The Drop Dead Green Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. Will your grand finale be Earth-friendly? We stare mortality in the face with Carol Coan, trustee of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Massachusetts and environmental journalist Mark Harris, who authored the book “Grave Matters: A Journey Through the Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial.” We'll try once again to run that E-Valley-uation segment on the local biomess controversy (another victim of the clock) and we venture into The Enviro Show Echo Chamber for more news on the planet. Did I mention the Quote of the Week? But first it's time for......Revenge of the Critters! Bees attack White House. BEEware Obamaistas! And especially YOU, Major Garrett!!

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber we learn that the Waxman energy bill eases biomass limits (groan). O, and speaking of making things easy for the corporados, checkout what the folks on Beacon Hill have in mind for privatizing public space for Big Wind. Of course the good news big story was Obama’s new mileage rules! That's the big news, now here's the bad news. Our Enviro Show Blog Bonus comes from Grist: Cash from climate criminals shaping Waxman-Markey clean-energy bill.

We go straight into that E-Valley-uation segment that got blown off last time. Let's visit the local controversy about proposed biomass plants for Brattleboro, Greenfield, Springfield, Russell and Palmer (did i miss any?) with dueling screeds from some of the major players. Interesting that Mass Sierra Club's Elisa Campbell is boosting incinerators while her club isn't!. And this: Western Mass Electric supports mountain top removal. Have we got a great proposal for them!

"Empty me" by Congress of Starlings from the "Albedo" album takes us to our interview with Carol, who will be in the studio with us, with Mark calling in on the tele. That will be about The End, but not the end of the show (which, as you know, must go on) because next is the.......



Bus Top Billboard:


Tuesday, May 26, 7pm. GREENFIELD ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS on the BIOMESS! Greenfield Middle School Cafeteria, 195 Federal Street, Greenfield. Pioneer Renewable Energy, LLC – Request for a special permit to allow a 47 MW Biomass Power Plant within the Planned Industry Zoning District.


Thursday, May 28, 7pm. The Franklin Regional Planning Board will meet in the Franklin Regional Council of Governments conference room, 278 Main St. Greenfield. The agenda includes a presentation about Biomass availability in western Massachusetts & Renewable Biomass from state forests with Gordon Boyce of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. There will also be a presentation on the proposed Pioneer Renewable Energy Biomass facility in Greenfield by Matthew Wolfe of Mader Energy.

Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. OLD GROWTH FOREST EXCURSIONS with Bob Leverett, eastern old growth forest expert, as he takes you through some of the most extraordinary old growth forest in the state. The
trip will include elevation climb, bigger trees and a view. Bring lunch and water. Carpooling from Amherst can be arranged. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Wednesday, June 3, & Friday, June 5, 7:30 - 9:30am. Morning Nature Walks. Participants will meet at the bird bath outside the main entrance to the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls. Morning Nature Walk topics may include “Wing and Water,” informal birding and observation of water foul activity in Unity Park/Barton Cove; “Riverwatch,” an early-morning exploration of the Connecticut River, Barton Cove, and the power canal; “Fern-tastic,” fern identification and photography along the bike path; or “Byways and Backways,” an exploration of nature found along Turners Falls side streets and alleys. For more information, call 413.863.3221 or visit www.greatfallsma.org.

Wednesday, June 3, 6:45pm Biomess strategy meeting. 2nd Congregational Church. Call 774-5952

Saturday, June 6, 2009, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Pondering Ponds with Micky McKinley, Hitchcock Center for the Environment Educator. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

June 10-19, 2009. 10-Day Wild Earth Intensive. Contact: patrick@universityofthewild.org

OK, now it really is the end. Next time it's land conservation with Carol Gray. Stay tuned and remember: listen to your Mother!

The Greening Greenfield Enviro Show

Greetings Earthlings. You'd think a town with a name like Greenfield would be plenty green already, no? We talk with Nancy Hazard, Co-chair of the group Greening Greenfield about projects they're working on. Like always, we'll inspire you with The Enviro Show Quote of the Week, depress you with bad news from The Enviro Show Echo Chamber and confuse you with our E-Valley-uation segment, but first it's time for....Revenge of the Critters! BLACK FLIES!

On our Enviro Show Quote of the Week we confirm what far-right ideologues have always suspected: we repeat the words of Karl Marx!

"The development of civilization and industry in general has always shown itself so active in the destruction of forests that everything that has been done for their conservation and production is completely insignificant in comparison. "

In The Enviro Show Echo Chamber the U.S. Climate Emergency Council tells us that Congressman Boucher, who took $176,554 from the coal industry in 2007-2008, is spearheading an effort in Congress to urge the sponsors of the "American Clean Energy Security Act" to give away free permits to our nation's biggest polluters. Giving these permits away would result in massive profits for polluters and hurt working families. Here's the action link for that one. And this from the other coast: Bulk of forest biomass fuel to come from national forests!. Also this: U.S. Chamber of Converse (did i say that?) actually taking a hit from its' own membership! And finally (and we mean FINALLY! Obama budget rescinds energy industry tax breaks!

In our Enviro Show E-Valley-uation segment we briefly visit the local controversy about biomass with dueling screeds from some of the major players. Interesting that Mass Sierra Club's Elisa Campbell is boosting incinerators while her club isn't!.

"The Tree", by Marie Mason from "Not For Profit" takes us to our interview with Nancy. Then it's on to the Bus Stop Billboard:


Wednesday, May 13, 7pm. Vermont Public Service Board Second Public Hearing - ENVY Certificate of Public Good at Vermont Interactive Television sites across the state. Brattleboro Union High School, 131 Fairground Rd - Room 125. Contact: cchang@nukebusters.org

Thursday, May 14, Noon to 2pm. Bike Week tour of the endangered farmland folks are trying to protect in S. Amherst and the Fort River area of Hadley. Tour goes from Station Road to Pomeroy Lane, Moody Bridge Road and East Street in Hadley and back to the bike trail for a ride back to Station Road. Contact: judyeiseman@comcast.net

Thursday, May 14, 9:00 p.m. the Greenfield Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Pioneer Renewable Energy's request for a special permit to allow a 47 MW Biomass Burning Power Plant to be built on Butternut Street. Police Station Meeting Room at 321 High Street. Bring a written statement about how this plant would affect you; be prepared to read it aloud and/or submit it to the record.


Sunday, May 17 from 8:00 to noon. Bike Week Breakfast to Benefit Manhan Rail Trail at the Apollo Grill, Eastworks Building, 116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton, MA. Eastworks is located adjacent to the bike path, so cyclists or walkers can stop and enjoy their breakfast before continuing on their way.

Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. OLD GROWTH FOREST EXCURSIONS with Bob Leverett, eastern old growth forest expert, as he takes you through some of the most extraordinary old growth forest in the state. The trip will include elevation climb, bigger trees and a view. Bring lunch and water. Carpooling from Amherst can be arranged. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

Saturday, June 6, 2009, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Pondering Ponds with Micky McKinley, Hitchcock Center for the Environment Educator. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.

June 10-19, 2009. 10-Day Wild Earth Intensive. Contact:patrick@universityofthewild.org

Enough! Next time we checkout "green burials".....well, not literally! Until then remember: listen to who?.............yes! Your Mother!!