Solar energy is the most practical renewable energy source available in Arizona. In the past, the Arizona renewable energy standards led utilities to provide incentives to customers to install solar energy for their homes and businesses, and to build solar power plants such as Solana in Gila Bend. However, the renewable energy standards set by state regulators are so low that not only is Arizona last among the eight most populous Western states in its commitment to renewable energy, but Arizona can meet the standard for 2016 without adding one new additional array. The standard for solar on businesses has been met through 2020. Because the standard has been met, APS no longer offers customer rebates for the installation of solar energy systems. APS further discourages business customers from installing solar energy systems by an outdated rate plan that fails to take into consideration the value of solar energy produced by the business. Other states have rate plans that encourage businesses to use solar power, and there is no reason why APS cannot do the same. APS complains it would be too complicated to figure out how to incorporate additional solar capacity into their system, but neighboring states such as California have managed to do so, and some utilities are getting almost 25% of their electricity from renewable energy sources.

The Culver City Public Works Dept is proposing a drastic and unnecessary bulldozing of the Culver Median Park from a planted and pleasant 60 feet to 44 feet while pushing it into and narrowing the north side service road, bringing the traffic - and its noise - 32 feet closer to the North side residents of Culver Blvd.

We are all responsible for helping the environment. Every year Americans alone use 100 billion plastic grocery bags and only 15% are recycled. Many of these bags end up killing aquatic animals and filling up landfills where toxins then seep into ground water or water streams. Eastchester should join towns like Larchmont, Rye and Mamaroneck and ban the retail use of plastic bags.

Friends of the Earth tested “bee-friendly” garden plants from Home Depot, Lowe's and Walmart in 18 cities across the U.S. and Canada. The tests found more than half of the plant samples tested contained neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticides at levels that could harm or kill bees--with no warning to consumers. So, instead of helping bees in our gardens, we may be unknowingly poisoning them. Thousands of people across the country have signed petitions, sent letters and taken to the streets. They've asked retailers, including Home Depot and Lowe’s, to stop selling neonic pesticides. While we are making some progress and are in dialogue, these and other garden retail giants have yet to publicly commit to getting neonics off their shelves. Pledge to only purchase neonic-free, organic garden plants and seeds. We’ll deliver these pledges to Lowe’s, Home Depot and other top retailers and demand that they listen to sound science and their customers and give bees a chance!

I work in a healthfood store and I still see a tremendous amount of plastic bags used and wasted. The chemicals these bags leach into our water supply and into the water supply of our marine life is toxic. Our land fills are overcome by so many non-biodegradable plastics that this is a first step in a long line of things we must do to start making a difference.

The reasoning for the ordinance proposed by this petition is that neonicotinoid pesticides have been shown to harm bee populations more than other pesticides, in that neonicotinoids continue to be toxic to insect populations such as bees long after the initial application, in a manner that has been compared by scientists to that of the chemical DDT. Bee populations are necessary pollinators of plants that humans depend on for food and an environment conducive to the health and well-being of themselves and other life.

We all are affected by the foods we eat and we need to have all the information about our food in order to make informed decisions. Federal standardized labeling will be helpful in providing that information. To my knowledge, the bill is still in committee, and I would like to get the bill before the full Senate during the 114th Session, which requires action now.

The Oceans are under assault from human activities, including extractive, commercial, industrial and recreational. The effects of these insults are cumulative and the ocean and marine life are showing the terrible results. Protected areas like the Remote Islands Marine National Sanctuary must be protected- no exceptions!

Dunkin' Donuts is one of the largest coffee and donut companies in the world. Over the years, they've changed their original donut recipe (which contained a standard list of basic ingredients) to a toxic concoction of GMO ingredients, including corn, soy and canola, in addition to artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. The 2014 Dunkin' Donuts Press Kits states that "People everywhere appreciate what Dunkin’ Donuts offers: high quality food and beverages served all day in a friendly, fast environment." They go on to describe their "dream team of acclaimed chefs" who create "new and innovative menu choices." When you compare these claims side-by-side with the ingredient list on some of their most popular items, this sounds like nothing more than propaganda. For example, check out the ingredients list for the popular Boston Kreme Donut and ask yourself if these sounds like high quality ingredients compiled by acclaimed culinary experts: Enriched Unbleached Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron as Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Enzyme, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Palm Oil, Water, Dextrose, Soybean Oil, Whey (a milk derivative), Skim Milk, Yeast, Contains less than 2% of the following: Salt, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda), Defatted Soy Flour, Wheat Starch, Mono and Diglycerides, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Cellulose Gum, Soy Lecithin, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Artificial Flavor, Sodium Caseinate (a milk derivative), Enzyme, Colored with (Turmeric and Annatto Extracts, Beta Carotene), Eggs; Bavarian Kreme Filling: Water, Sugar Syrup, Modified Food Starch, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil, Contains 2% or less of the following: Natural and Artificial Flavors, Glucono Delta Lactone, Salt, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate (Preservatives), Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Titanium Dioxide (Color), Agar; Chocolate Icing: Sugar, Water, Cocoa, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soybean Oil, Corn Syrup, Contains 2% or less of: Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Corn Starch, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and/or Cottonseed Oil, Salt, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Propionate (Preservatives), Soy Lecithin (Emulsifier), Artificial Flavor, Agar. Dunkin' Donuts is America's most popular coffee and donut chain, and with growing awareness of the adverse affects of GMOs and other toxic ingredients on both the health of humans and the environment, it's time to demand that Dunkin' Donuts reflect the voice of the people and offer GMO-free options to their consumers.

Our politicians in Harrisburg are poised to vote in the next 48 hours to hurt the EPA's ability to tackle global warming pollution. HB 2354 attacks EPA's historic effort to limit carbon pollution from power plants -- the single largest source of global warming pollution. Not surprisingly, the biggest global warming polluters are trying to stop this proposal dead in its tracks--and they’ve convinced some politicians in Harrisburg to join them. The General Assembly in Harrisburg is scheduled to vote on House Bill 2354, which would undermine the Clean Power Plan. Specifically, the bill would add new administrative hurdles, introduce debilitating delays and hurt Pennsylvania's ability to comply with the Clean Air Act. Ask your legislator to stand up for solutions to global warming—and oppose HB2354.

It's a natural (bad pun, I know)!

Annually, over 90,000 lbs of fugitive coal dust from Norfolk Southern's coal terminal operations rains down on the people and property in the surrounding neighborhoods of Lambert's Point, West Ghent, Larchmont and points beyond. Coal dust contains arsenic, mercury and other heavy metals, which have been linked to neuro-developmental delays in children, lung cancer, pneumonia, emphysema, bronchitis, asthma attacks, heart disease and premature death. Taking the reasonable measures of covering the dumpers, the conveyors and the coal cars could significantly reduce the volume of coal dust released into the air and the river water.