The rationale for the Governor’s veto is as interesting as the veto itself. Pawlenty declared in his veto letter that “the legislative mandate overreaches and goes beyond current scientific research.”
It’s a health protection and sustainable business opportunity lost. The science is clear that this compound is problematic for human health and the environment.
At Friday afternoon’s legislative hearing held to address the possibility of future sulfide mining in Minnesota, there was standing room only. Concerned citizens from all over the state attended to hear testimony about this method to extract ores such as copper and nickel. Sulfide mining differs from taconite mining in that it has the potential for acid mine drainage: pollution caused by the exposure of sulfide minerals in the ground to air and water. Not only do sulfide mines pollute heavily while operational, they will continue to pollute for hundreds of years afterwards.
Those who would like to see the mining project go forward argue that a new mining site would give much needed employment to thousands of workers in the Iron Range, serving as an important aspect of the local economy. However, there are many who feel that the risks of sulfide mining should be addressed before putting the plans into practice. While Wisconsin has a moratorium in place stating that to achieve a permit for a sulfide mine the applicant must first prove they can operate a sulfide mine for ten years without acid mine drainage and close a mine without producing pollution for ten years afterwards, Minnesota has no such law.
“We want to see mining without harm and we want the companies to prove that it’s possible,” says Clyde Hanson, co-chair of the Sierra Club North Star Chapter’s Mining Without Harm campaign. “Proof, not promises” is what he would prefer from corporations such as PolyMet who have yet to show that their proposed mine near Babbitt successfully solves these environmental issues.
by Elena Velkov, media relations coordinator, Fresh Energy
On December 7, Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson announced the Governors Windpower Coalition, issuing a letter of invitation to the rest of the nation’s governors. Their objectives: to discuss interstate collaboration, exchange information on wind technology and policy, commission research on critical wind policy issues, and seek recommendations on federal and regional policy. (more…)
Here are a couple of items various readers may be interested in:
Wisconsin has had a working group trying to find common ground in implementing the Great Lakes Compact. That group has gone bust.
James Rowen, who blogs from Milwaukee, has an opinion piece in Madison raising attention on a potential expansion of an oil refinery just across the harbor from Duluth.
Maria Energia has a Q & A with Al Franken in his bid for Senate. This is in no way an endorsement, just an FYI.
Many have called for her resignation (such as State Senator Marty) over her stifling information about the health of miners on the range and their escalating cases of mesothelioma. It seems they’ve received it.
The Eco Experience started as an experiment at last year’s State Fair and it turned into the second most popular attraction. Didn’t make it last year? Have no fear, it is back again this year and promises to be better.
Housed in the Progress Center Building at the corner of Cosgrove and Randall (look for the wind turbine blade sticking up out front), the Eco Experience is home to information and demonstrations on all sorts of environmental issues. There are sections on water protection, local food, waste reduction and dare I say oodles of energy issues, including wind, solar, hydrogen, and efficiency. Here’s a map to guide you (pdf).
MEP member groups are a big part of the Experience. I am not even sure how many will be there, but I know Renewing the Countryside, Eureka Recycling, Transit for Livable Communities, Center for Energy and Environment, Minnesota Food Alliance, Land Stewardship Project, Minnesota Project, Institute for Ag and Trade Policy, Will Stegar Institute and Windustry will be there - either for a day or the whole time depending on their role. And if you are interested in helping, volunteer opportunties are available.
And if you are there on opening day (Thursday) be sure to come say hello to MEP. We’ll be in the local food section helping tout the benefits of pasturelands and permanent ground cover for keeping our lakes and rivers clean. And yes, there will be free samples and cooking demonstrations. What more could you ask for?
Fashionistas on the prowl for new, cutting-edge styles and products now have another shopping option. Fast and Furless, a small St. Paul boutique may not have the expansive array of stilettos or the latest Parisian fashions but what it does boast in its line is exactly what few other retailers don’t: None of the stores products are made from animal products. But this is more than just a fanciful spin on pleather. (more…)
So far so good it sounds like. The Star Tribune reports that the train cars crushed by the collapsing bridge did not contain hazardous material and that the MPCA has not observed any sheen on the surface of the Mississippi that would indicate spills.
A second report in the Star Tribune mentions a car on the River Road was carrying a type of polystyrene and that other hazardous materials may be present, according to fire chief Jim Clack.
I’ve been thinking about beer much more than usual the last few months. One reason, I started making some in my living room in April. For another, my coworker Stacey gave up imported beers (not a small ask for a Guinness lover) as a means of reducing her carbon footprint. Then just recently, New Belgium Brewery started shipping the much beloved Fat Tire and a couple of other brews to Minnesota from their shop in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Not only is Fat Tire a beer that I have a long history with from trips back to the Motherland (not to mention its growing national reputation), but New Belgium - an employee owned brewery - has a notable commitment to the environment. They’ve been buying wind power for almost a decade, they did a lot of smart things in building their new facilities, and they’re active in protecting their local watershed. Lovely work really, and they’ve grown to be the third largest “craft” brewer in the country (behind Boston brewing and Sierra Nevada). But they are also almost a 1,000 miles away and shipping water out of an arid land.
So, I am finding myself in a modified version of the stereotypical food ”local versus organic” debate. Here are some pro and cons of some of the options, as I see it: (more…)
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