Thursday, March 24, 2011

Something Arkansas does NOT need now: Disastrous House Bill 1895 could be voted on by Arkansas Senate tomorrow

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Get the most up-to-date, national news from Sierra Club at the Sierra Club Press Room.
Get local news about Arkansas legislative issues at the Arkansas Citizens First Congress site.

Important Legislative Update:
The Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWECPO) has drafted HB 1895 which would make it much easier for utilities to get power plants approved under the radar, hurt ratepayers and cut the public out of the commenting process. The bill can be found at http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1895
This bill is bad on several levels:
1) HB 1895, written by the utility Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), would change the utility law that is the subject of pending litigation in suits where SWEPCO is a party. Changing the law right before a judge makes a ruling is not a tactic of which I want my legislature to be a part.
2) This bill would create a “declaration of need” proceeding to determine whether there should be more electricity production in Arkansas, but not create public notice requirements for the proceeding. If a government agency is conducting a decision making process that could later on affect my utility rates, I want to make sure that I’m given the opportunity to be a part of that discussion. And I won’t know how to attend if the law doesn’t require me to be notified.
3) HB 1895 would tip the scales to the utilities so that they can pressure government to raise electric rates even more. The bill would create a separate “declaration of need” proceeding where a determination for the need of increased electric capacity would provide the basis for utilities to recover new costs through increased rates. We, the ratepayers, would be stuck with higher bills. Unfortunately, it has already passed the Arkansas House. It is possible that this bill will wind up on the Senate floor, and we need concerned citizens to call their senators now and urge them to vote NO on HB 1895. In order to find your own senator, visit: http://www.arkansas.gov/senate/senatorSearch.html
For more information about the bill, please contact: Lev Guter Associate Field Organizer Sierra Club - Arkansas lev.guter@sierraclub.org (941) 779-3337

What Arkansas needs NOW!


Local Pipeline Safety Policy
http://www.pstrust.org/resources/regs/local_pol.htm

Model Setback Ordinance for Transmission Pipelines
http://www.mrsc.org/Subjects/PubSafe/pipesetbackord.aspx

Myths and Misleading Statements About Oil and Natural Gas Pipelines
http://www.pstrust.org/library/myths.htm 

Friday, March 4, 2011

Drillers to stop injections until March 29 meeting of Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission


Drillers say they will halt disposal of fluids

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Chesapeake Operating Inc. and Clarita Operating LLC both said before a hearing Friday in Little Rock by the state Oil and Gas Commission that they will comply with an emergency request to stop injections of used natural-gas drilling fluid in the two wells in Faulkner County.
The drillers made the announcement in a pre-meeting notice. Still, the commission voted 8-0 to approve an emergency order ceasing operations at that the two injection wells. Commission staff suspects that the wells may be linked to an outbreak of hundreds of small earthquakes in the Faulkner County area.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Arkansas Earth Day Festival 2011 invites all to attend and volunteer for the April 23 event

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EARTH DAY 2011
Saturday April 23rd
North Little Rock Riverfront Park
10am - 3pm
FREE
RAIN OR SHINE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chris Haynes 
Chair
    
Nao Ueda
Secretary

Patrick Wright
Treasurer

Lisa Barrett
Brian Evans
Leah Hennings
Jennifer Holman
Mikel Lolley
Jacob Peck
John Pennington

ADVISORY BOARD 
Jody Hardin
Mayor Patrick Hays
Kelly Ross
Rep. Kathy Webb
Brad Williams

CO-DIRECTORS
Shelley Green
Sally Mengel



 




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 Join Us for the Arkansas Festival 2011 Logo
Dear Arkansas Earth Day supporter, 
We would like to cordially invite you to celebrate the 2011 Arkansas Earth Day Festival! Arkansas' largest environmental festival features exhibits and workshops on living responsibly and promoting a clean environment.  Come enjoy live music, festival food, and kids' activities of all kinds. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 23rd from 10am-3pm at the Northshore Riverwalk, North Little Rock. 
Join us and live green Arkansas!
 
Be Part of the Festival 
Do you want to be part of the festival? Could the attention of thousands of environmentally-minded Arkansans impact your business or organization? If so, we invite you to be involved in the 2011 Arkansas Earth Day Festival.  Applications for
Sponsors, Booths, Food Vendors, Volunteers and Performers are at www.ArkansasEarthDay.org ALL are welcome to apply and our application deadline is March 28th.  
Volunteer with Us

KEEP LITTLE ROCK BEAUTIFUL
CITYWIDE CLEAN UP
Saturday, March 12th 8am-Noon
Be part of the largest clean up in Little Rock.  We will be helping with various cleanup activities around Little Rock. Please email info@arkansasearthday.org if you would like to volunteer. 

Volunteer at the Earth Day Festival
...And get a free T-Shirt! 
We are seeking volunteers for the day of the festival to assist in a number of ways.  Go to www.ArkansasEarthDay.org to apply.

If you are interested in becoming more involved, supporting our vision, or just finding more information about us and our events, check out our website at www.ArkansasEarthDay.org or attend one of our upcoming meetings!
 Thank You for Supporting Us!
 Remember, Every Day is Earth Day!
 The Arkansas Earth Day Foundation (AEDF) is a non-profit coalition engaging Arkansans,
growing awareness, and encouraging action for a clean, healthy, and sustainable Natural State
 through an annual festival and year-round community initiatives.

ARKANSAS EARTH DAY FOUNDATION
1423 South Main St, Office D
(in The Green Corner Store)
Little Rock, AR 72202
501.247.2953
This email was sent to aubreyshepherd@hotmail.com by info@arkansasearthday.org |  
Arkansas Earth Day Foundation | 1423 Main St | Little Rock | AR | 72202