Do Culver and Judge Want it Both Ways When it Comes to Climate Change?

Lt. Governor Patty Judge co-sponsored a resolution at the Lt. Governor Association summer meeting that would pledge lieutenant governors to use their offices to combat climate change and promote energy independence.

If passed, the resolution would call for a seven percent reduction in 1990 carbon emissions levels by 2012 and 60 to 80 percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2050.

This is great news from the Lt. Governor. When you add it to Gov. Culver's commitment to renewable energy and the formation of the Iowa Power Fund, Iowa is leading the way to reduce the need for foreign sources of energy, on protecting the environment, and on reversing global climate change.

However, Lt. Governor Judge and Gov. Culver have been in favor of the two proposed coal-fired power plants in Waterloo and Marshalltown. The proposed 630 mw coal-fired power plant in Marshalltown alone would emit 6 million tons of carbon dioxide, thousands of tons of particulate matter, and more than 100 lbs of mercury a year into the air.

The two proposed plant will take capital investment away from renewable energy, which would create hundreds more jobs, lower energy costs, and create revenue for Iowans.

Can Culver and Judge have it both ways when it comes to global climate change?