2008 clean wisconsin annual report
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Photo Credits
Front cover:Ellison Bay, Door Countyphoto by Jeremiah Leif Johnsonhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/evonneleif/
Inside cover:Big Bay State Park, Madeline Islandphoto by Elventearhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/elventear
Pages 2-3:Mississippi River, Perrot State Parkphoto by Jessie Moorehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/jessiemoore
Pages 4-5:Wisconsin Point, Lake Superiorphoto by Andrew Pritchardhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/23158512@N/
Pages 6-7:View from Blue Mounds State Parkphoto by Digidavehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/digidave
Pages 8-9:Spring Camp Falls, Iron Countyphoto by Amanda Wegner
Pages 10-11:Lake Michigan, Kohler-Andrae State Parkphoto by Jessie Moorehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/jessiemoore
Pages 12-13:Jackson Park, Milwaukeephoto by Indy Kethdyhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/indykethdy/
All other photos are creditedto Clean Wisconsin, Inc.
Big Bay State Park
1
A letter from the Executive Director
I am proud to report that 2008 will go down in history as a year of enormousachievement for our organization and major victories for Wisconsin'senvironment.
In June, Clean Wisconsin reached a settlement over the cooling system at theElm Road Generating Station coal plant that will require its owners tocontribute to the protection of water quality in Lake Michigan and to take
significant steps to reduce global warming pollution.
In addition, historic progress was made with the Great Lakes Compact's passage throughthe State and Federal legislature and its signing by Governor Doyle and President Bush,ensuring the protection of the Great Lakes for generations to come.
Another important victory for Wisconsin's clean waterways came when the state passed anew rule requiring the owners of coal-fired power plants to reduce toxic mercury pollution,protecting the health of Wisconsinites and our treasured fishing tradition.
We also created new opportunities to significantly improve air and energy policy whenGovernor Doyle's Task Force on Global Warming finalized its recommendations. CleanWisconsin played a leading role in the Task Force, helping to create a framework to reduceglobal warming pollution and build Wisconsin's clean energy economy.
Finally, after Clean Wisconsin staff and members spent more than two years opposing theconstruction of a coal-fired power plant in Cassville, the Public Service Commissionunanimously rejected the plant, signaling a monumental shift in energy policy in our state.
These historic victories of 2008 were made possible by the support of our members. Weare forever grateful, and with your continued support, we look forward to continuing thismomentum in 2009.
Sincerely,
Mark RedstenExecutive Director
On November 11, 2008, Clean Wisconsin helped make statehistory when, for the first time, the Public Service Commissiondenied a coal plant application.
We began fighting Alliant Energy’s application for a coal-fired power plant in Cassvillethree years ago. At first, the prospects for victory looked grim. Wisconsin had recentlyapproved the construction of three old-technology coal plants, and a nationalmomentum was growing to push through hundreds of new coal plants. Despite the odds,Clean Wisconsin launched a campaign to stop this project from going forward.
We knew that Alliant would burn dirty coal and petroleum waste. Also, this plantwould produce nearly 3 million tons of greenhouse gas pollution per year, hundreds ofpounds of mercury pollution that would poison fish in Wisconsin’s waters, and putmassive amounts of fine particulates and other pollutants in our air, compoundingrespiratory illnesses for all Wisconsinites.
Victory in the
2
We also knew that with our members’ support, a victory was possible. With your help,our Grassroots Organizer, Ryan Schryver, mobilized incredible opposition to theproject. More than 4,500 people overwhelmed the Public Service Commission withcomments opposing this coal plant. Thanks to your e-mails, letters, phone calls andpetitions, comments against the coal plant outnumbered supporters by a nearly 10-to-1margin. Our members attended and testified at the public hearings and came to ourrally at the Alliant Energy stockholder meeting. Your voices were heard.
This public input supported Clean Wisconsin’s legal arguments before the Commission.Katie Nekola, our Energy Program Director, worked as the lead attorney to build astrong and sound legal case. The technical analysis by our Staff Scientist, Peter Taglia,hammered home the fact that this new coal plant countered the state’s goal ofreducing global-warming pollution.
In a historic decision, the Public Service Commissioners voted 3-0 to deny Alliant’sapplication to build a coal plant in Cassville. In giving his decision, CommissionerMark Meyer held up two huge binders filled with public comments and said that theyhelped to influence his decision. This victory sends a clear message: Wisconsin is readyfor clean, safe and affordable renewable energy and energy-efficiency options.
Alliant Coal Plant Fight
Perrot State Park
3
Victory Passing
4
The Great Lakes hold one-fifth of the world’s (and 95% of the United States’) freshsurface water and provide drinking water to over 40 million people. But until last year,there were no consistent rules governing the use of water from the lakes. The GreatLakes water supply was vulnerable to tankers and pipelines that could pump wateraway from the region, leaving us open to water shortages and lowered lake levels.
The Great Lakes Compact establishes fair and consistent rules for responsible GreatLakes water use. It’s an interstate agreement to guarantee the long-term protectionand sound management of Great Lakes water, ensuring that it is not sold to thehighest bidder, but protected for generations to come.
Clean Wisconsin began its work on the Great Lakes Compact in 2001 as part of a smallgroup of environmental organizations in the Midwest working on this issue. Passingthe Compact required several years of difficult negotiating and policy advocacy at thelocal, state and regional levels.
Keith Reopelle, Clean Wisconsin’s Program Director, worked with a variety oflegislators and stakeholders to draft language for the Compact on a special committeefor the Wisconsin legislature. When detractors hijacked that committee, Reopelle andMelissa Malott, our Water Program Director, along with our conservation partners,worked closely with the governor and select legislators to pass a strong Great Lakes
Wisconsin Point
the Great Lakes Compact
5
Compact. Board Member Lucia Petrie organized citizen activists up and downWisconsin’s Lake Michigan shore, motivated friends to attend hearings, helpedorganize an event of citizens, and set up meetings with business leaders in Milwaukee.
Clean Wisconsin members met with legislators in their home districts and inMadison and made thousands of contacts with their legislators through phone callsand letters in the last few months of this campaign. Dozens of communications withimportant legislators revealed that they responded to our members’ efforts with votesto get the Compact passed.
Due in part to the pressure that Clean Wisconsin put on our legislators, we were ableto secure a bipartisan supermajority in the state Senate for ratifying a strong Compact.This accomplishment led to significant pressure on the state Assembly. On May 24, theCompact passed with a vote of 97-1 in the Wisconsin Assembly and 32-1 in the Senate.We were proud to stand with Governor Doyle as he signed it into law at celebrationsin both Milwaukee and Green Bay, and were elated when the Compact was finallysigned by President Bush on October 3, 2008.
Wisconsin can continue to be a leader on Compact implementation and show the wayfor other states in the Great Lakes Basin. Clean Wisconsin will be advising the DNR asthey lead the region on implementing the Great Lakes Compact.
Global Warming Task
6
Governor Jim Doyle created the GlobalWarming Task Force in 2007, bringingtogether business, industry,government, energy and environmentalleaders to recommend policies toreduce Wisconsin’s greenhouse gaspollution and build a clean energyeconomy.
Clean Wisconsin took a lead role in theTask Force from the beginning. OurSenior Policy Director, Keith Reopelle,and Board Member, Margi Kindig, servedon the task force at the request of theGovernor. Staff Scientist Peter Taglia,Energy Program Director Katie Nekola,and Board Member Paul Linzmeyer allplayed important roles as part of the TaskForce as well in the committees thathelped develop and recommend solutions.
In July of 2008, Governor Doyle’s GlobalWarming Task Force recommended a
strong package of policies and incentivesto reduce Wisconsin’s global warmingpollution and stimulate growth in theclean energy economy.
The Task Force’s recommendations area road map to making Wisconsin aleader in reducing global warmingpollution.
ReneReneReneReneRenewabwabwabwabwable Electricity Standardle Electricity Standardle Electricity Standardle Electricity Standardle Electricity StandardThe Task Force recommended that Wisconsinrequire 25% of our electricity to come fromrenewable resources such as wind, solar andbiomass by 2025. This standard will not onlyreduce global warming emissions and airpollution, it will also create thousands of newjobs and stimulate our economy. Farmers andrural land owners in Wisconsin could see aneconomic boon of nearly $300 million in newincome and benefit from over $724 million innew capital investments.....
View from Blue Mounds State Park
Force: A Win for Wisconsin
7
EnergEnergEnergEnergEnergy Effy Effy Effy Effy EfficiencicienciciencicienciciencyyyyyIncreased funding for programs promotinginvestment in energy efficiency will reduceglobal warming emissions, create new jobs andreduce energy bills for consumers across thestate. These energy-efficiency initiatives willcreate more than 3,300 new jobs, while savingconsumers more than $505 million on theirheating bills and over $650 million on electricbills over the next five years. Creatingappliance efficiency standards, modifyingbuilding codes, providing incentives to retrofitexisting structures, and promoting otherpolicies designed to drive efficiency willimprove our economy and reduce demand forpower from coal-fired power plants.
Low Carbon Fuel StandardLow Carbon Fuel StandardLow Carbon Fuel StandardLow Carbon Fuel StandardLow Carbon Fuel StandardBy simply requiring our fuel to be cleaner andmore efficient, Wisconsin could cut nearly 8.5million tons of global warming emissions everyyear by 2030. Implementing this standard willprovide incentives for smart biofuel productionmethods and promote energy independence.
Clean Car StandardClean Car StandardClean Car StandardClean Car StandardClean Car StandardIn addition to reducing global warmingemissions, increasing the efficiency standardsfor new cars sold in Wisconsin significantlyreduces the amount of smog-forming pollutantsand toxic chemicals released from automobiles.
Cap and Cap and Cap and Cap and Cap and TTTTTrade Programrade Programrade Programrade Programrade ProgramA cap and trade program is designed to reduceglobal warming emissions from large stationarysources such as coal plants. A predeterminedcap on the overall amount of global warmingemissions allowed from stationary sources willbe created. The emissions allowed under thenew cap will be divided into individual permits,representing the right to emit that specifiedamount of pollution. Those credits will beauctioned to polluters, creating a market-basedsystem that forces polluters to pay for theiremissions. As the overall number of credits isreduced in the marketplace, the price ofpolluting will continue to increase, drivingWisconsin toward a clean energy future.
Victory Reducing
8
When Henry (Buddy) Henk Jr. washospitalized, no one knew what waswrong with him at first. He had sores thatwouldn’t heal and tremendous leg andback pain. He eventually lost all feeling inhis legs, and his weight dropped by 100pounds. His throat muscles atrophied tothe point where he couldn’t swallowanything but soft cereal. He sufferedhallucinations and had to be restrained ina straight jacket. “He was a dying man,”said Henk’s wife, Sue.
But when a nurse discovered that Henk’sdiet was made up mostly of large fishcaught in Windago Lake, near his homesouth of Hayward, his extreme symptomswere explained: severe mercury toxicitywas the diagnosis.
Henk almost died of mercury poisoningjust from eating the fish he caught inWisconsin’s lakes and rivers, reportsSenior Policy Director Keith Reopelle,who met Henk in the late 1990s.
Personal stories like that of Buddy Henkare the reason Clean Wisconsin isdetermined to reduce mercury pollutionin our state. We know the cause of thisproblem, and we know the solution.
After years of work on this issue, in 2008,our efforts paid off. Early in the year,Keith Reopelle testified before theNatural Resources Board on mercurypollution, and Development Director BrianKelly worked with our members to gainadditional public comment.
Spring Camp Falls
Toxic Mercury Pollution
9
At its June 25, 2008 meeting, the NaturalResources Board approved new rules toreduce mercury pollution fromWisconsin’s largest power plants.
On August 20, 2008, the WisconsinAssembly Committee on NaturalResources considered the mercury rules.Clean Wisconsin also testified at thishearing and coordinated efforts withother health and environmentaladvocates. We were successful, and as ofOctober 6, the rules were finalized andapproved by the state of Wisconsin.
These new rules will produce a 90-percent reduction of mercury pollutionfrom the largest plants by 2015, oralternatively, a multi-pollutant
compliance approach which requiressignificant cuts in sodium dioxide andnitrogen oxides by 2015, and a 90-percentreduction of mercury by 2021.
With strong mercury reduction rules nowapproved in Wisconsin (rules are alreadyin place in Illinois and Minnesota), wewill significantly reduce mercurycontamination in fish and protect ourchildren from this toxic pollutant. Therules will also reduce air pollution,protecting children and elderly who sufferfrom asthma and cardiovascular disease.
Reducing toxic mercury pollution is asignificant victory, not just for thehealth of Wisconsin’s rivers and lakes,but for everyone who lives here.
Elm Road Settlement:
10
After three years of fighting the “Big Pipe,” Clean Wisconsin endedlitigation over the once-through cooling system at the new Elm RoadGenerating Station in Oak Creek with an agreement that provides $100million for Lake Michigan restoration and requires utilities to takesignificant steps to address global warming.
Our members’ support allowed us to challenge the permit for a cooling system that westill believe is unlawful but was almost completely constructed and scheduled to startoperating early in 2009. We were able to fight for over three years, scoring significantvictories along the way, because our members cared enough to write letters, attendpublic hearings and speak out against the project, and support us with their donations.
The immediate, significant benefits of the lake restoration and global warming projectsthat the utilities offered in settlement discussions were the best likely outcome for thiscase and for Lake Michigan.
With your continued support, we can move on to the next challenge and work to protectWisconsin’s air and water for our members, their children and grandchildren, and foreveryone in Wisconsin.
Kohler-Andrae State Park
Victory for the Great Lakes
11
The The The The The AgreementAgreementAgreementAgreementAgreement
We Energies and the other ERGS utilities agreed to fund $4 million peryear over the next 25 years, for a total of $100 million for projects thatwill address the health of Lake Michigan, including invasive species,polluted runoff, toxic loading and several other issues. The money will notbe paid to Clean Wisconsin or Sierra Club, but rather will be held by anindependent foundation that will fund proposals from others to do lakeimprovement projects.
In addition, the utilities agreed to contribute $5 million to a newly formedorganization that will facilitate voluntary action to reduce globalwarming pollution.
We Energies also pledged to retire two coal-fired generating units, topublicly support the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warmingrecommendations and to construct a small power plant that uses 100%biomass. The three utilities further committed to installing 15 megawatts ofnew solar generation by 2013, helping the solar industry grow in Wisconsin.
2009:
12
Clean Wisconsin’s many victories in 2008put us on the path toward newopportunities in 2009 and beyond. Withyour support, we will continue leading thecharge on clean water, clean air, andclean energy for Wisconsin. Here are thepriorities we're working on now in 2009:
Implementing the Global Warming TaskForce RecommendationsAs a member of Governor Doyle's TaskForce on Global Warming, CleanWisconsin is working hard to enact thetask force recommendations in the 2009-'10 legislative session. Omnibus legislationis being drafted, and Clean Wisconsin willbe involved at all steps of the process tohighlight our key recommendations ofrenewable portfolio standards and energyefficiency.
Polluted RunoffAgricultural runoff is the source of muchpollution in our waterways, and many newlarge factory farms are being consideredin Wisconsin. Because of their potentialto cause irreparable environmental harm,
Clean Wisconsin is fighting to updateregulations that adequately preventpolluted runoff from reaching ourwaterways.
Wind Siting ReformClean Wisconsin is dedicated to passingbills that encourage the use of renewablewind power. Specifically, we are hard atwork leveraging support to pass legislationthat reforms the wind-siting process andcreates uniform standards for localgovernments looking to regulate windturbine siting within their municipalities.This legislation will put renewable energyon a more level playing field with otherforms of electrical generation.
Groundwater: Protection from WithdrawalsBuilding on the 2003 GroundwaterProtection Act - where a small butimportant set of rivers, lakes and springswere granted some protections - CleanWisconsin is working on legislation thatwill extend protections to other smallerwaterways threatened by the significantnegative impacts of groundwater
What We’re Working on Now
13
pumping. The legislation will balance theright to use groundwater in a way thatensures our valued public water resourcesare not damaged, and that water isadequately conserved throughout thestate.
Mercury Products Ban:Protecting our Health from Toxins inNonessential ProductsLegislation is being introduced to ban thesale of mercury-containing products, andprohibit mercury use in schools. Mercurycan cause brain and nervous systemdamage in fetuses and young children andmake Wisconsin's fish dangerous to eat.Building on our 2008 success on themercury pollution reduction rule, this willbe the next step toward reduces mercuryreleases to our ground, water and air.
Electronic WasteElectronic waste is the fastest-growingsource of waste generated in the UnitedStates. In March, Senator Mark Millerreintroduced his bill to promote therecycling of electronic devices such as
televisions and computers. CleanWisconsin is advocating for its passage.
Restricting Phosphorous:Protecting the Quality of our WaterwaysIn April 2009, Governor Doyle signed a billinto law that prohibits the sale andresidential application of fertilizercontaining phosphorus to turf in Wisconsin.A second bill that would ban the use ofphosphorus in household dish detergents isexpected to be introduced. Clean Wisconsinis also working to update the DNR’sphosphorous water quality criteria.Legislation and administrative action areimperative to protect the quality of ourstate's waterways, and Clean Wisconsin ispart of these important water qualityprotection efforts.
In 2008, you helped us reach victory inmany of the most importantenvironmental battles in the state’shistory.
With your continued support, we willkeep up this winning streak in 2009!
Jackson Park, Milwaukee
SupportersMembership
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Supporters
FFFFFoundatioundatioundatioundatioundation and Fon and Fon and Fon and Fon and Family Family Family Family Family Foundatioundatioundatioundatioundation Suppon Suppon Suppon Suppon SupportersortersortersortersortersBliffert Family FoundationEmily H. Earley FundEnergy FoundationGarfield FoundationJewish Community Foundation of the
Milwaukee Jewish FederationEileen and Howard Dubner Philanthropic FundBill and Idy Goodman Family Fund
Joyce FoundationKatz Family FoundationKendeda FoundationMadison Community Foundation
Mazess Fund for the Environment
McKnight FoundationGeorge and Julie Mosher Family FoundationCharles Stewart Mott FoundationOberweiler FoundationPublic Service Commission of Wisconsin —
Intervenor Compensation ProgramRockefeller Family FundLinda Gale Sampson Charitable Fund, Inc.Teska Family FundWege Foundation
Business Sponsors ($500 and up)Business Sponsors ($500 and up)Business Sponsors ($500 and up)Business Sponsors ($500 and up)Business Sponsors ($500 and up)GHD, IncSustainable Engineering Group
Pro Bono ServicesPro Bono ServicesPro Bono ServicesPro Bono ServicesPro Bono ServicesApplied TechAxley Brynelson, LLPCullen, Weston, Pines and Bach, LLPDowntown Dailies Film StudioFile 13Focus on EnergyGarvey McNeil & McGillivrayGeek WorldDennis Grzezinski, Attorney at LawPublic Interest Law Firm Foundation
Other SupportOther SupportOther SupportOther SupportOther SupportCommunity Shares of Greater MilwaukeeCommunity Shares of Wisconsin
Gifts In-KindGifts In-KindGifts In-KindGifts In-KindGifts In-KindApplied Tech
VVVVVolunteersolunteersolunteersolunteersolunteersFay Augustyn Water Program Economic ResearchMatt Bains Membership OutreachKristin Charipar Energy Program Legal InternDoug Cowgill Global Warming Solutions ResearchAlex Dederich Media Clippings ManagementRoss DePaola Energy Efficiency and Policy ResearchDavid Heiss Communications and Writing SupportCaitlin Kelly Development Database Technical SupportVanessa Klemish Water Program Legal InternShaina Kilcoyne Communications and Writing SupportZheng Ma Communications and Writing SupportJoe Mingle Alliant Campaign OutreachGenevieve Rosay Water Program AssistantLiz Schmidt Alliant Campaign OutreachKaren Stevensen Global Warming SupportDavid Vitse Communications and Writing SupportStudents of UW Madison WISPIRG Alliant Campaign Outreach
Clean Wisconsin was selected in November asthe grand prize winner of Applied Tech’sGreen IT Makeover contest, based on anapplication scoring process that evaluatedneed, impact, and commitment toenvironmental responsiveness. This makeoverallowed us to “walk the walk” by improvingour office’s energy efficiency and reducing ourcarbon footprint.
The contest, sponsored by Applied Tech, Focuson Energy and The Capital Region BusinessJournal, awarded Clean Wisconsin over$25,000 in environmentally-friendly productsand services from Applied Tech, Focus onEnergy, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard,WatchGuard and others.
Statement of Financial PositionDecember 31, 2008
Cash & Short-term Investments $725,000Grants Receivable 396,000Accounts Receivable 109.000Furniture & Equipment 25,000Other Assets 7,000Total Assets $1,262,000
Liabilities $62,000
Net Assets:Net Assets - beginning of year 992,000Increase in net assets during 2008 208,000
Net Assets at 12/31/2008 $1,200,000
Total Liabilities & Net Assets $1,262,000
Statement of Statement of Statement of Statement of Statement of ActiActiActiActiActivitiesvitiesvitiesvitiesvitiesJanuary 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008
IncomeIncomeIncomeIncomeIncomeFoundation Contributions (Grants) $362,000Grants Released from Restrictions 828,000Subtotal Grant IncomeSubtotal Grant IncomeSubtotal Grant IncomeSubtotal Grant IncomeSubtotal Grant Income 1,190,000 1,190,000 1,190,000 1,190,000 1,190,000
Membership Contributions $237,000Other Income 177,000Unrealized Gain(Loss) on InvestmentsUnrealized Gain(Loss) on InvestmentsUnrealized Gain(Loss) on InvestmentsUnrealized Gain(Loss) on InvestmentsUnrealized Gain(Loss) on Investments - - - - -TTTTTotal Incomeotal Incomeotal Incomeotal Incomeotal Income $1,604,000 $1,604,000 $1,604,000 $1,604,000 $1,604,000
ExpensesExpensesExpensesExpensesExpensesPersonnel $836,000Contract Services 266,000Graphics & Publication 98,000Supplies, Postage & Office Costs 48,000Rent, Repairs, & Insurance 56,000Depreciation & Amortization 13,000Other Expenses 79,000TTTTTotal Expensesotal Expensesotal Expensesotal Expensesotal Expenses $1,396,000 $1,396,000 $1,396,000 $1,396,000 $1,396,000
Financials
Temporarily Restricted Net AssetsContributions - Foundations $1,004,000Released from Restrictions 828,000Change in Temporarily Restricted Net Assets $176,000
Unrestricted Net AssetsTotal Income $367,000Total Expenses 335,000Change in Unrestricted Net Assets $32,000
Increase in Net Assets During 2008 $208,000
Net Assets - beginning of year 992,000Net Assets - end of year $1,200,000
2008 Distribution of Expenses
13% Administration
78% Program
5% Fundraising
4% Membership Development
2008 Sources of Revenue
75% Grants
1% Investment Income
10% Other2% Major Donors
Financials
15
122 State Street, Suite 200Madison, WI 53703-4333Phone: (608) 251-7020
Fax: (608) 251-1655www.CleanWisconsin.org
Mark RedstenExecutive Director
Amber Meyer Smith
Program Director
Keith ReopelleSenior Policy Director
Katie NekolaEnergy Program Director
Melissa MalottWater Program Director
Peter TagliaStaff Scientist
Ryan SchryverGrassroots Organizer
Ezra MeyerWater Resources Specialist
Sam WeisMedia Specialist
Elizabeth WheelerRE-AMP Coordinator
Elizabeth EdelsteinRE-AMP Coordinator Assistant
Brian KellyDevelopment Director
Becky WeberMembership & Development Manager
Allie TheuerkaufDevelopment Assistant
Roger SneathChief Financial Officer
Mary CoughlanAccounting Manager
David VitseOffice Administrator
OfficersGof Thomson (New Glarus)
Chair
Carl Sinderbrand (Madison)Vice ChairTreasurer
Gary Goyke (Madison)Secretary
MembersMark Gill (Milwaukee)Susan Greenfield (Racine)Kate Gordon (California)Margi Kindig (Madison)Paul Linzmeyer (Green Bay)Pam McGillivray (Madison)Lucia Petrie (Milwaukee)David Wandel (Madison)Guy Wolf (Stoddard)
2008 Staff 2008 Board of Directors
Printed on recycled paperusing vegetable based ink
© Clean Wisconsin, May 2009
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