Creating a sustainable environment in Minnesota.
Setting an example for the world.

The Midtown Eco Energy (MEE) project is creating a local renewable energy solution that supports neighborhood economies and the global environment.

• Carbon neutral under the Kyoto Protocol
• Fueled by local wood resources, not garbage
• Achieving state goals for renewable energy
• Renewable electricity for 18,000-20,000 households
• Creating a green economy (20 full time jobs and 200 union construction jobs in the neighborhood)
• Reducing emissions with innovative technologies
• Immediately slowing global climate change with American ingenuity

Meeting an urgent need: Together, we are leading the world by using innovative technologies paired with locally-generated renewable energy for our local community. 
Contact your city council member and elected officials to let them know you support renewable energy in Minnesota.  

Do you have enough vinegar? You’re gonna need it

BY JEANNIE L. PIEKOS

Have you ever seen those ads in magazines about the thousands of uses for vinegar? To tell you the truth, I am not sure what they are selling. I don’t think, interestingly enough, that it’s vinegar they are selling; perhaps it is home recipes made with vinegar. I have obviously neglected to read those ads carefully, but I know I agree that vinegar has many merits. Besides the health and beauty benefits, vinegar is a fabulous home cleaner.

Yes, I said home cleaner. For years I’ve used a vinegar solution in a spray bottle for my windows. I use vinegar because it is cheap, easy and leaves virtually no streaks. Plus I always have vinegar in my pantry—a big gallon-sized jug of it. And, of course, it makes environmental sense as well. Why use a marketed commercial brand when you can make your own that is cheaper, readily available and, best of all, non-toxic?

Glass cleaners have a big range in price and chemical content. On the low end, glass cleaners cost about $3.50. They also have ingredients that require a science degree to understand. What is Tetrasodium EDTA, you might ask? Apparently it is a synthetic preservative which can be irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes. There are also fancy cleaners like Caldrea that cost as much as $8 a bottle. Really, for window cleaner? Personally I don’t care if it smells like Lavender Pine. Of course, Caldrea is going after the green-savvy shopper. Their products are made with plant-derived ingredients, are not tested on animals and use aromatherapy. That is a great value system for a business. If I had $8 to blow on window cleaner perhaps I would buy it, but for my money, vinegar is the way to go.

I thought about how there are probably other benign ingredients in my cupboards that I could use to create earth-friendly cleaners. I could save money and not further pollute the outside world while cleaning my inside world.

Luckily, I found Norma Lehmeier Hartie’s website: harmoniousenvironment.com. She has a list of cleaners one can make from ordinary items such as baking soda, corn starch, olive oil, toothpaste and, of course, vinegar.

Try a new way of cleaning and rest assured that you won’t be breathing any toxic fumes as you clean your counters. You know you will never see a caution disclaimer like this on a bottle of vinegar. Caution: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. If swallowed, drink one or two glasses of water, contact physician. For eye contact, flush with water for 15 minutes, get medical attention immediately. For skin contact, wash with water, get medical attention if irritation persists. Yikes!

this section will include cutting-edge articles about policies and practices that promote clean air, clean water, clean land and renewable energy for a sustainable future for our children and our planet.

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Won’t you join us!