~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Put coal exports On Trial in Washington ~~


Greenpeace
Help put coal exports on trial in Washington.
Coal train
Make a public comment today to stop the proposed Longview, WA coal terminal.
take action today

Big coal is trying to force through the largest coal export terminal in the U.S. right here in Longview, WA.
Sending coal exports through Longview would damage everything from our fragile ecosystem, to our health, to our climate.
We can’t let this facility get permitted. And now we have a chance to stop it. The public comment period has opened for the Longview proposal – giving us an official public opportunity to say NO to coal exports by voicing our concerns about its impacts.
And speaking up makes a difference. When Washingtonians like you submitted over 124,000 comments last fall on a coal export proposal just north of Bellingham, the agencies listened. We can do it again.
Please submit a comment today. Absolutely everyone needs to comment to help stop these terminals from moving forward.
If we allow these terminals in our state, we’ll be seen as one of the world’s largest exporters of climate-disrupting coal.
This is not us. We’re pioneering the clean energy revolution – building a stronger regional economy and developing clean energy solutions that work for the long haul. Let’s stand up against these dirty plans and demand a better, cleaner future for our children and our communities.
We must make it clear that we don’t want coal in Northwest or Southwest Washington. We don’t want it in Oregon. We don’t want it. Period. Please comment today.
Stopping coal exports isn’t just crucial for the Northwest. Around the globe, we must stop major new fossil fuel projects in order to prevent catastrophic climate change. That’s why Greenpeace is working to halt Arctic drilling, the Keystone XL Pipeline and coal export projects that threaten our planet’s future.
With your help, we can put the brakes on the coal industry’s plans for Washington.
Thank you for standing up for our state and our climate,
Kim Marks Greenpeace Washington Organizer
P.S. Don’t let coal exports threaten our health, our environment and our climate. Submit a comment against the Longview, WA coal export facility today.
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

UCS ~~ Tell UPS: Stop Supporting Big Oil’s Front Group!


 

 

 

Tell UPS: Send a message to UPS

Tell UPS to lead the way on oil savings solutions and drop their support for Big Oil’s front group.

Take Action Today!

 

Dear Activist,

As one of the nation’s largest delivery companies—with more than 96,000 vehicles in its fleet—United Parcel Service (UPS) is making a difference in reducing oil use by improving the efficiency of its trucks. Yet UPS continues to support Fueling California, an oil-industry funded effort to derail California’s clean fuels policy.

California’s policies serve as a model for reduced oil use across the nation—encouraging reductions in global warming emissions for every gallon of fuel used, helping ensure that less fuel is burned for each mile driven, and guiding the development of “smart” cities that allow people to drive less.

The oil industry is doing everything it can to slow down a transition to cleaner fuels in an effort to protect their bottom line, and they’re betting they can fool Americans by hiding behind companies like UPS. UPS shouldn’t tarnish its fuel-efficient image by being a member of Fueling California.

UPS needs to hear from citizens like you who support companies that take reducing their oil use seriously. Tell UPS to live up to its reputation as a fuel-efficient leader and stop supporting efforts to derail progress for California and the rest of the country.

Take Action Today!

Sincerely,

Rachel Cohen National Field Organizer Clean Vehicles Program Union of Concerned Scientists

Black History

the Senate S.1392,Energy Savings&Industrial Competitiveness Act ~~ CONGRESS ~~ the House HR2775,ACA stipulations


capitol21Bipartisan Legislation Would Strengthen Background Checks

At a press conference on Thursday, April 11, 2013, Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) unveiled bipartisan legislation to strengthen and enhance background checks for new purchasers of firearms.  “Failed”

The Senate stands in adjournment until 10:00am Tuesday, September 17, 2013.  Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until noon with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each with the Majority controlling the first 30 minutes and the Republicans controlling the next 30 minutes.

 Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1392, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act.

At 10:00am there will be a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the tragic mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard.

At 11:00am today the Senate will turn to Executive Session to consider the following nominations:

–          Executive Calendar #175, the nomination of Patricia E. Campbell-Smith, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims and;

–          Executive Calendar #176, the nomination of Elaine D. Kaplan, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims.

There will be up to 30 minutes for debate prior to votes on confirmation of the nominations. We expect a voice vote on the Campbell-Smith nomination and a roll call vote on the Kaplan nomination.

Following the vote on the Kaplan nomination, the Senate will recess until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

When the Senate reconvenes at 2:15pm we will resume consideration of the S.1392, the Energy Efficiency bill. We are trying to reach an agreement on a finite list of amendments to move forward on that legislation. Senator Vitter has an amendment dealing with the Affordable Care Act and certain congressional and administration staff. We would have a side by side or second degree amendment to his amendment. In order to reach an agreement to vote on Vitter’s amendment we would need a finite list of amendments to complete action on the bill.

12:02pm The Senate began a 15 minute roll call vote on confirmation of the nomination of Elaine D. Kaplan, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims;

Confirmed: 64-35

The Senate stands in recess until 2:15pm. Following recess, the there will be a period of morning business to allow Senators Udall (CO) and Bennet to talk about the flooding in Colorado.

At 2:30pm, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1392, Energy Efficiency.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTE

1)      Confirmation of Executive Calendar #176, the nomination of Elaine D. Kaplan, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims; Confirmed: 64-35

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.2775, the No Subsidies without Verification Act.

Began the Rule 14 process of H.R.2009, the Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013.

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1513, the High Technology Jobs Preservation Act of 2013. (Wyden/Murkowski)

Began the Rule 14 process of S.1514, the Saving Coal Jobs Act of 2013. (McConnell)

 

EXECUTIVE ITEMS

Confirmed the following:

Executive Calendar #175, the nomination of Patricia E. Campbell-Smith, of the District of Columbia, to be a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims by voice vote.

Executive Calendar #335 Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr. – to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana for the term of four years.

Executive Calendar #336, Jon T. Rymer, of Tennessee, to be Inspector General, Department of Defense.

Executive Calendar #337, Steve A. Linick, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of State.

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Last Floor Action: 9/17
7:30:51 P.M. – SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES –
The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded
to Special Order speeches.

The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on September 17, 2013

Last Floor Action: 9/17 12:03:08 P.M

. – The Speaker announced that the House do now recess.

The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. today.

Last Floor Action: 9/16
2:02:47 P.M. – The Speaker announced that
the House do now adjourn.

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~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Gemma Tillack, Rainforest Action Network


Call out companies using “Conflict Palm Oil”
Image Description

Today, I’m excited to announce Rainforest Action Network‘s ambitious new campaign to save some of the world’s most important rainforests and the last remaining wild orangutans from “Conflict Palm Oil.”
It’s called The Last Stand of the Orangutan, and it’s one of the biggest campaigns we’ve ever launched. We’re going after not one, not two, but 20 of the companies most responsible for putting Conflict Palm Oil into our food. We’ve dubbed these companies The Snack Food 20. They are the makers of some of the top name brands in the world, companies like PepsiCo, The Hershey Company and Kraft Foods Group, and they are using Conflict Palm Oil in their products. (See full list of companies below.)
We need your help right now to make sure this campaign starts with a bang that the Snack Food 20 can’t ignore.
Tell the Snack Food 20 that you demand they remove Conflict Palm Oil from our food.
Our campaign launched this morning in grand RAN style at the Chicago Board of Trade, the primary trading center for agricultural commodities, including palm oil. We publicly named the 20 snack food companies that RAN’s campaign will focus on and  unfurled a 15-foot banner reading, “Cut Conflict Palm Oil, Not Rainforests.” Several RAN supporters wore orangutan masks and held signs displaying the logos of the Snack Food 20 companies.

PHOTO: Snack Food 20 called out in Chicago for use of
Today’s demonstration was accompanied by the release of our new report, entitled Conflict Palm Oil: How US Snack Food Brands are Contributing to Orangutan Extinction, Climate Change and Human Rights Violations, which exposes the increasingly severe environmental and human rights problems caused by industrial palm oil production in Indonesia and Malaysia.
The demand for palm oil is skyrocketing—its use in the United States has grown nearly 500 percent in the past decade. And no wonder, since palm oil is in roughly half of all products on grocery store shelves. But this gives us, as consumers, incredible power to make change, too. If you speak up loudly enough, the Snack Food 20 will have to change the way they do business. The power is in your palm.


This really is the last stand for the world’s remaining wild orangutans. Only 60,600 orangutans remain in Sumatra and Borneo. Will you stand up with them?
After we convince the Snack Food 20 to cut Conflict Palm Oil from their products, it will have a cascade effect: The Snack Food 20 will have to demand truly responsible palm oil from their suppliers, and, in turn, palm oil suppliers like Cargill will have to demand that palm oil producers in Indonesia stop destroying rainforests, stop driving the orangutan to extinction, and stop trampling on human rights.
In the weeks ahead you can expect to hear a lot more from us about the ways you can plug in to The Last Stand of the Orangutan campaign both online and in the real world. We’re traveling across the US with our The Power Is In Your Palm Tour, visiting the hometowns of many of the Snack Food 20 companies and spreading the word about the critical problems with Conflict Palm Oil. We’re building a movement too loud to ignore.
Together, we will change the way palm oil is made and make sure no more orangutans are killed for snack foods. We have reached The Last Stand of the Orangutan, but it’s not too late. Stand with orangutans now by telling the Snack Food 20 to get Conflict Palm Oil out of their products.

For the great red ape,
Gemma Tillack             Senior Agribusiness Campaigner @ProbWithPalmOil

Introducing the Snack Food 20:

  • Campbell Soup Company
  • ConAgra Foods Inc.
  • Dunkin Brands
  • General Mills, Inc.
  • Grupo Bimbo
  • H.J. Heinz Company
  • Hillshire Brands Company
  • Hormel Foods Corp.
  • Kellogg Company
  • Kraft Foods Group
  • Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
  • Mars, Inc.
  • Mondelez International, Inc.
  • Nestlé
  • Nissin Food Holdings
  • PepsiCo
  • The Hershey Company
  • The JM Smucker Company
  • Unilever
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

News … the other Washington


ONE YEAR INTO MANDATORY PAID SICK TIME, A LOOK AT IMPACT ON BUSINESS

On Tuesday, the Main Street Alliance of Washington released a report stating that the new paid sick time ordinance has not hindered the Seattle–King County economy. In fact, the number of businesses in Seattle has continued to grow in services and retail, and the volume of sales has continued to grow, according to the Alliance’s Marilyn Watkins. Three small business owners championed the paid sick time law as they gathered on Tuesday at the unveiling of the report’s results. Makini Howell of Plum Bistro, Jody Hall of Cupcake Royale, and Joe Fugere of Tutta Bella all said the law hasn’t stopped them from expanding.  They acknowledged an increase in business expense but said it’s very minimal.

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New SPD oversight director outlines a way forward

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Walleye pollock show some behavioral problems when exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide. That raises concern about the North Pacific's $1 billion-a-year pollock fishery, which accounts for half the nation's catch of fish.  Click on Photo for complete storyPDF of today's Seattle Times front page

STEVE RINGMAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

 Walleye pollock show some behavioral problems when exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide.
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Results Washington
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PARTICIPATE

Keeping track in Olympia
Find your lawmakers and track bills in the state Legislature. Legislative Guide

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On Tuesday, Progressive Radio Northwest is launching the first in a series of monthly get-togethers to meet each other, mingle and discuss issues central to our mission of bringing progressive radio back to the region. We hope to have a speaker at each session and look forward to engaging in a wide variety of lively topics.

First session:  Tuesday, September 24

7:00 to 9:00 pm

Topic:  “Corporate Media and the Demise of Progressive Talk:

Lack of Listeners or Political Suppression?”

Geov Parrish, Guest Speaker

 

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