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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
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| May 20 2008, 2:21 PM EDT | greenvoting | 13 words added |
| May 20 2008, 2:07 PM EDT | greenvoting | 18 words added |
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| An interactive website where Wisconsin citizens come together to share knowledge and become informed about their environment.
| Greenvideo of the Week |
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| News Briefs 20 May 2008 WUWM profiles greenvoting.com on its Lake Effect show today. Listen to it here. Southeastern Wisconsin has failed to meet federal ozone requirements and will remain under more restrictive environmental regulations than the rest of the state. A curious complication is that the pollution in part seems to be blowing in from northern Illinois. The Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District (MMSD) has agreed to pay $500,000 in fines for its dumping in 2004. Part of the fines will go toward efforts to reduce runoff from several parking lots along the Milwaukee river. While still lagging behind its neighbors, Wisconsin's wind energy production is picking up, with WE Energies bringing its newest plant online this week. Overall, wind energy production is generating six times the electricity in the state as it was last year. Find gas mileage ratings for new cars here. Christina Beam notices that the Culver's in Baraboo has installed recycling bins. Menomonie Mayor Dennis Kropp has signed onto the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, joining 17 other Wisconsin mayors in promising to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. Sustainable Dunn led the way in encouraging the city council to approve the agreement. What are the implications of the Great Lakes Compact? The Waukesha Water Utility rather than the city of Waukesha will be responsible for the filing fee associated with an application to divert water from Lake Michigan. 18 May 2008 The Journal-Sentinel finishes its coverage of Team Biodiesel. About 250 people volunteered to help clean up the urban environment in Chippewa Falls. Is Alliant Energy greenwashing in its efforts to reduce emissions at its Iowa power plant? More volunteer spirit on display in Sheboygan as the Gatchell family chips in to help clean up the river. Kayla Bunge is the "green reporter" for the Janesville Gazette. She's looking for folks who tried to add a touch of environmental consciousness to their weddings. 16 May 2008 Jim Stingl takes a ride in a Smart Car, as gas prices approach $4.00/gallon at area pumps. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel thinks that ethanol mandates should not be maintained or expanded. Given the concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, state regulators are scrutinizing plans for a new coal-fired power plant in Cassville. Northland College students have been installing solar panels on the residence of College President Karen Halbersleben (with her support!). Sheboygan's Brian LaFave is on a personal gasoline strike. No gas for at least a month, perhaps longer. His alternatives: biking, walking - and the savings he plans to donate to charity. The Green Bay Press-Gazette realizes that the Great Lakes Compact is really just a first-step in protecting the waters. Pollution problems, invasive species, and brownfield remediation loom in the foreground. LaCrosse county commissioners are debating over how "green" to make a planned addition to the county jail. Meanwhile, the first "Green" veterinary clinic is set to open in Madison. Cycling retailers are boosting their business by offering a low-cost alternative to high gas prices. The Milwaukee Business Journal profiles architect Joel Krueger, whose most recent work is the new Aldo Leopold Legacy Center in Baraboo. 14 May 2008 The Wisconsin Senate passed the Great Lakes Compact that will block arid states from taking water from the Great Lakes. It still needs to be passed in other states and in Congress. 12 May 2008Calculate your walk score. It is Bike to Work week in Milwaukee. While you're at it, join the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. High commodity prices are leading farmers to opt out of conservation programs that have been protecting environmentally sensitive areas. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel followed around five Marquette engineering students as they tried to build a bio-diesel engine. You can follow the story here. It's quite an engaging read. 11 May 2008 The Town of Menasha has authorized the purchase of land for a wet detention water pond to comply with storm water drainage regulations. 9 May 2008 Portage County will be selling compost bins. Don't forget about Bike to Work Week! Badger Meter, Inc. stands to profit from increasing interest in water metering devices. Ray Unger recommends investing in alternative energy stocks. Lake Namakagan is hoping to stave off invasive species with help from a DNR grant. The nation's truckers are taking steps to conserve fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including Wisconsin's Schneider National, Inc. Dropping speed limits nationally to 65 would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90 million tons per year. 8 May 2008 Congress passed a new farm bill dealing with subsidies, but it is likely that it will be vetoed. 7 May 2008 Patrick McIlheran likes the Milwaukee county bus system funded with property taxes. Bird watching in Ashland. It was Conservation Day at Devil's Lake. The debate over baiting deer rages on in Chippewa County. There is no excuse for not getting out on the bike, especially as the weather improves. Racine has passed a city ordinance approving the use of neighborhood electric vehicles on city streets, joining Madison and soon, Union Grove. Deborah Seller contemplates eco-pranksterism. Sky Vegetables imagines growing fresh produce on supermarket roofs and then selling it in the store! Brilliant! 6 May 2008 Manitowoc, Wisconsin has decided to make everyday Earth Day in their area. Decision made after their Earth Day events were so very successful. Over 500 people came to the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc to help with the day's planned events. As more students lounge in the grass than in their homes, concerns have been raised at UW-Madison over the detrimental health effects linked pesticide-treated lawns around campus. Several students have started circulating a petition to hopefully make the campus pesticide free and ultimately avoid making any student ill. 5 May 2008 Baraboo Range landowners who want to sell their development rights to Sauk County no longer can expect their names to be kept private during negotiations, despite concerns that they'll be harassed by preservation opponents. Property rights advocates say disclosing the names of prospective sellers will bring fairness to the process. The Public Policy Forum is recommending a "wheel tax" as a temporary fix on Milwaukee County's mass transit woes. Long term solutions like a gas tax or a sales tax will be needed to help wean the transit system off of local property taxes. rBGH is given to most cows, but there are serious questions being asked about its health effects on humans who drink milk. Why we need more Rachel Carsons. Columbia County gardeners are being asked to plant a little extra to help fill local food pantries with fresh vegetables. People like Chuck Hatfield are important to have around. Barack Obama has suggested rethinking our ethanol policy as a result of rising food prices. The environmental and economic consequences will be substantial and any decision that is reached will have a significant impact on Wisconsin. Meanwhile, researchers are looking for feasible alternatives. 4 May 2008 The new compact fluorescent light bulbs save energy, but they are not being readily accepted by the public. Their high initial cost and concerns over the mercury they contain are making them a tough sell. Ridgeview Landfill, in the town of Franklin, applied for a permit to accept sediment for disposal contaminated with PCBs. The Greenhouse Cafe, a local cafe in Whitewater, has taken measures to help the environment and promote social responsibility. 3 May 2008 The DNR expects vehicle emissions to continue to drop, as older cars exempted from testing are replaced by newer models with cleaner technology. 2 May 2008 The Drumlin Community Garden outside of Madison is in danger of being replaced by a development of some sort. Maybe a big box store will replace this organically-farmed, community oriented space. Roof shingles made from baby diapers? On this new house, that's just for starters. Greenvoting's own Lisa Schaal points out that 20 solar panels on the roof will save about 300 kilowatts of electricity per month on average. The early muskie season slipped through the state legislature last year is turning into a political battle. Most fishermen know that an early season is a bad idea, but Paul Tubbs of Rhinelander is going to give voters a choice by running against Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River), who was responsible for the legislation. The Wisconsin DNR has been using funds from the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program to build new shoreline fishing areas to make the sport available to those who don't own or aren't able to use a boat. As the fishing season opens, the DNR will be out in numbers to enforce new laws meant to limit the spread of the fish virus, VHS. The DNR executed a controlled burn on the Ferry Bluff above the Wisconsin River on April 21 as part of an ongoing effort to return the area to its pre-settlement ecological status. Wisconsin Renewable Energy Policy Project believes that the states can create over 35,000 new jobs due to alternative energy mainly because people want a more sustainable way of life. Several conservation organizations have filed suit against the USDA and the Coast Guard claiming that the agencies have been insufficiently attentive to the perils of VHS in ballast water. Federal officials still are unable to determine the health consequences of industrial pollution in the Great Lakes region. Clinton elementary school is considering installing a geothermal heating system. Rising gas prices have caused people to begin altering their driving patterns - here's a look at some stories from LaCrosse. The 2008 Badger Poll suggests that Wisconsinites are deeply concerned about the quality of their environment. 1 May 2008 Former Sierra Club leader Adam Werbach says that a consumer movement is needed to promote sustainability. Nobel Laureate Peter Agre says that politicians need to bring more science to environmental policy. Earth Talk: "How is wind power currently faring in the United States? Is more of it coming on-line and becoming a larger percentage of the grid?" A proposal to combine bills on budget repair and the Great Lakes Compact generated significant disapproval from both Republican and Democratic state lawmakers Wednesday, although both sides agree agreement is necessary to preserve one of our greatest resources. In an effort to limit water wasting, Greenville has decided to charge Outagamie County Regional Airport for an unaccounted water leak. Throughout this summer and fall, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center will hold a series of "Do-It-Yourself" environmentalism workshops. This craft movement emphasizes sustainability and living simply. Sara Sagrillo, a 19-year old UW-Manitowoc student, aims at reducing her carbon footprint and urges others to do the same for the sake of global warming. Click here for news archives | What We're Doing We have a couple of new initiatives lined up for the summer. First, if you are the owner of an environmentally friendly business, we will be rolling out a marketplace section of the site that will allow you to advertise your products or services free of charge. Second, we are interested in the stories of people who are taking an initiative to do something good for the environment. No matter how small, we would like for you to tell your stories. ***** With news that Bradford Beach in Milwaukee will be staffed by lifeguards this year, our discussion essay turns to the question of why anyone would want to swim at Bradford Beach. If there is a metaphor for the inattention to pollution in Milwaukee, perhaps nothing is more fitting than the sewage that befouls our lakefront seemingly every Spring. Check out contributor AFSpillane's essay here. For a nice article summarizing recent efforts to address stormwater runoff, see this report by WUWM here. ***** Don't know how the Presidential Candidates feel about the Environment? Check it out on the Presidential Candidates page, find out the candidate's environmental record, start a thread, or add more information! While you're there, check out all of the other elected officials that have been profiled. Can't find who you are looking for? Find out how to add your Wisconsin politician on our page! ***** Are you worried about wildlife habitats? Check out our conservation of wildlife and habitats page. If you know something about this issue, consider collaborating to improve the information. If you have something to say about this issue, comment in the discussion thread at the bottom of the page. While you're there, check out all of the other issues that we are following. ***** How Does This Website Work? Greenvoting is sort of a hybrid between Wikipedia and Craigslist. We are a resource of information on issues related to the environment (with a focus on Wisconsin), but our information is primarily user-generated. We are also a community resource, and we invite individuals and organizations to contribute to our site, edit (yes!) our pages, and collaborate with other individuals and organizations. We are utilizing an innovative web service provided by a company called Wetpaint, which allows users to edit web pages without any special training. It's as easy as word processing! |
