Eco Report – February 10, 2023

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:00 — 20.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

HEADLINES

IndyStar reports that every year when the list of new bills for the Indiana legislative session posts, Hoosiers may feel dizzy with deja vu.

—Norm Holy

The House Environmental Affairs Committee: 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN  46204. You are encouraged to write to them expressing your desire to see changes in Indiana regarding the environment and climate change.

—Julianna Dailey

When coal is burned, it produces a by-product called coal ash.  Coal ash needs to be stored somewhere, and Indiana has more coal ash ponds than any other state in the country.

—Julianna Dailey

More than 100 coal ash waste sites, many unregulated, sit just feet from the Great Lakes, raising concerns for nearby communities and the 30 million people who rely on the lakes for drinking water.

—Norm Holy

Inside Climate Change reports that a coal-fired plant near Gillette, Wyoming stands alone in the nation on one measure of economic viability—a positive distinction for that plant, but a damning one for coal-fired electricity in general.

—Norm Holy

Exxon’s annual profit for 2022 reached $55.7 billion, the company reported, with Chevron posting a net profit of $36.5 billion for the year.

—Norm Holy

CNN reported that the nationwide sales of electric vehicles (EV) for 2022 was 5.6 percent of the total market. This represents substantial growth in EV sales.

—Norm Holy

CALENDAR

The next Winter Hike Series at Brown County State Park will be about Wildfire Ecology on Saturday, February 11th, from 11 am to 1:30 pm.  Brown County State Park has its own wildfire burn every year.  You will learn about the burn area, wildfire ecology, wildland firefighting strategies and the effect the fire has on the park.  The hike is about 3 miles long and very rugged.  Dress for the weather and meet at the Nature Center.

Learn how to build your own radio telescope at the Do-It-Yourself Hydrogen Line Radio Astronomy class at the Switchyard Park, picnic shelter from 7:45 to 8:45 pm on Saturday, February 11th.  You will be using easily obtainable materials.  And, maybe you will get to see the rare “green comet” with your very own telescope.  Dress for the weather.  Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

The 22nd Annual Great Backyard Bird Count will be held Friday, February 15 through Monday, February, 18.  All you have to do is count birds for as little as 15 minutes or as long as you want during the 4-day event.  Go to the official website at birdcount.org for more information.

The Community Gardening Organization will have their next gardening class on Planting for a Rainy Day:  How to Build Gardens with Stormwater in Mind on Wednesday, February 15th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Allison-Jukebox Community Center.  Learn how to beautify your home and provide wildlife habitat while reducing the flow of stormwater into storm drains.  Sign up at bloomington.IN.gov/parks.

Enjoy a Winter Tree ID Workshop at Spring Mill State Park on Thursday, February 16th, from 6 to 8 pm.  The White River Forestry Committee will discuss trees in southern Indiana.  Learn how to identify trees in winter without the benefit of leaves using form, twigs, bark and branching character.  Reservations are required at [email protected] or call Teena at 812-278-0139.