Not once, but twice in the last year, legislation aimed at removing control over non-metallic mining for the sake of “regulatory certainty” was introduced by legislators who do not live in frac sand country. This legislation was clearly written by the industry and was, in fact, so sweeping that it threatened to eliminate police powers altogether. It was a breathtaking power-grab by the State that would have left local municipalities with only zoning ordinances for any control over land use. Un-zoned townships would have lost the decision-making power that forms the basis of our democracy. Fortunately, thanks to strong push-back from engaged citizens, municipalities, and the Towns Association, Wisconsin's tradition of strong local control prevailed and neither of these disastrous bills even made it to a full vote. However, we are already hearing rumblings from Madison of plans to pass similar legislation under the radar through riders to the 2015 budget. This underhanded tactic has been successfully used before in the case of new rules that came into effect this July making it harder for local citizens to challenge the DNR’s high-capacity well permits. We have good reason to suspect that a similar maneuver will again be used to invalidate the great work being done by local governments to regulate non-metallic mining in Wisconsin. It is not the place of the state to undermine local municipalities by setting regulatory ceilings, limiting their options for deciding how best to promote the health and welfare of their constituents, economies, and ecosystems. One-size-fits-all state regulation will not work for our diverse communities in regulating this new and booming industry. We urge you to stand strong for local control and do everything in your power to oppose any measure that would reduce local municipalities' ability to regulate frac sand mining as they see fit.

We don't have to guess what happens to towns that are taken over by big oil. We know. The air is contaminated, the people get sick, earthquakes increase tenfold, and those who can't afford to move find they can't give away their homes. As a home owner in Santa Maria, I don't want to see this happen in my town.

There is no deadline. I received this large piece of junk mail today and I am outraged that it will go straight to the landfill, adding to an already serious problem with plastics.

Transparency is imperative if we as a global community are going to address climate change. I come from a family of organic farmers who seek truth and justice, for all.

The proposed Dominion Southern Reliability Pipeline constitutes an unnecessary intrusion into the lives and property of those in its path. The proposed pipeline could utilize existing pipeline easements instead of further jeopardizing the legacy of those who will come after us. We urge you to abandon your proposal for this pipeline.

It's a proven fact that injection wells are causing earthquakes in Ohio and elsewhere. The Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources is issuing permits for injection wells even though it is not known what other environmental ills can occur. Our underground water resources, which not only supply rural homeowners' wells but also urban water systems, is under threat of ruin.

We are concerned about the health of those here in Appalachia who are harmed by mountain top removal coal mining and the dangerous impact that it has on our ecosystem.

Despite 2011 regulations from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) designed to minimize vessel noise and disturbance, the Southern Resident orca are not recovering. The current population of 78 is the lowest since 1985 – the SRKWs are no better off now than three decades ago. To recover, the Southern Resident Orca need more fish to eat and a cleaner Puget Sound habitat, but these will take decades to achieve. They also need more rest and quiet, where they can hunt undisturbed by motorized boats and ships; engine noise disrupts their ability to catch fish and communicate. A Whale Protection Zone can be achieved relatively rapidly. A Whale Protection Zone on the west side of San Juan Island in Puget Sound – one of the Orca’s primary hunting grounds – is a key missing piece of regulatory protection that will give them a necessary refuge from the pursuit by the commercial motorized whale watching fleet and the other private boats the fleet attracts. Please tell NMFS that an Orca Whale Protection Zone is needed – soon. See www.orcarelief.org for more information on the status of the orca, the effects of noise and disturbance, and the Whale Protection Zone.

Opposition to pipeline tariff

On October 15, 2013 the city council of South Lake Tahoe adopted a ban on plastic single-use carryout bags that applied to all grocery stores as of January 15, 2014 and all retail stores as of October 15, 2014. On June 17, 2014 the city delayed implementation of phase two of the plastic bag ban, which would expand the ban to all retail businesses in South Lake Tahoe. This second phase is important because plastic bags are harmful to Tahoe’s wildlife, environment, and delicate ecosystem. In addition, I recognize that the health of Tahoe’s environment and economy are inextricably linked.

The biotech industries are about to approve stronger toxic chemicals to be sprayed on our food. The USDA and FDA are only working for the sake of corporations and not doing anything for "we the people". This insanity has got to stop!

To stop the behind-door handshaking; to claim back our natural beauty. It's high time the DEP, the EPA, and the City and County work together and clean this up instead of hide from the problem. When I say there are problems--there are problems. Who monitors their own emissions??? Well, Argos does and the city of Newberry let them after offering them 7 years tax-free - with the promise of annexing in Argos (or who ever owns this factory at the time). Money Money Money. I am worth more than money, as well as is all of us. I'm starting this petition because I have been its victim. I have been diagnosed with COPD, which is a slow, deadly pulmonary disease caused by toxic smoke; the toxic smoke they let out every morning before light in order to keep those kilns cranking.