Legislators Must Lead on Energy Policies
by Barb Meyocks

We are at a critical juncture in our Nation’s energy consumption. Our State Legislators must take the lead in adopting energy policies that reduce our dependency on imported fossil fuels and increase our use of renewable energy sources. The result of these policies, if enacted, will be an improved environment and quality of life.

Toward the goal of reducing the dependency on imported fossil fuels, the Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewables recommends that Wisconsin Legislators:
* Restore full funding for the Focus on Energy (FOE) Program in the 2005-07 Wisconsin State budget.
* Require the Public Service Commission (PSC) to set energy efficiency targets for the State.
* Protect FOE funds from diversion to other purposes.
* Update and improve Wisconsin's commercial energy codes.
* Integrate public benefit efforts such as the FOE with the PSC's Strategic Energy Assessment and the State's Energy Priorities Law, which will improve program efficiency.

In order to address the goal of increasing the use of renewable energy sources, the Legislators must:
* Adopt as a statewide goal an average renewable energy usage of 10% by 2015.
* Require state agencies to purchase at least 10% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2006 and at least 20% by 2010.
* Create sales and use-tax exemptions for customer-owned renewable energy systems such as small wind turbines.
* Encourage research and development of rural energy initiatives, in particular, anaerobic digesters.
* Require utilities to provide benefit and cost information to customers on an annual basis.
(These lists were prepared prior to the adoption of the state's budget.)

If these recommendations are implemented by the Legislature, they will reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels, stabilize electricity rates, improve the environment and public health, protect existing jobs while creating new ones and save customers money.

For more information about Focus on Energy and its energy saving programs, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com.

To read the Task Force Final Report, visit: http//energytaskforce.wi.gov/section.asp?linkid=33 

Holiday Party Pot Luck
December 15, Thursday: Messiah Lutheran Church in Racine
Social Hour: 5:00--6:00; Dinner at 6:00
This year we are responding to the needs of those people around us who are less fortunate. Please bring two things besides your dish to pass.

A school supply item to be added to school bags. Elizabeth Erven will put the items into backpacks and hand them out to homeless kids.

Also please bring Hamburger Helper or something similar for Joel & Pat Lamke to hand out at the local food bank.

Call Donna (262) 637-3141 for menu ideas or additional details.



Calendar

December 1: Conservation Committee Meeting at Berges' house, 1529 Crabapple Drive, Racine, at 7:00 p.m. Contact John at (262) 633-8455 with any questions, items for the agenda, directions, if you would like to join this committee, or other information.

December 8: Southeast Gateway Group Executive Committee Meeting at the Northside Kenosha Public Library, 1500 27th Ave., Kenosha, at 7:00 p.m.

December 15: Christmas Potluck Dinner, with possible Green Award winner presentation. Messiah Lutheran Church, 3015 Pritchard Dr., Racine, 7:00 p.m. Full information may be found on page one.

December 17, 10:00 a.m.: Third Saturday Hike and Lunch. Take a break from the holiday bustle and join us for a hike at Bong Recreation Area on Highway 142 in Kenosha County. Meet at the trailhead parking lot. Contact Dana Huck at (262) 639-0465 to sign up or for carpooling.

January 1, 2006: Southeast Sierran Deadline. Send articles, etc., electronically by using the information on the back page, or send by mail to: Gary Zumach, 2548 Pinehurst Ave., Racine, WI 53403.

January 5: There will be no Conservation Committee Meeting this month, so be sure to attend the Group Planning Session. See January 7 listing below.

January 7: Annual Planning Retreat. Join us at Messiah Lutheran Church at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and conversation. Our meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. A light lunch will be served and we plan to adjourn by 2:00 p.m. Come and join the discussions that will help us plan our Sierra Club activities for the year.

January 12: Southeast Gateway Group Executive Committee Meeting at the Northside Kenosha Public Library, 1500 27th Ave., Kenosha, at 7:00 p.m.

January 14, 8:00 a.m.: Carpool to Bald Eagle Watching Days in Sauk City/Prairie du Sac. Sponsored by the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and numerous local businesses, the day will include the live birds of prey program at the River Arts Center of the Sauk Prairie High School, the release of a rehabilitated eagle, lunch at Leystra's and a visit to the Wollersheim Winery. Contact Dana Huck at (262) 639-0465 to sign up.

January 19: The first of a two-part series on Lake Michigan water quality. Dr. Sandra McLellan, Great Lakes WATER Institute, UW-M; How sewage overflows affect Lake Michigan. Kenosha Public Museum, 7:00 p.m. We will meet for dinner prior to the meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Villa D'Carlo restaurant, 5140 6th Ave., Kenosha.

January 21, 5:45 p.m.: Third Saturday Hike (no Lunch). Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit, Nordic Ski and Hiking Trails in Walworth County. Meet at the parking area on the East side of Walworth CTH H about 1.5 mi. north of U.S. Hwy 12 at 5:45 p.m. for a candlelight hike/ski sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Light refreshments will be available following the hike ($). Hot dogs for roasting at the bonfire will be provided for Sierra Club members and guests. Ski and snowshoe rentals at the LaGrange General Store located on the corner of US Hwy 12 and CTH H, phone (262) 495-8600 for information. Contact Dana Huck to sign up (so that we have enough food!) and car pooling at (262) 639-0465.

February 2: Conservation Committee Meeting at Berges' house, 1529 Crabapple Drive, Racine, at 7:00 p.m. Contact John at (262) 633-8455 with any questions, items for the agenda, directions, if you would like to join this committee, or other information.

From the Chair…
by Nancy Hennessy

Start the year with a resolution to attend the Southeast Gateway Group's annual planning meeting. It will be held on Saturday, January 7, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Racine. We will be making our plans for the year and need your input. We’ll provide coffee at 8:30 a.m. to get you warmed up and lunch to keep you going. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and adjourn at 2:00 p.m.

We will be brainstorming and planning activities for the year so bring your ideas for programs, outings, political action, fundraising, publicity, fundraising, environmental education, conservation. Also, we will be hosting the 2006 Autumn Assembly and will be needing ideas and help to make it a success. This will be a busy year for us so come and help us make our plans.

"Cool Cities" Petitions
by John Berge

The Southeast Gateway Group recently sent letters to the Mayors and Common Councils of Racine and Kenosha, asking them to help solve Global Warming one city at a time. The letters asked the cities to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement--what some have called the "Cool Cities" agreement.
On February 16, 2005, the day the Kyoto Protocol took effect in the 141 countries that ratified it, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels challenged mayors across the country to join Seattle in taking local action to reduce global warming pollution by the same amount as those countries that signed the Kyoto Protocol. The Bush Administration has refused to sign that Protocol or to submit the Kyoto Treaty for ratification.

On June 13, 2005, the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement was passed unanimously by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

As of October 14, 2005, 186 mayors representing nearly 40 million Americans have accepted the challenge and signed on, including five in Wisconsin--Greenfield, La Crosse, Madison, Wauwatosa and West Allis--cities as large as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia and as small as Apple Valley, MN and Cotati, CA.

The agreement calls for reducing the participating city's carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution to seven percent below 1990 levels by 2012, the same as in the Kyoto Protocol. To do this, the cities are asked to conduct an inventory to identify the major CO2 sources and the greatest opportunities for reductions. It will also provide a baseline to judge progress. The next step is to develop a plan that can reduce emissions while lowering energy costs for the city. The final steps are to implement the plan and monitor progress.

Our mayors and council members will need the support of their citizens to take what may appear to some as a bold step. It would have been best if the Bush Administration had signed the Protocol; some things are best done on a top down basis (e.g. painting a flag pole or digging a well) but next best may be the city-by-city approach started by Mayor Nickels.

Computer Recycling

It has come to our attention that there is a new computer recycling business in Racine. AAA Computer Recycling opened in March of this year at 1535 High Street. Its owner/operator, Chris Saunders, claims that, contrary to other such businesses in the area, "absolutely nothing" goes in the land fill and there is no fee to those bringing in old computers. For additional information, call Saunders at (262) 635-0995. Since recycling is one of the SEGG Conservation priorities, we bring this to your attention.

Sierra Club Summit Recommends Priorities
by John Berge

The first nationwide meeting of the Sierra Club set conservation priorities for the Club on September 8-11 in San Francisco. I was fortunate enough to have been chosen to represent the Southeast Gateway Group at these historic and exciting sessions. Executive Director Carl Pope stated that this Sierra Summit 2005 was the first such meeting but definitely not the last. The only question is how often we need and can afford them...every two, three or four years were suggested.

The main purpose of the Summit was to establish the priorities by a democratic process of the approximately 700 delegates. Wireless electronic voting allowed the delegates responses to be tabulated and displayed almost instantaneously on the big screens in the front of the large hall in the Moscone Center.

The top priority, both at the presummit meetings of those groups, chapters and national entities willing to spend the time and effort, and at the Summit was: Build a New Energy Future--Vision: America creates a new energy future based on efficient and renewable energy technologies that bring an end to oil dependence, global warming, toxic air emissions and environmental damage in sensitive areas. Approach: We will inspire Americans to break the hold of big energy companies on our government, economy and environment, and solve our energy needs cleanly and safely with dramatically improved efficiency and renewable energy sources.

The second priority at the Summit was: Build Vibrant, Healthy Communities--Vision: Every American town and city is a good place to live and work. Approach: We will engage people to promote livable and workable communities--with healthy neighborhoods and jobs, good ways to get around, parks to enjoy, clear air and water, and ways to grow and build without sprawl. (This was a much lower priority at the presummit meetings, but rose sharply because of what Hurricane Katrina had done to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast plus the statement of one of the discussion leaders that rebuilding New Orleans would fall under this choice.)

The third and fourth priority choices received essentially the same support. They probably will both be included when the Board of Directors officially adopts these priorities: Protect People and the Planet from Pollution--Vision: Americans and their environment are protected from unhealthy air, polluted water, and toxic poisons (sic) by laws that apply equally to all. Approach: We will equip people to defend the health and well-being of their families, communities and environments with laws that keep harmful substance out of the air and water, our foods, our bodies and communities. And, Defend Federal Lands and Public Waters--Vision: America’s great natural heritage of federal lands and public waters are restored and protected for all time. Approach: We will engage people to defend our country’s great heritage of federally-managed national parks, forests, lands and waters, and assure that these lands and waters are restored and preserved for their natural richness and grandeur.

The other proposed priorities, while very worthwhile objectives, received fewer votes in the balloting and so will probably receive less funding and less staff time. They were: Protect the Global Environment, Invest in Building Sustainable Economies and Businesses, Protect State and Local Places, Promote Wise Individual and Consumer Choices.

The delegates also voted on capacities and approaches to try to reach these visions.
The top three capacities were:
* Influence voters' electoral decisions,
* Influence state policy makers,
* Influence decision makers about specific places.
The top four approaches were:
* Seek new allies and build coalitions,
* Create media visibility,
* Bring people together to take collective action,
* Advocate for solutions.

Initial tabulation of the demographics of the delegates showed that I was a typical delegate...an elderly (older than most) white male...but efforts had been made with reasonable success to have each chapter include at least one delegate under 30 years of age. Prior to the Summit each chapter and group was assigned their number of delegates by a complicated formula according to size. The John Muir Chapter was authorized to have 16 delegates: four appointed by the Chapter Executive Committee, one from each group (9), and three at large. I believe we filled most of those slots and had several others from Wisconsin there as members of the Board of Directors, national Governance Committees and non-delegates that just wanted to be part of such an historical and exciting event.

Sierra Club Summit Speakers
by John Berge

In addition to setting priorities for the Sierra Club, the delegates and others present at the Summit were treated to some exciting plenary speakers and workshops that filled our days and our heads to overflowing. There was no way we could attend all the workshops and see everything in the exposition along with the working/voting sessions, but we did our best.

One of the most stimulating speakers was a last minute addition. The former Vice-President, Al Gore, had been invited but had to turn us down because of a prior commitment to speak to the 50 State Insurance Commissioners on the subject of hurricanes and global warming. The location and time they had chosen was New Orleans on Sept. 9! Because of Hurricane Katrina, that meeting was canceled and he was available to address our Summit. If he had been as fervent in his campaign as he was in this speech, George Bush would not be President today. It was exciting. A transcript of his speech is available on-line from the press room of the Sierra Club and I have a copy.

Equally impressive was the plenary talk by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The transcript of his talk is similarly available. He did not mince words in the blistering and passionate attack on the Bush administration to repeated standing ovations from the 2,500 Sierrans in attendance. When running for president, George W. Bush accepted money from criminals and then, as payback, dropped the federal lawsuits against these criminals and changed the law that they were breaking. But most Americans don't know about this, he said, because of "informational deficit" resulting from a "negligent and indolent press." As John Byrne Barry said in reporting on the talk, Kennedy has "got his facts down, and he knows his history, but it's his passion that resonates".

Other plenary speakers were author and nationally syndicated columnist Adrianna Huffington, SC Executive Director Carl Pope, SC President Lisa Renstrom and the mayor of San Francisco. Comedian Bill Maher spoke at a special ticket event that I did not attend.

The speakers at the workshops were universally of expert knowledge and gave great presentations. I specifically should mention architect, designer and visionary William McDonough, who designed the Johnson building in downtown Racine and Ford's River Rouge new plant outside Detroit. He described the threat to democracy from having $3.5 Billion dollars of registered lobbying money chasing 565 elected "representatives" in Washington. He explained the reasoning of his "cradle to cradle" philosophy: we can't afford to send all the things we make to the grave. He also said that Jefferson inserting "the pursuit of happiness" into the Declaration of Independence was "cool". McDonough has been hired by the Chinese government to design seven new cities. As an example of China's adoption of the "cradle to cradle" philosophy, they have banned the use of traditional bricks since at the rate they would have to be manufactured and fired just for housing, China would run out of coal!

The Price of Mining Coal
by Lila Berge

Almost seven years ago, Donna Peterson and I were driving through West Virginia in early spring. Leaving the state capital, Charleston, we were climbing into the wooded foothills of the Appalachian Mountains when the highway was blocked for several minutes, as a long train of open coal cars rumbled past. The mine was not visible from the road, but somewhere out of sight environmental rape was taking place.

"Modern" coal mining in this area consists of blasting the top off a mountain. After the trees have been clear-cut and burned, massive shovels scalp the ancient forest floor down to bedrock. Workers then blast the rocks apart. Excavating machines the size of twenty-story buildings remove the rock, push it over the edge and down into the valley below, often burying streams. The valley is buried hundreds of feet deep, destroying the ecosystem forever.

More than 1,200 miles of streams have been damaged or destroyed, in spite of the Clean Water Act. More than 2,200 square miles of oak and other hardwood trees have been burned as trash, according to the Hightower report.

The constant blasting has wrecked homes and businesses. Coal dust seeps into homes and lungs. Acid drainage runs into the water supply. In an attempt to reclaim this desolated land, a federal prison was built on one site in Kentucky, but the structure of the decapitated mountain was so weakened that the walls kept sinking and the project went $60 million dollars over budget. The locals call the prison "Sink Sink".

Twice a coal slurry reservoir owned by Massey Energy, the fourth largest U.S. coal company has burst, sending 306 million gallons of thick, toxic, coal-waste sludge to cover a path 100 miles long burying people's property 15 feet deep. Drinking water for thousands of people was contaminated and 1.6 million fish died. The Company was fined $110,000, but no criminal charges were filed, even though company officials had been warned to make changes after the first deluge, six years earlier.

Why are the Appalachian Mountains being destroyed and people living in poverty and fear for their lives and health? Could it be because mine operators gave $3.5 million to the Bush and GOP election campaign in the primary alone? Could it be because one coal baron raised $275,000 for the campaign, donated $5,000 for the Florida recount fiasco and $100,000 for the inauguration celebration, and then placed his son on the Bush-Cheney energy task force which set the goal of building 100 new coal-fired power plants in the coming decade?