Citizens Groups Call for More Action, Less Lip Service from Gov. Snyder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News from Clean Energy Now

March 13, 2015

Contact: Marissa Luna, 989-798-3051, marissa@engagemichigan.org

Citizens Groups Call for More Action, Less Lip Service from Gov. Snyder

Governor must set specific renewable energy, energy efficiency policies

WARREN – Today, Governor Rick Snyder presented his Special Message on Energy, outlining his vision for Michigan’s energy future over the next 10 years. He highlighted the need to reduce utilities over reliance on coal, increase utilities use of renewable energy, and reduce energy waste as the best way to protect public health and preserve Michigan’s Great Lakes and environment, but did not put forward any specific policy suggestions.

“Governor Snyder needs to set clear and measurable energy standards to make the potential goals that he outlined in his energy message actually happen. For over two years now, the governor has talked about his energy framework for Michigan. Now is the time for action,” said Mike Berkowitz, legislative & political director for the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “The reason utilities generate 9 percent of their energy from renewable sources is because of the laws passed in 2008 requiring it. We need a Renewable Energy Standard and Energy Optimization Standard in order to ensure that utilities continue decreasing energy waste and increasing clean energy generation. We didn’t get that from the governor today.”

Michigan’s current renewable energy standard requires that utilities generate 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources by the end of the year — a target that utilities are on track to meet at a lower cost than initially projected. A study released this year by the University of Michigan’s Energy Institute found that utilities are capable of reaching a 40 percent renewable energy standard by 2035.

Additionally, many of Michigan’s old, expensive and obsolete coal-fired power plants are reaching, or have already reached, the end of their life spans and will soon need to close down.

“Michigan is at a crossroads and we have a moral obligation to choose the path that protects our children and future generations from the danger and cost of environmental destruction,” said Alexis Blizman, policy director for the Ecology Center. “Our elected leaders have a choice: protect our clean air and drinking water, or allow destructive industries to sacrifice our health and our kids’ future.”

On March 3, Michigan House and Senate Democrats voiced support for increasing the state's renewable energy standard to 20 percent by 2022. Two days later, Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) introduced an eight-bill package that would corrupt Michigan’s renewable energy standard by classifying burning hazardous waste as renewable energy and repeal the state’s energy optimization standards for both electric and natural gas utilities.

Clearly, Governor Snyder now needs to lay out clear and defined goals. Today, as with the last three years, the governor’s speech had a lot of rhetoric but no substance,” said Eric Keller, campaigns director for Michigan Clean Water Action. “What we need is for the Governor and our elected officials to lead the way. This means first being leaders themselves and going beyond rhetoric and the bare minimum.”

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Clean Energy Now is a coalition of groups that supports policies that will move Michigan beyond coal power and toward greater use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency as a way to protect public health, the environment, and build prosperity. Follow the campaign at CleanEnergyNowMI.org.

K’zoo County Manure Spill Bolsters Call for DEQ to Ban Winter Spreading

Environmental Disaster Highlights Need for Agricultural Reform in Michigan

Media Contact: Gail Philbin, gail.philbin@sierraclub.org, 312-493-2384

Lansing, Mich.-- A massive manure spill encroaching on water, wildlife and residents in Kalamazoo County underscores the urgency to revamp our agricultural system, just days after Less=More brought together 140 farmers, consumers and advocates to chart a path to a safer food future during Michigan State University’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Week.

VDS Farms, LLC, a dairy permitted by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) under the Clean Water Act,  spread manure on frozen and snow-covered fields near Fulton that began thawing in warmer temperatures this week. This led to a waste-infused snow melt spilling onto a county roadway and into roadside ditches, area wetlands, and private property earlier this week. 

Last year, Less=More joined dozens of other agriculture and environmental advocates in calling for the DEQ to ban the application of waste on frozen and snow-covered ground, which is currently allowed in the agency’s general water quality permit for CAFOs like VDS Farms. The DEQ is considering changes to that permit as part of a five-year renewal process, but it hasn’t made a decision yet and has favored voluntary compliance over banning the practice up to this point.

“Under DEQ’s current permits this isn’t an uncommon practice at this time of year as factory farms empty their lagoons that have been collecting millions of gallons of animal waste over the winter,” said Lynn Henning of Socially Responsible Agricultural Project, a Less=More member. “It’s also not uncommon to have spills like this that threaten environmental and public health.  This kind of waste runoff is part of the reason we had poisoned drinking water from Lake Erie last summer.”

An algal bloom fueled by phosphorus runoff led to the growth of a toxin in August 2014 that made water from Lake Erie undrinkable for nearly a half-million people in and around Toledo for two days.

“Clearly, asking CAFO operators to voluntarily use their judgment as to when it’s not a good time to spread on frozen or snow-covered ground isn’t working,” said Sandy Nordmark, a farmer and member of Less=More.  “Banning winter waste application is a no-brainer. In fact, these are industrial facilities and they should be regulated as such.”

VDS Farms was one of the facilities cited in Restoring the Balance to Michigan’s Farming Landscape, Less=More’s 2013 report on the relationship between factory farm pollution and Farm Bill subsidies in Michigan (available at http://tinyurl.com/Less-MoreReport). VDS has a history of non-compliance with environmental regulations. The DEQ sued the operation in 2007 for violation of state laws and permits related to the protection of water quality. Other documented offenses included groundwater contamination in 2009 and fines and penalties of $40,000 in 2001.

“We need people concerned about sustainable agriculture and healthy food to speak up when state agencies are changing rules that govern how industrial scale farming is done,” said Gail Philbin, director of Sierra Club Michigan, a Less=More member. “There is a host of things that go on behind the scenes—like the subsidies for factory farms that Less=More is targeting-- that affect the kind of food we have access to as consumers.”

Less=More is a sustainable agriculture coalition comprised of national, state and local organizations, farmers and consumers. The March 9 Farming Our Future: The Forces and Faces of 21^st Century Agriculture conference hosted by Less=More gave urban and rural sustainable agriculture practitioners, researchers, lawyers, and other experts the opportunity to explore the state of farming today and answer the question: How did we get to the point where the way we raise our food can actually endanger our health rather than promote it? Speakers discussed how to move beyond our industrial agriculture system, spotlighting emerging trends, innovative projects, and programs that support sustainable farmers. They also urged greater citizen engagement in the processes and programs that determine who gets to farm and how they farm.

For more information about Less=More, visit www.MoreforMichigan.org.  To sign up to get email updates about the coalition’s work, email gail.philbin@sierraclub.org.

House Republican Bill Package Proposes to Corrupt Michigan's Renewable Energy Standard

News from Progress Michigan

March 5, 2015

Bills would also repeal Energy Optimization standard despite documented cost savings

MICHIGAN – Today, Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) introduced an eight-bill package that would undermine Michigan’s renewable energy standard by classifying incinerating hazardous waste as renewable energy and repeal the state’s energy optimization standards for both electric and natural gas utilities.

Rep. Nesbitt’s announcement comes after House and Senate Democrats voiced support to double the amount of electricity that utilities are required to produce from legitimate renewable energy sources, like wind and solar.

“Michigan’s renewable energy standards have been a great success in protecting public health, our Great Lakes, and our air. Utilities are on track to reach the current 10 percent renewable energy goal by the end of this year,” said Mike Berkowitz, legislative & political director at the Sierra Club. “Now is the time for our state elected officials to increase Michigan’s renewable energy standard, not undo the progress we’ve made by attempting to disguise pollution as clean energy.”

The proposal to repeal of the energy optimization standard contradicts both Governor Snyder’s stated support for eliminating energy waste and the outstanding success of the current measures in saving ratepayers money.

“This is a nonsensical proposal that will actually hurt Michigan’s utility customers by driving up the cost of energy bills,” said Jim Dulzo, senior energy policy specialist at the Michigan Land Use Institute. “Why anyone would think this is a good idea is hard to fathom.”

“These bills are just another attempt by corporate polluters to maximize their own profits at the expense of Michiganders’ health, said Alexis Blizman, legislative & policy director at the Ecology Center. “Legislators should be prioritizing more investments in renewable energy like wind and solar that doesn’t create pollution and threaten public health, not siding with fossil fuel industries.”

“Michigan has a long history of renewable energy innovation and our representatives should continue to lead in developing clean, cutting edge renewable energy technology,” said Nic Clark, executive director of Michigan Clean Water Action.

Last month, a poll conducted by EPIC-MRA found that 60 percent of Michigan residents support increasing the state’s renewable energy standard.

The undersigned groups oppose this package of legislation:

Ecology Center, Michigan Clean Water Action, Sierra Club, Michigan Land Use Institute, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, and Keweenaw Renewable Energy Coalition.

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Sierra Club Announces Intent of Sue Lansing Board of Water and Light for 3,500 Violations of Clean Air Act

LBWL has failed to act for nearly a year since Sierra Club put utility on notice

LANSING, Michigan -- At a press event today, Sierra Club officials made public a letter and notice of intent to sue Lansing Board of Water & Light (LBWL) for its more than 3,500 self-reported violations of the federal Clean Air Act at the utility’s Erickson and Eckert coal plants. LBWL has not acted to correct these violations for nearly a year since receiving the Sierra Club’s notice, posing a serious threat to the community’s health.The Clean Air Act provides for civil penalties of up to $37,500 per violation.

“The people of Lansing own this utility, and they deserve to know how it’s operating,” said Anne Woiwode, conservation director for the Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter. “Lansing Board of Water & Light officials have known about these violations for years, but have failed to address them. It’s time to face this pollution problem and create a responsible plan to transition away from these polluting, aging coal plants.”

Air pollution from burning coal triggers respiratory problems like asthma attacks, nervous system disorders, and cardiovascular problems. Over time, exposure can lead to permanent lung damage and even premature death. The Lansing neighborhoods in close proximity to the LBWL plants experience the highest asthma hospitalization rates, according to the Ingham County Health Department.

The Sierra Club estimates that LBWL is polluting more sulfur dioxide per unit of electricity than the whole fleet of coal plants operated by DTE, ranked No 1. among the top 100 nationwide power producers for sulfur pollution per unit of electricity, according to a 2014 CERES report (the methodology of which Sierra Club used in its calculations).

“It’s staggering to think that these coal plants pollute at a rate that outpaces one of the worst corporate polluters in the country,” said Regina Strong, director of the Beyond Coal Campaign in Michigan. “The board of commissioners should choose to replace these coal-burning plants with Michigan-based renewable energy that doesn't endanger our air.”

For more information on the impacts of LBWL’s pollution and a computer modeled map showing its potential reach, click here.

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Sierra Club Response to Democratic Leadership's Energy Policy Announcement

Contact: Mike Berkowitz
248-345-9808
mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org

"Today’s announcement by Democratic leaders that they endorse policies increasing renewable energy and energy efficiency is encouraging and we strongly welcome their proposal" said Mike Berkowitz, Legislative Director of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. "Michigan is falling behind as other states create new economic opportunities and well paid jobs through energy efficiency efforts and by developing clean, low-carbon energy technologies. Michigan is in an excellent position to be part of the wave of innovation as we transition away from dirty, expensive fossil fuels and that’s why we applaud the Democratic proposal and look forward to working with all lawmakers on legislation that will boldly claim clean energy as a Michigan priority.”

See the Democratic leadership announcement here.

Groups Call for Healthy Lake Erie Free from Harmful Algal Blooms

Contact: Melissa Damaschke, Sierra Club melissa.damaschke@sierraclub.org, (313) 965-0055

Alliance for the Great Lakes •  Environmental Defence Canada  •  Environmental Law & Policy Center •  Freshwater Future  •  Lake Erie Charter Boat Association  • Lake Erie Improvement Association  •  Lake Erie Waterkeeper  •  The Nature Conservancy – Ohio  •  National Wildlife Federation • Ohio Environmental Council  •  Sierra Club 

(Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015) Washington, DC – The Great Lakes Commission, an interstate agency with representatives appointed by the governors and premiers of all Great Lakes states and provinces, meets today in Washington, DC about six months after nearly 500,000 residents of the Toledo area faced a drinking water ban lasting more than two days because a massive toxic algal bloom made water from Lake Erie unsafe to drink.

Even though the region is firmly in winter’s grip, spring is on its way and the same factors that lead to the toxic algal blooms each summer in western Lake Erie will return once again. Even more concerning: thanks to previous damage to the lake, the impacts of invasive zebra and quagga mussels that exacerbate pollution problems, and the effects of a changing climate, the nutrient problem will likely get worse if we do nothing.

It is unacceptable that Lake Erie has been polluted so significantly that drinking water for approximately 11 million Americans and Canadians is at risk. Fortunately, this problem is not out of our control. It is preventable.

Report after report by leading university researchers and government agencies shows that the science is clear: dissolved phosphorus from agricultural runoff is driving the resurgence of harmful algal blooms. We call on the governors and premiers to commit to at least a 40 percent reduction in phosphorus, with an emphasis on reducing agricultural sources. This reduction commitment must be accompanied by a clear timetable with a firm deadline, clear milestones, and a monitoring plan to measure progress and help agencies adjust programs, if needed, to ensure deadlines are met.

Starting tomorrow, residents from around the region head to Capitol Hill as part of the annual Great Lakes Days to call on Congress to fund important programs that would help reduce farm field and urban runoff into the lakes. We will be voicing our support for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, State Revolving Funds to stop sewer overflows and improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, and regional Farm Bill conservation funds. These programs are an important part of efforts to reduce phosphorus flowing into the Great Lakes and around the country. But much more needs to be done.

The Great Lakes region has come together again and again in a uniquely bi-partisan manner to do what is right for the lakes. And, we can do it again. Until our lakes are free of harmful algal blooms, our economy, drinking water and way of life are in jeopardy. The time for action is now. The health of our lakes and our region depend on it.

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Lake Erie’s Poisoned Water & Other Impacts of Modern Agriculture

March 9 Conference Explores How We Got Here and How to Move Forward

Less=More Coalition Convenes Experts, Farmers and Consumers during MSU Ag & Natural Resources Week

What:                    Farming Our Future: The Forces and Faces of 21st Century Agriculture

When:                  Monday, March 9, 2015, 9am‐4pm (registration opens 8am)

Where:                 Kellogg Center Auditorium, 219 S. Harrison, East Lansing

Admission:          $25 general; $20 students with school ID (admission includes lunch)

Register:              http://tinyurl.com/FarmingOurFuture

More info:          http://michigan.sierraclub.org/calendar/LESS=MORE_Conference.html  

Questions:          gail.philbin@sierraclub.org

Lansing, MI— Last summer’s water crisis in Lake Erie still ripples in today's headlines. Fed by farm runoff, the toxic algal bloom that poisoned Toledo's water for two days inspired the recent announcement of the USDA’s $370 million Regional Conservation Partnership Program to help prevent waste and fertilizer runoff in Michigan and other states.  It also motivated  citizens’ groups and environmental advocates to push the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality at its Jan. 21 meeting to toughen regulations in the state's water pollution permit for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), which is currently under review.

Lake Erie’s health will also underscore everything discussed at Farming Our Future: The Forces and Faces of 21st Century Agriculture, a groundbreaking conference  March  9 at Michigan State University during MSU’s historic Agriculture and Natural Resources Week.  Presented by the sustainable agriculture Less=More Coalition, Farming Our Future will channel diverse national, regional and local conversations about the environmental, economic and social impacts of modern agriculture into a comprehensive forum to facilitate joint efforts to build a better food system.  It will explore the political, legal, and historical forces that shape farming in Michigan today and how to chart a path to a more sustainable food system. 

The conference will feature keynote addresses by Tim Gibbons, communications director of the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, and Danielle Nierenberg, president of Food Tank in Chicago, and will bring together agricultural policy and legal experts, farmers, consumers and researchers in two panel discussions including:

·         Dr. M. Jahi Chappell, director of agroecology and agriculture policy at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

·         Pete Kennedy, president of the Farm-to‐Consumer Legal Defense Fund

·         Phil Howard, an associate professor in Michigan State University’s Department of Community Sustainability

·         Joe Maxwell, a hog farmer and vice president of outreach & engagement at The Humane Society of the United States

·         Michelle Jackson, a fourth‐generation African American urban farmer in Detroit

·         Michael Vanderbrug, a sustainable farmer and agricultural operations director in the community outreach department of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

The conference takes place from 9am‐4pm Monday, March 9, at the Kellogg Center Auditorium, 219 S. Harrison, East Lansing. Admission is $25; $20 for students (with school ID). To register, visit: http://tinyurl.com/FarmingOurFuture.  For an agenda and more information about the conference, visit http://michigan.sierraclub.org/calendar/LESS=MORE_Conference.html