progressive news from near and far, condensed and compiled by Paul Schafer

Attorney General targets big payback

(Missoula Independent, 7-17-03)

Research done by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions (FERC) confirms Montanans' suspicions that they were cheated on their energy bills after deregulation sent prices soaring in 2000. Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath used these findings to file a lawsuit against several energy companies doing business in, but not based in, Montana. The suit, which claims that Montana consumers were defrauded out of millions paid in excessive rates, is based on the interconnectedness of the western power grid. Even though many of the defendant companies are involved in other lawsuits, this suit does not constitute "getting blood from a stone," because, according to McGrath, "They made millions; billions as it turns out." Indeed, one of the defendants had already settled a similar suit for $1.6 billion; still, Montanans cannot expect rebates any time soon, presuming Montana prevails.

Forest Service talking points

(Missoula Independent, 7-3-03)

After Greenpeace and the National Forest Protection Alliance (NFPA) released a report entitled "Endangered Forests, Endangered Freedoms," the US Forest Service escalated its war of words against environmentalists. In a leaked e-mail, the director of the Forest Service's Office of Communications gave employees "talking points" to use when they publicly discuss the endangered-forest report. For example: "There is a confederacy of militant environmental groups in this country that can't let go of the past." Matthew Kohler of the NFPA commented on the talking points, saying, "These carefully chosen words on the part of Bush administration officials serve as a stark reminder of to what lengths this administration will go to discredit citizens and public interest organizations who dare question their policies."

Back to the Wall

(Portland Alliance, 8-03)

Defending federal forests has just become more difficult. The 10th Circuit Court in Wyoming has struck down the "Roadless Rule" (which disallowed logging in millions of acres of forests), one of the major achievements of the Clinton years. The Bush government has also rolled back forest protections through administrative changes to the Northwest Forest Plan. These changes reduce public access to administrative and legal challenges to block bad timber sales, which leaves citizens with grassroots efforts such as those seen during the Salvage Rider era of the 1990s. At that time, tens of thousands of citizens went into the woods, many participating in the WALL (Witness Against Lawless Logging) effort. Many trees were lost, but through our efforts, many trees were saved. Those tactics are necessary once more. The front line will consist of sit-ins and blockades, actions that need the support of entire communities. The current effort is called "Back to the WALL." To find out how to participate, contact Joe Keating at (503) 234-2613, or with e-mail at keats@teleport.com.

OSHA kills requirement to count 'ergo' injuries

(Northwest Labor Press, 7-18-03)

Years ago, the AFL-CIO successfully campaigned for rules to protect workers from the class of injuries known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs, aka 'ergonomic' injuries), which sideline 600,000 workers per year. These rules were enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), but big business, backed by the Bush government, had Congress repeal them in 2001. The government has now taken a further step, actually eliminating the line for MSDs in injury reports. Without that information, "even employers who want to improve the workplace voluntarily will be hindered in their efforts," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.

MSF Decries Government's Empty Promises

(Alert, Summer 2003)

When the world's eight wealthiest nations, the Group of Eight, met in June 2003, one summit document they published was the "Action Plan on Health."

Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF, a.k.a. Doctors Without Borders) denounced this plan for favoring political and commercial interests over the needs of patients in developing countries. Although the plan supported combating SARS, it fell short in other areas. Largely due to US influence, plans to make generic drugs more readily available, to lower the cost of brand-name drugs, and to stimulate local production were deleted from the plan's final version. Also dropped was a plan for sustainable long-term financing for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

Biotech Food Fight

(Multinational Monitor, 6-03)

When a new product is introduced into the food supply or the environment, its sponsor bears the burden of proving its safety. This is the Precautionary Principle, which the European Union (EU) has followed for five years in its de facto moratorium on genetically modified foods.

The US, however, will bring a case before the WTO to challenge this moratorium. If the WTO panel rules for the US, the EU would need to change its rules or accept trade sanctions. At stake is the right of any WTO member to base its own environmental and consumer regulations on the Precautionary Principle.

The Rice and Lentil Challenge

(Solar Cooker Review, 7-03)

Ramon Coyle of Solar Cookers International (SCI) set out last May to test a claim made by a Mrs. Pol Wao, of Kenya. She had described cooking 450 grams of dry rice and 300 grams of dried legumes in a "CooKit" solar cooker, but SCI had heard doubts on the veracity of this feat. Mr. Coyle proved it was possible, cooking those same amounts of rice and lentils in four hours, and that in relatively temperate Sacramento, California. Such solar cookers are helping feed families while sparing the environment, as Mrs. Wao would need 60 kilograms of firewood to cook just 20 meals for her family.

WWW Washington Free Press