Cities must lead in developing energy security
By FRANK COWNIE
IOWA VIEW
June 13, 2007
Recognizing the serious need for local energy security and energy
self-reliance, I feel strongly as mayor of Des Moines that I should take
action to develop strategies for conservation and renewable energy.
Global and national events threaten our energy independence daily, and
prevention and preparation must start in the local arena. City governments
across the nation must take the lead in mapping out the future of energy for
their communities. In perhaps an unprecedented move, I have asked mayors
from around the state to join me along with business, education, civic,
labor and industrial organizations for the first Energy Futures Conference
of Iowa.
http://dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070613/OPINION01/706130332/1035/archive
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Ethanol producers work hard to be green
BRUCE RASTETTER
SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER
June 10, 2007
Many Iowans have embraced the development and expansion of the biofuels
industry because of its role in helping America achieve energy independence
while providing substantial economic benefits to the people of America's
heartland.
We have been interested observers of The Des Moines Register's continuing
coverage of the impacts of biofuels locally and around the country in its
"Fueling Iowa's Future" series. We would like to add our perspective to the
debate in relation to the Register's June 3 section on "How Biofuels
Pollute."
http://dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070610/OPINION01/706100313
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Focus energy bill on conservation, research
Beware of mischief that could weaken environmental benefits.
REGISTER EDITORIAL BOARD
June 11, 2007
Brace yourselves, everyone: Congress is gearing up to write new energy
legislation. Historically, such efforts have been less about a sensible
national energy policy and more about tax breaks for Big Oil.
The last major energy bill, in 2005, produced some benefits, particularly
for Iowa, by mandating greater use of ethanol and extending tax credits for
energy production from such alternative sources as wind, biomass and animal
waste. But it also lavished tax breaks on the oil and gas industry during
times of record profits.
http://dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070611/OPINION03/706110301/1035/archive
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Set price floor for crops; boost conservation funds
2007 FARM BILL
By GARY LARSEN
IOWA VIEW
June 11, 2007
The farm bill keeps me farming. Through the Conservation Security Program, I
am rewarded for steps I take to protect the environment on my farm. But I'm
one of the lucky ones.
The program has been hijacked since passage as part of the farm bill in
2002. Only a few watersheds out of more than 2,200 nationwide can
participate each year. When the Conservation Security Program came to my
area, I was ready. Many of my friends and neighbors were not. Now they may
have to wait as long as 10 years before having another opportunity. And
that's just not fair.
http://dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070611/OPINION01/706110305/1035/archive
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Wind profits belong here
June 11, 2007
Governor Culver recently told the American Wind Energy Association that Iowa
is poised to be at the center of the United States' wind-energy market.
That's great, but who will profit from this? Culver has an opportunity to
help keep renewable energy profits in our rural areas rather than have
outside investors extract resources and profits from those areas.
A C-BED (community-based economic development) program will support
community and local ownership of wind-energy resources. This will help
provide long-term, reasonably priced electricity while also protecting
consumers from spikes in fuel costs.
In Minnesota, C-BED has generated nearly a billion dollars in proposed
economic development fairly quickly, according to the Iowa Farmers Union.
C-BED projects are typically financed by local banks and keep a higher
portion of construction and operational expenditures within the local and
regional area.
Renewable energy should be a resource whose benefits go to those who deserve
them and need them most: rural Iowa communities.
- Patrick Bosold, Fairfield.
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Highlight environmental benefits of manual mowers
June 11, 2007
I was interested in the May 28 story, "Manual Lawn Mowers Encounter
Resurgence." I was disappointed the story did not explain how much better
for the environment these mowers are.
Per hour of operation, power mowers, weed eaters and leaf vacs are at least
10 times more harmful than automobiles. There's no need to wait for new
technology for lawn care.
Switching to manual or reel mowers is one of the easiest, most pleasant (no
noise, no fumes) and least expensive things we can do to respect the
environment.
- Ellen Hansen, Des Moines.
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Winds of change blow ill
June 10, 2007
Richard Doak's poignant description of Iowa's prairie winds blowing through
country cemeteries was evocative of rural Iowa as once it was ("Memorial Day
Reconnects Us to the Land, to America," May 27 column).
Today, prairie winds blow the noxious odor of hog confinements and cattle
feed lots across our once idyllic countryside. In our case, those winds blow
through the evergreen border along the south edge of our home and farm,
bringing with them not the music of wind in the pines, but flies and the
smell of chicken manure from a nearby chicken confinement.
At my 50-year class reunion at Iowa State University in mid-May, many who
have moved to other states expressed their desire not to return to Iowa to
live because of our weather. In most cases, I did not add that living in
rural Iowa is at times a nightmare, not because of our weather, but because
of the pollution of our environment due to concentrated animal agriculture.
They have made the right decision not to return "home."
- Judy Schaper, Britt.
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