May 2002
Dear Sierran,
Welcome newcomers to the May issue of e-Sierra, the email newsletter of the
Sierra Club North Star Chapter. Our intent is to keep this e-zine timely
and to the point with updates on key environmental battles and opportunities in
Minnesota and the nation.
For even more up to date information visit our website at http://www.northstar.sierraclub.org/.
Sincerely,
Sam Garst
Chapter Secretary
SamGarst@aol.com
Welcome to e-Sierra
May 2002
YUCCA MOUNTAIN – NUCLEAR WASTE OUT OF SIGHT & OUT OF MIND?
There is that small little issue of transporting roughly 100,000 shipments of highly irradiated dangerous nuclear waste on roads and rails passing through 45 states, over the next 30 years. Probable routes in Minnesota include urban and rural routes along I-94, I-90, I-35, and railroad through southcentral and southwestern Minnesota. Contact Senator Dayton and Senator Wellstone and urge them to oppose designating Yucca Mountain in Nevada as a nuclear waste repository. http://northstar.sierraclubaction.org. If you want to get more involved in nuclear waste issues contact: heather.cusick@sierraclub.org.
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SierranACT ACTIVIST ALERT SYSTEM LAUNCHED
Over 740 people are now part of the new Sierra Club North Star Chapter
Activist Alert system, called SierranACT. This system allows you to send a
timely message to key decision makers when your views mean the most. Only a few
clicks of the mouse can make your voice heard, but we need more voices.
Sign-up today: http://northstar.sierraclubaction.org
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OL’ KING COAL?
Xcel Energy proposed an unprecedented package of emissions reductions for
metro area coal plants; including converting St. Paul's High Bridge and
Minneapolis' Riverside coal plants to natural gas and installing Best Available
Control Technology at the King coal plant near Stillwater. However, this
proposal is a long distance from reality. There are legal and financial
barriers and some question whether Xcel will follow through on their proposal.
Sierra Club is working with Clean Energy Now to provide grassroots pressure to
get the emissions reduction projects done well and soon. For more information,
visit http://www.northstar.sierraclub.org/Air_Toxics_we_all_win_xcel.htm or
call Michelle Rosier, 612-379-3853.
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A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
- SCHOOL BUS DIESEL CAMPAIGN VICTORY
On May 9th, Governor Ventura signed into law Minnesota's first initiative to
reduce dirty diesel exhaust from school buses. The law calls for schools to
reduce diesel exhaust exposure and to redesign bus parking away from school's
air intake valves. High school students and parents in St.Paul plan to
continue their campaign to clean up school bus diesel by working with area
schools to implement the law and clean up dirty diesel. For more information on
the campaign and other legislative priorities during the 2002 legislative
session visit: http://www.northstar.sierraclub.org/LEG_Priorities_2002.htm
To get involved cleaning up our air, call Michelle Rosier at 612-379-3853
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PAUL BUNYAN AND TALL TALES
Paul has repented for past abuse of our forests and is volunteering with
Sierra Club. To help Paul tell his story to children, we are looking for
help updating the legends and tall tales of Paul Bunyan. The older stories
do not tell of his transition to a tree planter, and how his latest cold blew
down the white pines in the BWCAW when he sneezed.
http://www.northstar.sierraclub.org/forestry_paul_bunyan_writing_contest.htm
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STAR TRIBUNE WEIGHS IN ON ANTIBIOTICS IN LIVESTOCK
Routine use of antibiotics in livestock is decreasing the effectiveness of some antibiotics. Last weekend the Star Tribune weighed in with strong support for a change in laws governing antibiotic use: http://www.startribune.com/stories/561/2842505.html. The chapter is kicking off a major consumer-based campaign to stop the overuse of antibiotics in animals. To become involved in Sierra Club’s new Antibiotics and Agriculture campaign, contact our new organizer at Kendra.kimbirauskas@sierraclub.org.
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WANT TO SAVE A SPECIAL GREEN SPACE?
Many of the decisions
that lead to sprawl and the loss of green space are made at the local level.
As a citizen, you can help promote better development practices, more livable
communities and green space protection by being pro-active and participating in
the opportunities offered for public participation. Learn how citizens
have become involved to help save endangered green space. http://www.northstar.sierraclub.org/SPRAWL_CG_citizen's_guide_Home.htm
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EXPLORE, ENJOY AND PROTECT THE
PLANET…WITH A GREAT CUP OF SIERRA CLUB COFFEE
Sacred Grounds and the Sierra Club
are pleased to announce a new blend of coffee that captures the essence of what
we both stand for. Sierra Club Coffee– organic, shade grown, fairly
traded, and incredibly fresh– offers everyone the chance to explore fantastic
Latin American and Indonesian coffees, enjoy a deep, hand crafted roast, while
supporting the activities of the Sierra Club, organic farmers, and the shade and
fair trade movements. Ask your local store to support the Sierra Club and order
Sierra Club Coffee from Sacred Grounds. Sierra Club Coffee from Sacred
Grounds will be available starting June of 2002. For more information see the
web site: http://www.sacred-grounds.com/
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SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
June 1-2 Kayak the Mississippi River
June 3: Keep Antibiotics Working Committee
June 4: Environmental Voter Education Campaign
June 5: New Member Orientation
June 5: Twin Cities Group and Red River Group
June 5: Forestry, Land Use, and Conservation Committees
June 5-7: Midwest Sierra Club Staff Retreat
June 8: Forest Watch Training, Virginia, Minnesota
June 10-12: Sierra Club National Forests Roadless Area Strategy Session,
Washington D.C.
June 18: International Committee
June 21-23: Sierra Club High School Student Coalition Organizing Training
June 25: Inner City Outings – Survival Skills
For More Calendar Information Contact:
vicki.munson@sierraclub.org
For Interesting Submissions:
heather.cusick@sierraclub.org
To no longer receive the e-Sierra, send a message to: heather.cusick@sierraclub.org
with remove from e-Sierra in the subject line.
For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to listserv@lists.sierraclub.org