Editors Contact: Lynn Laws

Iowa Environmental Council

515-244-1194, ext. 210

[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>  

 

November 15, 2007

For Immediate Release

 

IOWA ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS HAIL 

HISTORIC AGREEMENT 

ON GLOBAL WARMING REDUCTION

 

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver exercised bold leadership to reduce the critical
threat of global warming and promote economic development when he signed
a historic multi-state agreement Thursday to significantly reduce carbon
emissions, Iowa environmental leaders said. 

 

Culver joined leaders of five other Midwestern states and the Premier of
Manitoba, Canada in a pact to cut carbon pollution 60 to 80 percent, as
recommended by scientists.  The agreement, signed at a meeting of the
Midwest Governors Association, will spur investment in clean, renewable
energy and energy efficient technology - fueling the growth of local
industries in Iowa.

 

"Our governors today will propel Iowa and the Midwest to a clean energy
economy. Boosting our use of wind, solar, and biomass will create
thousands of new jobs," said Nathaniel Baer, energy director at the Iowa
Environmental Council. 

 

Already wind turbine manufacturers have brought nearly 1,000 new jobs
and over $100 million in capital investments to Iowa. Studies by the
Union of Concerned Scientists and the Environmental Law & Policy Center
show that thousands of additional jobs and investments are in store from
the kind of clean energy policies recommended in this platform. 

 

The multi-state accord finalized Thursday should also yield major
reductions in Iowa's total energy-related carbon dioxide emissions,
which rank in the top half of the nation, according figures obtained
from the website of the Energy Information Administration in the U.S.
Department of Energy. 

 

"With the stroke of Governor Culver's pen, Iowa has reversed its legacy
as a major source of global warming pollution and emerged as part of the
solution to the problem.   We thank him for his leadership in securing
our energy future," said Marian Riggs Gelb, executive director for the
Iowa Environmental Council.

 

-          end

Reporters may contact the following persons for interviews:

Nathaniel Baer, Energy Program Director, Iowa Environmental Council,
515-244-1194 x 206, [log in to unmask]

Marian Gelb, Executive Director, Iowa Environmental Council,
515-244-1194 x 201

 

About the Iowa Environmental Council

The Iowa Environmental Council actively works in public policy to
provide a safe, healthy environment for all Iowans. The Council focuses
on public education and coalition building to give Iowans a voice on
issues that affect their quality of life and to protect Iowa's natural
resources for current and future generations. 

 

------------------------------------

 

Lynn M. Laws 

Communications Director

Iowa Environmental Council

521 East Locust, Suite 220

Des Moines, IA 50309

515-244-1194, x 210 

[log in to unmask]

www.iaenvironment.org 

 

 

Nathaniel Baer

Energy Program Director

Iowa Environmental Council

521 E. Locust, Suite 220

Des Moines, IA 50309

Office: (515) 244-1194 x. 206

Cell: (319) 321-8449

Fax: (515) 244-7856

 

www.iaenvironment.org

 


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