Sierra Club Head To Visit Wisconsin, Concerned Over Gov’s Policies

The national leader of the Sierra Club plans to be in Wisconsin this weekend, and is heading here with some strong concerns about Governor Scott Walker’s environmental record.

Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune will be in Madison Saturday, for the 50th anniversary of the club’s John Muir chapter. Brune says success in Wisconsin in getting some coal-burning power plants to switch to cleaner fuels or install more pollution controls is a key victory to celebrate. But Brune says Wisconsin’s recent passage of the bill to weaken regulations on mining is a concern. Brune says the club will lobby legislators and possibly file a lawsuit to protect the air and water near the proposed iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin. Brune says Governor Scott Walker is linked to a series of environmental setbacks.

“It’s hard to come up with praise for Governor Walker. He’s supported the mining legislation. Turned away funding for high-speed rail, he’s undermined the progress for wind in your state.”

Brune says Walker is letting an ideological viewpoint get in the way of clean energy jobs in Wisconsin.

“And so, what the Sierra Club will do in the state is hold the governor accountable to the values of Wisconsin voters and mobilizing political support to makes sure we have a new governor in place in the next election.”

Governor Walker has argued his top priority is job creation. Walker’s office, the Wisconsin DNR and the business group Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, were all contacted for comment about Brune’s remarks. DNR spokesman Bill Cosh wrote back to say:

“The DNR continues to take its responsibilities over the environment seriously, as does Governor Walker. Any suggestion otherwise is a false premise.”