Editors Contact: Lynn Laws
Iowa Environmental Council
515-244-1194, ext. 210
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.
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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.
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Lynn M. Laws
Communications Director
Iowa Environmental Council
521 East Locust, Suite 220
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-244-1194, x 210
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