February Meeting Summary

Ivan White, member of the Nine Mile Canyon Coalition, says the BLM is stonewalling efforts to protect the Canyon's ancient and valuable Native American rock writing. According to Mr. White, the BLM values business interests (gas drilling and extraction) above protecting Native history and the ecology of this beautiful area. The BLM was invited to present its position but declined.

At left, Mr. White stands behind a panel of photos showing damage to the ancient rock writing caused by dust kicked up by hundreds of gas drilling truck-trips that often travel the dusty Nine Mile Canyon road during the day. White's group proposed a truck by-pass route to protect the internationally famous site. The proposal was rejected the BLM. Photo ©JNWestwater

Watch 'Sierra Club Chronicles' on Sundance Channel

	"Sierra Club Chronicles" airs as part of THE GREEN, Sundance Channel’s weekly primetime destination focusing on environmental topics. A new episode will air every Tuesday at 9:00pm, February 5 - March 18. The series features the dramatic efforts of committed individuals across the country united in common cause — the fight to protect their families, communities and the lands and livelihoods they love from pollution, corporate greed and short-sighted government policies. Read more.

Sierra Club Outings

Click HERE to go to the home page of Sierra Club Outings.

Victory: Coal Plants Must Cut Mercury

In a huge victory for public health, a federal court ruled on Friday that an Environmental Protection Agency policy allowing coal-fired power plants to evade mandatory cuts in toxic mercury pollution was illegal. The ruling came as a result of efforts by the Sierra Club, 14 states, dozens of Native American tribes, and public health groups to close the EPA's special interest loophole.

Coal-fired power plants, which are one of the largest sources of mercury pollution in the United States, will now have to dramatically reduce the amount of mercury they spew into our air.

Find out how much mercury is in your body and what you can do to fight mercury pollution!

We had a BLAST

What a great time snowshoeing! The weather was perfect. Lunch on the trail. Great exercise and wonderful fellowship. Hope to see you at the next outing!

Click on photos to see ENLARGEMENT.

Duke to Offset 100% of Emissions from New Coal Plant

Coal: Duke to Offset 100% of Emissions from New Coal Plant
Today, for the first time ever Duke Energy will be required to address carbon dioxide emissions before its new coal-fired power plant can be built. North Carolina granted the air quality permit for Duke Energy's Cliffside coal-fired power plant, on the condition that the carbon emissions from the plant -- up to 6 million tons per year -- are completely offset.

This decision reflects the growing sentiment that the United States should be actively fighting global warming, not building new coal plants that will make the problem worse. States like Kansas and Florida have already said no to new coal, focusing instead on cleaner energy solutions like wind, solar and energy efficiency.