Scroll down to the Environment section by Gwen Myers, LWV Minnesota Volunteer Lobbyist and Our Sky-Blue Waters at Risk
http://www.lwvmn.org/Page.aspx?pid=448

Read the article from the Duluth News Tribune: http://tinyurl.com/44y9saa

So I am wondering what has happened to Senator Klobuchar and, in my opinion, seeming to of lost some of our Minnesota values.

http://tinyurl.com/3jmkefv

Washington, DC
phone: 202-224-3244

Metro Office
Minneapolis, MN
Main Line: 612-727-5220
Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043

Part of Sen Sander press release below:
Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), John Kerry (D-Mass.) and 30 colleagues today introduced a resolution calling for continued implementation of the Clean Air Act.

Sanders’ resolution is also sponsored by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Environment Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Energy Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Democrat Conference Secretary Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Sens. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Joe Lieberman (I-Ct.), Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

Around the country the basic right of workers to organize and collectively bargain is under attack. Ground zero for this battle has been Wisconsin, but the threats are arising all over the country. In Minnesota, Governor Dayton has promised to veto any legislative attack on workers’ rights, but this has not stopped the drumbeat of anti-labor and public worker demonization.

Recognizing the close link between the rights of workers to defend their workplaces and the rights of environmentalists to defend the environment, the Sierra Club has taken a number of steps to support worker rights. National Executive Director Michael Brune has used his blog on two occasions (February 16 and March 1) to lay out the case for Club support of workers’ rights. The John Muir Chapter in Wisconsin has released a statement supporting the protesters and the State Senators who have left the state to prevent action without sufficient public review. Further, On February 23, the Club circulated a petition which reads, “I stand with working families. We deserve the right to form unions as we see fit to protect our jobs and our communities.”

The North Star Chapter has been active locally. At two recent rallies at the State Capitol, the Chapter was well represented with people, signs, and our banners. On February 22, the Sierra Club banner and Blue Green Alliance signs were prominent as Minnesota citizens rallied in the Capitol Rotunda in support of the Wisconsin protests. On February 26, at a support rally held in the cold outside the Capitol, Sierrans holding their “Protect Workers and the Environment” signs were in evidence.

As an active and founding member of the BlueGreen Alliance, the Sierra Club shares a particular kinship with workers and their right to clean and safe workplaces and communities. We are fighting together for a clean energy economy which will create thousands of new green jobs and for workplace and community regulations that will assure clean and toxin-free work and living spaces. In this battle, we face a common enemy: corporate power whose principal goal is to increase profit, often at the expense of workers and the environment.

The Minnesota Sierra Club is gearing up for continued battles. Recently we hosted a briefing about possible legislation to create a constitutional amendment establishing Minnesota as a so-called “right to work” state. (House File 65) “Right to Work” is often called Right to Work for Less, because it weakens unions financially and at the bargaining table. A so called “Right to Work” amendment would allow a worker in a shop under a collective bargaining agreement to enjoy the benefits of the agreement without being required to pay any dues. Yet, the union is still legally required to represent all the workers at the workplace. Why should environmentalists care? Strong collective bargaining agreements give workers the security to be able to speak up if a workplace hazard is endangering themselves or the community.

To be a part of this struggle, sign the Club petition, or for additional action or information, check our blog or contact Brett Smith, Chapter Blue Green representative and Co-Chair, or call the Chapter office and indicate your interest.

Air Quality

• Duluth News Tribune: U.S. Steel pays penalty for air pollution at Keetac

Agriculture & Food

• Minnesota Public Radio: Organic famers meet hoping to tackle their biggest challenges

Cleaner Cars

• Star Tribune: Editorial: Swanson’s right to join EPA lawsuit

Electronic Waste

• Duluth News Tribune: Manufacturers now foot part of the bill for e-waste disposal in Minnesota

Energy

• Bemidji Pioneer: Wind-turbine firm in state’s sights
  (MEP member Will Steger mentioned)

• Minnesota Monitor: Peak Oil: Houston, we have a problem

• Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal: Xcel to build wind farm near Austin

• Minnesota Public Radio: Governor Pawlenty proposes a renewable energy plan
  (MEP member group Institute for Local Self-Reliance mentioned)

• Minnesota Public Radio: Lawmakers try to lure world’s largest wind turbine maker

• Minnesota Public Radio: Power line technology allows for bigger loads

• Pioneer Press: Plan offers clean-energy loans

• Star Tribune: Local ownership urged for energy projects

• Star Tribune: Pawlenty announces clean energy plan
  (MEP member group Institute for Local Self-Reliance mentioned)

• WCCO: MN Lawmakers Hope To Lure Danish Wind Research

Global Warming

• Minnesota Monitor: Climate-change impact hearings hit the road

• MinnPost: Global warming’s pressing moral question

Green Building

• WCCO: Project Little Green House Wins National Award

Green Business

• Pioneer Press: Blue: It’s the new green

Legislative Priorities

• Alexandria Echo Press: Environmental group sets legislative priorities

• Austin Daily Herald: Lawmakers hope to repeat environment success of ‘07
  (MEP member group Izaak Walton League mentioned)

• Duluth News Tribune: State bonding goes green

• Rochester Post-Bulletin: Ikes, legislators set meeting to discuss conservation
  (MEP member group Izaak Walton League mentioned)

Mining

• Mesabi Daily News: Area needs stronger words of support for mining projects from Sen.Klobuchar
  (MEP member group Sierra Club mentioned)

• Mesabi Daily News: Klobuchar wants to see more details on major Iron Range mining projects

• Timberjay Newspapers: Protesters cite mining concerns

Mississippi River

• New York Times: St. Paul Stops a Waterfront Developer From Crossing the Mississippi

Off-Highway Vehicles

• Bemidji Pioneer: DNR fields concerns: Proposal would mark state forest land as ‘limited’
  (MEP member groups MCEA, Sierra Club, Audubon Society mentioned)

Outdoor Recreation

• MinnPost: At age 25, Pheasants Forever is celebrating big this weekend

• Star Tribune: Dennis Anderson: Wildlife groups can’t save the world alone
  (MEP member groups The Nature Conservancy and Izaak Walton League mentioned)

Parks & Trails

• Austin Daily Herald: Work begins at Lake Louise

Transportation

• MinnPost: Central Corridor light rail line faces critical moment

• Minnesota Public Radio: The battle over transportation funding

• Minnesota Public Radio: Fixing bridges not Minnesota’s only transportation problem

• Pioneer Press: Editorial: Solving problems in the here and now

• Rochester Post-Bulletin: Editorial: Gasoline tax is likely option for transportation funding

• Star Tribune: Editorial: Impasse is skewing bonding priorities

• Star Tribune: Peter Bell: New transit line can’t be all things to all people

• West Central Tribune: Governor focuses on bridges in bonding bill

Wildlife

• Minnesota Public Radio: Solo the bear and her cubs moved to Michigan

Agriculture & Food

• In-Forum: Rural feedlots placed under Clay oversight

Cleaner Cars

• Minnesota Monitor: Minnesota joins vehicle emissions lawsuit against EPA
• Minnesota Public Radio: Swanson sues EPA over tailpipe emissions
• St. Paul Pioneer Press: Minnesota / State joins emissions suit against EPA

Energy

• Bemidji Pioneer: Doyle, Pawlenty want to take energy lead
• MinnPost: GROWING FUEL: Third of four articles – Ethanol reduces need for imported oil, but its energy savings are costly
  (MEP member group Fresh Energy mentioned)
• MinnPost: GROWING FUEL: Second of four articles – Despite the hype, experts question corn ethanol’s environmentally friendly image
  (MEP member groups Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy mentioned)
• Minnesota Public Radio: Wind farmers want their two cents
• Minnesota Public Radio: Alternative energy plans a boost to wildlife habitat
  (MEP member group Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy mentioned)
• WCCO: Project Energy: Pawlenty, Doyle To Push Energy Goals At Conference
• WCCO: Project Energy: Bioenergy Could Create Farming, Sport Opportunity
  (MEP member group Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy mentioned)

Global Warming

• Minnesota Monitor: Climate efforts could create two kinds of green

• WCCO: Project Energy: Peatland Protection Could Ward Off Climate Change

Great Outdoors & Heritage Amendment

• Star Tribune: Dennis Anderson: Fight is not for the weak of heart

Legislative Priorities

• ECM Publishers: Minnesota Environmental Partnership presents 2008 legislative agenda

• Minnesota Monitor: Carbon cap, car emissions, bonding on environmental agenda

• MinnPost: Some new — and old — ideas to protect Minnesota’s resources

• Minnesota Public Radio: Environmental groups lay out legislative agenda

• St. Paul Legal-Ledger: MEP wish list

Outdoor Recreation

• Duluth News Tribune: DNR considers ban on lead shot for small game
  (MEP member group Audubon Minnesota mentioned)

Parks & Trails

• Duluth News Tribune: Minnesota state parks need $100 million in upkeep

• MinnPost: Pawlenty’s plan for new state park drawing attention — and questions
  (MEP member group Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota mentioned)

Solid Waste

• Minnesota Monitor: Minnesota e-cycling law brings manufacturers together

Toxics

• Minnesota Public Radio: 3M proposes cleanup plan for PFC contamination

Transportation

• Associated Press: Minnesota Legislature: Transportation showdown likely

• Minnesota Public Radio: Looking for LRT funding

• Star Tribune: Tax, transportation accord far away

Water

• Minnesota Public Radio: 5,000 gallons of leaking gas still trapped in sewer

• Star Tribune: Editorial: Bottles, bottles everywhere

Wildlife

• Duluth News Tribune: Woman offers cabin owner $1,000 to spare Solo

• WCCO: Minn. Woman Offers $1,000 To Leave Bear Alone

• Minnesota Public Radio: Feedlot regulation is a growing patchwork

• Star Tribune: Editorial: One last chance for farm subsidy reform

Energy

• Stillwater Gazette: MPCA weighs in on proposed Xcel landfill

• Twin Cities Daily Planet: Burning Wood and Building an Empire

• Workday Minnesota: Commentary: Opportunity ripe for clean, green energy at Rock Tenn

• WCCO TV: Project Energy: Touring The New Great River Energy

Global Warming

• Minnesota Monitor: Critical Climate Podcasts: Global Warming & Residential Energy Use with Neely Crane-Smith
  (MEP member group Center for Energy & Environment mentioned)

• Minnesota Monitor: Minnkota Campaigns Against Global Warming Science

Great Outdoors & Heritage Amendment

• Star Tribune: A look ahead at 2008: An outdoors watershed?

Green Business

• Minnesota Public Radio: Can green retailers get into the black?

Green Holidays

• Minnesota Monitor: The ‘Green’ Way To Finish Your Fir or Sack Your Spruce

Mercury

• KSTP: Xcel files plan to reduce mercury emissions at 2 Minn. plants

• Minnesota Public Radio: Xcel proposes mercury reduction plan

Outdoor Recreation

• Pioneer Press: Minnesota / Pawlenty backs earlier fishing opener plan

Parks & Trails

• Star Tribune: Minnehaha Falls featured on Minneapolis Park Board parking pass

• Star Tribune: Bloomington park system adapts to today’s needs

Solid Waste

• Star Tribune: Taming the e-stream

Toxics

• Minnesota Public Radio: Students launch toxic chemical awareness campaign

Transportation

• Bemidji Pioneer: Minnesota 2020 calls for 10-cent hike in gas tax for roads

• Duluth News Tribune: Group wants more spending on Minnesota transportation

Water

• In-Forum: Minnesota to keep eye on 24 lakes

• Minnesota Public Radio: Roadside wells — is free water better water?