Deliciously Dusty In The Western States? It Will Be If The Bush Administration And EPA Have Their Way.

The Bush administration is pushing a proposal through the EPA that would eliminate important clean-air protections in rural areas. These areas would no longer need to meet federal standards for coarse particulate matter (airborne dust). The EPA would also cease all monitoring of particulate levels in these areas.

Though the proposed rollback would affect the entire country, Western states would be hit hardest. Drier conditions in the West means that there is more airborne dust. Complete Story

The EPA is holding a public comment period in order to get feedback on this proposal. This is your chance to get involved and make your voice heard. Tell the EPA what you think.

Related articles:
The Desert Sun | The LA Times

Oregon Comments on Clean Car Rules Needed

Adoption will Mean "Two-Fer" as Washington State Rules are Conditioned Upon Oregon Action

Cars and trucks are the top cause of toxic air pollution in Oregon and the second worst source of global warming pollution. Oregon is seeking to join nine other states in adopting clean car standards to reduce smog-forming emissions and global warming pollution from new passenger vehicles sold in state after 2008. However, Washington's standards won't go into effect unless we pass clean car standards in Oregon.

Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is taking public comments about the proposal for the state to adopt more stringent "clean car" vehicle emission standards. You have two more weeks to promote a new unified West Coast market for cleaner cars. Take Action!

The Apollo Alliance - Countdown To Energy Independence

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced that the Apollo Project would put a man on the moon in less than a decade. In 1969, it did!

Today, the Apollo Alliance is calling on the United States government to apply America's technological prowess and end our nation's dependence on foreign oil within ten years. You can help steer this administration and other politicians in the right direction by supporting the Apollo Alliance.

CLICK HERE for more info on the "Apollo Creed"

This Month's Featured "Directions": Left and Right Agree on Energy Taxes, Only the People Oppose?

The left and the right came together in January to celebrate...energy taxes. First, N. Gregory Manikow, a full-time Harvard economics professor and part-time Republican economics advisor advocated energy taxes as "good" taxes in his list of annual New Year's Resolutions. But also check out poll results which indicate that Americans want prices to go down, not up. (They do support conservation over additional drilling and the margin to prevent drilling in Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge is dropping.) Complete Story

Additional Ways to Get Where You're Going:

United States Ranks 28th on Environment-- But Out of 133 Countries; 78% Matches Bush's Colleges Grades

Residents of Pioneer Valley, MA, Fight An Invasion By Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Execs Perplexed By Resistance. Intelligence Reports Indicated They Would Be Greeted By Locals With Flowers and Candy.

No WMD's Have Been Found

HADLEY, MA - Wal-Mart has filed a notice of intent to build a 212,000 sq. ft. "Supercenter" less than a mile away from a pre-existing Wal-Mart. Apparently, Wal-Mart has adopted the Starbuck's strategy of location. Soon, they will be building Wal-Marts inside of...Wal-Marts.

Local environmentalists are fighting back, noting that the proposed project would displace up to 26 acres of wetlands, farmland, and other open spaces.

StopSprawlMart is mounting an opposition campaign. Check out StopSprawlMart.org to learn more and get involved.

Men Face Hard Decision When Choosing Bicycle Seats

Lance Armstrong/Sheryl Crowe Break-up Explained?

New York Times: New studies conclude that cyclists, particularly men, should be careful which bicycle seats they choose.

The studies supplement earlier findings that traditional bicycle saddles, the kind with a narrow rear and pointy nose, play a role in sexual impotence. Complete Story

New Jersey Requires Health Coverage for Female Contraceptives

Why Not Just Require Men to Ride Bicycles?

In December the New Jersey legislature passed a measure requiring insurance companies that cover wellness medication prescriptions such as those for diabetes, high blood pressure -- and especially if they cover male-only medication that rhymes with "Niagra" -- to also cover female contraceptives. New Jersey, the nation's most densely populated state, becomes the 24th state to pass such a law. Republican legislator Charlotte Vandervalk, one of the bill's champions, argued that the long-term costs to women faced with a pregnancy, miscarriage, or abortion far outweighed any perceived upfront costs in insurance. (Source: Sierra Club Global Population and the Environment Program.).

Every Company Now Holds Car Renters Responsible for Damage from Natural Causes

Hertz, Last Hold Out, Changes Its Contracts

If You See a Hurricane Coming, Don't Rent a Car

Car-rental giant Hertz has changed its contracts to make customers responsible for damage from acts of nature--and Avis and Budget, which only hold their best customers immune, have said that they will follow suit. Complete Story