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Tobacco Farmers Go Organic

Sam Askins is a 54-year old farmer whose family has been raising tobacco in the Virginia Appalachians since 1786. “Growing ‘bacco is a bad habit,” he says with a chuckle as he adjusts his bright orange hunting cap. “So I quit.”At at time of year when generations of local farmers usually gather in barns to bundle their cured tobacco for auction, Askins is working to rescue the last of his organic bell pepper crop from the coming frost. The peppers are bound for an Atlanta branch of Whole Foods Market. “I used to get sicker than a dog with fever, burning skin, and nausea if I wasn’t real careful with the chemicals I sprayed on tobacco,” he says, as he goes on to describe the symptoms of nicotine poisoning from handling ripe tobacco plants. The other growers gathered here, all at least third generation tobacco farmers who have started raising organic vegetables, nod in agreement. “You don’t hear bullfrogs or toads anymore, because we poisoned the streams and creeks with our chemicals.” The shift underway in this small southwest corner of a state world renowned for tobacco represents a trend throughout the nation, as farmers, beset by falling prices or […]

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Forest Service Drops Outside Environmental Reviews

The Bush administration has advised the U.S. Forest Service to eliminate reviews of its actions by other federal agencies for compliance with endangered species, clean water, and historical preservation laws. The agency plans to remove any consultation or other "process" it deems unrelated to "the Four Threats" – fire risk, invasive species, unmanaged recreation and loss of open land – according to a memo detailing instructions given in January by Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth. The memo calls for the elimination of endangered species consultation on "inland aquatic species with both … Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries." In addition, building on a recently finalized rule waiving Endangered Species Act consultations on fire-related activities, the Forest Service would expand this no consultation stance "to all land management activities." The policy removes the obligation for outside environmental analyses of any herbicide applications done in the name of controlling invasive plants and eliminates compliance with Historic Preservation Act rules requiring review by state agencies of protection of historical and cultural artifacts. The memo was not made public by the Forest Service but was released Thursday by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), a national alliance of local state and federal resource […]

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San Francisco, Mayor Dedicates City Center 675 KW Solar System

San Francisco now owns the largest municipal solar installation in the U.S. City and state officials dedicated a 675 kilowatt solar electric system that sits on the roof of the Moscone City Center. It is with great pride that we dedicate this historic Moscone Center solar installation, said Mayor Gavin Newsom. San Francisco is a leader in the use of clean and renewable energy sources solutions that make sense for both the environment and the economy. This solar project marks the Citys first major step towards achieving its goal of obtaining all municipal energy from pollution-free sources, while creating jobs and driving economic development. More importantly, the Moscone energy project is a clear illustration of how our nations cities can make great strides to provide clean air for our communities, protect the environment and help secure a sustainable energy future for our nation. PowerLight Corp. combined energy efficiency technology such as efficient lighting and building controls along with solar electric for this project. Besides generating electricity, the solar panels insulate and protect the roof from UV rays and thermal degradation, reducing heating and cooling energy costs and extending roof life. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:March 17, 2004

*News and Events DOE Launches “Energy Hog” Energy Efficiency Campaign DOE Offers $6 Million to Advance Solid-State Lighting DOE Releases Long-Term Hydrogen Research Plan Ford to Employ Toyota’s Hybrid Electric Control Technology General Electric Wins Approval to Buy AstroPower Assets U.S. Firms to Test Ocean Wave, Current, and Thermal Technologies *Site NewsNew FEMP Web Site Reflects the Program’s Energy Expertise *Energy Connections Latest U.S. Census Shows More Workers Driving Alone to Work ———————————————————————-NEWS AND EVENTS ———————————————————————-DOE Launches “Energy Hog” Energy Efficiency CampaignDOE has launched a national public service advertising campaign designed to make children and their parents aware of energy efficient behavior. The Energy Efficiency Campaign, launched last week, features a reprehensible new villainthe energy-wasting Energy Hogand includes public service announcements on television, radio, and the Internet. The Energy Efficiency Campaign currently targets children between the ages of eight and 13, but in future phases it will also target parents and teachers. The Advertising Council and Energy Outreach Colorado developed the Energy Hog and the campaign, and sponsors include DOE, The Home Depot, the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, the National Fuel Funds Network, and 20 state energy offices. See the DOE press release.The centerpiece of the campaign is the […]

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