Fourth of July Parade
Green is the new Red, White and Blue. The Southeast Gateway Group is marching in the Fourth of July parade in Racine and Kenosha. Well, maybe not exactly marching -- a hybrid car will be involved. And music: "We're having a heat-wave, a tropical heat-wave." We haven't worked out all the details yet but our theme will be Global Warming. If you would like to help with the preparations and/or participate in the parade please contact John Berge (262) 633-8455 or Nancy Hennessy (262) 639-5639.
 

Sierra Club Energy Policy: Ethanol
by John Berge

In gathering information prior to endorsing candidates in the latest spring election, the Southeast Gateway Group's Political Committee tried to devise a single questionnaire that would fit different counties, different levels of government, and both rural and urban situations. In the process, any questions regarding ethanol plants were left out.

An Energy Resources Policy statement adopted by the Sierra Club's Board of Directors in September of last year tried to make clear what the Sierra Club's position is. The concluding Section of this policy states, "All actions and statement by Sierra Club entities (Chapters, Groups, etc.) with regard to energy policy and facilities shall be in furtherance of and consistent with this policy." As an entity of the Club, this is the policy of the Southeast Gateway Group.

Section VII, paragraphs C.5. and D.4. relate to ethanol production. The following quotations from the policy statements illustrate some of the dilemma faced by the group's Political Committee.

Section D. discusses "Resources Considered Transitional by the Sierra Club. These resources will play a transitional role, but are not supported by the Sierra Club as elements of a long-term sustainable energy system. These resources may be used during the clean energy transition to minimize reliance on the even more damaging resources that the Sierra Club opposes. Sierra Club entities should not support projects relying on these technologies."

Paragraph D.4. is titled "Ethanol from Starch and Sugar: Ethanol produced from corn is the dominant biofuel in the U.S. today and has been granted increasing government subsidies. The net energy and CO2 impacts of current ethanol fuels are difficult to assess; however, the industry currently relies on environmentally destructive and unsustainable practices to provide its feedstock and dispose of waste streams. The corn-ethanol industry in particular must conclusively demonstrate its sustainability, or move on to other resources. Ethanol from other sustainably grown crops such as sugar cane and beets may eventually displace that from corn and other grains. There are serious concerns about land use, water consumption and toxic emissions regardless of feedstock which must be resolved if ethanol is to be a part of a sustainable future. The Sierra Club opposes the use of coal as an energy input for ethanol production."

Section C. discusses "Resources Generally Acceptable to the Sierra Club. Resources in this category should play a role in a clean energy future, but they have larger potential environmental costs than resources in the preferred category (Sections A. and B.). Sierra Club entities may support or remain neutral on projects employing these technologies."

Paragraph C.5. is titled Cellulosic Ethanol and it states: "The Sierra Club encourages development of cellulosic ethanol from sustainable feedstocks because it promises significant advantages over corn ethanol production, including higher energy return, lower cultivation inputs, and soil conservation benefits. Switchgrass is one of many potential feedstocks. Cellulosic ethanol production mixing ethanol feedstocks with conventional agricultural produce should be explored. However, production of some cellulosic ethanol feedstocks may pose unacceptable environmental impacts, and the Sierra Club may oppose specific feedstocks."

Energy Efficiency is foremost in the policy statement. Under "Resources Preferred by the Sierra Club" are listed: Onshore and Offshore Wind, On-Site Solar, Central Station Solar, Combined Heat and Power and Low-Temperature Geothermal. Under "Resources Generally Acceptable to the Sierra Club" in addition to Cellulosic Ethanol are listed: New Small Hydroelectric Plants, Ocean Energy Resources, High Temperature Geothermal and Biodiesel. Under "Resources Considered Transitional by the Sierra Club" in addition to Ethanol from Starch and Sugar are listed: Existing Oil Fields; Advanced Oil Recovery, Existing Natural Gas Fields and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).

Calendar:

June 7: Conservation Committee meeting at Berges' house, 1529 Crabapple Drive, Racine, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Contact John at (262) 633-8455 with any questions, items for the agenda, etc.

June 14: ExCom meeting. The meeting will be at the Olympia Brown Church Annex, 419 6th St. in Racine at 7:00 p.m.

June 15–17: The 2007 Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair, Custer, Wisconsin. Contact Dana Huck at (262) 639-0465 or dhuck1 AT wi.rr DOT com to sign up or for more information.

June 21: Our annual potluck picnic will be at Southport Park in Kenosha at 5:30 p.m. Bring a picnic dish to pass, as well as your own plate, cup, and silverware. We will eat at around 5:30 p.m. After our picnic, we will hike the Kenosha Dunes, and learn about the wildflowers, birds and anything else of interest. To get to Southport Park, take 75th St. all the way in to Lake Michigan. The park will be on your right.

Note: This is a change in directions from those printed in the newsletter.


June 23: Work day at Pringle Nature Center (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) and Colonial Park (8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon). We will continue to fight and remove the invasive, alien plant species. Instructions available at both sites.

July 1 & 4: Fourth of July Parades in Kenosha and Racine. The SEGG is planning a unit in the parade highlighting CO2 savings people can make. Contact John Berge at (262) 633-8455 or Nancy Hennessy at (262) 639-5639 to volunteer to prepare signs and banners ahead of time (yet to be scheduled) or to walk in the parades.

July 1: Southeast Sierran Deadline. Send articles, etc., to: Gary Zumach, 2548 Pinehurst Ave., Racine, WI 53403 or by e-mail: gzumach AT wi DOT net.

July 5: No Conservation Committee meeting this month because of the proximity to the Holiday.

July 12: There will be no ExCom meeting this month.

July 28:Work day at Pringle Nature Center (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) and Colonial Park (8:30 a.m.-12:00 noon). We will continue to fight and remove the invasive, alien plant species. Instructions available at both sites.

August 2: Conservation Committee meeting at Berges' house, 1529 Crabapple Drive, Racine, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Contact John at (262) 633-8455 with any questions, items for the agenda, etc.

August 4: Highway 38 Cleanup, 8:30 a.m. Meet at Bob and Betty Gericke's, 3927 North Lane, Franksville (east of State Highway 38 and north of County Highway K). Learn how some drivers can't tell the difference between a car window and a wastebasket.
 

Southeast Gateway Group Book Club
August 19, 7:00 p.m., Caleo's

Jenn Borrell's book review of Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore’s Dilemma", that was in our last newsletter, inspired me to dig into my pile of unread books. You know, the ones that you buy but never get around to reading. There I found a copy of "The Botany of Desire", also by Michael Pollan. A review from Home & Garden said, "Using accessible science, historical events and personal anecdotes, Pollan tells the story of how humans have manipulated apples, tulips, cannabis and potatoes and how the plants have exploited us." From the New York Times Book Review: "(Pollan) has a wide-ranging intellect, an eager grasp of evolutionary biology and a subversive streak that helps him to root out some wonderfully counter intuitive points."

So, join me at Caleo's in Kenosha at 2324 18th St. and we'll discuss the book. If enough people show up we will decide if we want to make it a regular event. Frequency, time and day (maybe a Sunday afternoon?) can be decided then. If you think you might be interested give me a call. Nancy (262) 639-5639.
 

From the Chair
By Nancy Hennessy

Check it out. It's the new Sierra Club global warming site and it's really cool. It was developed as a part of the John Muir Chapter's Global Warming campaign.

www.solveglobalwarmingwisconsin.org

We have the technology today to implement smart energy solutions that will move our nation and our state forward into a clean, sustainable future while creating family supporting jobs. What is lacking is political will. Now is the time to urge our policy makers to make Wisconsin a leader in the race to solve global warming. We need policies in place to fuel the change. The new site makes it easy for you to tell your legislators how concerned you are about global warming.

The site also invites you to do your part to reduce your carbon footprint. Use the Carbon Calculator to determine how much of an impact you personally make. Then make a personal Energy Independence Pledge and check out the Solutions to learn what more you can be doing to reduce your footprint.

Check it out and pass it on. It's an appeal for action -- not money -- and it’s easy to use. That's cool!

Here's another cool site that is worth a visit:

www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit

The John Muir Exhibit features the life and contributions of John Muir: naturalist, writer, conservationist and founder of the Sierra Club. Now, you can explore some of the important places and moments in Muir’s life with Google Earth, powerful mapping software you can download for free.

KRM Transit Now: What, Write Another Letter?
By Nancy Hennessy

At our April meeting Kerry Thomas, of Transit Now, thanked us for our past letter writing efforts on behalf of KRM. She told us that the effect of those letters has been significant. Then she updated us on the progress of the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee Commuter Rail project. When all three counties have come to an agreement on the funding mechanism it will be included in the Governor's budget. So it's right down to the wire with funding being the final piece.

Yes, you can help by writing another letter. Letters to Milwaukee area papers would be especially helpful since it is Milwaukee and Milwaukee County that need to be nudged into action. There are so many potential benefits of KRM -- both economic and environmental.

Go to www.transitnow.org and you will find plenty of letter writing inspiration. Send your letters to:

* Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Morning Mail, P.O. Box 371, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0371 jsedit@journalsentinel.com 

* Milwaukee Business Journal, 600 W. Virginia St. Milwaukee, WI 53204 mkass@bizjournals.com 

* Shepherd Express, 413 N. Second St. #150, Milwaukee, WI 53203 editor@shepherd-express.com
 

The 2007 Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair

Don't miss this chance to attend the 18th annual Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair on June 15-17, at the ReNew the Earth Institute in Custer, Wisconsin. The Fair features hundreds of workshops, speakers and exhibits all emphasizing clean energy and sustainable living and is fun for the whole family. All activities and parking are free with paid admission. Admission prices are: Adults, $10 for 1 day, $25 for the weekend; Seniors (65+), $8 for 1 day, $15 for the weekend; children under 13 and MREA Members are free.

Exhibits open on Friday at 9:00 a.m. and workshops start at 10:00 a.m. Workshop topics range from passive solar to energy conservation to socially responsible investing. Keynote speakers are Helen Caldicott (Friday at 1:00 p.m.), author of "Nuclear Power Is Not The Answer", Stan Gruszynski (Saturday at 1:00 p.m.) Director of the Rural Leadership and Community Development Program at UW-Stevens Point, and Judith Levine (Sunday at 1:00 p.m.), journalist and author of, among other works, "Not Buying It - My Year Without Shopping".

Fundraising breakfasts sponsored by Organic Valley are available on Saturday and Sunday Mornings. See www.the-mrea.org and click on the link to the energy fair for complete descriptions of activities.

We have reserved 3 campsites for Friday and Saturday nights at Collins Park near Rosholt. Camping fees will be based upon the number of attendees, but are reasonable. Each campsite can house 2 tents and up to 5 people. We will share responsibility for meals and will carpool to the Fair site. If you are interested in attending, contact Dana Huck, at (262) 639-0465 or dhuck1 AT wi.rr DOT com, to sign up or for more information.