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 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp