massive Hallmark/Westland beef recall this past year was caused by the slaughterhouse employees' failure to follow existing regulations for handling "downer" cows. Mandating NAIS on cattle producers will not make anybody obey the laws we already have.
* NAIS will not help Americans compete in the world market. If it is mandatory, or even adopted by most producers, those who participate will not get premiums for their meat.
* Pouring more money into the program is a waste of precious tax dollars that could be better spent on safety inspections at packing and processing plants, where most food contamination occurs.
* Using the school lunch program to force farmers into NAIS undermines the growing farm-to-school program, which helps children get fresh, local, and sustainably raised foods. Local farmers should not be forced into an unpopular program that has nothing to do with food quality or safety in order to provide food for our children.
* The claim that USDA has achieved 33% of its Premises Registration goal is wrong. USDA computes its percentage of premises registered based on farmers who answer the agriculture census. Hundreds of thousands of additional horse owners, families with a few chickens, suburbanites with a pet pot-bellied pig, and others like them are technically covered by NAIS, but USDA ignores them when it reports its supposed successes to Congress. The vast majority of people who will be impacted by NAIS either oppose it or are still unaware of it!
* NAIS has never been specifically approved by Congress. This massive program, which will impact millions of people, should be addressed through full and open debate, not sneaked in through appropriations.
Our postal address is PMB #106-380
4200 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20016
The House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee has included pro-NAIS provisions in the Agriculture Appropriations bill for 2009.
According to the press release, the bill would require USDA to purchase meat products for the School Lunch Program from livestock premises registered with National Animal Identification System beginning in July 2009.
This is a back-door method for mandating NAIS through the power of the purse strings. The bill also provides a total NAIS funding level of $14.5 million or about $4.8 million above 2008.
We must stop these provisions from going any further.
The full House Appropriations Committee will meet about the Agriculture Appropriations bill this Thursday, June 26. Sometime after that, it will go to the full House. We also need to contact our Senators now, to keep them from doing the same thing.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
1) Call or fax your US Representative. You can look up who represents you at www.congress.org or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or toll-free at 866-340-9281.
2) Call or fax the members of the House Appropriations Committee who come from your State. The members are listed at: http://appropriations.house.gov/members110th.shtml When you see a member who comes from your state, click on his or her name to get contact information.
3) Call or fax your Senators. You can look up who represents you at www.congress.org or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or toll-free at 866-340-9281.
With each person, ask to speak to the staffer who handles appropriations. If you get their voice mail, leave the following message, or something in your own words that makes the same points:
MESSAGE: My name is ____. I am a constituent [or live in your state, if you aren't in their district]. I am calling because the Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee has inserted language requiring the School Lunch Program to only buy meat from farms registered in the National Animal Identification System. I am against NAIS, and I do not want it to be tied to school lunch programs. NAIS, which tracks live animals, will not improve food safety because most food safety problems start at the slaughterhouse and food processing facilities. Funding for NAIS, particularly any mandatory NAIS, needs to be stopped. Please call me back at _____ to let me know where the Congressman/woman stands on this issue.
When you talk to the staffer, be sure to make the same points as in the message, and expand on them with some of the talking points below.
For more information, contact the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance at info@farmandranchfreedom.org or 866-687-6452.
The press release, from Chairwoman DeLauro (D-CT) is available at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/DeLauroSubMarkup06-19-08.pdf
MORE TALKING POINTS - state your concerns in your own words
* This bill uses the government's power to economically coerce farmers into NAIS. That is not a "voluntary" program.
* This bill throws good money after bad, supporting a program that is not sound economically or scientifically.
* USDA has presented no science to back up its claims that NAIS will address livestock diseases.
* The USDA has never completed a cost/benefit analysis to show that NAIS is worthwhile.
* NAIS will not improve food safety. The massive Hallmark/Westland beef recall this past year was caused by the slaughterhouse employees' failure to follow existing regulations for handling "downer" cows. Mandating NAIS on cattle producers will not make anybody obey the laws we already have.
* NAIS will not help Americans compete in the world market. If it is mandatory, or even adopted by most producers, those who participate will not get premiums for their meat.
* Pouring more money into the program is a waste of precious tax dollars that could be better spent on safety inspections at packing and processing plants, where most food contamination occurs.
* Using the school lunch program to force farmers into NAIS undermines the growing farm-to-school program, which helps children get fresh, local, and sustainably raised foods. Local farmers should not be forced into an unpopular program that has nothing to do with food quality or safety in order to provide food for our children.
* The claim that USDA has achieved 33% of its Premises Registration goal is wrong. USDA computes its percentage of premises registered based on farmers who answer the agriculture census. Hundreds of thousands of additional horse owners, families with a few chickens, suburbanites with a pet pot-bellied pig, and others like them are technically covered by NAIS, but USDA ignores them when it reports its supposed successes to Congress. The vast majority of people who will be impacted by NAIS either oppose it or are still unaware of it!
* NAIS has never been specifically approved by Congress. This massive program, which will impact millions of people, should be addressed through full and open debate, not sneaked in through appropriations.
Our postal address is PMB #106-380
4200 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20016
Meet Your Pollinators, June 28, Chatham Co.
Subj: [NCSBA-Chapters] National Pollinator week and SaveTheHives.com
This week (June 22-28) is National Pollinator Week (http://www.pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2008.htm). It is the second annual National Pollinator Week, initially proclaimed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and a unanimous vote of the U.S. Senate in 2007.
The purpose of Pollinator Week is to teach pollinator-friendly practices and raise public awareness of the importance of the bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, birds, and bats that are needed to produce 80 percent of our flowering plants and one third of our human food crops.
The National Academy of Sciences has reported that there is direct evidence of the decline of some pollinator species in North America. And, recently, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) of honey bees has alarmed the agricultural industry.
To celebrate, the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the Chatham County Beekeepers' Association will be holding a very special celebration of National Pollinator Week on Saturday, June 28, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The event is sponsored by Chatham Mills Development Corporation (see http://www.chathammillscenter.com/pages/newhomepage.html)
and hosted by Chatham Marketplace
(http://www.chathammarketplace.coop/) at The Lawn at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro, NC.
Outreach activities will include beekeeping demonstrations, an observation hive, and stickers identifying the variety of fruits and vegetables pollinated by bees.
We hope that next year other local chapters of the NCSBA and CES
Centers might engage in similar efforts, as this is a fantastic means of drawing attention to the importance of honey bees to our food supply.
Also, I bring your attention to another effort that we are launching this week to celebrate National Pollinator Week. Some local beekeepers have developed the "Feral Bee Project" website to map, track, and monitor feral bees nests across the state (http://www.savethehives.com/fbp/).
The site is still being developed, but we introduce it this week to start collecting information on non-managed honey bee colonies. If you know of any honey bees living outside of beehives, we encourage you to complete the simple online form so that we may capture these reports. We found our first "bee tree" this morning near Lake Jordan. We have uploaded the info onto the site, and it will likely be the subject of a newspaper report.
As always, let me know if you have questions, and I hope you enjoy your National Pollinator Week.
David R. Tarpy
Assistant Professor and Extension Apiculturist
Department of Entomology, Campus Box 7613
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7613
TEL: (919) 515-1660
http://entomology.ncsu.edu/apiculture
david_tarpy@ncsu.edu
This week (June 22-28) is National Pollinator Week (http://www.pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2008.htm). It is the second annual National Pollinator Week, initially proclaimed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and a unanimous vote of the U.S. Senate in 2007.
The purpose of Pollinator Week is to teach pollinator-friendly practices and raise public awareness of the importance of the bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, birds, and bats that are needed to produce 80 percent of our flowering plants and one third of our human food crops.
The National Academy of Sciences has reported that there is direct evidence of the decline of some pollinator species in North America. And, recently, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) of honey bees has alarmed the agricultural industry.
To celebrate, the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the Chatham County Beekeepers' Association will be holding a very special celebration of National Pollinator Week on Saturday, June 28, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The event is sponsored by Chatham Mills Development Corporation (see http://www.chathammillscenter.com/pages/newhomepage.html)
and hosted by Chatham Marketplace
(http://www.chathammarketplace.coop/) at The Lawn at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro, NC.
Outreach activities will include beekeeping demonstrations, an observation hive, and stickers identifying the variety of fruits and vegetables pollinated by bees.
We hope that next year other local chapters of the NCSBA and CES
Centers might engage in similar efforts, as this is a fantastic means of drawing attention to the importance of honey bees to our food supply.
Also, I bring your attention to another effort that we are launching this week to celebrate National Pollinator Week. Some local beekeepers have developed the "Feral Bee Project" website to map, track, and monitor feral bees nests across the state (http://www.savethehives.com/fbp/).
The site is still being developed, but we introduce it this week to start collecting information on non-managed honey bee colonies. If you know of any honey bees living outside of beehives, we encourage you to complete the simple online form so that we may capture these reports. We found our first "bee tree" this morning near Lake Jordan. We have uploaded the info onto the site, and it will likely be the subject of a newspaper report.
As always, let me know if you have questions, and I hope you enjoy your National Pollinator Week.
David R. Tarpy
Assistant Professor and Extension Apiculturist
Department of Entomology, Campus Box 7613
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7613
TEL: (919) 515-1660
http://entomology.ncsu.edu/apiculture
david_tarpy@ncsu.edu
6/24/2008
Sen. Feingold on Telecom Spy Bill
"One of the Greatest Intrusions, Potentially, on the Rights of AmericansProtected Under the 4th Amendment" - Sen. Feingold Blasts Telecom Spy Bill
It's being described as the most significant revision of the nation's surveillance law in three decades. The Senate is preparing to vote on rewriting the nation's Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and giving immunity to phone companies involved in President Bush's secret domestic spy program. We speak with Senator Russ Feingold (DWI), who has been the leading congressional voice against the Bush administration's warrantless spy program since it was exposed nearly three years ago. Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/24/feingold
It's being described as the most significant revision of the nation's surveillance law in three decades. The Senate is preparing to vote on rewriting the nation's Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and giving immunity to phone companies involved in President Bush's secret domestic spy program. We speak with Senator Russ Feingold (DWI), who has been the leading congressional voice against the Bush administration's warrantless spy program since it was exposed nearly three years ago. Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/24/feingold
Barack Speaks to Staff--video
https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/HQvidpledge1?match_campaign_id=10&match_is_pledge=1&source=20080624_SH_D1
Amnesty for Illegal Spying? Call Today!
No Immunity for Telecoms that Illegally Spy on US!
Last Friday, the House of Representatives granted de facto amnesty to the phone companies who cooperated with the Bush administration's illegal spying on American citizens. Our final opportunity to prevent this from becoming law lies with the Senate. We must stop the Senate from making the same terrible decision, a decision that chips away at one of our most fundamental and progressive values-the right to privacy.
Please call your senators right now and tell them to vote against any bill that lets the Bush administration and these telecom companies off the hook for shredding the constitution.
We cannot let the Senate give the phone companies and the Bush administration a free ride for past and future violations of our basic civil liberties. If we join together and ask our Senators to stop this bill by supporting a filibuster and voting NO against a bill that gives the phone companies amnesty, we can protect our privacy rights from this assault by conservative forces in Congress.
Call Your Senators Today.
The Senate switchboard is (202) 224-3121 (see below for a list of direct numbers). Tell them your state and ask them to connect you to your senator. Be sure to speak with both senators from your state. When you complete your calls, let us know what happened using this report form.
In addition to giving phone companies a free pass, this bill fails to restore adequate judicial review for future surveillance, which will continue to put our privacy rights at risk. Protecting our privacy rights is a core progressive value. Don't let them slip away. Take action by calling your senator today. And don't forget to report back to us.
Thanks,
Alan and the CAPAF advocacy team
P.S. We are excited to tell you that we will soon be launching our new advocacy website, IAmProgress.org. IAmProgress.org will be the home to all future CAPAF advocacy campaigns. So look out for the announcement and help us make IAmProgress.org a success.
Direct Phone Numbers to Senators (Listed by State)
Alabama
Sen. Richard Shelby (R) (202) 224-5744; 224-3416
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) (202) 224-4124; 224-3149
Alaska
Sen. Ted Stevens (R) (202) 224-3004; 224-2354
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) (202) 224-6665; 224-5301
Arizona
Sen. Jon Kyl (R) (202) 224-4521; 224-2207
Sen. John McCain (R) (202) 224-2235; 228-2862
Arkansas
Sen. Blanch Lincoln (D) (202) 224-4843; 228-1371
Sen. Mark Pryor (D) (202) 224-2353; 228-0908
California
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) (202) 224-3553; (202)228-2382
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) (202) 224-3841; 228-3954
Colorado
Sen. Wayne Allard (R) (202) 224-5941; 224-6471
Sen. Ken Salazar (D) (202) 224-5852; 228-5036
Connecticut
Sen. Christopher Dodd (D) (202) 224-2823; 224-1083
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I) (202) 224-4041; 224-9750
Delaware
Sen. Joseph Biden (D) (202) 224-5042; 224-0139
Sen. Thomas Carper (R) (202) 224-2441; 228-2190
Florida
Sen. Bill Nelson (D) (202) 224-5274; 228-2183
Sen. Mel Martinez (R) (202) 224-3041; 228-5171
Georgia
Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) (202) 224-3521; 224-0103
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R) (202) 224-3643; 228-0724
Hawaii
Sen. Daniel Akaka (D) (202) 224-6361; 224-2126
Sen. Daniel Inouye (D) (202) 224-3934; 224-6747
Idaho
Sen. Larry Craig (R) (202) 224-2752; 228-1067
Sen. Michael Crapo (R) (202) 224-6142; 228-1375
Illinois
Sen. Dick Durbin (D) (202) 224-2152; 228-0400
Sen. Barack Obama (D) (202) 224-2854; 228-5417
Indiana
Sen. Evan Bayh (D) (202) 224-5623; 228-1377
Sen. Richard Lugar (R) (202) 224-4814; 228-0360
Iowa
Sen. Charles Grassley (R) (202) 224-3744; 224-6020
Sen. Tom Harkin (D) (202) 224-3254; 224-9369
Kansas
Sen. Sam Brownback (R) (202) 224-6521; 228-1265
Sen. Pat Roberts (R) (202) 224-4774; 224-3514
Kentucky
Sen. Jim Bunning (R) (202) 224-4343; 228-1373
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) (202) 224-2541; 224-2499
Louisiana
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) (202) 224-5824; 224-9735
Sen. David Vitter (R) (202) 224-4623; 228-5061
Maine
Sen. Susan Collins (R) (202) 224-2523; 224-2693
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R) (202) 224-5344; 224-1946
Maryland
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D) (202) 224-4654; 224-8858
Sen. Ben Cardin (D) (202) 224-4524: 224-1651
Massachusetts
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D) (202) 224-4543; 224-2417
Sen. John Kerry (D) (202) 224-2742; 224-8525
Michigan
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) (202) 224-4822; 228-0325
Sen. Carl Levin (D) (202) 224-6221; 224-1388
Minnesota
Sen. Norm Coleman (R) (202) 224-5641; 224-1152
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) (202) 224-3244; 228-2186
Mississippi
Sen. Thad Cochran (R) (202) 224-5054; 224-9450
Sen. Roger Wicker (R) (202) 224-6253; 224-2262
Missouri
Sen. Christopher Bond (R) (202) 224-5721; 224-8149
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) (202) 224-6154; 228-6326
Montana
Sen. Max Baucus (D) (202) 224-2651; 224-4700
Sen. John Tester (D) (202) 224-2644; 224-8594
Nebraska
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R) (202) 224-4224; 224-5213
Sen. Ben Nelson (D) (202) 224-6551; 228-0012
Nevada
Sen. John Ensign (R) (202) 224-6244; 228-2193
Sen. Harry Reid (D) (202) 224-3542; 224-7327
New Hampshire
Sen. Judd Gregg (R) (202) 224-3324; 224-4952
Sen. John Sununu (R) (202) 224-2841; 228-4131
New Jersey
Sen. Robert Menendez (D) (202) 224-4744; 228-2197
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D) (202) 224-3224; 228-4054
New Mexico
Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D) (202) 224-5521; 224-2852
Sen. Pete Domenici (R) (202) 224-6621; 228-3261
New York
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D) (202) 224-4451; 228-0282
Sen. Charles Schumer (D) (202) 224-6542; 228-3027
North Carolina
Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) (202) 224-6342-; 224-1100
Sen. Richard Burr (R) (202) 224-3154; 228-2981
North Dakota
Sen. Kent Conrad (D) (202) 224-2043; 224-7776
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D) (202) 224-2551; 224-1193
Ohio
Sen. George Voinovich (R) (202) 224-3353; 228-1382
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) (202) 224-2315; 228-6321
Oklahoma
Sen. James Inhofe (R) (202) 224-224-4721; 228-0380
Sen. Tom Coburn (R) (202) 224-5754; 224-6008
Oregon
Sen. Ron Wyden (D) (202) 224-5244; 228-2717
Sen. Gordon Smith (R) (202) 224-3753; 228-3997
Pennsylvania
Sen. Arlen Specter (R) (202) 224-4254; 228-1229
Sen. Robert Casey (D) (202) 224- 6324; 228-0604
Rhode Island
Sen. Jack Reed (D) (202) 224-4642; 224-4680
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse(D) (202) 224-2921; 228-6362
South Carolina
Sen. Jim DeMint (R) (202) 224-6121; 228-5143
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) (202) 224-5972; 224-3808
South Dakota
Sen. Tim Johnson (D) (202) 224-5842; 228-5765
Sen. John Thune (R) (202) 224-2321; 228-5429
Tennessee
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R) (202) 224-4944; 228-3398
Sen. Bob Corker (R) (202) 224-3344; 228-0566
Texas
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) (202) 224-5922: 224-0776
Sen. John Cornyn (R) (202) 224-2934; 228-2856
Utah
Sen. Robert Bennett (R) (202) 224-5444; 228-1168
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) (202) 224-5251; 224-6331
Vermont
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D) (202) 224-4242; 224-3479
Sen. Bernard Sanders (I) (202) 224-5141; 228-0776
Virginia
Sen. John Warner (R) (202) 224-2023; 224-6295
Sen. James Webb (D) (202) 224-4024; 228-6363
Washington
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) (202) 224-3441; 224-0514
Sen. Patty Murray (D) (202) 224-2621; 224-0238
West Virginia
Sen. Robert Byrd (D) (202) 224-3954; 228-0002
Sen. John Rockefeller IV (D) (202) 224-6472; 224-7665
Wisconsin
Sen. Russ Feingold (D) (202) 224-5323; 224-2725
Sen. Herbert Kohl (D) (202) 224-5653; 224-9787
Wyoming
Sen. Michael Enzi (R) (202) 224-3424; 228-0359
Sen. John Barrasso (R) (202) 224-6441; 224-172
The Center for American Progress Action Fund is the sister advocacy organization of the Center for American Progress. The Action Fund transforms progressive ideas into policy through rapid response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing and advocacy, and partnerships with other progressive leaders throughout the country and the world. The Action Fund is also the home of the Progress Report and Think Progress, the blog that pushes back daily.
Last Friday, the House of Representatives granted de facto amnesty to the phone companies who cooperated with the Bush administration's illegal spying on American citizens. Our final opportunity to prevent this from becoming law lies with the Senate. We must stop the Senate from making the same terrible decision, a decision that chips away at one of our most fundamental and progressive values-the right to privacy.
Please call your senators right now and tell them to vote against any bill that lets the Bush administration and these telecom companies off the hook for shredding the constitution.
We cannot let the Senate give the phone companies and the Bush administration a free ride for past and future violations of our basic civil liberties. If we join together and ask our Senators to stop this bill by supporting a filibuster and voting NO against a bill that gives the phone companies amnesty, we can protect our privacy rights from this assault by conservative forces in Congress.
Call Your Senators Today.
The Senate switchboard is (202) 224-3121 (see below for a list of direct numbers). Tell them your state and ask them to connect you to your senator. Be sure to speak with both senators from your state. When you complete your calls, let us know what happened using this report form.
In addition to giving phone companies a free pass, this bill fails to restore adequate judicial review for future surveillance, which will continue to put our privacy rights at risk. Protecting our privacy rights is a core progressive value. Don't let them slip away. Take action by calling your senator today. And don't forget to report back to us.
Thanks,
Alan and the CAPAF advocacy team
P.S. We are excited to tell you that we will soon be launching our new advocacy website, IAmProgress.org. IAmProgress.org will be the home to all future CAPAF advocacy campaigns. So look out for the announcement and help us make IAmProgress.org a success.
Direct Phone Numbers to Senators (Listed by State)
Alabama
Sen. Richard Shelby (R) (202) 224-5744; 224-3416
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) (202) 224-4124; 224-3149
Alaska
Sen. Ted Stevens (R) (202) 224-3004; 224-2354
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) (202) 224-6665; 224-5301
Arizona
Sen. Jon Kyl (R) (202) 224-4521; 224-2207
Sen. John McCain (R) (202) 224-2235; 228-2862
Arkansas
Sen. Blanch Lincoln (D) (202) 224-4843; 228-1371
Sen. Mark Pryor (D) (202) 224-2353; 228-0908
California
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) (202) 224-3553; (202)228-2382
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) (202) 224-3841; 228-3954
Colorado
Sen. Wayne Allard (R) (202) 224-5941; 224-6471
Sen. Ken Salazar (D) (202) 224-5852; 228-5036
Connecticut
Sen. Christopher Dodd (D) (202) 224-2823; 224-1083
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I) (202) 224-4041; 224-9750
Delaware
Sen. Joseph Biden (D) (202) 224-5042; 224-0139
Sen. Thomas Carper (R) (202) 224-2441; 228-2190
Florida
Sen. Bill Nelson (D) (202) 224-5274; 228-2183
Sen. Mel Martinez (R) (202) 224-3041; 228-5171
Georgia
Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) (202) 224-3521; 224-0103
Sen. Johnny Isakson (R) (202) 224-3643; 228-0724
Hawaii
Sen. Daniel Akaka (D) (202) 224-6361; 224-2126
Sen. Daniel Inouye (D) (202) 224-3934; 224-6747
Idaho
Sen. Larry Craig (R) (202) 224-2752; 228-1067
Sen. Michael Crapo (R) (202) 224-6142; 228-1375
Illinois
Sen. Dick Durbin (D) (202) 224-2152; 228-0400
Sen. Barack Obama (D) (202) 224-2854; 228-5417
Indiana
Sen. Evan Bayh (D) (202) 224-5623; 228-1377
Sen. Richard Lugar (R) (202) 224-4814; 228-0360
Iowa
Sen. Charles Grassley (R) (202) 224-3744; 224-6020
Sen. Tom Harkin (D) (202) 224-3254; 224-9369
Kansas
Sen. Sam Brownback (R) (202) 224-6521; 228-1265
Sen. Pat Roberts (R) (202) 224-4774; 224-3514
Kentucky
Sen. Jim Bunning (R) (202) 224-4343; 228-1373
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) (202) 224-2541; 224-2499
Louisiana
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) (202) 224-5824; 224-9735
Sen. David Vitter (R) (202) 224-4623; 228-5061
Maine
Sen. Susan Collins (R) (202) 224-2523; 224-2693
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R) (202) 224-5344; 224-1946
Maryland
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D) (202) 224-4654; 224-8858
Sen. Ben Cardin (D) (202) 224-4524: 224-1651
Massachusetts
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D) (202) 224-4543; 224-2417
Sen. John Kerry (D) (202) 224-2742; 224-8525
Michigan
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) (202) 224-4822; 228-0325
Sen. Carl Levin (D) (202) 224-6221; 224-1388
Minnesota
Sen. Norm Coleman (R) (202) 224-5641; 224-1152
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) (202) 224-3244; 228-2186
Mississippi
Sen. Thad Cochran (R) (202) 224-5054; 224-9450
Sen. Roger Wicker (R) (202) 224-6253; 224-2262
Missouri
Sen. Christopher Bond (R) (202) 224-5721; 224-8149
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) (202) 224-6154; 228-6326
Montana
Sen. Max Baucus (D) (202) 224-2651; 224-4700
Sen. John Tester (D) (202) 224-2644; 224-8594
Nebraska
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R) (202) 224-4224; 224-5213
Sen. Ben Nelson (D) (202) 224-6551; 228-0012
Nevada
Sen. John Ensign (R) (202) 224-6244; 228-2193
Sen. Harry Reid (D) (202) 224-3542; 224-7327
New Hampshire
Sen. Judd Gregg (R) (202) 224-3324; 224-4952
Sen. John Sununu (R) (202) 224-2841; 228-4131
New Jersey
Sen. Robert Menendez (D) (202) 224-4744; 228-2197
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D) (202) 224-3224; 228-4054
New Mexico
Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D) (202) 224-5521; 224-2852
Sen. Pete Domenici (R) (202) 224-6621; 228-3261
New York
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D) (202) 224-4451; 228-0282
Sen. Charles Schumer (D) (202) 224-6542; 228-3027
North Carolina
Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) (202) 224-6342-; 224-1100
Sen. Richard Burr (R) (202) 224-3154; 228-2981
North Dakota
Sen. Kent Conrad (D) (202) 224-2043; 224-7776
Sen. Byron Dorgan (D) (202) 224-2551; 224-1193
Ohio
Sen. George Voinovich (R) (202) 224-3353; 228-1382
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) (202) 224-2315; 228-6321
Oklahoma
Sen. James Inhofe (R) (202) 224-224-4721; 228-0380
Sen. Tom Coburn (R) (202) 224-5754; 224-6008
Oregon
Sen. Ron Wyden (D) (202) 224-5244; 228-2717
Sen. Gordon Smith (R) (202) 224-3753; 228-3997
Pennsylvania
Sen. Arlen Specter (R) (202) 224-4254; 228-1229
Sen. Robert Casey (D) (202) 224- 6324; 228-0604
Rhode Island
Sen. Jack Reed (D) (202) 224-4642; 224-4680
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse(D) (202) 224-2921; 228-6362
South Carolina
Sen. Jim DeMint (R) (202) 224-6121; 228-5143
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) (202) 224-5972; 224-3808
South Dakota
Sen. Tim Johnson (D) (202) 224-5842; 228-5765
Sen. John Thune (R) (202) 224-2321; 228-5429
Tennessee
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R) (202) 224-4944; 228-3398
Sen. Bob Corker (R) (202) 224-3344; 228-0566
Texas
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) (202) 224-5922: 224-0776
Sen. John Cornyn (R) (202) 224-2934; 228-2856
Utah
Sen. Robert Bennett (R) (202) 224-5444; 228-1168
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) (202) 224-5251; 224-6331
Vermont
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D) (202) 224-4242; 224-3479
Sen. Bernard Sanders (I) (202) 224-5141; 228-0776
Virginia
Sen. John Warner (R) (202) 224-2023; 224-6295
Sen. James Webb (D) (202) 224-4024; 228-6363
Washington
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) (202) 224-3441; 224-0514
Sen. Patty Murray (D) (202) 224-2621; 224-0238
West Virginia
Sen. Robert Byrd (D) (202) 224-3954; 228-0002
Sen. John Rockefeller IV (D) (202) 224-6472; 224-7665
Wisconsin
Sen. Russ Feingold (D) (202) 224-5323; 224-2725
Sen. Herbert Kohl (D) (202) 224-5653; 224-9787
Wyoming
Sen. Michael Enzi (R) (202) 224-3424; 228-0359
Sen. John Barrasso (R) (202) 224-6441; 224-172
The Center for American Progress Action Fund is the sister advocacy organization of the Center for American Progress. The Action Fund transforms progressive ideas into policy through rapid response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing and advocacy, and partnerships with other progressive leaders throughout the country and the world. The Action Fund is also the home of the Progress Report and Think Progress, the blog that pushes back daily.
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
6/21/2008
Climate Action Plan to G8 Leaders
Business chiefs urge carbon curbs *A coalition of 99 companies hands a climate action plan to G8 leaders, asking for emission targets and global carbon trading.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/science/nature/7464517.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/science/nature/7464517.stm
6/20/2008
How's It Growing? Carthage, June 25
Howʼs It Growing?
Taylor Williams, Horticulture Extension Agent for Moore will conduct a plant clinic from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 at the agriculture building, 707 Pinehurst Ave., Carthage.
Taylor will discuss the current growing season and address some of the questions coming in on the Master Gardener Hot Line. The emphasis will be on landscape plants and vegetable gardens.
Bring your questions and a specimen from a plant that shows disease or insect damage. If an insect is causing problems, bring a sample thatʼs alive if possible. Now is an excellent time to evaluate your plants and see how they are growing.
For additional information, call the Extension office at 947-3188.
Taylor Williams, Horticulture Extension Agent for Moore will conduct a plant clinic from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 at the agriculture building, 707 Pinehurst Ave., Carthage.
Taylor will discuss the current growing season and address some of the questions coming in on the Master Gardener Hot Line. The emphasis will be on landscape plants and vegetable gardens.
Bring your questions and a specimen from a plant that shows disease or insect damage. If an insect is causing problems, bring a sample thatʼs alive if possible. Now is an excellent time to evaluate your plants and see how they are growing.
For additional information, call the Extension office at 947-3188.
Mortgage Fraud, Cuba, More War $ from Dems
FBI holds 406 for mortgage fraud *The FBI says it has arrested 406property market players as part of a crackdown on mortgage fraud.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/business/7464298.stm
EU to lift sanctions against Cuba *The European Union is to lift sanctions on Cuba it imposed in 2003 in protest at the jailing of dissidents.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7463803.stm
US House approves war funds bill *The Democrat-held US House of Representatives approves $162bn to pay for another year of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7464911.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/business/7464298.stm
EU to lift sanctions against Cuba *The European Union is to lift sanctions on Cuba it imposed in 2003 in protest at the jailing of dissidents.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7463803.stm
US House approves war funds bill *The Democrat-held US House of Representatives approves $162bn to pay for another year of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/americas/7464911.stm
CFSA Dinner, Carrboro, June 23
This coming Monday night, June 23, Panzanella Restaurant in Carrboro will open to feature a special menu created with ingredients from Cathy Jones and Mike Perry’s Perry-Winkle Farm, including (hopefully) their amazing potatoes.
You won’t want to miss this delicious local meal, and you won’t want to miss this chance to support CFSA either. Panzanella will be donating 10% of the night’s proceeds to CFSA, so you’ll be feeding yourself delectable, wholesome, artisanal food and you’ll be contributing to CFSA’s health at the same time. Please make plans to be there.
Doors open for the dinner at 5:30pm. I hope to see you there!
Roland McReynolds, Esq.
CFSA Executive Director
PO Box 448
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Ph: 919-542-2402
Fax: 919-542-7401
www.carolinafarmstewards.org
You won’t want to miss this delicious local meal, and you won’t want to miss this chance to support CFSA either. Panzanella will be donating 10% of the night’s proceeds to CFSA, so you’ll be feeding yourself delectable, wholesome, artisanal food and you’ll be contributing to CFSA’s health at the same time. Please make plans to be there.
Doors open for the dinner at 5:30pm. I hope to see you there!
Roland McReynolds, Esq.
CFSA Executive Director
PO Box 448
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Ph: 919-542-2402
Fax: 919-542-7401
www.carolinafarmstewards.org
6/19/2008
Sam Ragan Poetry Fest, June 21, Weymouth
SATURDAY JUNE 21
SOUTHERN PINES, NC
The North Carolina Poetry Society presents
SAM RAGAN POETRY FESTIVAL
WEYMOUTH CENTER FOR THE ARTS & HUMANITIES
A fun-filled, jam-packed day featuring readings by Pulitzer Prize nominee Keith Flynn, Michael Beadle’s performance poetry, campfire songs with Bill Griffin, musical performances by Bill Blackley, John Amen, and Linda and Shelby Stephenson, free giveaways, open mic readings throughout the day, and more!
Bring a bag lunch or order a box lunch from 195 during morning registration which begins at 9:15am.
Visit www.NCPoetrySociety.org for directions to Weymouth, general Poetry Society info, and photos of past Festivals. Contact NCPS Vice President of Programs, Sara Claytor at sclaytor@nc.rr.com with questions.
SOUTHERN PINES, NC
The North Carolina Poetry Society presents
SAM RAGAN POETRY FESTIVAL
WEYMOUTH CENTER FOR THE ARTS & HUMANITIES
A fun-filled, jam-packed day featuring readings by Pulitzer Prize nominee Keith Flynn, Michael Beadle’s performance poetry, campfire songs with Bill Griffin, musical performances by Bill Blackley, John Amen, and Linda and Shelby Stephenson, free giveaways, open mic readings throughout the day, and more!
Bring a bag lunch or order a box lunch from 195 during morning registration which begins at 9:15am.
Visit www.NCPoetrySociety.org for directions to Weymouth, general Poetry Society info, and photos of past Festivals. Contact NCPS Vice President of Programs, Sara Claytor at sclaytor@nc.rr.com with questions.
6/18/2008
M. Dowd at Her Best
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/opinion/18dowd.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
23rd Annual Sustainable Ag. Conference, Oct/Nov
The 23rd Annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference is just around the corner!
You won’t want to miss this year’s conference: Keynote speakers include sustainable ag legends Wes Jackson and Joel Salatin, and we’ll be debuting extended, hands-on workshop formats.
And of course we’ll have the staples that have made the conference such an important part of the Carolinas’ ag community for so long: great teachers, great food and great people—you!
What: Carolina Farm Stewardship Sustainable Agriculture Conference
When: Oct.31 – Nov. 2
Where: Anderson County Civic Center, Anderson, SC
Look for more information coming soon on our website, www.carolinafarmstewards.org, and in the mail. Please forward this announcement to anyone you know—friends, colleagues, customers—who is interested in food and farming systems that are good for farmers, good for consumers and good for the land.
Thanks
Roland McReynolds, Esq.
CFSA Executive Director
PO Box 448
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Ph: 919-542-2402
Fax: 919-542-7401
www.carolinafarmstewards.org
You won’t want to miss this year’s conference: Keynote speakers include sustainable ag legends Wes Jackson and Joel Salatin, and we’ll be debuting extended, hands-on workshop formats.
And of course we’ll have the staples that have made the conference such an important part of the Carolinas’ ag community for so long: great teachers, great food and great people—you!
What: Carolina Farm Stewardship Sustainable Agriculture Conference
When: Oct.31 – Nov. 2
Where: Anderson County Civic Center, Anderson, SC
Look for more information coming soon on our website, www.carolinafarmstewards.org, and in the mail. Please forward this announcement to anyone you know—friends, colleagues, customers—who is interested in food and farming systems that are good for farmers, good for consumers and good for the land.
Thanks
Roland McReynolds, Esq.
CFSA Executive Director
PO Box 448
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Ph: 919-542-2402
Fax: 919-542-7401
www.carolinafarmstewards.org
6/17/2008
Interview with Senator Mike Gravel
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/6/17/former_senator_mike_gravel_calls_for
6/16/2008
6/15/2008
Water, Sustainability, Spain
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/06/15/travel/0615-JOURNEYS_index.html
6/13/2008
Tomato Fright!
The antidote to Fear of Tomatoes? Your local Farmers' Market! See you tomorrow morning, downtown Southern Pines. Maureen
6/12/2008
6/11/2008
6/09/2008
6/08/2008
6/04/2008
Downtown Southern Pines Green Space?
A group of downtown [Southern Pines] merchants met this morning. It was our second meeting, and we are meeting to discuss issues affecting the downtown merchants.
Today's meeting was focused on the park where the Farmer's Market is held on Saturday mornings. We have heard that the town wants to build a town hall on the site, and we are opposed to that idea. We would like to see it remain green.
A petition is being printed that will be available for signatures at the Ice Cream Parlor, Flynne's Coffee Shop,and the Country Bookshop. The signers must be Southern Pines residents.
We are also writing letters to the Editor to help educate people on this idea, and would like to see more letters.
Yard signs are being printed and will be available soon.
We are going to attend Town Council meetings and get up and speak about this, and are looking for others to do so, too. The next meeting is Tuesday, June 10 at 7 pm at the Douglas Center at 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave.
Hope to see you there!
[posted by Maureen, member of Moore County Farmers Market]
Today's meeting was focused on the park where the Farmer's Market is held on Saturday mornings. We have heard that the town wants to build a town hall on the site, and we are opposed to that idea. We would like to see it remain green.
A petition is being printed that will be available for signatures at the Ice Cream Parlor, Flynne's Coffee Shop,and the Country Bookshop. The signers must be Southern Pines residents.
We are also writing letters to the Editor to help educate people on this idea, and would like to see more letters.
Yard signs are being printed and will be available soon.
We are going to attend Town Council meetings and get up and speak about this, and are looking for others to do so, too. The next meeting is Tuesday, June 10 at 7 pm at the Douglas Center at 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave.
Hope to see you there!
[posted by Maureen, member of Moore County Farmers Market]
6/03/2008
Q & A: Rising Food Prices
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7340214.stm
[processed foods and drinks now account for 80% of sales.]
[processed foods and drinks now account for 80% of sales.]
6/02/2008
Sandhills Renaissance Players, June 6, 7
The Sandhills Renaissance Players present
TRUE COLORS, an original work
Pinecrest HS Auditorium
June 6 and 7, 7:30 p.m.
$8 (children under age 12 admitted free)
more info: 695-1004
www.sandhillsrenaissance.com
TRUE COLORS, an original work
Pinecrest HS Auditorium
June 6 and 7, 7:30 p.m.
$8 (children under age 12 admitted free)
more info: 695-1004
www.sandhillsrenaissance.com
6/01/2008
Conservation Insider Bulletin, May 30
Conservation Insider Bulletin
Published weekly for the Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation News to Peruse & Use
Editor: Dan Besse, cib@conservationcouncilnc.org
May 30, 2008
Key bills are introduced in priority areas good and bad; the Catawba River interbasin lawsuit parties expand; another challenge is filed to EPA's newest ozone standards; and other news, this week in CIB:
--Legislative Watch: More Key Bills Reviewed; Clean Water Lobby Day
--Judicial Watch: Parties Join Catawba Water Suit
--Washington Watch: Ozone Rules Challenged
--Campaign Watch: Both Sides Considering NC Senate Contest
Legislative Watch: More Key Bills Reviewed; Clean Water Lobby Day
More Key Bills Reviewed: As anticipated, legislation to block the new coastal stormwater rules approved by the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) and Rules Review Commission (RRC) has been filed in the General Assembly. The bills, HB 2138 / SB 1967, "Disapprove Coastal Stormwater Rule" are a priority target for opposition by the environmental "Common Agenda" coalition which includes CCNC.
CIB thinks that the Charlotte Observer editorial of 5/29/08 has the right analysis of the disapproval effort: "If you want to know why government doesn't work very well, look no further than House Bill 2138, sponsored by Rep. Pryor Gibson, D-Anson. The bill, also sponsored by 11 other Democrats and Republicans, would stop new stormwater runoff rules designed to protect water quality in coastal counties that are more than 100 miles from his district... Never mind that the rules were carefully crafted over more than two years by experts concerned that existing stormwater runoff rules have been ineffective in halting the decline of water quality along North Carolina's coast.
Never mind that more than 100,000 acres of shellfish beds along the coast have been closed because they are so fouled with bacteria from feces and contaminated with fertilizer runoff and toxic heavy metals from oil and gas along the state's roads. Never mind that health officials sometimes designate areas of the coast that are not safe to swim in on a warm summer's day.
Never mind that in January the N.C. Environmental Management Commission considered, amended, debated and adopted the rules, designed to slow the increase in water pollution in an area where the pace of residential development is rapidly consuming land.
Never mind that the N.C. Rules Review Commission -- which usually takes a hard look at any environmental rules and declines to approve them if its members believe they go too far -- approved the new rules in March. In spite of all that, these legislators now would step in to block those much-needed rules...[T]he simple fact is that coastal construction is proceeding at a break-neck pace, consuming land, creating more hard surfaces and worsening water quality. The state needs stricter coastal stormwater runoff rules, not a legislative cave-in to builders who don't want to be inconvenienced by having to slow the flow of poison into waters that belong to all of us."
Another key defensive effort in the environmental Common Agenda this session will be stopping proposals to gut North Carolina's beach protection policies which bar the construction of new seawalls and other "hardening" of the oceanfront. In particular, environmental groups will focus on opposing SB 599, "Inlet Stabilization Pilot Program", which passed the Senate last year and is currently held in committee in the House. The so-called "pilot program" would simply authorize "terminal groins" to protect threatened private structures--a strategy which is an old, well-known failure, that simply shifts the point of erosion to nearby properties.
On the positive side, environmental groups will support SB 1871 / HB 2526, "Motor Vehicle Emissions Study", an effort to move North Carolina toward adoption of the California "clean cars" standards that will help fight global warming by demanding greater fuel efficiency by vehicles sold in our state.
The water planning/drought management bills reviewed in last week's CIB, HB 2499 / SB 1879, "Drought/Water Management Recommendations", incorporating recommendations from the legislature's Environmental Review Commission, will also receive support from the Common Agenda groups.
Clean Water Lobby Day: Reminder: CCNC encourages concerned conservationists to come out for Clean Water Lobby Day at the General Assembly this Wednesday, June 4 in Raleigh. Focus issues this year will include water management, coastal stormwater rules, and steep-slope development rules in the mountains. The day's activities will begin with a 9 a.m. meeting of conservation advocates at the N.C. History Museum, 4 E. Edenton Street, in Raleigh, and continue with meetings with legislators throughout the day until 3 p.m. For more information, contact the CCNC office via carrie@conservationcouncilnc.org. Clean Water Lobby Day is a cooperative effort sponsored by a coalition of 20 organizations, including CCNC and other conservation groups around North Carolina.
Judicial Watch: Parties Join Catawba Water Suit
The City of Charlotte, Duke Energy, and a water system serving Union and Lancaster counties have been allowed to join as parties in the lawsuit by South Carolina against North Carolina over withdrawals from the Catawba River basin. South Carolina sued North Carolina last year after the N.C. Environmental Management Commission (EMC) partially approved a request by the cities of Concord and Kannapolis to transfer millions of gallons of water per day from the Catawba to the Yadkin basin. The newly authorized parties say that their own withdrawals from the Catawba could be affected by the suit's outcome, but that neither state government fully reflects their interests.
The addition of these parties may simultaneously expand the breadth of issues to be reviewed, and complicate the case's settlement. The "special master" named by the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case allowed the new parties' entry into the case. Since the lawsuit originated as a case between two states, the U.S. Supreme Court has unusual original jurisdiction over the case. Decisions by the designated "special master" are reviewable only by the Supreme Court itself.
Washington Watch: Ozone Rules Challenged
The environmental law group Earthjustice this week filed a second lawsuit challenging EPA's new ozone standards as too weak to protect public health, on behalf of a number of environmental and public health organizations (including the American Lung Association). A similar claim has previously been filed on behalf of 11 states, by Connecticut's state attorney general. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will hear the case.
Campaign Watch: Both Sides Considering NC Senate Contest
The U.S. Senate seat contest between incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and challenger N.C. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-Guilford) has clearly moved onto a front-burner spot for both sides of the struggle for control of the Senate. Recent polls showing the race to be a statistical dead heat have sparked interest by national endorsing groups, including the national League of Conservation Voters (LCV).
On the anti-environmental side, one of the national flat-earth groups which continues to oppose action on global warming, the "Club for Growth", is financing a series of broadcast ads aimed at six senators including Dole. The ads exhort her to oppose legislation coming up for a vote in the U.S. Senate which would mandate American action on climate control. Dole is currently a co-sponsor of the bipartisan legislation. Look for any waffling by Dole on that bill to provide a sense of whether she plans to try to run to the middle or move to the right-wing on environmental issues in this campaign.
Published weekly for the Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation News to Peruse & Use
Editor: Dan Besse, cib@conservationcouncilnc.org
May 30, 2008
Key bills are introduced in priority areas good and bad; the Catawba River interbasin lawsuit parties expand; another challenge is filed to EPA's newest ozone standards; and other news, this week in CIB:
--Legislative Watch: More Key Bills Reviewed; Clean Water Lobby Day
--Judicial Watch: Parties Join Catawba Water Suit
--Washington Watch: Ozone Rules Challenged
--Campaign Watch: Both Sides Considering NC Senate Contest
Legislative Watch: More Key Bills Reviewed; Clean Water Lobby Day
More Key Bills Reviewed: As anticipated, legislation to block the new coastal stormwater rules approved by the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) and Rules Review Commission (RRC) has been filed in the General Assembly. The bills, HB 2138 / SB 1967, "Disapprove Coastal Stormwater Rule" are a priority target for opposition by the environmental "Common Agenda" coalition which includes CCNC.
CIB thinks that the Charlotte Observer editorial of 5/29/08 has the right analysis of the disapproval effort: "If you want to know why government doesn't work very well, look no further than House Bill 2138, sponsored by Rep. Pryor Gibson, D-Anson. The bill, also sponsored by 11 other Democrats and Republicans, would stop new stormwater runoff rules designed to protect water quality in coastal counties that are more than 100 miles from his district... Never mind that the rules were carefully crafted over more than two years by experts concerned that existing stormwater runoff rules have been ineffective in halting the decline of water quality along North Carolina's coast.
Never mind that more than 100,000 acres of shellfish beds along the coast have been closed because they are so fouled with bacteria from feces and contaminated with fertilizer runoff and toxic heavy metals from oil and gas along the state's roads. Never mind that health officials sometimes designate areas of the coast that are not safe to swim in on a warm summer's day.
Never mind that in January the N.C. Environmental Management Commission considered, amended, debated and adopted the rules, designed to slow the increase in water pollution in an area where the pace of residential development is rapidly consuming land.
Never mind that the N.C. Rules Review Commission -- which usually takes a hard look at any environmental rules and declines to approve them if its members believe they go too far -- approved the new rules in March. In spite of all that, these legislators now would step in to block those much-needed rules...[T]he simple fact is that coastal construction is proceeding at a break-neck pace, consuming land, creating more hard surfaces and worsening water quality. The state needs stricter coastal stormwater runoff rules, not a legislative cave-in to builders who don't want to be inconvenienced by having to slow the flow of poison into waters that belong to all of us."
Another key defensive effort in the environmental Common Agenda this session will be stopping proposals to gut North Carolina's beach protection policies which bar the construction of new seawalls and other "hardening" of the oceanfront. In particular, environmental groups will focus on opposing SB 599, "Inlet Stabilization Pilot Program", which passed the Senate last year and is currently held in committee in the House. The so-called "pilot program" would simply authorize "terminal groins" to protect threatened private structures--a strategy which is an old, well-known failure, that simply shifts the point of erosion to nearby properties.
On the positive side, environmental groups will support SB 1871 / HB 2526, "Motor Vehicle Emissions Study", an effort to move North Carolina toward adoption of the California "clean cars" standards that will help fight global warming by demanding greater fuel efficiency by vehicles sold in our state.
The water planning/drought management bills reviewed in last week's CIB, HB 2499 / SB 1879, "Drought/Water Management Recommendations", incorporating recommendations from the legislature's Environmental Review Commission, will also receive support from the Common Agenda groups.
Clean Water Lobby Day: Reminder: CCNC encourages concerned conservationists to come out for Clean Water Lobby Day at the General Assembly this Wednesday, June 4 in Raleigh. Focus issues this year will include water management, coastal stormwater rules, and steep-slope development rules in the mountains. The day's activities will begin with a 9 a.m. meeting of conservation advocates at the N.C. History Museum, 4 E. Edenton Street, in Raleigh, and continue with meetings with legislators throughout the day until 3 p.m. For more information, contact the CCNC office via carrie@conservationcouncilnc.org. Clean Water Lobby Day is a cooperative effort sponsored by a coalition of 20 organizations, including CCNC and other conservation groups around North Carolina.
Judicial Watch: Parties Join Catawba Water Suit
The City of Charlotte, Duke Energy, and a water system serving Union and Lancaster counties have been allowed to join as parties in the lawsuit by South Carolina against North Carolina over withdrawals from the Catawba River basin. South Carolina sued North Carolina last year after the N.C. Environmental Management Commission (EMC) partially approved a request by the cities of Concord and Kannapolis to transfer millions of gallons of water per day from the Catawba to the Yadkin basin. The newly authorized parties say that their own withdrawals from the Catawba could be affected by the suit's outcome, but that neither state government fully reflects their interests.
The addition of these parties may simultaneously expand the breadth of issues to be reviewed, and complicate the case's settlement. The "special master" named by the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case allowed the new parties' entry into the case. Since the lawsuit originated as a case between two states, the U.S. Supreme Court has unusual original jurisdiction over the case. Decisions by the designated "special master" are reviewable only by the Supreme Court itself.
Washington Watch: Ozone Rules Challenged
The environmental law group Earthjustice this week filed a second lawsuit challenging EPA's new ozone standards as too weak to protect public health, on behalf of a number of environmental and public health organizations (including the American Lung Association). A similar claim has previously been filed on behalf of 11 states, by Connecticut's state attorney general. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will hear the case.
Campaign Watch: Both Sides Considering NC Senate Contest
The U.S. Senate seat contest between incumbent U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and challenger N.C. Sen. Kay Hagan (D-Guilford) has clearly moved onto a front-burner spot for both sides of the struggle for control of the Senate. Recent polls showing the race to be a statistical dead heat have sparked interest by national endorsing groups, including the national League of Conservation Voters (LCV).
On the anti-environmental side, one of the national flat-earth groups which continues to oppose action on global warming, the "Club for Growth", is financing a series of broadcast ads aimed at six senators including Dole. The ads exhort her to oppose legislation coming up for a vote in the U.S. Senate which would mandate American action on climate control. Dole is currently a co-sponsor of the bipartisan legislation. Look for any waffling by Dole on that bill to provide a sense of whether she plans to try to run to the middle or move to the right-wing on environmental issues in this campaign.
Poetry Day, Weymouth, June 21
SATURDAY JUNE 21
SOUTHERN PINES, NC
The North Carolina Poetry Society presents
SAM RAGAN POETRY FESTIVAL
WEYMOUTH CENTER FOR THE ARTS & HUMANITIES
A fun-filled, jam-packed day featuring readings by Pulitzer Prize nominee Keith Flynn, Michael Beadle’s performance poetry, campfire songs with Bill Griffin, musical performances by Bill Blackley, John Amen, and Linda and Shelby Stephenson, free giveaways, open mic readings throughout the day, and more!
Bring a bag lunch or order a box lunch from 195 during morning registration which begins at 9:15 a.m.
Visit www.NCPoetrySociety.org for directions to Weymouth, general Poetry Society info, and photos of past Festivals.
Contact NCPS Vice President of Programs, Sara Claytor at sclaytor@nc.rr.com with questions.
SOUTHERN PINES, NC
The North Carolina Poetry Society presents
SAM RAGAN POETRY FESTIVAL
WEYMOUTH CENTER FOR THE ARTS & HUMANITIES
A fun-filled, jam-packed day featuring readings by Pulitzer Prize nominee Keith Flynn, Michael Beadle’s performance poetry, campfire songs with Bill Griffin, musical performances by Bill Blackley, John Amen, and Linda and Shelby Stephenson, free giveaways, open mic readings throughout the day, and more!
Bring a bag lunch or order a box lunch from 195 during morning registration which begins at 9:15 a.m.
Visit www.NCPoetrySociety.org for directions to Weymouth, general Poetry Society info, and photos of past Festivals.
Contact NCPS Vice President of Programs, Sara Claytor at sclaytor@nc.rr.com with questions.
Carbon Farming
What a concept! Grow plants especially good at sequestering carbon in the soil, and sell the carbon credits as one of your crops! How cool!
Snips from a provocative article:
The next step is to add carbon farming as a core or foundational element of this industry.
Let’s speculate about a small urban farmer. She is targeting both the food and ornamental markets [vegetable, micro-livestock and potted flowers]. If she can gear up to be paid on a regular basis for her carbon sequestering, she will have a base cash flow. She will then select her crops partially based on their government certified carbon return capacity and the seasonal measurement of her soil’s carbon content.
So, she might chose to grow a root and vine and shrub crop mixture rather than only one of them; thereby creating a diverse roots and foliage capacity.
And snips from an interview very clever Vermont Farmer who heads the Carbon Farmers of America:
We are an all-grass, organic dairy – one of a growing handful of dairies in the United States doing no-grain dairying. We have created a new company, Carbon Farmers of America, to advance the idea that soil building can reverse climate change, and that the planned grazing of livestock on perennial grasslands is the single most-effective way to rapidly create new topsoil. On our dairy farm, we are using a number of methods in addition to planned grazing that allow us to build topsoil even faster by pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and putting it back into the soil as various forms of organic matter.
If society chooses to pay farmers $25 dollars per ton of carbon dioxide transformed into soil organic matter, then we humans can reduce atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases to pre-industrial levels within a decade. We will also eliminate most water-quality problems and biosecurity issues, we will restore economic prosperity to our rural communities, and we will not have a farm-viability crisis on our hands any more.
WOW!!!
Posted By Jill to All Along The Edge
Snips from a provocative article:
The next step is to add carbon farming as a core or foundational element of this industry.
Let’s speculate about a small urban farmer. She is targeting both the food and ornamental markets [vegetable, micro-livestock and potted flowers]. If she can gear up to be paid on a regular basis for her carbon sequestering, she will have a base cash flow. She will then select her crops partially based on their government certified carbon return capacity and the seasonal measurement of her soil’s carbon content.
So, she might chose to grow a root and vine and shrub crop mixture rather than only one of them; thereby creating a diverse roots and foliage capacity.
And snips from an interview very clever Vermont Farmer who heads the Carbon Farmers of America:
We are an all-grass, organic dairy – one of a growing handful of dairies in the United States doing no-grain dairying. We have created a new company, Carbon Farmers of America, to advance the idea that soil building can reverse climate change, and that the planned grazing of livestock on perennial grasslands is the single most-effective way to rapidly create new topsoil. On our dairy farm, we are using a number of methods in addition to planned grazing that allow us to build topsoil even faster by pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and putting it back into the soil as various forms of organic matter.
If society chooses to pay farmers $25 dollars per ton of carbon dioxide transformed into soil organic matter, then we humans can reduce atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases to pre-industrial levels within a decade. We will also eliminate most water-quality problems and biosecurity issues, we will restore economic prosperity to our rural communities, and we will not have a farm-viability crisis on our hands any more.
WOW!!!
Posted By Jill to All Along The Edge
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