The state of California is blessed with some of the best solar resources in the world. Solar water heating is cheaper than gas, electric, or propane water heating, yet it is seldom incorporated into new construction. Consumers do not demand it because they do not feel qualified to evaluate the options. Builders and architects are resistant to change from existing norms for house construction, and either do not know or do not present the advantages of solar hot water to consumers. Utilities have mixed motives, since installation of solar systems reduces their sales. Solar hot water is the right thing to do. It should be required, like grounded outlets and earthquake straps on hot water heaters. This petition calls on the legislature to mandate the installation of solar hot water systems in all new single-family residential construction or upon major renovation or rebuilding of a residential property. This will increase income for homebuilders and solar system manufacturers, save homeowners money over the life of their houses, reduce natural gas and electrical usage, eliminate significant amounts of pollution, and improve the energy efficiency of our state. No one loses in doing this.

The Ethanol program was sold to the American people as a way to reduce energy costs and reduce our dependency on foreign oil. It has done the opposite. As the Ethanol content of motor fuel increases, fuel economy decreases. At 10% Ethanol content, the typical car's MPG drops 15%-20%, burning MORE gasoline to drive the same distance, PLUS the Ethanol. In addition to being counter-productive, the taxpayer is paying $.70 per gallon in subsidies/blend credits, as well as higher prices for all food products.

The Ohio legislature is half way to approving oil and gas drilling in any or all of its' state parks. The bill is on its way to the Ohio Senate. This type of degradation of public lands has already become a disaster in Pennsylvania. State parks belong to the people not the energy industry.

Illinois waters are filled with fish that have elevated levels of chlordane, methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These things are very bad for you, especially if you are under the age of 15 or are a woman of childbearing age, are pregnant or nursing. For the rest of us, the Illinois Dept. of Public Health suggests that we can eat a little fish here and there, but seriously, would you? THE METHYLMERCURY ADVISORY APPLIES TO PREDATORY FISH IN ALL ILLINOIS WATERS. Predator fish include all species of black bass (largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass), striped bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, walleye, sauger, saugeye, flathead catfish, muskellunge, and northern pike. It's time to clean up our lakes and rivers. Learn more at http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/fishadvisory/index.htm

Reservation life in North and South Dakota among the Lakota/Sioux Indian people is extremely difficult with 90% unemployment, life expectancy of age 48 and America's deepest poverty. Complicating life is the discovery of unchecked uranium and other heavy metal pollution in the water and air and on the land. The people have not been informed of this danger and no precautions have been taken to test wells or bring in safe water. Cancer rates are soaring.

In light of the unpredictable and deadly releases of radioactivity that are still coming from Fukushima, it's time that the US changed course about nuclear power. Congress is about to vote on a $36 Billion subsidy to the nuclear industry, and they need to know that we want a clean and sustainable energy future for our children and grandchildren. The US is producing highly radioactive nuclear waste to the tune of 105,000 metric tons per year, and there's nowhere to put it. Stop the madness. Stop nuclear power.

The oil sands are now the largest industrial project in the world. Extracted from Canadian forests, this process is causing devastation the size of Belgium, with up to 7,000 liters of water wasted to produce one barrel of oil. Such toxic waste water is stored in tailing ponds which can be seen from space. America is the main consumer of tar sands oil, imported through the Keystone pipelines.

Nature is in decline -- clean air, drinkable water, rich soil, and countless species of plants and animals are all disappearing before our eyes. Both business and consumers are responsible. Many consumers are trying to mend their ways, but now business must do more. Business is the primary user of natural resources, and the waste it creates has a profound impact on the environment. We must ask the 5,300 companies that belong to the UN Global Compact to begin to measure their greenhouse has emissions and their water use and to publish the results annually in an environmental profit & loss statement. A few companies have already begun this practice, including sporting goods manufacturer Puma. Now we must ask all the members of the UN Global Compact to begin to put an accurate value on the environmental resources that they exploit in order to turn a profit.

Vermont Yankee is releasing radioactive pollutants and is dangerously worn out. This plant needs to be decommissioned starting next year, 2012. The Governor and the Vermont Senate strongly support this plan. They need to know their position is well supported. Please sign this petition.

The State of California is proposing budget cuts that would include the closing of 70 state parks throughout the state of California. These closings would include popular destinations such as Limekiln in Big Sur, Jack London's Cottage in Jack London State Park, and the wildlands of Henry W. Coe State Park. These parks are fundamental to the education process of residents and visitors to the state of California. Please let the California Governor Jerry Brown and the California State Legislature know that you do not agree with these cuts and want California to find alternative ways of solving the budget crisis.

Georgians have a right to choose their energy source, including solar. But many Georgia homeowners associations ban or heavily restrict the installation of solar panels. At a time when energy prices are increasing sharply and fossil fuel use is increasing the emissions of greenhouse gases and pollution, the bans and heavy restrictions on solar panels should be overturned by state legislation once and for all, matching progress in many neighboring states. Please feel free to forward this to others! Thank you.

Increasing the usage of electric cars as a replacement to gasoline driven vehicles..