Where there's a Will, there's a way

The Auto Alliance, a lobbying front group for the auto industry, announced today the addition of a new celebrity member to their lobbying team, Count Floyd. Alliance CEO Dave McCurdy lauded the addition saying, "We think Count Floyd is the perfect fit for our legislative strategy."

Count Floyd, formerly host of Monster Chiller Horror Theater, introduced scary movies that often turned out not to be so scary after all.

The Auto Alliance has made many of its own scary predictions about the Illinois Clean Car Act. If industry lobbyists are to be trusted (and goodness knows they should be) farmers will starve, car dealers will go out of business and no one will be able to buy a pickup truck in Illinois ever again. These predictions are sure to come true just as previous industry predictions about the calamity that would result from federal requirements that the industry use seat belts, air bags, and improve mileage standards all came true.

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The Kelm and Kirk show on WMAY interviewed an auto industry lobbyist this morning about the Illinois Clean Car Act. I should have called in before their guest because they only took one caller afterwards and it wasn't me. On the other hand, I did win free tickets to the Hot Rod Super Nationals for being the first caller to know what CARB stands for, (California Air Resources Board). Woohoo!

Their main objection to the bill (and an argument used frequently by the auto industry) seemed to be that it would have us follow the standards set by CALIFORNIA! (Start playing scary music now).

That's right, big bad scary California where they have horrible things like hippie tree huggers and liberal Hollywood elites! Wooah! Scary isn't it?!

As a little background for anyone who doesn't read my blog regularly, federal law allows California (and no other state) to set its own auto emissions standards beyond the minimum set at the federal level. Other states can join onto the California standards and fourteen have so far. Illinois could choose to opt out of the California standards at any point in the future if CARB suddenly proposed that we all have to drive foot peddled Flinstones cars or something else unbearable.

The lobbyists from the Alliance of Auto Manufacturers used one of their common scare tactics by claiming that the standards could halt ethanol production. To set the record straight, Karen May had a chart at her press conference yesterday showing at least 20 flex fuel vehicles currently on the market that meet the California standards. For more details you can read this letter from CARB answering a Minnesota State Senator's questions about how the standards would impact biofuels. And here's an analysis of consumer savings under the Act put together by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

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I'll veer off into national news because I think this video from a CNN interview is important.

This video, along with the Scott McClellan interviews about how the press failed to do its job during the lead up to the Iraq War, confirm what Noam Chomsky and many others have said about the myth of the liberal media and the dominant pro-corporate bias in the press. If there ever was such a thing as a liberal media, there's no doubt that "liberal bias" is now nothing but a ploy used to skew press coverage to the right.

Corporate ownership and revenue sources are the most important factors influencing media bias. News outlets should be forced to publicly release their advertising revenue sources and the financial interests of their parent companies in the same way that political candidates report their campaign contributions. If campaign contributions from a defense contractor influence how a politician votes then why wouldn't ownership by a defense contractor (like GE) and advertising revenue from a defense contractor influence the way a company reports the news?

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I went to a press conference this morning held by State Representative Karen May, the chief sponsor of the Illinois Clean Car Bill. She spoke about the poll showing 90% support for the bill and her desire to have a vote within the next week.

Several Representatives spoke about their experience owning and trying to buy hybrid cars. Karen May told of being put on a waiting list, not getting the chance to take a test drive and being discouraged from buying one. Rep. Mike Boland was put on a waiting list to get an American union-made hybrid sent directly from Detroit. They had interns call auto dealers around the state and found that most don't carry hybrids at all or have long waiting lists. Just last week I had two people tell me how difficult it was to buy a hybrid in Springfield. They even had dealers try to talk them out of it.

This is important because auto industry lobbyists are telling legislators that the Clean Car Bill will limit consumer choice. These lobbyists live in a bizarro world where consumers, given the option of two nearly identical vehicles, will pick the one that pollutes more and gets worse gas mileage. Here in the real world, auto manufactures are not meeting consumer demand for hybrids and higher mileage cars.

The fourteen states that already signed onto the higher standards are first priority for getting lower emissions cars, including hybrids. By making Illinois the 15th state, the Clean Car Bill will provide consumers with the options they're asking for.

A Chicago news station recently did a good story about this problem.

Also during the press conference Susana Mendoza (who drives a Prius) and several other legislators mentioned the large number of post cards and phone calls they received in favor of the Clean Car Bill. Republican Rep. Beth Coulson spoke about the health effects auto emissions have on children and asthmatics. I can feel my asthma bother me when I'm breathing in the fumes during heavy traffic in Chicago so I can appreciate a bill that will result in fewer children having that problem.

Downstate Rep. Naomi Jakobsson was there showing that the bill has support around the state and across party lines. As gas prices continue to rise I'm sure voters will remember in November who stood with 90% of the public and who stood with the oil industry special interests.

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Sangamon County Democratic State's Attorney candidate Ron Stradt showed some guts by proposing what the public needs but none of the political establishment wants; a political corruption unit in Springfield. The SJR has an article and there's more information at Stradt's website.

When it comes to political corruption in Sangamon County you have to believe either one of two things.

1) There's no political corruption in the Capital City of Illinois

2) State's Attorney John Schmidt is failing to do his job by looking the other way at corruption.

You'd be a fool to believe number one.

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The Clean Car Bill is shaping up to be the top priority of Illinois environmental groups in this year's state legislative session. A poll commissioned last week by a coalition of groups called the Illinois Climate Action Network shows 89% of Illinois residents support the Clean Car Act even with more up front costs for vehicles. This is an issue where overwhelming public opinion and good policy are pitted against short sighted, wealthy special interests.

It amazes me that so many legislators are still siding with the oil and auto industries with gas prices over $4.00 per gallon. The oil industry approach of fighting emissions and mileage standards has failed, and their outrageous doomsday scenarios about the disasters that will result from more regulation don't stand up to the facts.

You can download the complete results for the poll here.

One part I find interesting is strong support for the Clean Car Act among union households despite the United Auto Workers short sighted decision to stand with the auto manufacturers. The UAW leadership needs to take notice that their members who make over-sized gas guzzlers are the ones losing their jobs right now. Environmental regulations aren't the problem. Frankly, the UAW national leadership owes their members an apology for years of standing beside industry CEO's who fought the very fuel economy standards that might have saved more American jobs. When are they going to stop repeating the same mistakes?

Below is a copy of the press release about the poll from ICAN:

Illinois Climate Action Network
Illinois CAN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2008

ILLINOIS RESIDENTS SEE CLEAN CARS AS SOLUTION TO HIGH GAS PRICES
89% of State in Favor of Paying More Up Front to Save Even More Later

Chicago, IL – From Cairo to Carol Stream, from Collinsville to Charleston, Illinois residents are saying loud and clear that they want cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars. In a statewide poll conducted by InTouch, a remarkable 89% of people surveyed said they support or strongly support the idea of paying $1,000 more for a new car at the time of purchase if they can recoup those costs in gas savings within two years. Even more remarkable is that 65% of those surveyed put themselves in the “strongly support” column.

The poll comes just days before an expected crucial vote in the Illinois House of Representatives on House Bill 3424, sponsored by Karen May (D-Highwood). The legislation would require Illinois to adopt the Clean Car Standards already in effect in 14 other states nationwide. These standards are significantly stricter than those of the federal government, and include a landmark regulation of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas most responsible for global warming. The worse the fuel efficiency, the more carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted—so as cars use less gas, they emit less CO2.

When compared to the recently-revised federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, 85% of respondents support requiring stronger standards that would take effect more quickly. The Clean Car Standards will be phased in over an eight-year period; the average fuel economy for passenger cars will start at six miles more per gallon than under the new CAFE program and will increase to 9.5 miles per gallon more in the final year. By 2020, the Clean Car Standards will save Illinois drivers nearly $1.9 billion in fuel costs compared to the new federal CAFE standards. Moreover, by reducing demand for gasoline, the Clean Car Standards will help keep gas prices in check.

Noteworthy in this election year was the finding that 73% of those surveyed said they would be more likely to support a candidate who votes in favor of adopting the Clean Car Standards, while only 11% who would support a candidate opposed to the legislation.

“In this era of $4/gallon gas, people need long-term help,” said Howard A. Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “Adopting the Clean Car Standards is a true win-win-win: Good for our economy, good for our environment, and good for our respiratory health.”

“We commend Rep. May for her leadership on this important issue,” added Rebecca Stanfield, state director of Environment Illinois. “Now it’s time for the entire General Assembly to sit up and take notice. Our state’s residents are on record saying they want cleaner, more fuel efficient cars.”

“Between now and 2020, global warming pollution will be reduced by around 40% more in Illinois under the Clean Car Standards than the new CAFE program,” said Ron Burke, Director of the Midwest Office for the Union of Concerned Scientists, a national group. “Plus, the new CAFE program does nothing more to reduce smog-forming pollutants, which will be cut under the Clean Car Standards.”

Jack Darin, director of the Sierra Club’s Illinois chapter, added, “What’s so encouraging about the poll results is that they’re close to uniform statewide. Adopting the Clean Car Standards totally unites our state. Urban folks, rural folks—everyone wants more fuel efficient, cleaner cars, SUVs, and pick-ups.”

Of note is that the $1,000 incremental cost for a vehicle complying with the Clean Car Standards will not be reached until model year 2016. The additional costs will be lower in earlier years, meaning that drivers will recoup those dollars even more quickly through fuel savings.

The Clean Car Standards are supported by a wide range of constituencies. For example, poll results were identical in union and non-union households, with a slightly higher proportion of union respondents saying they would gladly foot a higher bill for a new car up front, in exchange for lower gas prices down the road.

InTouch conducted the poll of 1,798 residents on May 22, 2008. Its margin of error is +-2.31%.

The poll was commissioned by the Environmental Law and Policy Center, Environment Illinois, Sierra Club, Illinois Chapter, and the Union of Concerned Scientists. The groups are members of the Illinois Climate Action Network.

The mission of the Illinois Climate Action Network is to advocate for the policies necessary in Illinois to reduce global warming pollution to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Illinois CAN member groups are: CNTEnergy, Environment Illinois, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Faith in Place, Illinois Environmental Council, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Natural Resources Defense Council, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, Sierra Club, Protestants for the Common Good, The Nature Conservancy and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

For more information about Illinois CAN and the Illinois Clean Cars Act, visit
www.illinoisclimateactionnetwork.org.

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Andy Van Meter's nominations for county boards and commissions are an unsurprising list of the politically connected and re-nominations of people previously hand picked by leaders from both parties. I toyed with several analogies that describe how nothing has changed despite the public application process and finally decided to list several of my favorites.

Putting lipstick on a pig

New paint on an old barn

Dog & pony show

Chairman Van Mao's Potemkin village of reform

A Trojan Horse of patronage appointees

Feel free to add your own in the comments.

Meanwhile, the SJR's editorial returned to the paper's usual approach to covering patronage and pay-to-play politics in county government.

Does anyone else find it odd how quickly the paper backtracked and decided that open government was the only issue of concern with the Sanitary Board?

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I enjoy reading about American political history and biography more than anything else. There are periods in American history that I used to think were boring and largely uneventful. It wasn't until after college that I realized those periods only seemed boring because of the way basic history is taught. When textbooks focus on the actions of Presidents and wars then some time periods, such as post-Reconstruction through World War 1 and the 1920's, appear insignificant.

In fact, those periods only appear uneventful because they were mostly filled with conservative, mediocre Presidents who did little more than maintain the status quo established by the business leaders of their day. After scratching beneath the surface I found that the real excitement was in the popular political movements and activist leaders of the time. Many of my favorite books on American history about people like Mother Jones, William Jennings Bryan, Jane Addams and Eugene Debs all cover years that once bored me.

That's what motivated me to pick up a new book called Defying Dixie: The Radical Roots of Civil Rights, 1919-1950 by Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore. I'm fascinated by the desperate, pioneering courage of those early civil rights leaders who risked the most to fight back. The introduction describes it as "a history in which ideas are embodied in a collective biography of activist black and white Southerners."

I hate writing reviews so instead I'm going to write my thoughts after each chapter or two of reading. I don't know how often or quickly I'll read it so posts may be sporadic. A few people were nice enough to make purchases from Powell's Books through my website link so I used the small commission to buy this book. Thank you! You can also check out some of my favorites on my bookshelf.

To further prove what a tremendous dork I am, I'm going to listen to music recorded in the years covered by the book while I'm reading. Call it mood music. Right now its Birth of the Cool by Miles Davis recorded in 1949. Each time I write I'll let people know what I'm listening to.

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Here are links to the images of coffins that George Bush didn't want the public to see.
IVAW is one of the most important organizations in the country right now.

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I went to the Smoky Mountains without my laptop last week. One day of hiking was to Charlie's Bunion, along the Appalachian Trail. Its one of the most impressive views of the park. I might post more pictures later. These are all clickable thumbnails.

An oriole I think.

A lot of these little guys were around. Anyone know what they are?

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I just read that Utah Phillips died today. He was the scheduled performer for the Mother Jones banquet at UIS last year but he couldn't attend due to poor health. Read this article if you don't know who he is.

When I took a job as an organizer for SEIU I decided to study up on labor history and music. I bought an interesting looking CD by a guy I'd never heard of called "We Have Fed You All A Thousand Years." It was a live recording of a Utah Phillips concert that turned out to be the perfect introduction to labor folk songs. He had a voice that grabbed you and told fun stories with each song. After two missed opportunities I never did get to hear him play in person.

If you listen to local musician Tom Irwin, once in a while, you'll hear him play a train song by Utah. Maybe he'll play one this Sunday.

Here's a video of Utah playing one of the songs on that CD I bought.

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Happy national bike to work day! It was back on May 16 but I haven't had a chance to post since then. I didn't ride much over the winter or early spring so I had to dust off my helmet and inflate Bettie's tires. Thankfully, its an easy ride since I live close to work.

When I ran for county board there were two neighborhood issues people brought up most often. First, people want a grocery store in their own neighborhood instead of being forced to drive to the edge of town. Second, people liked that I mentioned bike trails on my campaign baseball card. Even people who don't ride their bike like the idea that they could start riding more someday. Not all of them will actually follow through, but some would if Springfield were more biker friendly.

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A yard sign I recently spotted in Southern Illinois.

I wonder what He's running for this year.

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Here's the trailer for the next Liberty Brew & View movie, Our Brand is Crisis. Its showing Tuesday, May 20. 7:00pm at Capital City Bar & Grill. Diane Lopez Hughes will speak and lead a group discussion after the film. Its one that will definitely have people talking.

The June 17th movie will be Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price.

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One of the scenes in An Inconvenient Truth that made an impression on many people was the graphic of a drowning polar bear searching for ice to land on. Since then many environmental groups decided that the polar bear is the cute and cuddly mascot they need for fund raising and membership appeals about global warming and wildlife protection.

Frankly, I'm tired of hearing about polar bears. I get a new mailing or email with pictures of cute polar bears almost every week and sometimes two or three times a week for the past year. The latest were from the Wildlife Federation and a Sierra Club mailing to an old address. The threats to human beings if nothing is done about global warming are numerous including more severe natural disasters and disease epidemics. The Union of Concerned Scientists issued a report saying that in future decades Illinois farm land could look more like Oklahoma if nothing is done.

Despite all the threats to humans what I keep seeing highlighted in these mailings is the polar bear. You know something about polar bears? They eat people! That's right. They're one of the few animals that sees a human and thinks "lunch." Think about that the next time you see a stuffed polar bear toy.

(This animal will eat you)

There's actually a smart legal rationale behind focusing on the polar bear. If global warming threatens polar bear extinction then the Endangered Species Act becomes another avenue to get the government to take action to reduce global warming emissions.

After being ordered by a judge to stop dragging their feet, the Interior Department finally added the polar bear to the endangered species list today, but there are questions about how serious they are about protection.

Ok, I don't actually want polar bears to drown. I just think its time for environmental groups to find something new to mail me about. Enough with the polar bears already!

I'm using the free return address labels and I'm not sending them money. And while we're on the topic, why are environmental groups sending me so much paper in the mail? Yes, its all on recycled paper but if I respond to anything it will be an email, not a 20th century snail mail. I feel better now that I got that off my chest.

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The State Journal-Register reported on Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter's new appointments to the Springfield Metro Sanitary District Board. Previous appointments were part of a patronage sharing agreement between the two parties and presumably the new application process is meant to open up appointments beyond those cashing in on political favors.

With that in mind I decided to look up the political contribution history of the appointees at the Illinois Board of Elections website. When I've done this in the past it was rare to find an appointee or county contractor who hadn't donated to one party or the other.

Has the new application process changed things? Not at all.

One gave large donations to Davlin, Libri, Hasara and others.
One appointee made major contributions to several state and local Democrats including $500 to Tim Timoney's political fund.
At first I didn't find anything on John Pasko other than old donations to Al Salvi and George Ryan (plus a few other contributions by his business) until I discovered that he was the immediate past President of IMSCAPAC, which is a political PAC that represents the "Mechanical Service Industry." IMSCAPAC is a prolific donor giving to both parties across the state including local Republicans Poe and Brauer.

The Board of Elections website doesn't allow links to specific search results but you can find the same information I found by searching for the names and committees. Of course, its always possible that these donations are from someone else who happens to have the same name and lives in Springfield.

Its unfortunate that after all of this controversy Van Meter couldn't find one qualified person who doesn't have strong political ties. At the least it gives the impression that the patronage sharing agreement and pay-to-play politics continue at the county despite the dog-and-pony show of an application process. Perhaps the application should say, "Non-political donors need not apply."

This took me less than 10 minutes of research so there's probably more to find. I don't know why it wasn't mentioned in the news article. They could have at least asked Van Meter to explain himself.

Posted by Will at 2:20 PM | Permalink

I don't think the Springfield Citizens Club has a website yet so I'm copying their latest email message about upcoming events. I've found all of their forums I attended to be useful and interesting.

CITIZENS CLUB OF SPRINGFIELD

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, May 23
Public Policy Breakfast
Hoogland Center for the Arts, Club Room, 3rd Floor
7:30am Coffee Reception; 8:00am-9:00am Program
"UPDATE OF CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION"
Bernie Schoenburg
Springfield Journal-Register


EVENING FIFTH WEEK PUBLIC FORUM
Wednesday, May 28
Dove Conference Center
5:15pm - 7:15pm
"INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS IN THE GREATER SPRINGFIELD AREA"
6-8 speakers/panel representing city, county, chamber and private industry


Friday, June 27
Public Policy Breakfast
Hoogland Center for the Arts, Club Room, 3rd Floor
7:30am Coffee Reception; 8:00am - 9:00am Program
"SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT NEW SOUTHWIND PARK"
Butch Elzea and Diane Mathis


Please join us for the 'Policy Breakfast' on May 23. Bernie will be informative, timely and entertaining. Just when you think Illinois' Politics can't get any worse . . . we will see you on the 23rd.

The Evening Fifth Week Public Forum scheduled for May 28 will be quite good. The Citizens need a timely and informative discussion of Infrastructure needs. While it can not all be done at once, in order for Springfield to compete as a world class city we need a plan and priorities set. I will forward the detailed program in the next few days.

The email also included a note about three developers who backed out at the last minute from their last forum about development on the South end of Springfield. It's a shame when people feel entitled to dramatically change the face of the city without thorough public discourse or examination. What bothers me more are the city leaders who let them get away with it.

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The Springfield City Council holds a meeting Wednesday that could be the final end to the Hunter Lake dam idea. Unfortunately, some aldermen want to squander the rare opportunity to create a nature preserve by selling off the land piece by piece.

The Chamber wants to expand Springfield's economy with the Q5 initiative but its hard to get new businesses to locate in a city that people don't want to live in. I've lost track of all the people I know who located here for a job and started looking for a new position in another city after a few months of being bored here. One of the best things we can do to improve the quality of life and appeal of Springfield is to create a large natural area with hiking trails and other recreational opportunities for tourists and residents.

You can tell the city council not to make a short-sighted move with the Hunter Lake property this Wednesday at 5:15 pm on the third floor of Municipal Building, Seventh and Monroe streets.

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The SJR published my letter to the editor about the Illinois Clean Car Act today. I was hoping they would publish it while the legislature was still in town but at least they used it.

Car makers hypocritical in fighting Clean Car Act

I recently saw another Ford hybrid commercial that brags about their commitment to researching new technologies that will reduce their vehicles’ negative impact on the environment.

Unfortunately, the same car companies that spend millions letting us know about their sparse efforts for the environment are also funding an expensive lobbying campaign in Springfield to defeat the Illinois Clean Car Act.

The Clean Car Act (HB 3424) would have Illinois join 13 other states that require auto manufacturers to further reduce vehicle emissions that contribute to respiratory problems, smog and global climate change. The achievable standards only require the use of existing technologies that have already been developed and applied.

Besides benefiting public health and the environment, the standards encourage improved mileage in vehicles that will help drivers save on gas beyond the minimum federal fuel economy requirements.

Research is important but it shouldn’t be cited as a tactic to delay the use of existing technologies. If car companies are as serious about protecting the environment as their TV advertisements and lobbyists claim, then they should end their hypocritical opposition to the Illinois Clean Car Act.

Now is the time to contact your state legislator and ask them to stand up to short-sighted special interests in the oil and auto industries.

Will Reynolds

Springfield

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Hillary Clinton isn't the first Democratic candidate to stay in the race long after it was clear they lost the nomination. Past examples, like Jerry Brown in '92 or Kucinich in '04, involved candidates who stayed in as a voice for liberal ideals or to influence the party platform. By contrast, Hillary's refusal to concede seems selfish and delusional. Other candidates who stayed in too long were ignored as gadfly ego candidates. Its time that Clinton be viewed the same way.

I hear people on TV argue that Obama may have a hard time with parts of the Democratic base in the general election but its odd that people don't ask the same question about Clinton. So let's imagine the situation if Clinton manages to get the nomination.

First, the Democratic base of African-American voters will view Clinton as the woman who stole away the nomination from the first black major party nominee. Keep in mind that the likely Green Party nominee is African-American former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. African-American voters will have good reason to stay at home or vote third party. That alone guarantees a Democratic loss in November.

Second, her vote and support for the Iraq war will split the anti-war vote much as Humphrey did in '68. She'll have the same problem John Kerry had of not being able to present a clear alternative without looking like an unprincipled flip-flopper. This is yet another motivation for people to vote for a Green Party candidate who opposed the war from the start.

Third, Clinton doesn't get a majority in polls against McCain or in favorability ratings. Her numbers haven't improved since the day she announced her campaign, unlike Obama who has steadily gone up in the polls for the past year. She is one of the most disliked public figures in America. Her presence on the ticket will motivate more conservatives to vote even if they don't like McCain.

A Hillary nomination would be the worst Democratic loss since John Davis in 1924 and guarantees that the Greens get their 5% to become an established party.

Hopefully this is the last time I'll be writing about the Democratic Primary. It should have been over after February 12 when it was obvious Obama was going to win. Here's a song by the Sex Pistols that helps me feel better about things.

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I know someone getting the new Chevy Malibu Hybrid so I looked it up to find that it only gets an extra two miles per gallon. Its a mild hybrid that puts some of the extra power into acceleration instead of fuel economy. GM did the same thing with Saturn hybrids. I don't see the point. I'm holding out hope for the Chevy Volt.

According to this article GM might finally be getting it:

With gas prices near $4 a gallon, and sales of GM's big trucks and SUVs falling, the automaker announced 3,500 layoffs at the factories making those vehicles earlier this week. On Wednesday, it announced a first-quarter net loss of $3.25 billion.

So going green has become vital to the automaker's survival, GM Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner said in a speech Thursday in San Francisco. That's why it's pushing the forthcoming hybrid-electric Chevrolet Volt, part of a "major transformation" at GM, he said.

Wagoner goes on to say later in the article, "Energy supply, sustainable growth, CO2 emissions, fuel economy - these are top concerns around the world,"

Yet at the same time the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, of which GM is a member, is fighting against new laws that address those problems. If Wagoner means what he says then he will end GM's opposition to the Pavley emissions standards in Illinois and other states.

For no particular reason, here's Car Song by Elastica:

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Arizona is now the 14th state to adopt improved car emissions standards. A bill to make Illinois the next state is currently before the General Assembly and is facing fierce opposition from auto-industry lobbyists.

Here's a press release about the Arizona decision:

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release, May 6, 2008

Contacts: Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club, Grand Canyon Chapter
Michelle Harrington, Center for Biological Diversity

Clean Car Rule Receives Final Approval:
Measure Will Help Clean Up Arizona's Air and Protect Public Health

PHOENIZ, Ariz. Today, the Governor's Regulatory Review Council approved adoption of a final rule to implement a California Low Emission Vehicle "Clean Car" program in Arizona by a vote of 5 to 2. This makes Arizona the fourteenth state in the country to adopt this standard.

At least 13 other states have adopted Clean Car Standards, including Arizona's neighbors, California and New Mexico. Under the Clean Car Rule, each automobile manufacturer is required to demonstrate that its fleet of passenger cars and light-duty trucks delivered for sale in Arizona on or after January 1, 2011, meets an average emissions standard for greenhouse gases. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles by about 32 million metric tons from 2012 to 2020 and will also reduce pollutants that contribute to ground-level ozone formation, a major issue in Arizona. Implementation of the rule is expected to reduce 5,505 tons of carbon monoxide, 892 tons of hydrocarbons, and 1,436 tons of oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) in 2018.

"Most of Arizona's pollution comes from cars and trucks, and about 39 percent of Arizona's greenhouse gas emissions also come from vehicles," said Sandy Bahr, conservation outreach director of the Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter. "With our rapid growth and an increase in miles traveled that outpaces that growth, our emissions could grow by as much as 200
percent from 1990 to 2020. That is totally unacceptable. This Clean Car Rule will help us reduce emissions, clean up the air and help do our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

The Phoenix area has a serious ozone problem that is at its worst during the hot summer months. Ozone is formed when sunlight reacts with volatile organic compounds emitted from vehicles, industry, and other sources. Transportation is the number one contributor to ozone pollution. Because of the weather patterns, areas in the northeast valley such as Fountain Hills suffer most from this pollution. In 2005, there were 30 exceedances of the federal health standard for ozone. Arizona recently received another failing grade from the American Lung Association of Arizona for ozone pollution.

"A serious review of climate science supports immediate and significant reductions in greenhouse pollution from personal vehicles," said Michelle Harrington, a conservation manager with the Center for Biological Diversity. "Fortunately, a look at the technologies already available tells us those reductions are possible. This is a good step in the right direction."

This Clean Car Rule will not be onerous nor decimate the automobile industry as some manufacturers have indicated, and it will not mean that everyone must buy a hybrid vehicle. The technology - outside of hybrid technology - already exists for cars and trucks to meet these standards. Other measures that can help vehicles meet the standards include direct
injection, advanced valve control, downsized engines with turbo, electric accessories, integrated starter generators, and automatic manual transmissions, among others.

"The clean cars program will ensure diverse choices for Arizona consumers and cleaning up our air will ease the burden on taxpayers by helping with our ever-rising health costs," said Tina Beattie, Arizona coordinator of Republicans for Environmental Protection.

"This is an important step for Arizona to promote clean air and to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions," said Susan Higgins with the Arizona Public Health Association. "We applaud the governor and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for stepping up to show leadership on this important issue."

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Not that anyone is asking but my suggestion for McCain's running mate is Elizabeth Dole. A Bush or a Dole has been on every Republican ticket since 1976 and this would keep the streak going since there's no chance McCain wants the Bush name dragging him down. Plus, she would add some youth to the ticket.

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CWLP holds public meetings every other month to inform the public and get feedback on their new energy programs. One big item that's being developed now is the wind power buy-in program that will allow customers to pay a little extra on their bill to support the development of renewable energy sources. Here's the info for the next meeting:

The CWLP Community Energy Forum will be Thursday, May 15th at 6:00 pm at the INB Facility at 431 S. 4th Street. CWLP will provide updates on existing energy efficiency programs, the Community Energy Use Survey currently underway, the green energy purchase program that is being developed, water efficiency, and other energy efficiency programs that are being planned. Discussion topics raised by the community will be addressed and the meeting will conclude with a question and answer session with CWLP energy efficiency experts.

Posted by Will at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The May Liberty Brew & View movie, Our Brand is Crisis, follows the 2002 campaign of Goni, the former Bolivian President attempting a come-back to power. One of the losing candidates in that race, Evo Morales, is the subject of a new documentary called Cocalero about his successful 2006 race to become Bolivia's first indigenous President.

I started watching Cocalero with skepticism not knowing whether its a propaganda film. Propaganda or not, Morales comes off as a sincere and likable leader of an exciting populist movement of Bolivia's poor and indigenous people. Much of the movie follows Morales behind the scenes to typical campaign events like fundraisers, media interviews and rallies.

Some scenes are not so typical to American elections such as holding practice voting sessions for groups of farmers, some of whom are illiterate, to make sure they vote correctly without spoiling any ballots. Hearing one of Morales' MAS party candidates shout "Death to the Yankees!" at a union meeting was disconcerting but its hard to feel threatened by it. Maybe she's a Red Sox fan?

Cocalero also gives room to some of Morales detractors and doesn't hide the more controversial actions by his union. The most interesting parts of the movie show us a glimpse into the daily lives, politics and struggles of a poor nation deeply effected by U.S. policies.

From a United States perspective I always learn new things about my country when I study Latin America. I don't think I've ever read a newspaper article about how the US drug war that further impoverished cocoa growers in Bolivia, by destroying their crops, fuels anti-American sentiment to this day. As far as I can tell the main effect of that policy in the U.S. was giving rise to the use of meth and other drugs that can be made domestically.

One event during the 2002 Bolivian election that's depicted in Our Brand is Crisis is Morales getting a boost in popularity after being denounced as a terrorist by the US Ambassador. Bush's unpopularity around the world drives support to left wing parties who more loudly denounce US intervention and trade policies. Evo Morales spoke about that in a recent interview on Democracy Now.

You know, what’s happening in Latin America, any aggression or provocation by President Bush improves the image and the acceptance of candidates to the presidency. I feel that there’s a rebellion in the Latin American people, especially in the South American people, vis-a-vis the empire. Before, they were dictatorships at the service of the empire. And I don’t want to hide this. You know me. That’s why we’ve had so many interviews. And democracies are coming about as a result of people’s struggles and vis-a-vis democratic movements. There were dictatorships and dictatorships in the last twenty years. There have been neoliberal governments that have been pro-capitalist. Now, as they’ve not resolved their social or structural problems, the social movements are growing with their own sentiment of dignity, of sovereignty, of development. And at this juncture, they’re growing. The liberating democracies in South America are on the rise. It’s very striking.

Posted by Will at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the things I've been most impressed with about Obama's platform is his outspoken support for reducing oil consumption and lowering vehicle emissions. After Tim Russert did his best impersonation of a conservative talk radio host for ten minutes of Rev. Wright questions, Obama had the chance to talk about a few real issues, including cars. From the transcript of the interview this morning:

MR. RUSSERT: How long before our automobiles are off of gasoline oil and, and using something like an alternative fuel?

SEN. OBAMA: Well, you know, I, I think that if we decided right now that we were going to make the kind of investment I've proposed--$150 billion over 10 years--then I think at the end of the decade we could have a auto industry that has significantly reduced our consumption of oil by as much as 35, 40 percent. And the technologies exist right now for plug-in hybrids. You know, we should continue to investigate the possibilities of electric cars. The problem is is that we have not been serious about it, and Detroit ended up making investments in SUVs and large trucks because that's where they perceived a competitive advantage and that's where they felt they could make the most profit. I think it was a mistake for them not to plan earlier. Now we're seeing a huge growth in fuel-efficient cars that is benefitting the Japanese automakers, and Detroit is getting pounded some more. And I think that we can make those cars here in the United States. By the way, that's going to be our expert market over the future. China already has higher fuel efficiency standards than we do. If we want to compete for those markets, then we're going to have to invest in technology. The government can help, but the automakers have to make some changes. And I didn't say that just in front of environmental groups, I went to Detroit and said it in front of the automakers. That's the kind of truth telling we need from the next president.

Posted by Will at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's a pdf to download and a jpg version of the flier for the May Liberty Brew & View movie.

You can click on the image to enlarge.

Posted by Will at 7:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the exciting things about the clean energy agreement between the Sierra Club and CWLP is that once the agreement was reached, environmentalists, local unions, and the utility were all standing on the same side for a deal that created new jobs while protecting the environment. It was a win-win for everybody, including the public who will get cleaner air and fewer global warming emissions.

Something similar is happening in Granite City, IL where environmental groups just reached an agreement with Sun Coke and US Steel. Here's the press release form the Sierra Club:

For Immediate Release

April 30, 2008

Environmental Groups Reach Landmark Agreement with Sun Coke and US Steel; Sets National Standard for Pollution Control and Provides $5 Million Fund for Local Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Reductions

Granite City, IL—American Bottom Conservancy and Sierra Club have reached a landmark settlement agreement with Sun Coal and Coke and United States Steel Corporation that will pave the way for a new coke plant and a cogeneration facility to be built in Granite City, Illinois, home of US Steel's Granite City Works. The agreement resulted in perhaps the first permit in the country to regulate fine particulates, known as PM 2.5, and will provide a $5 million environmental fund for local projects that reduce air pollution and global-warming greenhouse gases.

Granite City is part of the Greater St. Louis Air Quality Region and has some of the highest readings in the country of PM 2.5, a pollutant that can reach deep into the lungs and cause heart and lung disease and premature death. The high PM 2.5 levels in Granite City are largely responsible for the entire St. Louis region failing to meet federal air quality standards for fine particulates. The area also violates national health-based air quality standards for ozone.

"Granite City has long been known for its air pollution," said Mark Feldworth, a Granite City resident and board member of American Bottom Conservancy (ABC). "We have many children here with asthma. We certainly want to keep jobs here, but it is important that we also have cleaner air for our families. We are hoping this agreement will do both."

"The tighter permits and the fund for additional pollution control projects should help the area to have cleaner air," said Bob Larson, Sierra Club Piasa Palisades Chapter delegate. "It's quite an achievement." Added Verena Owen, Illinois Sierra Club Global Warming chair: "I'm always happy when we can help find workable solutions to global warming."

"This agreement leads the way out of an 11-year period when pollution sources and federal and state agencies have virtually ignored fine particulate matter in issuing air pollution permits," said Maxine Lipeles, director of Washington University Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic, which prepared comments on the permits and helped negotiate the agreement.

"We are so excited about this agreement and so grateful to the Clinic," said Kathy Andria, a Granite City native who is president of ABC and a member of Illinois Sierra Club's Clean Air Committee. "The Clinic has been working on behalf of ABC since the Fall of 2005, reviewing applications and permits and preparing technical comments. We could not have achieved the more protective permits and this agreement without the expertise, guidance and dedication of Clinic students, engineers and attorneys and a technical consultant funded by Sierra Club. I am especially excited about the environment fund and look forward to seeing projects that will help the city, schools, park and library districts improve their energy efficiency and air quality and educate students and residents about air pollution and global warming. It will be a first step in helping to make Granite City green and clean."

The agreement was also hailed by Alison Horton, Sierra Club representative to the Blue Green Alliance, a partnership between the United Steelworkers and the Sierra Club. "This agreement is good for the City, helps the environment and is good for workers. It's win-win-win."

The agreement requires Sun Coke to use the latest technology specifically designed for controlling fine particulate matter, achieving greater than 99.99% pollution removal. Said Wash U Clinic Director Lipeles: "Other facilities currently in the permitting pipeline—and other state and federal agencies—should take note."

A copy of the settlement agreement can be found at law.wustl.edu/intenv.

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Posted by Will at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Much of the world celebrates labor day on May First and that's a good enough excuse to write something about the labor movement.

Yesterday I was looking at the website for the Blue Green Alliance. Its a joint project of unions and environmental groups lead by the United Steelworkers and the Sierra Club. Their top issues include Global Warming/Clean Energy, Fair Trade and reducing toxics. They have a document showing the potential for job growth in Illinois if we invest in renewable energy.

I notice that the companies with the worst environmental records often have bad records for how they treat their employees. It makes sense that a company who is willing to disrespect the air and water for short term gain will also disrespect their workers. It happens when a company has a group mindset that its acceptable to do anything they can get away with to increase their profit margin.

The last thing they want is unions and environmental groups working together, which is why you see the corporate voiceboxes in the media trying to define environmentalism as a cultural issue instead of an economic one. They want people to believe there's a huge cultural divide between blue collar union workers and hippie environmentalists. But I know union leaders who are Sierra Club members and I know Sierra Club leaders who belong to a union.

The website mentions Karen Silkwood's union supporting her when she blew the whistle on safety violations at a nuclear power plant. I recently saw the 1983 movie about Silkwood staring Cher of all people. Its pretty good.

Karen Silkwood is mentioned in the Gil Scott-Heron song, We Almost Lost Detroit, which gives me an excuse to post a song I like.

Happy May Day!

Posted by Will at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)