Environment Iowa : Think we can't stop global warming? Wanna bet?

---

 Nathaniel Baer, Enviornmental Iowa

 You know what I ran across the other day while surfing the web? I found a website that will let you place bets on the effects of global warming. You can put money on the year you think polar bears will go extinct or whether or not Manhattan will be under water by 2012.

 I don't know about you, but I'd rather create solutions than gamble on problems. Getting 20% of our electricity from clean, renewable energy sources by 2020 is an awfully smart place to start.

 Since I first wrote you about this last week, already over 3,000 people have contacted their representative in support of a bill that will do just that. Thank you! Our elected officials need to hear from all of us, though.

 Click on the link below or copy and paste it into your web browser to tell your representative not to gamble with the future of our planet:

 https://www.environmentiowa.org/action/energy/petition?id4=ES

 Background

 America's energy situation today is less secure than it has been in recent memory. Our domestic production of oil peaked decades ago and our production of natural gas may be peaking now. As a result, we import more of our energy than ever before, leaving our energy supplies and national security vulnerable to political instability abroad. We have ample supplies of coal.  But mining coal causes severe environmental damage and burning it releases large amounts of air pollution; which contributes to global warming, acid rain, mercury contamination and unhealthy air.  Nuclear power has been tried and found wanting for economic, environmental and public safety reasons.  And virtually every year, Americans consume more and more energy.

 Right now, America is failing to take advantage of our almost unlimited potential to generate electricity from renewable sources of energy like wind and solar power. 

 * The wind blowing through the Great Plains could generate enough electricity to power the entire country. Wind power installations in the United States have doubled over the last four years, and wind power is among the cheapest sources of new power generation in some parts of the country.

 * Solar energy could conceivably generate more than enough electricity to power the entire United States. The cost of solar panels has declined dramatically in recent years and solar power installations worldwide nearly doubled between 2002 and 2004. Continued advances in solar technology could bring solar power within reach of more Americans within the next several years.

 * Plant-based sources of energy, called "biomass," already provide a substantial amount of energy in America and can provide even more. A federal advisory group has set a target of having biomass account for 5 percent of industrial and electric generator energy use by 2020.

 * Immense amounts of energy are contained within the earth. Experts estimate that as much as 100,000 megawatts of geothermal power -- equal to about 10 percent of today's electricity generation capacity -- could be economically viable in the United States.

 Thankfully, America is the most technologically and economically advanced nation in the world, blessed with vast natural and intellectual resources. Our nation has a track record of responding to major challenges and achieving unthinkable goals. If any nation in the world is capable of creating an energy system that can fuel our economy while preserving our environment and our long-term security, it is us.

 For America to retain our economic vigor, national security and environmental health, we must build toward a New Energy Future -- one based on homegrown, environmentally friendly energy sources and the sensible use of energy throughout the economy. We have the tools to achieve a better energy future -- in the technological prowess of academia and industry, the cutting-edge public policies now being pioneered in states across the country, and in our vast reserves of energy from the sun, wind and crops.

 The technology to tap those resources is advancing rapidly and is increasingly competitive in cost with fossil fuel technologies.  And, momentum around renewable energy policies is building.  Already, 22 states have already adopted policies requiring utilities to increase their use of renewable energy.  But, we need to make a national commitment to dramatically increase the amount of renewable energy we use to generate our power.

 We're asking citizens to join us in calling on Congress to adopt a Renewable Electricity Standard that would require that utilities generate at least 20 percent of their electricity from clean, renewable sources by 2020.

 Wind power could provide as much as 30 percent of America's electricity by 2025 and possibly more as new technologies and practices allow for us to successfully integrate more wind power into America's electricity mix.

 Solar and geothermal power can combine to produce another 12 percent of America's electricity, while an assortment of other renewable technologies -- ranging from solar hot water heaters to geothermal heat pumps -- can also make an important contribution.

 Additional renewable energy could be generated using new technologies such as wave and tidal power or by achieving technological improvements that would enable us to expand our use of other renewable energy sources.

 Click on the link below or copy and paste it into your web browser to tell your representative not to gamble with the future of our planet:

 https://www.environmentiowa.org/action/energy/petition?id4=ES

 Sincerely,

Nathaniel Baer Environment Iowa Advocate NathanielB@environmentiowa.org
http://www.environmentiowa.org

Gronstal to Iowa Voters – F*ck You!
Gronstal Earns a Mouth Scrubbing at Capitol Wednesday!

---

By swords&ploughshares

It's official, Iowa Democrats who turned out in record numbers this year to deliver the historic control of the Iowa House, Senate and Governorship to Democrats for the first time in over 30 years, can now rest safe that their leadership has abandoned them.

At today's VOICE Rally at the Capitol in Des Moines, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal stunned Iowa citizens advocating Clean Elections with his arrogance and use of obscenities.

A group of women and elderly men had gathered in the Rotunda after a peaceful rally calling for an end to the use of big money in Iowa's political campaigns, when Gronstal, who has been called "the most powerful man in Iowa politics," came strolling by.

Seizing upon the chance to speak with "the powerful one," members of the group caught his attention and began asking him where he stood on the issue.

When told of the citizen's concerns about how corporate money was impacting elections, Gronstal told them that's the way things work. When asked about the chance of Clean Election legislation reaching the floor he flatly said, "Not a chance."

Gronstal then went on a rant about how "naïve" these Iowans were, thinking that big money could be removed from Iowa elections, warning that "Republicans could just outspend us (Democrats) with a 527."

When someone in the crowd asked Gronstal about the half a million dollars that he raised during the last election cycle and doled out to Democratic candidates, he scoffed at the figure, saying, "I raised twice that much!"

Eventually some 20 citizens gathered around Gronstal, eager to hear the bill's fate during the final days of the 2007 session. What many of them heard was not only disheartening, but ultimately insulting.

Rather than listen to their reasonable concerns about the influence of money in politics, Gronstal arrogantly claimed that the votes for Clean Elections "weren't there." When a woman challenged this claim, Gronstal launched into her. "I make the decisions of what bills come to the floor…I'm the best vote counter in this building. I got 25 years of experience."

At some point, an older gentleman interrupted the Senate Majority Leader, saying, "You're nothing but a Republican in Democrat clothing."

Like a petty tyrant who has finally been called on his bad behavior the Senate Majority Leader lost it. Gronstal squared off with the older gentleman and said, "That's the lowest blow that anyone's ever dealt me. You can kiss my ass!"

Visibly shaken, Gronstal stormed off. He walked a short distance away from the group and then lifted his head up to the top of the Capitol and SHOUTED "F*ck You!" A large group of elementary school children were touring the Rotunda while this was happening.

Inappropriate behavior at the Capitol is not unusual, but somebody with the title of Senate Majority Leader should not be allowed to speak to Iowa voters in such a vulgar manner especially while young children are nearby. The office and the Senate of Iowa deserve better.

If you're appalled at Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal's behavior, contact the Iowa Senate and demand that Gronstal issue a public apology.

E-mail: michael.gronstal@legis.state.ia.us
Home Telephone: 712-328-2808

SENATE SWITCHBOARD: (515) 281-3371
HOUSE SWITCHBOARD: (515) 281-3221

Find Your Legislator and their email address by visiting www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg

Demand a public apology. Iowans expect more from their leaders.

Iowa House to Debate Global Warming Law

---

By Mark Langgin

House Democrats are moving forward with a landmark piece of legislation to bring the debate about limits on greenhouse gas emissions to the State of Iowa.  Senate File 485 is being floor managed by Representative Donovan Olson.  This bill creates a “greenhouse gas registry” similar to those found in other states and requires the Environmental Protection Commission and the director of the Department of Natural Resources to quantify the potential for emission of greenhouse gases by applicants for permits for electric power generating facilities.  The registry is considered the first step towards creating a system for carbon emission permit trading in the State of Iowa.

This bill represents a mainstream and responsible approach to developing a comprehensive plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Yet, Republicans have taken an extreme position on this particular bill.  For example, during the committee meeting on the bill, Representative Duane Alons made a comparison between Iowa in 2007 and ancient Mayan cultures.  He argued that global warming would be good for Iowa.  He believes that ancient Mayans were giants – taller & stronger than modern men and women.  He argues they were giants (and this is a good thing) because of warm temperatures.  Ancient cyclical warming helped Mayans become giants!

Republicans are trotting out the same tired arguments against doing anything to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  They argue that if we decrease CO2 emissions we will decrease crop yields in Iowa – ignoring the impact of insects, drought, and shifting rainfall patterns on crop yields.  The scientific consensus is that CO2 induced warming will devastate agricultural production in Iowa – and around the world.

Please spread the word if you have any questions – consult the attached bill summary.

Legislation Details:

Greenhouse Gas Registry.  DNR will establish a voluntary greenhouse gas registry for the purposes of cooperating with other states in tracking, managing, and crediting entities in the state that reduce their generation of greenhouse gases or provide increased energy efficiency.  DNR will develop a mechanism to coordinate the information obtained in the inventory with the greenhouse gas registry.  The greenhouse gas registry must be made available via internet by January 1, 2009.

Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council

The bill requires DNR to create an advisory council consisting of 18 voting members serving three year staggered terms, and four nonvoting, ex-officio members.  The four nonvoting, ex-officio members will be from the General Assembly.  The voting members are to be appointed by the Governor.  The must include a representative of:

§         University of Iowa Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research
§         University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education
§         Iowa Farm Bureau
§         Iowa Public Transit Association
§         Rural Electric Cooperatives
§         Investor owned utilities
§         Municipal Utilities
§         Iowa Utilities Board
§         One association with environmental interests or activities
§         One association with conservation interests or activities
§         International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
§         Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI)
§         Iowa Energy Center
§         Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
§         Office of Consumer Advocate of the Department of Justice
§         Local Government
§         Director of the Office of Energy Independence in the Office of the Governor
§         Manufacturer of equipment used for alternative energy production

The advisory council must develop multiple options designed to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emission including one option that would reduce emissions by 50% by 2050.  The advisory council must also develop short-term, mid-range, and long-term scenarios designed to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions.  In addition, the advisory council must establish a baseline year for the purpose of calculating reductions in statewide greenhouse gas emissions.  The advisory council must submit such proposal to the General Assembly and the Governor by January 1, 2008.

Each year, by September 1, DNR must submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly regarding the greenhouse gas emissions in the state for the previous calendar year and the future trends in emissions.  The first report is due by September 1, 2008, for the 2007 calendar year.

Mark Langgin - Administrative Assistant

Democratic Majority Leader's Office

Office: (515) 281-3054
Cell:  (319) 290-8780

mark.langgin@legis.state.ia.us

GoogleTalk: MarkLanggin

Call or Email To Support Greenhouse
Reduction Bill

---

By Lynn M. Laws

Dear friends,
 
We need your help THIS MORNING on important legislation!
 
Please call or email your Representative THIS MORNING and let them know you want their SUPPORT for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction bill, numbered Senate File 485.
 
We need you to make calls/e-mails to the members of the House Environmental Protection Committee in support of Senate File 485.
 
The committee will meet today at 11:00am.  They are taking the bill up in a committee of the whole, so all members of the standing committee are on the subcommittee.
 
Tell Committee members that you are looking for their leadership to provide some real solutions to the problem of global warming and this bill is an excellent start.
 
House phone number: 515-281-3221
Committee Members
• Donovan Olson (D, District 48), Chair, Donovan.Olson@legis.state.ia.us
• Marcella Frevert (D, District 7), Vice Chair, Marcella.Frevert@legis.state.ia.us
• Steven Olson (R, District 83), Ranking Member, Steven.Olson@legis.state.ia.us
• Dwayne Alons (R, District 4), Dwayne.Alons@legis.state.ia.us
• Rich Anderson (R, District 97), Richard.Anderson@legis.state.ia.us
• Betty De Boef (R, District 76), Capitol Telephone: 515-281-3221
• Dave Deyoe (R, District 10), Dave.Deyoe@legis.state.ia.us
• Jack Drake (R, District 57), Jack.Drake@legis.state.ia.us
• Mary Gaskill (D, District 93), Mary.Gaskill@legis.state.ia.us
• Sandy Greiner (R, District 89), Capitol Telephone: 515-281-3221
• Pam Jochum (D, District 27), Pam.Jochum@legis.state.ia.us
• Bob Kressig (D, District 19), Bob.Kressig@legis.state.ia.us
• Mark Kuhn (D, District 14), Mark.Kuhn@legis.state.ia.us
• Vicki Lensing (D, District 78), Vicki.Lensing@legis.state.ia.us
• Helen Miller (D, District 49), Helen.Miller@legis.state.ia.us
• Rick Olson (D, District 68), Rick.Olson@legis.state.ia.us
• Tyler Olson (D, District 38), Tyler.Olson@legis.state.ia.us
• Tom Sands (R, District 87), Tom.Sands@legis.state.ia.us
• Mark Smith (D, District 43), Mark.Smith@legis.state.ia.us
• Ralph Watts (R, District 47), Ralph.Watts@legis.state.ia.us
• Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D, District 45), Beth.Wessel-Kroeschell@legis.state.ia.us
 
Senate File 485 allows DNR Director or the EPC to include GHG as a factor for issuing conditional permits for construction of power generation plants.
 
Thank you for taking quick action!
  
Lynn M. Laws - Please note my new phone extension 11
Interim Director
Iowa Environmental Council
711 East Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309-1915
515-244-1194, x 11
lynnlaws@iaenvironment.org
www.iaenvironment.org
 
"The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of community to include soils, waters, plants and animals, or collectively: the land." Aldo Leopold

Act on Supreme Court Decision To
Save the Environment

---

By Nathaniel Baer, Environment Iowa Advocate

I don't know if there's anything better than walking into the office on Monday morning to discover that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Bush EPA has essentially ignored the problem of tailpipe CO2 emissions for too long, and that the EPA does in fact have the authority to regulate these emissions.

What a huge victory for activists like you who've done so much to make sure our elected officials know how crucial it is that we take action now on global warming. But, we're not home free. Tailpipe emissions are just one source of global warming pollution.

Senators Barbara Boxer and Bernie Sanders have introduced the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act -- which would reduce all forms of global warming pollution by 80% by 2050.  Can you help by asking your senators to co-sponsor the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act?  To sign a petition to your senators, click on the link or copy and paste it into your web browser:

Then, ask your friends and family to get involved by forwarding this message on to them.

Background

Global warming is starting to change weather patterns. Scientists predict that these changes will accelerate in the future and say that we can expect:

* Extreme weather. Scientists expect hurricanes to become more intense and say that the hurricanes that hit the Gulf states in 2005 may be an indication of what's to come.

* Public health risks. Scientists also expect heat waves to become more dangerous, causing more people to suffer heat stress and stroke. Other impacts include the spread of infectious diseases.

* Less snow, less water. Many of the rivers and streams that we rely on for our water supply are fed by mountain snow. But warmer winters are starting to cause less precipitation to fall as snow, which may cause serious future water shortages.

Most global warming pollution comes from burning oil, coal, and natural gas in our power plants, cars, SUVs, and factories. Power plants are the single biggest source, responsible for about 40% of U.S. global warming pollution. Because there are no federal limits on global warming pollution, industry can pump unlimited amounts of the pollution into our skies.

The good news is we can reduce global warming pollution by using existing technology to make power plants and factories more efficient, make cars go farther on a gallon of gasoline, and shift to cleaner technologies, such as hybrids, biofuels, and wind and solar power.

These are win-win solutions because they also will reduce our dependence on oil, reduce air pollution, protect pristine places from oil drilling and mining, and bring many other benefits.

Senators Barbara Boxer and Bernie Sanders have introduced the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act -- which would reduce all forms of global warming pollution by 80% by 2050.  Can you help by asking your senators to co-sponsor the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act?  To sign a petition to your senators, click on the link or copy and paste it into your web browser

Then, ask your friends and family to get involved by forwarding this message on to them.

Sincerely,

Nathaniel Baer
Environment Iowa Advocate
NathanielB@environmentiowa.org
http://www.environmentiowa.org