Read the Scorecard!

the heroes and zeroes in the state house

In 2011, the majority in the current legislature added a new twist to this Lansing environmental doublespeak. Instead of simply opposing stronger protections like those proposed in Clean Water Action’s 2011 Water Protection Agenda, state lawmakers sought to dismantle our existing protections, often under the banner of “job creation.”

"Highlights" from the scorecard include:

• 67 Legislators who receieved a failing grade
• 58 Legislators who scored "0"
• House Leadership passed H.R. 136 - a symbolic vote in favor of the recently rejected Keystone XL Pipeline
• The Legislature failed to advance any of the safeguards outlined in our 2011 Water Protection Agenda

Read our press release and download the full scorecard here. Then join the fight for our clean water progress and email Nic Clark to find out what you can do to hold our legislators accountable!

Love Minnesota’s children? Help protect their health from toxic chemicals in toys, shampoo and other products. Join Clean Water Action and the Healthy Legacy Coalition on Valentine’s Day at the Minnesota Capitol!

This is just one of many events for the environment coming up in January and February.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Keep Our Clean Water Progress Moving!

our wetlands and streams are at risk.

the president can do something about that.
Today, nearly 20 million acres of wetlands are at risk. Because they lack protection under the Clean Water Act, these vital parts of our water infrastructure are vulnerable to destruction by unaccountable polluters. The President has proposed to fix this problem and protect ALL of our wetlands. We support him and we need you to join us. Here's why:

• Wetlands protect us from floods – one acre of wetlands can hold 1 million gallons of floodwaters
• They provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife
• Wetlands provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and support local economies

The solution is simple: update the Clean Water Act to cover ALL wetlands. The President and the EPA have a plan to do that. We just need to make sure they know how much you support protections for our wetlands.

Help us continue our clean water progress and contact the President today! 

frack attack across colorado's front range!

Northern Colorado, home base to Colorado Clean Water Action in Fort Collins, is in the midst of the biggest frack-ing boom in the United States. Weld County, just east of Fort Collins, has more active oil and gas wells than any county in the U.S, with nearly 18,000 wells. As a geologic formation called the “Niobrara Shale” is drilled for oil and gas, 10,000 to 20,000 more wells could be added.

methane, benzene, & sulfur dioxide
State governments in Marcellus country and in regions rich with oil and gas are failing us when it comes to protecting the air we breathe from drilling pollution.  The oil and gas industry releases millions of pounds of pollutants like methane, benzene, and sulfur dioxide into our air each year.  With little federal ovesight and poor regulation by the states, these toxins are making us sick.  

We can change this! - if the EPA Acts.

The energy we use in Minnesota is directly connected to the quantity and quality of our water. Energy production is the largest consumer of water in the state and the old ways of generating power which rely on burning fossil fuels or nuclear fission harm our health and our environment.

Ending future energy dependence on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and nuclear.

Achieving energy independence by investing in local sources such as wind and solar and maximizing conservation and efficiency measure to reduce fuel use and costs.

a national leader on stormwater?
On October 5, District of Columbia and Environmental Protection Agency representatives proclaimed the release of a new stormwater management permit that could significantly reduce the pollution flowing from storm drains into the creeks and rivers of the nation’s capital. The new permit calls for retaining the first 1.2 inches of rainfall on properties in the District. When enforced, this new standard will reduce the poison runoff that flows from streets, parking lots and other paved surfaces. The permit provides incentives for solutions and environmental design standards that help capture rain water, such as trees, rain gardens and other landscape that soaks in water.

cleaning the anacostia

The Anacostia is one of the ten most polluted rivers in the nation. For too long we have accepted that a polluted Anacostia has to be a reality for the District. However, under pressure from the EPA, the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) is finally dealing with the six most toxic sites along the Anacostia, one of which is Pepco's Benning Road power plant. On February 2, 2011, DDOE announced that it had reached a "consent decree" with Pepco that it believes will address the legacy of pollution at Benning Road (to learn more click here). The proposal is promising, as there have been six documented releases of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the site over the years. PCBS are known cuase developmental problems and are carcinogenic in humans and wildlife, for example two-third of all brown bull-head catfish (pictured above) in the Anacostia have tumors. 

the first annual clean water

action connecticut benefit

Join us as a Sponsor Today!!

Come celebrate our 2011 victories and learn about our plans for 2012! Enjoy festive beverages and a buffet of tasty treats donated by local restaurants and stores! Visit the beautiful Charter Oak Cultural Center, and celebrate a year of hard work for public health and the environment!  We'll be joined by State Senator Beth Bye and Bryan Garcia, President of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.

To sign on as a sponsor

To purchase tickets or make a contribution