Here are a couple of items you might be interested in from Sierra Club
Currents (online newsletter).

1. Greens Win Release of Key Energy Documents

Let the sunshine in!  Enviornmentalists yesterday ensured that Americans
will have access to crucial information on the Cheney Energy Task Force's
Enron-influenced energy plan.  The Natural Resources Defense Council won
its suit against the Energy Department, forcing the release of thousands of
documents which will help show whether the task force acted on behalf of
its friends in the oil, gas, and energy industries.

NRDC aren't the only ones seeking more information on the task force.
Sierra Club filed its own suit against the Vice President, and even the
investigative arm of Congress is taking legal action, both seeking
different sets of documents.  Looks like alot of people think the Vice
President might be hiding something. We may find out pretty soon!   For
more information on this legal victory, go to:

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/28/business/28INFO.html?todaysheadlines

2. Countdown to Cleaner Elections

Get ready for action, because campaign finance reform is headed for the
Senate!  Fresh off their victory in the House, proponents of getting big
money out of politics have high hopes for another huge win.

But obstacles remain: Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, arch-foe of reform,
is threatening to filibuster the bill, meaning 60 votes are needed to pass
it.  Recent statements from swing Senators suggest that the tide is turning
in the right direction, but in politics, anything can happen.  Stay tuned!

To see how your Senators voted on campaign finance legislation last April,
go to:
http://www.sierraclub.org/votewatch/2001/mccainfeingold.asp

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3. Pope and Podesta Urge Democratic Senators to Protect the Arctic

The Sierra Club teamed with former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta
Wednesday, urging Democratic Senators to oppose destructive oil drilling in
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  Club Executive Director Carl Pope and
Podesta were an awesome one-two combination as they engaged in a vigorous
dialogue with drilling advocates from the Teamsters at a Senate Democratic
Caucus event.

As several swing Senators looked on, Pope and Podesta spoke for millions of
Americans, reminding the lawmakers that drilling would destroy America's
last pristine wilderness area while doing nothing to address our energy
needs.  It's hard to argue with that!

5. Join the Movement for a Cleaner, Cheaper, Safer Energy Future

It's crunch time for the biggest grassroots effort in the history of the
environmental movement, with the Senate beginning debate on the Daschle
energy bill this week. This is the crucial moment to take action to protect
America's last great wilderness and put us on the path to a cleaner,
cheaper, and safer energy future.

Contact your Senators right now and urge them to vote for three critical
items in the Daschle energy bill: 1. Protection of the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge 2. A significant raise in fuel economy standards, so that
cars and SUVs go further on a gallon of gas 3. Funding for renewable energy
sources

Go to the site below to send an email directly to your Senator.  There's even
a
draft provided!
http://www.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=68&rf=-68999



Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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