“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men, or greedy interests, skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”
Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday, August 24, 2014

This is an opportunity to learn about the Community Rights Movement.

SAVE THE DATE: COMMUNITY RIGHTS WORKSHOP WITH PAUL CIENFUEGOS!

Monday, September 15, 6:00 - 9:00pm (southeast MN venue details coming soon)

PLEASE RSVP AS SEATING IS LIMITED!

You are invited to attend a 3-hour workshop to learn the history behind how corporations have been steadily gaining power through undermining democracy, and to discover how the community rights movement provides a new approach to protecting our local communities by exercising our inherent right to govern ourselves.

More than 160 communities in nine states have launched community rights movements and have passed legally binding, locally enforceable community rights laws.

Come learn about this effective strategy for local communities to protect their environment, health, water, air, and land against the overreach of corporate power. 


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EVENT DETAILS:

Please plan to arrive by 5:30pm for a light meal and sign-in. Workshop will begin promptly at 6:00pm.

A sliding scale donation of $5-$25 is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Workshop questions? Contact Jim Gurley at jgurley@hbci.com or 507-523-3113

Seating is limited please RSVP: communityrightsmn@gmail.com 


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ABOUT PAUL CIENFUEGOS:

Paul Cienfuegos is a regional leader in the community rights movement, working to dismantle corporate constitutional so-called "rights." Paul has over 30 years of experience as an educator and community organizer of concerned citizens nationwide.

More information is available at

A slideshow about community rights can be viewed at



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Hope to see you on September 15th!
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EPA FACT SHEET: Clean Power Plan WHY WE NEED A CLEANER, MORE EFFICIENT POWER SECTOR

EPA FACT SHEET: Clean Power Plan
WHY WE NEED A CLEANER, MORE EFFICIENT POWER SECTOR
On June 2, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, proposed a commonsense plan to cut carbon pollution from power plants. The science shows that climate change is already posing risks to our health and our economy. This proposal will maintain an affordable, reliable energy system, while cutting pollution and protecting our health and environment now and for future generations.

 Significant public health and climate benefits for future generations—The proposed Clean Power Plan will cut hundreds of millions of tons of carbon pollution and hundreds of thousands of tons of harmful particle pollution, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Together these reductions will provide important health protections to the most vulnerable, such as children and older Americans.

 Affordable, reliable energy—The agency’s proposal is flexible—reflecting that different states have a different mix of sources and opportunities to cut carbon pollution, and reflecting the important role of states as full partners with the federal government in cutting pollution. And it provides enough time for utilities to make changes without affecting reliability. Because of this flexibility, in 2030, consumers’ electricity bills will be smaller.

 Drive investment and innovation that will assure American businesses have a competitive edge—Cutting carbon pollution from power plants will drive investment and innovation that will keep American businesses at the forefront of the global movement to produce and consume energy in a better, more sustainable way.

 Proven, flexible approach—The proposal builds on what states, cities and businesses around the country are already doing. They have set energy efficiency targets, increased their use of renewable energy, and made agreements to cut carbon pollution. These are the kinds of programs that states will be able to use to cut carbon pollution under this proposal.

 SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC HEALTH AND CLIMATE BENEFITS
 Climate change is not just a problem for the future – we are facing its impacts today.

  • o Average temperatures have risen in most states since 1901, with seven of the top 10 warmest years on record occurring since 1998.
  • o Climate and weather disasters in 2012 cost the American economy more than $100 billion.

 Power plants are the largest concentrated source of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, making up roughly one-third of all domestic greenhouse gas emissions. While the United States has limits in place for the level of arsenic, mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particle pollution that power plants can emit, there are currently no national limits on carbon pollution levels.

  Nationwide, by 2030, the Clean Power Plan will help cut carbon pollution from the power sector by approximately 30 percent from 2005 levels. It will also reduce pollutants that contribute to the soot and smog that make people sick by over 25 percent.

 These reductions will lead to climate and health benefits worth an estimated $55 billion to $93 billion per year in 2030. This includes avoiding 2,700 to 6,600 premature deaths and 140,000 to 150,000 asthma attacks in children.

  These climate and health benefits far outweigh the estimated annual costs of the plan, which are $7.3 billion to $8.8 billion in 2030. From the soot and smog reductions alone, for every dollar invested through the Clean Power Plan, American families will see up to $7 in health benefits.

  This flexible proposal protects children and other vulnerable Americans from the health threats posed by a range of pollutants and will move us toward a cleaner, more stable environment for future generations while ensuring an ongoing supply of the reliable, affordable power needed for economic growth.

 AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE ENERGY
 For 40 years, we have been able to both implement the Clean Air Act and keep the lights on. EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan will not change that.

  States, cities, businesses and homeowners have been working for years to increase energy efficiency and reduce growth in demand for electricity. EPA projects that the Clean Power Plan will continue – and accelerate – this trend. Nationally, this means that, in 2030 when the plan is fully implemented, electricity bills would be expected to be roughly 8 percent lower than they would been without the actions in state plans. That would save Americans about $8 on an average monthly residential electricity bill, savings they wouldn't see without the states' efforts under this rule.

  EPA’s analysis also shows that there will be enough capacity across the U.S. electricity system to meet the anticipated level of demand. Coal, oil and natural gas will continue to have an important role in a diverse U.S. energy mix for years to come—with coal and natural gas remaining the two leading sources of electricity generation, each providing more than 30 percent of projected generation in 2030.

  EPA will also continue to rely on our discussions with a broad variety of stakeholders – including utilities, Regional Transmission Operators, and State public utility regulators – to make sure reliability is appropriately considered and addressed.

 DRIVE INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION
 States, cities and businesses are already putting Americans to work modernizing the electricity sector—improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings, homes and factories, and building cleaner sources of energy.

  The average age today (2014) of the coal-fired generating fleet is 42 years old, and 11 percent of units are more than 60 years old. By 2025, that average age will grow to 49, with 20 percent of units 60 years or older. So, even without the agency’s proposal, states and utilities will continue to make plans to modernize the aging of current assets and infrastructure.

  The agency’s proposal reflects this and ensures that reducing carbon pollution is factored into the equation as states and the power sector make plans for the future.

  These trends are providing, and will continue to provide, good-paying American jobs for years to come. We will also see support for jobs related to demand-side energy efficiency, such as jobs for machinists to manufacture energy efficient appliances, construction workers to build efficient homes and buildings or weatherize existing ones, service providers to do energy audits and install efficient technologies, and engineers and programmers to design and improve building energy management systems.

  The United States is a leader in the environmental technology field, which will help in the transition toward a more sustainable power sector. The Clean Power Plan will ensure that the United States maintains its competitive edge and continues to capitalize on the American ingenuity that states, businesses and cities have already tapped to turn the climate challenges we face today into the business opportunities of tomorrow. It will keep the United States—and more importantly our businesses—at the forefront of a global movement to produce and consume energy in a better, more sustainable way. And it will make the United States a world leader in addressing climate change.

 PROVEN, FLEXIBLE APPROACH
 Since last summer, EPA has collected extensive public input—including 11 public listening sessions and meetings with more than 300 groups from across the country. This input has helped guide the development of the proposed Clean Power Plan.

  During EPA’s nationwide outreach effort leading up to this proposal, states, cities and businesses across the country told us about how they are already taking action to address the risks from climate change.

  To date, 47 states have utilities that run demand-side energy efficiency programs, 38 have renewable portfolio standards or goals, and 10 have market-based greenhouse gas emissions programs. EPA’s proposal recognizes that these innovations are the key to getting significant reductions at power plants and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable electricity sector that is already under way.

  The Clean Power Plan also recognizes that the best and most effective ways for reducing carbon pollution look at the power system as a whole.

  This includes programs that help consumers and businesses use electricity smarter and more efficiently, programs that enhance the use of low-emitting and renewable power sources, and efficiency improvements at carbon-intensive power plants.

  EPA also recognizes that each state has different state policy considerations – including varying emission reduction opportunities and already existing state programs and measures – and that the characteristics of the electricity system in each state (e.g., utility regulatory structure, generation mix, electricity demand) also differ, with each state in the best position to understand these issues.

  Therefore, the proposal sets state-specific goals and provides states with options for meeting those goals in a flexible manner that accommodates a diverse range of state approaches. It allows states to work alone to develop plans or to work together with other states to develop multi-state plans. Giving states the flexibility to design programs to cut carbon pollution using these proven, common sense approaches will accelerate the trend toward a 21st century power system—one in which electricity is generated and used as efficiently as possible and which promotes a greater reliance on lower-carbon power sources.

  In addition, there are inherent flexibilities in the power sector that allow power companies, regional transmission organizations and other entities to adapt to changes in the market and other variables. The time-tested experience these groups have as well as the nature of the system they manage will ensure states reach the goals outlined in the proposal, while providing reliable, affordable energy for all Americans.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
EPA will accept comment on the proposal for 120 days after publication in the Federal Register and will hold four public hearings on the proposed Clean Power Plan during the week of July 28 in the following cities: Denver, Atlanta, Washington, DC and Pittsburgh. The proposed rule, information about how to comment and supporting technical information are available online at: http://www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan .
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PROPOSAL TO LIMIT CARBON POLLUTION FROM MODIFIED AND RECONSTRUCTED POWER PLANTS

EPA FACT SHEET: Carbon Pollution Standards
PROPOSAL TO LIMIT CARBON POLLUTION FROM MODIFIED AND RECONSTRUCTED POWER PLANTS

 Power plants are the largest stationary source of this harmful pollution in the United States -- about one-third of all greenhouse gas pollution comes from the generation of electricity by power plants.

  •  On June 2, 2014, EPA proposed standards to address carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from modified and reconstructed power plants.
  •  This action is one of three separate but related proposals to address carbon pollution from power plants.

o The proposed Carbon Pollution Standards for newly constructed power plants are set under the authority of Clean Air Act Section 111(b). They were announced in September 2013 and published in the Federal Register in January 2014.

 o The proposed Carbon Pollution Standards for modified and reconstructed power plants are also set under the authority of Clean Air Act Section 111(b). They were announced in June 2014.

 o The proposed Clean Power Plan for existing power plants is issued under the authority of Section 111(d). It was announced in June 2014.
  •  The proposed Carbon Pollution Standards for modified and reconstructed power plants would only apply to a unit that meets certain, specific conditions described in the Clean Air Act and implementing regulations for being “modified” or “reconstructed.”
  •  A modification is any physical or operational change to an existing source that increases the source’s maximum achievable hourly rate of air pollutant emissions.
  •  A reconstructed source is a unit that replaces components to such an extent that the capital cost of the new components exceeds 50 percent of the capital cost of an entirely new comparable facility.
  •  The proposed emission limits for modified or reconstructed sources are based on the performance of available and demonstrated technology. These proposed limits for modified and reconstructed sources do not require implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, nor are they based on that technology.
  •  The EPA is proposing separate numeric standards for different types of units.

o For affected modified fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units (utility boilers and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) units), the EPA is co-proposing two alternative standards of performance. Under the first alternative, all modified units would be subject to a single standard of performance. In the second co-proposed alternative, the EPA is proposing that the specific form of the standard will depend on whether the source makes the modification before or after becoming subject to a CAA section 111(d) state plan. This alternative recognizes that actions taken to comply with a Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111(d) state plan may result in improved performance at the source. In all cases the level of the proposed standards is based on a combination of best operating practices and equipment upgrades.

 o For affected modified natural gas-fired stationary combustion turbines, the agency is proposing standards of performance set at a level based on efficient Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) technology. These standards would be applicable whether or not a unit is subject to a section 111(d) state plan.

 o For affected reconstructed fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units (utility boilers and integrated gasification combined cycle units), and for affected reconstructed natural gas-fired stationary combustion turbines, the EPA is proposing standards of performance based on the most efficient generating technology that is applicable to each category of units. This standard would not be affected by the submittal of a CAA section 111(d) state plan.

 HOW TO COMMENT
 EPA will accept comment on the proposal for 120 days after publication in the Federal Register and will hold four public hearings on the proposed standards for modified and reconstructed sources during the week of July 28 in the following cities: Denver, Atlanta, Washington, DC and Pittsburgh.

  The proposed rule, information about how to comment and supporting technical information are available online at: http://www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan

  Comments on the proposed standards should be identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0603. All comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:

  • o Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
  • o Email: A-and-R-Docket@epa.gov. Include docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–2013-0603 in the subject line of the message.
  • o Fax: (202) 566–9744.
  • o Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mailcode 28221T, Attention Docket ID No. OAR–2013-0603, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460.
  • o Hand/Courier Delivery: EPA Docket Center, Room 3334, EPA WJC West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.

 We note that this rulemaking overlaps in certain respects with two other related actions: the proposed rulemaking that the EPA published on January 8, 2014 to limit CO2 emissions from newly constructed affected sources, and the proposed Clean Power Plan for existing power plants that the EPA is issuing at the same time as the present rulemaking. Each of these three rulemakings is independent of the other two, and each has its own rulemaking docket. Accordingly, commenters who wish to comment on any aspect of this rulemaking, including anything that overlaps an aspect of one or both of the other two related rulemakings, should make those comments on this rulemaking.
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How to Comment on the Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule

How to Comment on the Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule

Public Hearings

EPA held public hearings on the proposed Clean Power Plan the week of July 28, 2014 in:
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Denver, CO
  • Pittsburgh, PA
  • Washington, DC
Comments on the Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule must be received by October 16, 2014. Be sure to reference Docket ID:
EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602
Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:
  • Federal eRulemaking portal: Follow the online instructions for submitting comments
    Internet Explorer 8 and above users: If you are experiencing issues linking directly to the docket in the eRulemaking portal, try one of these methods:
  • Email A-and-R-Docket@epa.gov: Include docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602 in the subject line of the message
  • Fax: Fax your comments to: 202-566-9744.
  • Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mailcode 28221T, Attention Docket ID No. OAR–2013-0602, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460.
  • Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver your comments to: EPA Docket Center, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20460.  Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.  
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Friday, August 22, 2014

2014 Property Assessment Appeal Guide For Wisconsin Real Property Owners

2014 Property Assessment Appeal Guide For Wisconsin Real Property Owners

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Monday, August 11, 2014

Please tell your STORIES!

Colleagues:
As you already know, 4 of us from Wisconsin testified at the EPA Hearings in Denver, Colorado, from July 28-July 31, 2014, on the new  proposed carbon emissions rulings . Many of you asked how you might comment on the proposed rules.  You have until Octobor 16th, 2014, to send in your written statements. We were assured that everyone's comments, either oral or written would be read and studied by staff and receive equal consideration whether comments were submitted at the hearings or in writing. This will be your opportunity to comment on how the fossil fuel industry is impacting your daily life in Wisconsin or elsewhere. People from all walks of life and from many states testified at the hearings, but we were assured by the EPA that more people are asked to comment. Hydraulic fracturing and frac sand facilities are raising havoc with many people's lives. Please tell your STORIES! You are the ones who know them best! Citizen participation really does matter.

Directions for comments are noted below in a couple of sources, but I have also attached two additional documents. Take a look at them. I will be sending you copies of the testimony given by each of us at the hearings; if you would like to share your comments with me that would be great! We welcome all the groups and the other frac sand states with facilities to get involved. And if you are in a state where our frac sand is used and causing problems for you, please send in your comments to the EPA!!!

I just learned yesterday that the EPA will be taking over Wisconsin's program for fine particle emissions:

EPA to take over Wis. program for fine particle emissions

Amanda Peterka, E&E reporter
Published: Friday, August 8, 2014
U.S. EPA plans to take over part of Wisconsin's program for reducing fine particle pollution after finding that the state has fallen short in meeting requirements mandated by the Clean Air Act.
Wisconsin failed to submit a complete plan by a July 2012 deadline under the act's Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program, EPA said in a pre-publication Federal Register notice.
The program requires that facilities obtain permits before construction or modifications; the permits mandate that the facilities use the "best available" technology to control emissions of harmful pollutants.
EPA said Wisconsin specifically failed to comply with a 2010 rule for determining whether new facilities need to obtain PSD permits for pollution of fine particulate matter, or particles that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. The rule required states to put in place a system of increments mandating that facilities obtain permits if they emit more than the maximum amount of particulate matter allowed in a given area.
As required by the Clean Air Act, EPA will issue its own plan for the incremental permitting program for fine particles in the state within 24 months. The clock will start ticking Monday when EPA publishes the notice in the form of a final rule.
"We have previously alerted Wisconsin through meetings that it has failed to make the submittal by the deadline," EPA said. "Consequently, the state has been on notice that today's action was pending."
The agency is not imposing any sanctions on Wisconsin.
While this is a step in the right direction and terribly good news, we can't let down our guard!!!!

Thanks to all of you who have helped in this tremendous effort to keep the issues on the front burner!
Pat Popple   715-723-6398
www.ccc-wis.com          

Federal Register | Carbon Pollution Standards for Modified and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/06/18/2014-13725/carbon-pollution-standards-for-modified-and-reconstructed-stationary-sources-electric-utility

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EPA Home » Carbon Pollution Standards » How to Comment on the Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule

How to Comment on the Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule

Public Hearings

EPA held public hearings on the proposed Clean Power Plan the week of July 28, 2014 in:
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Denver, CO
  • Pittsburgh, PA
  • Washington, DC
Comments on the Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule must be received by October 16, 2014. Be sure to reference Docket ID:
EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602
Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods:
  • Federal eRulemaking portal: Follow the online instructions for submitting comments
    Internet Explorer 8 and above users: If you are experiencing issues linking directly to the docket in the eRulemaking portal, try one of these methods:
  • Email A-and-R-Docket@epa.gov: Include docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602 in the subject line of the message
  • Fax: Fax your comments to: 202-566-9744.
  • Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mailcode 28221T, Attention Docket ID No. OAR–2013-0602, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460.
  • Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver your comments to: EPA Docket Center, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20460.  Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
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