For immediate release: September 17, 2009


1.      Emissions increase in 2008 greenhouse gas inventory
2.      Iowans asked to provide input regarding the Des Moines River
3.      DNR director’s public forum heads to Clear Lake State Park in Cerro Gordo County

EMISSIONS INCREASE IN 2008 GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY


MEDIA CONTACT: Marnie Stein at (515) 281-8468, [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>



WINDSOR HEIGHTS — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released its second annual greenhouse gas inventory to the Governor and General Assembly. Overall, greenhouse gas emissions increased from those emitted in 2007. The emissions data was calculated directly from the quantities of materials combusted and produced at nearly 300 Iowa facilities in 2008.


Total stationary point sources increased greenhouse gas emissions by 2.57 percent despite 40 percent of facilities reporting lower fossil fuel combustion. Additionally, coal combustion increased emissions by 4 percent and accounts for 87 percent of the total major source fossil fuel combustion greenhouse gas emissions reported. Ethanol production at dry mills increased 29 percent and at wet mills it decreased 5 percent.

“The 2008 greenhouse gas inventory is a crucial step in the DNR’s efforts to collect greenhouse gas emission data and address climate change,” said Marnie Stein, author of the report. “This inventory allows us for the first time to analyze trends in greenhouse gas emissions emitted from individual facilities in Iowa.”

The report is a refinement of previous statewide greenhouse gas inventories and includes: fossil fuel combustion at federally-recognized major point sources of air pollution; ethanol fermentation; cement manufacturing, lime manufacturing, ammonia production, nitric acid production, iron and steel production, and soda ash consumption.



Greenhouse gases reported include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide   (N20), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).



2008 Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Selected Iowa Source Categories is posted at http://www.iowadnr.gov/air/prof/ghg/ghg.html


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IOWANS ASKED TO PROVIDE INPUT REGARDING THE DES MOINES RIVER

MEDIA CONTACTS: Jeff Berckes at (515) 281-4791 or<mailto:> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>; or Bill Graham at (515) 281-5917 or <mailto:> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.

DES MOINES – Iowans interested in learning about the water quality improvement plan for the Des Moines River can attend meetings beginning Oct. 6.


Multiple segments of the Des Moines River are on the state’s impaired waters list because of excess E. coli bacteria in the water. This type of bacteria may indicate the presence of disease-causing human pathogens.



The Des Moines River segments run from Saylorville Lake, through downtown Des Moines, to the uppermost part of Red Rock Reservoir. This segment of the Des Moines River collects water from many important Iowa waterways, including the Raccoon River, Saylorville Lake, Beaver Creek, Four Mile Creek, North River, Middle River and South River.



The DNR water quality improvement plan looks at the problems and potential solutions for the river. The document can be used as a guide to improve recreation, wildlife and fishing on the river for local resource agencies, partners, stakeholders and residents interested in making a difference. The plans are sometimes called by their technical name, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reports.

“We are excited to share the results of the Des Moines River water quality improvement plan for bacteria and are interested in hearing from Iowans on their goals for water quality improvement in the area,” said Jeff Berckes, TMDL Program Coordinator with the DNR’s Watershed Improvement program.

The DNR will ask Iowans for public input at the following meetings:

Winterset:
Tuesday, Oct. 6
6-8 p.m.
Community Center Room at the Farmers and Merchants State Bank
101 West Jefferson St.

Des Moines area:
Thursday, Oct. 8
2-4 p.m.
Meeting Room A, Urbandale Public Library
3520 86th St., Urbandale

Indianola:
Thursday, Oct. 8
6-8 p.m.
McNeill Hall Pioneer Conference Room
North C St. on the Simpson College campus

Staff from the DNR’s Watershed Improvement Program will be on hand to answer questions.

Those not able to attend the public meeting can receive more information at www.iowadnr.gov/water/watershed/tmdl/publicnotice.html<http://www.iowadnr.gov/water/watershed/tmdl/publicnotice.html> and submit comments on the plan until Oct.19. Or, they can contact Jeff Berckes, water quality improvement program coordinator, by e-mailing [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>, calling (515) 281-4791 or mailing him care of the DNR, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319.

After gathering Iowans’ comments, the DNR will submit the final plan to EPA for approval.

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DNR DIRECTOR’S PUBLIC FORUM HEADS TO CLEAR LAKE STATE PARK IN CERRO GORDO COUNTY

MEDIA CONTACT: Tammie Krausman, DNR, at (515) 402-8763 or [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>.

CLEAR LAKE– DNR Director Richard Leopold will hold a public forum at Clear Lake State Park main lodge in Clear Lake on Thursday.

Richard Leopold, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, is holding forums across the state again this year to discuss natural resource issues with Iowans.

“I really look forward to hearing from Iowa’s citizens. Last year, we got great feedback and ideas from more than 300 attendees,” said Leopold about the seven forums held last year. “Our relationship with Iowans is something we highly value within the DNR and we will work together on the things most affecting our natural resources.”

Each public forum begins at 6 p.m. with Director Leopold outlining the DNR’s top priorities, the environmental report card, providing an update on budget cuts and discussing local issues. Another hour-and-a-half will be devoted to answering questions from the public.

Director Leopold has hosted more than 200 people at forums at Honey Creek Resort, Dolliver, Macbride, Bellevue and Lake of Three Fires state parks so far this summer.

Upcoming public forums scheduled for Leopold are as follows, listed alphabetically by city:

Clear Lake
Clear Lake State Park Lodge
Thursday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m.

Council Bluffs
Hitchcock Nature Center
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m.

Sioux City
Stone State Park Lodge
Thursday, Sept. 24, 6 p.m

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