December 8 - Sustainable Business Conference

[cross-posted at Coulee Region Climate Alliance]

Join RENEW Wisconsin at the Wisconsin Sustainabile Business Conference 2016

The 2016 Wisconsin Sustainable Business Conference is coming up on Thursday, December 8th in Onalaska, WI. The agenda was just announced, and RENEW's Tyler Huebner will be moderating a panel tilted "Using Renewable Energy in Your Business." 
The panel will feature:

- Ben Reynolds - Reynolds Transfer

- Alan Eber - Gundersen Health

- Dan Andersen - Phillips Medisize

Join RENEW Wisconsin at this excellent event to learn more about cutting edge business sustainability practicies and to disucss how we can help create a successful, sustainable, transparent, Wisconsin business community that will stand out nationally.

When: Thursday, December 8th 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., with reception to follow

Where: Empire Screen Printing

Address: N520 Marco Road Onalaska, WI 54650

Learn more and register here!

Chromium-6 (the Erin Brockovich carcinogen) in our water

You may have heard the the well-respected Environmental Workiing Group has a new report out about a carcinogenic contaminant that is in most Americans' water supplies.

'Erin Brockovich' Carcinogen in Tap Water of More than 200 Million Americans

Published in September, the article (and accompanying map) provides a chilling and detailed history of this contaminant and why it is in so many Americans' water and, more importantly, why the EPA has not regulated it. For example, 

The American Chemistry Council, the chemical industry's powerful lobbying arm, argued that before formally releasing the draft for public comment, the EPA should wait for the publication of studies funded by the Council and the Electric Power Research Institute on the biological mechanisms through which chromium-6 triggers cancer. In an April 2011 letter obtained by the Center for Public Integrity, Vincent Cogliano, acting director of IRIS, responded to the chemistry lobby that "granting your request could entail a delay of unknown duration with no public discussion or review of the strong new studies that are now available."

That's exactly what happened.

An external review panel, which the Center for Public Integrity later found included three members who consulted for PG&E in the Brockovich case, pressured the EPA to grant the American Chemistry Council's request. In 2012, the EPA quietly announced that the draft risk assessment will be held up until the chemical lobby's studies are finished. EWG and other public health groups objected vociferously, not only due to the delay on chromium-6 but "the dangerous precedent suggested by delaying risk assessment activities to allow incorporation of as-yet unpublished, industry-funded research."

The EPA's prediction of when the risk assessment will be released for public comment has been pushed back repeatedly – from 2015 to the second quarter of 2016, and then to early 2017. When asked for an update, Cogliano wrote in an Aug. 24 email to EWG: "We expect to release a draft health assessment document in 2017, though I wouldn't use the word 'early.'"

 In La Crosse, where contamination is relatively high according to the EWG map, no plan of upgrading filters has been put forward by the City's Water Utility. An October 13 letter to the editor, requests the mayor and city address the problem immediately.

There is an effort underway to make a more formal multi-organization request of this nature (if your organization would like to be involved, please email CRSierraClub[at]gmail.com).

In the meantime, city water bills have been mailed for the July through October service period. As you write out your check to pay for your water, consider that that water is contaminated and so far nothing has been planned or done to address the problem. You may want to contact the city's water utility (utilities[at]cityoflacrosse.org or 608 789-7536) to find out what they intend to do about this problem (which has been going on for some time already) and when. 

According to the EWG report, the City of Onalaska also has a contamination problem. Not every county or water utility has been tested, so you might want to check your water supply. 

This is also a reminder that there is a water quality listening session with the US EPA Region 5 Administrator in Eau Claire on November 15. [To carpool to the event, please email Pat.] After reading the EWG report, you might like to attend and ask why the EPA does not have published chromium-6 guidelines yet.

 

CR Sierra Club - November newsletter

[View the full newsletter (with better layout and graphics)

at issue.com]

PEDRETTI HONORED: The John Muir Chapter of the Sierra Club is honoring Marilyn Pedretti with the 2016 John Muir Chapter Merit  Award. You’re invited to join other Sierra Club members at the award ceremony on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Brocach Irish Pub, 7 W Main St., Madison from 3 to 5 p.m.  Contact Pat Wilson (pbwilson[at]centurytel.net) if you’re interested in carpooling. Read more ...

EPA LISTENING SESSION - NOVEMBER 15 IN EAU CLAIRE (see previous blog post): Anyone interested in carpooling to this event should email Pat

ARRIVE TOGETHER: Building a 21st Century Transportation System in Wisconsin TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT IN MILWAUKEE DECEMBER 3: Tickets cost just $10 for the whole day (including meals) . Scholarships are available. Register online. A FREE bus will go from Madison to the conference in Milwaukee and back to Madison. The Sierra Club will  coordinate rides and car pools to Madison (occupants may then take the conference bus) for those registered by Nov. 21. You may register after that but conference meals and ride assistance are not guaranteed. We are also seeking agencies, officies, and organizations  to help promote and promote registration for this event. There is no cost for partnership. Partners will receive a packet of flyers, posters, and handouts. If you know of anyone interested, please ask them to complete the partner form. Read more ...

2017 SIERRA CLUB CALENDARS AND HOLIDAY CARDS NOW AVAILABLE. Read more.

SIERRA CLUB ENDORSED CANDIDATES NEED OUR HELP WITH GOTV FROM NOW UNTIL NOVEMBER 8! Please contact Stevan Stankovich at 317-372-0134  Read more.

HELP NEEDED! Seeking local member to represent us on the state board. Also seeking membership chair. Read more.

BOARD NOMINATIONS: Seeking nominations for three board positions ending in December. You may nominate yourself or another member who can meet monthly (sometimes by email) and help guide our club next year. NOMINATIONS DUE (email CRSierraClub[at]gmail.com) BY NOV. 20!
Read more.

ENVIRO-EDUCATION GRANTS AVAILABLE!  Teachers and youth leaders - apply for up to $200 to help with your environment-related project. Applications due by December 1! Read more.

JANUARY FILM AND DISCUSSION:  Board member Bill Katra will host a screening of the film, Dear President Obama - The clean energy revolution is now! at his home on Tuesday, January 31. Read more.

SIERRA CLUB - NO DAPL - WEBINAR: Friday, November 4 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Register online.

NOVEMBER 15 - NO DAPL SUPPORT TRUCK LEAVES LA CROSSE: A truckload of supplies, food, equipment will leave La Crosse on November 15. Please learn about this important environmental issue. Read more.

COULEE REGION SIERRA CLUB WINTER GATHERING: Barb and Don Frank (1965 Valley Road, La Crosse) will host this year's winter gathering on Tuesday, December 20 at 6 p.m. Please bring some food to share. Beverages will be provided. EVERYONE IS WELCOME (you need not be a Sierra Club member!) Phone 608 788-3914 with questions.



 

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November 15 Water Quality Listening Session

[UPDATE: Please email Pat if you'd like to carpool to this event!]

from Midwest Environmental Advocates:

Nov 15, 2016

Listening Session with U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator Robert Kaplan

Listening Session with U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator Robert Kaplan
Tuesday, November 15, 5-7 p.m. – Eau Claire - Chippewa Valley Technical College, Room 30, Business Education Center, 620 West Clairemont Ave.

Members of the public are invited to come and share their thoughts and concerns about the implementation of the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act in Wisconsin to the Administrator of US EPA’s Region V, Robert Kaplan.  Administrator Kaplan will give a brief description of the US EPA’s role in Wisconsin and their current activities in Wisconsin, and then he will hear from the public.  Depending on the number of individuals that want to speak, each person will be requested to limit their remarks to three minutes.

This event is sponsored by the Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter, Midwest Environmental Advocates, River Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Lakes Association and Clean Wisconsin

Parking:
You may park in the RCU Visitor Lot (P1 on the map) or the Student Lot (P3) using the attached parking permit for each vehicle. Another option is to park in the Pay-Per-Hour Lot (P7) for a fee.

If you have any questions or concerns about parking, the Public Safety Office general phone number is 715-833-6202.

Link to RSVP:
http://tinyurl.com/eparsvp
Link to Sierra Club petition:
tinyurl.com/protectwiwater

Fundraiser for NO DAPL

Update! Fundraiser is over. Today only. Watch for coming events to support 11-15 truckload of support from La Crosse. In the meantime, drop off donations at English Lutheran Church (16th and King) or UWL Cartwright Center.

Transportation Forum

La Crosse area residents talked about transportation alternatives and equity.

On Wednesday, October 5 about thirty La Crosse area residents gathered at the Southside Neighborhood Center to learn more about transportation options in our community and to discuss their concerns, needs, and ideas for transportation planning and funding. This is one of several similar meetings being held around the state, sponsored by the Coalition for More Responsible Transportation in Wisconsin. The coalition includes the state (John Muir Chapter) Sierra Club, the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG); 1,000 Friends of Wisconsin,  and many others. (Read more about the coalition in this September 22 Wisconsin Gazette article).

Tim Koterwski, Transit Supervisor at La Crosse's Municipal Transit Utility (MTU), answered questions about MTU routes and schedules and heard suggestions for increased service including routes that serve Onalaska, Holmen, and West Salem. Valerie Hoff represented the Enterprise Car Share program which is now open to all La Crosse community members. There was also information about other local and regional transportation options, the benefits of car pooling and park and ride programs, and how to get started as a bicycle commuter.

Peter Skopek, Director of WISPIRG facilitated the formal program, leading participants in brainstorming and visioning better transportation options, and giving an overview of Wisconsin's transportation budget. Skopek noted that funding for public transportation and road maintenance have remained relatively flat over the past several years while "mega projects" in southeast Wisconsin have receive an increasing share of the budget. Wisconsin's population is aging and will need transportation options that do not require driving a private car. In addition, a WISPIRG survey of millennials at the state's universities confirmed that young adults consider the availability of good public transportation an important factor in determining where they will live and work.

Dr. Chuck Lee, professor emeritus of history at UWL, gave an overview of local transportation challenges, and Jackie Eastwood, a La Crosse county transportation planner, discussed the county transportation budget as it affects public transportation and other non-private car transportation options and the La Crosse Area Planning Committee's (LAPC) plan to examine traffic management options. There will be an LAPC meeting on Wednesday, October 19, open to the public, to discuss some of these options and the committee's planned Transportation Improvements Program projects for 2017-2020.

Several elected officials from the city and county attended and all stressed that people need to contact local AND state officials about transportation budget priorities. In addition, it would be helpful if those who live outside of the city of La Crosse and share the goal of protecting our marshlands and seeking other less expensive and more sustainable transportation options should make sure their elected officials know how they feel. Too often, it seems, LAPC representatives of communities that surround La Crosse seem to prefer road building and highway expansion rather than car pool and park and ride promotion.

Even if you were not able to attend, you can still share your Transit Story by completing this online form. There will be a state Transportation Equity Summit on December 3 in Milwaukee to summarize results from the regional forums and provide more information and opportunities for activism. We will post details as they become available (and you can stay up to date by visiting the event website).

CR Sierra - October Newsletter

Our online only October newsletter is now available to view. Highlights include:

NEXT EVENT:  Highway Clean up  5 pm Tues., Oct. 4  Meet at city well bldg (Cty B & River Valley Dr)  North La Crosse Join Sierra Club friends on Oct. 4 to help clean up River Valley Drive (RVD) on La Crosse’s north side. Meet at the city’s water well near the intersection of Gillette Street and RVD at 5 p.m. We’ll pick up trash from St. James Street to Palace Street. Safety vests and bags will be provided. Many hands will make light work! After about 1.5 hours of clean up, some of us may meet up at a nearby restaurant for treats. Bring a friend and your camera! Questions? Contact Pat or Bobbie Wilson at pbwilson[at]centurytel.net or 608 788 8831.

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SOLAR IN WISCONSIN: Thank you, Michael Vickerman of RENEW Wisconsin, for a useful and interesting September 27 Sierra Club presentation on the amazing increase in solar power generation in our state and solar’s continuing cost effectiveness. An overview of the presentation can be found at Renew Wisconsin’s website at [NOTE: UPDATED LINK] http://renewwisconsin.org/presentations/. Renew Wisconsin is interested in working with citizen activists in pushing and lobbying local governments to install solar on government and public buildings, too. If any Sierra Club members are interested in forming a group to pursue this, please email crsierraclub[at]gmail.com

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STANDING WITH STANDING ROCK:  Miles Koenig, a member of the Ho-Chunk nation, updated us about local support for the environmental protectors of the Standing Rock Sioux reservation as they continue efforts to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. The pipeline would carry Bakken (fracked) oil, threatening an important water resource and building new fossil fuel systems that threaten a sustainable climate. Miles and his brother Branson coordinated a truckload of relief supplies last month and plan another trip on October 14. Donate warm clothing, cold weather sleeping bags, hygiene products, food, school supplies, etc, if you can. More details at tinyurl.com/lax4stndingrk.
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OCTOBER 5 TRANSPORTATION FORUM: La Crosse needs a transportation system that connects more people to jobs, businesses and services; is safe, effective, fair and affordable for drivers and non-drivers; and uses our tax dollars responsibly to address real community needs. Transit riders and advocates will share personal stories about their local transportation system and offer insights on how the system could be improved to better serve everyone in the community. Sierra Club will present a statewide perspective on the transportation budget and how we could best meet the needs of local communities. In addition to programming about our transportation planning and budgets, we will host a Transportation Information Fair from 6 to 6:45 pm. Find out about your current transportation options - including car pools, car share, and public transportation - at the Forum.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016
6:00 Open House - 6:40 Presentation
Southside Neighborhood Center
1300 6th Street S, La Crosse WI ===
ENVIRO-EDUCATION GRANTS: The Coulee Region Sierra Club is offering grants of $50 to $200 for environmental education projects involving  young people at the elementary and middle school level. The application and more detalis are available at our website (sierraclub.org/wisconsin/coulee) and blog site (cr-sierra.blogspot.com). The application deadline is DECEMBER 1. Please spread the word about this opportunity!
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HELP NEEDED: We are seeking a Coulee Region Sierra Club member to represent our group at the John Muir Chapter state council. The council meets every other month, sometimes online, to discuss national and state plans and programs. If interested, email pbwilson[at]centurytel.net. We would like to find a Sierra Club member to help welcome and integrate new Coulee Region Sierra Club members into our group. Interested? Contact Pat!
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DATES TO REMEMBER!

• Tuesday, October 4 - River Valley Drive clean up. Meet at 5 p.m. Gillette St. pumping station.
• Wednesday, October 5 - La Crosse Area Transportation Forum. 6 p.m. Southside Neighborhood Center
• The October Autumn Assembly has been cancelled.
• Friday, October 14 - Traditional Ecological Knowledge Conference/Keynote: Winona Duke (tinyurl.com/vutek)
• Friday, October 14 - Standing Rock protectors donation truck leaves (tinyurl.com/laxstndingrk)
• Oct. 16-19 - Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference (www.umisc.net/schedule--program.html)
• Monday, October 17 - Absentee in person voting begins in municipal clerks’ offices (myvote.wi.gov)

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2017 Sierra Club calendars, our group's primary fundraiser, are now available. These beautiful calendars (wall = $13.95/desk = $14.95) feature photos worth framing. Get your calendar at our December holiday party or order from Maureen Kinney: 784-9324/784-5678 or email her at
maureen[at]johnsflaherty.com