Friends,
It has been a busy few weeks and we have some important progress points to cheer about and action steps to take care of!
1) Lt. Governor Judge Co-Sponsors NLGA Resolution on Global Warming - Call the Governor's Office!
2) Alliant's Application for a 630 MW Coal Plant at Marshalltown, IUB proceedings on transmission line sale - Letters needed to the IUB!
3) Annexation of land for 750 MW Coal Plant in Waterloo, public hearing set for Sept. 12th
4) Progress on Cool Cities, Cool Counties, Cool Congregations!
1) I heard about this a few days ago, but it hit the press yesterday. This is a great opportunity to THANK the Culver/Judge administration for supporting action on global warming and underline the importance of using their offices to stop the construction of the coal-fired power plants proposed for Iowa - it will be impossible to reduce Iowa's GHG's 7% by 2012 if those plants are built. This is a great step forward for Lt. Governor Judge and we immensely appreciate her leadership!
Governor's Office - 515.281.5211
Lt. Governor Judge Co-Sponsors Energy Independence Resolution
Continues Culver/Judge Administration's Commitment to Renewable
Energy
(Williamsburg, VA) – Today, Lt. Governor Patty Judge co-sponsored a
resolution at the National Lt. Governor's Association (NLGA) summer
meeting that would pledge lieutenant governors to use their offices
to combat climate change and promote energy independence.
"Renewable energy is the key to greater energy independence and
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And in Iowa, we are leading the
way," said Lt. Governor Judge. "Our state produces more ethanol and
bio-diesel than any other, and with more than 1000 wind turbines, we
are the third leading producer in wind energy. These steps are
helping to reduce our nation's dependence on imported oil, improve
the environment around us and secure our energy future for years to
come."
Iowa produces 30 percent of ethanol, and nearly 40 percent of bio-
diesel in the United States. In addition, Iowa has nearly 1000 wind
turbines, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide from coal-fired
power plants by 3.4 billion tons each year.
If passed, the resolution would call for a seven percent reduction
in 1990 carbon emissions levels by 2012 and 60 to 80 percent
reduction below 1990 levels by 2050. It was introduced by Lt.
Governor Barbara Lawton of Wisconsin and has the support of more
than 30 percent of the nation's lieutenant governors.
The Lt. Governor's support of this resolution continues the
Culver/Judge Administration's commitment to renewable energy.
Earlier this summer, Governor Culver signed Iowa onto the National
Climate Registry, which will standardize best practices for Green
House Gas (GHG) emissions reporting, verification, and management,
for more than 30 states. And on April 27, 2007, the Governor signed
SF 485, a bill to create the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council to
help determine the best strategies for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions in Iowa.
The NLGA meeting runs until Friday, July 27. The resolution will
come up before the NLGA Resolutions Committee today and likely
receive a floor vote on July 27.
2) On July 2nd Interstate Power and Light (Alliant) applied to the IUB for a permit to construct a 630 MW Coal-fired power plant in Marshalltown, IA. The plant would emit 6 million tons of carbon dioxide, thousands of tons of particulate matter, and more than 100 lbs of mercury a year. It will suck up capital investment that should go to energy efficiency and wind power, which would create hundreds more jobs, lower energy costs, and create revenue for Iowans.
Additionally, there has been some GREAT discussion on these lists about our intervention on Alliant's sale of its transmission assets. More than 100 letters in support of Alliant's coal-fired power plant have been filed, including the entire Democrat leadership of the House and Senate. We NEED letters emphasizing opposition to the plant. I will send out a sample opposition letter on Tuesday, but if you can write a letter before then, please do! You should email me a copy at [log in to unmask] and send a copy to the Iowa Utilities Board at:
350 Maple Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0069
Reference Docket GCU-07-01 and SPU-07-11
3) Because there is a non-consenting landowner involved in the annexation of prime Iowa farmland to build a dirty 750 MW coal-fired power plant just east of Waterloo, the City Development Board must approve the annexation. They will be holding a public hearing on Sept. 12th in Waterloo. Stopping this annexation is a big step toward ending the LS Power proposal. Community Energy Solutions, the group coordinated the grassroots campaigns in Waterloo and Marshalltown, is holding a series of strategy meetings ahead of this hearing and need your support! If you'd like to attend the hearing on Sept. 12th in support of the non-consenting landowner and Iowa's agricultural opportunities or write a letter to the City Development Board ([log in to unmask]) please contact me at [log in to unmask]
4) Around 30 Iowa cities have now signed on to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, thanks to your hard work! Two Iowa Counties as well are leaning toward action - Johnson and Monona - Mayor Crews in Cedar Falls and Mayor Hanafen in Council Bluffs are also near to signing on, and the Quad Cities campaign is expanding rapidly. Congratulations and keep up the great work. Let us know what we can do to help!
The Cool Congregations program of Iowa Interfaith Power and Light is also reaping large benefits with our faith partners. Interest in the program is expanding nationally, and more Iowa congregations and dioceses are making Cool Congregations a priority program for next year. If you'd like to get your faith community involved, let me know at [log in to unmask]
Thank you for everything you do!
Mark
Mark Kresowik
Midwest Clean Energy Campaign
Sierra Club
[log in to unmask]
319-621-7393 (cell)
515-276-4690 (office)
515-251-4811 (fax)
3839 Merle Hay Road
Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
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