http://action.foe.org/t/928/content.jsp?content_KEY=3748 Media Releases from Friends of the Earth en-us http://action.foe.org/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=413 WASHINGTON, August 15, 2008. A U.K.-based firm called Club4Climate is linking to our website and implying an affiliation with our organization. There is no such affiliation. Friends of the Earth does not support Club4Climate and has not given it permission to use its logo. We are not accepting financial contributions from Club4Climate. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=412 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=412 WASHINGTON, August 7, 2008. Three prominent national environmental groups criticized today’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcement that it would not grant Texas Governor Perry’s request to temporarily waive the federal mandate for ethanol. Friends of the Earth, Clean Air Task Force, and the Environmental Working Group had urged the EPA to grant the waiver to Governor Perry. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=412 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=408 WASHINGTON (August 4, 2008) -- Citing the recent failure of an experimental plutonium fuel assembly test at a South Carolina nuclear plant, two watchdog groups today called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to suspend a risky, multibillion dollar program that would use 37 tons of surplus nuclear weapons plutonium for U.S. nuclear reactor fuel. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=408 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=403 Friends of the Earth announced today that it has sent letters to major U.S. professional sports organizations asking them to prohibit gene doping. "Altering one's genetic makeup to impact athletic performance is unacceptable," said Gillian Madill, genetic technologies campaigner at Friends of the Earth. "Gene doping is cheating, and it's dangerous. Professional sports organizations should ban it." http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=403 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=401 DURHAM, NC – Federal regulators now say a nuclear plant design touted as “certified” in 2004 remains years from completion, more delays in the design approval process are likely, and problems involving major components and plant systems persist. In response, public interest groups in North and South Carolina today filed legal motions calling for revocation of $230 million in preconstruction costs approved by both states’ electricity regulatory commissions in May and June for two new Duke Energy reactors. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=401 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=397 Washington, DC – Today Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore) introduced the bipartisan “Transportation and Housing Choices for Gas Price Relief Act,” H.R.6495, with Reps. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) as original cosponsors. With gas prices tripling over the last seven years, American families need solutions that will help them now. This bill provides immediate relief by giving people more transportation options, helping Americans reduce their commuting costs, assisting transit agencies with rising fuel costs, and increasing housing options near public transportation. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=397 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=395 Washington, D.C., July 11, 2008 -- Environmental conservation groups today blasted the Bush Administration’s refusal to act to reduce carbon dioxide pollution before the end of its second term. In an “advanced notice of proposed rulemaking” (ANPR) released today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made it clear it will delay action to address CO2 emissions indefinitely. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=395 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=394 FRANCE—Nearly 8,000 gallons of radioactive waste spilled from the Tricastin nuclear site Wednesday, forcing the closure of two French rivers and threatening human populations and the environment. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=394 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=393 WASHINGTON, D.C.—Environmental groups sent a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today urging it to suspend the federal biofuels mandate, arguing that the mandate is a major driver of unsustainable biofuels production in the United States and abroad. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=393 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=392 WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Representative Sam Farr (D-CA) introduced legislation last night to force the cruise industry to stop dumping human sewage and other wastes into U.S. coastal waters. "This bill is just in time for cruise season," said Danielle Fugere of Friends of the Earth. "The Clean Cruise Ship Act will stop these giant ships—small floating cities with thousands of passengers – from dumping waste along our shores and threatening the very environments vacationers seek to enjoy." http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=392 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=390 WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke about the adverse health and environmental consequences of burning coal and other fossil fuels on Monday, and a YouTube video of Reid’s remarks has gone viral, reaching more than 360,000 viewers. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=390 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=389 WASHINGTON, D.C.—The City Council voted unanimously today advance the "Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008" on its first reading. This innovative and historic legislation will establish a sustainable energy utility to reduce the city’s energy use, train residents for green jobs, and help low-income residents limit their energy bills through improved efficiency. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=389 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=384 WASHINGTON, D.C.—Record flooding is devastating Iowa and other parts of the Midwest, and with global warming promising to create even more extreme weather, Friends of the Earth said today that it’s time to revamp the country’s failed flood control policies. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=384 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=383 Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder welcomed the announcement of a global warming bill authored by Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) with the following statement: "We welcome the introduction of another global warming bill in the House of Representatives and thank Congressman Doggett for his leadership. Congressman Doggett's bill will provide a useful basis for discussion and debate as members of the House continue to grapple with different approaches to addressing the climate crisis. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=383 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=381 WASHINGTON, D.C.—The proposal to spend $150 million or more in D.C. taxpayer funds to subsidize a new soccer stadium "will not generate notable economic or fiscal benefits for the city" according to 26 economists from across the nation who signed a joint statement being released today. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=381 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=379 WASHINGTON, D.C.—Friends of the Earth transportation policy coordinator Colin Peppard had the following statement today about public transportation’s potential to protect Americans from high gas prices: "During last week's debate on the Lieberman-Warner bill, many senators questioned how global warming legislation would impact gas prices. However, we can protect American families from rising fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gases at the same time by providing Americans with alternatives to their cars, so they have to fill up less often." http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=379 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=377 Washington, D.C. and Bonn, Germany, June 4th, 2008 – Today, 121 groups are issuing a declaration opposing the World Bank's proposal for Climate Investment Funds. The statement comes out during UN Climate Convention talks in Bonn and on the eve of a US Congressional Hearing on the Clean Technology Fund. http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=377 http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=375 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder responded today to Rep. Edward Markey's announcement of his global warming bill with the following statement: "For years, Congressman Markey has been one of the environment's strongest champions on Capitol Hill. The bill he is announcing today is a strong starting point for debate in the House of Representatives, and we welcome its introduction." http://action.foe.org/t/928/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=375