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  1. Fabien Lecuyer a donné une conférence sur l’histoire du gallo à la médiathèque de Plémet

    La médiathèque de Plémet a accueilli mercredi 15 octobre Fabien Lecuyer de l’Institut du gallo. Celui-ci a donné…
    #Rennes #FR #France #Actu #News #Europe #EU #actu #Actualités #bretagne #Culturebretonne #europe #gallo #Plémet #Républiquefrançaise
    europesays.com/fr/475656/

  2. #News #Corruption #Transportation #Trump #Administration #alt
    HCR 6/8/26
    SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION TAKES A 7 MONTH FAMILY ROAD TRIP ON TAX PAYER’S DIME

    Secretary Sean Duffy took his family on a 7 road trip to film a television series called The Great American Road Trip while he was supposed to be doing his job as secretary of transportation, [and] he told Fox & Friends this morning that “it fits any budget to do a road trip” on a day when the national average for a gallon of gas was $4.54.

  3. How communities in #SacrificeZones suffer environmental injustices in #Mexico, #Chile, #Nigeria and #Indonesia (analysis)

    Daniela Sepulveda and Angélica Arellano, 9 Apr 2025

    "Across continents, 'sacrifice zones' resemble wounds carved deep into the fabric of our planet. These are regions where ecosystems and livelihoods have been ravaged by fossil fuel and other industries that promise progress but leave devastation in their wake. These are places where big business and transnational corporations are contaminating the rivers, darkening the skies, and making the soil barren; where the toll of development is paid in human suffering and ecological destruction.

    "What unites these 'sacrifice zones' is the shared story of areas where prosperity for the few is built on the suffering of many, and where communities fight to mend the fractures inflicted upon their land, health and dignity.

    "Here are four case studies highlighting the experiences of communities and civil society organizations collaborating with us in the Coalition for Human Rights in Development’s Community Resource Exchange.

    #Tula, #Mexico

    "In the #TulaTepejiApaxco region, where the #Toltec plains once supported rich #biodiversity and #CulturalHeritage, the water and air are now saturated with pollution. This devastated landscape was declared both in 1975 and again in 2005 by the U.N. as one of the most polluted places on Earth, marking it as an #EnvironmentalDisaster zone. Since the early 20th century, the arrival of #CementPlants, #refineries, #ChemicalFactories, a #coal-fired power plant and #LimeKilns has transformed the region. Backed by all levels of government, these industries have destroyed the area’s ecological balance and ruined the health of its people, poisoning the water, air and soil with #ToxicWaste.

    "Prominent among these polluters are cement giants like #Holcim, #CEMEX, #CementosFortaleza and #Clarimex, whose operations release harmful gases that exacerbate the region’s environmental and public health crises. One of the epicenters of this environmental catastrophe is the #TulaRiver, which receives 150,000 liters (nearly 40,000 gallons) of untreated wastewater every second from Mexico City and the Valley of Mexico. These 'black waters' are teeming with industrial and hospital waste plus sewage, overwhelming the river and its tributaries.

    "The #EndhóDam, originally built to support local #agriculture, has become a toxic dumping ground, poisoning thousands of people who rely on wells for drinking water. Despite decades of warnings, local and national governments have allowed this contamination to persist. The poisoned waters have killed fish, flooded the land with toxic sludge, and led to a surge in cancer, leukemia, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases among the 15,000 inhabitants living along its banks. In 2021, a devastating flood related to the overflowing Tula River left 17 dead and displaced thousands, a stark reminder of the ongoing risks of government inaction.

    "The region now faces a massive public health crisis, and the recent declaration by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to designate the area as an ecological restoration zone is a necessary but overdue step. This declaration covers municipalities such as #Atitalaquia,TepejiDelRío, #Tepetitlán and Tlahuelilpan, where 498 businesses have been identified as generators of hazardous waste, including 14 that produce hydrocarbons. The study, based on a water, air and soil analysis, could mark the beginning of recovery if it is implemented with urgency and seriousness.

    "Over the years, organizations like #RedDeConcienciaAmbiental '#QueremosVivir' have resisted, bringing visibility to the devastation and fighting to halt deforestation and continued pollution. In the words of one of the leaders of Queremos Vivir ('We want to live'), 'There needs to be a legal solution, because it’s that urgent. We believe there is still a way to reverse it, and we have time to show the newly elected president #ClaudiaSheinbaum the dire situation we’re in.'

    "Their demands include a reduction in the water flow of the Tula River through holistic water management solutions, and government accountability for decades of environmental neglect, calling for reparations for both industrial pollution and the catastrophic 2021 floods.

    "While they welcome Sheinbaum’s promises to clean the river and launch a circular economy project, they emphasize that meaningful environmental justice must not be delayed any longer. After stating the communities’ demands through tears, the Queremos Vivir leader said, 'Are we really just going to be destined to be a sacrifice zone? The damage is so severe, the degradation we are in, that if we don’t protect it, don’t defend it, then what are we going to do?' "

    Read more:
    news.mongabay.com/2025/04/how-

    #SEZs #Antofagasta #Nigeria #Indonesia #HumanRights #HumanRightsFreeZone #CorporateColonialism
    #Exploitation #RaceToTheBottom
    #HumanRightsViolations
    #Pollution #EnvironmentalDegradation
    #EconomicSacrificZones
    #ForcedRelocation #ForcedDisplacement #TraditionalLifestyles #AirIsLife #WaterIsLife #EnvironmentalRacism #Exploitation

  4. Xodanix3 @XoGloomnrainbows ·

    After getting 10 gallons of water, 1/2 tank of gas, meds & dinner, our savings went back down to $37/300. Please continue to boost to get us closer to our goal!
    Thank u! 💕

  5. After getting 10 gallons of water, 1/2 tank of gas, meds & dinner, our savings went back down to $37/300. Please continue to boost to get us closer to our goal!
    Thank u! 💕

    #mutualaidrequest #givingThursday #TipANative #DisabilityCrowdFund #Emergencycrowdfund #survivalfund #IndigenousMutualAid

  6. After getting 10 gallons of water, 1/2 tank of gas, meds & dinner, our savings went back down to $37/300. Please continue to boost to get us closer to our goal!
    Thank u! 💕

    #mutualaidrequest #givingThursday #TipANative #DisabilityCrowdFund #Emergencycrowdfund #survivalfund #IndigenousMutualAid

  7. After getting 10 gallons of water, 1/2 tank of gas, meds & dinner, our savings went back down to $37/300. Please continue to boost to get us closer to our goal!
    Thank u! 💕

    #mutualaidrequest #givingThursday #TipANative #DisabilityCrowdFund #Emergencycrowdfund #survivalfund #IndigenousMutualAid

  8. After getting 10 gallons of water, 1/2 tank of gas, meds & dinner, our savings went back down to $37/300. Please continue to boost to get us closer to our goal!
    Thank u! 💕

    #mutualaidrequest #givingThursday #TipANative #DisabilityCrowdFund #Emergencycrowdfund #survivalfund #IndigenousMutualAid

  9. Emanuela Gallo has been appointed Vice-President of the Modern Building Alliance.
    This appointment reflects the importance of technical expertise and industry engagement in advancing building performance across Europe.

    🔗Read more: zurl.co/L4Gc8

    #eps #insulation #construction #circularity #eumeps #smartsolutions #initiative #europe

  10. Gairloch Harbour, at Charlestown in Wester Ross, which has probably been in use since Viking times. According to folklore it was the site of a truly prodigious feat of archery during a clan feud in about 1500. More pics and info: undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/gai

    #Scotland #Charlestown #WesterRoss

  11. Carving out 12 million cubic yards of rock for a toll road eyesore?

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission wants to eliminate the Allegheny Tunnels along the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstates 70/76) through Allegheny Mountain in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The tunnels would be replaced with a massive road cut (a.k.a. ‘the Gray Cut’) that would be 250 feet deep, 1,000 feet wide and would require the excavation of 12 million cubic yards of earth and rock. That is not an engineering accomplishment, that’s a plan for a future eyesore.

    Source: aol.com

    A recent calculation (confirmed by using Google’s gemini.ai) has shown that 12 million cubic yards of rock would fill an entire football field to the height of a bit more than 5,600 feet…more than a mile high and nearly four Empire State Buildings tall. It would also be the tallest mountain/structure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Even a natural conical pile of this material would be approximately 1,100 feet high. Where exactly does the Turnpike Commission plan to dump all this material?

    Source: created by google.gemini.ai

    Reasons cited for the proposed Gray Cut

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has noted that the cost of upgrading the tunnels would be approximately double that of the Gray Cut. They indicate it is also needed due to anticipated future traffic, improved safety (particularly related to accidents within the tunnels), maintenance costs for the tunnels, and the current need for hazardous cargo loads to bypass the tunnels. According to the turnpike’s website, the preliminary design phase is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed in 2028. If approved for construction, actual work would begin in 2033.

    Source: paturnpike.com

    In regards to the cost comparison between the cut and tunnel improvements/upgrades, what never seems to be included in the calculations are the intangible benefits associated with the scenery, wildlife, ecosystems, water resources, culture, history, and lifestyles that would negatively impacted by this project.

    “Look Doris, someday you’re going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn’t work. And when you do, don’t overlook those lovely intangibles. You’ll discover they’re the only things that are worthwhile.”

    Fred from Miracle on 34th Street per imdb.com

    In addition, many other tunnels across the nation ban hazardous materials. Exactly why is this being used as a reason to build this project here? Maybe manufacturers should be transporting such dangerous stuff on trains instead of trucks on highways? Or perhaps, it should just be an accepted cost of doing business.

    Lastly, “anticipated future traffic” can be a tricky calculation. All too often, past data is used to guesstimate futures trends. In reality, unforeseen events can alter those calculations. Unforeseen events like gas prices now hovering around $4.50+ per gallon, with diesel prices running even higher. There are a litany of other things that could change the traffic dynamics – migration patterns, birthrates, car ownership rates, inflation, cyclical economic changes, war, and climate change to name a few.

    If this project is being proposed just so the PA Turnpike can better compete with I-80 to the north and I-68 to the south, then that is a very poor reason to cause the extent of anticipated negative impacts listed below. It should be noted that neither I-80 nor I-68 have tunnels nor tolls. The Sideling Hill Cut west of Hancock, Maryland on I-68 is 340 feet deep and 720 feet wide. The much ballyhooed geological display at the site was closed 18 years after completion due to budget cuts. en.wikipedia.org and mgs.md.gov

    In addition, rockfall fencing needed to be added along both sides of the highway in the Sideling Hill Cut in 2023.

    Anticipated negative impacts

    Not only would such a massive trench leave a permanent disfiguring scar across this scenic mountainous landscape, but it would also have the following negative impacts, as noted by Citizens to Save Allegheny Mountain:


    “The proposed Gray Cut would destroy critical wildlife habitats, disrupt migration patterns, and endanger species that rely on the unspoiled wilderness of the Allegheny Mountain.”

    “The natural springs and deep wells that provide clean water to nearby communities and are at risk of being polluted or permanently altered by the construction.”

    “The project will lead to the removal of forest stand and the displacement of massive amounts of soil and sediment that can never be reestablished or replaced.”

    “This irreversible destruction…will also reduce recreational opportunities and threaten traditions such as hunting and fishing opportunities, which are vital to the region’s outdoor lifestyle.”

    “The proposed construction will fragment these habitats, making it difficult for wildlife to find food, shelter, and mates.”

    “The Gray Cut project jeopardizes these efforts [previous and current restoration efforts along the Stonycreek River Watershed].

    “Beyond the Stonycreek River, other neighboring watersheds, including the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and the Indian Lake Watersheds, are also at risk due to the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel’s unique location at a triple watershed divide.”

    “Construction activities associated with the turnpike expansion will significantly increase the risk of soil erosion and sedimentation in nearby streams and rivers.”

    “The increased runoff from paved surfaces carries pollutants such as oil, heavy metals, and other toxic substances into water bodies, further impacting the health of our waterways within the Stonycreek River watershed.”

    “The noise, dust, and heavy machinery involved in this large-scale construction project would disrupt the lives of local residents and visitors who cherish the peace and quiet of the mountain.”

    “The project will disrupt local communities by affecting the water supply for residents who rely on wells and natural springs. The potential contamination of these water sources poses serious health risks, particularly for those who rely on them for daily use.”

    “The long-term environmental and social costs far outweigh any short-term economic gains.”

    Allegheny Tunnels – Source: savealleghenymountain.org

    Other impacts not mentioned by Citizen to Save the Allegheny Mountain on their website, include, but are not limited to:

    • Increased risk of animal vehicle collisions with the loss of the mountain’s natural wildlife crossing over the turnpike. This may lead to the future need of constructing a new wildlife crossing.
    • “Drivers on the proposed highway would lose the tunnel’s protection from the worst of the weather near the turnpike’s highest point, 2,600 feet above sea level, where fog, icing and high winds are frequent hazards.” – penncapital-star.com
    • The potential for microclimate changes in weather patterns as a result of the cut. According to google.gemini.ai, these could include: wind-channeling through the cut; alteration to the rain shadow on the east side of the mountain; creation of a cold air sink at the bottom of the cut increasing the likelihood of fog and frost; and disruption to wind patterns along the mountainside.
    • The loss of the historic highway tunnels, first built in 1940 and expanded in 1965.
    Source: savealleghenymountain.org

    Steps one can take

    If you feel this proposed project should go back to the drawing board, consider other alternatives, or be scrapped for upgrading the tunnels, please consider contacting Citizens to Save the Allegheny Mountain through the following links:

    The organization’s website includes a petition one can sign along with space to provide comments.

    Peace!

    #AlleghenyMountain #AlleghenyTunnels #construction #cut #environment #eyesore #geography #GrayCut #highways #history #Interstates #landUse #mountains #Pennsylvania #PennsylvaniaTurnpike #SaveAlleghenyMountain #scar #tollRoads #transportation #travel #trench #turnpikes
  12. Carving out 12 million cubic yards of rock for a toll road eyesore?

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission wants to eliminate the Allegheny Tunnels along the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstates 70/76) through Allegheny Mountain in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The tunnels would be replaced with a massive road cut (a.k.a. ‘the Gray Cut’) that would be 250 feet deep, 1,000 feet wide and would require the excavation of 12 million cubic yards of earth and rock. That is not an engineering accomplishment, that’s a plan for a future eyesore.

    Source: aol.com

    A recent calculation (confirmed by using Google’s gemini.ai) has shown that 12 million cubic yards of rock would fill an entire football field to the height of a bit more than 5,600 feet…more than a mile high and nearly four Empire State Buildings tall. It would also be the tallest mountain/structure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Even a natural conical pile of this material would be approximately 1,100 feet high. Where exactly does the Turnpike Commission plan to dump all this material?

    Source: created by google.gemini.ai

    Reasons cited for the proposed Gray Cut

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has noted that the cost of upgrading the tunnels would be approximately double that of the Gray Cut. They indicate it is also needed due to anticipated future traffic, improved safety (particularly related to accidents within the tunnels), maintenance costs for the tunnels, and the current need for hazardous cargo loads to bypass the tunnels. According to the turnpike’s website, the preliminary design phase is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed in 2028. If approved for construction, actual work would begin in 2033.

    Source: paturnpike.com

    In regards to the cost comparison between the cut and tunnel improvements/upgrades, what never seems to be included in the calculations are the intangible benefits associated with the scenery, wildlife, ecosystems, water resources, culture, history, and lifestyles that would negatively impacted by this project.

    “Look Doris, someday you’re going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn’t work. And when you do, don’t overlook those lovely intangibles. You’ll discover they’re the only things that are worthwhile.”

    Fred from Miracle on 34th Street per imdb.com

    In addition, many other tunnels across the nation ban hazardous materials. Exactly why is this being used as a reason to build this project here? Maybe manufacturers should be transporting such dangerous stuff on trains instead of trucks on highways? Or perhaps, it should just be an accepted cost of doing business.

    Lastly, “anticipated future traffic” can be a tricky calculation. All too often, past data is used to guesstimate futures trends. In reality, unforeseen events can alter those calculations. Unforeseen events like gas prices now hovering around $4.50+ per gallon, with diesel prices running even higher. There are a litany of other things that could change the traffic dynamics – migration patterns, birthrates, car ownership rates, inflation, cyclical economic changes, war, and climate change to name a few.

    If this project is being proposed just so the PA Turnpike can better compete with I-80 to the north and I-68 to the south, then that is a very poor reason to cause the extent of anticipated negative impacts listed below. It should be noted that neither I-80 nor I-68 have tunnels nor tolls. The Sideling Hill Cut west of Hancock, Maryland on I-68 is 340 feet deep and 720 feet wide. The much ballyhooed geological display at the site was closed 18 years after completion due to budget cuts. en.wikipedia.org and mgs.md.gov

    In addition, rockfall fencing needed to be added along both sides of the highway in the Sideling Hill Cut in 2023.

    Anticipated negative impacts

    Not only would such a massive trench leave a permanent disfiguring scar across this scenic mountainous landscape, but it would also have the following negative impacts, as noted by Citizens to Save Allegheny Mountain:


    “The proposed Gray Cut would destroy critical wildlife habitats, disrupt migration patterns, and endanger species that rely on the unspoiled wilderness of the Allegheny Mountain.”

    “The natural springs and deep wells that provide clean water to nearby communities and are at risk of being polluted or permanently altered by the construction.”

    “The project will lead to the removal of forest stand and the displacement of massive amounts of soil and sediment that can never be reestablished or replaced.”

    “This irreversible destruction…will also reduce recreational opportunities and threaten traditions such as hunting and fishing opportunities, which are vital to the region’s outdoor lifestyle.”

    “The proposed construction will fragment these habitats, making it difficult for wildlife to find food, shelter, and mates.”

    “The Gray Cut project jeopardizes these efforts [previous and current restoration efforts along the Stonycreek River Watershed].

    “Beyond the Stonycreek River, other neighboring watersheds, including the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and the Indian Lake Watersheds, are also at risk due to the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel’s unique location at a triple watershed divide.”

    “Construction activities associated with the turnpike expansion will significantly increase the risk of soil erosion and sedimentation in nearby streams and rivers.”

    “The increased runoff from paved surfaces carries pollutants such as oil, heavy metals, and other toxic substances into water bodies, further impacting the health of our waterways within the Stonycreek River watershed.”

    “The noise, dust, and heavy machinery involved in this large-scale construction project would disrupt the lives of local residents and visitors who cherish the peace and quiet of the mountain.”

    “The project will disrupt local communities by affecting the water supply for residents who rely on wells and natural springs. The potential contamination of these water sources poses serious health risks, particularly for those who rely on them for daily use.”

    “The long-term environmental and social costs far outweigh any short-term economic gains.”

    Allegheny Tunnels – Source: savealleghenymountain.org

    Other impacts not mentioned by Citizen to Save the Allegheny Mountain on their website, include, but are not limited to:

    • Increased risk of animal vehicle collisions with the loss of the mountain’s natural wildlife crossing over the turnpike. This may lead to the future need of constructing a new wildlife crossing.
    • “Drivers on the proposed highway would lose the tunnel’s protection from the worst of the weather near the turnpike’s highest point, 2,600 feet above sea level, where fog, icing and high winds are frequent hazards.” – penncapital-star.com
    • The potential for microclimate changes in weather patterns as a result of the cut. According to google.gemini.ai, these could include: wind-channeling through the cut; alteration to the rain shadow on the east side of the mountain; creation of a cold air sink at the bottom of the cut increasing the likelihood of fog and frost; and disruption to wind patterns along the mountainside.
    • The loss of the historic highway tunnels, first built in 1940 and expanded in 1965.
    Source: savealleghenymountain.org

    Steps one can take

    If you feel this proposed project should go back to the drawing board, consider other alternatives, or be scrapped for upgrading the tunnels, please consider contacting Citizens to Save the Allegheny Mountain through the following links:

    The organization’s website includes a petition one can sign along with space to provide comments.

    Peace!

    #AlleghenyMountain #AlleghenyTunnels #construction #cut #environment #eyesore #geography #GrayCut #highways #history #Interstates #landUse #mountains #Pennsylvania #PennsylvaniaTurnpike #SaveAlleghenyMountain #scar #tollRoads #transportation #travel #trench #turnpikes
  13. Carving out 12 million cubic yards of rock for a toll road eyesore?

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission wants to eliminate the Allegheny Tunnels along the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstates 70/76) through Allegheny Mountain in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The tunnels would be replaced with a massive road cut (a.k.a. ‘the Gray Cut’) that would be 250 feet deep, 1,000 feet wide and would require the excavation of 12 million cubic yards of earth and rock. That is not an engineering accomplishment, that’s a plan for a future eyesore.

    Source: aol.com

    A recent calculation (confirmed by using Google’s gemini.ai) has shown that 12 million cubic yards of rock would fill an entire football field to the height of a bit more than 5,600 feet…more than a mile high and nearly four Empire State Buildings tall. It would also be the tallest mountain/structure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Even a natural conical pile of this material would be approximately 1,100 feet high. Where exactly does the Turnpike Commission plan to dump all this material?

    Source: created by google.gemini.ai

    Reasons cited for the proposed Gray Cut

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has noted that the cost of upgrading the tunnels would be approximately double that of the Gray Cut. They indicate it is also needed due to anticipated future traffic, improved safety (particularly related to accidents within the tunnels), maintenance costs for the tunnels, and the current need for hazardous cargo loads to bypass the tunnels. According to the turnpike’s website, the preliminary design phase is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed in 2028. If approved for construction, actual work would begin in 2033.

    Source: paturnpike.com

    In regards to the cost comparison between the cut and tunnel improvements/upgrades, what never seems to be included in the calculations are the intangible benefits associated with the scenery, wildlife, ecosystems, water resources, culture, history, and lifestyles that would negatively impacted by this project.

    “Look Doris, someday you’re going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn’t work. And when you do, don’t overlook those lovely intangibles. You’ll discover they’re the only things that are worthwhile.”

    Fred from Miracle on 34th Street per imdb.com

    In addition, many other tunnels across the nation ban hazardous materials. Exactly why is this being used as a reason to build this project here? Maybe manufacturers should be transporting such dangerous stuff on trains instead of trucks on highways? Or perhaps, it should just be an accepted cost of doing business.

    Lastly, “anticipated future traffic” can be a tricky calculation. All too often, past data is used to guesstimate futures trends. In reality, unforeseen events can alter those calculations. Unforeseen events like gas prices now hovering around $4.50+ per gallon, with diesel prices running even higher. There are a litany of other things that could change the traffic dynamics – migration patterns, birthrates, car ownership rates, inflation, cyclical economic changes, war, and climate change to name a few.

    If this project is being proposed just so the PA Turnpike can better compete with I-80 to the north and I-68 to the south, then that is a very poor reason to cause the extent of anticipated negative impacts listed below. It should be noted that neither I-80 nor I-68 have tunnels nor tolls. The Sideling Hill Cut west of Hancock, Maryland on I-68 is 340 feet deep and 720 feet wide. The much ballyhooed geological display at the site was closed 18 years after completion due to budget cuts. en.wikipedia.org and mgs.md.gov

    In addition, rockfall fencing needed to be added along both sides of the highway in the Sideling Hill Cut in 2023.

    Anticipated negative impacts

    Not only would such a massive trench leave a permanent disfiguring scar across this scenic mountainous landscape, but it would also have the following negative impacts, as noted by Citizens to Save Allegheny Mountain:


    “The proposed Gray Cut would destroy critical wildlife habitats, disrupt migration patterns, and endanger species that rely on the unspoiled wilderness of the Allegheny Mountain.”

    “The natural springs and deep wells that provide clean water to nearby communities and are at risk of being polluted or permanently altered by the construction.”

    “The project will lead to the removal of forest stand and the displacement of massive amounts of soil and sediment that can never be reestablished or replaced.”

    “This irreversible destruction…will also reduce recreational opportunities and threaten traditions such as hunting and fishing opportunities, which are vital to the region’s outdoor lifestyle.”

    “The proposed construction will fragment these habitats, making it difficult for wildlife to find food, shelter, and mates.”

    “The Gray Cut project jeopardizes these efforts [previous and current restoration efforts along the Stonycreek River Watershed].

    “Beyond the Stonycreek River, other neighboring watersheds, including the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and the Indian Lake Watersheds, are also at risk due to the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel’s unique location at a triple watershed divide.”

    “Construction activities associated with the turnpike expansion will significantly increase the risk of soil erosion and sedimentation in nearby streams and rivers.”

    “The increased runoff from paved surfaces carries pollutants such as oil, heavy metals, and other toxic substances into water bodies, further impacting the health of our waterways within the Stonycreek River watershed.”

    “The noise, dust, and heavy machinery involved in this large-scale construction project would disrupt the lives of local residents and visitors who cherish the peace and quiet of the mountain.”

    “The project will disrupt local communities by affecting the water supply for residents who rely on wells and natural springs. The potential contamination of these water sources poses serious health risks, particularly for those who rely on them for daily use.”

    “The long-term environmental and social costs far outweigh any short-term economic gains.”

    Allegheny Tunnels – Source: savealleghenymountain.org

    Other impacts not mentioned by Citizen to Save the Allegheny Mountain on their website, include, but are not limited to:

    • Increased risk of animal vehicle collisions with the loss of the mountain’s natural wildlife crossing over the turnpike. This may lead to the future need of constructing a new wildlife crossing.
    • “Drivers on the proposed highway would lose the tunnel’s protection from the worst of the weather near the turnpike’s highest point, 2,600 feet above sea level, where fog, icing and high winds are frequent hazards.” – penncapital-star.com
    • The potential for microclimate changes in weather patterns as a result of the cut. According to google.gemini.ai, these could include: wind-channeling through the cut; alteration to the rain shadow on the east side of the mountain; creation of a cold air sink at the bottom of the cut increasing the likelihood of fog and frost; and disruption to wind patterns along the mountainside.
    • The loss of the historic highway tunnels, first built in 1940 and expanded in 1965.
    Source: savealleghenymountain.org

    Steps one can take

    If you feel this proposed project should go back to the drawing board, consider other alternatives, or be scrapped for upgrading the tunnels, please consider contacting Citizens to Save the Allegheny Mountain through the following links:

    The organization’s website includes a petition one can sign along with space to provide comments.

    Peace!

    #AlleghenyMountain #AlleghenyTunnels #construction #cut #environment #eyesore #geography #GrayCut #highways #history #Interstates #landUse #mountains #Pennsylvania #PennsylvaniaTurnpike #SaveAlleghenyMountain #scar #tollRoads #transportation #travel #trench #turnpikes
  14. Carving out 12 million cubic yards of rock for a toll road eyesore?

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission wants to eliminate the Allegheny Tunnels along the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstates 70/76) through Allegheny Mountain in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The tunnels would be replaced with a massive road cut (a.k.a. ‘the Gray Cut’) that would be 250 feet deep, 1,000 feet wide and would require the excavation of 12 million cubic yards of earth and rock. That is not an engineering accomplishment, that’s a plan for a future eyesore.

    Source: aol.com

    A recent calculation (confirmed by using Google’s gemini.ai) has shown that 12 million cubic yards of rock would fill an entire football field to the height of a bit more than 5,600 feet…more than a mile high and nearly four Empire State Buildings tall. It would also be the tallest mountain/structure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Even a natural conical pile of this material would be approximately 1,100 feet high. Where exactly does the Turnpike Commission plan to dump all this material?

    Source: created by google.gemini.ai

    Reasons cited for the proposed Gray Cut

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has noted that the cost of upgrading the tunnels would be approximately double that of the Gray Cut. They indicate it is also needed due to anticipated future traffic, improved safety (particularly related to accidents within the tunnels), maintenance costs for the tunnels, and the current need for hazardous cargo loads to bypass the tunnels. According to the turnpike’s website, the preliminary design phase is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed in 2028. If approved for construction, actual work would begin in 2033.

    Source: paturnpike.com

    In regards to the cost comparison between the cut and tunnel improvements/upgrades, what never seems to be included in the calculations are the intangible benefits associated with the scenery, wildlife, ecosystems, water resources, culture, history, and lifestyles that would negatively impacted by this project.

    “Look Doris, someday you’re going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn’t work. And when you do, don’t overlook those lovely intangibles. You’ll discover they’re the only things that are worthwhile.”

    Fred from Miracle on 34th Street per imdb.com

    In addition, many other tunnels across the nation ban hazardous materials. Exactly why is this being used as a reason to build this project here? Maybe manufacturers should be transporting such dangerous stuff on trains instead of trucks on highways? Or perhaps, it should just be an accepted cost of doing business.

    Lastly, “anticipated future traffic” can be a tricky calculation. All too often, past data is used to guesstimate futures trends. In reality, unforeseen events can alter those calculations. Unforeseen events like gas prices now hovering around $4.50+ per gallon, with diesel prices running even higher. There are a litany of other things that could change the traffic dynamics – migration patterns, birthrates, car ownership rates, inflation, cyclical economic changes, war, and climate change to name a few.

    If this project is being proposed just so the PA Turnpike can better compete with I-80 to the north and I-68 to the south, then that is a very poor reason to cause the extent of anticipated negative impacts listed below. It should be noted that neither I-80 nor I-68 have tunnels nor tolls. The Sideling Hill Cut west of Hancock, Maryland on I-68 is 340 feet deep and 720 feet wide. The much ballyhooed geological display at the site was closed 18 years after completion due to budget cuts. en.wikipedia.org and mgs.md.gov

    In addition, rockfall fencing needed to be added along both sides of the highway in the Sideling Hill Cut in 2023.

    Anticipated negative impacts

    Not only would such a massive trench leave a permanent disfiguring scar across this scenic mountainous landscape, but it would also have the following negative impacts, as noted by Citizens to Save Allegheny Mountain:


    “The proposed Gray Cut would destroy critical wildlife habitats, disrupt migration patterns, and endanger species that rely on the unspoiled wilderness of the Allegheny Mountain.”

    “The natural springs and deep wells that provide clean water to nearby communities and are at risk of being polluted or permanently altered by the construction.”

    “The project will lead to the removal of forest stand and the displacement of massive amounts of soil and sediment that can never be reestablished or replaced.”

    “This irreversible destruction…will also reduce recreational opportunities and threaten traditions such as hunting and fishing opportunities, which are vital to the region’s outdoor lifestyle.”

    “The proposed construction will fragment these habitats, making it difficult for wildlife to find food, shelter, and mates.”

    “The Gray Cut project jeopardizes these efforts [previous and current restoration efforts along the Stonycreek River Watershed].

    “Beyond the Stonycreek River, other neighboring watersheds, including the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and the Indian Lake Watersheds, are also at risk due to the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel’s unique location at a triple watershed divide.”

    “Construction activities associated with the turnpike expansion will significantly increase the risk of soil erosion and sedimentation in nearby streams and rivers.”

    “The increased runoff from paved surfaces carries pollutants such as oil, heavy metals, and other toxic substances into water bodies, further impacting the health of our waterways within the Stonycreek River watershed.”

    “The noise, dust, and heavy machinery involved in this large-scale construction project would disrupt the lives of local residents and visitors who cherish the peace and quiet of the mountain.”

    “The project will disrupt local communities by affecting the water supply for residents who rely on wells and natural springs. The potential contamination of these water sources poses serious health risks, particularly for those who rely on them for daily use.”

    “The long-term environmental and social costs far outweigh any short-term economic gains.”

    Allegheny Tunnels – Source: savealleghenymountain.org

    Other impacts not mentioned by Citizen to Save the Allegheny Mountain on their website, include, but are not limited to:

    • Increased risk of animal vehicle collisions with the loss of the mountain’s natural wildlife crossing over the turnpike. This may lead to the future need of constructing a new wildlife crossing.
    • “Drivers on the proposed highway would lose the tunnel’s protection from the worst of the weather near the turnpike’s highest point, 2,600 feet above sea level, where fog, icing and high winds are frequent hazards.” – penncapital-star.com
    • The potential for microclimate changes in weather patterns as a result of the cut. According to google.gemini.ai, these could include: wind-channeling through the cut; alteration to the rain shadow on the east side of the mountain; creation of a cold air sink at the bottom of the cut increasing the likelihood of fog and frost; and disruption to wind patterns along the mountainside.
    • The loss of the historic highway tunnels, first built in 1940 and expanded in 1965.
    Source: savealleghenymountain.org

    Steps one can take

    If you feel this proposed project should go back to the drawing board, consider other alternatives, or be scrapped for upgrading the tunnels, please consider contacting Citizens to Save the Allegheny Mountain through the following links:

    The organization’s website includes a petition one can sign along with space to provide comments.

    Peace!

    #AlleghenyMountain #AlleghenyTunnels #construction #cut #environment #eyesore #geography #GrayCut #highways #history #Interstates #landUse #mountains #Pennsylvania #PennsylvaniaTurnpike #SaveAlleghenyMountain #scar #tollRoads #transportation #travel #trench #turnpikes
  15. Carving out 12 million cubic yards of rock for a toll road eyesore?

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission wants to eliminate the Allegheny Tunnels along the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstates 70/76) through Allegheny Mountain in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The tunnels would be replaced with a massive road cut (a.k.a. ‘the Gray Cut’) that would be 250 feet deep, 1,000 feet wide and would require the excavation of 12 million cubic yards of earth and rock. That is not an engineering accomplishment, that’s a plan for a future eyesore.

    Source: aol.com

    A recent calculation (confirmed by using Google’s gemini.ai) has shown that 12 million cubic yards of rock would fill an entire football field to the height of a bit more than 5,600 feet…more than a mile high and nearly four Empire State Buildings tall. It would also be the tallest mountain/structure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Even a natural conical pile of this material would be approximately 1,100 feet high. Where exactly does the Turnpike Commission plan to dump all this material?

    Source: created by google.gemini.ai

    Reasons cited for the proposed Gray Cut

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has noted that the cost of upgrading the tunnels would be approximately double that of the Gray Cut. They indicate it is also needed due to anticipated future traffic, improved safety (particularly related to accidents within the tunnels), maintenance costs for the tunnels, and the current need for hazardous cargo loads to bypass the tunnels. According to the turnpike’s website, the preliminary design phase is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed in 2028. If approved for construction, actual work would begin in 2033.

    Source: paturnpike.com

    In regards to the cost comparison between the cut and tunnel improvements/upgrades, what never seems to be included in the calculations are the intangible benefits associated with the scenery, wildlife, ecosystems, water resources, culture, history, and lifestyles that would negatively impacted by this project.

    “Look Doris, someday you’re going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn’t work. And when you do, don’t overlook those lovely intangibles. You’ll discover they’re the only things that are worthwhile.”

    Fred from Miracle on 34th Street per imdb.com

    In addition, many other tunnels across the nation ban hazardous materials. Exactly why is this being used as a reason to build this project here? Maybe manufacturers should be transporting such dangerous stuff on trains instead of trucks on highways? Or perhaps, it should just be an accepted cost of doing business.

    Lastly, “anticipated future traffic” can be a tricky calculation. All too often, past data is used to guesstimate futures trends. In reality, unforeseen events can alter those calculations. Unforeseen events like gas prices now hovering around $4.50+ per gallon, with diesel prices running even higher. There are a litany of other things that could change the traffic dynamics – migration patterns, birthrates, car ownership rates, inflation, cyclical economic changes, war, and climate change to name a few.

    If this project is being proposed just so the PA Turnpike can better compete with I-80 to the north and I-68 to the south, then that is a very poor reason to cause the extent of anticipated negative impacts listed below. It should be noted that neither I-80 nor I-68 have tunnels nor tolls. The Sideling Hill Cut west of Hancock, Maryland on I-68 is 340 feet deep and 720 feet wide. The much ballyhooed geological display at the site was closed 18 years after completion due to budget cuts. en.wikipedia.org and mgs.md.gov

    In addition, rockfall fencing needed to be added along both sides of the highway in the Sideling Hill Cut in 2023.

    Anticipated negative impacts

    Not only would such a massive trench leave a permanent disfiguring scar across this scenic mountainous landscape, but it would also have the following negative impacts, as noted by Citizens to Save Allegheny Mountain:


    “The proposed Gray Cut would destroy critical wildlife habitats, disrupt migration patterns, and endanger species that rely on the unspoiled wilderness of the Allegheny Mountain.”

    “The natural springs and deep wells that provide clean water to nearby communities and are at risk of being polluted or permanently altered by the construction.”

    “The project will lead to the removal of forest stand and the displacement of massive amounts of soil and sediment that can never be reestablished or replaced.”

    “This irreversible destruction…will also reduce recreational opportunities and threaten traditions such as hunting and fishing opportunities, which are vital to the region’s outdoor lifestyle.”

    “The proposed construction will fragment these habitats, making it difficult for wildlife to find food, shelter, and mates.”

    “The Gray Cut project jeopardizes these efforts [previous and current restoration efforts along the Stonycreek River Watershed].

    “Beyond the Stonycreek River, other neighboring watersheds, including the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and the Indian Lake Watersheds, are also at risk due to the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel’s unique location at a triple watershed divide.”

    “Construction activities associated with the turnpike expansion will significantly increase the risk of soil erosion and sedimentation in nearby streams and rivers.”

    “The increased runoff from paved surfaces carries pollutants such as oil, heavy metals, and other toxic substances into water bodies, further impacting the health of our waterways within the Stonycreek River watershed.”

    “The noise, dust, and heavy machinery involved in this large-scale construction project would disrupt the lives of local residents and visitors who cherish the peace and quiet of the mountain.”

    “The project will disrupt local communities by affecting the water supply for residents who rely on wells and natural springs. The potential contamination of these water sources poses serious health risks, particularly for those who rely on them for daily use.”

    “The long-term environmental and social costs far outweigh any short-term economic gains.”

    Allegheny Tunnels – Source: savealleghenymountain.org

    Other impacts not mentioned by Citizen to Save the Allegheny Mountain on their website, include, but are not limited to:

    • Increased risk of animal vehicle collisions with the loss of the mountain’s natural wildlife crossing over the turnpike. This may lead to the future need of constructing a new wildlife crossing.
    • “Drivers on the proposed highway would lose the tunnel’s protection from the worst of the weather near the turnpike’s highest point, 2,600 feet above sea level, where fog, icing and high winds are frequent hazards.” – penncapital-star.com
    • The potential for microclimate changes in weather patterns as a result of the cut. According to google.gemini.ai, these could include: wind-channeling through the cut; alteration to the rain shadow on the east side of the mountain; creation of a cold air sink at the bottom of the cut increasing the likelihood of fog and frost; and disruption to wind patterns along the mountainside.
    • The loss of the historic highway tunnels, first built in 1940 and expanded in 1965.
    Source: savealleghenymountain.org

    Steps one can take

    If you feel this proposed project should go back to the drawing board, consider other alternatives, or be scrapped for upgrading the tunnels, please consider contacting Citizens to Save the Allegheny Mountain through the following links:

    The organization’s website includes a petition one can sign along with space to provide comments.

    Peace!

    #AlleghenyMountain #AlleghenyTunnels #construction #cut #environment #eyesore #geography #GrayCut #highways #history #Interstates #landUse #mountains #Pennsylvania #PennsylvaniaTurnpike #SaveAlleghenyMountain #scar #tollRoads #transportation #travel #trench #turnpikes
  16. Happy holidays and season's greetings! 🌟✨️

    X-Mas Tree Decoration from Gablenz / Jablonec, CZ - Exhibition @ MAK Museum, Vienna

    #jablonec #gablonz #makvienna #makmuseum #mak #vienna

  17. Welche Musik hören die Mitarbeitenden der Institute der @MaxWeberStiftung weltweit vor Ort? Welche Klänge verbinden sie mit ihrer Arbeit und welche lokaltypischen und historisch bedeutsamen Lieder sollte man aus ihrer Region kennen?

    Die #MWS Playlist gibt es jetzt bei Spotify und im #gablog 👇

    gab.hypotheses.org/18035

  18. As oil goes up, metals go down.
    Gold is back down to $4.5K, and silver's under $70 again.
    For gold, consider British Sovereigns & half sovereigns (also Australian, they made less), Austrian Ducat restrikes; fractional gold you can get pretty much at spot. Plus they're plenty liquid, coin shops will take 'em.
    #fractional #gold #silver #oil #price #gasoline #diesel #precious #metals #gram #ounce #gallon #commodity #sovereign #ducat #bullion #bar #round #coin
    bullionexchanges.com/all-gold-

  19. As oil goes up, metals go down.
    Gold is back down to $4.5K, and silver's under $70 again.
    For gold, consider British Sovereigns & half sovereigns (also Australian, they made less), Austrian Ducat restrikes; fractional gold you can get pretty much at spot. Plus they're plenty liquid, coin shops will take 'em.
    #fractional #gold #silver #oil #price #gasoline #diesel #precious #metals #gram #ounce #gallon #commodity #sovereign #ducat #bullion #bar #round #coin
    bullionexchanges.com/all-gold-

  20. As oil goes up, metals go down.
    Gold is back down to $4.5K, and silver's under $70 again.
    For gold, consider British Sovereigns & half sovereigns (also Australian, they made less), Austrian Ducat restrikes; fractional gold you can get pretty much at spot. Plus they're plenty liquid, coin shops will take 'em.
    #fractional #gold #silver #oil #price #gasoline #diesel #precious #metals #gram #ounce #gallon #commodity #sovereign #ducat #bullion #bar #round #coin
    bullionexchanges.com/all-gold-

  21. As oil goes up, metals go down.
    Gold is back down to $4.5K, and silver's under $70 again.
    For gold, consider British Sovereigns & half sovereigns (also Australian, they made less), Austrian Ducat restrikes; fractional gold you can get pretty much at spot. Plus they're plenty liquid, coin shops will take 'em.
    #fractional #gold #silver #oil #price #gasoline #diesel #precious #metals #gram #ounce #gallon #commodity #sovereign #ducat #bullion #bar #round #coin
    bullionexchanges.com/all-gold-

  22. In this episode we are talking Galloway Food with Abi Mordin of Propagate, Galloway Food Hub and Lochhill Agroecological Farm. We discuss #food resilience and #climatechange growing in Galloway. living locally and Abi's experience of Galloway.
    youtu.be/U4omp9khdK4

    #galloway #podcast #scotland #foodresilience #growing #veg #local #organic

  23. Scott Galloway’s ‘Resist and Unsubscribe’ movement asks you to ditch Amazon, Apple, and Netflix | Fortune fortune.com/2026/02/28/resist- via mguhlin.org #Topical

  24. Your Party backs notorious landlord-led Oldham Group candidates.

    The Oldham Group is a local political force in Oldham, UK, led by former Tory councillor Ghafoor, which has recently gained traction and currently holds 9 seats on the council. Often drawing support from South Asian populations, it has hosted high-profile political figures and is expected to challenge Labour in local elections.

    Local Independent groups supported by Your Party

    Your Party is proud to support the community independent groups across the country in the upcoming elections. Electing these members of your community is the first step in building a real alternative, a politics rooted in and accountable to our communities, not billionaires and the professional political class. Together, we will campaign against cuts, stand up for public services and council housing and advocate for full divestment from Israeli apartheid. “

    The Oldham Group PartyOldham

    Your Party site.

    Is Kamran Ghafoor a slum landlord or the victim of a ‘political vendetta’? 28.2.26.

    In September last year, Oldham Council gathered to discuss, among other things, the recognition of the Palestinian state and the ongoing famine in Gaza.

    In the end, these international points of order were overshadowed by something more distinctly local: mud-slinging. More precisely, the question of whether Kamran Ghafoor, leader of the breakaway pro-Palestine Oldham Group, had levelled a “degrading sexual slur” in Urdu at Labour council leader Arooj Shah, during a post-meeting ruckus. 

    Shah said she was “horrified”. Ghafoor said the accusation was “false” and “politically motivated”.

    he slur incident came only four months after the previous time he’d been in the pages of the Manchester Evening News defending himself against “politically motivated” attacks. On that occasion, a building he owned on King Street in Oldham’s town centre had to be evacuated after a council inspection found unliveable conditions. Ghafoor was fined, but he said he was being made into a “scapegoat” and that the attacks were again, “politically motivated”.

    …..

    “Twice-blighted by conniving councillors, now by Mother Nature, it perhaps isn’t surprising that Ghafoor has been under pressure this week — labelled a “slum landlord” and “scumbag” by his political opponents on Facebook. Ghafoor previously served as a Tory councillor in Oldham, but now runs the Oldham Group, which has quickly become a local force — hosting visits from George Galloway and Jeremy Corbyn in the past year. In May’s council elections in Oldham, they are expected to take seats from Labour in parts of the town with large South Asian populations.”

    Hard to see how Your Party can survive this.

    #KeirStarmer #LabourParty #news #politics #ukPolitics #YourParty
  25. Artemis II moon rocket refueled in practice countdown setting stage for historic flight

    NASA cleared engineers to load more than 750,000 gallons of supercold propellants into the agency’s huge Space Launch…
    #NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Space #ArtemisProgram #NASA #Science
    newsbeep.com/us/478643/