WINTER 2007 • Vol. 37, No. 1
Clean air victory for Wisconsin! WPS to shut down two dirty boilers in Green Bay and invest in more energy efficiency Katie Nekola
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n November, 2006 Clean Wisconsin reached a landmark agreement with Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC also referred to as WPS) to clean up its J.P. Pulliam power plant, one of the dirtiest coal plants in the nation. In 2005, we discovered the Green Bay utility had been violating its air permit limits for at least five consecutive years prior; thus we filed a lawsuit in federal court to compel them to clean up the plant. We had compiled all of the air monitoring reports submitted by WPS to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Clean Wisconsin 122 State Street Suite 200 Madison,WI 53703-4333
showing that Pulliam had exceeded the legal limits for opacity, one way to measure fine particle pollution. During that time period, the DNR had issued "notices of violation" to the utility, but had not initiated its own enforcement action. Meanwhile, the excessive soot from the power plant was contributing to air pollution in Brown County, which in turn was making it harder for children and people with asthma and other respiratory illnesses to breathe. Five years of continuous violations adds up to a lot of extra soot in the air. It was time for us to step in. Fine particle pollution is one of the most dangerous of Continued on page 8
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INSIDE A word from the executive director; Welcome newcomers . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Vulnerable lakes, responsible solutions: protecting the Great Lakes . . . . . .3 Intervening and supporting wind power in Manitowoc County . . . . . . . . . .4 Radioactive waste disposal: myth and reality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Great Lakes restoration; More northern rivers protected . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Getting mercury out of products; Precious resource: groundwater . . . . . . .7 Cover article continued; Clean Air Interstate Rules (CAIR) . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 God and the greenhouse; My pal Al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Appliance efficiency; Garbage duty; Member John Hamilton . . . . . . . . . .10 Eco-news from around the state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 New Clean Wisconsin board members; Write a letter to the editor . . . . . .12 New faces visit Clean Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Kids’ Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
A note from the executive director In past issues I’ve used this column in The Defender to report on timely, important issues related to Clean Wisconsin’s work on protecting your clean water and clean air and advocating for clean energy. Throughout our work, you – our members – play incredibly important roles by signing petitions, writing letters, attending public hearings, speaking at press conferences, and making valuable donations. All of these efforts help us to push for strong environmental legislation and protections for Wisconsin’s citizens and vulnerable natural resources. The Defender newsletter is our primary method of informing you about our program work and organizational successes. Because we rely on this newsletter, we want it to be as effective as possible. Inserted inside this edition is a brief but important survey asking for your opinions on The Defender. Please take a few minutes to complete and return the survey in the enclosed, addressed envelope. Or if you prefer, you can fax it to us at (608) 251-1655 or visit our website and complete the survey online. Please go to: www.CleanWisconsin.org/DefenderSurvey.
122 State Street Suite 200 • Madison WI 53703-4333 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 corporations 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
If for some reason you did not receive a survey and want one mailed to you, please call and leave a message with your request, your name and address at (608) 251-7020, extension 15. We’ll mail one to you right away. Thank you for your time!
Program Director
Keith Reopelle Energy Program Director
Katie Nekola
Sincerely,
Water Program Director
Melissa Malott Communications Director
Mark Redsten Executive Director
Joyce Harms Communications Creative Manager
Shauna Cook Water Specialist
Will Hoyer
Clean Wisconsin’s newest, youngest member has arrived! Clean Wisconsin is overjoyed to announce the birth of our newest, youngest member…Claire Ann Hoyer. Claire is the daughter of Will Hoyer and Kate Cooper; Will has been with Clean Wisconsin since 2003 and is currently the water specialist. We welcome Claire into a world where her daddy is working hard to protect Wisconsin’s clean water and clean air so she can have a healthy future. Welcome Claire and congratulations Will and Kate.
Staff Scientist
Peter Taglia Grassroots Organizer
Ryan Schryver Energy Program Specialist
Elizabeth Wheeler Interns
Jeremy Jansen Breeanna Breckel Membership and Development Development Director
Brian Kelly Membership & Development Manager
Welcome Bridget Barry! This past September, Bridget Barry started at Clean Wisconsin as a part-time development assistant. She is responsible for coordinating member mailings and donations, as well as maintaining member updates in Clean Wisconsin’s database. Bridget comes to us with fundraising experience and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and Spanish from the UW-Madison. She grew up in Newtown, Pennsylvania and spent many weekends hiking, climbing and exploring the beauty of the great outdoors. She enjoys snowboarding, swimming, board games, puzzles, and anything related to music. Welcome aboard Bridget, you have already proven to be a tremendous help to our development efforts.
Becky Weber Development Assistants
Elsa Nekola Bridget Barry Finance and Administration Financial Manager
Barb Kneer Office Administrator
Laurie Maloney Financial Assistant
Holly Brassington
BOARD Pam McGillivray – Chair (Madison) Jim Carter – Vice Chair (Eleva) Will Fantle – Secretary (Eau Claire) Gof Thomson – Treasurer (New Glarus)
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 37, No. 1 Issue date: January 2007 ©2007 Clean Wisconsin. All rights reserved Printed with soy ink on unbleached, recycled paper.
ISSN # 1549-8107
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Mark Gill (Milwaukee) Kate Gordon (Madison) Gary Goyke (Madison) Susan Greenfield (Racine) Bill King (Cable) Paul Linzmeyer (Green Bay) David Wandel (Madison) Guy Wolf (Stoddard)
The Defender,Winter 2007,Vol. 37, No. 1
Vulnerable lakes, responsible solutions: let’s protect the Great Lakes! Melissa Malott
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egend has it that Napoleon Bonaparte said, “Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent." This statement could be a timely insight into our current legislative and political system. The simple truth is legislators have many competing interests to consider when making laws. Powerful special interests make their voices heard. While it is easy to be cynical about this process, as citizens and advocates, we need to make our voices heard, too. We play an important role in this process; there is a tremendous amount of power available to citizens and advocates if they use the tools correctly. It has also been said that people are increasingly losing interest in the legislative process, but at a legislative hearing on the manure runoff rules last year, the Legislature definitely heard Wisconsin citizens, and reacted. We expect a stronger manure runoff rule to result, leading to less polluted runoff and fewer polluted wells and fish kills. Citizens and advocates have a vital role to play in the legislative process, and I challenge you to stand with us for the issues and policies we know are best for Wisconsin. With over 1,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, Wisconsin has much at stake and has taken a leadership role in making policies protecting the Great Lakes and drafting the Compact*. Our Great Lakes are the foundation of our economy, supporting fishing, tourism, and industry, and the cradle of our water-focused lifestyle, like swimming, boating, fishing, and ice fishing. Passing the Compact is the first step towards restoring our Great Lakes. In the 2007 legislative session, Clean Wisconsin’s biggest water priority will be passing a strong law ratifying and implementing the Great Lakes Compact. If the spirit of the Great Lakes Compact is respected, ratifying and implementing laws will make massive strides towards restoration of the Great Lakes. To fully realize the potential of the Compact, Wisconsin should implement legislation to accomplish the following: • Allow Wisconsin to help decide how other states affect our Great Lakes water; • Create a fair, standards-based process by which communities or businesses access Great Lakes water; • Establish a scientific monitoring process so we can gather and learn necessary information about the Great Lakes; and • Close the bottled-water loophole.
Wisconsin should get to weigh-in and decide how other states affect our Great Lakes water. Unfortunately, some short-sighted groups, like the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce, only see this as a one-way street, and oppose the Compact because they don’t want other
Clean Wisconsin
states weighing in on how Wisconsin uses Great Lakes water. They forget the event leading to the Compact’s creation was the proposal of a massive water diversion to Asia, a deal that would have devastated the health of Lake Superior, and Wisconsin’s economy. With 20% of the world’s fresh water in our backyard, you can be sure that other states and countries are eyeing a diversion of Great Lakes water. Clearly, Wisconsin should be part of how states and provinces divert Great Lakes water.
Water Diversion applications should undergo a fair, standards-based process. With strong Compact language, Wisconsin will set fair standards by which proposed water diversions are reviewed for protection of our Great Lakes water while allowing deserving communities access to the Great Lakes water.
Establish a method for keeping modern scientific research and collaborating with others about Great Lakes health. A strong Compact will keep Wisconsin up-to-date with the latest scientific measurements on the health of the Great Lakes, in conjunction with other states and entities. Using this data, we will be able to collaborate with other stakeholders in policies to protect and restore the Great Lakes.
Close the bottled-water loophole! Our Legislature should protect our precious Great Lakes water with strong language closing the bottled-water loophole. Currently, the Compact allows companies to remove Great Lakes water, without repercussion, in containers less than 5.7 gallons. With a very slow recharge rate, the Great Lakes are vulnerable to dangerously low water levels from unimpeded withdrawals. Wisconsin’s Legislature should protect the Great Lakes by setting responsible standards and process for bottled-water withdrawals.
Photo Credit: Clipart.com
Our Great Lakes are the foundation of Wisconsin’s lifestyle and economy; in short, they are our unique and most important natural resources. We need to protect them; let’s start with passing a strong Great Lakes Compact this legislative session. With so many stakeholders advancing various interests, this legislative process will be complicated, but getting the strongest Compact possible requires the participation of citizens and advocates. Your activism is important in this process. Let your state representatives and local newspaper editors know that you care about protecting the Great Lakes and that you are watching and weighing in on the process. We’d love to hear from you too! As always, thank you for your involvement in this important work.
Start with the basics: a letter to the editor Everyone, from the local newspaper reporter to the governor of the state, wants to know what you think on the issues. A letter to the editor is a great advocacy tool because it can spark local or regional discussion and action. Well-organized letters are more likely to get published. Clean Wisconsin has put together some tips on how to write a successful letter to the editor, along with the e-mail addresses of some of Wisconsin’s daily newspapers. Turn to page 12 in this issue to find more information. *The full name of this document is the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact; for ease, we refer to it as “the Great Lakes Compact,” or simply “the Compact.”
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Clean Wisconsin and RENEW Wisconsin intervene to support wind power in Manitowoc County Katie Nekola
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ast fall, three individuals filed a lawsuit in Manitowoc County Circuit Court, challenging the County Board’s decision to grant a Conditional Use Permit to Emerging Energies, a small wind developer, to construct a seven-turbine, 19 megawatt project. Clean Wisconsin joined RENEW Wisconsin to intervene in the lawsuit. The interests of the two organizations are the same: to promote the development of clean energy resources in Wisconsin. Opponents are not claiming that any environmentally sensitive areas lie in or around the project area, nor does their complaint mention any concerns about birds or bats. Indeed, their main worry seems to be that their property values might be affected by turbines on their neighbors’ land. They briefly mention shadow flicker, noise, and blade and ice throw.
Opposition to wind in Wisconsin This lawsuit follows a series of such challenges to wind development in Wisconsin, some of which are successful and some not. Opponents typically raise similar complaints: that their property might lose value, they would suffer health impacts from the turbine noise and “shadow flicker,” and that the turbine blades might fly off, throw chunks of ice, or the whole structure might collapse. These claims are based largely on myth and hyperbole. Studies done at existing wind turbine sites show that shadow flicker occurs only a few hours per year and is easily avoided with proper siting. Blade throw was common in the industry’s early years but is unheard-of today, with international engineering and safety standards in place. Ice throw can occur under certain conditions but is unlikely because ice buildup slows a turbine’s rotation and is sensed by the control system, which causes the turbine to shut down. In any event, proper setbacks protect neighbors from anything that might fall from a wind turbine. The “WINDCOWS”, a group that was formed to oppose wind development in Manitowoc County, claim that wind turbine noise is a serious problem, yet Daniel Alberts, the author of a study linked on their website notes: “While writing this paper, I visited the Bowling Green Wind Farm in Bowling Green, Ohio. At the base of a 1.8 mw turbine, we measured the noise level at 5860 dB(A). However, the turbines stand in a corn field, and depending on our position
relative to the turbines, it was very difficult to distinguish the sound of the turbine from the rustling of the corn stalks.” 1 Mr. Alberts goes on to discuss the health impacts of noise exposure: “Excessive exposure to noise has been shown to cause several health problems… however, there is no evidence that wind turbines generate the level of noise needed to create those problems.” 2 Wind opponents typically complain that the value of their suburban property is likely to decrease if wind turbines are sited on their neighbors’ land. In
A government sponsored nationwide study done in 2003 surveyed property near multiple wind farms and found that not only do wind farms not harm property values, but in some cases the values increased. fact, a government sponsored nationwide study done in 2003 surveyed property near multiple wind farms and found that not only do they not harm property values, but in some cases the values increased. 3
Wind: the clear environmental choice Opponents ignore the enormous environmental benefits of wind power. Because they do not burn fossil fuels, wind turbines emit no global warming gases, no mercury, and no air pollution-causing toxic chemicals. Despite this obvious fact, the WINDCOWS make the following statement on their website: “If the tax dollars spent on wind energy would be invested to improve even more the efficiency of existing fuel plants and reducing their emissions, to improve vehicle efficiency…the benefits would greatly exceed anything the turbines can promise…” This is patently absurd. The tax credits available to help develop clean energy sources like wind power are a tiny fraction of the subsidies provided to the well-established fossil fuel industries, which continue
Photo Credit: Clipart.com
to fight hard against environmental regulations that would clean up their products. Our tax dollars already support the coal, oil, and nuclear industries, while at the same time any attempt by EPA to require greater emissions reductions is sure to result in lawsuits filed by utilities and industry. The exact opposite of what the WINDCOWS say is true: if the tax dollars spent to support the fossil fuel industry were spent on clean energy, we would see real progress toward cleaning up our planet.
The good news In spite of opposition, however, the U.S. wind industry has averaged a 29% growth rate from 20002005. At the end of 2005, U.S. wind generating capacity exceeded 10,000 megawatts, enough to power 2.5 million homes.4 Those 10,000 megawatts are displacing fossil generation that would put sixteen million tons of carbon dioxide per year into the air. They are keeping 73,000 tons per year of sulfur dioxide out of the air, and 27,000 tons of nitrogen oxide, as well as mercury and other toxic compounds. Clean Wisconsin supports wind development that is orderly and poses no threat to the environment. We believe that wind developers can work with local officials and residents to make sure their concerns are addressed, as they have in several projects around the state. And we know beyond a doubt that we can no longer afford to rely on outdated, dirty technology when we have clean, modern alternatives right in our backyard.
1 - Daniel J. Alberts: “Primer for Addressing Wind Turbine Noise”, Nov. 20, 2005, p. 9. 2 - Ibid, p. 10. 3 - Sterzinger, Beck, and Kostiuk: “The Effect of Wind Development on Local Property Values,” Renewable Energy Policy Project, May 2003. 4 - U.S. Energy Information Administration
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The Defender,Winter 2007,Vol. 37, No. 1
Radioactive waste disposal: myth and reality Katie Nekola
Nuclear waste disposal: the myth Last fall, the owners of Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant asked the Carlton Town Board for permission to build “bunkers” to store the radioactive waste from fuel pools where it has been accumulating for thirty years, waiting for a long-promised permanent national storage site. Kewaunee’s fuel pools are nearly full, and the plant’s owner, Virginia-based Dominion Resources, needs to expand storage capacity in order to relicense the plant to operate for another twenty years. Nuclear plants around the country are resorting to dry cask storage, an above-ground, supposedly temporary measure to deal with radioactive waste until it is moved to a federally licensed, underground facility. Because nuclear plants require a great deal of cooling water, all 103 currently operating units are located on the shores of lakes, rivers, and oceans. This means that highly toxic radioactive material is piling up in pools and bunkers within a few yards of our most precious water resources. In Wisconsin alone, there are three units on the Lake Michigan shoreline, and one, the Genoa plant, on the Mississippi River. Even though the Genoa plant is no longer operating and is being dismantled, there are no plans to move the radioactive waste from the site, because there is nowhere to send it. On-site storage is billed as “temporary” by the nuclear industry and the federal government, who continue to promise that Yucca Mountain (located in Nevada) will provide a permanent solution--even though its scheduled opening has been delayed again and again. Most recently, the Bush Administration has said that Yucca will open in 2017, but there are many reasons to doubt that this will happen.
Yucca Mountain: the reality Yucca is located in an active earthquake zone, and at least 33 known active faults pass within twenty miles of the mountain, some within the proposed repository itself. In June 1992, an earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale hit Yucca Valley; two days later, a quake measuring 5.2 caused $1 million damage to a Department of Energy building located six miles from Yucca Mountain. Nevada is the third most earthquakeprone state, after Alaska and California. The Department of Energy (DOE) had established Site Suitability Guidelines in 1984, and in 1997 it was determined that Yucca’s geology violated those guidelines. In 2001, rather than addressing the reality that Yucca Mountain is geologically unsuitable for storage of highly toxic radioactive
Clean Wisconsin
waste, DOE simply did away with their Site Suitability Guidelines. Los Alamos National Laboratory reported in the 1990s that so much fissile material could leak out of waste burial containers within Yucca that a critical mass, nuclear chain reaction, and even an atomic explosion could result. The state of Nevada has several lawsuits pending against the project, and the Western Shoshone Indian Nation has vowed to fight the nuclear waste dump in every possible forum. Thus, while the nuclear industry and the federal government are using any tactics they can to force Yucca to open, they face formidable opposition and irrefutable evidence that the site is a geological disaster. Even if Yucca were to open on schedule, it would immediately be filled to capacity with existing waste, leaving nowhere to go with the waste that reactors continue to generate.
On-site storage: the reality
Many people are concerned that aboveground, dry cask storage is vulnerable to terrorist attack. Even a slow leak from a dry cask on the Lake Michigan shoreline could have disastrous consequences. The reality is that irradiated nuclear fuel will remain at reactor sites alongside our lakes, rivers, and oceans for many decades to come. As Carlton Town Board Chair Dave Zeller said about the new bunkers at Kewaunee, “I don’t care for it, but I would go along with it, as a temporary thing. But you know how government is, sometimes temporary things last longer than you’d expect.” Although the nuclear industry claims that on-site nuclear waste storage is safe, the risks are actually very serious. One spent fuel assembly contains ten times the amount of long-lived radiation released by the Hiroshima bomb. In 1996, here in Wisconsin, a hydrogen gas explosion within a dry cask at Point Beach dislodged a 4,000 pound cask lid, endangering workers and the environment. Many people are concerned that above-ground, dry cask storage is vulnerable to terrorist attack. Even a slow leak from a dry cask on the Lake Michigan shoreline could have disastrous consequences. As Rep. Phil Montgomery, Chair of the Legislative Study Committee on Nuclear Power noted at the November 15 committee meeting, the
Photo Credit: Clipart.com
perfect solution for the radioactive waste problem is not to make the waste in the first place. Clean Wisconsin and many others believe that it is simply irrational and reckless to rely on a fuel that generates plutonium, the deadliest substance known to humankind, in order to produce a product (electricity) that can be created by elements as simple and safe as the wind and sun. It’s time to shut down our fleet of dangerous and deteriorating nuclear power plants and invest in a clean, safe energy future. Write or call your congressperson and tell them we don’t want any more nuclear waste in Wisconsin. To find contact information for your congressperson, visit www.legis.state.wi.us/waml or call 1-800-362-9472. For more information on this topic, contact Katie Nekola at (608) 251-7020, extension 14.
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Great Lakes restoration a critical piece of regional economy Will Hoyer
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he Great Lakes region has the potential to once again play a dominant role in supporting the nation’s economy, according to a report issued by the Brookings Institution in October 2006. The Brookings Institution, one of the country’s largest and most influential policy think tanks, analyzes the issues that the region faces and the opportunities for the future and makes recommendations for re-invigorating the region. The report, entitled “The Vital Center: A Federal-State Compact to Renew the Great Lakes Region” notes that the lakes themselves should be marketed as the foundation of a lifestyle, much like communities like Boulder, Colorado, and other western cities have marketed themselves as ‘mountain’ towns. Few people from outside the
region recognize the high amenity values and beauty of the nation’s ‘North Coast.’ This ‘North Coast’ is relatively free of threat from rising sea levels, hurricanes and other natural disasters and blessed with abundant supplies of fresh water. Other parts of the country will be running up against growth limits as fresh water supplies disappear. Other recommendations include building a truly multi-modal high speed transportation network linking metropolitan areas, furthering the region’s reputation as a true world leader in research and development of renewable fuels, fixing community’s aging wastewater infrastructure before building new, and full funding of the Great Lakes Regional Collaborations $20 billion plan for restoring the Great Lakes. That restoration plan, signed by the Great Lakes governors in late 2005 would provide funding to fix
waste water infrastructure, fight invasive species, preserve wetlands, reduce polluted runoff and clean up polluted harbors. While legislation has been introduced in Congress to pass parts of the plan, so far Congress has failed to take the next step to actually pass the legislation and appropriate money. While the Great Lakes region faces challenges, including aging workforce, declining industries, and struggling metropolitan areas, the Great Lakes can serve as the backbone for re-establishing the economic vitality of the region. What this means, though, is that it is essential to protect and restore the lakes now to provide the foundation for the renewal of the Great Lakes regional economy. To read the complete Brookings Institution report go to: http://www.brook.edu/metro/ pubs/20061020_renewgreatlakes.htm
Rest assured: More northern rivers will be protected into the future Will Hoyer
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ast October, approximately 1,100 miles of northern Wisconsin streams and rivers were added to the state’s list of Exceptional Resource Waters (ERW) and Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW). These designations add an extra level of protection for these special waters. Rivers with the ERW or ORW designations are among the state’s best – drawing families to go fishing, paddling and swimming – and support northern Wisconsin’s economy by drawing visitors and increasing property values. These newly designated waters included parts of the Flambeau, Jump, and Chippewa Rivers and the headwaters of the Wisconsin River. Waters
designated as ERWs or ORWs receive additional protection by requiring that the quality of water discharged into these streams be at least as good as the water in the stream. Additionally, while modifications along the shoreline would still be allowed, general or individual permits are required prior to work being done. Clean Wisconsin was one of over 40 groups from across the state, led by Midwest Environmental Advocates and the River Alliance of Wisconsin, who petitioned the DNR back in 2004 to add over 100 segments to the state’s list. The DNR took this list, analyzed the data they had for those segments, listened to public comments at hearings in several northern towns and decided to recommend 45 segments totaling 1,100 miles for listing. The DNR
lacked adequate water quality data to make an informed decision about the other segments that were recommended in the original petition. With unanimous support from the DNR board and no opposition from legislators these designations took affect. Thanks to the support of people like you and the hard work of DNR staff and our coalition partners Wisconsin has ensured that more northern rivers and stream will remain great places that we can enjoy now and into the future. For more information and a complete listing of the ERW and ORW segments please see: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/orwerw/
Protecting Wisconsin’s environment for future generations
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e owe it to our children and grandchildren to pass on a world that has clean water, clean air and clean energy. Let’s face it; protecting our natural resources and the environment is a long-term battle. Clean Wisconsin is preparing for the future to make sure we have the resources to reach our long range goals. To do this, Clean Wisconsin has created an “Acorn Fund” at the Madison Community Foundation. With the support of our members we hope to grow this seed into a full endowment fund. An endowment will provide Clean Wisconsin with a steady source of funding in future years and will help us protect our beautiful state for generations to come. We very much appreciate our members’ annual support which is helping us take on today’s environmental challenges. If you are also interested in making a special contribution to the Clean Wisconsin Acorn Fund, please contact Paul Houseman of the Madison Community Foundation at (608) 232-1763 extension 226. Our future endowment fund will support our statewide advocacy, and you do not need to be a Madison resident to contribute to this fund.
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The Defender,Winter 2007,Vol. 37, No. 1
Getting mercury out of products – picking the low hanging fruit Keith Reopelle
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he largest sources of the toxic mercury emissions in Wisconsin that contaminate fish and, in turn threaten our children’s health, are coal-burning power plants (40%), products that contain mercury (35%), the ERCO chlorine plant in Port Edwards (20%), and other sources (5%). Clean Wisconsin continues to work diligently on reducing mercury pollution from these sources. (Please refer to the cover article from the summer 2006 issue of The Defender titled, “Within past two years Wisconsin goes from mercury leader to laggard”.) Most recently, Clean Wisconsin worked hard to obtain Governor Doyle’s directive to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop a rule achieving a 90% reduction of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants as soon as possible, and calling for a ban on products containing mercury. The vast majority (78%) of mercury used in products domestically is consumed in the production of switches and relays, measuring devices such as thermometers and barometers, and thermostats (a particularly important switch application). Fortunately, there is functionally-equivalent or better non-mercury alternatives for nearly all of these products, as documented by a number of recent
studies and European initiatives. Consequently, some states have already passed legislation prohibiting new sales of these products with mercury. Mercury thermostats, switches/relays, and other mercury measuring devices, are subject to existing or pending sales restrictions in Connecticut, Maine, and Rhode Island. A recent Illinois law similarly prohibits these sales but exempts thermostats, while California and Oregon enacted laws prohibiting mercury thermostat sales only. Wisconsin was one of the first states in the country to regulate mercury emissions from power plants, and has voluntary collection programs for mercury in auto switches and thermostats, but has made no attempt to limit new mercury products from circulating and entering the waste stream, as many other states have, by restricting sales. Clean Wisconsin is working with recyclers, waste
haulers, leading corporations and legislators to develop policies to phase out the use of mercury in products where cost-effective alternatives are readily available. This spring we will work with policymakers to write, introduce and move legislation through the process to become law. This will be a great opportunity for other organizations and individuals to get involved in establishing a law that will help protect our resources and our children’s health. If you belong to, or are familiar with an organization or corporation of health professionals, health care providers, children’s advocates, sport fishers, or other related human welfare organizations that you think might support reducing mercury in Wisconsin’s environment, please contact Keith Reopelle at Clean Wisconsin at (608) 251-7020, extension 11.
Estimated Annual Mercury Releases (in pounds) from Common Products to Wisconsin’s Environment in Year 2000
Product Dental Thermostats Relays & Switches Measurement Devices
Air 420 250 700 450
Water 10 0 10 10
Land 1110 810 1200 1060
Total 1540 1050 1910 1520
Protecting a precious Wisconsin resource: groundwater Will Hoyer
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he last months of 2006 were busy ones for people working to protect Wisconsin’s groundwater. The DNR held five public hearings across the state in December to get input on administrative rules to implement the 2004 Groundwater Protection Act. Additionally, the Groundwater Advisory Committee formed as a result of the same Act released a report to the Wisconsin Legislature that includes recommendations for managing regions of the state that have been designated “Groundwater Management Areas (GMAs).” The administrative rules (NR 820) would implement the 2004 Act, which was generally a good first step toward better protecting and managing Wisconsin’s groundwater. Unfortunately the proposed rules leave several gaps that need to be addressed. For instance the rules do not require the DNR to perform an environmental review of proposed high capacity wells near Wisconsin’s
Clean Wisconsin
highest quality waters if they determine there would not be a significant environmental impact. This begs the question of how the agency would know if there would be an impact unless they actually perform a review. Furthermore the rules allow high capacity wells to pump volumes of water up to 10% of the volume of the stream affected but do not answer the question of what happens if multiple wells are proposed along a stream. Under these rules it would not take too many wells in a watershed to significantly impact the flow and ecology of a stream. The Groundwater Advisory Committee’s report lists many recommendations for GMAs. Many of those recommendations focus on coordinated and adaptive management of groundwater within the designated areas. While the Committee considered adding three regions of the state to the Milwaukee and Green Bay areas already designated, they stopped short. Instead the area around the Little Plover River near Stevens Point and the Dane County area were recommended to be
“Groundwater Attention Areas.” This means that without planning now these two areas may be facing more serious water impacts in the future. Because water knows no political boundaries, management of water - whether surface or ground requires coordination and cooperation among various local governments. Also, because conditions change over time a system that is built upon adaptation is critical to successful water management. Another key piece of the recommendations is for an increase in monitoring of water withdrawals and ground and surface water levels. Without this information the success or failure of the management plans required of the GMAs. This spring the Legislature will have to approve NR 820 and will decide whether or not to act on the Groundwater Advisory Committee’s recommendations. For more information and updates please see our website at www.cleanwisconsin.org or contact Will Hoyer at (608) 251-7020, extension 20.
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Clean air victory for Wisconsin continued from front page the power plant pollutants, because it is so small that it escapes the body's natural defenses against breathing in airborne chemicals. The fine particles released when burning coal get lodged deep in the lungs, causing inflammation and reducing the breathing capacity of both humans and other creatures. In populations that are especially vulnerable, such as children with asthma and older people with chronic respiratory diseases like emphysema, living near a coal-burning plant can result in more visits to the emergency room, more missed work and school days, and more medical expenses. As a result of this settlement, WPS has agreed to shut down its two oldest boilers, which will reduce air pollution in Green Bay by thousands of tons per year. Global warming pollution will be cut by almost 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, just by closing those two small, dirty units. The utility has also agreed to spend half a million dollars on energy efficiency projects in Brown County, aimed at reducing the amount of power needed, further reducing air pollution there. Clean Wisconsin members and board of directors played
Clean Wisconsin member Curt Anderson, speaking at a press conference in Green Bay about the dangers of pollution coming from the Pulliam power plant.
crucial roles in helping the staff to earn this victory. Help came
In the shadow of the Pulliam coal-fired power plant, Clean Wisconsin board member and former Green Bay Packer Jim Carter spoke to the media about WPS’s plant pumping illegal amounts of pollution into the air, increasing the risk of asthma for kids and for athletes who exercise outside.
in the form of attending and speaking at press conferences, providing valuable quotes for press releases and being available for press calls, writing letters to editors, and contributing much-needed funds to fight this fight. Clean Wisconsin gives heartfelt thanks for all your support. The air pollution reductions achieved in Green Bay are just the beginning. Look for Clean Wisconsin’s new report, “Wisconsin’s Dirty Dozen” that examines the oldest and dirtiest coal plants operating in our state, the high levels of pollution they generate, and what needs to be done to clean them up.
The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and why it matters to Wisconsin Elizabeth Wheeler
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ue to recent concern over continued poor air quality, U.S. EPA has required 28 states, including Wisconsin, to revise their pollution control standards. In particular, there has been increasing concern over ground-level ozone, a pollutant that poses serious threats to the health of children and the elderly that are exposed to it. The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) imposes mandatory pollution caps on the pollutants that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. CAIR targets the biggest and worst air pollution sources in the state – coal fired power-plants. Ten counties in Wisconsin do not meet U.S. EPA air quality standards for ground-level ozone. They are: Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Washington, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties. Wisconsin has chosen to participate in an interstate cap and trade program for these pollutants. The U.S. EPA has set a “cap” on the amount of pollution for each state subject to CAIR. Each power plant will receive a certain number of “credits” they can either use to offset their own pollution or “trade” them to other power plants for cash.
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By structuring the cap and trade program to favor new, cleaner sources as well as renewable energy and energy efficiency programs,Wisconsin could see a dramatic improvement in air quality. The DNR is currently in the process of developing the rules for this program. These rules will have a real impact on air quality in Wisconsin. By structuring the cap and trade program to favor new, cleaner sources as well as renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, Wisconsin could see a dramatic improvement in air quality. Additionally, by structuring Wisconsin’s program to be renewable energy friendly, there could be real incentives for expansion of the renewable energy industry in Wisconsin which would bring more jobs and clean,
reliable energy resources to our state. Clean Wisconsin attended the most recent rulemaking hearing in Milwaukee concerning the structure of the cap and trade program and commented to ensure that the program will in fact reduce pollution levels and promote energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in the state. The draft rules will be proposed to the Natural Resources Board in January and should be finalized in spring 2007. For more information on Clean Wisconsin’s comments, contact Elizabeth Wheeler at ewheeler@cleanwisconsin.org or (608) 251-7020. If you want to read the draft rules, go to: http:// dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/air/hot/8hrozonestd/cairbart/.
The Defender,Winter 2007,Vol. 37, No. 1
God and the greenhouse Written by Clean Wisconsin member Reverend Dave Steffenson
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aith communities around Wisconsin are warming up to make the planet cool down! All sorts of religious folks and congregations are getting active on many environmental issues -especially the urgent threat of global warming and the coming water crisis, and most denominations have eco-justice offices, staff, and programs at the national level. All major religious traditions have been active, but a new development is that suddenly many evangelical and conservative Christians have gotten involved after they have traditionally avoided environmental concerns in the past. Their younger members are pushing them on issues related to global warming, poverty, and the AIDS crisis. Why the interest? All the major faiths have a lot to say about environmental stewardship and care for creation as a primary obligation for people of faith. The scriptures of the three major Western traditions – Christianity, Judaism, and Islam – call for their followers to make creation care central in their stewardship. Buddhists express deep concerns for the environment. Also, people who profess no particular faith are aware that the global ecosystem and its lifegiving natural services are a free gift that brings with it an obligation to keep and care for the planet and its species, including people. Further, religious groups have been the most active segment in society dealing with eco-justice issues because environmental degradation hits the
Photo Credit: Clipart.com
poor, weak, children, and voiceless future generations the fiercest. In addition, most religions teach that their followers are to define the “good life” in more humane and sustainable ways, standing against the insane consumerism and greed that is driving environmental destruction today; and they often support life-enhancing alternative and sustainable lifestyles.
In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Council of Churches, the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, and a new faith coalition of churches in Racine, are also active, adding staff, and making statements around environmental issues. A good way to get an overview of the religious ferment and faith-resources available from the general religious community, is to check out web sites: • Ecumenical environmental resources: www.webofcreation.org. • Evangelical Environmental Network: www.creationcare.org. • Interfaith Climate Change Campaign (national): www.protectingcreation.org. • Jewish: www.coejl.org. • National Religious Partnership for the Environment: www.nrpe.org. • Protestant and Orthodox, National Council of Churches: www.nccecojustice.org. • Roman Catholic: http://www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp/ international/globalclimate.htm. • Wisconsin WICEC: www.wicec.org. The views I’ve expressed here represent only myself, and are not necessarily the views of Clean Wisconsin, religious organization or any other group. Reverend Dave Steffenson can be reached at dsteffe@charter.net.
My pal Al nation’s leading communications experts who helped us refine our presentations to reach as broad of an audience l Gore’s recent movie, An as possible. Inconvenient Truth, helped After spending countless hours studying the impacts of thrust global warming into the global warming, including on our lives here in Wisconsin, national spotlight and open a national I’m ready to take the show on the road. I have pledged to dialogue about the consequences of our give over 30 presentations to raise awareness about global addiction to dirty fossil fuels. After warming over the next year, but I need your help. I several decades of giving presentations would love to come speak to your local church, on the evidence of global warming, community organization, business, family gathering, Gore recently announced his intention neighborhood association, political group, sewing circle, to train hundreds of volunteers to help card club, bowling league, etc. Often, people need to be spread the message about the dangers of shown the evidence before they are willing to accept the global warming. When the opportunity truth and seek solutions. presented itself to attend one of these We have a message to spread! Global warming is training seminars in Nashville, already dramatically altering the world as we know it, and Tennessee, I jumped at the chance. we need to act now to ensure the environment is For three days the former vice protected for future generations. Clean Wisconsin’s Grassroot Organizer Ryan Schryver and former president and a staff of leading scientists If you would be willing to help host a presentation of walked us through the detailed science Vice President Al Gore. any size, please contact Ryan Schryver at (608) 252-7020 behind global warming and chronicled extension 25, rschryver@cleanwisconsin.org, or send him a the potentially serious changes our climate could undertake if we fail to act soon. letter at 122 State St. Suite 200 Madison, WI 53703. The internationally renowned scientific staff was also joined by some of the Ryan Schryver
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Appliance efficiency standards: lower bills, less pollution Keith Reopelle ast spring Governor Doyle signed Act 141 into law doubling the state’s investment in energy efficiency programs that will reduce electric and heating bills, reduce the need for new power plants and transmission lines and, in turn, reduce power plant emissions of soot, smog, mercury and global warming pollution. I served on the Governor’s Task Force on Renewables and Energy Efficiency that developed the policies in that bill, but one of the best policies to increase energy efficiency that I pushed on that committee wasn’t included in that bill: the adoption of minimum efficiency standards for appliances and machinery used in homes and businesses. Clean Wisconsin is currently working with members of that committee, legislators and industry groups that had concerns with the efficiency standards to make sure they are adopted in the 2007-08 legislative session.
heating fuel. Still, there is much waste and much greater savings available through more efficient technologies. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) have developed a list of appliances and other products that have no minimum efficiency standards, even though a wide selection of models that attain much higher levels of efficiency are readily available. Since 2004, ten states (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington) have established new energy savings standards covering between five and thirty products. “Advances in technology keep yielding opportunities to cut energy waste,” said Steve Nadel, Executive Director of ACEEE. “Standards that improve the energy efficiency of common consumer products and commercial equipment are a cornerstone of a sensible energy policy, for a state or for the nation.”
The problem
The solution
Most appliances have minimum efficiency standards set by the Federal Department of Energy to prevent the most egregious waste of electricity and
We’ll be writing, refining and promoting a Wisconsin policy with minimum standards for at least 15 products including residential furnaces,
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DVD players and recorders, commercial boilers, residential pool pumps and light fixtures. If Wisconsin adopts the minimum standards for these products in 2007, by 2020 home owners and businesses will see savings on their energy bills worth approximately $135 million. We will also reduce acid rain pollution by more than 4,000 metric tons and reduce global warming pollution by 300,000 metric tons. “The states are leading the way when it comes to energy-savings standards,” said Andrew deLaski, Executive Director of ASAP. “With consumers and businesses getting hammered by high energy prices and persistent worries about our nation’s addiction to imported energy, state policymakers are looking to energy efficiency. It’s the cheapest, fastest and safest way to meet our energy needs.” A state such as Wisconsin that has no fossil fuel resources in the ground should be leading the way in adopting these efficiency standards. We spend over $10 billion a year importing fossil fuels, so until we adopt these standards we are literally throwing money out the window and out of the state.
Task Force is assigned garbage duty Keith Reopelle
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or the past year I have served on the Governor’s Task Force on Waste Materials Recovery and Disposal. The Task Force was created when Governor Doyle signed an Executive Order on June 14, 2005. The mission of the Task Force defined in that order was to: “Study and make recommendations regarding… the full environmental costs and benefits (of landfilling and recycling solid waste), and the extent to which those costs and benefits are reflected in the prices of landfilling and recycling...and ways that Wisconsin can minimize the generation of solid waste materials, including incentives for waste materials reduction and reuse…and the overall management of toxic and nontoxic solid waste…” There are 19 members of the task force including waste haulers and landfill operators such as Waste Management Inc. and Onyx, recycling associations, municipalities including the cities of Milwaukee, La
Crosse and Dane County, large corporations including a paper mill and S.C. Johnson, and environmental groups including Clean Wisconsin. The Task Force was convened in the fall of 2005 and met monthly for over a year studying solid waste challenges in the state and various policy solutions. This past December the Task Force finished its report which contains more than 50 policy recommendations and delivered it to Governor Doyle and the Legislature. Some of the major recommendations include: 1. Reorganizing the state’s recycling grants program to make it more efficient and to create incentives for recycling more materials. 2. Banning several materials from landfills including steel and mixed waste paper. 3. To the extent possible phase out the use of toxic materials in electronics and other products including mercury, lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PCBs and others. 4. Stronger standards for the disposal of construction and demolition waste. 5. A producer responsibility standard requiring manufactures of electronic waste (computers,
cell phones, televisions, etc.) to recycle all of their products. 6. Changes to the landfill siting laws to allow for more meaningful public participation. 7. A beverage container deposit program (bottle bill). 8. An increase in state funding for the existing recycling program and other programs established as a result of these recommendations. 9. Citation authority for the DNR to deter open burning of trash that release toxic emissions and start forest fires. Most of these recommendations will require legislation to be enacted, whereas some can be accomplished through rules written by the DNR or other agencies. Clean Wisconsin will continue to work with other Task Force members, the Governor and the Legislature to establish laws that will implement as many of the recommendations as possible. You can view the entire report at the Governor’s website.
Member Profile: John Hamilton Bridget Barry
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hen John Hamilton recalls why he joined Clean Wisconsin, the answer is pretty simple: he was asked. Upon receiving a request to join, John obliged because of his concern for the overuse of resources that we are experiencing. “The present system is an infinite growth system on a finite planet”, John says.
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Thinking back on time spent with the environment, John remembers a very special camping trip taken out west in 1997. “As I descended to the entrance to Yellowstone National Park, a tape I was playing had some Native American chant on it. I was in tears, not of sadness, but of connection with the Earth.” Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us John! We are dedicated to all working together to preserve the beauty and value of Wisconsin!
The Defender,Winter 2007,Vol. 37, No. 1
Eco-news from around the state Transit NOW receives ‘10 of the Best’ award Laurie Maloney Southeastern Wisconsin Coalition for Transit NOW recently received 1000 Friends of Wisconsin’s “10 of the Best” 2006 award as Modern Transit Leader for, “Galvanizing support for modern transit investments to provide economic, community and environmental benefits in southeastern Wisconsin”. Transit NOW networks with hundreds of companies, community based organizations and individuals to educate the community on transportation-related issues in southeastern Wisconsin. Transit NOW is excited about the proposed Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Rail line (KRM Line) Environmental Impact Study (EIS). “The next few months are a critical time in planning for the future of commuter rail in southeastern Wisconsin” according to Rosemary Potter, Transit NOW’s executive director. Part of the EIS must include community approved Transit Oriented Development Plans from the towns, cities, and counties for each of the 8 proposed stops along 33 miles of existing tracks. The EIS is essential to acquiring federal funding to implement commuter rail. Some of the benefits anticipated if the KRM Line is implemented are: to provide relief to congested freeways, revitalize cities, build property values and tax base, attract jobs & talent, develop the Milwaukee-Racine-Chicago economic corridor, protect our environment, and regional access to jobs, education and culture. It’s anticipated that public hearings will be held in January or February 2007 in all three main cities (Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee) to gather public input. “If everything stays on track, it can be up and running by 2011”, says Potter. For more information contact Transit NOW at: (262) 246-6151 or online at www.transitnow.org.
Those who DARE to restore trout streams Will Hoyer While spring trout fishing may still be a few months away coldwater trout streams in southwest Wisconsin are likely to be healthier in 2007 and into the future if Trout Unlimited’s Driftless Area Restoration Effort (DARE) is successful. The DARE, Trout Unlimited’s (TU) most extensive restoration project, was launched in 2006 in an effort to both increase the quality and quantity of on-the-ground stream restoration projects in the beautiful valleys of southwest Wisconsin, northeast Iowa, northwest Illinois and southeast Minnesota. The trout streams and fish populations of the area were damaged by poor farming practices and deforestation in the past that dumped massive amounts of sediment into the streams. While many area streams have improved, soil coming off of fields of row crops and new development continue to threaten the health of Wisconsin’s coldwater resources. Improved farm practices, switches to perennial crops, targeted
Clean Wisconsin
construction of riparian buffers, enforcement of construction site stormwater regulations and streambank restoration efforts are all critical pieces to restoring Wisconsin’s coldwater trout streams. The DARE aims to inventory the area’s streams, build alliances with area watershed groups, educate farmers and other watershed users, teach residents and fishers stream restoration techniques and bring increased money and attention to the region.
West Bend Airport: an expansion run amuck Will Hoyer A proposed expansion of the West Bend Airport would require the largest filling of Wisconsin wetlands since the passage of the Clean Water Act. Over 60 acres of wetlands designated by federal, state and regional governments as high quality wetlands would be filled, and over 80 acres of trees in forested wetlands would have to be cut. Wetlands provide critical ecological functions such as flood control and water purification as well as important wildlife and fish habitat. Filling and destroying these wetlands and replacing them with impervious concrete surfaces would increase the quantity and decrease the quality of runoff to the
Milwaukee River. It could also lead to additional filling in the future as new development will likely follow the airport expansion. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had wanted to go ahead without doing any significant environmental review of the new airport but Wisconsin Wetlands Association was able to convince authorities that a thorough Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was necessary for a project of this scope. An initial “scoping” phase of the EIS process occurred this fall with a public hearing and comment period. In preparing a full EIS the FAA must consider whether there is an actual need for the airport, what reasonable alternatives exist (including the option to not build), and the impacts to the wetlands, animals, and water quality. After that analysis is complete the FAA will publish a draft version of their EIS and the public will have the opportunity to comment prior to the final draft and the FAA’s final decision. The FAA anticipates the draft EIS will be published in August 2007. Over 60% of historic wetlands in the Great Lakes basin have been lost to development. Destroying more vital wetlands for a questionable airport expansion when other alternatives exist is not a good economic or environmental decision for West Bend, southeastern Wisconsin or the state as a whole.
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Clean Wisconsin elects two new board members Joyce Harms
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lean Wisconsin recently added two Wisconsin leaders to its board of directors. Kate Gordon of Madison and Bill King of Cable will expand the current ten person board that oversees the program, finance, strategic planning and development of Clean Wisconsin. “We are thrilled that Kate and Bill have joined our board. Their accomplishments in their respective professions combined with a great concern for Wisconsin’s environment and strong leadership experience will help guide us through important challenges ahead,” stated Executive Director Mark Redsten. As a resident of Wisconsin for 32 years, Bill King first moved to Rhinelander from the suburbs of Chicago when he was attracted by the beauty of the Wisconsin landscape and its fresh air and clean water. King later moved to the La Crosse area where he and his partner owned and operated the historic Trempeleau Hotel, receiving the first annual Governor’s Waste Reduction and Recycling
Award in 1993. King sold his resort, earned his broker’s license and opened King Realty in 2002 where he supports responsible land management practices that preserve the beauty and add value to Wisconsin’s north woods. King also serves on the Cable Natural History Museum board of directors where he has been active since 2000. Kate Gordon spent her formative years in Madison where she developed a deep appreciation for Wisconsin’s lake and river culture. After serving as a litigator in California for several years working on employment and civil rights, Gordon returned to Wisconsin as the senior policy researcher for COWS (Center on Wisconsin Strategy) where she focuses on energy policy, rural economic development, and renewable energy technology manufacturing. At COWS, Gordon is also runs the policy center for the Apollo Alliance, a national organization dedicated to creating jobs through developing clean energy technology. Gordon also serves on the boards of the Midwest Agricultural Energy Network and Emerge Wisconsin, an organization dedicated to getting women elected to office.
Clean Wisconsin thanks its board of directors!
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e would like to thank all of our volunteers and our board members who helped us in our fundraising efforts over the last year. They have helped us keep the lights on and gain the resources necessary to continue our work protecting clean water and clean air. We would especially like to acknowledge the following board fundraising teams who surpassed their goals for the year: • Jim Carter and Will Fantle • Susan Greenfield and Mark Gill • Pam McGillivray and Gof Thomson Special mention should be given to Jim Carter and Susan Greenfield whose tireless efforts have helped make our fundraising and membership outreach a success in 2006.
Start with the basics: a letter to the editor
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veryone, from the local newspaper reporter to the governor of the state, wants to know what you think on the issues. A letter to the editor is a great advocacy tool because it can spark local or regional discussion and action. Well-organized letters are more likely to get published. The following are tips for writing a successful letter to the editor, along with the e-mail addresses of some of Wisconsin’s daily newspapers.
Photo Credit: Clipart.com
Be timely, focused and concise.
Most Wisconsin newspapers limit letters to 200 words or less, and a short, pointed letter is more likely to be printed and read. Editors will want letters discussing recent news or events.
Include specific references and facts. Let the editor know what article or matter you are referring to. Examples: • I am impressed with the governor’s choice to support the Great Lakes Compact. • I disagree with Jack Smack’s article, “Cold Winter Rebuts Global Warming Claims.” • This newspaper’s lack of coverage of vitally important water access issues is frustrating.
Be logically organized and compelling.
Type and sign your letter, including your contact information. Editors will want to verify that you actually wrote the letter.
Be choosy about where you send your letter. Small newspapers have less competition for letters and are more likely to print one; bigger newspapers are more competitive for printing letters, but get more readership.
If at first you don’t succeed…remember a Napolean quote, “Victory belongs to the most persevering.” Newspapers don’t always have room for all letters. If they don’t accept yours, ask a friend to submit it, try again, or try a different newspaper.
Below are some of Wisconsin’s daily papers and e-mail addresses to submit letters to: • Appleton Post-Crescent: pcnews@postcrescent.com • Ashland Daily Press: ashpress@win.bright.net • Capital Times: dzweifel@madison.com • Eau Claire Leader-Telegram: leadertelegram@ecol.net • Fond du Lac Reporter: mail@thereporter.net • Green Bay Press-Gazette: pgnews3@netnet.net • Kenosha News: cswanson@kenoshanews.com • La Crosse Tribune: letters@lacrossetribune.com • Manitowoc Herald Times: htimes@lsol.net • Marinette Eagle Star: eagleclss@cybrzn.com • Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: jsedit@onwis.com • Superior Daily Telegram: telegram@superior-wi.com • Shawano Evening Leader: ktempus@shawanoleader.com • Wisconsin State Journal: wsjopine@statejournal.madison.com For more tips on writing a letter to the editor, and an example, go to the publications section of Clean Wisconsin’s website: www.cleanwisconsin.org/publications/letter_to_editor_howto.html.
• Write about your unique perspective, supporting it with facts and also using aspects of the issue that haven’t been addressed yet. • Localize the issue, articulating how the reader is affected. • Try to be witty or humorous, staying within the bounds of good taste.
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The Defender,Winter 2007,Vol. 37, No. 1
100 new faces visit Clean Wisconsin to learn about what we do Brian Kelly
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n October 12th Clean Wisconsin was the host of a Downtown Madison Inc. "New Faces, New Places" event. Over 100 area business leaders came to our office to learn more about Clean Wisconsin’s work to protect clean water and air, and our work to build a clean energy future that will help our economy, and keep money and jobs here in Wisconsin. Opening remarks were made by Clean Wisconsin’s founder, Doug LaFollette, who introduced our executive director, Mark Redsten. Business leaders who attended learned more about our work and at the same time were engaged in discussions about how businesses can do their part to help protect our environment. From eco-office management that governs purchasing of things like recycled paper and Energy Star appliances, to more advanced green building techniques that help create cleaner air and more energy efficient buildings; businesses can do a lot to help protect our environment and make a better work environment for their employees. Clean Wisconsin is also looking for businesses that are willing to join with us in campaigns to help create better laws that will protect our air and water, and keep Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live and work. We want to thank DMI for cohosting this event at Clean Wisconsin, and also thank everyone who attended. Clean Wisconsin also wants to extend a hearty thanks to Capitol Brewery for ample supplies of their tasty beer; Edible Arrangements for the delicious fruit bouquets; Frida’s restaurant for their signature chips and salsa; and Restaurant Magnus for the savory appetizer platter. These tasty treats helped make this event a success.
Clean Wisconsin
DMI board member Fred Mohs (left) chats with Mark Redsten, Clean Wisconsin’s executive director.
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Bridget Barry
Fun Facts About Snow! - At one point in time, practically every place in the United States has seen snow. Sometimes even the most southern points of Florida experience a couple of snow flurries! - It is often said that no two snowflakes are the same. This is a true fact! It is the temperature at which the snowflake forms and the humidity that determines the shape. Any slight change in the temperature or conditions can change the entire outcome of the snowflake! - Snowflakes are the combination of many little snow crystals, although most snowflakes are smaller than one half of an inch. That is smaller than an average pinkie fingernail! - Snow is white because of a reflection off of the complex structures of each little snowflake. Visible sunlight is white and is then reflected to our eyes as the snowflakes being white. - On average, Wisconsin sees about 45 inches of snowfall a year, whereas Valdez, Alaska receives an average of 326 inches. That’s about 27 feet of snow each year!
Dog Sledding
(From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaskan_husky)
Iditarod The Iditarod is an annual trail dog sled race in Alaska. It is 1,100 miles long and usually takes them about eight to 15 days to run. That is longer than the distance from Madison, Wisconsin to Boston, Massachusetts! The Iditarod started in 1973 and today is said to be the most popular sporting event in Alaska. The record for the quickest time is 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds, held by Martin Buser. This race commemorates the journey performed by the most famous sled dog ever, Balto.
(From http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Iditarod_%28race%29)
Balto (From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_sled) A common winter activity in areas of deep snow is dog sledding. It involves a group of around six to ten dogs pulling a sled with a “musher” and cargo. The musher is the person that controls the dogs and stands in the sled as the dogs run. Dog sleds are very good for practical use, such as carrying supplies and food very long distances. When Roald Amundsen traveled to the South Pole, he used dog sleds. Dog sledding is also a very celebrated sporting event: It was even included in the 1932 Winter Olympics. Could you imagine your dog being in the Olympics? I bet you could if catching a bone was an event, but to be a sled dog, your dog would have to be a very specific breed.
Sled Dogs The most common dogs recognized for dog sledding are Huskies. There are many different kinds of Huskies, such as the Alaskan Husky and the Arctic Husky. Technically, Alaskan Huskies are only considered a category of dogs defined by the work they do as sled dogs, rather than the typical breed being identified by the purebred ancestry of the dogs. Endurance and speed are the two qualities expected by sled dogs: They travel anywhere from five to 80 miles in one day, at speeds of nearly 20 miles per hour!
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Balto was a sled dog that transported a diphtheria serum from Anchorage, Alaska to Nome, Alaska in 1925. Diphtheria is a very contagious disease, but Balto stopped the outbreak by retrieving the only serum from nearly a thousand miles away. His very courageous plight is honored by the Iditarod each year.
Fun Winter Activities There are an infinite amount of fun winter activities that you can do in the snow! Aside from making snowmen, sledding, snowball fighting, skiing or snowboarding, here are some neat craft ideas you can do on days too cold to play outside! http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/air/wintersevere/activities.en.html http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/winter/kids-crafts/index.html http://www.dltk-holidays.com/winter/crafts.html Sources: http://nsidc.org/snow/ http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/faqs/faqs.htm http://www.noaa.gov/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iditarod_%28race%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_sled http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balto
The Defender,Winter 2007,Vol. 37, No. 1