Defender the
clean water • clean air • clean energy Winter 2011
our Strength comes from you By Mark Redsten, Executive Director
also inside Legislative Agenda Great Lakes News Cleaning Up Valley Water Pollution Solution
Be heard, join the conversation! Join our Action Network Become a Fan on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Check out our all-new website, coming Feb. 15
Clean Wisconsin 122 State Street, Suite 200 Madison, WI 53703-2500
Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1291 Madison, WI
www.cleanwisconsin.org
Together, we share a fundamental belief that every Wisconsinite deserves clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment. Together, it is our duty to protect these natural resources. At Clean Wisconsin, we’re driven by a shared vision to create a cleaner, more sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. With your help, we have made progress toward this vision over four decades. In 40 years of environmental advocacy, we have learned that Wisconsin can remain a green state whether the political landscape is red, purple or blue. The new political atmosphere is no exception. While the majority of incoming elected leaders may be focused on job creation and economic recovery, we know that healthy economies depend on a healthy environment. As such, we are confident there will be environmental achievements in the new political landscape. In our four decades of experience, we have learned that environmental progress transcends party politics. With your support, our vision of a cleaner future can endure political change. Many of our recent victories demonstrate the economic and job-creating value of environmental policies. From energy efficiency advances, investments in homegrown energy and mercury rules to protect our waters and fishing tradition, you can’t ignore the economic benefits of environmental policies. Clean Wisconsin will work with the new legislature to find shared interests and common ground. More than ever, we will need your support. Our strength in the Capitol comes from you: Our credibility with the new governor and legislature is rooted in our strong, statewide membership. As the state government changes, you can count on Clean Wisconsin to be your environmental voice and aggressively advocate for the environment and move forward as we protect the special places that make our state a wonderful place to live, work and play.
Thank you for your continued support!
Election Wrap-up Republicans now control the governor’s office, the state Senate and state Assembly, which were all controlled by Democrats in the last session. With this 180-degree flip, things will operate differently than before. A few facts about the 2011-’12 Legislature • Of the 132 legislators in the Senate and Assembly, 38 new legislators were sworn in January 3, the largest number of new legislators since 1982. Half have no previous government experience. • Brothers Scott (R-Juneau) and Jeff (RHoricon) Fitzgerald were elected leaders of the Senate and Assembly, respectively. Other notable committee assignments for Clean Wisconsin’s work include: • Natural Resources/Environment committee is chaired by Sen. Neal Kedzie (see page 6) (R-Elkhorn) and Rep. Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz). • Energy/Utility committee is chaired by Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay), Sen. Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee), and Rep. Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee). • Agriculture committee is chaired by Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby). • The powerful budget-writing Joint Finance Committee is chaired by Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. Robin Vos (R-Burlington). If you live in these legislators’ districts, your voice is critically important. These committee chairs often make key decisions with regard to the issues that you care about. We will be in touch as the session develops to encourage contact with your legislators. —Amber Meyer Smith, Program Director
Healthy Environment= HealthY Economy We know that healthy economies depend on a healthy environment. Here are just a few examples of that: Tourism: In 2009, Wisconsin’s tourism industry generated almost $12.1 billion in travel expenditures and brought in $6.72 billion in resident income. Fishing, hunting & wildlife viewing: These activities generate over $4 billion in economic output, $142 million in sales tax revenue per year, and support more than 45,000 jobs in Wisconsin. The state’s fishing industry alone brings $2.75 billion every year. Agriculture: Wisconsin’s agricultural industry is fundamentally dependent on the availability of clean water, undeveloped land, and productive soils. In 2008, agriculture generated $51.5 billion in economic activity in Wisconsin. Energy efficiency: Energy efficiency not only helps reduce pollution by reducing our need for dirty coal-fired power, it also helps homeowners save money and improves the bottom line for Wisconsin businesses. For every $1 invested in Focus on Energy, the state’s energy efficiency program, homeowners and businesses have saved $2.50. Clean energy: From 2006-’09, the clean energy technology industry attracted more than $46 million in venture capital to Wisconsin. —Compiled by Clean Wisconsin & WLCV More post-election coverage on page 3
Taking Charge &
TAKING ACTION
Actions you can take for clean water, clean air and clean energy Give us your e-mail address
Clean Wisconsin is your environmental voice, but we need you to be involved! While we certainly appreciate your financial support, we also need you to support our work with your actions! The quickest, most affordable way for us to contact you when we need your help is via e-mail. Please e-mail jlynes@cleanwisconsin.org with your e-mail address and join our Action Network. Be part of our winning team!
Help Clean Wisconsin All year long Thanks to your financial generosity, we are able to work to protect Wisconsin’s clean water and air and advocate for clean energy. An easy and practical way to support our work with minimal impact on your monthly budget is joining our monthly donor program. You can set up monthly contributions of any amount that recur automatically on our secure website or that we can run in the office. If you want to reduce your mail from Clean Wisconsin and support our campaigns year-round, become a monthly donor by visiting www.cleanwisconsin.org, clicking “Donate Now” and selecting, “I want to make a recurring donation.” Or, call or mail in your preferred monthly amount, Visa or Mastercard information, and full name and address and we can take care of the rest.
Use GoodSearch to help Clean Wisconsin With a few simple clicks, you can help Clean Wisconsin by using GoodSearch. GoodSearch is a search engine that donates 50 percent of its revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine (like Google), and because it’s powered by Yahoo!, you get proven search results. The money GoodSearch donates comes from its advertisers; the users and the organizations do not spend a dime! This comes to about one cent for every search, which can really add up! Simply go to www.goodsearch.com, set Clean Wisconsin as your selected organization by typing in our name under “Who Do you Search For?” and click “verify.” Then set GoodSearch as your home page to help Clean Wisconsin any time you do an Internet search!
Write a letter about the Dirty Valley Plant With air quality advisories a regular occurrence, now is the time to do something about We Energies’ dirty Valley coal plant in downtown Milwaukee. This old coal plant lacks modern pollution controls and is the city’s largest source of dangerous soot and smog. With the city consistently earning failing grades from the American Lung Association for air quality, it’s time to clean up Valley. Popular opinion is on our side, and letters to the editor are the best way to demonstrate strong support to decision makers and We Energies. E-mail your letter to jsedit@journalsentinel.com or mail it to: Letters to the Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, P.O. Box 371, Milwaukee, WI 532010371. For more information on Valley, see page 6 or visit www.cleanervalleycampaign.org.
Congratulations!
Clean Wisconsin Board Chair Carl A. Sinderbrand was named a 2010 Wisconsin Super Lawyer in Environmental Law by Wisconsin Super Lawyers. Carl is a partner at Madison’s Axley Brynelson LLP law firm.
Clean Wisconsin Board Secretary Gary Goyke has been named to the State Environmental Leaders Program Board of Directors. Gary is the executive director of the Wisconsin Council for the Blind.
Enviro-SCRAMBLE
122 State Street, Suite 200 • Madison WI 53703-4333 Phone: 608-251-7020 • Fax: 608-251-1655 www.cleanwisconsin.org Clean Wisconsin protects Wisconsin’s clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officals and polluters accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members, supporters and coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin a wonderful place to live, work and play.
STAFF Development Director Becky Bains Grants Manager Rosie Bell Accounting Manager Mary Coughlan Membership Assistant Jenny Lynes Water Program Director Melissa Malott Program Director Amber Meyer Smith Water Resources Specialist Ezra Meyer General Counsel Katie Nekola RE-AMP Program Assistant Jin Park Executive Director Mark Redsten Senior Policy Director Keith Reopelle Clean Energy Jobs Coordinator Sarah Shanahan Chief Financial Officer Roger Sneath Clean Energy Specialist Katy Walter Media Specialists Amanda Wegner Sam Weis RE-AMP Coordinator Elizabeth Wheeler Office Administrator David Vitse
by Clean Wisconsin staff
Unscramble each of the five scrambled words below, filling each space with one letter. Then unscramble the enclosed letters to answer the riddle below.
DOLC IRERAPI RIEWTN QUANTLIR
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
When the fish wouldn’t reply to her e-mail, her friend’s advice was: “Just __ __ __ __ him __ __ __ __ __” CLUES: cold, prairie, winter, tranquil
ANSWER: “Just drop him a line”
The Defender is owned and published quarterly by Clean Wisconsin, 122 State Street, Suite 200, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, 608-251-7020. A one-year subscription membership is $35. Please direct correspondence to the address above. Volume 41, No. 1 Issue date: January 2011 ©2011 Clean Wisconsin. All rights reserved. ISSN # 1549-8107
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Printed with soy ink on unbleached, recycled paper.
BOARD Chair Carl Sinderbrand (Madison) Vice Chair Margi Kindig (Madison) Treasurer Gof Thomson (New Glarus) Secretary Gary Goyke (Madison) Belle Bergner (Milwaukee) Sue Durst (Verona) Shari Eggleson (Washburn) Luke Fairborn (Whitefish Bay) Scott Froehlke (Montello) Paul Linzmeyer (Green Bay) Chuck McGinnis (Middleton) Lucia Petrie (Milwaukee) David Wandel (Madison) Kate Gordon – Board Emeritus (Washington, D.C.) Winter 2011
Clean Wisconsin’s
Legislative agenda Our environmental priorities for the new session By Amber Meyer Smith, Program Director
Legislators for the 2011-’12 legislative session were sworn in on January 3. With 38 new legislators, there is a lot of educating to be done on the importance of environmental policies. The last session ended without action on some key environmental priorities, and we will continue to work to move the ball forward on these issues in the new session. 2011-’13 State Budget Due to the growing state deficit, the governor and legislators will be facing many tough choices to produce a balanced budget for Wisconsin. There is no doubt some environmental priorities might be on the chopping block. We will closely monitor the budget process to make sure the economic benefits associated with clean air, clean water and clean energy are at the forefront of the budget process. Your help will be critical in communicating these priorities with your legislators, so stay tuned for ways you can help in the coming months. Clean Energy Legislation With the failure of the Clean Energy Jobs Act in the last legislative session, we have taken a close look at energy policies that make sense for Wisconsin in this upcoming session. We will again focus on all the areas that can help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, but energy efficiency policies are the easiest and cheapest way to reduce our reliance on out-of-state energy and our over-reliance on dirty coal. Energy efficiency reduces residential and industrial utility bills and can be part of the solution to Wisconsin’s budget woes by promoting more efficiency in government buildings. Groundwater Protection Act The legislature did not take action last session on changes to the Groundwater Protection Act of 2004, and we will continue to promote changes that seek to protect our water resources for all Wisconsinites. Current laws don’t adequately protect our precious groundwater resources from over-pumping and revisions to the law are needed. It will be especially critical to work with industry, recreational, municipal and agricultural users to advance more protective groundwater policies in order to prevent groundwater pumping from drying up lakes, rivers and wetlands in the future. Recycling Mercury Products Clean Wisconsin will continue its push for the recycling of products that contain mercury, particularly for compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) and old thermostats. Both contain mercury and when disposed of improperly, they can pose a huge risk to our health and the environment.
Post-Election
continued
We’ve Been Here before By Keith Reopelle, Senior Policy Director
Keep informed on what’s happening in state government • Watch live and recorded legislative floor sessions, committee hearings and interviews online at wisconsineye.org • Sign up to receive notifications about action on bills you care about at http://notify.legis.state.wi.us • Learn more about your legislators by entering your address or using the interactive map at http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx
www.cleanwisconsin.org
Clean Wisconsin is a nonpartisan organization. Always has been, always will be. A lot is being said about how dramatically the pendulum has swung in this past election and what that might mean for the issues you and I care about. We will approach this next legislative session the way we have approached every other one. There are 38 new legislators and regardless of what party they are affiliated with, they are new and many don’t have policy experience at the state level. As such, we have a unique opportunity to educate them on the importance of clean air, clean water and clean energy and to build lasting relationships through our educational efforts. We have been here before. Our current clean energy laws were created with the passage of Act 141 in 2005, when both houses of the legislature were controlled by Republicans. We’re looking forward to working with Republican leaders again, as well as the Democratic leaders from last session. The new administration and legislative leaders will be focused on economic recovery and job creation. We are focused on clean energy and water conservation innovation, which stand to create tens of thousands of jobs in Wisconsin. We are eager to explore common ground with the new leadership, but that doesn’t mean we are changing our mission to hold elected public officials accountable. That will never change. Sticking to the beliefs we share has gotten us results before. And we expect it will again. 3
E-Waste Ban Yields E-Dividends By Sam Weis, Media Specialist
A hard-earned law banning certain types of electronic waste from landfills that went into effect in September is paying early environmental dividends. Clean Wisconsin and its members worked for years to pass a bill that would help keep toxic chemicals out of Wisconsin’s environment by banning certain electronics from landfills and requiring manufacturers to provide consumers with a means of properly disposing of electronic devices. This work culminated in the bipartisan passage of Wisconsin’s E-waste Recycling Law, which Governor Doyle signed in October 2009. Wisconsin is already seeing large environmental benefits as a result. Waste facilities across the state report dramatic increases in the amount of e-waste recycled. One Brown County facility alone reports that e-waste recycling jumped from 15,000 pounds per month before the law to nearly 50,000 pounds a month after it went into effect. This dramatic increase is protecting the health of our families and our natural resources by keeping toxins like mercury, lead, cadmium and chromium from entering the environment. Thanks to this legislation, we can all look forward to a cleaner, healthier future. Thank you for your support and for making victories like this possible!
visit dnr.wi.gov/ecyclewisconsin to learn more about electronic recycling options in Wisconsin
G r e a t L a kes News
New Restoration Fund Takes Off, Compact Turns 2
—Katie Nekola, General Counsel
December 8th marked the two-year anniversary of the Great Lakes Compact becoming state and federal law. This two-year anniversary was an excellent opportunity to evaluate progress made since the passage of the historic law in 2008. The passage of the Compact would not have been possible without your help in urging its bipartisan support here. Wisconsin played a pivotal role in the national movement to pass the Compact, and our state continues to show strong leadership in the fight to protect the water in the Great Lakes. Wisconsin is the first state to meet the Compact’s requirement that each signatory state must develop water conservation and efficiency goals and objectives and implement a water conservation and efficiency program designed to make those goals and objectives a reality. Our program will set an example for other states throughout the Great Lakes region. Additionally, Waukesha will likely be the first community to apply for a diversion of Great Lakes water outside of the Basin under the Compact’s provisions. If approved, this application will set the standard by which all future applications will be judged. This application process is ongoing, and, to date, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has worked diligently to uphold the intent of the Great Lakes Compact. As the leadership at the DNR and across our state government changes, we will all have to advocate for a continuation of our state’s strong leadership on implementation of the historic Compact we all worked so hard to enact two years ago. The Great Lakes are an invaluable resource intimately tied to our culture and economy. Two years after the passage of the Compact, we continue to play a pivotal role in the fight to protect Great Lakes water and manage it sustainably for all generations.
Compact
NEW FUND
2011 brings an exciting opportunity for Lake Michigan’s health and water quality: the Fund for Lake Michigan. After the Wisconsin PSC approved a legal settlement among environmental organizations and utilities over a power plant cooling system, the work to create The Fund for Lake Michigan began in earnest. The parties to the settlement (Clean Wisconsin, Sierra Club, We Energies, WPPI Energy and Madison Gas & Electric) became the fund’s oversight committee; executive director Mark Redsten and general counsel Katie Nekola both serve on the oversight committee. This group has worked closely to create a plan for the new 24-year fund that will provide significant resources for direct, on-theground restoration projects. These restoration projects will improve the quality of water flowing into Lake Michigan by reducing pollutants and enhancing the ecological health of near-shore and coastal areas and the rivers of southeastern Wisconsin. A potential funding project might include funding for remediation of EPA-designated “Great Lakes Areas of Concern,” areas where swimming, fishing and other uses are impaired. These areas are typically affected by contaminated sediments and/or high levels of human bacteria, seriously affecting water quality and human health in the region. In addition, there is increasing concern about the impact of pharmaceuticals and other pollution that enters the Great Lakes through wastewater, and the effects of invasive species on habitat and water quality. The oversight committee has consulted with other organizations to identify priority projects for the Fund, which will publish its funding guidelines and ask for proposals in early 2011. This work also provides an opportunity to leverage matching federal dollars, bringing muchneeded money to Wisconsin to improve this great treasure.
—Ezra Meyer, Water Specialist
Lake Michigan is one of North America’s greatest resources. The lake is an economic powerhouse, a necessary resource and an environmental treasure. Clean Wisconsin works hard to protect and restore the health of this invaluable inland sea.
Door County beach, on Lake Michigan 4
Winter 2011
Complicated Problem Manageable Solutions By Melissa Malott, Water Program Director
While Wisconsin has recently enacted laws to ban phosphorus in lawn fertilizers and dishwashing detergent, phosphorus pollution from agriculture has not yet been adequately addressed and remains the primary source of phosphorus in our state’s waters.
Fortunately, there are manageable solutions.
Wisconsin’s economy depends on clean and abundant water, but increasing water pollution is endangering job growth through lost business opportunities and oppressive treatment and clean-up costs. Pollution from our urban and rural communities is filling our lakes with sediment, fertilizers and toxins that cause dangerous algae blooms, alter ecosystems, suffocate weed growth, and create unsafe beach conditions. The single biggest threat to our waterways is pollution from agricultural fields. When too much fertilizer and manure are spread on farm fields, snowmelt and rain can easily wash the excess nutrients, pesticides and fertilizers into streams and rivers, which flow into our lakes. The most problematic pollutant is phosphorus, which is largely responsible for the algae blooms and eutrophication (oxygen-deficiency zones) in our lakes. While Wisconsin has recently enacted laws to ban it in lawn fertilizers and dishwashing detergent, phosphorus pollution from agriculture has not yet been adequately addressed and remains the primary source of phosphorus in our state’s waters. Fortunately, there are manageable solutions. New rules recently adopted by the state allow polluters to address phosphorus pollution in cost effective ways. Specifically, Wisconsin passed a phosphorus water quality standard, called the “phosphorus rule.” One innovative part of the phosphorus rule is the Adaptive Management Option, wherein point sources (such as wastewater treatment plants) that need to reduce phosphorus in the watershed may look to less expensive alternatives to reduce phosphorus. One cost-effective alternative is addressing agricultural pollution. The Adaptive Management Option allows point sources to engage with other phosphorus dischargers like farms and take a holistic watershed approach to reducing pollution. Along with reducing phosphorus in our waterways, controlling agricultural pollution will limit the pesticides, fertilizers and toxins entering our waterways, and possibly have other benefits like creating habitat and community space. Moreover, farmers can benefit from the shared funding provided to control pollution and operate more efficiently. Unfortunately, the new administration has talked about rolling back or scrapping the phosphorus rule, despite its economic benefits. There are many areas in the state where the phosphorus rule can help communities work with farmers to clean up their waterways and help farmers run their operations more profitably. Dane County recently created a staff position to explore cost-effective ways to reduce phosphorus pollution, including the abovementioned Adaptive Management Option under the phosphorus rule. There are many opportunities for other communities to use this rule to clean up waterways, protect the local economy, cut costs for businesses and utilities, and strengthen neighboring farms. Please contact Melissa Malott at mmalott@cleanwisconsin.org if you’d like to learn how this rule can work for your community.
Ryan Schryver
Moving on
After four years of hard work, tireless hours and unwavering dedication, Ryan Schryver, Clean Wisconsin’s clean energy advocate and grassroots organizer, left in November. Ryan is now the campaign director of Alaskans for Energy Freedom, coordinating all efforts to stop the development of new coal mines in Alaska (which have remained largely undeveloped), reform Alaska’s energy infrastructure, and promote clean energy alternatives. Ryan was a presence for our organization, traveling around the state to meet members, advocates and foes alike. His passion, charisma and shenanigans are sorely missed, but we wish him the best of luck as he continues to fight for clean energy in the literal frozen tundra.
www.cleanwisconsin.org
Pete Taglia
Staff scientist Peter Taglia left to pursue new opportunities in December after nearly 4.5 years of service. Pete's in-depth scientific understanding of energy issues and vision of a cleaner energy future helped Clean Wisconsin secure many victories over the last half decade. We will miss Pete's passion at Clean Wisconsin, but wish him the best as he moves on to new adventures.
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EPA’s New greenhouse gas Emission rules By Sarah Ann Shanahan, Clean Energy Jobs Coordinator
The new year brings changes to some of our largest polluters. Power plants, refineries and other large industrial sources will be required to obtain permits for greenhouse gas emissions, just as they do for other pollutants. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that greenhouse gases are subject to regulation via the Clean Air Act, just as other dangerous pollutants are. Before the EPA could regulate greenhouse gases, it had to first find that they were a danger to public health and welfare; last year, the EPA determined this and released the endangerment finding1. While regulating greenhouse gas is the same process as regulating other pollutants, the measurements are not the same. That’s why EPA had to "tailor" its guidelines so only the largest emitters will be required to obtain permits. Farmers, small business and restaurants will not be covered; only the biggest commercial polluters. Of these large emitters, only those under new construction will be required to have greenhouse gas permits. Since these facilities are already undergoing the process to obtain permits for toxins such as lead and sulfur, adding greenhouse gas emission is a natural and easy step for them. I know many folks are disappointed with the lack of a federal climate bill, but this is a step in the right direction. What’s also important is for us to continue focusing on solutions within our own homes, communities and Wisconsin. From the EPA’s factsheet found at www.epa.gov/NSR/documents/20100413fs.pdf
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Cleaning up the
By Katy Walter, Clean Energy Specialist
High on Wisconsin’s list of dirtiest coal plants, the Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee is in the state's most populous area and is the only coal plant operated by We Energies that lacks basic pollution controls. With Milwaukee consistently receiving failing grades from the American Lung Association for air quality, Clean Wisconsin has long argued that the city’s single largest source of air pollution needs to be cleaned up. Early in 2010, Clean Wisconsin discovered that Valley had been operating with an expired air permit since 2008. Clean Wisconsin joined the Sierra Club to petition the DNR to compel them to issue a permit. An air permit is a rare opportunity for the public to influence the allowable amount of pollution coming from a plant. In November, hundreds of Milwaukee residents submitted public comments and turned out to a public hearing, all calling for an air permit that protects human health. As a testament to the power of public input, the DNR asked for extra time in December to consider all the impressive comments they received. It is unlikely that this old coal plant will be able to meet federal health standards, and the permit process allows us the opportunity to find out. We Energies, the plant’s owner, argues that the plant can’t be shut down because it supplies steam heat to downtown businesses. This is a valid argument, which is why we are advocating that the plant be converted to natural gas. It's not surprising that many people are concerned about the quality of Milwaukee’s air, and we are working with a broad coalition of health, environmental and justice groups to make sure Milwaukee gets the clean air it deserves. As the process moves forward, Clean Wisconsin will be watching and will make sure the law is enforced and people’s health is protected.
what you can do
• Become a Fan on Facebook; just search “Cleaner Valley Campaign” • Follow “CleanerValley” on Twitter • Read our blog at cleanervalleycampaign.org • Join our mailing list (links on the blog and Facebook) • Write a letter (see page 2) 6
Profile of Legislative Leadership
Tailoring isn’t only for clothes
Senator NEAL KEDZIE By Amber Meyer Smith, Program Director
First elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1996, state Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) was elected to the 11th district Senate seat in January 2003. He has been a leading voice on natural resource issues and was recently appointed Chairman of the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee for the 2011-’12 legislative session, a post he has held in both the Assembly and Senate. Sen. Kedzie has been involved in several of Wisconsin’s important environmental laws. He chaired a study committee which laid the foundation for the adoption and ratification of the Great Lakes Compact in 2008. He authored several bills related to natural resources protection, including the 2003 Groundwater Protection Act, which took the first steps toward protecting groundwater resources from overuse. He also co-authored the 2001 Isolated Wetlands Protection Act after a court decision left many of Wisconsin’s wetlands vulnerable to destruction. He is considered a consensus builder among generally polarized groups and has led on many significant environmental issues. An avid hunter and Sen. Kedzie (left) participates in the 2010 Arbor outdoorsman, Sen. Day celebration with local students at the KishKedzie believes we wauketoe Nature Conservancy in Williams Bay. all share in protecting the air we breathe, water we drink and natural resources we enjoy. “I have always maintained a principle to find agreement on pressing environmental and economic issues of the day,” Kedzie remarked. “It is a principle that seeks balance between the two, as I believe we should be good stewards of both the economy and the environment.” Sen. Kedzie previously served as Chairman of the LaGrange Town Board from 1988-1998, and crafted one of the County’s first comprehensive land use plans for the Town of LaGrange. He is also an active member of the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board. “Environmental and economic legislation can go hand-in-hand, “ says Sen. Kedzie, “but it requires a willingness to listen to differing viewpoints, accept compromise where necessary, and provide leadership on a path toward consensus legislation, which will continue to be my goal.” Sen. Kedzie has received several notable awards, including the 2005 Rock River Coalition Legislator of the Year and the Protector Award; 2005 Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Legislator of the Year; and an Appreciation Award from the Wisconsin State Council of Trout Unlimited. Clean Wisconsin looks forward to working with Sen. Kedzie on the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee this session to forward legislation that makes sense for our economy and our environment.
[Book Review]
The Polluters
By Benjamin Ross & Steve Amter
Reviewed by Melissa Malott, Water Program Director
If headlines about food recalls, reproductive system-altering chemicals in our water, unregulated contaminants in our air, and a scary prognosis for cancer rates have you wondering how we got here, the place to look is The Polluters, by Benjamin Ross and Steven Amter. The Polluters documents industry efforts to resist regulatory controls by paying for studies, twisting scientific results to hide problematic conclusions, using political influence to silence agencies or scientists who exposed problems with pollution, and controlling legislation. These efforts were aided by opportunists, like Royd Sayers, a physician who spent much of his government career fending off regulations on various toxins like lead and was paid handsomely for his lies. In contrast, the authors show that
progress has been made, including public health and clean water and air protections. For instance, when the health impacts of arsenic were revealed, Lord Kelvin suggested the precautionary principle, which recommends pollutants should not be declared safe to use without full knowledge of its effects. Or the story of hero Wilhem Huepner who fought against government and corporate suppression to expose carcinogenic chemicals for decades and helped Rachel Carson with Silent Spring. Through both the inspired and corrupt parts of our country’s chemical history, the authors demonstrate that while there is a lot of work to do to achieve the clean environment we envision for our future, we have come a long way. Winter 2011
2009
In Memory
Helen Schmid Giesler 1907-2010 Clean Wisconsin member Helen Giesler, nee Schmid, passed away on November 22, 2010, a few days shy of her 103rd birthday. Her concern for the environment can be traced back to her childhood on a farm in the beautiful Black Forest of Germany. She was an avid gardener, growing vegetables, berries and fruit trees into her nineties. In 2003, she accompanied her daughter, Inge, to protest the construction of the planned coal plant in Oak Creek. She counseled on the benefits of wind turbines to anyone who would listen. Since 2004, she was also a proud co-host of the annual House Party given by Inge and Frank Wintersberger to raise funds for Clean Wisconsin. She will be greatly missed by all who knew this extraordinary lady. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to Clean Wisconsin and we are grateful to Helen’s family for thinking of Clean Wisconsin during this time. We are honored to have had the privilege of knowing Helen and honored to continue the work she knew was so valuable.
And the envelope please Something as simple as a little No. 9 envelope can make a huge difference. Really. It seems like such a small gesture but the impact on our work can be enormous. We all agree that we want and deserve clean water and clean air. We want and deserve clean energy alternatives. We need to protect the special places that make Wisconsin wonderful. And that is what Clean Wisconsin, along with all of our members, is doing. And here is where the envelope comes in. The little envelope that is tucked inside this newsletter makes it easy for you to assist Clean Wisconsin in being an advocate and effective voice. Simply write a check for whatever amount you chose, slip it inside the envelope, stamp it, and drop it in the mailbox. You can even donate via your credit card. It is as simple as that. Perhaps you take a minute. Maybe two. But that act of making a contribution to Clean Wisconsin has an impact. You are helping to work toward clean water, clean air, and clean energy.
Photo provided by Mueller Funeral Home
recap of the inaugural By Jenny Lynes, Development Assistant
Environmental Speakers Program
The fight to save the polar bear, the Gulf oil response, the showdown over the Clean Air Act. These were the topics of conversation at the inaugural Doug La Follette Environmental Speakers Program held September 30 in Madison. Kassie Siegel, director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute and the lead lawyer responsible for listing the polar bear as an endangered species, had a compelling conversation with the standing-room only audience on why the seemingly-distant polar bear story matters to Wisconsin. She explained how the media’s framing of the issue successfully stigmatized climate change. Siegel also explained why the Clean Air Act is critical to America’s ability to move forward on climate issues. Since the lecture, Siegel has kept busy. In November, she led the fight to preserve nearly 200,000 square miles of Alaskan land, land necessary for the survival of the polar bear. Siegel was the first of many quality speakers who will share their insight and experience on important issues through the Doug La Follette Environmental Speakers Program, which promotes environmental discussion and provides a forum for devising creative solutions.
If you have ideas for future speakers and programs, please contact Jenny at jlynes@cleanwisconsin.org And, stay tuned for upcoming events.
From left: Founder Peter Anderson; executive director Mark Redsten; speaker Kassie Siegel; and founder Doug La Follette.
From left: Peter Anderson; Rick Eggleston, former reporter & lobbyist; and Hugh Iltis, professor emeritus of botany.
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Melissa Scanlan, founder, Midwest Environmental Associates, and Kassie Siegel.
Kassie Siegel discusses the plight of the polar bear to a standing room-only crowd.
Winter 2011