Ecological Options Network is an environmental advocacy group that focuses on issues related to nuclear energy, wireless radiation, and election integrity. The group provides media and organizing support to outside groups working on similar issues, as well as fiscal sponsorships. Media support includes publicizing the work of outside groups on their YouTube channel, and media production work as the founders of Ecological Options Network have decades of experience in radio and video production. The Ecological Options Network claims to support other individuals and groups that work for “planetary and human rights through deep democracy.” 1
Opposition to Nuclear Energy
In December 2021, Ecological Options Network was one of more than 100 groups that co-signed an open letter opposing the nuclear power production tax credits offered in H.R. 5376, the House of Representatives proposal for the Build Back Better Act. The groups identified nuclear power as a one of several “unproven and unnecessary technologies” and “harmful energy sources” that “would extend demand for fossil fuels.” 2
Funding
The Ecological Options Network had total assets of $75,261in 2022. The Klungness Family Foundation, which had assets of $5,433,964 in 2022, made two separate donations of $10,000 each to the Ecological Options Network in 2022. 3 The Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust, which has assets of $5,629,724,104 as of 2022, donated $5,000 to the Ecological Options Network. 4 5
Previous funders include PBS, Alton-Jones Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Columbia Foundation, and Turner Foundation, the European Commission, the Agape Foundation for Non-Violent Social Change, and Nu Lambda Trust. 6
Ecological Options Network provides fiscal sponsorship to outside groups, including EMF Safety Network, Positive News, EMF Analysis, and the Irregulators. 1
People
Mary Beth Brangan is an environmentalist activist, documentary and radio producer, and director of the Ecological Options Network. She has worked to defeat PG&E’s Proposition 16 in California, stop aerial spraying of pesticides, and discourage the proliferation of cell tower antennas and smart meters. 6
James Heddle, life partner of Mary Beth Brangan, is also an environmental activist, documentary and radio producer, and president of the Ecological Options Network. He has worked as a college professor, teaching media studies, communications and psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Grand Valley State Colleges, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. 6
References
- “Partnerships.” Ecological Options Network. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.eon3.org/partnerships.
- Asian Pacific Environmental Network, et al . . . Letter to U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee for December 14, 2021. “Dear Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Senate Finance Committee Chair Wyden, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, and Committee Members . . .” Accessed June 25, 2024. https://unitedfrontlinetable.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/No-False-Solutions-in-BBBA-Letter-to-Senate-20211214-FINAL.pdf
- “The Klungness Family Foundation.” Cause IQ. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-klungness-family-foundation,010791882/.
- “Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust.” Cause IQ. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/morgan-stanley-global-impact-funding-trust,527082731/.
- “Ecological Options Network.” Cause IQ. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ecological-options-network,542100414/.
- “About.” Ecological Options Network. Accessed July 8, 2024. https://www.eon3.org/about.