SIERRA CLUB NW/AK NEWS
April 21, 2008
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 ALASKA
Agencies conduct massive study of Arctic haze
FAIRBANKS - Mike Cubison has been flying around in a haze for three
weeks, by choice.The University of Colorado postdoctoral student grabs
air samples over Alaska skies, and using a mass spectrometer, measures
floating particles of pollution before obliterating them into their
constituent parts to determine what they're made of.
 Sierra Club disappointed with herring decision
On April 11, the National Marine Fishery Service posted on the Federal
Register its decision to deny the Sierra Club's petition to list the Lynn
Canal Pacific Herring population as a threatened or endangered species
under the Endangered Species Act.
 Pebble Partnership sets a $140 million budget
The Pebble Mine project has set a budget for 2008. The Pebble
Partnership, a collaboration between Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. and
Anglo American plc, says it has approved more than $140 million to
advance the project near the headwaters of Bristol Bay.
 Group hires Liddy of Watergate fame to promote Alaska petroleum drilling
ANCHORAGE - The lobbying group that uses state of Alaska money to push
for petroleum drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has hired
Watergate conspirator and talk radio host G. Gordon Liddy to broadcast
live from Alaska.
 Candidate says tapping oil from Arctic wildlife refuge will reduce gas
prices
PICKENS, S.C. - Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson said
Wednesday that tapping oil reserves in the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge would help lower gas prices. “We’ve got this silly battle going on
about ANWR," said Thompson, who voted in favor of drilling the refuge as
a former Tennessee senator.
 Hunters, anglers worry about cost of global warming
WASHINGTON - Global warming could force elk and mule deer from much of
the American West. Wild trout could disappear in lower Appalachian
streams. Two-thirds of the country's ducks may disappear.
 IDAHO
18 States to commit to take action on climate change
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger predicted Friday that an
international deadlock over how to deal with global warming will end once
President Bush leaves office, while a leading expert warned of dire
consequences if urgent action is not taken.
 LTE: Renwable Energy
Idaho attracting investors driven by federal tax credit
Although to date, Idaho has developed only a few renewable energy
projects, our state appears to be attracting new investors. Nordic
Windpower is one of several international companies now investing in
Idaho. Nordic is building a 43,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in
Pocatello - to manufacture wind turbines. The company will employ 160
workers and intends to produce at least 20 turbines by September 2009.
Nordic is expecting to expand its Pocatello site up to four times its
current size to meet the growing demand for wind power.
 Tougher Mercury rules sought
Idaho — An Idaho conservation group has petitioned the Idaho Department
of Environmental Quality to expand regulations on mercury emissions to
include the toxic metal's effect in watersheds.
Is tilapia Idaho’s next game fish? If so, it could be good and bad
I t is a small world when it comes to fishing, and it is getting smaller.
Idaho actually has a tilapia record. Tilapia? Tilapia are from Africa or
the Middle East. Talk about globalization.
 OREGON
Kulongoski will walk the Earth Day talk
On Monday, Kulongoski will be in Portland to issue an "Earth Day
challenge" -- inviting Oregonians to change something in their daily
routine to a more Earth-friendly practice. He'll be joined at that event,
set for noon at Pioneer Courthouse Square, by representatives from the
Sierra Club and Northwest utilities to promote a variety of environmental
practices. 
 Green With Envy
Sevent things Portland should do if we’re serious about global warming
Another Earth Day. How far we’ve come in 38 years! Sure, we’re still
beating up the planet. But these days, melting ice caps and all, we do
feel more guilty when we leave the lights on at home while we drive to
the grocery store. Especially in Portland, “America’s top green city,”
according to February’s Popular Science. The biggest city in the state
that gave birth to the bottle bill. The first U.S. city to adopt Kyoto
Protocol targets. 
 Less gasoline guzzled here
Green as we Northwesterners think we are, the survey from the Sightline
Institute still came as a bit of a surprise: We're consuming 10 percent
less gasoline, on the average, than we were in 1999.
 Small actions help big environmental picture
Simple Earth-friendly changes can make your personal space more efficient
Being eco-conscious is one of the best things you can do for yourself,
your home and the planet. Here are several things -- either inexpensive
or free -- that will make your home more Earth friendly.
 The Mystery of Oregon’s Missing Salmon
..the salmon, which have long defied their surroundings to remain the
strongest salmon stock on the West Coast, have suddenly collapsed. Fish
headed to sea vanished amid a treacherous world of large water
diversions, reversing rivers, alien predators, toxic water and, in the
ocean, unpredictable currents and food supplies.
 WASHINGTON
City Council to vote on easing environmental reviews
To encourage development that will accommodate growth in Seattle, Mayor
Greg Nickels has proposed easing environmental reviews for developers.
Today, the City Council is set to vote on the issue.
 Costlier gas, new hybrids spur more to go green
When Mike Reinhardt first started driving, gas cost 25 cents a gallon. “I
expect it will be easily $15 a gallon, if not higher, in my lifetime,"
said Reinhardt, a retired attorney who lives in Seattle's Meadowbrook
neighborhood.  So two weeks ago he bought a 2008 Toyota Prius."It was
time to get a more fuel-efficient vehicle," he said.

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