Updates and actions on coal plants and energy
Mark Kresowik
Friends,
The last few weeks have brought a torrent of activity on energy and coal issues in Iowa. They require action on many levels, and I hope we are ready to take them on. Please spread this report to your fellow activists, friends, and allies.
1) 60+ coal plant opponents rally at the Capitol, call on Governor to speak out
2) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR NEEDED - Coal plants, mountaintop removal mining, energy efficiency, renewable energy tax incentives, and our energy future
3) CONTACT FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES - coal plants, mountaintop removal mining, renewable energy tax incentives
4) Energy efficiency report released - help us hold meetings in early April
5) Dynegy/LS Power applies for annexation into the City of Waterloo again - this could be the nail in the coffin
6) Iowa increases global warming pollution 7th highest in the U.S. in 2007
More details about these items are below. The most urgent actions are letters to the editor and contacts to federal representatives. I've included some draft letters immediately below. Thank you for your efforts, and PLEASE spread this report to your fellow activists, friends, and allies.
Thanks,
Mark
Basic LTE - adapt as you see fit to make it your own voice…
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Iowa's economic and environmental future appears to hinge on the debates state and federal legislators, Governor Culver, and various state agencies are having on coal plants and energy. A balanced reading of reports reveals three things:
1) Energy efficiency and wind power are an enormous boon to Iowa's economy - especially for rural areas and our manufacturing sector
2) Coal plants produce huge amounts of pollution damaging to children's health and the environment, and mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia is destroying beautiful and fragile ecosystems and rural communities
3) The Office of the Consumer Advocate opposes coal plants because energy efficiency and renewable energy are lower-cost choices, making expensive and dirty coal plants the wrong choice for residential consumers and attracting new businesses like Google
With these facts clearly visible to the discerning reader and our elected officials, the right choices for our economy and our environment should be self-evident. In case they aren't, I urge each of my elected representatives to support increased investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy, publicly oppose new coal plants, and advocate for an end to destructing mining practices.
Senators Grassley and Harkin can pass tax incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy and speak out against coal plants as Senator Reid has. Congressman Boswell needs to support the Waxman/Markey bill and the Clean Water Protection Act. Governor Culver and members of the state legislature should speak out against new coal plants and require increased investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
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1) http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1143807463. We received great press coverage across the state in print, on TV, and over the radio. Excellent work by everyone who came or helped organize the events.
2) As per the above, now is the perfect time to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and the Des Moines Register (let...@dmreg.com). While you're at it, send the letter to your legislators as well (www.legis.state.ia.us). Be sure to bring out the economic benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy and emphasize that they will be lower cost options for consumers and businesses alike.
3) Contact Senators Grassley and Harkin, and Congresspeople Boswell and Braley. Ask them to support Congressman Waxman, Congressman Markey, and Senator Reid in opposing coal plants. Be sure to ask Congressman Boswell to put an end to mountaintop removal mining and support the Clean Water Protection Act. And urge our Senators to extend tax incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Contact information at http://www.gov.iastate.edu/federal/delegation.html.
4) http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=C7CE557C-C4C4-6E97-5AB0C6F5B4DBBEC9, http://iowapolicyproject.org/2008docs/080319-IowaEE-xsum.pdf. We know that energy efficiency needs to be our top priority in meeting Iowa's energy demands. In the next few weeks and months we will have a number of opportunities to make this happen, especially proceedings before the Iowa Utilities Board. Are you interested in hosting or attending a meeting in your community about energy efficiency? Please contact Josh Jones and Mark Kresowik for more information - jo...@greencorps.org, mark.k...@sierraclub.org.
5) http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/03/19/news/top_story/10208879.txt, Dynegy/LS Power is trying one last tactic to force their coal plant past the objections of local landowners. We're trying to make sure they can't succeed. There will be a strategy meeting in Waterloo on March 27th to target the City Council and the Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission. Contact Mark Kresowik if you're interested in attending - mark.k...@sierraclub.org.
6) http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2008/2008-03-18-04.asp, http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080319/UPDATES/80319021/1001/news, recent news reports show that Iowa ranked 7th highest in states increasing their global warming pollution during 2007. This is exactly what will continue to happen if we build more coal plants. It is time to get serious about energy efficiency and renewable energy.