Category Archives: Green Notes

Green Notes Week of January 9, 2011

January 9, 2011Green Notesgreenone

SCROLL DOWN FOR TRANSCANADA XL PIPELINE UPDATE. News items, and contact information for needed communication with specific elected officials, is below–following Green Notes by Congressional District. Note coverage of the January 5th rally to protest Keystone XL at the State Capitol Building, and the January 15, 2011 action at 72nd & Dodge in Omaha.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, from noon to 1:00pm, Nebraskans for abolition of the death penalty meet in front of the governor’s mansion when weather is good, 1425 H Street, Lincoln. In winter, the vigil is inside the capitol, near the Information Desk. The lunch-hour presence reminds the governor of a constituency that does not want state killings. Weekly vigils have taken place year-round since July, 1991. All abolitionists are welcome to participate for a few minutes, or the hour. For information about Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, click here.

1/11/11 UNITY EVENT . . . UPDATE: Due to bad weather, the Unity Rally will now take place on WEDNESDAY, 1/19/11, at noon, on the west side of the capitol at the Lincoln statue. Nebraska Green Party joined other progressive groups signing a Unity Statement against an Arizona-style law that would drain resources, diminish public safety, and divide our communities. Tuesday, January 11th, there will be a noon 1/11/11 UNITY event at the state capitol to collectively oppose such a law in Nebraska. Read the Statement here. We are Strongest Together. For more information contact rgonzales [at] neappleseed [dot] org

LINCOLN PEACE VIGILS . . . Lincoln peace vigils continue at the Federal Building, 15th and O streets, every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00pm. Contact Mark at 402.499.6672 or e-mail mark [at] weddleton [dot] com for more information.

WACHISKA SPOTLIGHT ON RIVERS . . . Three Nebraska rivers will be the focus of a presentation by Gene Zuerlein, assistant fisheries division administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, at the monthly meeting of Wachiska Audubon, Thursday, January 13, 2011, 7:00pm, at the Union College Administration Building, Room 3, 3800 South 48th Street, in Lincoln. Look for Audubon signs on the doors. Zuerlein will spotlight the rich cultural and natural history of the Missouri, Platte, and Niobrara rivers. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call the Wachiska office at 402.486.4846.

PEACEMAKING WORKSHOP XXIV . . . How people of faith can be a strong voice for positive immigration reform, while countering a proposed Arizona-type law in Nebraska, will be the focus of a special Peacemaking Workshop “Influencing Immigration Legislation,” Sunday, January 16, 2011, at First United Methodist Church 50th Street and St. Paul Avenue, in Lincoln. Presenters, starting at 1:30pm, include Rev. Frederic McCullough, speaking on “Current Immigration Policy: a Cultural Sin;” S.A. Mora James, a Latina attorney working on immigration issues in Nebraska, and State Senator Brenda Council, speaking at 4:00pm, on her views about immigration reform and the prospects for an Arizona-style bill in Nebraska. The film “9500 Liberty” will be shown at 6:30pm. Click here for an agenda of the entire event. For more information, phone Bob Reeves, 402.464.1803, or e-mail bobreeves63 [at] yahoo [dot] com

FREE MULCH WHILE IT LASTS . . . Holiday tree recycling has ended, but tree mulch will be distributed free to Lincoln residents while it lasts, beginning Monday, January 10, 2011, 8:00am to 5:00pm weekdays, at 2200 South Folsom Court, Hofeling Enterprises, in Lincoln.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is a Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Park next to 72nd Street, in the pet store parking lot. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068 for more information.

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “The Devil’s Playground,” a documentary examining Rumspringa, the Amish rite of passage which begins when an Amish child reaches 16 years of age. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Saturday, January 15, 2011, noon to 1:00pm, at 72nd & Dodge, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. If you drive, park on the west side of Petco’s parking lot. Help educate and raise awareness of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline threat to fragile ecosystem of the entire region. The rally will be canceled if there is precipitation or the temperature is below 25 degrees. For more information, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net

END POLICE BRUTALITY . . . Nebraskans for Peace and others are forming a new group called “Victims Against Police Brutality.” Anyone who has been abused by a law enforcement agency is invited to contact Omaha Coordinator Mark Welsch, 402.453.0776 or e-mail NFPOmaha [at] nebraskansforpeace [dot] org. The next regular meeting in support of those who have been terrorized by police will be Saturday, January 15, 2011, Noon until 2:00pm, at the Washington Branch Library, 2868 Ames Avenue, in Omaha.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . Wednesday, January 5, 2011, the 102nd session of the Nebraska Legislature opened. At noon, a coalition of Greens and Supporters, BOLD Nebraska, and members of Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Nebraska Sierra Club, Audubon Nebraska, Guardians of the Good Life, and Nebraskans for Peace joined in solidarity at the State Capitol in Lincoln to rally against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline threatening our land and water. Media coverage of the protest includes the following links compiled by BOLD Nebraska. Facebook pictures on the Bold Nebraska page; Facebook pictures on the Nebraskans for Peace page; Youtube video of rally coverage; NPR/NET radio coverage, including quotes from citizens and state senators; “Pipeline Protest,” NTV story with video; “Lawmakers Feel Heat of Keystone XL Opponents,” Lincoln Journal Star story with pictures and quotes from various citizens, group leaders, state senators and union representatives; “More Than 100 Protest Pipeline,” Omaha World Herald story with pictures, focused on recent threats by TransCanada in addition to rally; “Keystone XL Pipeline Protest,” KNOP North Platte tv coverage with video (towards bottom of page); “Oil Pipeline Legislation,” 10/11 News tv coverage; “Rally Against Keystone XL Pipeline,” blog written by the Nebraska League of Conservation Voters; “Recap: Pipeline Rally Sends Clear Message,” blog written by Bold Nebraska and Nebraskans for Peace including links, video and quotes from the rally.
Save this date: January 29, 2011, 10:00am to 12:30pm. Watch for details about an education forum in Lincoln to keep the momentum going, to train, and get feedback on how to help stop the pipeline and lobby state laws to protect land and water. Find your senator’s web page by name and by District here. Contact information is included for each Senator.
“Risks outweigh pipeline benefits,” a January 4, 2010 letter to the LJS editor from Ellen Beck in Seward, NE, begins “The Seward County League of Women Voters has written to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking that the government deny a permit to build the proposed TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline. The Seward league believes it is important for organizations and Nebraska residents to voice opposition to this project.” Carol Smith’s letter, “Tar sands oil devastating,” warns that “While it is true that it would be a needless tragedy to have the pipeline leak into the Ogallala Aquifer, we need to recognize our own personal responsibility for why we need so much oil in the first place. We have the technology to drastically reduce our dependence on all oil, if only we can find the personal courage to do so. Let’s work together to make it happen.” “On Precaution,” by Naomi Klein for Reader Supported News, features photos of Canadian landscapes gutted by tar sands extraction. To get involved with planning XL pipeline opposition strategy, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened. Read Ken Winston’s November 4, 2010 Tar Sands Pipeline Update for Nebraska Sierra here.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL tar sands pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Stop the Keystone XL pipeline — call your senators. Unbold Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has the power to approve or reject the Keystone XL pipeline, and your senators can pressure her to stand up to Big Oil and stop it. Help put some needed peer pressure on Secretary Clinton by calling your senators today.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.“

AGENCY SCIENTISTS OPPOSE GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SALMON . . . The following quotes are from Fish and Wildlife Service scientists themselves: “The environmental impact of escaped GE salmon is of great concern.” – Gregory Moyer, Regional Geneticist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; “…approval of the proposal is premature, given the unknowns and uncertainties regarding the possible ecological and environmental effects of these fish.” – Jeff Adams, Branch Chief, Fairbanks Fish and Wildlife Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and “…I do think the chance of escapement is huge” – Deborah Burger, Manager, Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Ask the President to stopthe GE salmon approval process.

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople meet through The Nebraska Food Cooperative, an on-line, year-round farmers’ market and local food distribution service offering the best in local freshness. For ordering and pickup schedules, refer to the calendar here. Click here for products and prices from North Star Neighbors, a Cooperative member that doesn’t therapeutically medicate or unduly confine animals. Click here for Tomato Tomäto, Omaha’s year-round indoor Farmer’s Market at 156th & West Center. Shop for fresh foods grown in or very near your own community at Open Harvest, Lincoln’s member-owned natural foods retail cooperative at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.

HELP NEBRASKA GREENS WITH GOODSEARCH . . . Each time you search the Internet (or shop online at a participating store), a donation can be made to Nebraska Green Party at no cost to you! To help NGP in this way, enter Nebraska Green Party where it says WHO DO YOU GOODSEARCH FOR? here. Bookmark the GoodSearch Homepage, or make it your own Home Page. Enter the url you want in the GoodSearch search box. Each time you do, one penny will be donated to Nebraska Greens. THANK YOU for your support!

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente

Green Notes Week of January 2, 2011

January 2, 2011Green Notesgreenone

SCROLL DOWN FOR TRANSCANADA XL PIPELINE UPDATE. News items, and contact information for needed communication with specific elected officials is below, following Green Notes by Congressional District. Note Wednesday’s Noon Action at the State Capitol Building in Lincoln.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

RECYCLE HOLIDAY TREES . . . Holiday trees will be accepted for recycling at eight Lincoln sites through Sunday, January 9, 2011. The city has recycled an estimated 186,645 trees since the annual project began in 1987. Drop off trees at any of the following locations: Ballard Park, 3901 N. 66th Street; Oak Lake Park, three blocks south of Cornhusker Highway on First Street; University Place Park, 50th and Garland Streets; Holmes Lake Park, parking lot west of the north softball field; Sawyer-Snell Park, Second and South streets, west of the Fire Department Building; Tierra Park, 29th and Tierra Drive; Woods Park, 31st and J Streets, southeast corner of parking lot; and Hoefling Enterprises, 2200 South Folsom Court. Hoefling has donated grinding services, and tree mulch will be distributed free to Lincoln residents beginning January 10, 8:00am to 5:00pm weekdays. (Remove any nails, wires and tree stands, or plastic bags used to transport the trees.)

VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, from noon to 1:00pm, Nebraskans for abolition of the death penalty meet in front of the governor’s mansion, 1425 H Street, Lincoln. The lunch-hour presence reminds the governor of a constituency that does not want state killings. Weekly vigils have taken place year-round since July, 1991. All abolitionists are welcome to participate for a few minutes, or the hour. For information about Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, click here.

OPENING DAY OF THE LEGISLATURE . . . On Wednesday, January 5, 2011, opening day of the 102nd Nebraska Legislature, from noon to 1:00pm, there will be an action under the Lincoln statue on the west side of the Capitol Building. The clear message to state “leaders” will be Do Your Duty and Protect our Land and Water. Join Greens, NGP Supporters, BOLD Nebraska and members of Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Nebraska Sierra Club, Audubon Nebraska, Guardians of the Good Life, and Nebraskans for Peace in solidarity against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline threatening our land and water. E-mail info [at] boldnebraska [dot] org with any questions.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING . . . Saturday, January 8, 2011, 9:00am to 1:00pm, obsolete, broken and unused electronics may be recycled at the Lincoln Public Schools District Office, 5901 O Street. All electronics will be recycled for free, except TVs and monitors with CRTs, which are hazardous waste. Recyclables include desktop and laptop computers, bar coders, circuit boards, copiers, CD/DVD drives, DVD players, fax machines, hand-held devices, medical equipment, keyboards, modems, monitors, printers, routers, scanners, servers, telephones, wire and cords. Call Jim Vanderslice, 402.420.1515, for more information.

WINTER WALKABOUT . . . Spring Creek offers opportunities to get out and walk the prairie. On Saturday, January 8, 2011, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center will host a “New Year Winter Walkabout.” There will be two sessions: from 10:00am to noon, and from 1:00 to 3:00pm. Staff members and participants will explore remote parts of the prairie, and investigate winter wildlife. For more information, phone 402.797.2301. The Center, with more than 800 acres of native tallgrass prairie, is 20 minutes southwest of Lincoln near Denton.

LOCAL ARTISTS WANTED . . . The Third Annual Artistic Rain Barrel Program invites local artists to paint rain barrels with original designs for display citywide next spring. Twenty-five artists will be chosen for a public auction of barrels in May, 2011. Click here [pdf] for an application, which includes a short summary and preliminary sketch of your intended design. Applications are due by February 11, 2011. For more information, contact Ellen Wright, 402.441.7075.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is an Anti-War and Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068.

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “500 Years Later,” an epic documentary that chronicles the struggle of a people who continue to fight for the most essential human right of freedom. Watch trailers here. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . .Stop the Keystone XL pipeline — call your senators.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has the power to approve or reject the Keystone XL pipeline, and your senators can pressure her to stand up to Big Oil and stop it. Help put some needed peer pressure on Secretary Clinton by calling your senators today. Dial the Capitol Switchboard at 202. 224.3121, and ask to be connected.
Carol Smith’s Letter to the Editor of Lincoln Jounal Star, “Tar sands oil devastating,” published December 19, 2010, refers to “U.S. pipeline plan, climate vows at odds,” a previous article regarding the Keystone XL pipeline. “The article addresses important negative aspects of the pipeline issue that we don’t see very often: higher greenhouse gas emissions from tar sands than from crude oil; the destruction of forest and wetland in Alberta, the size of Florida; and the poisoning of their air and water. One fact it did not mention is that the burden of this devastation is once again being borne on the backs of the indigenous population. While it is true that it would be a needless tragedy to have the pipeline leak into the Ogallala Aquifer, we need to recognize our own personal responsibility for why we need so much oil in the first place. We have the technology to drastically reduce our dependence on all oil, if only we can find the personal courage to do so. Let’s work together to make it happen.” “On Precaution,” by Naomi Klein for Reader Supported News on December 8th, features photos of Canadian landscapes gutted by tar sands extraction.
“U.S. poised to slurp up more of Canada’s dirtiest oil,” was published by McClatchy newspapers December 8, 2010. It begins, “At the climate talks under way at the Mexican beach resort of Cancun, the U.S. has assured the world it’s not backing away from its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, however, the State Department looks likely to approve a pipeline that would increase the use of one of the dirtiest forms of oil.” On December 10, Lincoln Journal Star published coverage of TransCanada tests on the existing Keystone pipeline, “TransCanada checking Keystone anomalies.” New information from BOLD Nebraska is that there was a pipeline leak in Nebraska, August of this year. In a letter to Senator Nelson, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said no decision has been made on the proposed Keystone XL $7 Billion pipeline, despite her reported remarks suggesting she supports the project. Lincoln Journal Star coverage of “Hillary Clinton: No Keystone XL decision made,” was published December 11.
A Nebraska Unicameral Update “Oil pipeline safety analyzed,” is here. “Slated for construction in Nebraska in 2011, the 1,661-mile oil pipeline will connect Canadian crude oil suppliers to Texas refineries.” Such language assumes the pipeline will be build, even before the State Department has approved the project. Senators need to know there is constituent opposition statewide, and be encouraged to reconsider assumptions about inevitability. Only two Senators have started asking challenging questions. If Senator Harr or Senator Fulton is your senator, consider thanking him for speaking out. All the senators need to understand that, at the least, they can require financial assurances from TransCanada with regulatory oversight for pipelines, and reform eminent domain laws. Find your senator’s web page by name and by District here. Contact information is included for each Senator.
North American native groups urged the United States and Canada to abandon support for the carbon-heavy tar sands pipeline in protests at the UN Climate Talks in Cancun. “Cancun Protesters Target Canada, U.S. over Oil Sands,” by SolveClimateNews covered the protests on December 3rd. Nebraska Farmer’s Union has also issued a Resolution against the XL pipeline. Lincoln Journal Star published another letter to the editor, “Reroute the pipeline,” Sunday, December 5th. To get involved with planning XL pipeline opposition strategy, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened. Read Ken Winston’s November 4, 2010 Tar Sands Pipeline Update for Nebraska Sierra here.
           Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL tar sands pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
           Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.“

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente

Green Notes Week of December 26, 2010

December 26, 2010Green Notesgreenone

EARTH CIRCLE . . . On the first day of each month, people around the world stop for five minutes to visualize peace and focus on new levels of kindness, understanding, and compassion necessary for collectively facing the challenges of the 21st century. Join peacemakers everywhere at 4:00pm Greenwich Mean Time, 10:00am in Lincoln and Omaha, 9:00am Mountain Time in CD 3, on Saturday, January 1, 2011, with the intention of deep healing for the Planet and all its beings. Click here for more information about Earth Circle.

WORLD MEDITATION AND PLANETARY TRANSMISSION, JANUARY 1, 2011, 11:00am to 1:00pm CST
On this day, endings and beginnings merge.
On this day, evolution will take the next step forward.
On this day, your next breakthrough, resulting in a permanent shift, will occur.
On this day, we will become One, and shift the frequency of this Planet.
An unprecedented World Meditation and Planetary Transmission, will create a living field of energy to evolve the next highest potential for humanity and Planet Earth in the year 2011. Creating a new paradigm can only occur in and through a collective gathering such as this, acting as a singular influence. Sign up to participate here.

NGP FAREWELL TO FRED HARGESHEIMER . . . “WWII pilot who forever repaid rescuers dies at 94,” a December 23, 2010 AP article, was published in the Lincoln Journal Star, the Omaha World Herald, and the New York Times, among others. Fred’s death on December 23rd was included at the end of a list of notable people who died this year in “Final Goodbye: A roll call of some who died in ’10.” A 2006 article by LJS writer Cindy Lange-Kubick, “Former pilot remembers falling from the sky,” tells Fred’s story of his P-38 plane being shot down over the trackless jungle, his survival for 31 days on two chocolate bars, snails, and bamboo shoots, his rescue, and the inspiring way he repaid those who saved his life. Nebraska Greens extend sympathy to Fred’s family and his many friends worldwide.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

LOCAL ARTISTS WANTED . . . The Third Annual Artistic Rain Barrel Program invites local artists to paint rain barrels with original designs for display citywide next spring. Twenty-five artists will be chosen for a public auction of barrels in May, 2011. Click here [pdf] for an application, which includes a short summary and preliminary sketch of your intended design. Submissions deadline is February 11, 2011. For more information, contact Ellen Wright, 402.441.7075.

FREE HOLIDAY TAXI SERVICE . . . Licensed drivers who have had too much holiday cheer to feel safe driving home can phone 402.474.7233 (474.SAFE) between 9:00pm and 2:00am through December 31st and a local law firm will pay for a taxi ride to any Lincoln residence.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “Capitalism: A Love Story,” Michael Moore’s documentary examining the impact of corporate dominance on everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world). Click here to view a 1:59 minute trailer. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Saturday, January 1, 2011, noon to 1:00pm, at 72nd & Pacific, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. If you drive, park in the lot closest to the southeast corner of the intersection. Help educate and raise awareness of the proposed pipeline threat to the fragile ecosystem of the entire region. The rally will be canceled if there is precipitation. For more information, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net

WINTER HIKE AT INDIAN CAVE . . . Sunday, January 2, 2011, the Nebraska Adventure Group will meet at Indian Cave State Park, 8:45am, for an easy to medium paced hike of ridges and trails in winter. Indian Cave is located on the county line between Nemaha and Richardson counties, ten miles south of Brownville, Nebraska. The park covers 3,000 acres along the Missouri River. E-mail debhoffnung [at] yahoo [dot] com with any questions.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . The following Letter to the Editor of Lincoln Jounal Star, “Tar sands oil devastating,” by Carol Smith, published December 19, 2010, refers to “U.S. pipeline plan, climate vows at odds,” a previous article regarding the Keystone XL pipeline. “The article addresses important negative aspects of the pipeline issue that we don’t see very often: higher greenhouse gas emissions from tar sands than from crude oil; the destruction of forest and wetland in Alberta, the size of Florida; and the poisoning of their air and water. One fact it did not mention is that the burden of this devastation is once again being borne on the backs of the indigenous population. While it is true that it would be a needless tragedy to have the pipeline leak into the Ogallala Aquifer, we need to recognize our own personal responsibility for why we need so much oil in the first place. We have the technology to drastically reduce our dependence on all oil, if only we can find the personal courage to do so. Let’s work together to make it happen.” “On Precaution,” by Naomi Klein for Reader Supported News on December 8th, features photos of Canadian landscapes gutted by tar sands extraction.
“U.S. poised to slurp up more of Canada’s dirtiest oil,” was published by McClatchy newspapers December 8, 2010. It begins, “At the climate talks under way at the Mexican beach resort of Cancun, the U.S. has assured the world it’s not backing away from its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, however, the State Department looks likely to approve a pipeline that would increase the use of one of the dirtiest forms of oil.” On December 10, Lincoln Journal Star published coverage of TransCanada tests on the existing Keystone pipeline, “TransCanada checking Keystone anomalies.” New information from BOLD Nebraska is that there was a pipeline leak in Nebraska, August of this year. In a letter to Senator Nelson, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said no decision has been made on the proposed Keystone XL $7 Billion pipeline, despite her reported remarks suggesting she supports the project. Lincoln Journal Star coverage of “Hillary Clinton: No Keystone XL decision made,” was published December 11.
A Nebraska Unicameral Update “Oil pipeline safety analyzed,” is here. “Slated for construction in Nebraska in 2011, the 1,661-mile oil pipeline will connect Canadian crude oil suppliers to Texas refineries.” Such language assumes the pipeline will be build, even before the State Department has approved the project. Senators need to know there is constituent opposition statewide, and be encouraged to reconsider assumptions about inevitability. Only two Senators have started asking challenging questions. If Senator Harr or Senator Fulton is your senator, consider thanking him for speaking out. All the senators need to understand that, at the least, they can require financial assurances from TransCanada with regulatory oversight for pipelines, and reform eminent domain laws. Find your senator’s web page by name and by District here. Contact information is included for each Senator.
North American native groups urged the United States and Canada to abandon support for the carbon-heavy tar sands pipeline in protests at the UN Climate Talks in Cancun. “Cancun Protesters Target Canada, U.S. over Oil Sands,” by SolveClimateNews covered the protests on December 3rd. Nebraska Farmer’s Union has also issued a Resolution against the XL pipeline. Lincoln Journal Star published another letter to the editor, “Reroute the pipeline,” Sunday, December 5th. To get involved with planning XL pipeline opposition strategy, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened. A Proposed Dirty Oil Pipeline Would Put Americans at Risk for Cancer and Asthma–Why Are Senators Pushing For Its Hasty Approval was published by AlterNet on September 23, 2010. ” …We know the Keystone XL pipeline would put American health at risk. In addition to threatening drinking water, processing tar sands oil releases pollutants directly linked to asthma, emphysema and birth defects. Refining tar sands crude from the pipeline would create far more air pollution in American communities that are already burdened with cancer and poor air quality as a result of the oil industry. We also know the pipeline would cross the most important source of agricultural water in the United States, the Ogallala aquifer. And we know pipeline disasters happen.” Read Ken Winston’s November 4, 2010 Tar Sands Pipeline Update for Nebraska Sierra here.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL tar sands pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada
construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.”

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople meet through The Nebraska Food Cooperative, an on-line, year-round farmers’ market and local food distribution service offering the best in local freshness. For ordering and pickup schedules, refer to the calendar here. Click here for products and prices from North Star Neighbors, a
Cooperative member that doesn’t therapeutically medicate or unduly confine animals. Click here for Tomato Tomäto, Omaha’s year-round indoor Farmer’s Market at 156th & West Center. Shop for fresh foods grown in or very near your own community at Open Harvest, Lincoln’s member-owned natural foods retail cooperative at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente

Green Notes Week of December 19, 2010

December 19, 2010Green Notesgreenone

HAPPY SOLSTICE, CHRISTMAS, KAWNZAA, HANNUKAH, YULE — FROM NEBRASKA GREEN PARTY!

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

LOCAL ARTISTS WANTED . . . The Third Annual Artistic Rain Barrel Program invites local artists to paint rain barrels with original designs for display citywide next spring. Twenty-five artists will be chosen for a public auction of barrels in May, 2011. Click here [pdf] for an application, which includes a short summary and preliminary sketch of your intended design. For more information, contact Ellen Wright, 402.441.7075.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is an Anti-War and Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068.

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “Control Room,” a documentary about the Arab television network Al-Jazeera’s coverage of the U.S.-led Iraqi war, and conflicts that arose in managed perceptions of truth between that news media outlet and the American military. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

MALCOLM X CENTER GRAND OPENING . . . The grand opening of the new Malcolm X Foundation International Headquarters, 3448 Evans Street, Omaha, will be Thursday, December 23, 2010, 6:00pm. At Malcolm X Avenue and Evans, the building, adjacent to the Malcolm X birthplace, will provide activities to grow and empower the Omaha community and foster individual potential. Click here for details.

PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Sunday, December 26, 2010, noon to 1:00pm, at 72nd & Dodge, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. If you drive, park in the bank parking lot on the southwest corner of the intersection. Help educate and raise awareness of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline threat to fragile ecosystem of the entire region. The rally will be canceled if there is precipitation. For more information, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . The following Letter to the Editor of Lincoln Jounal Star, “Tar sands oil devastating,” by Carol Smith, published December 19, 2010, refers to “U.S. pipeline plan, climate vows at odds,” a previous article regarding the Keystone XL pipeline. “The article addresses important negative aspects of the pipeline issue that we don’t see very often: higher greenhouse gas emissions from tar sands than from crude oil; the destruction of forest and wetland in Alberta, the size of Florida; and the poisoning of their air and water. One fact it did not mention is that the burden of this devastation is once again being borne on the backs of the indigenous population. While it is true that it would be a needless tragedy to have the pipeline leak into the Ogallala Aquifer, we need to recognize our own personal responsibility for why we need so much oil in the first place. We have the technology to drastically reduce our dependence on all oil, if only we can find the personal courage to do so. Let’s work together to make it happen.” “On Precaution,” by Naomi Klein for Reader Supported News on December 8th, features photos of Canadian landscapes gutted by tar sands extraction.
“U.S. poised to slurp up more of Canada’s dirtiest oil,” was published by McClatchy newspapers December 8, 2010. It begins, “At the climate talks under way at the Mexican beach resort of Cancun, the U.S. has assured the world it’s not backing away from its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, however, the State Department looks likely to approve a pipeline that would increase the use of one of the dirtiest forms of oil.” On December 10, Lincoln Journal Star published coverage of TransCanada tests on the existing Keystone pipeline, “TransCanada checking Keystone anomalies.” New information from BOLD Nebraska is that there was a pipeline leak in Nebraska, August of this year. In a letter to Senator Nelson, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said no decision has been made on the proposed Keystone XL $7 Billion pipeline, despite her reported remarks suggesting she supports the project. Lincoln Journal Star coverage of “Hillary Clinton: No Keystone XL decision made,” was published December 11.
A Nebraska Unicameral Update “Oil pipeline safety analyzed,” is here. “Slated for construction in Nebraska in 2011, the 1,661-mile oil pipeline will connect Canadian crude oil suppliers to Texas refineries.” Such language assumes the pipeline will be build, even before the State Department has approved the project. Senators need to know there is constituent opposition statewide, and be encouraged to reconsider assumptions about inevitability. Only two Senators have started asking challenging questions. If Senator Harr or Senator Fulton is your senator, consider thanking him for speaking out. All the senators need to understand that, at the least, they can require financial assurances from TransCanada with regulatory oversight for pipelines, and reform eminent domain laws. Find your senator’s web page by name and by District here. Contact information is included for each Senator.
North American native groups urged the United States and Canada to abandon support for the carbon-heavy tar sands pipeline in protests at the UN Climate Talks in Cancun. “Cancun Protesters Target Canada, U.S. over Oil Sands,” by SolveClimateNews covered the protests on December 3rd. Nebraska Farmer’s Union has also issued a Resolution against the XL pipeline. Lincoln Journal Star published another letter to the editor, “Reroute the pipeline,” Sunday, December 5th. To get involved with planning XL pipeline opposition strategy, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened.
A Proposed Dirty Oil Pipeline Would Put Americans at Risk for Cancer and Asthma–Why Are Senators Pushing For Its Hasty Approval? was published by AlterNet on September 23, 2010. ” …We know the Keystone XL pipeline would put American health at risk. In addition to threatening drinking water, processing tar sands oil releases pollutants directly linked to asthma, emphysema and birth defects. Refining tar sands crude from the pipeline would create far more air pollution in American communities that are already burdened with cancer and poor air quality as a result of the oil industry. We also know the pipeline would cross the most important source of agricultural water in the United States, the Ogallala aquifer. And we know pipeline disasters happen.” Read Ken Winston’s November 4, 2010 Tar Sands Pipeline Update for Nebraska Sierra here.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL tar sands pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.“

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente

Green Notes Week of December 12, 2010

December 12, 2010Green Notesgreenone

TAKE A STAND FOR PEACE! Thursday, December 16, 2010, groups from around the country will Take a Stand for Peace at the White House. From Mike Ferner, Veterans for Peace President, “If we can gather enough courageous souls, nonviolently refusing to leave the White House, willing to be dragged away and arrested if necessary, we will send a message that will be seen worldwide. “End these wars – now!” We will carry forward a flame of resistance to the war machine that will not diminish as we effectively begin to place ourselves, as Mario Savio said, “upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus.” and we will make it stop.”

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

VIGIL AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY . . . Every Monday, from noon to 1:00pm, Nebraskans for abolition of the death penalty meet in front of the governor’s mansion, 1425 H Street, Lincoln. The lunch-hour presence reminds the governor of a constituency that does not want state killings. Weekly vigils have taken place year-round since July, 1991. All
abolitionists are welcome to participate for a few minutes, or the hour. For information about Nebraskans Against the Death Penalty, click here.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION . . . Where Will Nebraska Find $1 Billion? Senator Danielle Conrad will host a Community Conversation on the state budget, Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 6:30 to 7:30pm, at Eiseley Library, 1530 Superior Street, Lincoln.

LINCOLN GREEN DRINKS . . . This month’s Green Drinks in Lincoln at Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill, 210 North 7th Street, will be Wednesday, December 15, 2010. Informal networking officially starts at 5:30pm, but Happy Hour prices on drinks and appetizers are good from 3:00 to 6:00pm. Walk, cycle, bus or carpool if possible. Green Drinks now are active in 767 cities worldwide.

LWV LUNCH & LEARN . . . Well known comedian T. Marni Vos will help the League of Women Voters celebrate its 90th anniversary during the December Lunch and Learn at the Downtown Holiday Inn, 141 North 9 Street, Lincoln, on December 16, 2010. Open to the public, the lunch starts at noon. Reservations are required by noon on Monday, December 13th. Contact the League at lwv-ne [at] inebraska [dot] com or phone 402.475.1411.

AUDUBON CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT . . . Lincoln’s Annual Audubon Bird Count will be Saturday, December 18, 2010. Volunteers from across the Western Hemisphere have spent a day identifying and counting birds every year since 1900. It is the largest citizen science event in the world. Birds can be counted from midnight to midnight on the count day in a defined 15-mile-diameter circle. Volunteers identify and count every bird they see or hear, providing information that allows researchers to estimate the total number of birds and species in the area that day. Feeder watchers count birds at their backyard feeders or in their neighborhoods. Locally, the 15-mile circle includes Wilderness Park, Holmes Lake, Oak Lake, University of Nebraska-Lincoln City and East campuses, Pioneers Park, Nine-Mile Prairie, Wyuka Cemetery, Capitol Beach, Yankee Hill Lake, Conestoga Lake and Pawnee Lake. To sign up — either in the field or at your feeder — contact Linda Brown at 402.489.2381 or e-mail lindar1brown [at] gmail [dot] com. Species number will be tallied at a 6:00pm potluck dinner after the count. RSVP at 402.890.5779.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is an Anti-War and Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068.

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “Imagining Argentina.” Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson star in this political thriller from Academy Award-winning director Christopher Hampton. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

RENEWABLE ENERGY WORKSHOP . . . Friday, December 17, 2010, 8:00am to 4:30pm, there will be a free one-day introductory course on renewable energy systems, and resources for further self-study, at the Fort Omaha Campus, ICA, Room 201A. Clay Sterling, Education Director of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, will speak on how renewable energy can provide an alternative to traditional electrical and heating needs. To register, contact Laura Roush, 402.738.4775 or Lroush1 [at] mccneb [dot] edu

PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Saturday, December 18, 2010, noon to 1:00pm, at 90th & Maple, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. If you drive, park in the bank parking lot on the southwest corner of the intersection. Help educate and raise awareness of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline threat to fragile ecosystem of the entire region. The rally will be canceled if there is precipitation. For more information, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net

PROGRESSIVE OMAHA HOLIDAY PARTY . . . Instead of a Progressive Omaha meeting this month there will be a holiday party Saturday, December 18, 2010, 7:30pm, at the home of the Dunns, 1214 North 34th Street, Omaha. Celebrate the season– Solstice, Christmas, Hannukah, Yule–the inauguration of the Progressive Research Institute of Nebraska and the coming New Year. Join friends, neighbors and the usual suspects for an evening of good cheer. E-mail jack [at] progressiveomaha [dot] com with any questions.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . “U.S. poised to slurp up more of Canada’s dirtiest oil,” was published by McClatchy newspapers December 8, 2010. It begins, “At the climate talks under way at the Mexican beach resort of Cancun, the U.S. has assured the world it’s not backing away from its pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, however, the State Department looks likely to approve a pipeline that would increase the use of one of the dirtiest forms of oil.” On December 10, Lincoln Journal Star published coverage of TransCanada tests on the existing Keystone pipeline, “TransCanada checking Keystone anomalies.” New information from BOLD Nebraska is that there was a pipeline leak in Nebraska, August of this year. In a letter to Senator Nelson, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said no decision has been made on the proposed Keystone XL $7 Billion pipeline, despite her reported remarks suggesting she supports the project. Lincoln Journal Star coverage of “Hillary Clinton: No Keystone XL decision made” was published December 11.
A Nebraska Unicameral Update “Oil pipeline safety analyzed,” is here. “Slated for construction in Nebraska in 2011, the 1,661-mile oil pipeline will connect Canadian crude oil suppliers to Texas refineries.” Such language assumes the pipeline will be build, even before the State Department has approved the project. Senators need to know there is constituent opposition statewide, and be encouraged to reconsider assumptions about inevitability. Only two Senators have started asking challenging questions. If Senator Harr or Senator Fulton is your senator, consider thanking him for speaking out. All the senators need to understand that, at the least, they can require financial assurances from TransCanada with regulatory oversight for pipelines, and reform eminent domain laws. Find your senator’s web page by name and by District here. Contact information is included for each Senator.
North American native groups urged the United States and Canada to abandon support for the carbon-heavy tar sands pipeline in protests at the UN Climate Talks in Cancun. “Cancun Protesters Target Canada, U.S. over Oil Sands,” by SolveClimateNews covered the protests on December 3rd. Nebraska Farmer’s Union has also issued a Resolution against the XL pipeline. Lincoln Journal Star published another letter to the editor, “Reroute the pipeline,” Sunday, December 5th. To get involved with planning XL pipeline opposition strategy, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened.
A Proposed Dirty Oil Pipeline Would Put Americans at Risk for Cancer and Asthma–Why Are Senators Pushing For Its Hasty Approval? was published by AlterNet on September 23, 2010. ” …We know the Keystone XL pipeline would put American health at risk. In addition to threatening drinking water, processing tar sands oil releases pollutants directly linked to asthma, emphysema and birth defects. Refining tar sands crude from the pipeline would create far more air pollution in American communities that are already burdened with cancer and poor air quality as a result of the oil industry. We also know the pipeline would cross the most important source of agricultural water in the United States, the Ogallala aquifer. And we know pipeline disasters happen.” Read Ken Winston’s November 4, 2010 Tar Sands Pipeline Update for Nebraska Sierra here.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL tar sands pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters. Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.“

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente

Green Notes Week of December 5, 2010

December 5, 2010Green Notesgreenone

Friday, December 10, 2010, is Human Rights Day, the day the world commemorates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a towering vision of equality and peace.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

AN EVENING WITH BEATTY BRASCH . . . The Lincoln Chapter of Nebraskans For Peace will present An Evening with Beatty Brasch on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, 7:00 to 9:00pm, at The Center for People in Need, 3901 North 27th Street, Lincoln. Brasch, president of The Center, will report on a recent survey of poverty in Lincoln, new grant projects to combat poverty, and the staggering poverty in North Omaha. E-mail Carol McShane with questions, carolmcshane [at] gmail [dot] com, or phone 402.438.5141.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

350.ORG HOLIDAY GATHERING . . . More than 150 people were at the 10.10.10 Omaha Global Work Party in Memorial Park October 10th. 350.org-Nebraska will thank Omaha participants and friends at a holiday gathering in the Whole Foods Market meeting room, 10020 Regency Circle, on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, from 5:30 to 7:30pm. The photo of Omaha’s 10-10-10 event was selected by the international 350.org organization to represent one of the top 50 events in North America. Photos and videos taken that day are here, here, and here.

OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is an Anti-War and Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068.

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “A Crude Awakening – The Oil Crash.” Click here to watch the trailer for this film about how our civilization’s addiction to oil puts it on a collision course with geology. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Saturday, December 11, 2010, noon to 1:00pm, at 90th & Maple, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. Dress warm. Help educate and raise awareness of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline threat to the fragile ecosystem of the entire region. The rally will be canceled if there is precipitation. For more information, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net

PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION FOR SUDAN . . . The Sudanese Civil Society of Nebraska will host a peaceful demonstration in support of a free and fair referendum to pave the way for Self-Determination in Southern Sudan on Saturday, December 11, 2010, 11:00am to 3:00pm, at Memorial Park, 5700 Dodge Street, in Omaha. For more information, phone James Guek, 402.812.5330, or John Badeng, 402.699.0837.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

PEACE WORKERS MEETING . . . The December meeting of Central Nebraska Peace Workers, a chapter of Nebraskans for Peace, will be Sunday, December 12, 2010, 3:00 to 5:00pm, at the home of Del and Carolyn Roper, 906 Bell Blvd., Grand Island. The Ropers will provide a large pot of chili, and beverages, for a 5:00pm pot luck supper. All PeaceMakers are welcome. The CNPW mission is Peace, Environmental Preservation, and Social Justice.

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . A December 1, 2010 Natural Resources Committee public hearing at the Nebraska Legislature drew compelling tesitmony from several landowners, Nebraska Green Party former Co-chair Frances Mendenhall, and representatives of BOLD Nebraska, Nebraska Sierra, Nebraska Wildlife Federation, among others. Press coverage from the Lincoln Journal Star is here; from the Omaha World Herald is here; and the Grand Island Independent is here.
A Unicameral Update “Oil pipeline safety analyzed,” is here. “Slated for construction in Nebraska in 2011, the 1,661-mile oil pipeline will connect Canadian crude oil suppliers to Texas refineries.” Such language assumes the pipeline will be build, even before the State Department has approved the project. Senators need to know there is constituent opposition statewide, and be encouraged to reconsider assumptions about inevitability. Only two Senators have started asking challenging questions. If Senator Harr or Senator Fulton is your senator, consider thanking him for speaking out. All the senators need to understand that, at the least, they can require financial assurances from TransCanada with regulatory oversight for pipelines, and reform eminent domain laws. Find your senator’s web page by name and by District here. Contact information is included for each Senator.
North American native groups urged the United States and Canada to abandon support for the carbon-heavy tar sands pipeline in protests at the UN Climate Talks in Cancun. “Cancun Protesters Target Canada, U.S. over Oil Sands,” by Solve Climate News, covered the protests on December 3rd. Nebraska Farmer’s Union has also issued a Resolution against the XL pipeline. Lincoln Journal Star published another letter to the editor, “Reroute the pipeline,” Sunday, December 5th. To get involved with planning XL pipeline opposition strategy, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened.
A Proposed Dirty Oil Pipeline Would Put Americans at Risk for Cancer and Asthma–Why Are Senators Pushing For Its Hasty Approval? was published by AlterNet on September 23, 2010. ” …We know the Keystone XL pipeline would put American health at risk. In addition to threatening drinking water, processing tar sands oil releases pollutants directly linked to asthma, emphysema and birth defects. Refining tar sands crude from the pipeline would create far more air pollution in American communities that are already burdened with cancer and poor air quality as a result of the oil industry. We also know the pipeline would cross the most important source of agricultural water in the United States, the Ogallala aquifer. And we know pipeline disasters happen.” Read Ken Winston’s November 4, 2010 Tar Sands Pipeline Update for Nebraska Sierra here.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL sand tars pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.”

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente

Green Notes Week of November 28, 2010

November 28, 2010Green Notesgreenone

EARTH CIRCLE . . . On the first day of each month, people around the world stop for five minutes to visualize peace and focus on new levels of kindness, understanding, and compassion necessary for collectively facing the challenges of the 21st century. Join peacemakers everywhere at 4:00pm Greenwich Mean Time, 10:00am in Lincoln and Omaha, 9:00am Mountain Time, on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, with the intention of deep healing for the Planet and all its beings. Click here for more information about Earth Circle.

WORLD AIDS DAY . . . December 1st is World AIDS Day. Help Stop the Global Pediatric AIDS Epidemic.

SCROLL DOWN FOR TRANSCANADA XL PIPELINE UPDATE. News items, and contact information for needed communication with specific elected officials is below following Green Notes by Congressional District. Note the CD 1 hearing, and notice of Saturday’s rally in CD 2.

CLIMATE JUSTICE . . . Wednesday, December 1, 2010, is national call-in day for climate justice. The world’s poorest nations are on the front lines of catastrophic climate change. Floods in Pakistan and droughts in Africa are just the most recent examples of how poor nations are suffering because of indifference to the climate crisis. 1Sky, ActionAid, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Jubilee USA and other partners are calling for a national call-in day on Wednesday, December 1st, just as climate talks in Cancun get underway. Sign up to call the White House on Wednesday, and tell the President to keep his climate promises in Cancun. Or, phone the White House directly at 202.456.1414.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

HEARING ON PIPELINES AT CAPITOL . . . State Senator Annette Dubas will hold a hearing on the Legislature’s interim study of oil and gas pipelines at the Capitol, 1445 K Street, Lincoln, on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, at 9:00am. Ask for hearing room number at the information desk. Opponents need to insure that state senators know Nebraskans are watching, and we do not support this proposed pipeline. Citizens and landowners may testify, share ideas about how to best protect our land and water resources, or just be there in solidarity. If you plan to speak, and wish to coordinate testimony with others, contact Jane Kleeb, 402.705.3622, twitter: @janekleeb.

ONE BOOK ONE LINCOLN EVENT . . . The last in a series of One Book One Lincoln events will be Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 7:00pm, at the Gere Library, 2400 South 56th Street. The 2010 selection is “I Am a Man,” by Lincoln writer Joe Starita. UN-L professor emeritus at the College of Law, John Snowden, will discuss the history of Native American law, followed by a time for questions. For more information, contact Lincoln City Libraries at 402.441.8500.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is an Anti-War and Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068.

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney, Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “Race: The Power of an Illusion – Episode 3 – The House We Live In.” The PBS film uncovers how race resides not in nature but in politics, economics and culture. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

OMAHA’S TRANSPORTATION PLAN . . . The last of 6 public participation meetings seeking feedback on Omaha’s long-range transportation plan will be Thursday, December 2, 2010, 4:30 to 6:30pm, at the South Omaha Metro Community College Campus, South 27th & Q Streets, in the Library conference room. The plan is available here. A survey regarding the plan is available here. [pdf] E-mail comments to LRTP [at] mapacog [dot] org

PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Saturday, December 4, 2010, noon to 1:30pm, or 2:00, depending on weather, at 72nd & Pacific, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. Park in the southeast lot closest to the intersection, if driving. Dress warm. Help educate and raise awareness of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline threat to the fragile ecosystem of the entire region. The rally will be canceled if there is precipitation and/or below freezing temperatures. For more information, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . A Tuesday, November 23, 2010 press conference at the capitol rotunda released a new 60-page report by Plains Justice, an energy and environmental law center in Billings, Montana, on the pending pipeline project. “The Northern Great Plains at Risk: Oil Spill Planning Deficiencies in Keystone Pipeline System,” raises serious response concerns. Lincoln Journal Star press conference coverage is here. Omaha World Herald coverage, “Pipeline spill response plans faulted,” was published November 24th.
November 19 through the 22nd, the first International Tar Sands Resistance Summit was held in Missoula, Montana, where activists from all over North America met to work on creative ways to maximize protest energy and opposition. Coverage, photos and video are here. To get involved with planning XL pipeline opposition strategy in Nebraska, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net.
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened.
A Proposed Dirty Oil Pipeline Would Put Americans at Risk for Cancer and Asthma–Why Are Senators Pushing For Its Hasty Approval? was published by AlterNet on September 23, 2010. ” …We know the Keystone XL pipeline would put American health at risk. In addition to threatening drinking water, processing tar sands oil releases pollutants directly linked to asthma, emphysema and birth defects. Refining tar sands crude from the pipeline would create far more air pollution in American communities that are already burdened with cancer and poor air quality as a result of the oil industry. We also know the pipeline would cross the most important source of agricultural water in the United States, the Ogallala aquifer. And we know pipeline disasters happen.” Read Ken Winston’s November 4, 2010 Tar Sands Pipeline Update for Nebraska Sierra here.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL sand tars pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.“

BUY FRESH. BUY LOCAL . . . . Farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople meet through The Nebraska Food Cooperative, an on-line, year-round farmers’ market and local food distribution service offering the best in local freshness. For ordering and pickup schedules, refer to the calendar here. Click here, for products and prices from North Star Neighbors, a Cooperative member that doesn’t therapeutically medicate or unduly confine animals. Click here for Tomato Tomäto, Omaha’s year-round indoor Farmer’s Market at 156th & West Center. Shop for fresh foods grown in or very near your own community at Open Harvest, Lincoln’s member-owned natural foods retail cooperative at 1618 South Street. Buying local grows family farming, grows the local economy, and is thousands of miles fresher.

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente

Green Notes Week of November 21, 2010

November 21, 2010Green Notesgreenone

SCROLL DOWN FOR TRANSCANADA XL PIPELINE UPDATE. News items, new letters to Lincoln Journal Star, and contact information for needed communication with specific elected officials are included, following Green Notes by Congressional District. Note the CD 1 Tuesday press conference, Tuesday meetings with TransCanada, and notice of weekly rally in Omaha below.

NATIONAL OPT-OUT DAY AGAINST INVASIVE BODY SCANNERS . . . National Opt-Out Day Against Invasive Body Scanners in use at airports around the country is Wednesday, November 24, 2010. Air travelers are encouraged to decline the TSA’s technological strip searches en masse on Wednesday as a protest against the scanners and new enhanced pat-downs demanded of those who refuse.

BIOMIMICRY IN ACTION: USING NATURE-BASED PRINCIPALS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS . . .Biomimicry is a conscious emulation of nature’s genuis. Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 11:00am to noon, MST, Marie Zanowick, Certified Biomimicry Professional in EPA’s Region 8 Pollution Prevention Program, will provide an overview of the emerging science and its direct application to sustainability. To reserve a Webinar seat, click here. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

PRESS CONFERENCE AND MEETINGS WITH TRANSCANADA . . . Tuesday, November 23, 2010, there will be a noon press conference at the Capitol Rotunda to release a new report on the *current* TransCanada pipeline and emergency response plan. The 60 page report shows huge safety concerns. If you’d like to speak, or represent your organization at the press conference, phone Jane Kleeb, 402.705.3622, or twitter: [at] janekleeb. After the press conference, a copy of the new report will be delivered to the governor and the attorney general.
TransCanada is holding meetings in Nebraska right now. In most cases, pipeline opponents don’t know about them until after they happen, although Bold Nebraska has learned about two meetings this week: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 10:15am, at the County Courthouse Boardroom, 411 4th Street, Fairbury; and Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 11:00am, at the Courthouse in Geneva, 900 G Street. (Meetings curiously timed so that opponents will be unavailable due to the press conference.) Again, if readers can be at either of these meetings with TransCanada, please speak with Jane at 402.705.3622.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

NON-PROFITS AND THE JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS PROCESS . . . On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 2:30 to 4:30pm, Erica Swanson, with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, will speak about “Guardians of Justice–the Importance of Fair Courts and Independent Judges to Protecting our Civil and Human Rights,” and why non-profit organizations should be interested in the judicial nominations process. This free presentation will be at the Kroc Center Chapel in the new Salvation Army Center, 2825 Y Street, Omaha. Click “join us” here to register.

OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is an Anti-War and Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068.

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action.” Nearly all Indian lands in the U.S. face grave environmental threats – toxic waste, strip mining, oil drilling and nuclear contamination. A handful of activists are fighting back. Watch clips, beginning with Winona LaDuke speaking about The Last Slivers of Land, here. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

THANKSGIVING EVE GREEN DRINKS . . . There was a surprisingly good Green Drinks response in Omaha last year on Thanksgiving Eve, so the tradition will continue on Wednesday, November 24, 2010, 5:30pm to close, at Whole Foods Market, 10020 Regency Circle, in the education room by restaurant seating, across from the coffee bar. Everyone working on, or interested in environmental issues is invited. Walk, cycle, bus, or carpool if possible. There are now regular Green Drinks gatherings in 756 cities worldwide.

PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Saturday, November 27, 2010, 1:00 to 2:30pm, at 72nd & Pacific, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. Help educate and raise awareness of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline threat to the fragile ecosystem of the entire region. If weather is very cold, the rally will be canceled. For more information, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will meet Sunday, November 21, 2010, 6:00pm, at Whole Foods Market, 10020 Regency Circle, Omaha, in the public seating area. To get involved with planning XL pipeline opposition strategy, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net. November 19 through the 22nd, there is a XL Pipeline Summit in Missoula, Montana, where activists from all over North America will meet to work on creative ways to maximize protest energy and opposition. Contact the Indigenous Environmental Network for more information about the Summit.
“Opponents of pipeline question eminent domain,” in the November 18, 2010 Lincoln Journal Star, covered a Thursday press briefing in the Capitol Rotunda where a fifth generation Atkinson, Nebraska rancher joined Nebraska Sierra’s Ken Winston in expressing concerns about the XL pipeline, particularly in light of an earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale that hit the Schuyler area, along the route of TransCanada’s first Nebraska pipeline that began carrying tar sands oil earlier this year. A November 17th letter to the editor, “TransCanada’s arrogance,” was followed by a letter from Jim Anderson, “Stop oil dependency,” published on November 20, 2010. Click here and scroll down the Green Notes Index to follow the TransCanada tar sands pipeline issue since May 30, 2010.
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened.
A Proposed Dirty Oil Pipeline Would Put Americans at Risk for Cancer and Asthma–Why Are Senators Pushing For Its Hasty Approval? was published by AlterNet on September 23, 2010. ” …We know the Keystone XL pipeline would put American health at risk. In addition to threatening drinking water, processing tar sands oil releases pollutants directly linked to asthma, emphysema and birth defects. Refining tar sands crude from the pipeline would create far more air pollution in American communities that are already burdened with cancer and poor air quality as a result of the oil industry. We also know the pipeline would cross the most important source of agricultural water in the United States, the Ogallala aquifer. And we know pipeline disasters happen.” Read Ken Winston’s November 4, 2010 Tar Sands Pipeline Update for Nebraska Sierra here.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL sand tars pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.“

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente

Green Notes Week of November 14, 2010

November 14, 2010Green Notesgreenone

AMERICA RECYCLES DAY . . . ‘I Recycle’ is the theme of this year’s 13th annual America Recycles Day, Monday, November 15, 2010. Recycle More–at home, at work, and on the go. Cick here to learn about Keep Nebraska Beautiful.

SCROLL DOWN FOR TRANSCANADA XL PIPELINE UPDATE. News items, new letters to Lincoln Journal Star, and contact information for needed communication with specific elected officials are included, following Green Notes by Congressional District. Please note the weekly Omaha rally in CD 2 Notes below.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

ABENDMUSIK SWEATER DRIVE . . . . Abendmusik Lincoln is sponsoring a drive for new or gently-used winter-wear until Saturday, November 20, 2010, followed by a special “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” Concert featuring music of Mr. Rogers’Neighborhood on Sunday, November 21, 2010, 4:00pm, at First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street. Admission will be free, but a sweater donation is encouraged. More than 300 sweaters have already been collected. Drop off sweaters at West Gate Banks at Hiway 2 & Old Cheney, 27th & Old Cheney, 17th & South, 27th & Cornhusker Hiway, 50th & O Street, 84 & Holdrege, West O & Capitol Beach; Runza Drive-ins at 27th & Superior, 33rd & Hiway 2, 56th & Holdrege, 70th & Van Dorn, 40th & Yankee Hill; and First-Plymouth.

NEBRASKA WRITERS SPEAK . . . Joseph Wydeven, author of “Wright Morris Revisited,” will speak about Morris and his book “The Home Place,” One Book One Nebraska’s 2010 selection on Sunday, November 21, 2010, at The Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors, third floor Bennett Martin Public Library, 14th & N Streets, Lincoln. Joe Starita will celebrate Native American History Month and his book “I Am A Man: Chief Standing Bear’s Journey for Justice,” with a talk and booksigning Sunday, November 21st, 1:00 to 2:30pm, at Indigo Bridge Books, 701 P Street, on the first floor of Lincoln’s Creamery Building in the Haymarket. Starita’s book is this year’s One Book One Lincoln title. Both presentations are free an open to the public.

TOWN HALL MEETING . . . A Town Hall Meeting with Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, will be Sunday, November 21, 2010, 5:00pm, at the Holiday Inn Downtown, 141 North 9th Street, Lincoln. The free presentation, followed by Q&A and open discussion, will focus on HSUS programs and activities, key priorities, and work on high-impact changes for animals in Nebraska and across the country. To RSVP (required) click here or phone 301.258.1513.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is an Anti-War and Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068.

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “Title: 8: The Mormon Proposition.” Through never-before seen documents, recordings & insider-interviews, 8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION, exposes the efforts of the Mormon Church and its members to halt nearly every piece of LGBT legislation on the desks of lawmakers from Hawaii to New York. Watch 2:39 minute trailer here. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

PROTEST KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE . . . Guardians of the Good Life will rally to protest the XL tar sands pipeline on Saturday, November 20, 2010, 1:00 to 2:30 or 3:00pm, at 72nd & Dodge, in Omaha. Walk, bike, or carpool to the rally if possible. Help educate and raise awareness of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline threat to the fragile ecosystem of the entire region. If weather is bad, the rally will be cancelled. For more information, e-mail japlapoo [at] netzero [dot] net

SUSTAINABLE CITIES FORUM . . . The Nebraska League of Conservation Voters will sponsor a forum on improving the quality of urban life with ecological, cultural, political, social and economic components on Friday, November 19, 2010, from 3:30 to 5:30pm, at Embassy Suites LaVista Conference Center Windsor V, 12520 Westport Parkway, LaVista, Nebraska. Click here for details, and a list of sponsors, supporters and presenters. Click here to register, or e-mail cbrenner [at] nlcv [dot] org for more information.

FOOD SUMMIT: A BLUEPRINT FOR THE HARVEST . . . A Food Summit to support development of a local and regional food system that is environmentally sound, socially just, and economically viable leading to self-sufficiency for the community will be Friday and Saturday, November 19 and 20, 2010, at Metropolitan Community College Institute for the Culinary Arts, 32nd Street & Sorenson Pkwy, Omaha. Presented by No More Empty Pots “A Blueprint for the Harvest” will begin at noon on Friday, with lunch, a speaker and workshops, and continue from 8:00am to noon on Saturday, with breakfast and workshops. For more information contact Susan Whitfield, Project Manager, at 402.972.7330, or email nomoreemptypots [at] gmail [dot] com.

DAY HIKE AND WINE TASTING . . . There will be a day hike, Saturday, November 20, 2010, at the DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at 10:30am. An “Art of the Wild Show and Sale,” featuring a variety of local artwork, will be on display. DeSoto Refuge is located 25 miles north of Omaha. Take US Hwy 75 North to Hwy 30, then go east 5 miles to the entrance on DeSoto Avenue. At noon, there will be a special tasting of four Nebraska wines at Too Far North, 111 North 14th (Hiway 75), a wine shop and tasting room at Fort Calhoun. For carpool information and to rsvp, contact James Phernetton, jamesphernet [at] gmail [dot] com or phone 402.319.2322.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . A South Dakota landowner along Keystone I writes about his experience with TransCanada in a November 8, 2010 letter to the Lincoln Journal Star here. Click here and scroll down the Green Notes Index to follow the TransCanada tar sands pipeline issue since May 30, 2010.
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened.
A Proposed Dirty Oil Pipeline Would Put Americans at Risk for Cancer and Asthma–Why Are Senators Pushing For Its Hasty Approval? was published by AlterNet on September 23, 2010. ” …We know the Keystone XL pipeline would put American health at risk. In addition to threatening drinking water, processing tar sands oil releases pollutants directly linked to asthma, emphysema and birth defects. Refining tar sands crude from the pipeline would create far more air pollution in American communities that are already burdened with cancer and poor air quality as a result of the oil industry. We also know the pipeline would cross the most important source of agricultural water in the United States, the Ogallala aquifer. And we know pipeline disasters happen.” Read Ken Winston’s November 4, 2010 Tar Sands Pipeline Update for Nebraska Sierra here.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL sand tars pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.”

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente

Green Notes Week of November 7, 2010

November 7, 2010Green Notesgreenone

STOP THE WALL: MAKE APARTHEID HISTORY. November 9 through the 16th, 2010, is the Eighth Week of Action Against the Palestinian Grassroots Apartheid Wall. Learn about a Stop the Wall campaign, and actions you can take, here.

Lincoln area: Congressional District 1

CONGRATULATIONS TO STEVE LARRICK for re-election to the Natural Resources District Lower Platte South, Subdistrict 5, with 60.14% of the vote! From Steve: “Thanks to all for supporting efforts to green our political system. I look forward to pushing for more green infrastructure to reduce soil erosion and flooding downstream, while improving water quantity and quality in our watershed.”

AUTHOR AT UN-L . . . Joan Hecht, author of “The Journey of the Lost Boys,” will speak at UN-L’s Nebraska Union Auditorium, 14th & R Streets, Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 7:30pm. Watch a 2:11 minute video of Hecht introducing the story of The Lost Boys here.

OPEN HARVEST CELEBRATION . . . Open Harvest, Lincoln’s 30 year old natural and organic food market, will celebrate the launch of a new 2010 edition Open Harvest Cooks on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 5:00 to 6:00pm, at Indigo Bridge Books, 701 P Street, in the Lincoln Haymarket. Meet contributors, and sample recipes from the 350 cookbook offerings at the event.

AUDUBON ANNUAL MEETING . . . The Wachiska Audubon Annual Meeting will be Thursday, November 11, 2010, at the Union College Dick Administration Building auditorium, Room 03 lower level, 3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln, 7:00pm. Raptor Recovery Nebraska will introduce live birds of prey. Learn about Nebraska’s raptors and then witness several species in person. Because of continuing construction on South 48th Street, take the detour one block east and wind around the north side of campus. The large building to the south and west is the Dick Building. Look for Audubon signs on the doors. The public is invited to this free presentation after which refreshments will be served.

ABENDMUSIK SWEATER DRIVE UPDATE . . . . Abendmusik Lincoln is sponsoring a drive for new or gently-used winter-wear until November 20, 2010, followed by a special “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” Concert featuring music of Mr. Rogers’Neighborhood on Sunday, November 21, 2010, 4:00pm, at First-Plymouth Church, 2000 D Street. Admission will be free, but a sweater donation is encouraged. 300 sweaters have been collected so far. Drop off sweaters at West Gate Banks at Hiway 2 & Old Cheney, 27th & Old Cheney, 17th & South, 27th & Cornhusker Hiway, 50th & O Street, 84 & Holdrege, West O & Capitol Beach; Runza Drive-ins at 27th & Superior, 33rd & Hiway 2, 56th & Holdrege, 70th & Van Dorn, 40th & Yankee Hill; and First-Plymouth.

Omaha area: Congressional District 2

OMAHA PEACE VIGILS . . . Omaha peacemakers vigil every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30pm, at StratCom/UN-O, 6801 Pine Street, east of the Scott Technology Center on the UN-O campus. Free parking is available at the NE Corner of 67th Street and Pine in a student lot. For more information, phone Jerry Ebner, 402.502.5887. Every Saturday, 1:00-2:00pm, there is an Anti-War and Peace Vigil at 72nd and Dodge Streets. Contact Steve Horn at 402.426.9068.

OMAHA PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL . . . There is a People’s Film Festival every Wednesday evening, 7:00pm, at McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Harney in Omaha. The event is always free and open to the public. This week’s film is “Good Hair.” Chris Rock explores the wonders of African-American hairstyles. Watch the trailer here. For more information, click here. The People’s Film Festival – Expanding Political Consciousness Since 2004.

PRO-CHOICE COALITION MEETING . . . There will be a Pro-Choice Coalition Legislative Preparation Meeting on Thursday, November 11, 2010, 6:30pm, at Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, 4610 South 133rd Street, Suite 101, Omaha. Contact Tyler Richard at ACLU Nebraska, 402.476.8091, for more information.

NORTH OMAHA:MOVING FORWARD . . . Saturday, November 13, 2010, the North Omaha Empowerment Network Monthly Community Meeting “MOVING FORWARD!” will be at Omaha North High Magnet School Viking Center, 4410 North 36 Street. There will be an 8:45am Breakfast with networking, information displays and booths; 9:30am Interactive Community Meeting; and 11:30am Family Housing Advisory Services Housing Forum. Transforming the Community, Block by Block. For more information, click here or call 402.502.5153.
The Housing and Financial Stability Forum, from 11:30am to 3:00pm, will address housing and financial issues in North Omaha. The event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided by NeighborWorks Omaha. For more information, click here [pdf] or call Michael Robinson, 402.934.6727. Rsvp’s are requested by November 10th.

OVERNIGHT SIERRA BACKPACK TRIP . . . Saturday, November 13, to Sunday, November 14, 2010, hike in Stephens State Forest, Iowa, camp overnight, and return to Omaha Sunday afternoon. Stephens State Forest is 15,170 acres covering the largest geographical area of any state forest in Iowa. For details, and to rsvp, e-mail John Calandra, johndcal [at] cox [dot] net or phone 402.312.4672.

PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION FOR SUDAN . . . The Sudanese Civil Society of Nebraska will host a peaceful demonstration in support of a free and fair referendum to pave the way for Self-Determination in Southern Sudan on Saturday, November 13, 2010, 11:00am to 3:00pm, at Memorial Park, 5700 Dodge Street, in Omaha. For more information, phone James Guek, 402.812.5330, or John Badeng, 402.699.0837.

NEBRASKA SIERRA ANNUAL . . . The Annual Banquet of the Sierra Club-Nebraska Chapter will be November 13, 2010, at the Garden Cafe, 108 & West Center Road, Omaha. Social hour will begin at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30pm. The MoValley Group Sierra will hold a silent auction in conjunction with the banquet.

PROGRESSIVE OMAHA MEETING . . . All are welcome at the next Progressive Omaha meeting on Saturday, November 13, 2010, at 4924 Chicago, in Dundee. The speaker will be Ollie Perryman, founder of PFrontline, Inc., an Omaha gang prevention and intervention agency. Potluck supper is from 6:00 to 7:00pm, 7:00 to 8:00 is for the Speaker, then meeting business and social time lasts until 9:00pm or after. Contact Karen Abrams, kabrams123 [at] cox [dot] net for more information.

Greater Nebraska: Congressional District 3

NEBRASKA WIND POWER 2010 CONFERENCE . . . The third annual Nebraska Wind Power 2010 Conference is Tuesday and Wednesday, November 9 and 10, 2010, at the New Younes Conference Center, Kearney, Nebraska. Click here for more information.

MONEY SMART NEBRASKA . . . November 8 through 14, 2010, Money Smart Nebraska will host workshops, seminars, programs and events providing improved financial literacy throughout the state. Click here for a searchable calendar of statewide events.

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE UPDATE . . . The Thursday, November 5, 2010 Lincoln Journal Star published “Environmental groups want Hillary Clinton’s recusal from pipeline review,” reporting that Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace USA, Plains Justice, Public Citizen, the Center for Biological Diversity, Center for International Environmental Law and Indigenous Environmental Network have called for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “to recuse herself from the review of a $7 billion oil pipeline project because of comments she made last month suggesting support for it.” TransCanada sent its own letter to Secretary Clinton this week, arguing that a draft environmental impact analysis of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline already “fully takes into account all reasonable alternatives and satisfies the Department’s obligations and the public’s interests.” New letters to the LJS editor are here and here. Click here and scroll down the Green Notes Index to follow the TransCanada tar sands pipeline issue since May 30, 2010.
The Natural Resources Defense Council calls tar sands “the dirtiest, most destructive oil on the face of the Earth.” The Keystone XL pipeline would threaten Nebraska’s underground source of fresh water, the 175,000-square-mile High Plains Aquifer, that provides water to 1.9 million people and irrigation for thousands of square miles of farmland throughout eight states. Nebraska’s geologically unique Sand Hills, where many bird species rest during migration, would also be threatened.
A Proposed Dirty Oil Pipeline Would Put Americans at Risk for Cancer and Asthma–Why Are Senators Pushing For Its Hasty Approval? was published by AlterNet on September 23, 2010. ” …We know the Keystone XL pipeline would put American health at risk. In addition to threatening drinking water, processing tar sands oil releases pollutants directly linked to asthma, emphysema and birth defects. Refining tar sands crude from the pipeline would create far more air pollution in American communities that are already burdened with cancer and poor air quality as a result of the oil industry. We also know the pipeline would cross the most important source of agricultural water in the United States, the Ogallala aquifer. And we know pipeline disasters happen.” Read Ken Winston’s November 4, 2010 Tar Sands Pipeline Update for Nebraska Sierra here.
Nebraska has no legislation on the books for regulating the current Keystone I pipeline, nor the proposed XL sand tars pipeline. Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and the governor need to receive letters, e-mails and phone calls from constituents demanding regulation on the existing pipeline, expressing concern about more TransCanada construction in our state. Contact information for Nebraska Congressional Representatives is as follows: Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, CD-1, 1517 Longworth House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, 202.225.4806, 402.438.1598 (Lincoln); Rep. Lee Terry, CD-2, 1524 Longworth HOB, Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.4155, 402.397.9944 (Omaha); Rep. Adrian Smith, CD-3, 503 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515, 202.225.6435, 888.ADRIAN7 (Toll Free); and Governor Dave Heineman, PO Box 94848, State Capitol Bldg., Lincoln, NE 68509, 402.471.2244. Senator Mike Johanns is at 202.224.4224, 402.476.1400 in Lincoln; and Senator Ben Nelson is at 202.224.6551, 402.441.4600 in Lincoln. Please tell them all that oil pipeline regulations need to be in place, not only to govern the existing pipeline, but also any future pipeline proposed by TransCanada or other environmental exploiters.
Click here to tell Secretary Clinton NOT to grant a permit to TransCanda, tell Gov. Heineman to put forth laws that protect our resources and economic activity and tell President Obama to live up to his promise of clean energy and energy independence. Click here for a Bold Nebraska XL Pipeline Action page with resources and background information. E-mail actions [at] boldnebraska [dot] org to get yard signs, bumper stickers and t-shirts, or stop by Bold Nebraska at 1141 H Street, 3rd Floor, Lincoln, 10:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Remember, every man-made by-product of the petroleum industry could be replaced by hemp. “Help Save the Earth, Time to Subsitute Hemp for Oil.“
HELP NEBRASKA GREENS WITH GOODSEARCH . . . Each time you search the Internet (or shop online at a participating store), a donation can be made to Nebraska Green Party at no cost to you! To help NGP in this way, enter Nebraska Green Party where it says WHO DO YOU GOODSEARCH FOR? here. Bookmark the GoodSearch Homepage, or make it your own Home Page. Enter the url you want in the GoodSearch search box. Each time you do, one penny will be donated to Nebraska Greens. THANK YOU for your support!

We are no longer the alternative; we are the imperative. –Rosa Clemente