RadioActive 8/2/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Key Discussion Points:

a) Hundreds demonstrated at the Conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in Burlinton, VT July 31st . In the early evening, when a smaller group attempted to peacefully block the road, Burlington police used rubber and pepper bullets against them point blank.

b) Inside the Hilton Hotel conference, the New England Governors, Eastern Premiers and their energy consultants meet on, among other things, what they call “building a clean and cost effective energy future for the Northeast”.

c) Outside, activists from all around the Northeast converged to underscore their opposition to the local and global impacts of a number of proposed regional energy projects. These include Quebec’s $80 billion resource extraction and energy development “Plan Nord” project; the so-called Northern Pass transmission plan to bring energy from Quebec through New Hampshire to New England markets; the proposed private East West Highway which would link Quebec and the Martimes through Maine; and the Trailbreaker pipeline, which is in the process of being reversed to bring tar sands oil from eastern Canada to Portland, Maine, for shipping. Activists from the Innu in Quebec to Mainers living along the the Trailbreaker Pipeline spoke of the community and environmental impacts of these initiatives, including climate change.

Guests:
A) Demonstrators from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Occupy NYC and more
B) Elyse Vollant, Innu First Nations delegation, from Maliotenam indigenous community in Quebec
C) Bill Mckibben, 350.org

www.cutvmontreal.ca
www.towardfreedom.com/americas/2916-connecting-the-struggles-regional-activists-greet-new-england-governors-conference-with-protests
www.350.org
plannord.gouv.qc.ca/english/messages/index.asp
www.northernpass.us/project-overview/route-map
www.workerscenter.org/
vtdigger.org/2012/07/30/environmental-groups-disrupt-governors-conference-cruise/
www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/opinion/game-over-for-the-climate.html?_r=1
intercontinentalcry.org/tactical-unit-dismantles-innu-blockade-against-controversial-hydro-complex/
fsrn.org/audio/headlines-monday-july-30-2012/10655
rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/behind-numbers/2012/04/plan-nord-really-economic-development-tool-qu%C3%A9bec
climate-connections.org/2012/07/29/breaking-news-police-violently-attack-peaceful-protest-in-burlington-vt/

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RadioActive 7/19/12

Producer/Host:Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association et al v. Monsanto

Key Discussion Points:

a) A group of 75 family farms, seed businesses and agricultural organizations, representing 300,000 individuals, are appealing the dismissal of their suit to the US Court of Appeals.. In addition to the Maine based Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), and the Maine based seed company Fed Co are also part of the suit. The Public Patent Foundation is representing OSGATA et al.

b) The suit seeks protection for farmers from potential lawsuits by Monsanto, who has a history of targeting farms for patent infringement when their genetically modified seed contaminates non-GMO and organic farms. Since the mid 1990s, Monsanto has pursued 144 lawsuits, and has brought charges against at least 700 other farms who have settled out of court.

c) Farmers say, in addition to the threat of patent right violations, contamination damages their own livelihoods growing non-GMO and organic food.

Guests by name and affiliation:

A) Jim Gerritsen, Wood Prairie Farms, Bridgewater,ME www.woodprairie.com, and

president of Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, Washington, ME www.osgata.org , 207)809-7530 . Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) www.pubpat.org

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RadioActive 6/28/12

Producer/Host:Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Transition Towns, Greater Rockland Area; and a mandate is signed for the Maine Wabanaki- State Child Welfare Commission

Key Discussion Points:

a) Over 1000 communities globally are establishing “Transition Towns”. This movement recognizes that the supply limits, as well as the health and environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels, needs to be addressed at the local level, strengthening community ties and local interdependence.

b) On July 1st, the Greater Rockland Area Transition Towns initiative will host and Open Space Event.

c) On June 29th, the Wabanaki chiefs of the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Mic Mac and Maliseet tribes in Maine and the state’s governor will sign the mandate for the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Guests by name and affiliation:

A) Jesse Watson, Greater Rockland Area Transition Towns

B) ,Greater Rockland Area Transition Towns

C) ,Greater Rockland Area Transition Towns

D) Penobscot Chief , Kirk Francis

E) Esther Attean Altivator, Passamaquoddy tribal member and member of convening group for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. www.mainetribaltrc.org, [email protected]

To listen to May 26, 2011 program on this topic:

archives.weru.org/radioactive/radioactive-52611

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RadioActive 6/21/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco
Issue: Environmental and Social Justice
Program Topic: Citizen Initiative for Regulatory Action on BPA in Food Packaging Intended for Babies and Toddlers and a Report from the Demonstrations at the Rio 20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development

Key Discussion Points (list at least 3):
a) Maine citizens delivered a petition to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection that legally requires the state to consider a rule to ban the use of Bisphonel-A in the containers of food and beverages marketed to babies and small children. Maine law recently went into effect that bans BPA in reusable plastic containers, such as baby bottles and “sippy “cups.
b) Indigenous communities and environmental and social justice organizations at the Rio 20 UN Conference on Sustainable have been amplifying their resistance to destructive projects promoted as part of the so called “green economy”, stressing the negative impacts of commodifying the natural world.
c) One example is the REDD Initiative (“Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation”). Indigenous communities say, now that their forest lands are considered monetarily lucrative as carbon off sets, their often politically marginalized communities are vulnerable to land grabs.
Guests by name and affiliation:
A) Mike Belliveau, executive director, Environmental Health Strategy Center www.preventharm.org
B) Anne Petermann, executive director, Global Justice Ecology Project climate-connections.org/
C) Margaret Prescott, producer of “Sojourner Truth”, KPFK FM
D)Jeff Conant, Global Justice Ecology Project reporting
E) Alberto Saldamdo, Indigenous Environmental Network www.ienearth.org/

Indigenous deliver Kari-Oca II Declaration to Rio+20, as military halts hundreds

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RadioActive 6/14/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco
Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Penobscot River Restoration Project, with John Banks of the Penobscot Nation: Great Works at Old Town going down.

Key Discussion Points:

a) On Monday, work began to remove the Great Works dam on the Penobscot River in Old Town. It is the first step in re-opening 1000 miles of the river to sea run fish, including alewives, herring, sturgeon and Atlantic salmon. In 2013, the Veazie Dam is scheduled to be removed. The Milford and Howland dams will install new fish lifts and by passes.

b) The Penobscot River Restoration Project has been called one of the largest fishing restoration projects in the history of the country, and now serves as a global model for cooperative conservation efforts. The project includes conservation groups, utilities, government entities, including the Penobscot Indian Nation.

c)The Penobscot Nation, which has been on the ground floor of this project, has offered instrumental perspective and leadership on the project, based on their unique relationship with the Penobscot River

Guests:

A) John Banks, tribal member, Director of the Department of Natural Resources for the Penobscot Nation, founder and member of the Penobscot River Restoration Project www.penobscotriver.org/

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RadioActive 6/7/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco
Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: The Maine legislature’s most recent cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services programs, including General Assistance and the Child Care Subsidy Program

Key Discussion Points (list at least 3):

a) The Maine legislature passes further budget cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These include the elimination of 14,500 low income parents from MaineCare, who have income between 100-133% of the poverty level, and all 19 and 20 year olds under 150% of the poverty level. This effects an additional 7,000 Mainers. Both these measures and cuts to the Medicare Savings Program are currently in violation of the federal Affordable Care Act. The budget also includes cuts to the Drugs for the Elderly Program, and to the Fund for a Healthy Maine. Cuts to the latter include a $2 million reduction in state funding for Head Start, a $2 million cut to the Child Care Subsidy Program, $2.6 million to the Maine Families Home Visiting Program, and funding cuts for Family Planning and dental services.

b) Director of the City of Bangor Health and Community Services, Shawn Yardely discusses cuts to General Assistance. Yardley says 70-80% of recipients, who are not waiting for SSI application processing, are on the program for 3 months or less. The last round of cuts have reduced GA from $611 to $550. 80% of GA funds go towards housing. The cuts put a 9 month cap on GA housing aid.

c) Governor LePage’s press secretary says the administration plans to pursue further cuts.

Guests:
A)Adrienne Bennett, press secretary for Governor Paul LePage
B) Shawn Yardely, Director of the City of Bangor Health and Community Services
C) “Maureen”, from South Portland. Budget cuts will effect her enrollment in the Child Care Subsidy, and possibly the MaineCare coverage she and her husband receive.

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RadioActive 5/24/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco
Issue: Environmental and Social Justice
Program Topic: The Maine legislature’s most recent cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services programs, including MaineCare.

Key Discussion Points:
a) The Maine legislature passes further budget cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These include the elimination of 14,500 low income parents from MaineCare, who have income between 100-133% of the poverty level, and all 19 and 20 year olds under 150% of the poverty level. This effects an additional 7,000 Mainers. Both these measures and cuts to the Medicare Savings Program are currently in violation of the federal Affordable Care Act. The budget also includes cuts to the Drugs for the Elderly Program, and to the Fund for a Healthy Maine. Cuts to the latter include a $2 million reduction in state funding for Head Start, a $2 million cut to the Child Care Subsidy Program, $2.6 million to the Maine Families Home Visiting Program, and funding cuts for Family Planning and dental services.
b) Governor LePage asked for, and still plans to pursue much deeper cuts in DHHS spending. Press secretary Adrienne Bennett articulates more of the goals and beliefs behind the Governors pursuit to diminish government spending on health and human service programs, particularly MaineCare. This includes discussion on the governor’s latest controversial statement, to the Maine GOP convention, that those on government programs should “get off the couch and get a job.”
c) Appropriations Committee member Rep. Rotundo says that recent revenue re-projection numbers negated the needs for the DHHS cuts. She also says, that tax cuts also passed in the supplemental budget bill, are unfunded, causing a loss of revenue of a half a billion dollars, which will have to be made up for in future state budgets.

Guests:
A) Ana Hicks, senior policy analyst, Maine Equal Justice Partners www.mejp.org
B) Adrienne Bennett, press secretary for Governor Paul LePage
C) Maine State Representative Peggy Rotundo (D- House District 79), Appropriations Committee House Democrat Lead (four Republicans legislators, leadership unavailable)

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RadioActive 5/17/12

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: Reform of national toxics protections

Key Discussion Points:
a) While Maine residents and law makers try to pass stronger measures to protect public health against toxic chemicals, like Bisphenol-A, they also look towards reform at the federal level.
b) There are reportedly 84,000 chemicals used in commerce. Since the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed in 1976, only 200 have been tested, and only 5 restricted. The requirement is that the government prove that chemicals are harmful, not that the manufactures, like Dow and Dupont, prove that they’re safe,
c) Numerous health, medical and other organizations in Maine are pushing for the passage of the federal Safe Chemicals Act. In April, Maine’s legislature passed a unanimous resolution to call on the US Congress to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act. On May 22nd, a Maine delegation will join the stroller brigade in Washington DC to call on Congress to pass the Safe Chemicals Act.

Guest: Mike Belliveau, exc. director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, www.preventharm.org, founding organizational member of Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, www.cleanandhealthyme.org

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