February 2004
Welcome to e-Sierra
The email newsletter of the Sierra Club North Star ChapterFebruary 2004 / Issue 23
PLEASE URGE EPA TO REDUCE MERCURY POLLUTION
The Bush Administration's EPA recently announced a rule that would allow 7 times more mercury into our air and water than the Clean Air Act allows. The official public comment period is now open until March 30, so here is your chance to influence the development of this rule. Urge EPA to follow the nation's law and reduce mercury from coal plants by 90 percent. To find out more and/or send in comments, go to: http://www.northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/air/mercury/commentForm.html
HELP THE ENVIRONMENT…CAUCUS ON MARCH 2nd
Time's a-tickin’ - Empower yourself and attend a precinct caucus training! Congrats to the 70 folks who have already gone through the training! Help make the environment a key issue in 2004 caucuses. Join other folks and learn the art of passing environmental resolutions. Please contact Brenda at for more information.
- Duluth - Monday, Feb 23 @ 6:30 pm - The Depot, in the Rotunda; 506 W. Michigan St
- Minneapolis - Saturday, Feb. 28 @ 10:00 am - Christensen Center East Commons, 3rd Floor at Augsburg College
COFFEE CHAT – SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS
Hey all you south Minneapolis Sierra Club members, join Sierra Club’s Global Warming/National Energy Policy Advocate, Brendan Bell, in a dialogue about the Bush Administration’s proposals to worsen Global Warming and community solutions. He will be meeting folks at an informal gathering at Rick Charboneau’s house at 4452 17th Avenue South in south Minneapolis at 7:00 pm.
CITIZENS TAKE BACK THE CAPITOL
Join other Minnesotans for the 3rd Annual Protect our Water Citizen’s Day at the Capitol on February 25, 2004: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. It is good for our legislators to hear from real people who love natural real places. Help keep the environment top on the minds of our decision makers. For more information go to www.mepartnership.org
FOREST WATCHERS - ACTS OF GOOD VS. AXES OF EVIL
President Bush’s policies are arriving in Minnesota! Join our Forest Watch group to save Minnesota’s national forests from the administration’s axes. On Wednesday, March 10, come to an open house at the Sierra Club North Star Chapter office to see all of the planned logging, and join our team to analyze and challenge clearcuts on our national forests, using the public comment process. 5-7 pm.
CALL THE GOVERNOR: UTILITIES SHOULD PAY THEIR OWN WAY
Citizens across Minnesota have chosen to spend more each month on their utility bill to a green pricing program - a fund that develops renewable energy through consumer contribution. As the state decides how to implement its renewable energy objective (which requires utilities to make a good faith effort to develop 10% renewable energy by 2015), the Department of Commerce is considering counting citizens contributions as part of the utility's efforts. Call the Governor and tell him that citizen contributions to green pricing program shouldn't subsidize a utility's responsibility to do the right thing and meet the goals of the renewable energy objective. Gov. Pawlenty's phone number: 651-296-3391 or 1-800-657-3717
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING
Get ready to walk for wind. Join up now if you would like to be a summer walker as part of a gentle trek across southern Minnesota to promote wind power development and clean energy. Join us for the full trek, a couple of country miles, or a few city blocks. For more information contact Christopher Childs at 651-312-0616 or worldgarden@igc.org
BUSY? TAKE AN EVENING AND SOCIALIZE AROUND THE ENVIRONMENT
Missed the first Meetup? Check out sierraclub.meetup.com and join others who share a love of the environment.
TRANSPORTATION CONCERNS?
Concerned about Northstar Corridor? Want to protect funding for transit? Want clean air and clear roads? Our transportation committee has begun monthly meetings! Join us the third Thursday of each month at the Sierra Club Office. For more information, contact Mat Hollinshead, Chair of the Transportation working group at or Trevor Russell at 612-659-9124.
THE SNOW MAY ONLY BE HERE A LITTLE WHILE LONGER
Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, Hiking. Join other outdoor fun seekers for February and March outings. If you are interested in the calendar of upcoming events please contact Brian Pasko at brian.pasko@sierraclub.org or at 612-729-1101.
PRESIDENT BUSH AND CONGRESS WATCH
Keep tabs on President Bush and Congress.
http://www.sierraclub.org/politics/
http://www.sierraclub.org/wwatch/
SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Feb. 23: Precinct Caucus Training in Duluth
Feb. 23: Coffee Chat South Minneapolis
Feb. 24: Clean Energy, Municipal Power and You - 7pm Macalester College, St.Paul
Feb. 24: Sierra Club Meetup.com
Feb. 25-26: EPA Mercury Hearing in Chicago
Feb. 25: Water Committee at 5:30
Feb. 25: Excom
Feb. 28: Precinct Caucus Training - 10am-Noon, Augsburg College, Minneapolis
Feb. 28: Endangered Green Space Outing - Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Mar. 2: Precinct Caucuses
Mar. 2-7: Northwest Sports Show – mercury education opportunity
Mar. 9: Political Committee
Mar. 3: Forestry Committee
Mar. 10: Forest Watch Open House
Mar. 10: Mini-Woodstock on Wheels Booth - UofM
Mar. 13-14: Women’s Expo Booth
Mar. 15: Land Use Committee
Mar. 16: International Committee
Mar. 18: Transportation Committee
Mar. 23: Clean Air Committee 7pm
Mar. 24: Water Committee
Mar. 24: Clean Air Forum at University of Minnesota 7pm
Mar. 24: Excom
For More Calendar Information Contact:
vicki.munson@sierraclub.org
For Interesting Submissions:
heather.cusick@sierraclub.org
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Heather Cusick
Conservation Director
Sierra Club - North Star
2327 East Franklin Ave. Suite 1
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406
phone: 612.659.9124
fax: 612.659.9129