Plains Justice Announcements Google Group

Plains Justice welcomes Doug Wagner to our staff!

2010-05-14T16:04:42Z

Dear friends,

Plains Justice is pleased to announce that we have expanded our
ability to serve the people of the Northern Plains by hiring our first
Resource Director.

Doug Wagner has begun work in our Cedar Rapids office. His areas of
responsibility are fundraising, development, outreach, and

Coal ash victory in Iowa!

2009-09-26T18:23:25Z

Good news!
The three regents universities in Iowa that have been dumping their coal ash
into the unlined Waterloo quarry have announced that in January they are
going to begin monitoring groundwater at the site.
[link]

Latest News from Plains Justice

2009-09-21T23:52:52Z

Dear Friends,
The latest Plains Justice newsletter is attached. It's also available on our
website at
[link].
Articles include
The Business and Ethical Case for Energy Efficiency
Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders
Sharing CAFO and Coal Research with South Dakotans

Will Politicians Block the Law that Protects You From Air Pollution?

2009-09-21T18:12:46Z

Frustrated with Washington D.C.’s lack of progress on pollution issues?
Here’s a chance to do something about it.
Please call your U.S. Senators *today* and ask them to oppose the Murkowski
amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill to block the Clean Air Act.
Tomorrow (Tues. Sept. 22), Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is expected to

How should Iowa's natural resource funding be spent?

2009-09-03T16:58:55Z

If you live in Iowa and you'd like to see good stewardship of Iowa's natural
resources, you know that it's important the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources be well funded and that its funding be well spent. There are
upcoming opportunities to give your input to the state of Iowa about these
matters (scroll down).

Corrected link to Plains Justice 2008 Annual Report

2009-07-13T00:43:45Z

Small correction: the complete link is:
[link] annual report
FINAL.pdf<[link]>
If it gives you any trouble, you can also go to our
homepage<[link]>and click on the link there.
Best,
Carrie La Seur

Plains Justice 2008 Annual Report now available

2009-07-13T00:05:50Z

Hello,
You can now download our 2008 Annual Report from our website using this
link:
[link] annual report FINAL.pdf
Please email me with any questions.
Thanks!

Growing the economy by going green (5/19/09, Cedar Falls, IA)

2009-05-14T20:23:46Z

How do we grow the economy and still protect the environment? Through a new
clean economy that provides good jobs at middle-class wages. Plains Justice
is working for that clean economy and is pleased to announce an upcoming
event in Cedar Falls, IA.
*“Climate Change and Going Green: Where are we in the Cedar Valley?”*

Iowa Senate Republicans remove only Power Fund director under 40

2009-04-15T16:41:25Z

Hello all,
Some of you have been following the drama of the Iowa Senate confirmation
vote on my re-appointment to the Iowa Power Fund board of
directors<[link]>,
an unpaid gubernatorial appointment that takes about 3 weeks' work per
year. The vote was taken off the en bloc confirmation list a few weeks ago

Wes Jackson to speak on sustainable ag, 4/20/09

2009-04-14T14:52:58Z

A talk in honor of Earth Day, given by a member of the Plains Justice
Advisory Board:

Wes Jackson, president of The Land Institute and an international leader in
the sustainable agriculture movement, will discuss "The 50 Year Farm Bill,"
looking at key ideas in agriculture as well as environmental studies.

News from Plains Justice

2009-04-08T22:40:29Z

News from Plains Justice, 4/8/09
Wanted to get this to you right away instead of waiting for our next
newsletter.

The Impact of Western Coal Strip Mining - A Picture Tells a Thousand Words
Last fall, Carrie La Seur, Founder and President of Plains Justice, flew
above the Powder River Basin coal formation in northeast Wyoming in a small

Good news! Marshalltown coal plant cancelled

2009-03-05T16:33:55Z

There is wonderful news today out of Iowa. Alliant Energy (Interstate Power
& Light) announced that it has cancelled plans to build a new coal power
plant near Marshalltown. (See news release below.) On Radio Iowa, Alliant
mentioned the factors that led to its decision, including the recently filed
litigation we announced earlier this week.

Lower your energy bills by taking action today (Iowa)

2009-03-04T17:44:41Z

If you live in Iowa, your help is urgently needed. Two good pieces of
legislation that would lower your energy bills are stalled in the
statehouse. Unless legislators hear from you now, this money-saving
legislation will die before the full House and Senate can vote on it.
House Study Bill 150 and Senate Study Bill 1191 would save you money by

News about Marshalltown, IA coal plant

2009-03-03T00:48:15Z

There's lots of news about the proposed new Marshalltown, IA coal plant:

1. Last week, Community Energy Solutions, Iowa Physicians for
Social Responsibility, and the Iowa Renewable Energy Society filed a lawsuit
against the Iowa Utilities Board's decision to approve the Marshalltown coal

Plains Justice newsletter available

2009-02-27T00:07:26Z

Hi everyone,

I've attached the latest Plains Justice newsletter, which has a lot of good
news this quarter. It will also be going up on the Plains Justice website
sometime in the next few days..

Thank you for your support,

Kelly Fuller
Communications Director
Plains Justice
P.O. Box 251
Vermillion, SD 57069

Real solutions: A climate bill that works for everyone

2009-02-18T21:46:11Z

In the Iowa City Press-Citizen today:
Carrie La Seur (President and Founder of Plains Justice) explains how we can
stimulate the economy, protect consumers against higher energy costs, and
protect future generations against climate change -- all at the same time.

[link]

Marshalltown coal plant news

2009-02-03T18:03:06Z

News about the Proposed Marshalltown, Iowa Coal Plant
We are moving into a critical time in the proceedings. You can help ensure
this unaffordable coal plant is never built by staying informed and writing
to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about the draft air permit
(see below). But first, the news…

Job Announcement: CLEAN ENERGY BUSINESS ORGANIZER

2009-02-03T16:54:13Z

Job Announcement: CLEAN ENERGY BUSINESS ORGANIZER
Community Energy Solutions, a grassroots Iowa nonprofit that works for the
transition to a clean, healthy Iowa energy economy for the 21st century,
seeks a Business Organizer for a 6 month full-time position to begin in
March 2009. The CES organizer will build a statewide coalition of business

WATERLOO COAL PLANT DEAD!!

2009-01-06T18:33:03Z

[link]

Plains Justice holiday open house Friday Dec. 12, 4-6pm

2008-12-05T16:56:09Z

Hello all,
Please join us for a holiday open house at our Cedar Rapids office on
Friday, Dec. 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. We have a lot to celebrate, including our
second anniversary in November, the addition of several great new staffers,
board and advisory board members this year, and getting back on our feet

Energy efficiency testimony before Iowa legislative committee - add your comments!

2008-11-06T23:20:07Z

Hello all,
Next week I have the opportunity to testify on utility energy efficiency
programs before the Iowa legislature's interim committee on energy
efficiency (Nov. 13 at the Capitol, if you're interested). I'd like to be
able to say something about the many Iowans who feel passionately that
efficiency must be the first fuel, because it's cost-effective, clean, and a

Dakota Groups Challenge Controversial Tar Sands Pipeline in Federal Court

2008-08-07T21:36:55Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 7, 2008
Contacts:
Carrie La Seur, Plains Justice (Cedar Rapids, IA), 319-560-4729,
clas...@plainsjustice.org
Mark Trechock, Dakota Resource Council (Dickinson, ND), 701-590-1114,
m...@drcinfo.com
Frank James, Dakota Rural Action (Brookings, SD), (605) 697-5204,
feja...@dakotarural.org

Plains Justice hires new Staff Attorney and Communications Director

2008-08-01T20:44:20Z

Dear friends,
Plains Justice is pleased to announce that we have expanded our ability to
serve the people of the Northern Plains by hiring an additional Staff
Attorney and our first Communications Director.
Starting today, Paul Blackburn is working full time on issues in the Dakotas
and Nebraska. Paul is a highly experienced energy and environmental attorney

Fwd: GOVERNOR CULVER, LT. GOVERNOR JUDGE CALL ON IOWANS TO APPLY FOR REBUILD IOWA TASK FORCES

2008-07-14T13:59:18Z

Hello,
This is a great opportunity to bring a clean energy perspective to Iowa's
disaster recovery process. I encourage everyone who could possibly spare
the time for this important work to apply for appointment to one of these
task forces.
Best,

2nd Quarter 2008 Plains Justice newsletter

2008-06-24T20:44:26Z

Hello,
The latest Plains Justice newsletter is attached, and also available online
at
[link].
Enjoy, and keep in touch!

Clean Energy Ambassador announcement

2008-06-20T21:23:44Z

*Experienced Utility Exec Shows Small Utilities How to Cut Fossil Fuels,
Lower Bills *
**
Past American Public Power Association President Glenn Cannon of Waverly,
Iowa, is taking on the role of Clean Energy Ambassador to rural electric
cooperatives (RECs) and municipal utilities in the upper Midwest. Until

Flooding in Cedar Rapids

2008-06-13T18:25:54Z

Hello,
The latest report from Cedar Rapids is that our office is still dry. For
those who don't know, we're on the second floor of a building right next to
the Cedar River, which is at nearly 500 year flood stage. Our building is
in deep water but it looks as if the second floor will stay dry. We have no

North Dakota coal plant proposal withdrawn!

2008-05-20T22:04:04Z

According to today's announcement:
"Westmoreland Power Inc. has been developing a 500-megawatt electric power
station near Gascoyne, in Bowman County. The company is a unit of
Westmoreland Coal Co., which owns coal reserves in the area.
Westmoreland Coal's executive chairman, Keith Alessi, says uncertainty about

1st Quarter 2008 Plains Justice newsletter

2008-03-30T01:28:07Z

Hello,
Our 1st quarter 2008 newsletter is attached, and also available on our
website at the link below. Please call or email with any questions and
thanks again for your support!
[link]
Best,

ACTION ALERT! BOTTLE BILL FACES STIFF OPPOSITION

2008-02-18T17:57:52Z

Hello all,
One high priority identified across the state in our Environmental Caucuses
is continuation and expansion of Iowa's bottle recycling bill. If reducing,
reusing and recycling to protect our natural resources for future
generations is an issue close to your heart, now is the time to speak out in

Jan. 16 and 17 expert witness speaker events, Des Moines and Iowa City

2008-01-11T02:34:19Z

"At a January Iowa Utilities Board hearing, an impressive slate of experts
will testify that the proposed Marshalltown coal plant would be a costly
mistake. Iowa's renewable energy revolution is the answer for our power
needs, not a $1.5 billion investment in 19th century technology."
- Carrie La Seur, President, Plains Justice

Opportunity for public comment on Marshalltown coal plant

2008-01-07T23:03:40Z

Hello all,
For those who are interested in making comments on the Marshalltown coal
plant proposal directly to the Iowa Utilities Board, there will be an
opportunity for public comments at the beginning of the hearing Monday, Jan.
14 at 10 a.m. at the Whitehall Auditorium on the grounds of the Iowa
Veterans Home on the NW side of Marshalltown. The IUB will allow 2 minutes

RE: First-ever Plains Justice newsletter!

2007-12-31T17:44:09Z

I LOVE IT.

Frank E. Hurtte
River Heights Consulting
226 Hillcrest
Davenport, Iowa 52803
563-514-1104 ph
check us out on the world wide web
HYPERLINK
"[link]"[link]

Organizations who know how to
Target Accounts are 47% more effective
"Let's target some accounts" for fun and profit

First-ever Plains Justice newsletter!

2007-12-31T17:40:20Z

Hello friends,
Thanks to the efforts of some hardworking holiday elves, the first-ever
Plains Justice newsletter is out the door by the end of 2007, attached to
this email and also posted on our website at:
[link]
A few things Plains Justice got done in 2007:

2008 Plains Justice Environmental Platform Planks

2007-12-29T19:24:43Z

Hello all,
Attached is a document representing all the input gathered so far in
environmental caucuses conducted by Plains Justice across Iowa during
December 2007. We will continue to hold environmental caucuses even after
the presidential caucus, in preparation for the county conventions in March,

Marshalltown Coal Plant Proposal Under Fire

2007-11-01T14:59:17Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31st, 2007
Editors and Reporters Contact:
Carrie La Seur, Plains Justice – 319-560-4729
Jana Linderman, Plains Justice – 319-362-2120
Marshalltown Coal Plant Proposal under Fire
National Experts Testify in Opposition
Dr. James Hansen to return home to testify against coal, global warming

Iowa City Devt Board rejects annexation of land for Waterloo coal plant

2007-10-11T20:09:42Z

Hello all,
This afternoon the state's planning approval commission (City Development
Board) rejected by a 3-2 vote the City of Waterloo's application to annex
land of nonconsenting owners for construction of LS Power's 750MW coal
plant. The city had previously annexed and rezoned the site in violation of

Five Iowa nonprofits intervene to oppose Marshalltown coal plant

2007-09-21T03:01:16Z

FYI.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 20, 2007
Contacts:
Carrie La Seur, Plains Justice (Cedar Rapids), 319-560-4729,
clas...@plainsjustice.org
Nathaniel Baer, Iowa Environmental Council (Des Moines), 515-244-1194,
B...@iaenvironment.org
Maureen McCue, Physicians for Social Responsibility (Iowa City),

Save Merle Bell's Farm Rally this Sunday 4pm

2007-09-07T14:47:04Z

Hello all,
This Sunday is the day of our rally at Merle Bell's farm outside Waterloo,
Iowa, the proposed site of a 750MW coal-fired power plant. Merle promised
his father he'd never sell and we mean to help him keep that promise! The
rally flyer and press release are attached. Below are the schedule for the

Waterloo century farm video on YouTube

2007-08-29T15:57:18Z

Staff Attorney Jana Linderman of Plains Justice is representing Merle Bell,
the subject of the YouTube video linked below, in Black Hawk County District
Court this morning, trying to get the City of Waterloo's premature re-zoning
action overturned. The video is wonderful.
Carrie La Seur
---------- Forwarded message ----------

Work day at new Plains Justice office in Cedar Rapids!

2007-08-22T22:00:25Z

Hello all,
This is last minute, but Plains Justice has just gotten into our new office
space at 100 First St. SW in Cedar Rapids (second floor), and we're going to
spend the afternoon there tomorrow (Thursday) painting and getting the place
ready to move in. The University of Iowa College of Law is generously

RE: "Save Merle Bell's Farm" RALLY in Waterloo Sep. 9

2007-08-16T10:42:52Z

That is a great piece of work...

Frank E. Hurtte
River Heights Consulting
226 Hillcrest
Davenport, Iowa 52803
563-514-1104 ph
check us out on the world wide web
HYPERLINK
"[link]"[link]

Organizations who know how to
Target Accounts are 47% more effective

"Save Merle Bell's Farm" RALLY in Waterloo Sep. 9

2007-08-15T16:48:07Z

Hello,
Please spread the word about this rally to save a beautiful century farm on
the site of a proposed 750MW coal plant in Waterloo.
Carrie La Seur
---------- Forwarded message ----------
To: cawcoordination@googlegroups.c om, betty.j.ste...@pje.com,
marvin.con...@principal.com, van...@pitnet.net, jeff.seam...@cvits.biz,

ND coal plant app withdrawn

2007-08-02T13:08:38Z

Good morning everybody -
Here's some good news to start your day. Last year we were looking at 3 new
coal plant proposals in southwestern ND. One is days away from allowing its
construction permit to lapse without beginning construction, and another has
withdrawn its permit application. This is great news for ND, which has a

Clean air resources at plainsjustice.org

2007-06-14T21:06:23Z

Hello,
We've been piling up studies about coal-fired power plant impacts on
agriculture, dating back to the 1970s. A lot of people in farm country are
interested in this data, which is mostly still relevant. Most of the
documents we couldn't find online anywhere, and copies are cumbersome, so
they are now scanned and available in a non-fancy "green hat" archive linked