Sierrans SF 485 yesterday. Today... SF 574 relating to statewide greenhouse gas emissions, passed the Senate, 28-20, with one amendment. Apparently, again the Republicans opposed this bill...another scorecard issue! EXPLANATION This bill relates to statewide greenhouse emissions. The bill provides that, by January 1, 2008, the department of natural resources shall establish a method for collecting data from producers of greenhouse gases. The bill includes a mandatory reporting requirement as part of the data collection method. The bill allows the department to phase in reporting requirements. The bill requires the department to establish a voluntary greenhouse gas registry for purposes of cooperating with other states in tracking, managing, and crediting entities in the state that reduce their generation of greenhouse gases or that provide increased energy efficiency. The bill requires the department of natural resources to create an Iowa climate change advisory council consisting of 21 voting members and four nonvoting, ex officio members representing the general assembly. The bill provides that the voting members are appointed by the governor and shall represent certain associations and groups. The bill requires the governor to designate the chairperson of the council. The bill requires the department to provide necessary staff assistance to the council. The bill requires the council, after consideration of a full range of policies and strategies, to adopt multiple scenarios designed to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions including one scenario that would reduce such emissions by 50 percent by 2050. The bill requires the council to also develop short-term, medium-term, and long-term scenarios, designed to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions. The council shall submit the proposal to the governor and the general assembly by January 1, 2008. By September 1 of each year, the bill requires the department to submit a report to the governor and the general assembly regarding the greenhouse gas emissions in the state during the previous calendar year and forecasting trends in such emissions. Two good days for Iowa. Yes!!! Lyle ____________________________________________ Lyle Krewson Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter Lobbyist 1725 S. 50th Street #602 West Des Moines, IA 50265 [log in to unmask] 515-238-7113 - Cel ____________________________________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp