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URI Greenshare Field Day, Sept. 16 -- Press Release

Posted September 5, 2006

For Further Information, contact Kate Venturini 401-874-4096 or Todd McLeish 401-874-7892

Sustainable roses, garden lighting, renewable energy highlight URI GreenShare Field Day on Sept. 16
Event features gardening workshops, tours, plant sales, kids activities

KINGSTON, R.I. -- August 31, 2006 -- Visitors to the University of Rhode Island's Botanical Garden will immediately notice the new sustainable rose garden and elaborate lighting system, as well as the new solar roof on the adjacent Cooperative Extension Education Center. These features will highlight the workshops and activities at the 16th annual GreenShare Field Day on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The free event, held in and around the URI Botanical Gardens on the corner of Upper College Road and East Alumni Avenue on URI's Kingston Campus, will include plant sales, gardening workshops and tours, and environmental activities that are free and fun for the whole family. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 17.

GreenShare Field Day will kick off with a dedication of the recently completed sustainable rose garden, which was made possible by a gift from Narragansett resident and Master Gardener Chester Clayton. The garden features disease resistant roses, a dramatic circular arbor, and an innovative garden lighting system.

"This new rose garden and lighting truly make the Botanical Garden distinctive, so we're excited to show it off to the public and show them how they can create distinctive gardens in their yards as well," said Kate Venturini, coordinator of the event and a staff member at the URI Cooperative Extension Education Center.

Another highlight of the day will be a workshop on solar and wind power, led by Tom Wyman of Clean Energy Design, that will include discussion of the new solar roof shingle system installed this summer at the Cooperative Extension Education Center. Unlike old-fashioned solar panels, this new technology lays flat on the roof in place of typical roofing shingles and serves as both a roof surface and solar power generator.

The schedule of workshops and demonstrations include:
10:15 am - Sustainable Rose Gardening
11:00 am - Composting 101
11:00 am - Basic perennial designs
11:45 am - Wire mesh compost bin construction
11:45 am - How to plant a tree
Noon - The latest in solar and wind power
12:30 pm - Composting in the city
12:30 pm - Container gardening
1:00 pm - Worm compost bin construction
1:15 pm - Community supported agriculture

In addition, the Ask a Master Gardener and Ask a Master Composter / Recycler booths will provide visitors with answers to gardening and waste reduction questions; the Plant Protection Clinic will diagnose plant diseases and pests; the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation will sell plastic compost bins at wholesale prices; and free soil testing by trained URI Master Gardeners will be available to visitors who bring a cup of soil for testing.

Other exhibits will provide information on programs such as Coastal Buffers, Learning Landscape, Master Composter/Recycler, GreenShare Winterschool, Master Gardeners, Healthy Landscapes, URI /Food Bank Collaborative, Sustainable Agriculture and several garden and plant organizations.

Modeled after a country fair, GreenShare Field Day will also offer a variety of activities for children, including an interactive butterfly pavilion, a scavenger hunt, 4-H activities, and a "Build Your Own Scare Crow" competition.

Sponsors of this year's event are Holly Ridge Nursery, Clark Farms, Roselands Nursery, Clean Energy Design and the URI College of the Environment and Life Sciences. For more information call the URI Cooperative Extension at 401-874-2900.

Volunteers Needed -- Corn Husking!

Posted September 1, 2006

Corn huskers needed to help bring fresh local corn into the Cranston school lunch program!! This job takes 12-15 people about two hours, but we only have three people signed up for Monday September 18 and two huskers for Monday September 25. Both days we will start at 1 PM. Huskers interested in helping on the 18th should contact Annemarie Bruun at ab02905@yahoo.com And those who want to help on the 25th should contact Donna Vasconcellas at dmvasco@aol.com. We have about 2200 ears of corn to husk each day at Confreda Farms on Scituate Avenue in Cranston. The first date will be dominated by people from the eastern side of the city and the 25th will be headed by people from the western part of the city.

Clean Water Action -- Boost Candidates, Free Meals!

August 28, 2006

Vote Environment Dinner Gatherings With Clean Water Action
Want to help protect our environment and pass strong environmental laws? Then join us for dinner to help elect environmentalists.

Thursday August 31st from 5-7pm
Friday September 1st from 5-7pm
Thursday September 7th from 5-7pm
Friday September 8th from 5-7pm
Saturday September 9th from 12-3 pm
Sunday September 10th from 12-3 pm
Monday September 11th from 2-7 pm
Tuesday September 12th from 2-9pm

We need your help from now through Primary Day, September 12! Help us to contact Clean Water Action members to let them know about the great candidates we have endorsed and how they can vote to help elect people who will support Clean Water Action campaigns.

Bring a friend or make new friends here!

Please join us for a few hours of mailings, phoning, yummy food, and grassroots skill trainings at:
Clean Water Action
741 Westminster St., Providence
To RSVP or for more information call (401) 331-6972 or email agregory@cleanwater.org

News Release - Regional Greenhouse Initiative

August 16, 2006

Contact: Sheila Dormody, Clean Water Action (401) 331-6972
Matt Auten, RIPIRG (401) 421-6578

Advocates Praise Regional Progress Towards Cutting Global Warming Pollution From Power Plants
Gov. Carcieri Still Blocking R.I. From Joining Regional Effort

Providence -- The Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a pioneering effort by eight Northeast governors to cut global warming pollution from power plants, is one step closer to reality today as the states released a model state rule to implement the program. The rule, which will serve to guide the states in their implementation efforts, is being met with applause from the environmental and business communities who championed the program.

Rhode Island is not currently participating in RGGI because Gov. Carcieri did not sign on to the program when the other states adopted it last December.

"The states are moving forward without Rhode Island on a strong rule that will reduce global warming pollution in the region," said Sheila Dormody, Rhode Island director of Clean Water Action. "Gov. Carcieri is dragging his feet while the other states are moving forward with a program that will cut emissions and drive investment into energy efficiency and clean energy technologies that attract new industries and jobs to the region."

The rule requires that by 2019 power plants reduce pollution in the region to ten percent below the levels when the program starts in 2009.

The program which was adopted by the Governors of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine late last year features the nation's first cap-and-trade program for global warming pollution. Maryland adopted legislation in March requiring the state to join the program. Rhode Island and Massachusetts are the two northeast states that have not yet joined the program.

"The program is the first of its kind in the nation, and gives the states a competitive head start in adopting the cleaner, more efficient technologies needed to combat the problem of global warming," according to Matt Auten, advocate for Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group. "Gov. Carcieri should make sure that Rhode Island shares the benefits of this program."

The Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a modest first step towards addressing global warming emissions from the electricity sector. Developed nations need to reduce emissions approximately 80% by 2050 in order to stabilize the climate and avert the worst impacts of global warming.

Before the program takes effect in 2009, each state must issue regulations adopting the regional model rule.

Announcement - Environmental Ed. Awards available

Announcement of Application for Environmental Education Awards

The Environment Council of Rhode Island Education Fund is opening the application process for the Second Annual Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Fund awards. We are pleased to offer 3 grants of up to $250 to teachers or environmental organizations for support of projects that 1. Have student participation 2. Lead to measurable improvement in an environmental condition 3. Involve the community beyond a school in some way.

The application deadline is Oct 15 and awards will be made in January 2007 for projects to be undertaken in the Spring of 2007. For more info and an application contact environmentcouncil@earthlink.net. The Environment Council is more than willing to answer any questions you have about the program and to discuss potential projects with you. We can be contacted either by email at the address listed above or by phone at 621-8048.

Sincerely,
Greg Gerritt
for the ECRI Ed Fund

News Release - CWA Endorsements

Clean Water Action Endorses Charlie Fogarty for Governor and Environmentalists for General Assembly and US Senate

August 11, 2006
Providence -- Clean Water Action announced their endorsement of Charlie Fogarty in the Rhode Island governor's race today.

"Rhode Island voters have a real choice in November," said Sheila Dormody, Rhode Island director of Clean Water Action. "While Gov. Carcieri has neglected to join the groundbreaking plan to cut global warming pollution from power plants and lower energy costs for Rhode Islanders, Charlie Fogarty has pledged to join the plan and lead Rhode Island to a cleaner energy future."

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first regional climate policy in the United States. RGGI will cap carbon dioxide emissions from electric power plants. The program would be designed to save consumers money and maximize energy efficiency. Seven northeast governors (from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont) signed a memorandum of understanding in December 2005 to move forward with the plan. Maryland has passed legislation that will result in that state joining the program as well. Despite participating in the two-year process to develop the agreement, Gov. Carcieri did not bring Rhode Island into the initiative.

"In the next four years, Rhode Island will need to address major environmental and economic issues ranging from investments in energy efficiency, protecting our drinking water supply and open spaces, and promoting public transportation," said Dormody. "Charlie Fogarty understands that environmental protection is key to maintaining a successful tourism industry, strong economy and high quality of life in Rhode Island. Clean Water Action trusts Charlie Fogarty to protect our right to clean air and water and a healthy environment."

General Assembly Environmental Endorsements Announced
Clean Water Action also announced their endorsements of pro-environment candidates for the 2006 general assembly races.

"In the coming legislative session, we will need to strengthen laws to prevent diesel pollution, promote renewable energy and energy efficiency, and to stop toxic threats from electronic waste," said Dormody. "We need to elect candidates who will pass strong environmental protection laws. These environmentalists have earned Clean Water Action's endorsement."

State Representative Candidates
2 David Segal (D-East Providence, Providence)
11 Grace Diaz (D-Providence)
18 Art Handy (D-Cranston)
36 Donna Walsh (D-Westerly, Charlestown, S. Kingstown)
22 Peter Ginaitt (D-Warwick)
69 Raymond Gallison Jr. (D-Bristol, Portsmouth)
72 Amy Rice (D-Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth)

State Senate Candidates
3 Rhoda Perry (D-Providence)
5 Alexis Gorriaran (D-Providence) (primary endorsement only)
18 Paul Moura (D- East Providence)
28 Josh Miller (D-Cranston)

US Senate Endorsements Announced
In the U.S. Senate race, Clean Water Action announced their endorsements for Sheldon Whitehouse in the Democratic Primary and Sen. Lincoln Chafee in the Republican Primary.

"Each of the U.S. Senate primaries offers a clear choice for environmental voters," said Dormody.

"Sheldon Whitehouse has long been a champion for the environment in Rhode Island. As the Attorney General, Whitehouse worked closely with the environmental community and initiated the landmark lawsuit against the paint industry to hold them accountable for the lead paint that has contaminated the majority of Rhode Island's housing stock," said Dormody.

"Senator Chafee has stood up to the pressure from his party and defeated the Bush administration's "Clear Skies" bill which would have increased power plant pollution," said Dormody. "Clean Water Action members want a U.S. Senator who will stand up to this administration's threats to our basic environmental protection laws."

Membership Mobilization to Get Out the Vote
The grassroots environmental group will be contacting its 10,000 members in communities across Rhode Island by going door-to-door, making phone calls, and mailing letters to urge them to vote for environmental candidates.

Clean Water Action has been working since 1972 for clean, safe and affordable drinking water, prevention of health threatening pollution, and empowerment of people to make democracy work. Clean Water Action has over 1,000,000 members nation-wide.
###

: Sheila Dormody
: Rhode Island director | Clean Water Action
: 741 Westminster St., Providence RI 02903
: p: (401) 331-6972 f: (401) 331-7072
: mailto:sdormody@cleanwater.org
: http://www.cleanwateraction.org

News Release - Fogarty Supports Greenhouse Initiative

Lt. Gov. Fogarty Renews Calls on Governor to Support Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

August 8, 2006
Lt. Governor Charles Fogarty is urging Governor Carcieri to join the eight states that now comprise the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a coordinated effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. These emissions contribute to global warming pollution which is a serious threat to Rhode Island's environment, economy and public health.

Fogarty stated, "It is a travesty that Rhode Island has yet to fully support the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) cap and trade program aimed at reducing global warming pollution from the region's electricity sector. Eight other northeastern states have committed to taking this progressive approach towards a cleaner environment and increased energy efficiency and both the Rhode Island House and Senate passed resolutions this year in support of the state's participation in the RGGI."

Fogarty noted that just last week the state DEM Director noted that global warming had caused the average temperature in Narragansett Bay to increase by three degrees since the 1950s and that this is a factor in recent fish kills. "This is a concrete example of how global warming is harmful to our economy and environment and why it is important for the Governor to join in this regional effort," said Fogarty.

In December 2005, the Governors of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont signed onto a memorandum of understanding agreeing to stabilize carbon dioxide emissions from the region's power plants at current levels from 2009 to the start of 2015, followed by a 10% reduction in emissions by 2019. In April 2006, Maryland committed to becoming a full participant by June 2007.

(posted at the Lt. Gov.'s Web site)

News Release - Advocates Praise Reed, Disappointed With Chafee

R.I. Environmental Groups Praise Sen. Reed, Express Disappointment With Sen. Chafee Over Off-Shore Drilling Vote

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Contact: Chris Wilhite, Sierra Club, (401) 521-4734 Matt Auten, RIPIRG (401) 421-6578

Environment Groups Praise Sen. Reed For Voting To Protect America's Coastal Waters
Advocates Are Disappointed by Sen. Chafee's Vote To Support Industry Push For More Off-Shore Drilling
Coastal Drilling Legislation Passes U.S. Senate On A 71-25 Vote

PROVIDENCE, RI - Environmental advocates reacted negatively to a bill passed last night by the U.S. Senate that moves the country one step closer to ending a bi-partisan moratorium that has protected America's coasts from expanded offshore drilling for decades.

In recent years, lobbyists for the oil and gas industry have made expanded off-shore drilling a priority issue and yesterday their efforts to secure themselves another sweetheart deal moved one step close to fruition.

The groups praised Sen. Jack Reed for voting against the legislation and expressed profound disappointment with Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee for voting to approve the measure.

"This bill is yet another giveaway to Big Oil that will open an 8-million acre chunk of currently-protected waters of the Florida Gulf Coast, while providing only a small amount of oil and natural gas several years from now," said Chris Wilhite, Sierra Club's Associate Representative in Rhode Island. "Sierra Club is proud of Senator Reed's leadership in fighting this destructive bill. The Club is disappointed by Senator Chafee's vote for the drilling bill, but is confident that he will vote against any compromise with the more destructive House drilling bill."

"This legislation continues to take our national energy policy in the wrong direction," said Matt Auten, Advocate with the Rhode Island Public Interest Research Group (RIPIRG). "Instead of pursuing real solutions to reduce our dependency on oil and gas, like investing in renewable energy and requiring our cars to go farther on a gallon of gas, this legislation finds new ways to reward the oil and gas industry while opening our oceans and coastlines up to environmental degradation. We applaud Senator Reed for voting against this legislation and for working to defeat it. We are profoundly disappointed that Senator Chafee voted to approve this anti-environmental legislation."

Letter - Water Quality

It's bad news that the water in the Providence River is too warm to sustain baby clams. I remember back in the 70's when the river was much dirtier than it is now. It's been a pleasure to watch marine life and birds return. Maybe this is just a cyclical thing, we've had hot summers before, but the possibility of global warming is real. In today's ProJo there is an article about night time temperatures remaining high in the summer. This is ominous, not to mention I'm sweating so I can hardly type today.

Nancy Green
Providence
August 2, 2006

Petition -- Curb America's Oil Addiction

From: Peacemissionri@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Subject: Invitation to sign oil dependency statement

Dear NNN Readers:

The Rhode Island Peace Mission invites you to sign our Call for Curbing America's Oil Addiction. In our forums during the past year on "Building a Foundation for Peace," we have become convinced that this country's oil consumption not only drives us to war, but also plays a significant role in climate change. We, therefore, conclude that it is urgent that the US move toward energy self-sufficiency and creating sustainable communities.

We plan to send the signed statement to members of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation, Congressional candidates, the Governor and other state officers, candidates for statewide office, and members of the Rhode Island General Assembly in anticipation of the primaries and general election this fall.

For a copy of the statement, send an email to Peacemissionri@aol.com. The deadline for signatures is August 15. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Carol Bragg
Coordinator
Rhode Island Peace Mission
Pawtucket, RI

Recipe -- Summer Zucchini

R.I. gardeners always tend to end up with way too much zucchini this time of year. Here's a great recipe, courtesy of Steve Stycos, author of the Pawtuxet Farmer's Market e-news:

This tasty and easy zucchini recipe doesn't get the kitchen hot. My wife, my kids and I all thought it was delicious.... and I don't usually like zucchini.

First, grate three or four zucchini into a bowl, then add half a teaspoon of salt, some chopped basil and parsley, some pepper, a clove of sauteed minced garlic, an egg and a half cup of flour or more. Mix it all together (perhaps adding a bit more flour) and then fry the resulting zucchini glop in olive oil. The resulting "pancakes" make an easy dinner when combined with a salad.

For variations, add Romano cheese or substitute bread crumbs for flour or onion for garlic.

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