The Great Lakes Zephyr - Wind Energy & Hydrogen Journal

Denlines:

A Biweekly Update from Defenders of Wildlife: Working to Save Wildlife and Wild Lands

Feds Plan Removal of Yellowstone Grizzlies from Endangered Species List

Researchers Say U.S. Can Eliminate Oil Use in a Few Decades

EPA Wording on Mercury Found Once Again to Mirror Industry's

Time Is Running Out on Early Bird Wildlife Gift Adoptions

Groups Challenge Rule that Weakens Pesticide Reviews

Government Removes Cows for Sonoran Pronghorn

International Conference to Decide the Fate of Endangered Species

1. Feds Plan Removal of Yellowstone Grizzlies from Endangered Species List Citing the presence of 400 to 600 grizzlies in Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may soon propose to remove that population of bears from the endangered species list. According to the service, the recovery goals in the Yellowstone ecosystem have been met. Grizzlies in other parts of the country will retain endangered species protections. Defenders will continue to monitor this proposal to ensure the continued protection and survival of grizzlies in the Yellowstone area. 2. Researchers Say U.S. Can Eliminate Oil Use in a Few Decades A report written by Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute and co-funded by the Pentagon claims that the United States can eliminate all oil use by 2050. According to the institute, at an average cost of $12 per barrel, the U.S. can halve its oil use through efficiency, and then replace the other half with biofuels and natural gas – all without taxation or new federal regulation. The report, "Winning the Oil Endgame," shows that by 2015, the U.S. can save more oil than it gets from the Middle East, by 2025, use less oil than in 1970, by 2040, import no oil, and, by 2050, use no oil at all. There would be a net savings of $70 billon per year, which would "act like a giant tax cut for the nation," according to Lovins. 3. EPA Wording on Mercury Found Once Again to Mirror Industry's According to the Washington Post, a new set of passages in the Bush administration's plans for regulating mercury emissions from power plants have been found, for the third time, to mirror memos written by the energy industry. The passages in question claim that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not required to regulate other harmful toxins, such as lead and arsenic, along with mercury under the Clean Air Act. Prior to joining the agency, Jeffrey Holmstead, EPA's assistant administrator for air and radiation, and William Wehrum, Holmstead's chief counsel, both worked at the law firm that wrote the memos. 4. Time Is Running Out on Early Bird Wildlife Gift Adoptions September 30 is the last day to take advantage of Defenders of Wildlife's special early bird adoption promotion that allows you to save 10 percent on your wildlife gift adoptions. So don't delay. Act now to save on your gift shopping and make a truly meaningful gift this holiday season. Visit our adoption center and enter code EBA10 on your adoption form to get this special discount. Holiday gift adoptions are an excellent way to pass on the legacy of stewardship and conservation to family and friends. Plus, you'll enjoy the feeling of knowing you're doing your part to protect the wildlife you love for our children and grandchildren. Help celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week by adopting a sea otter or sea otter family for someone special on your holiday gift list. 5. Groups Challenge Rule that Weakens Pesticide Reviews A coalition of environmental organizations, including Defenders, has sued the Bush administration because of the federal government's plan to cut wildlife experts out of the loop on decisions regarding the effect of pesticides on endangered wildlife. Learn more. 6. Government Removes Cows for Sonoran Pronghorn Thanks to Defenders' legal wrangling and the more than 5,000 members of our action network who signed our Sonoran pronghorn petition, the federal Bureau of Land Management is permanently removing cattle from important Sonoran pronghorn habitat. Once the fences are removed, this decision will open up nearly 60,000 acres for the critically endangered Sonoran pronghorn, whose numbers plummeted to 20 animals two years ago. Learn more about Sonoran pronghorn. 7. International Conference to Decide the Fate of Endangered Species The fate of scores of species will be decided during the next two weeks as governments from around the world meet to set new rules on international trade in lions, parrots, elephants, whales and more than forty other species. The meeting will be held in Bangkok under the auspices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the world's preeminent treaty on wildlife trade. The conference will consider a range of species of critical importance to Defenders of Wildlife, including great white sharks, African lions, bald eagles and ramin – a tropical tree species that provides critical habitat for orangutans, but is severely threatened by rampant illegal logging. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO DENLINES