Land of 1,475 impaired lakes: State agency releases water quality report: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the Minnesota Pollution Control Authority’s list of impaired waters in Minnesota. The list of “waters that are not meeting one or more water-quality standards” contains 1,475 impairments on 336 rivers and 510 lakes throughout the state, though only a small fraction of Minnesota’s bodies of water have been assessed. A total of 2,575 impaired waters have been identified, but many already have plans for rehabilitation in place and others are naturally impaired.
Oh well, at least the lake my parent’s cabin is on is ok. Find yours at CheckMyLake.org
YellowPagesGoesGreen.Org: Sign Up and Stop the Delivery of Unsolicited Telephone Books (via The Deets, who has a great write up this)
Krugman: Stranded in Suburbia: If Europe’s example is any guide, here are the two secrets of coping with expensive oil: own fuel-efficient cars, and don’t drive them too much.
Xcel Energy Saver’s Switch Take 15% off your electric energy and fuel cost charges from June through September each year you participate in Saver’s Switch. You’ll stay cool and comfortable. On hot summer days – 10 to 15 days at most each year – Xcel Energy may activate Saver’s Switch. This cycles your air conditioner off and on at 15- to 20-minute intervals. However, the furnace fan stays on, circulating already-cooled air throughout your home. (via)
“Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act”: [Minnesota Representative Michelle Bachman] has introduced the “Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act” to stop the phase-out of incandescent bulbs. “This is an issue of science over fads and fashions,” she told an interviewer, and called any human connection to global warming “voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax.” She continued: “Fluorescent bulbs are more polluting because of their mercury content. We are working on a light bulb bill. If the Democrats can hose up a light bulb, don’t trust them with the country.”
We are so proud here in what used to be liberal Minnesota. Ugh.