Metacrawler search:
http://www.metacrawler.com/info.metac/search/web/Peg%2BLautenschlager%2Bglobal%2Bwarming
- a couple of the results - - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Wisconsin - Department of Justice Home Page
http://www.doj.state.wi.us/
Global Warming Lawsuit Information:
Complaint With Exhibits [PDF]
Defendant Information Sheet [PDF]
1000 Years of Global CO2 and Temperature Change [PDF]
Past and Future CO2 Atmospheric Concentrations [PDF]
Variations of Earth Surface Temperatures 1000-2100 [PDF]
Files on this page need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open. To obtain a
free copy please visit the Adobe website (www.adobe.com)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
From http://www.ems.org/nws/2004/07/21/eight_states_nyc
Environmental Media Service
Source: Eight States and New York City
Posted by: EMS.org website editor - archive
Posted on: Jul 21, 2004 @ 3:01 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - JULY 21, 2004
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller
New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
New York City Corporation Counsel Michael Cardozo
Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch
Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell
Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager
Eight States & NYC Sue Top Five U.S. Global Warming Polluters
Landmark Suit Seeks Dramatic Carbon Dioxide Emission Reductions from
Power Plants
The states of California, Connecticut, Iowa, New Jersey, New York,
Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin, along with the City of New York,
filed suit today against the five largest global warming polluters in
the United States. It is the first time state and local governments
have sued private companies to require reductions in the
heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions that scientists say pose
serious threats to our health, economy and environment.
Companies sued in this action include: American Electric Power
Company; the Southern Company; Tennessee Valley Authority; Xcel
Energy Inc.; and Cinergy Corporation. Together, they own or operate
174 fossil fuel burning power plants in 20 states that emit some 650
million tons of carbon dioxide each year - almost a quarter of the
U.S. utility industry's annual carbon dioxide emissions and about 10
percent of the nation's total. The action calls on the companies to
reduce their pollution, and does not seek monetary damages.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said: "Our lawsuit is
a huge, historic first step toward holding companies accountable for
these pernicious pollutants that threaten our health, economy,
environment and quality of life now and increasingly in the future.
The eventual effects of CO2 pollution will be severe and significant
- increasing asthma and heat-related illnesses, eroding shorelines,
floods, and other natural disasters, loss of forests and other
precious resources. We must act, wisely and quickly, to stem global
warming - and safeguard both our environment and economy. Time is not
on our side."
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer said: "This lawsuit opens a
new legal frontier in the fight against global warming - a challenge
that poses a serious threat to our environment, our natural
resources, our public health and safety, and our economy. A
head-in-the-sand response is not an option. For the sake of our
people and their future, we must act now. And requiring these major
polluters to do their part is crucial to fighting the threat
successfully."
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said: "Global warming threatens Iowa
as we know it today. The Earth is heating faster than at any time in
history, and that poses enormous risk to Iowa agriculture and Iowans'
health. The problem is pollution, and the top source of pollution is
carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The good news is we can
tackle this and try to turn it around, and that's what our lawsuit is
all about. We must act now to protect the beautiful and bountiful
Iowa we know today, for our children and grandchildren, and
generations to come."
New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey said: "Carbon dioxide
pollution and global warming pose a real and serious threat to our
health, our environment and our future. To protect our residents and
our natural resources, we're suing the power companies responsible
for the most carbon dioxide pollution, demanding that they make
pollution reductions that are substantial and readily achievable. New
Jersey is particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures and sea
levels due to the intense heat waves that already threaten the health
of our susceptible residents and the ongoing erosion of the low-lying
barrier islands that line our coast. If these companies will not act
voluntarily, then we will compel them through court action."
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said: "Global warming
threatens our health, our economy, our natural resources and our
children's future. There is no dispute that global warming is upon us
and that these defendants' carbon dioxide pollution is a major
contributor. Others are taking action to reduce emissions and these
companies could also do so by building cleaner energy sources. Under
accepted and unambiguous law, a court can order them to reduce their
emissions. We believe a court should do so and will do so."
New York City Corporation Counsel Michael Cardozo said: "The City of
New York has joined this action out of concern for the impacts that
global warming will have on the City and its residents and as part of
the Bloomberg Administration's commitment to maintaining a clean and
sustainable New York."
Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch said: "In filing this
lawsuit, we take necessary steps to stem the rising tide of
pollutants causing immeasurable harm to our environment and to
maximize our ability to ensure that ensuing generations inherit a
sustainable earth. It's imperative that we confront those responsible
for unleashing an invader with the power to wreak unspeakable havoc
on our climate and to damage, and destroy, our ecosystems."
Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell said: "Global warming is
a big problem that is only going to get bigger. The question is: what
are we going to do about it. This suit against the five top producers
of CO2 gasses in the United States is an important step toward
confronting this major environmental challenge."
Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager said: "The overwhelming
scientific evidence now concludes that unabated, the aggravation of
global warming by continued carbon dioxide pollution threatens
Wisconsin with increased ozone and respiratory illness, more
heat-related deaths and ailments, debilitated winter sports and
tourist economy, reduced natural fishery stocks, decimated forests,
lowered water levels in our Great Lakes that threaten our
shipping-dependent industries and intensified catastrophic droughts,
storms and floods -- all accompanied by their attendant human, and
economic costs. Our lawsuit simply demands that these five worst
polluters feasibly, economically, and flexibly abate their fair share
of these greenhouse gas emissions, and employ already available
options for doing so. If others in the industry can already meet
these goals, these industry giants should do the same."
The case was filed today in federal district court in New York under
the federal common law of public nuisance, which provides a right of
action to curb air and water pollution emanating from sources in
other states. Public nuisance is a well-established legal doctrine
that is commonly invoked in environmental cases and forms the basis
for much of today's modern environmental law. The defendant
companies' emissions contribute to a harm borne by all members of the
public. The states as sovereign governments and the City of New York
have the right to protect their residents and properties from such
widespread harm.
Plaintiffs are bringing suit because global warming is a serious
threat to communities and the environment in the states. These
impacts will become increasingly severe if emissions are not reduced.
Damages from global warming include more asthma and other respiratory
disease; increased heatstroke and heat-related mortality; loss of
beaches, tidal wetlands, salt marshes, coastal property, fisheries
and costly impacts to coastal and urban infrastructure (tunnels,
subways, water treatment plants, and airport facilities) due to
rising sea levels; loss of mountain snowpack, a major fresh water
source in California; property damage and human safety risks due to
drought and floods; loss of Northeast hardwood forests; and
widespread harm to wildlife.
A report prepared by the National Academy of Sciences at the request
of President Bush in 2001 reaffirmed widespread consensus that carbon
dioxide and other heat-trapping emissions are responsible for the
problem. Experts say that if nothing is done to cut emissions,
average global temperatures will rise between 3 and 10 degrees
Fahrenheit by the end of the century. By comparison, the difference
in global average temperature between now and the last ice age was
only 7-11 degrees Fahrenheit.
Scientists say the Earth is warming faster today than at any time in
human history, and more rapidly than any natural factors can explain.
The most recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration show that 2003 tied 2002 as the second hottest year on
record, following 1998. The five hottest years all have occurred
since 1997 and the 10 hottest since 1990.
Readily available solutions to reduce carbon dioxide pollution
include increased efficiency of coal-burning plants; switching from
coal to cleaner-burning fuels; greater use of biomass energy derived
from plants; investment in energy conservation; and use of clean
energy sources like wind and solar power. Clean coal technologies
also are emerging that allow carbon dioxide to be removed from
coal-fired power plant smokestacks.
Federal studies indicate that electric power producers, the largest
global warming polluters, present the best opportunity for
significant and cost-effective reductions of carbon dioxide
pollution. Scientists say that since carbon dioxide accumulates in
the atmosphere, the longer the delay before significant cuts are
made, the sharper and deeper they will need to be.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
California - Tom Dresslar (916) 324-5500
Connecticut - Christopher Hoffman (860) 808-5324
Iowa - Bob Brammer (515) 281-6699
New Jersey - Peter Aseltine (609) 292-4791
New York - Marc Violette (518) 473-5525
New York City - Kate O'Brien Ahlers (212) 788-0400
Rhode Island - Mike Healey (401) 274-4400 ext. 2234
Vermont - Erick Titrud (802) 828-5518
Wisconsin - Brian Rieselman (608) 266-7876
*** BACKGROUNDER ***
America's Top Five Global Warming Polluters:
(By Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Company-Owned or Operated Power Plants)
#1: American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP)/American Electric
Power Service Corp.
Estimated annual CO2 Emissions: 226 million tons.
2003 Reported Revenue: $15.6 billion.
AEP controls 12 utility companies including Appalachian Power,
Columbus Southern Power, Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power,
Kingsport Power, Ohio Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma,
Southwestern Electric Power, AEP Texas Central, AEP Texas North,
Wheeling Power and AEP Generating. AEP owns or operates fossil
fuel-fired power plants in 11 states including Arkansas, Indiana,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas,
Virginia and West Virginia.
#2: The Southern Company (SO)
Estimated annual CO2 Emissions: 171 million tons.
2003 Reported Revenue: $11.28 billion.
The Southern Company controls five utility companies, including
Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power and
Savannah Electric and Power. Southern owns or operates fossil
fuel-fired power plants in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Georgia.
#3: Tennessee Valley Authority
Estimated annual CO2 Emissions: 110 million tons.
2003 Reported Revenue: $6.95 billion.
TVA is a federal corporation that owns and operates fossil fuel-fired
power plants in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi.
#4: Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL)
Estimated annual CO2 Emissions: 75 million tons.
2003 Reported Revenue: $7.9 billion.
Xcel controls five utility companies, including Northern States Power
of Minnesota; Northern States Power of Wisconsin; Public Service
Company of Colorado; and Southwestern Public Service. Xcel owns or
operates fossil fuel-fired power plants in Colorado, Minnesota, New
Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.
#5: Cinergy Corp. (CIN)
Estimated annual CO2 Emissions: 70 million tons;
2003 Reported Revenue: $4.4 billion.
Cinergy controls the Cincinnati Gas & Electric and PSI Energy, Inc.
Cinergy owns or operates fossil fuel-fired power plants in Ohio,
Kentucky and Indiana.
EMISSIONS DATA SOURCE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency eGrid
database for year 2000 emissions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- original message ---
>MEDIA ADVISORY
>
>For Immediate Release For More Information Contact:
>July 20, 2004 Brian Rieselman 608/266-7876
>
>Notice of News Conference
>
>WISCONSIN ATTORNEY GENERAL PEG LAUTENSCHLAGER AND
>IOWA ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM MILLER TO ANNOUNCE
>MAJOR LAWSUIT ON GLOBAL WARMING IN MILWAUKEE
>
>Multiple News Events to be Held by Attorneys General on
>Wednesday, July 21, 2004
>
>MADISON -- Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager announced today she
>will hold a news conference with Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller to
>announce the filing of a major new lawsuit to curb global warming in
>the United States
>
>3:00 p.m.
>Wednesday, July 21, 2004
>Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory -
>Floral Dome
>524 South Layton Blvd.
>Milwaukee
>
>Lautenschlager and Miller are making this announcement in conjunction
>with the Attorneys General of California, Connecticut, New Jersey,
>New York, Rhode Island and Vermont, and with the City of New York.
>
># # #
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
FYI: climatecrisisaction list info -
Subscribe: climatecrisisaction-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/climatecrisisaction
Search /RENEGADE/ for articles on climate action -
http://fornits.com/renegade/peaars.cgi?CLIMATE
/RENEGADE/ Search - GO TO: http://fornits.com/renegade/peaars.cgi?
and just type in your topic. For differing results you may uncheck
"article" and search on just "subject," etc. /RENEGADE/ also has
"time-frame" in the search, so you can tailor your results that way, too.
-----
--
Peace!
*STRIDER* Sector Air Raid Warden at /RENEGADE/
http://fornits.com/renegade/
DEDICATED TO SPIRIT, TRUTH, PEACE, JUSTICE, AND FREEDOM
Articles posted in the last 10 days:
http://fornits.com/renegade/peaars.cgi?search=Search&increment=days&many=10
Bay_Area_Activist list ----
Membership by invitation only - moderated / archives for members only
Contact bay_area_activist-owner@yahoogroups.com
to request
membership.
EF! list ---------------
earthfirstalert - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/earthfirstalert
List-Subscribe:
usenet: news:misc.activism.progressive
e-mail: mailto:strider@fornits.com
strider@fornits.com
No War! No Nukes! Impeach!
WHEN SPIDERS UNITE, THEY CAN TIE DOWN A LION -- Ethiopian Proverb
To subscribe to this group, send an email to:
climatecrisisaction-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
|