This message is especially for other rural Iowa Sierrans who are members of 
Iowa RECs.  The latest issue of the IOWA REC NEWS (July 2004) contains a column 
titled "Climate change legislation must emphasize incentives and voluntary 
efforts," written by "Carol Whitman, Ph. D," who is described as the "principal 
lobbyist in environmental affairs" who "leads climate change policy 
development"  for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Washington, 
D.C. 

The column confirms what most of us REC members probably knew already -- that 
the National REC Association is using our money to lobby against efforts to 
require reductions in greenhouse gases.  Their preferred "common sense" 
approach seems to amount to more research, more voluntary reporting of greenhouse 
gasses, etc.  

This certainly isn't the only example of how consumer dollars are used to 
fund pro-pollution lobbying that many consumers don't support.   But I wanted to 
point it out because I know the Iowa REC magazine is not read by all REC 
members, and because some of us may want to point out to our elected officials that 
the climate change policies of the National REC Association do not  reflect 
the views of all REC members. 


Cindy Hildebrand
[log in to unmask]
Ames, IA  50010

"The surrounding country had been burnt about a month before, and young grass 
had now sprung up to a height of 4 inches, presenting the live green of the 
spring...This scenery, already rich, pleasing, and beautiful, was still further 
heightened by immense herds of buffalo, deer, elk, and antelopes, which we 
saw in every direction, feeding on the hills and plains."  (Meriwether Lewis)  

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