The Defender, Fall 2008 by Clean Wisconsin

Fall 2008 • Vol. 38, No. 4

The Compact goes to Washington

Clean Wisconsin reaches $105 million settlement agreement at Elm Road By Katie Nekola

The Case Against Once Through Cooling

Melissa Malott

his has been an exciting few months for the Great Lakes Compact! There is a good chance that by the printing of this article, the Great Lakes Compact will have been ratiﬁed by the U.S. Congress and fully enforceable. Since Wisconsin’s Governor Doyle signed the Compact on May 27th, the remaining three states have passed the Compact. Ohio signed the Compact into law on June 27th; Pennsylvania on July 4th; and Ohio on July 9th. On July 23rd, Senator Levin introduced the Great Lakes Compact into the U.S. Senate on behalf of 14 other senators, including Senators Feingold and Kohl from Wisconsin. Rep. Oberstar introduced a similar joint resolution for the Compact in the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of 33 other representatives, including Representatives Baldwin, Kagen, Moore, Obey, Petri, and Sensenbrenner. The bill number in the Senate is S.J. Res. 45, and in the House is H.R. 6577. The movement of the Great Lakes Compact has also caught the attention of President Bush. On July 28th, President Bush issued a statement in support of the Compact, urging Congress to “provide rapid approval” of the measure.

Here’s his statement: I congratulate the Governors and Legislatures of the eight States that border the Great Lakes on their conclusion of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. Made in the spirit of cooperative conservation, this Compact is the result of many years of close coordination and consensus-building that resulted in the Compact’s approval by the eight CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Clean Wisconsin 122 State Street Suite 200 Madison, WI 53703-2500

fter three years of ﬁghting the Big Pipe, Clean Wisconsin and Sierra Club ended our litigation over the once-through cooling system at the new Elm Road Generating Station (ERGS) in Oak Creek, Wisconsin with an agreement that will provide $100 million for Lake Michigan restoration and require utilities to take signiﬁcant steps to address global warming. Although we had a court victory that upheld our argument that the ERGS was a “new facility” and thus subject to stringent environmental standards that could not be met using the once through cooling system under construction, WE Energies asked the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to allow them an exemption from the rules based on the cost of redesigning the facility and installing cooling towers. Cooling towers would be the best available technology for cooling the plant, causing far less harm to Lake CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Clean Wisconsin

Alliant: Pretending a coal plant is good for the environment Katie Nekola

lliant Energy is spending a lot of advertising money to convince the public that the coal plant they want to build in Cassville, Wisconsin, is a “hybrid” and “green,” because it would be capable of burning materials other than the coal and petroleum waste that are currently being planned as primary fuels. They say the boilers can burn either “up to 10%” or “up to 20%” biomass, depending on when you ask them. Their claims remind me of those stickers on gas station pumps informing us that the gasoline we’re buying contains “up to 10% ethanol.” So, does using that gas make my car a “hybrid vehicle”? Of course

Nonproﬁt Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1291 Madison, WI

not. The similarities are striking: the gas “may” contain “up to” 10% ethanol, and the Cassville plant might burn up to 10% biomass. We don’t really know—and they don’t either. Here’s why: • Testimony provided on behalf of Alliant admits that they don’t know where this biomass would come from. T. Randall Fortenbery, director of the Renk Agribusiness Institute, says: “there are no known aggregators or processors of RRFs (renewable resource fuels) sufﬁcient to provide RRFs to Nelson Dewey 3.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

INSIDE

Taking charge and action; Recycling program; And the envelope please. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Midwest Governors Association update; Elm Road settlement continued . . 3 Yahara Lakes Legacy Partnership; Milwaukee SW Wisconsin Watershed . . 4 Breaking barriers to wind; Alliant coal plant is not a hybrid continued . . . 5 Global Warming Task Force passed a strong package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Clean Wisconsin Action Fund holds candidate conversation . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Incredible irreplaceable interns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Duo completes Lake Superior expedition; Thank you Cedarburg members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Below are some of the actions you can take to help protect Wisconsin’s clean water, clean air and clean energy. Polluted Runoff Rules Help protect and improve our waterways! Please go to our website to ﬁnd out ways you can help Clean Wisconsin prevent polluted runoff, the biggest threat to Wisconsin’s water quality.

Changing Perceptions of Global Warming Host a presentation of Wisconsin’s Inconvenient Truth in your community. Clean Wisconsin’s Ryan Schryver has been trained by former Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Al Gore to give global warming presentations. These presentations have helped thousands of Wisconsinites understand the local effects of climate change and identify ways we can work together to reduce our global warming pollution. If you are interested in hosting a presentation in your community contact Ryan Schryver at rschryver@cleanwisconsin.org or (608) 251-7020 extension 25.

122 State Street Suite 200 • Madison WI 53703-4333 Phone: (608) 251-7020 • Fax: (608) 251-1655 www.CleanWisconsin.org Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, 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 ofﬁcials 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 and its coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play.

STAFF Executive Director Mark Redsten Program and Communications

Join Clean Wisconsin’s Action Network Join Clean Wisconsin’s Action Network by providing us with your email address. Contacting you via email is the most affordable and quickest way for us to get you involved when your actions matter. Simply email Becky at beweber@cleanwisconsin.org to join. We will not share your email address with anyone.

Use GoodSearch to Help Clean Wisconsin With a few simple clicks, you can help Clean Wisconsin by using GoodSearch. GoodSearch is a search engine which donates 50% 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.) Set GoodSearch as your homepage on the internet for your computer. It is easy. First, to set GoodSearch as your home page, simply go to www.goodsearch.com. Then, on the top tool bar, Tools – Options – and select “Use Current Page” to set your home page. Next you need to set Clean Wisconsin as your selected organization and to do so, you simply type “Clean Wisconsin” under the “Who Do You Search For” bar.

Recycling rechargeable batteries– made easy! “Call to Recycle Help Line” Did you know there is a national recycling program in the United States which accepts old cell phones and worn out rechargeable batteries? All you need to do is call a toll free number at 1-800-822-8837 and follow the prompts. One can key in a zip code and ﬁnd participating retailers who accept worn out pieces. If you are a retailer and interested in becoming a drop-off site, there are prompts for you too. Have a piece of paper and a pen handy and ready to jot down the information. Thank you for recycling.

Senior Policy Director Keith Reopelle Energy Program Director Katie Nekola Water Program Director Melissa Malott Staff Scientist Peter Taglia Grassroots Organizer Ryan Schryver Water Resources Specialist Ezra Meyer Media Specialist Sam Weis RE-AMP Coordinator Elizabeth Wheeler RE-AMP Coordinator Assistant Elizabeth Edelstein Membership and Development Development Director Brian Kelly Membership & Development Manager Becky Weber Development Assistant Allie Theuerkauf Finance and Administration

“And the envelope please...” Something as simple as a little number nine 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 choose, 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. The Defender is owned and published quarterly by Clean Wisconsin, 122 State Street Suite 200, Madison, Wisconsin 53703, (608) 251-7020. Founded in 1970, Clean Wisconsin is a statewide, non-proﬁt environmental advocacy organization. A one-year subscription membership is $30. Please direct correspondence to the address above. Volume 38, No. 4 Issue date: October 2008 ©2008 Clean Wisconsin. All rights reserved Printed with soy ink on unbleached, recycled paper. ISSN # 1549-8107

Chief Financial Ofﬁcer Roger Sneath Accounting Manager Mary Coughlan Ofﬁce Administrator David Vitse

BOARD Gof Thomson – Chair (New Glarus) Carl Sinderbrand – Vice Chair and Acting Treasurer (Madison) Gary Goyke – Secretary (Madison) Kate Gordon (California) Susan Greenﬁeld (Racine) Margi Kindig (Madison) Paul Linzmeyer (Green Bay) Pam McGillivray (Madison) Lucia Petrie (Milwaukee) David Wandel (Madison) Guy Wolf (Stoddard)

The Defender, Fall 2008, Vol. 38, No. 4

Midwestern Governors Association: Update

ast November, the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) convened at the Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Summit in Milwaukee, WI. Nine states and one Canadian province signed the Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform and Greenhouse Gas Accord, an agreement to pass a Midwestern greenhouse gas reduction program by July of 2010. The program is two pronged: it is charged with developing and implementing a regional cap and trade system, and promoting energy efﬁciency programs, renewable energy use and the next generation of biofuels.

Regional Cap and Trade The Greenhouse Gas Accord establishes an agreement among the signatories to adopt a regional cap and trade agreement. This is a system to control pollution by providing incentives for energy efficiency and limiting the amount of allowable emissions. The cap is the sum of the allowable greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon credits will be issued by the government and can be traded among polluters. For some polluters, it will be more cost-effective to invest in more sustainable technology and sell their credits, whereas for others it is more economically sound to buy more rights to emit. Energy innovation such as region-wide investment in biofuels and wind energy will also help to achieve the targets. There is an Advisory Group that is working with th MGA to develop the final plan for the regional cap and trade. There are 42 members, of which only 7 are environmental advocates. There are many representatives of industry and agriculture that are pressing for lower standards. For this reason, it is important for us make our voice heard and show the governors that the public is concerned about these issues and demands significant global warming pollution reductions for the future of our region. Keith Reopelle, Clean Wisconsin’s

Senior Policy Advisor, is on the Advisory Group and has been taking the lead on coordinating environmental advocates to push for the strongest policy recommendations possible out of the Advisory Group.

Complementary Policies In addition to establishing a regional cap and trade, the MGA Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform aims to develop a plan to reduce regional pollution through other policies, specifically, policies for energy efficiency, electricity generation, transportation, and biofuels. Advisory groups exist for each of these policy areas. The Energy Efficiency Advisory Group is modeling policies to achieve a 2% reduction in energy use by 2015, and then 2% additional reductions per year thereafter. The Electric Generation group (staffed by Clean Wisconsin’s Staff Scientist, Peter Taglia) is exploring policies that will reduce the Midwest’s dependence on coal, including how to supply 30% of our electricity from clean, renewable sources by 2030. The Transportation and Biofuels Advisory Group is developing model policies that will reduce our region’s dependence on dirty fuels for transportation – by both decreasing demand for fuels and by requiring them to come from cleaner, renewable resources. Each Advisory Group is playing an important role in developing model policies for Midwestern states to adopt. An effective, common sense energy program will enable us to transition the region to clean, renewable energy and make progress in the fight against global warming. By signing on to the Platform and Accord, Wisconsin has taken an important first step toward addressing our state’s disproportionate contribution to greenhouse gas pollution. Clean Wisconsin

Clean Wisconsin

Governor Doyle signs the Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform and Greenhouse Gas Accord has been working with our allies across the region in a concerted effort to ensure that the model policies that come out of each Advisory Group are strong enough to meet the goals of the Platform. This is an important opportunity for the MGA to seriously address global warming issues in the the region and become a national leader in carbon reductions. There are many beneﬁts to regional collaboration on environmental issues and a strong plan will show considerable results. For more information, www.midwesternaccord. org and www.midwesterngovernors.org are current resources. Clean Wisconsin will continue its work to ensure that this is a transparent process with positive outcomes for all Midwest citizens and the environment in the transition to a clean energy economy.

$105 Million Settlement continued from front page Michigan than the once through cooling system under construction. The DNR, however, agreed with the utilities that the price tag for switching to cooling towers at this point would be too high, and reissued the permit allowing the use of the original system. At that point, Clean Wisconsin could have challenged the new permit and continued to litigate the matter (potentially for several more years) but we decided that the immediate, signiﬁcant beneﬁts of the lake restoration and global warming projects that the utilities offered in settlement discussions were the best likely outcome for this case, and especially for the lake.

The Agreement We Energies and the other ERGS owners (Madison Gas and Electric and Wisconsin Public Power Inc.) agreed to fund $4 million per year over the next 25 years, for a total of $100 million, for projects that will address the health of Lake Michigan, such as invasive species, polluted runoff, toxic loading, and several other issues. The money will not be paid to Clean Wisconsin or Sierra Club, but rather will be held by an independent foundation that will fund proposals from others to do lake improvement projects. In addition, the utilities agreed to contribute $5 million to a newly-formed organization (again, separate from Clean Wisconsin and Sierra Club) that will facilitate voluntary action to reduce global warming pollution. We Energies also pledged to retire two coal-ﬁred generating units in Presque Isle, Michigan, to publicly support the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming recommendations, and to construct a small power plant that uses 100% biomass. The three utilities further committed to installing 15 megawatts of new solar generation by 2015. Although the utilities will need to add more renewable projects to their energy portfolios to meet state requirements in any event, making sure that solar energy is a signiﬁcant portion of the mix will help the solar industry grow in Wisconsin.

Clean Wisconsin

The ERGS Settlement will provide $100 million to fund 25 years of Lake Michigan improvement efforts. What It All Means What is the ultimate outcome for Lake Michigan? Our members’ support allowed us to challenge the permit for a cooling system that we still believe is unlawful but is almost completely constructed and scheduled to start operating early in 2009. We were able to ﬁght the Big Pipe for over three years, scoring signiﬁcant victories along the way, because our members cared enough to write letters, attend public hearings and speak out against the project, and support us with their donations. Now that we have reached the end of the litigation, your support means that we have an agreement that obligates the ERGS owners to contribute $100 million over the next 25 years to fund projects that will enhance the health of Lake Michigan. It means that two old coal plants will be retired and stop emitting greenhouse gases and other pollutants. And it means that with your continued support we can move on to the next challenge and work to protect Wisconsin’s air and water for our members, their children and grandchildren, and for everyone in Wisconsin.

Yahara Lakes Legacy Partnership update

t’s been difficult to pick up a Dane County newspaper this summer without reading about beach closures resulting from algae blooms and pollution in area lakes. It’s easy to see how the pollution that runs into the lakes from farm fields and city streets diminishes the recreational and economic value of our beloved lakes. Understanding the cultural and economic value of Dane County’s lakes, Clean Wisconsin joined The Yahara Lakes Legacy Partnership, an initiative designed to restore the lakes so that they meet their full potential. The Yahara Lakes Legacy Partnership is a collaborative effort that allows Clean Wisconsin to work with a wide range of parties to improve the quality of the lakes connected by the Yahara River in south-central Wisconsin. The five lakes—Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa—are of tremendous economic and cultural value to Madison and surrounding areas. Though much work has gone into cleaning them up over the years, these lakes still suffer from too-frequent algae blooms, pollution, and beach

closures in the summer. The positive side of the story, though, is that these pollution problems can be solved. The Yahara Lakes Partnership started early in this process to tap the insights of the scientific community that has spent so much time studying these lakes; UW-Madison’s location on the shores of Lake Mendota make it an ideal place for studying human impacts on lakes. One key thing we have learned from lake researchers is that the lakes can be improved significantly, and that we will be able to see improvement relatively quickly (possibly in as little as a matter of a few years) if we take the necessary steps. The key is to significantly reduce the influx of nutrient pollution coming in from the lakes’ watersheds, with phosphorus as the primary nutrient we must focus on. It is phosphorus, after all, that feeds algae and leads to the kinds of conditions we all want to see go away so we can fully enjoy swimming and recreating in and around the lakes year-round.

Rural sources of polluted runoff (including runoff from both crop and livestock agricultural operations) and urban sources (stormwater washing off of parking lots, streets, home lots, and construction sites) must be addressed if we are to reach our clean water vision. We all must make changes—none of them too difﬁcult or expensive, but all of them critical—in order to see progress toward the legacy of clean water in the Yahara lakes. An effort is just underway to involve many interested parties who have a stake in the Madison lakes to create a community vision for them, and to craft a proactive, achievable and affordable plan for their improvement. Please watch for opportunities to plug in and share your thoughts and ideas. Feel free to drop us a line anytime to discuss this project. Contact Ezra Meyer at (608) 251-7020, extension 20 or emeyer@CleanWisconsin.org. Thank you for your support for this watershed effort.

Checking in on the Milwaukee area’s Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust

he Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust is the second of our ongoing local collaborative watershed restoration efforts, the Yahara Lakes Legacy Partnership—focused on the Madison area’s Yahara River chain of lakes— being the other. Officially launched under its new name this spring, the Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust aims to “achieve healthy and sustainable water resources throughout the Greater Milwaukee River Watersheds,” including the Kinnickinnic, Menomonee, Milwaukee, and Root rivers, Oak Creek; Lake Michigan direct drainage; the Milwaukee Harbor estuary; and near-shore Lake Michigan. Clean Wisconsin is currently involved in several aspects of this project. For one, we are working with partner nonprofit organizations Midwest Environmental Advocates and 16th Street Community Health Center to identify available options under existing Wisconsin law, or perhaps even with changes to the law, for fostering a collaborative watershed clean-up on this scale. This has never really been tried before, certainly not in Wisconsin. Our legal and water policy expertise serve us well there. We are also working with another partner nonprofit organization, Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers, to provide input on the science and technical dimensions of this watershed restoration work from an environmental point of view. That work will have us working with private consultants hired by Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, the public, and other stakeholders to help craft watershed restoration plans for each of the area’s watersheds, starting this coming year with the Menomonee River watershed. Our scientific and technical expertise are valuable on these fronts. Other nonprofit partners (the River Alliance of Wisconsin, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, and River Revitalization Foundation) are working to expand citizenbased water quality monitoring and grassroots community involvement in watershed restoration, to reach out to communities with recommended management practices for cleaner water, and to coordinate strategic land conservation in the watersheds.

Compact Goes to Washington continued from front page Great Lakes States and two Canadian Provinces. The Great Lakes are a national treasure. They were vital to the exploration of this continent and have long supported commerce. Today, more than 33 million people live in the States and Provinces bordering the lakes, and the lakes provide an efﬁcient means to transport food and other commodities destined for global markets. The Great Lakes provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities and serve as a source of drinking water for more than 30 million people. The Compact will ensure sustainable use and responsible management of waters from the Great Lakes Basin and preserve the Great Lakes for the beneﬁt and

MatthewWarren - iStock

As watershed restoration planning for the Menomonee River begins this summer and into the fall, opportunities for citizen involvement will likely follow, so please keep an eye out for invitations to have your voice heard. Meanwhile, information on this effort can be found online at http://web.mac.com/km3192/iWeb/ MRPI/Home.html and will soon be shifted over to the Trust’s permanent site, http://www.swwtwater.org/. Again, we thank you for you support of this path-breaking project, and we encourage you to get in touch with us about it if you would like. Please contact our Water Resources Specialist, Ezra Meyer, at (608) 251-7020, extension 20 or emeyer@cleanwisconsin.org to discuss further.

enjoyment of present and future generations. I strongly urge Congress to provide rapid approval of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact.” Many environmental advocates think the Compact may be ratiﬁed by Congress as early as September 2008. I can’t help but think back to Wisconsin’s passage of the Great Lakes Compact, and the momentum that built. Within a mere two months of Governor Doyle signing the Compact, the ﬁnal states rushed to pass the Compact, and Congress quickly responded. While some experts in this area thought the Compact could take years (or decades!) to pass through Congress, we can see that the momentum is moving much faster than expected. I can’t help but think of one of my favorite movies from my high school political science class, Mr. Smith

Goes to Washington, and get excited about the opportunities to see our federal legislators at work. One of the themes from this movie is that one person can make a huge difference. A parallel theme I see emerging in this Compact campaign is the difference we can make on this issue. Clean Wisconsin members and concerned Great Lakes enthusiasts deserve enormous credit for the momentum around the Compact. Their phone calls, letters, and actions showed not only Wisconsin legislators and newspapers that the Compact is necessary, but also the entire country. Wisconsin’s passage of the Compact spurred some of the other states to action, and is now motivating our federal delegation to champion the Compact through Congress. Thank you for your continued support helping us protect the Great Lakes.

The Defender, Fall 2008, Vol. 38, No. 4

Breaking barriers to wind Wisconsin lags behind neighboring states in renewable energy production

t seems that almost everyone is making a big deal about renewable energy today, and in the next legislative session Wisconsin will have the opportunity to increase our commitment to renewable energy by voting on legislation that will require the state to produce 25% of our energy from renewable resources by 2025. This legislation (called a Renewable Electricity Standard) is a great opportunity for Wisconsin to break our addiction to coal-ﬁred power plants and move towards a more sustainable energy future based on clean, safe and affordable renewable energy sources like wind, solar and clean biofuels. These are ambitious but achievable goals for Wisconsin that will require us to reconsider how we use and produce energy. Wisconsin has fallen way behind surrounding states in the production of renewable energy. Our neighbors in Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois have all moved more aggressively toward supporting renewable energy and have had more success getting projects developed. Clean Wisconsin is working hard to ensure that we regain our status as a leader in clean energy by exploring the feasibility of new resources and helping to remove some of the barriers to renewable energy production. With your support we will continue our work to advance renewable energy projects and policies and reduce our dependence on dirty coal.

Wind Siting Reform Legislation Because of overly restrictive local ordinances, it is difﬁcult to build small renewable energy projects in Wisconsin. These local laws are often changing, making it very difﬁcult for wind developers and renewable energy businesses to move forward with their projects. During the last legislative session a bipartisan bill called the “Sensible Wind Siting Reform” bill was introduced in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate. The goal of the bill was to create common sense guidelines for local government to use when developers propose wind farms in

Alliant: Pretending continued from front page • Plans submitted to the Public Service Commission show that Alliant intends to rely on coal and pet coke (petroleum waste) to fuel the plant, and does not have any source of biomass identified. • There is no biomass storage at the NED 3 site, so if the facility were to burn any biomass it would be “just in time” delivery, and only by truck. However, Alliant is so committed to burning coal that they have said the existing 12 acre coal storage area will be increased to between 15 and 26 acres, depending on whether the coal is delivered by rail or barge. Alliant also plans to build a new, larger coal barge unloading station and a new, larger coal train unloading facility. • The final Environmental Impact Statement concludes: “Because WP&L did not provide any plan for how it would acquire, transport, or store the additional RRF necessary to co-fire 20% biomass, the potential environmental impacts

Clean Wisconsin

their jurisdiction. Without these essential reforms, it is likely that Wisconsin will continue to fall behind our neighbors in renewable energy production and may not be able to meet our existing clean energy goals, let alone the more ambitious goals set forth in the Governor’s Global Warming Task Force. The Sensible Wind Siting Reform legislation gained the support of many businesses, utilities, farming interests, environmental organizations, city and county governments, labor organizations and elected ofﬁcials from both sides of the aisle. Clean Wisconsin supporters helped demonstrate the overwhelming support for renewable energy by contacting their representatives and showing up at public hearings, calling on their representatives to pass the Sensible Wind Siting Reform Bill. Ultimately a tight schedule at the end of the legislative session prevented the bill from coming to a vote, but plans are already underway to reintroduce the bill in early 2009 and see that it becomes law. Clean Wisconsin is looking forward to continuing our work on this bill, and with your help we know that it can be a great example of bipartisan legislation designed to improve Wisconsin’s environment.

Wind On the Great Lakes In response to a recommendation from the Global Warming Task Force, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin created a committee (called Wind On the Water, or WOW) to assess the potential for developing wind energy on the Great Lakes. The strong winds blowing across the Great Lakes have the potential to produce large amounts of wind energy to power our state, but there are many issues that must be investigated and addressed before developing these potential resources. Clean Wisconsin was honored to be appointed to the committee and help wade through many of the complicated issues necessary to properly explore this topic. The committee recently

associated with growing and aggregating the biomass fuel stocks necessary, processing them, and transporting them to the plant site cannot be assessed. Nor can it be determined whether such a plan would be cost-effective or actually feasible. Without knowing what fuel stocks WP&L intends to utilize, the methods that would be used for transport, the distance ...it is not feasible to assess the impacts or the cost of co-ﬁring 20% biomass at NED3.” Thus, state regulators cannot determine whether any biomass will actually be used at the proposed coal plant, let alone whether it makes sense to do so. What we do know is that Alliant will burn dirty coal and petroleum waste, that this plant will emit around 3 million tons of greenhouse gases per year, and that the cost of the plant has increased dramatically since the original application was submitted. We know that the price of coal has risen sharply in recent years, and as the Public Service Commission noted, “every dollar spent on coal...is a dollar spent outside Wisconsin and outside the state’s economy.” Not a hybrid, certainly not green---and, like the “up to 10%” ethanol gas at the pump, getting more expensive all the time.

completed a comprehensive review of many issues that could potentially affect wind generation on the Great Lakes, including: 1. Examining other off-shore wind energy installations in the US and throughout the world. 2. Assessing the legal, economic and financial parameters of potential projects. 3. Identifying potential environmental, human health, avian and aquatic impacts of potential developments. We believe that the work completed by the WOW study committee and the subsequent report have created an important foundation for future discussion and exploration of this potentially large source of renewable energy. If you are interested in a copy of the final report from the WOW committee, please contact Clean Wisconsin. With your continued help, Wisconsin can become a leader in clean energy production. Stay tuned to find out more about how you can help Wisconsin take the next steps in developing homegrown, renewable energy.

Clean Wisconsin members chime in about the need for Alliant to provide clean, safe and affordable energy, not another coal plant “Just look at Bejing, China to see the effects of coal-fired plants. Wake up and cut out that source of global warming from coal-fired power plants.” Patricia D., Sister Bay, WI “We are here to borrow the land and its environment. When we return these resources to our children, they should be in the same condition or better. The Native American communities base their decisions on how their choices will effect the next seven generations. Coal-fired power plants are not in their best interests. This is fact and not opinion.” Chloe W., Oshkosh, WI “It is time to move beyond coal. This plant will lock us in to dirty energy for decades. There are solutions out there and we should find them instead of doing things the same old way.” Louise K., Cross Plains, WI

For more information, call Ryan Schryver or Katie Nekola at (608) 251-7020.

Global Warming Task Force p policy recommendations to

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transportation fuel providers to gradually switch from traditional petroleum based fuels to the cleanest and most efﬁcient fuel sources available. By simply requiring our fuel to be cleaner and more efﬁcient, Wisconsin could cut millions of tons of global warming pollution every year. Furthermore, implementing such a standard will provide incentives for smart biofuel production methods, promote energy independence, and utilize the free market to identify new methods and sources for creating the cleanest types of transportation fuels available.

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The adoption of a Clean Car Standard will increase the efﬁciency standards for new cars sold in Wisconsin, allowing Wisconsinites to go farther on a gallon of gas and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. In addition to reducing global warming emissions, a Clean Car Standard signiﬁcantly reduces the amount of smog-forming pollutants and toxic chemicals that can be released from passenger cars, trucks and SUVs. The standard further encourages innovation by requiring auto manufacturers to sell a certain percentage of zero or extra-low emission vehicles.

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The Defender, Fall 2008, Vol. 38, No. 4

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more efnergy that we use ive way of reducootprint. Increasing Focus on Energy and other age investment in energy s and industry will reduce te new jobs, and reduce enhe state. Implementing these isconsin will create more than sumers more than $505 million 50 million on electric bills over pliance efficiency standards, fying building codes, providetrofit existing structures and resource standards, and esigned to drive efficienmprove our economy or power from coalts.

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The Task Force recommended that Wisconsin require 25% of our electricity to come from renewable resources such as solar, wind and biomass by 2025. With our abundance of natural resources, Wisconsin is uniquely positioned to take advantage of our home-grown, renewable energy sources as we simultaneously strive for energy independence and reductions in global warming emissions. The 25% Renewable Electricity Standard will not only reduce global warming emissions and air pollution, it will also create thousands of new jobs for Wisconsinites and stimulate our rural economies. Farmers and rural land owners in Wisconsin could see an economic boon of nearly $300 million in new income, and beneﬁt from over $724 million in new capital investments. This new standard builds on and increases the 10% Renewable Electricity Standard created by 2005 Clean Energy bill.

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Clean Wisconsin

In addition to increasing investment in energy efficiency and boosting our commitment to renewable energy it is important that a marketbased system designed to reduce global warming emissions from large stationary sources such as coal plants is created. A cap and trade program is a system designed specifically to accomplish that goal. A predetermined cap on the overall amount of global warming emissions allowed to be emitted from stationary sources in Wisconsin will be created. The emissions allowed under the new cap will be divided into individual permits that represent the right to emit that specified amount of pollution. Those credits will be auctioned off to polluters, creating a market based system that forces polluters to pay for their emissions. As the overall number of credits is reduced in the market place, the price of polluting will continue to increase, thus creating a market incentive to move towards cleaner more efficient sources of energy. This policy will help spur innovation and will help drive Wisconsin and the rest of the region towards a clean energy future.

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able policies such as a Low Carbon , a 25% Renewable Energy Standard, xtensive energy efﬁciency packhelp Wisconsin reduce our global 25 and 75% by 2050. Details mendations can be found in

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l Warming Task Force ﬁnalized its sconsinʼs global warming emissions and onomy. The Task Force recommended a es to reach these goals in Wisconsin.

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Clean Wisconsin Action Fund holds candidate conversation

he Clean Wisconsin Action Fund held a candidate training session in Appleton on August 22nd at the Copper Leaf Hotel. The event was led by Senior Policy Director, Keith Reopelle. Candidates in attendance included Jim Steineke, Republican candidate for Assembly District 5 in Kaukauna, Representative Dean Kaufert, Republican incumbent and candidate for Assembly District 55 in Neenah, his opponent Democrat Mark Westphal, Representative Roger Roth the Republican incumbent candidate for Assembly District 56 in Appleton, and Penny Bernard Schaber the Democratic candidate for Assembly District 57 in Appleton. Action Fund board member Gary Goyke kicked off the event by explaining that the purpose of the session was to educate candidates on environmental policy in Wisconsin that will require legislation. Gary also touched on another Action Fund initiative: endorsements. The Clean Wisconsin Action Fund endorses candidates who support a pro-environment agenda. The Action Fund also holds environmental issue discussions and media trainings for candidates, provides updates on environmental issues, and provides media support for endorsed candidates.

The Clean Wisconsin Action Fund endorses candidates who support a pro-environment agenda. clean wisconsin

Mark Redsten, the Executive Director at Clean Wisconsin spoke next, describing Clean Wisconsin and a few recent accomplishments such as the Great Lakes Compact and the Global Warming Task Force recommendations, before introducing speaker Keith Reopelle. Though Keith stood up as a speaker, the session was structured as a conversation. Many of the candidates asked questions and made comments throughout. Keith gave background on global warming before transitioning into a discussion of proposed remedies, including a cap and trade system and a mercury products ban, but candidates often shifted the conversation with productive comments and questions. One concern raised by candidates was a possible increase in heating and electricity bills caused by switching from coal to clean energy. While some candidates expressed concern about the transition, others were more optimistic about how a clean energy economy could create jobs and reduce heat and electricity bills in the future.

Clean Wisconsin Action Fund board member Gary Goyke discusses environmental policy with State Assembly candidates. Mark Westphal and Penny Bernard Schaber were particularly interested in how switching to clean energy could stimulate job growth in Wisconsin. They both expressed curiosity regarding how many jobs will be created, what ﬁelds stand to gain the most jobs, and how soon they will be available. In an area that once thrived on paper mills, they believe that clean energy can revive manufacturing jobs. Keep an eye on candidates in your area and watch how they respond to environmental issues. Supporting a pro-environment candidate can spark job growth and boost our economy. Keeping the environment healthy and clean is what will sustain our way of life for years to come. Not only can a pro-environment agenda create jobs, it can lower energy bills, and above all it can keep us safe and healthy.

Patagonia tracks products’ eco-impact with ‘The Footprint Chronicles’ Reprinted with permission from Good for Business, a socially-responsible marketing communications, advertising and design ﬁrm. To sign up for its Good FOUR Business newsletter or to learn more about the group, please visit goodforbusiness.com.

e’ve long hailed the sportswear company Patagonia for their commitment to sustainability and environmental activism. For starters, they make durable clothing out of recycled polyester and organic cotton, and since 1985 they’ve pledged 1 percent of their sales toward environmental causes. With their latest campaign, Patagonia is raising the bar for truth and transparency in sustainability practices. The company’s “Footprint Chronicles” Web site examines the eco-impact of 10 Patagonia products – following their products all over the world, from design to delivery. Along the way, Patagonia explains not only how their practices are good for the planet, but also where practices can be improved. For example, customers can learn that the company’s “Capilene 3 bottoms” contain 64% recycled content (the good); however, as yet Patagonia hasn’t discovered a way to make a durable product without using 36% virgin polyester (the bad). It’s this honest approach and commitment to continual improvement that once again sets Patagonia apart as an industry model. And it’s easy to see how this company’s practices ﬂow so naturally from their mission: “To use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”

The Defender, Fall 2008, Vol. 38, No. 4

Incredible, irreplaceable interns Shauna Cook Clean Wisconsin was graced with the presence of six very talented interns in 2008. They contributed to our important water and energy program work, and their lively presence in the ofﬁce will be missed. We are grateful for their competent help, and want to express how much we enjoyed having them around. Their energy, expertise and eagerness to help will be greatly missed.

Thank You!

Fay Augustyn, Water Program Intern Kristin Charipar, Energy Program Legal Intern Doug Cowgill, Energy Program Intern Marissa Falk, Global Warming Organizing Intern Vanessa Klemish, Water Program Legal Intern Rachel Vesely, Water Program Intern

Check out a little bit about each intern, and the awesome things they have helped us accomplish.

Fay Augustyn Water Program Intern Fay found her way to interning at Clean Wisconsin via Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA). She tried to obtain a law internship with MEA, but since they don’t take undergraduates, they recommended she try Clean Wisconsin. Fay has been with Clean Wisconsin since January and is staying through the fall. She is working on ways to improve Wisconsin agricultural policies (i.e. best Clean Wisconsin management practices) and also works on writing letters to the editors. Fay completed a trip over the summer to view some of the ways Wisconsin was negatively affected by the ﬂooding. Fay will be a junior in the fall majoring in agriculture and applied economics and is earning a certiﬁcate in environmental studies at UW Madison. When asked what she likes best about working at Clean Wisconsin, she responded:“I have really enjoyed learning a lot of new things about the environment while being around a great group of people.”

Marissa Falk Global Warming Organizing Intern

Kristin Charipar Energy Program Legal Intern Kristin discovered Clean Wisconsin at the Public Interest Job Fair at the UW Law School. She originally planned to be a summer intern only, but liked it so much she decided to stay on during the fall. Among other things, Kristin has been assisting with our work opposing Alliant’s new dirty coal plant in Cassville, Wisconsin, performing legal research, and commenting on the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). She is a student at the UW Law School and Nelson Clean Wisconsin Institute for Environmental Studies. When asked what she likes best about working at Clean Wisconsin, she responded: “It’s a tie between 1) the awesome people here 2) learning about energy law 3) going for ice cream with the awesome people here, and 4) PeterTaglia’s mad love for natural gas plants.”

Rachel Vesely Water Program Intern

Marissa was interested in working with an environmental organization over the summer, so she sent her resume from across the ocean (she was in Senegal at the time), and was hired on the spot! Marissa’s work was closely tied to the organizing and public outreach surrounding the Governor’s Global Warming Task Force. She worked with community groups not usually involved in environmental activities in order to engage them on the issues and Clean Wisconsin encourage their involvement in the development of the policies being debated by the Global Warming Task Force. Sadly, Marissa was a summer intern only and returned to Ann Arbor, Michigan to complete her last semester at the University of Michigan in December, 2008. She is earning a degree in the Environment and French and Francophone Studies. When asked what she liked best about working at Clean Wisconsin, this was her response: “Learning about the diverse crew it takes in order to address the scope of environmental issues in the state, and furthermore, seeing how this team interacts in order to best address these issues.”

Rachel discovered Clean Wisconsin when Water Program Director Melissa Malott spoke at the UW-Madison. She was so inspired by Melissa that she applied for an internship. Rachel worked on a number of projects related to water conservation laws. Among others things, she assisted on the Great Lakes Compact, comparing WDNR permit fees with other states’ fees in the hopes of raising fees to help promote the restoration and more effective monitoring of Wisconsin waterways, and researching pesticide effects on Clean Wisconsin our lakes. Rachel was unsure of her school plans for the fall, but intends to take the LSAT in October and apply to law school thereafter. When asked what Rachel liked best about interning at Clean Wisconsin, this is what she said: “I experienced a great deal of team work and community. I have appreciated all the time individuals have spent to help me with my research and my writing. Melissa has spent a great deal of time helping me prepare for law school as well. My experience has been an amazing one and I always felt my work was valued. It was especially exciting to see some of the outcomes of my efforts.”

Douglas Cowgill

Vanessa Klemish

Energy Program Intern Doug started interning with us in 2007. He was looking to volunteer for an environmental group and his mom recommended Clean Wisconsin because she had previously worked with Keith Reopelle and thought highly of his work. Doug spent much of his time on policies to reduce energy demand. He started law school this fall at the UWMadison and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Clean Wisconsin When asked what he enjoyed most about Clean Wisconsin, he responded: “The people who work here. They are all very friendly and have a good sense of humor, which I look forward to every time I come in.”

Clean Wisconsin

Water Program Legal Intern Vanessa discovered Clean Wisconsin through the Public Interest Job Fair at the University of Wisconsin Law School. She spent the summer interning with us and may be staying on through the fall if her schedule permits it. Vanessa spent time reviewing WPDES permits, researching watershed projects, and working on a variety of other water issues. She also completed a trip this past summer to see some of the ways Wisconsin was negatively affected by the ﬂooding. Vanessa returned to the UW Law School to start her second year. Clean Wisconsin When asked what she liked best about interning at Clean Wisconsin, this is what she said: “I have enjoyed the people I’ve been working with and the wide array of topics I’ve been researching.”

Dynamic duo completes kayaking expedition around Lake Superior Brian Castillo and Alissa Weitz

Shauna Cook

ou may recall in the last issue of The Defender, I reported on two Clean Wisconsin members embarking on a 1,300 mile kayaking expedition around Lake Superior. Their mission aimed to shed light on current threats to the lake and its watershed. Throughout their travels I was kept abreast of their movement through their blog (http://sessiononsuperior.blogspot.com). I encourage you to visit their site to read about their travels and review their photographs. Their photos depict Lake Superior’s pristine waters, incredible rock formations, and sheer beauty in its enormity. It makes me want to take another trip there soon, to experience the lake ﬁrst-hand. Below, check out a couple excerpts from their blog and enjoy the beauty of some of their photographs. Thanks for sharing your journey with us Alissa and Brian. Congratulations on a job well done.

Session on Superior - Their Mission

With our Session on Superior we aim to travel around the Lake with minimal to no impact while promoting conservation; thus blending exploration with awareness, we intend to bring forth the issues needed to protect the Lake Superior region. Through our years in the North Country we have come to appreciate Lake Superior as one of the largest fresh water resources in the world. With enough volume to contain the lower four great lakes within its’ boundaries, it is certain this resource will be heavily sought after in our near future. The Session on Superior expedition aims to shed light on current threats to the lake and its’ watershed. Through articles and photo essays etc., we hope to provide a positive impact on local communities and the regions this affects.

Brian Castillo and Alissa Weitz prepare to depart on their 1300 mile adventure around Lake Superior. Excerpts from July: • We’ve been fairly blessed to be immersed in the Lakes’ presence everyday for the past almost three weeks now. Bountiful, bountiful. Looking forward to many more great days and festive experiences to share. • Ready or not, here is another rocking fact about the mightiest lake of them all: • Lake Superior is the largest fresh water lake in the WORLD by surface area with a total square mileage of 31,700. • Also its total shoreline including islands is 2,726 miles, of which we will only be covering around 1,300... Perhaps we can have a reprise journey for the remaining 1,426 - any takers?

Thank you to our members in the Cedarburg area! Clean Wisconsin

hank you to Inge and Frank Wintersberger for hosting a house party for Clean Wisconsin at their beautiful home on Hidden Valley Lake in Cedarburg. By hosting a house party for Clean Wisconsin, they helped raise funds to protect Wisconsin’s water and air. During the house party, attendees learned more about our work on the Great Lakes, including an update on the Great Lakes Compact. The Great Lakes Compact requires passage through the House and Senate judiciary committees, and one of the Great Lakes delegation members with significant influence on the House committee is Rep. James Sensenbrenner from Wisconsin. Inge’s friends joined the effort to make calls and write letters letting Rep. Sensenbrenner know how important the Great Lakes Compact is to Wisconsinites. Within 10 days, Rep. Sensenbrenner came out in support of the Great Lakes Compact as a cosponsor. This is a big step forward in the campaign to ratify the Compact. Thank you for the phone calls, emails, and letters to his office! If you are interested in hosting similar events, please contact Becky Weber at (608) 251-7020 extension 17 or beweber@CleanWisconsin.org.

Inge Wintersberger (party hostess) and Mark Redsten (Clean Wisconsin Executive Director).

The Defender, Fall 2008, Vol. 38, No. 4