"Tennesseans treasure our mountaintops and millions of visitors come every year to enjoy them, spending billions of dollars and creating thousands of jobs."
-- Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) on Tennessee Gov. Bredesen's request to put the Cumberland Mountains off limits to mountaintop removal coal mining.
In this issue:
1) Take Action: Save the Gray Wolf
2) Take Action: Break the Gridlock
3) Politics: Paid For By Big Oil
4) Go Green: That's an Order
1) Take Action: Save the Gray Wolf
In the wake of a recent court decision that placed wolves back under the protection of the Endangered Species Act, some members of Congress are introducing legislation to remove protections for wolves, and weaken the Endangered Species Act. If any of these various bills were to gain traction and pass, it would jeopardize the integrity of one of our country's most cherished and important laws.
Tell your representatives to stand strong behind the Endangered Species Act and the gray wolf!
Photo courtesy of USFWS
2) Take Action: Break the Gridlock
Nearly 400 legislative bills that have passed the House of Representatives have been blocked or prevented from debate by obstructionists in the Senate. This includes a comprehensive climate bill that passed the House only to die in the Senate.
The allies of Big Oil and Coal are going too far -- abusing a system that was designed to protect the rights of the minority, not polluting corporations. Only by fixing the Senate rules can we keep these obstructionists from standing in the way.
Contact your Senators today and urge them to support rule changes to get the Senate working again!
3) Fall Football: And Coal Ash? With more than 2,000 coal ash sites across the country, this toxic waste is everywhere. And it’s affecting all types of people, from Average Joes to the Pros. Check out this new video featuring Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli. The eco-athlete speaks out about how important it is to protect our kids from toxic coal ash. |
4) Go Green: That's an Order
From portable solar panels, to hybrid Navy vessels, to geothermal cooling systems, the military is pushing to quickly move beyond dangerous fossil fuels. With attacks on fuel supply lines continuing to cause causalities the military sees the switch to cleaner energy as a necessary way to save lives. It could also save money and give American troops a distinct tactical advantage by ending the need to return to fuel centers.
Read more about the decision here.