NEWSLETTER: NOVEMBER 2003
Dear ECC Member:
Look! As environmentalists, we know there is a great deal to think and worry about—there is so much, and it is so overwhelming that I think a lot of us are in a real funk, and literally feeling immobilized, ready to crawl back into a hole and hope beyond hope that it will all go away. In more lucid moments, we may wonder if there is a possibility of making a difference and if so, when, where and how. Well! HERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO… AND ON THREE FRONTS. YOUR FRONT YARD, YOUR BACKYARD AND FOR THE PLANET. It will only cost you a postage stamp, an e-mail and a telephone call. Later, a visit to a public hearing. THEY ARE:
- FRONT YARD – The Power lines coming through Milford
- BACKYARD – LONG ISLAND SOUND –The Islander East–Gas Line Across The Sound
- OUR PLANET - Global Warming Prevention
I. YOUR FRONT YARD --The Power Lines
Barbara Bell writes:
“The final application for the power line upgrade has gone to the Connecticut Siting Council. As in the draft, it proposes overhead lines and a new substation in Milford. Mayor Richetelli is working with the chief elected officials from other municipalities to discuss alternate routes, principally underground -- not in the existing right-of-way but under public roads. Lawyers for the municipalities will make presentations to the Siting Council at one of the eight public hearings to be scheduled, starting in early December and running through January. The Siting Council has not yet announced the locations or dates, but the ECC will notify you as soon as they are known. We would like as many people as possible to attend the hearing regarding Milford, and also urge you to prepare statements. The Woodlands Coalition has already held a strategy meeting in Milford to discuss how you can make your statement most effective, and if you should want any assistance with necessary information or ideas, please call Barbara Bell, 874-8298.
Information is also available at the Woodlands Coalition website (http://www.woodlandscoalition.com);
a Northeast Utilities website (http://www.nu.com/residential/projects/middletown/municipal_filings.asp );
a United Illuminating website (http://www.uinet.com/about/mid_nor.asp); and
the Siting Council website (http://www.ct.gov/csc/site/default.asp).”
I encourage you all to be thinking about your statement. And, I want to add that you will get good suggestions from Barbara Bell on how best to make your statement impress the Siting Council. We are very fortunate in having her educated information on this issue. She has, from the near beginning, been in on the Woodlands Coalition meetings and the PHASE I Hearings.
II. YOUR BACKYARD – LONG ISLAND SOUND -- The Cross Sound Gas Line:
URGENT! You have until November 20 to send your comments. It is best to e-mail it, as apparently, there has been an anthrax scare in Washington and the mails are being held up. However, if it is postmarked by November 20, it will be accepted. Below is Barbara Bell’s latest suggestion for this issue. After spending time at the hearing, she got a better sense of what the NOAA folks need to hear to make their determination. She suggests something like this:
“Dear NOAA: The Secretary of Commerce should not reverse the decision of the CT DEP. There is no justification for federal intervention, as a feasible and reasonable alternative exists. Thank you.” Just e-mail to IslanderEast.comments@noaa.gov or mail to:
Office of the General Counsel for Ocean Services
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
1305 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
If you need a reminder of what this is all about, it is about putting this gas line through the Thimble Islands off Stony Creek, which is a very beautiful and unique ecological mini-region. It would cause a great deal of harm. In addition, it could set a precedent for federal agencies to interfere with state actions to protect the environment. A lot is at stake here. Please send your message right away.
III. OUR PLANET
Governor Rowland selected a group of people to come up with recommendations for Connecticut’s Climate Plan. These “climate stakeholders” are organized into four working groups:
1. Agricultural, Forestry & Waste Working Group;
2. Electricity Sector Working Group;
3. Residential, Commercial & Industrial;
4. Transportation & Land Use.
Clean Water Action has initiated and organized the troops to help give the global warming issue and CT’s Climate Plan the support that it needs to make this a viable plan and a plan that will be implicated in the future. We need to voice our desire for this plan to the Governor so he understands that he has a strong buffer against special interest groups that will be trying to destroy or water down this plan. We ask you to:
- Write a postcard to the Governor this week. (Can still do it next week)
- Telephone or e-mail the Governor next week.
- Attend a public hearing in support of the plan when it is completed.
- Suggested letter sample:
“Climate change is an urgent issue and Connecticut can’t afford the costs of continued global warming. Please make sure that a state Climate Action Plan is created immediately that incorporates the CT Climate Coalition’s 10 Action Principles.” Add a sentence or two saying why this issue is important to you and sign your name and address.
Governor Rowland’s address and e-mail:
210 Capitol Avenue
Governor.Rowland@po.state.ct.us
Hartford, CT 06106 Telephone: 860 566-4840
Thank you for attending the Wilcox Park Dedication Ceremony. Thanks for your support and to those of you who made it all possible. The day was a success, especially when the sun came out! Students, scouts, friends and neighbors appeared, and the Mayor, city officials and DEP joined in recognizing the fruits of your labor. There was a joyful sense of community accomplishment.
Our Environmental Concerns Coalition meeting will be Thursday, November 20 in Conference Room C at 7:30 p.m. in the Parsons Building.
We will talk about the Land Trust event next month… short of space this month.
Every year we have a Christmas open house. This year, we have chosen Sunday, December 14. All members are invited to bring spouses and families so we can better get to know each other. It is also a time to recharge our commitments to the environment. It is at my house, 77 Pelham Street, 1:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. Please call 878-0910 for information. At the end of Buckingham Avenue, turn left onto Melba Street and then right onto Pelham Street. Please park on Mills Avenue.
Ann Berman, Chair of ECC
www.milfordecc.com
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