“Maybe sometimes accidents happen."
-- Rand Paul, US Senate candidate in Kentucky on the Massey coal mine explosion and the BP oil disaster
In this issue:
1) Take Action:Oppose Federal Subsidies for Development of Florida’s Coasts
2) Take Action: John Hancocks Needed
3) Major Milestone: Everglades Restoration
4) Update: BP Disaster
1) Take Action: Oppose Federal Subsidies for Development of Florida's Coasts
The House is expected to vote soon on the "Homeowners’ Defense Act," which would create a federal bailout program principally designed to subsidize property insurance for wealthier coastal residents in Florida. It would provide an incentive for new development in environmentally sensitive coastal areas and wetlands; these areas are vitally important to fish and wildlife and protect communities from flooding.
With climate scientists warning of escalating sea level rise and stronger hurricanes, the last thing the federal government should do is to provide a financial incentive for risky new development on Florida's sensitive coastal areas.
Tell your Representative to oppose the Homeowners’ Defense Act!
2) Take Action: John Hancocks Needed
Even as the BP Disaster continues to worsen the Department of State is considering a new pipeline to bring tar sands oil to the U.S. Expanding use of this highly polluting, environmentally devastating form of oil will only worsen our problems. Congressmen Inslee and Welch are currently seeking signatures on a letter to Secretary Clinton, asking her to consider the full impacts of the pipeline before she moves forward.
Ask your Representative to sign the letter to Secretary Clinton! It's time to break with the dirty fuels of the past and focus on a clean energy future.
Ask your Representative to sign the letter to Secretary Clinton!
3) Major Milestone: Everglades Restoration
After more than 20 years of planning and debate ground has been broken on a 1-mile bridge on the Tamiami Trail. Built in the 1920s the Tamiami Trail has acted as dike, preventing fresh water from flowing into portions of Everglades National Park and hindering restoration efforts. The bridge will be the largest construction project in the history of the National Park Service and will restore water flow to the Park.
Once completed, it will provide a foundation for other restoration projects in the Everglades. Learn more about our work to protect the Everglades.
4) Update: BP Disaster
BP is coming under increasing pressure this week as its role in the botched Exxon Valdez spill comes to light and the disaster in the Gulf continues to grow. Obama Administration officials have pledged to "keep a boot on the neck" of BP until the disaster has been brought under control and President Obama stressed the importance of holding BP accountable during his weekly address yesterday. The President also emphasized the need to prevent future such disasters, yet several drilling projects continue to move forward.
Stay updated on the BP Oil Disaster here.
Image Credit: Gerald Herbert/AP