Defender, Spring 2012 by Clean Wisconsin

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Inside: All about Frac Sand Mining

spring 2012

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The State of the Environment How We Fared in the 2011-'12 Legislative Session

also inside

When this Legislative session began in January 2011, we knew we had a challenge before us. The session started out with attacks on our natural resources, which continued into the spring 2011 budget process and lasted until the official end of the session on March 16. With the end of the two-year legislative session, we can now take stock of bills that helped or hurt our natural resources. While there were other bills to impact our natural resources, here is the good, the bad and the ugly of what we worked on:

w w w. c l e a n w i s c o n s i n . o r g

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Great Lakes pg 3 Candidate education pg 6 Frac sand mining pg 7 THE GOOD

MAINTAINING PROTECTIVE MINING LAWS It took a herculean effort to stop the Assembly open-pit mine bill, but in the end we were successful! The bill rolled back environmental protections and cut the public out of the mining process. While Clean Wisconsin is not against mining, we are against changing our laws for the profits of a company, especially an out-of-state company that clearly had no intention of mining responsibly. READ MORE ON PAGE 4 KEEPING PHOSPHORUS OUT OF OUR WATERS We were able to quickly beat back the governor’s attempt to delay implementation of Wisconsin’s phosphorus rule in his budget bill last year. Cooler heads prevailed and key legislators realized that Wisconsin’s phosphorus rules are an innovative and cost-effective way to improve our water quality and prevent rivers, lakes and streams from being choked by algae. RECYCLING PROGRAM SAVED One of the more surprising attacks this session was on the popular recycling program; last year, Gov. Walker’s budget originally proposed cutting all funding for local recycling programs. The Legislature ultimately restored 60 percent of the funding, which still results in cuts but keeps Wisconsin’s recycling tradition alive. STATEWIDE WIND SITING RULES BACK IN EFFECT A year ago, a legislative committee dealt a blow to wind energy by suspending Wisconsin’s uniform, statewide standards for siting wind energy systems, driving away several wind companies. Through a major effort by Clean Wisconsin, other advocates and businesses to educate legislators, that rule was reinstated in March. The rule will help our state develop clean, renewable wind energy rather and reduce our reliance on dirty, out-of-state fossil fuels. See “Environment,” page 3

Taking Charge &

TAKING ACTION

Actions you can take for clean water, clean air and clean energy

Help Restore Full Funding for Focus on Energy Last year alone, Wisconsin residents saved $264 million in energy costs by using the Focus on Energy program to help make upgrades to their homes and businesses. And since 2001, Focus on Energy has saved Wisconsin businesses more than $212 million in annual energy costs. These numbers show why we are working extra hard to protect the funds for this important program, and it’s time to turn up the heat on Governor Walker about important funding for Focus on Energy. Please call his office today at 608-266-1212 and ask him to restore full funding to this important program.

Keep Clean Air and Water a Priority in Future Mining Laws Although the legislative session has ended without action to change Wisconsin’s mining laws, conversations about the future of these laws continue at the Capitol. Please tell your legislators that protecting our air and water needs to be top priority. The impacts of mining are disruptive, but they don’t have to be devastating if we have strong environmental protections in our mining laws. If laws are written incorrectly, iron mines could have devastating impacts on our Northwoods and its watersheds, ecosystems, clean air, drinking water, even Lake Superior. Please tell your legislator to oppose any future mining bill that would undo protections for our air and water by clicking the link on our homepage at cleanwisconsin.org.

calling for auction donations! Do you own a sunny summer lake home with an extra room? Do you make or grow delicious things like cheese, jams or veggies to sell? Do you have a spare ticket in your season set? We are looking for donations to auction in our upcoming event! This July, we will be hosting an online auction to raise important funds for our campaigns aimed at keeping Wisconsin clean and beautiful for generations to come. 100 percent of the funds raised will go to our ongoing program work, and we need your help to make it a success! We appreciate anything you can donate to this year’s auction. Since it will be online, we prefer items that do not require expensive shipping. Things that sell well in online auctions include trips, guided events/tours, tickets, services, dinners, meet & greets with celebs, memorable events, autographed memorabilia ... the list goes on! If you would like to make a donation or learn more, please contact Jenny at 608-251-7020 ext 18, or jlynes@cleanwisconsin.org.

The Clean Wisconsin online auction is scheduled for July!

634 W. Main St., #300 • Madison WI 53703 Phone: 608-251-7020 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 Capitol and 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 Executive Director Mark Redsten Development Director Becky Bains Accounting Manager Mary Coughlan Staff Scientist Tyson Cook Development Assistant Jake Immel Membership Coordinator Jenny Lynes Water Program Director Melissa Malott Director of Programs & Government Relations Amber Meyer Smith Water Resources Specialist Ezra Meyer General Counsel Katie Nekola Senior Policy Director Keith Reopelle Midwest Clean Energy Coordinator Sarah Shanahan Chief Financial Officer Roger Sneath Clean Energy Specialist Katy Walter Creative Director Amanda Wegner Communications Director Sam Weis Staff Attorney Elizabeth Wheeler

Stay informed on what’s happening in our state government

• Join our Action Network at cleanwisconsin.org • Bookmark our blog at blog.cleanwisconsin.org • Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (search @cleanwisconsin) • Watch live and recorded legislative floor sessions, committee hearings and interviews 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

The Defender is owned and published quarterly by Clean Wisconsin, 634 W. Main St., #300, Madison, WI 53703, 608-251-7020. A one-year subscription membership is $35. Please direct correspondence to the address above. Volume 42, No. 2 Issue date: April 2012 ©2012 Clean Wisconsin. All rights reserved. ISSN # 1549-8107

Printed with soy ink on unbleached, recycled paper.

Office Administrator David Vitse

BOARD Chair Carl Sinderbrand, Madison Vice Chair Margi Kindig, Madison Treasurer Gof Thomson, New Glarus Secretary Gary Goyke, Madison Belle Bergner, Milwaukee Phyllis Dube, McFarland Sue Durst, Verona Shari Eggleson, Washburn Luke Fairborn, Whitefish Bay Scott Froehlke, Montello Paul Linzmeyer, Green Bay Chuck McGinnis, Middleton Lucia Petrie, Milwaukee Board Emeritus Kate Gordon, Washington, D.C.

Spring 2012

from the

Environment, continued from cover OTHER BILLS OF NOTE:

• Energy efficiency for state buildings • Property-Assessed Clean Energy program

THE BAD FEWER WETLANDS = MORE FLOODING Two bills took aim at Wisconsin wetland laws this session and were signed into law. Last year, a bill provided a special exemption from wetland protections for a parcel of land in Brown County to attract a Bass Pro Shop. The Legislature went on to draft another bill this year that overhauled Wisconsin’s carefully crafted wetland development laws. By allowing developers to use mitigation as a first choice rather than trying to avoid destroying the wetland, we will undoubtedly see a loss of high-quality wetlands that protect our homes from flooding and provide valuable wildlife habitat. LESS WATER DISINFECTION This law ends the requirement for disinfection of municipal water supplies for virus protection. Without disinfection, viruses can linger in public drinking water supplies undetected and threaten the health of our families. ALLOWING CANADIAN HYDROELECTRICITY This law allows Canadian hydroelectricity to qualify for our Renewable Portfolio Standard, likely reducing the amount of renewable energy produced in Wisconsin. OTHER BILLS OF NOTE:

• Relaxed waterway permitting • Cuts to stewardship program • Eliminates funding for Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements program

THE UGLY CUTS TO FOCUS ON ENERGY The budget cut $320 million from the statewide energyefficiency program that helps residents and businesses lower energy bills. Despite the program’s success, including a recent audit showing a $2.30 return on each dollar invested, and a push by clean energy businesses, the funding was not restored.

Executive Director Above my desk hangs a picture that I drew on Earth Day as a 4th grade student at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. A crayon drawing of cars, factories and an airplane, the picture has a succinct message spelled out in stencil on the bottom: “Don’t Pollute!!!” As I look at the picture I drew decades ago, I am reminded of how quickly time Mark Redsten passes, and about how our decisions toExecutive Director day will have a huge impact on our children’s lives tomorrow. This month we hosted a small gathering for the children of Clean Wisconsin staff to celebrate Earth Day. As I watched them draw colorful pictures, I was reminded of the utmost importance of our work and smiled when I thought of the significant victories we achieved during the recently ended legislative session. With your help, we sent nearly 50,000 messages to leaders in the Capitol asking them to protect Wisconsin’s air and water. Through this effort we were able to save Wisconsin’s recycling program, defeat terrible mining legislation that would have left the quality of our water in jeopardy, and fight off legislation that would have made it harder to power our future with clean, renewable wind energy. These victories will help protect Wisconsin’s environment for our children and grandchildren, and help our state transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy. Despite our best efforts though, many other environmental policies were rolled back during this session, and many of these shortsighted decisions leave Wisconsin’s environment in jeopardy. Instead of dwelling on the rollbacks, we are looking to the future. Protecting our environment is not a task that can be accomplished overnight. For over 40 years, Clean Wisconsin has worked to protect Wisconsin’s environment by employing a long-term strategy, and we continue to do so today. Now we are moving forward by planning our efforts to win back many important environmental policies in the next legislative session, building our science and legal departments, and remaining ever mindful of future threats, such as sand mining. In the coming pages, I invite you to read about the wins and losses of this legislative session, to view our plans moving forward, and to enjoy the Earth Day drawings of the kids of Clean Wisconsin. Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can make sure that the environment future generations inherit will be as clean and beautiful as the Wisconsin we love.

OTHER BILLS OF NOTE:

Happy Earth Day!

• Denying high-speed rail for Wisconsin • Concentrating rulemaking power

Great Lakes Update

By Ezra Meyer, Water Resources Specialist

Restoration Funding Federal funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for this year, which will provide $300 million

for restoration projects around the Great Lakes, appears to be on track. As for the 2013 budget process, it is anyone’s guess as to when Congress will take up the budget in this election year, but we appreciate that President Obama continues to make Great Lakes restoration a priority. His proposed budget, submitted earlier this year, again contains $300 million for the GLRI for 2013.

Asian Carp A long-term study by the Army Corps of Engineers on how to prevent Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes is moving

along, albeit slowly. Bills aimed at speeding up the process were introduced in Congress this session, but there has been no action. In other news, a study by the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and Great Lakes Commission was released in February addressing separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins via waterways around Chicago. We support that study, which shows that it is economically viable and environmentally sustainable to separate the two basins around Chicago.

Cleaner Lakes Last year, Lake Erie suffered one of the worst algae blooms in decades, prompting renewed interest in managing nutrient

runoff into the Great Lakes. It appears that this year’s GLRI will include funding earmarked for nutrient runoff in several hotspot areas around the Great Lakes, including the Fox-Wolf River basin and the Bay of Green Bay, Lake Michigan’s largest source of nutrient runoff. Clean Wisconsin plans to launch a pilot project in the Green Bay area this summer to implement the Watershed Adaptive Management Option (WAMO), a state-level policy tool we designed with the DNR and the other stakeholders to help implement Wisconsin’s new water quality standards for phosphorus. These new standards will reduce the amount of phosphorus that gets into our waters and causes nuisance algae blooms. We also plan to work on a WAMO pilot project in the Racine area.

www.cleanwisconsin.org 3

Fighting the Open-Pit Mining Bill

A look at the worst piece of environmental legislation in decades ... and our biggest victory of the session By Amber Meyer Smith, Government Relations Director

JOHN & CONNIE FRANKE, NEAR THEIR HOME JUST MILES FROM THE PROPOSED MINE PHOTO: MARIO QUINTANA

With the end of the session in March, efforts to pass a terrible open-pit mining bill essentially came to an end. But it came down to the wire. Assembly Bill 426 failed when Republican Senator Dale Schultz, Richland Center, along with 16 Democrats, voted against the bill on the Senate floor in early March. Shortly after, Gogebic Taconite announced it was ending its plans for a mine in Ashland and Iron counties. It is worth celebrating the efforts of advocates and citizens who cared enough about the potential damage of the open-pit mining bill to speak up, attend legislative hearings, send emails, make calls and carefully follow the political theater of this bill. But we can’t be complacent or let down our guard.

How it unfolded

This saga started January 2011 when Gogebic Taconite executives stood before Northwoods residents in Ashland and said they would not seek changes to Wisconsin’s mining laws. Four months later, a 186-page bill began circulating in the Capitol, clearly written by and for the company. One of the worst bills we’ve ever seen, it gave out-ofstate companies free reign to mine irresponsibly at the expense of the health and safety of Wisconsin residents. After public outcry, legislators withdrew the bill only to introduce a nearly identical open-pit mining bill in December 2011. Assembly Bill 426 did not receive a warm reception. Through polls and at hearings across the state, one point became very clear: Wisconsin residents strongly oppose weakening environmental protections for mining. Even mine supporters spoke in opposition to the bill.

Why the Assembly bill was so bad

Even with amendments, AB 426 would have: • Significantly weakened wetland protections and allowed mining corporations to dump potentially toxic mine waste into sensitive wetlands and floodplains. • Allowed mining corporations to draw down water levels from rivers, lakes, streams and groundwater. • Quadrupled the area around a mine in which groundwater standards can be violated. • Allowed filling, dredging or realignment of streams and lakes. • Removed all contested case hearings, which provide the only opportunity to challenge junk science and question mining officials on the record. • Removed citizens’ right to sue for illegal environmental damage by a mine. • Allowed DNR to issue a permit for a mine’s water withdrawals even if there will be environmental damage. • Changed definitions that protect our resources from acid mining drainage. Despite strong opposition, the Assembly passed the bill on a party-line vote, putting the bill in the Senate’s hands.

Slim majority in the Senate

Last summer, the Senate formed a special committee of fair-minded legislators who were tasked with coming up with a responsible mining bill. In a surprise move, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (RJuneau) abruptly disbanded that committee in February, instead opting to take action on the Assembly’s terrible bill. Were it not for the bipartisan leadership of Senators

Dale Schultz (see page 8) and Bob Jauch (DPoplar), the open-pit mining bill would have passed and become law. Recognizing the dangerous implications of the bill, they listened to the voice of the people and drafted an alternative, the Wisconsin Way Mining Reform Act, inviting all stakeholders to the table. Their bill gave the mining company the timeline certainty it asked for publicly without weakening environmental protections. Clean Wisconsin applauded them for working across party lines and trying to balance the interests of developing a mine with the need to protect Wisconsin’s residents and the environment.

What happens now?

Gogebic Taconite’s decision to pick up their ball and go home speaks to the fact that they had no intention of mining responsibly in Wisconsin; they desperately needed different laws to allow them to operate without regard for clean air and water and to profit by taking shortcuts and risks that are unacceptable to Wisconsin residents. When they were unsuccessful, they called it quits. The changes sought in the bill would have impacted areas across the state, not just the site of the proposed mine. In fact, a key reason Sen. Schultz opposed AB 426 is because there is a potentially viable iron ore deposit in his district in the Baraboo Hills, and he was concerned about the future impacts for his residents. Other kinds of mining operations are doing exploration in Wisconsin now, and it stands to reason that if taconite mining companies are successful in changing the laws for their own profit, other mining operations would want the same treatment. It is very likely discussions about changing mining laws might be ongoing with an eye toward the next legislative session that begins in January 2013. Instead of pointing fingers and letting the actions of an out-of-state mining company divide our state, let’s remember why we have mining laws in the first place: A poorly vetted mine could devastate our beloved Northwoods, destroy sacred lands, and permanently scar our landscape and way of life. It could contaminate the water our families drink and irreparably harm rivers, lakes and streams. We all want more jobs, but we can also agree that jobs should not come at the expense of clean drinking water and invaluable natural resources. The 17 senators who voted against the open-pit mining bill deserve our thanks, not the blame, for Gogebic Taconite’s departure. Gogebic Taconite chose to leave the state because it had no interest in responsibly mining here.

AMANDA WEGNER

Gogebic Taconite’s decision to pick up their ball and go home speaks to the fact that they had no intention of mining responsibly in Wisconsin

DEREK JOHNSON

PETE RASMUSSEN

LISA MLINAR

www.cleanwisconsin.org 5

Cutting Across the Lines Nonpartisan Clean Energy Candidate Education Project By David Vitse, Project Coordinator

As part of a coordinated effort among four states, including Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, Clean Wisconsin is working toward a better economy and a cleaner environment by educating state-level candidates running for election in 2012 on the importance of clean energy issues in this election cycle. This effort, the 2012 Nonpartisan Clean Energy Candidate Education Project, will lead Clean Wisconsin, along with our business partners and allies, to all corners of the state to herald the benefits of clean energy and energy efficiency to our next lawmakers. With the help of nation-leading pollsters, we held focus groups in Brookfield and did polling around the state in December and January. This data proved what we already know: Wisconsin voters overwhelmingly support clean energy and energy efficiency policies because of their economic promise to create jobs and their environmental assurance to safeguard our state’s natural resources. Specifically, the polling and focus group data makes it clear that support for clean energy and energy efficiency cuts across party, gender and geographic lines. In addition, the people of Wisconsin are willing to pay more for energy that is produced from clean energy sources right here in Wisconsin. In particular, they strongly support increasing the use of wind and solar power.

Armed with this information and with recall elections on the horizon and statewide elections scheduled for the fall, we are now meeting with candidates from both sides of the aisle. We will share the polling results with candidates, as well as work with businesses across the state to provide them with information regarding how clean energy policies can create jobs here and reduce energy bills. A critical component of the Nonpartisan Clean Energy Candidate Education Project is the partnership with allies and businesses leaders. Whether the meetings are one-on-one meetings or larger policy-training sessions, candidates have the opportunities to learn how clean energy and energy efficiency positively affect Wisconsin’s economy as our partners share their personal stories. Responsible energy policies are a winning message for the candidate, the economy and the environment. Clean energy policies will be an important issue in the national election this fall, and Clean Wisconsin is making this an important issue in our own state. Through the 2012 Nonpartisan Clean Energy Candidate Education Project, we hope to inform and educate our future leaders so they can create an energy strategy that capitalizes on our state’s vast clean energy and energy efficiency potential while creating family-supporting jobs in Wisconsin.

For more information, visit www.cleanwisconsin.org/nonpartisaneducation.

85% of Wisconsin voters support increasing the use of wind to meet our energy needs; 89% support increasing solar

67%

88%

of Wisconsin voters believe we should prioritize clean, renewable energy over fossil fuels

of Wisconsin voters are willing to pay more to promote clean, renewable energy

S av e

THANK YOU!

th e!

Jumpstarting Wisconsin’s Economy with Clean Energy For decades, Wisconsin has relied on out-of-state fossil fuels that pollute our air and cost our state millions. Nationally recognized energy expert Kate Gordon will highlight how our state can create jobs, boost our economy and clean our environment by replacing our addiction to fossil fuels with smart investments in clean energy. This presentation is hosted by Clean Wisconsin in partnership with the Doug La Follette Environmental Lecture Series. Gordon is currently the vice president for energy policy at the Center for American Progress and will be taking over as director of advanced energy and sustainability at the Center for the Next Generation, a new policy research organization based in San Francisco.

to those who dedicated their time and talent to our mining work: Photographers Mario Quintana (left), Derek Johnson, Lisa Mlinar and Doug Britton John and Connie Franke Cyrus Hester Pete Rasmussen Bill Heart Adam Schmidt

Thursday, April 26, 7-8:30 pm. Inn on the Park, 22 S. Carroll St., Madison This event is free and open to the public. An RSVP is appreciated but not required. Email events@cleanwisconsin.org or RSVP on Facebook 6

Spring 2012

Frac Sand Mining Largely unregulated, Wisconsin has

By Tyson Cook, Staff Scientist, and Elizabeth Wheeler, Staff Attorney

If you live in Western Wisconsin, you may have noticed increased concern about frac sand mining. But if you’re like most people, you may not know what frac sand is, let alone why you should be concerned. Frac sand is tied to hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” (see “What is fracking?” below). There are few, if any, potential fracking areas in Wisconsin. Instead, we’re involved earlier; frac sand helps prop open fissures that allow natural gas to be extracted during the fracking process. Frac sand must meet very specific criteria, and Wisconsin has more deposits of high-quality frac sand than any other state.

become a boom site for this sand Frac Sand Mining in Wisconsin

Unregulated

Cause for concern

Unfortunately, frac sand mining can have a number of environmental impacts. Since frac sand mining can mean moving and removing huge amounts of earth from over a large area, it often impacts wetlands. The mines can use millions of gallons of water a day and lead to huge amounts of water runoff during storms, affecting local water quality. There is also concern that toxic chemicals could enter the water as a result of the mining processes. Additionally, many sensitive species, such as the Karner Blue butterfly, live in the state’s frac sand areas. Air pollution is another concern. Mining for frac sand involves blasting, crushing and transporting rock and sand, which creates particulate matter pollution. At one-tenth the width of a human hair and smaller, particulate matter can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and lead to a number of health problems, including asthma, lung disease and increased death rates.

the public may be exposed to silica emissions around the new frac mining sites.

Mine and processing sites compiled in July 2011 from interviews with county and company officials; company websites; and DNR permit records. Sandstone identified with assistance from Wisconsin Geological Survey. Map: Kate Golden, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. Research: Jason Smathers & Julie Strupp, WCIJ

Additionally, the particulate matter created from frac sand mining contains a significant amount of silica. Crystalline silica is a serious carcinogen, with a long history of causing lung cancer in miners. It also causes silicosis, an irreversible lung disease. While miners have been the most at risk for silica exposure in the past, the boom in silica mining for frac sand has raised concerns that the public is being exposed at significant levels. Unfortunately, there is little information at this point about how much

At present, the industry is largely unregulated. While some air pollution regulations affect frac sand operations that produce more than 4,000 tons per month, they are not tailored to silica and there is no way to know whether they are protecting public health and welfare as much as is needed. Frac sand mines that produce less than 4,000 tons per month are exempt from these air pollution requirements. Recently, concern over the spread of frac sand mining in Western Wisconsin and its impact on our air quality led a group of citizens to ask the Department of Natural Resources to regulate silica as a hazardous air pollutant. Based on a summer 2011 report to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board that stated silica meets the Wisconsin definition of a hazardous air pollutant, the group filed a petition requesting that the DNR should regulate it as such. However, due to the current lack of information on public exposure levels, the DNR decided not to enact any new regulations or requirements. The number of frac sand mines is up drastically from a few years ago, with latest estimates counting more than 60 mines and over 40 processing facilities. With all the money to be made, more are surely on the way. While the exact impacts are different among these sites, it is clear that we need to pay attention and do all we can to ensure they proceed in as responsible a way as possible for the sake of our natural resources, our environment and our health.

What is fracking? Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a relatively new drilling technique that allows energy companies to extract natural gas from areas that aren’t useable with traditional practices. Hydraulic fracturing starts with a formation of shale rock that is thought to contain trapped natural gas. From there: 1. A well is drilled down to, and along, the shale formation. Explosives are placed in the well, and detonated to create openings in the formation. 2. Fracking fluid, which consists of water, frac sand and various chemicals, is pumped into the well at high pressure to break the shale apart more. 3. Once the formation is sufficiently fractured, the fluid is pumped out, with frac sand left behind to hold open the cracks and fissures that were formed so that they don’t seal back up. To hold the cracks open, frac sand needs to be as spherical, smooth and strong as possible. This allows the natural gas that was locked up in the shale to be pumped out.

Close-up of frac sand

www.cleanwisconsin.org 7

Under the Lens

Talking science with Tyson Cook, Staff Scientist

When a $50 light bulb is a smart idea As the partisan divide continues to broaden in the state and nation, one unfortunate consequence is the politicization of commonsense issues. Take, for example, energy efficiency. Not only do energy-efficient products let us do the same thing with less energy, they also spur the economy by creating new jobs and investment in research, design, manufacturing and distribution. So when the Washington Post published “Government-subsidized green light bulb carries costly price tag,” in early March, it was sad, but perhaps unsurprising, to see what followed: A thinly veiled attack piece on clean energy technologies and policies. In short, the article argued that a light bulb that “won a $10 million government prize meant to foster energy-efficient affordability is one of the curiosities that arise as the country undergoes a massive, mandated turnover from traditional incandescent lamps to more energy-efficient ones.” As someone who consulted on emerging energy-efficiency technologies and LED lighting in particular, I’d like to chime in. First, consider the $10 million awarded to Philips. They got that money for being the first company to meet criteria for a commercially available, high-quality, highly-efficient (and, as it turns out, Wisconsin-made!) LED light bulb. The award leveraged many times that $10 million in private research from companies throughout the country, and ac-

profile of Legislative Leadership

Sen. Schultz doing a prescribed burn on his Century Farm.

17th Senate District, Richland Center office phone: 608-266-0703 Sen.Schultz@legis.wisconsin.gov

celerated the development of a technology that has the potential to save Americans billions of dollars in the future. And the new L Prize light bulb itself? Is the cost really as absurd as the article makes it out to be? In a word, no. Yes, the light will initially cost $50. Yes, it seems like a lot when compared to an oldfashioned $1 60-watt bulb. However, it’s worth noting that the bulbs have only been on shelves for a few weeks and are the most cutting-edge lights available. Like the latest smartphone, the prices will come down as the technology progresses and more challengers come along. That aside, they’re not as expensive as they seem. First, consider the fact that an L Prize bulb lasts more than 10 years. Since you’d need to buy thirty 60-watt bulbs in that time, that’s $30 in saved replacement costs alone. But the real savings are in energy use; the L Prize bulb cuts costs by more than 80 percent. If you use your lights eight hours a day, that’s annual savings of around $15 per light. On the whole, The Post calculates that over 10 years, using traditional bulbs will cost a total $228, and the L-Prize bulb will cost $83 — that’s a savings of $145. This demonstrates that, far from being expensive, LEDs can save a lot of money over the course of their lives. The real problem is to figure out ways to cut down the up-front expense, which will help people start sav-

ing money in the longer term. Fortunately, we already have a system in place for such things; if done properly, incentive programs like those from Focus on Energy can help people get over the initial cost barrier. In the course of arguing that a few government programs were misguided and that a particular LED light bulb is too expensive, The Washington Post article highlights something else: We need to find a way to keep cynical politics from getting in the way of technologies, like LEDs, that simultaneously represent environmental and economic progress for our state and our nation.

Senator Dale Schultz State Senator Dale Schultz recounts a television ad from a few years ago where a farmer stated, “I’m not an environmental activist, but I am an active environmentalist.” As a Republican who’s proud to have a photo of President Teddy Roosevelt hanging in his office, that quote sums up where he stands when it comes to land, water and conservation. First elected to the Assembly in 1982 and then to the Senate in 1991, Schultz has been at the center of issues core to Clean Wisconsin’s work this session, particularly the mining law debate. Schultz, who has served on several natural resource committees during his time in the Legislature, played a pivotal role in questioning the Assembly mining bill. “My conscience simply won’t allow me to surrender the existing environmental protections without a full and open public debate,” he said during the bill’s debate. His opposition was pivotal. Schultz instead reached across the aisle to a fellow Democratic senator to draft a bipartisan compromise mining bill. That bill retained key provisions like contested case hearings and environmental protections. His motivation was ultimately protecting the Baraboo Hills, which is in his district and may contain a viable iron deposit for mining. Schultz leads by example on his family’s Century Farm, a 210-acre crop and game farm that stocks pheasant and quail and sits atop Narrows Creek watershed in Sauk County. Since graduating from University of Wisconsin-Madison

in 1975, where he met wife Rachel, they’ve enjoyed managing their land with the motto, “Farm the best and buffer the rest.” “Those who know me best understand a great day for me is following my dogs and watching birds take flight,” says Schultz. He has worked with land conservation members to create scrapes and wetlands that attract native wildlife and feels a certain responsibility to help protect their local watershed. “For too long, there’s been a perception that if you’re a conservationist or pro-environment, you can’t be in favor of using the land,” Schultz says. “For me, it’s almost the opposite. I think good land management and a balanced approach to usage is the very definition of being a good land steward.” Good land stewardship was at the core of his recent mining vote on mining legislation. “From the start, I’ve stated I am a pro-mining legislator who pledged to listen to my constituents who want mining done right.” “But as my hero, my wife Rachel likes to gently remind me, it’s not about me, it’s about we,” Schultz says. “Only by working together, public and private, Republican and Democrat, can we achieve long-term results for the betterment of Wisconsin’s natural resources.” Clean Wisconsin applauds Senator Schultz’s brave stance on mining and wind siting this session and will continue to work with him on commonsense policies that benefit our economy and our natural resources. Spring 2012

We have 48,000 reasons why you should join our Action Network

There’s a really good reason why we ask for your email address again and again.

In fact, there are 48,000 reasons why. Email is the fastest, least expensive way we have to communicate with members. With all the attacks on Wisconsin’s clean air, clean water and clean energy in the latest legislative session, we had a lot to say the last 15 months. Giving us your email signs you up for our Action Network, which allows us to keep you informed of environmental news and to quickly and conveniently send messages to your legislators on the issues you care about most when it’s the most important to do so. Here’s a look at the power of the many voices of Clean Wisconsin’s Action Network. Join today to make the message even louder.

48,000+

48%

messages sent to state legislators, the governor’s office and members of Congress

of our Action Network members took action over the 2011-’12 legislative session

(January 2011-March 2012)

top issues and how many messages we sent 26,201

{

Mining

6,058

Recycling

2,569

Wetlands

Hearing from concerned citizens on the issues that matter most is invaluable to legislators. People taking the time to comment via an email network like Clean Wisconsin’s provides legislators the real-person perspective we need on natural resources issues and conveys to us and our colleagues the strength of Wisconsin citizens’ support for environmental protection.

plan today for a

—Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine

}

Clean Wisconsin has been fortunate to receive several bequests in recent years. Generosity like this has shown us how important legacy funding is to our mission. We are now creating a legacy giving program to fortify our future.

More and more donors are including Clean Wisconsin in their wills and trusts. Your gift is a very personal and significant choice that represents a deep level of caring and truly makes a difference, enabling Clean Wisconsin to protect our clean water, clean air and Wisconsin’s special places for future generations In late 2010, we were notified that Jean, a long-time donor, had included Clean Wisconsin in her will. Thanks to this gift from Jean, as well as other gifts we received in 2011, we met a significant challenge from a donor to create a $350,000 legal defense fund. Undoubtedly, it is the revenue generated from this fund that allowed Clean Wisconsin to hold the line on the terrible mining bills and other environmental rollbacks of the past year. For more than 40 years, Clean Wisconsin has worked to protect and preserve Wisconsin’s air and water and its special places. By including Clean Wisconsin in your estate planning, your gift will reach across the state for generations, ensuring a clean Wisconsin long after your lifetime. Even a small amount will have a big impact over time. Contact your financial advisor or Becky Bains, our development director, at 608-251-7020 ext. 17 for more information.

clean Wisconsin tomorrow

l e g a cy g iv i n g

www.cleanwisconsin.org 9

Happy Earth Day

See all our childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Earth Day artwork, photos and videos at cleanwisconsin.org/ earthday2012

from our youngest Clean Wisconsinites