- The City of Springfield is planning to expand its urban growth boundary (UGB) and establish the “College View” industrial zone at Seavey Loop. - Seavey Loop is the sole urban entrance to a nearly 5,000-acre greenbelt that is now one of the largest metropolitan parks on Earth. - The proposed zone threatens the wells that supply water to over 700 families and farms because Seavey Loop is a floodplain where water moves in every direction above and below ground at different times of year. - The plan threatens local food security amid severe climate change that has already begun disrupting food supply. - The zone would generate noise and light pollution that would be disastrous for horse farms and cattle operations, cause severe harm to thriving agricultural businesses, and spoil the area for U-pick and on-farm sales. - Even the most limited expansion toward Seavey Loop would threaten the public safety of residents by reducing the Goshen Fire District tax base. - The plan is not economical or feasible, especially since the main landholders have announced they will not sell their land for industry. - The plan would hinder critical connections with the Ridgeline Trail system and bicycle system that are essential for the sustainable future development of Lane County. - The residents are united in steadfast opposition since they are fighting for their health, property and way of life. - The plan is being pushed to benefit a few powerful special interests at extreme costs to 200,000 stakeholders who love Seavey Loop and Mt. Pisgah. - The UGB expansion is based on an unrealistic projection of future industrial land demand, and is entirely unnecessary. - Springfield should restart its UGB planning process employing local experts to prepare a realistic industrial land demand projection using appropriate methodologies.

A story in Inside Climate News reported on October 24 that NPR has reduced their environment and climate team from three full-time to one part time reporter. Progressives need an objective voice to keep us informed on one of the most important issues of our time. Climate reporting should be increasing, not decreasing. NPR's climate and environment reporting should be restored.

25 House Republicans recently signed a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy in opposition to the proposed rule, so now it's more urgent than ever that we have Senators on both sides of the aisle fighting for the public interest!

This sound blasting threatens the most biologically productive ecosystem in the world, and serves only industry for purposes of mitigating other damage they plan to inflict. Stop test-blasting in Monterey Bay Sanctuary! On Facebook: California Marine Sanctuary Alliance "Nobody should make that much noise in the ocean"- David Georgi, Professor Emeritus

On September 16, National Grid, the largest electric utility in Massachusetts filed a 37% rate increase with the Department of Public Utilities. Other large utilities, such as NStar, Unitil and WMECO are expected to do the same. I support the roll back of this massive rate increase and demand environmentally sustainable energy policy in Massachusetts. The electric rate hike is set to take effect on November 1st, 2014. This increase is unfair, unwarranted and designed to create false demand for new gas infrastructure. UNFAIR: The increase will hurt low-income families. It will harm small and large businesses and hamper the state’s economic recovery. Is this rate hike truly justified? UNWARRANTED: Gas supplies are at an all time high, while prices remain low. Meanwhile, the electric companies efforts to promote energy efficiency and conservation have lagged. FALSE DEMAND: The rate hike raises the specter of what State Representative William Pignatelli has suggested may be, “corporate collusion,” holding citizens hostage to gain acceptance for costly, environmentally destructive natural gas infrastructure projects, such as the controversially proposed Tennessee Gas Northeast Direct pipeline. Tell the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to roll back the rate increase. The long-term solution for preventing volatile price spikes and halting climate change is investment in renewable energy. It is time to democratize energy policy in the Commonwealth, making it clean, green and fair.

The Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, managed by U.S. Fish & Wildlife, occupies most of the site of a now-closed nuclear weapons plant. During almost 40 years of production the plant released highly toxic plutonium into the environment. The Superfund cleanup of the site left tiny plutonium particles in the soil. The proposed burn would make particles available to be inhaled, the worst way to be exposed to plutonium.

The Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, managed by U.S. Fish & Wildlife, occupies most of the site of a now-closed nuclear weapons plant. During almost 40 years of production the plant released highly toxic plutonium into the environment. The Superfund cleanup of the site left tiny plutonium particles in the soil. The proposed burn would make particles available to be inhaled, the worst way to be exposed to plutonium.

Re-zonings have resulted in devastating effects to communities through gentrification, displacement and reductions in community cohesiveness. The rich cultural legacy of Sunset Park must be retained and all zoning considerations need be taken off the table for our working waterfront

My intention is to motivate people to think about the beauty of Westlake in the hopes that their hearts will be moved to flight for their environmental legacy or what's left of it.

Sussex County, Delaware has been experiencing rapid, uncontrolled land development which is jeopardizing the safety and lifestyle of area residents and negatively impacting the beauty, environment, coastal waterways and endangered species in Sussex County. Numerous proposals are before the Council for a vote and Nov 4 will elect a new Council more responsive to sensible, sustainable land development.

Southern Illinois is the nexus of two major faults zones, the New Madrid and the Wabash and a secondary fault line called the Cottage Grove Fault. Science and data continue to link increased seismic activity with fracking. Last week, a new report shows earthquakes in Ohio were triggered by hydraulic fracturing (http://bit.ly/11ZfObI). Oil and gas industry injections appear to be bringing faults to their critical thresholds. Earthquakes are not a gamble to which we should be subjected. Ban Fracking in the Illinois fault zones!

The earth's climate is getting warmer and humans are responsible. This is a fact supported by more than 97% of climate scientists. The result over the next 50 years and beyond could include massive heat waves, prolonged drought, extreme weather and the mass extinction of species. While virtually all climate scientists agree that human activities are warming the planet, 1 out of 3 members of Congress are stalwart, head-in-the sand climate deniers and many more hide behind other excuses to avoid addressing this threat. We have an election coming up, and we are asking voters to vote for those candidates who are actively strategizing to resolve the climate crisis. It is the responsibility of elected officials to protect citizens. Future generations need non-toxic renewable energy sources and minimal use of fossil fuels. For further information go to www.Vote-Climate.org.