Residents of Eastern Iowa, Make Your Voices Heard!

By Teresa Galluzzo

The Problem:  Iowa produces 85% of its electricity from coal, a major cause of global warming in the United States. 

The Solution:  Better, cleaner alternatives to coal and other fossil fuels exist. According to the federation of U.S. Public Interest Research Groups:

An America that uses no more energy than it does today—and that relies on renewable sources for a large and growing share of that energy—is not a fantasy.  It is a realistic, perhaps even conservative, goal that can be achieved using technologies and policy tools existing today.
 

Government officials and business leaders are discovering that clean energy solutions like wind power and energy efficient practices are good for the environment and the economy.  

The Opportunity:  Over the next several months, policy makers will plan Iowa’s energy future. They will be deciding how we use energy and what kind of energy (coal, wind, etc.) we will use. Several Iowa environmental organizations will be working to influence policy makers. But no one’s opinion is more important than yours! In the coming months, private citizens will have an opportunity to influence landmark decisions in Iowa. Your first important opportunity occurs this month!  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Office of Energy Independence have asked for public comment.

Why We Need Your Help:  State policy makers need to hear from folks who want policies and plans that move us to “energy independence,” and provide sound, innovative solutions to global warming.  

How You Can Help: Attend one of four meetings for public input - including one right here in Coralville - on the Energy Independence Plan, 7-9:30 pm on:

-Thursday, October 18: State Historical Building Auditorium, Des Moines

- Monday, October 22: North Ridge Pavilion (2250 Holiday Road), Coralville**

-Thursday, October 25: Iowa Western Community College, Looft Hall Auditorium, Council Bluffs

-Monday, October 29: Iowa Central Community College, Career Education Building, Rooms 108-110, Fort Dodge

**Before the Coralville meeting there will be a pre-meeting for anyone interested in making sure they understand what is at stake and to answer questions.  This will be held at the New Pioneer Co-op in Coralville at 5:30 pm in the mezzanine of the store.   Please attend to get your questions answered and prepare to speak your mind! 

Go to http://tinyurl.com/2bdtsu for a map highlighting the North Ridge Pavilion and the Coralville New Pioneer Coop.

Other Ways to Get Involved:  The Iowa Policy Project, the Iowa Environmental Council and the Iowa chapter of the Sierra Club are working together ensure that policymakers hear Iowans’ voices.  You can contact any of the following individuals for more information:      

 
Nathaniel Baer
Kristi Lohmeier              
Mark Kresowik
Iowa Environ Council
Iowa Policy Project
Sierra Club

baer@iaenvironment.org      klohmeier@iowapolicyproject.org      mark.kresowik@sierraclub.org

515-244-1194 ext 206         
319-338-0773
319-621-7393

1. Before October 30, 2007, write or email Tommi Makila and/or the Office of the Governor (contact information provided below) asking policy makers to:
 

A) Set a target of reducing Iowa’s global warming emissions by 80 percent, by the year 2050—a doable target recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 

B) Reject any plan that includes new dirty coal plants, unless they can safely eliminate the global warming pollution for the entire life of the plant. 

C) Include energy efficiency efforts in state plans and policies—the cheapest and cleanest way to meet state energy needs.

D) Significantly increase energy produced from renewable sources like wind, solar and geothermal, which produce ZERO global warming pollution.

Office of The Governor and Lt. Governor                     
Tommi Makila or tommi.makila@dnr.iowa.gov
State Capitol                                                                       

Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Des Moines, IA 50319                                                       
502 East 9th Street
515-281-5211                                                                     

2. Attend Clean Energy Messenger Training on October 20, 2007, in Des Moines.  Call Lynn Laws for more information: 515-244-1194.

3. Attend the Iowa Environmental Council Annual Meeting and Conference on October 19, 2007, in Des Moines to learn more about this issue.  Go to www.iaenvironment.org for information. 

Thank You for Taking Action on This Important Issue.