Are Antiques Green?

My wife and I live in an older home and we frequent antique stores in hopes of finding the perfect peice of furniture that matches our home's style. I've always considered antiques to be green as it is a perfect reuse of old 'junk' and the quality is a lot better than what you'd find at a big box store.

This article at Tree Hugger takes a closer look at how green antiques are.

My latest predicament is this - my wife and I love to buy antique furniture - especially as we prepare ourselves for our first child. It's green, right? I mean what could be more sustainable than buying furniture built to last, and reused over-and-over again? The trouble is, I'm not so sure...

You see, the more I get to know about the antique trade, the more I find out how far dealers will travel to find salable pieces. And as we all know - travel has a high carbon footprint - especially if that travel is done in a private car or van, as opposed to a shipping container or a truck that is packed for maximum capacity. So is a truck-load of flat-pack Ikea furniture really any more polluting than 12 vans full of ancient artifacts? How do we weigh efficiency of transportation against durability and longevity, or emissions in manufacture? [...]

Having talked this over with my fellow TreeHuggers, I suspect that antiques are still a net positive - but it might make sense to look for antiques that are native to your region, and look to hold on to them for a long time (estate sales are obviously a good place to start!). As my colleague Mike pointed out, it's hard to imagine that furniture that lasts for 100 years, and may be sold maybe three or four times, has a higher carbon footprint than flatpack mass manufactured stuff that may be trashed in ten years.

Iowa's Poor Air Quality

The Des Moines Register published this story about the poor air quality in the state, saying that pollutant level are nearing federal limits, which would require the state to mandate costly improvements from bussinesses.

The air across Iowa is so polluted that the state is perilously close to violating new federal limits aimed at protecting human health. Yet Iowans have no way of knowing what chemicals they are breathing because of a limited - and often inaccurate - system of monitoring pollution statewide, a Des Moines Register investigation found.

Catharine Fitzsimmons, Iowa's top air-quality official, defended Iowa's existing air-monitoring system. Yet she said the state is under orders from the federal government to better monitor fine-particle and ozone pollution, among Iowa's most pressing air-quality problems.

"Both of those pollutants affect respiratory systems, particularly in the young, the elderly and those with compromised lung function," Fitzsimmons said. "They trigger heart attacks and other health problems."

Iowans should know better in a couple of years what is coming out of the stacks of Iowa's greatest polluters. The state's Department of Natural Resources will begin requiring major industries to do more thorough testing for fine particles after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency releases a long-awaited protocol.

But a top environmental advocate said what Iowans are breathing today is worse than people think.

"It's surprisingly bad," said Donna Wong-Gibbons, a physiologist with Plains Justice, an environmental advocacy group. "It's sort of a paradox in the sense that Iowa is thought of as this great state with farm country and open land, and at the same time there are serious problems with air pollution."

Loebsack’s 21st Century Green High Performing Public Schools legislation Passes

I heard Rep. Dave Loebsack speak in March and talked about trying to get a bill passed that would provide money for school modernization and green schools. He argued the bill would create jobs, create better learning environments for students, and save money in the long run. 

Last week, the bill finally passed.

Congressman Loebsack’s 21st Century Green High Performing Public Schools Act Will Provide $6.4 Billion in Funds to Repair and Modernize Schools

Green High Performing Public Schools Act Will Create and Save Jobs While Creating Long Term Cost Savings for our Schools

WASHINGTON DC – Today, the House Education and Labor Committee approved Congressman Dave Loebsack’s legislation to provide districts across the country with $6.4 billion for next year for school modernization and repair, increasing academic performance, cutting costs for our schools, and creating good paying jobs. Congressman Loebsack’s 21st Century Green High Performing Public Schools legislation provides $6.4 billion to improve and repair our schools, making them more energy efficient and cost effective. This legislation will help make America’s public school facilities more safe, healthy, energy-efficient and technologically advanced, while creating thousands of new jobs in construction and green industries. Modernizing school facilities have also proven to increase academic performance and will give our children hands-on learning in new and emerging energy industries.

“By modernizing our schools to make them more energy efficient we increase academic performance, student health, teacher retention, and cost savings for our schools. This legislation also comes at a critical time for our construction industries, which are losing jobs at an alarming rate,” said Congressman Loebsack. “Greening our schools creates and saves good paying jobs while improving student performance. I have been an advocate for Green Schools since I have been a Member of Congress, and I am pleased that my green provisions were included in this bill, giving us the tools we need to provide our children with a world class education in a safe, environmentally friendly learning environment.”

Because all students deserve to learn in safe, healthy, and up-to-date school facilities, Congressman Loebsack has been a champion of Green Schools since he was elected to Congress. Congressman Loebsack worked last Congress to pass this legislation with a bipartisan approval of 250-164. In re-introducing this legislation, the Congressman hopes the bill will once again be approved by the House and that it will also be approved by the Senate so that it can be signed into law.

“The quality of our classrooms has an immense impact on the quality of education our children receive,” noted Congressman Loebsack. “According to the Government Accountability Office, 79% of Iowa schools need to repair or upgrade their buildings and facilities. Our students deserve more from us. I will continue to work on behalf of Iowa’s children and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this legislation signed into law so that we can provide improved learning environments for our students, create new jobs, spur local investment, and create long term cost savings for schools.”

Fairfield Mayor Named one of the Greenest Mayors in the US

Ed Malloy, the mayor Fairfield, was named the 4th Greenest mayor in the US by Grist Magazine.

4. Ed Malloy, Fairfield, Iowa.
Pop.: 9,650

In November, the city fathers in this liberal southeastern Iowa outpost unanimously adopted a Green Strategic Plan. Their vote was more than ceremonial: they also secured a state-funded grant to hire a sustainability coordinator, inventory their greenhouse gases, and create educational materials for residents. The new plan envisions everything from conserving energy to supporting local farms. Malloy, who’s been mayor since 2001 and heads up a local oil company, says the environment-economy connection is clear. He hopes Fairfield’s ideas will catch on: “We want to create a model community, a virtual template that other small towns can adopt to create the same results.”

Cedar Rapids Gazette Applauds Actions by Legislature on Flood Recovery

Image by mherzber via Flickr

The Cedar Rapids Gazette applauded the action by the state legislature on flood recovery efforts.

At the bottom line, more than $400 million was pledged in various ways toward flood recovery, mitigation and future preparation. Clearly, even that large sum pales in comparison to the needs that still exist. But during a year when the state faced serious budget difficulties, we agree with Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids, who calls it a "significant victory."

Legislative action includes $56 million swiftly approved in the session's opening days for recovery needs. In the session's final hours, a series of massive bonding initiatives were approved that include $45 million expressly for Cedar Rapids infrastructure projects, including dollars focused on repairs to several government and cultural facilities. Local projects also may receive finds from other portions of the bonding program in the coming months.

Another $100 million in bonds were approved for flood-related projects at the University of Iowa.

Additional housing funds were approved, and tens of millions of dollars in tax credits were authorized to encourage investments in new housing and in the preservation of historic structures damaged by flooding.

The Legislature also poured resources into efforts to prevent future flooding, including millions of dollars to repair flood-damaged soil conservation practices and to expand multiple programs within the Iowa Department of Natural Resources aimed at better managing floodplains and runoff in watersheds across the state.

Marshalltown Considers Banning Non-Biodegradable Plastic Bags

The city of Marshalltown is following Marshall County's lead and is considering banning non-biodegradable plastic bags. Marshall County took action to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags last summer.

The Marshalltown Times Republican covered a joint meeting with the city council and the county supervisors and has quotes from Marshalltown Mayor Gene Beach...

"It is still my desire to discuss a plastic bag ordinance here, which would somewhat resemble the ordinance in the county," Beach said.

The mayor went on to state, "I think it [the county ordinance] is a solid ordinance, frankly."

Beach said that sometimes irresponsible behavior creates the need for ordinances, and he is still noticing plenty of plastic bags blowing around, even out in the county. Further adding to the need, according to Beach, is there is no incentive to recycle plastic bags.

"It costs less to make a new plastic bag than it does to recycle an old one," he said.

Supervisor Pat Brooks said the county's ordinance has garnered a lot of attention. Most recently, the city of Indianola asked to review a copy of what the county passed last year.

Brooks also said the two businesses affected in the county have not been significantly hurt by the issue.

"We have not prohibited plastic bags," he reminded those in attendance. "We have prohibited those plastic bags which do not degrade."

Related articles by Zemanta

• Plastic industry aims for "greener" bags (seattlepi.com)
• Calgary moves closer to plastic bag ban (calgaryherald.com)

Operating Coal Plants are Getting More Expensive

In November the EPA said coal-fired power must limit CO2 emissions. Earlier this month, the EPA began the process of putting this policy into place.

From the Washington Post...

The Environmental Protection Agency today plans to propose regulating greenhouse gas emissions on the grounds that these pollutants pose a danger to the public's health and welfare, according to several sources who asked not to be identified.

The move, coming almost exactly two years after the Supreme Court ordered the agency to examine whether emissions linked to climate change should be curbed under the Clean Air Act, would mark a major shift in the federal government's approach to global warming.

This action by the EPA, that occurred during the Bush administration, is probably one of the main reasons Alliant decided to drop plans to build a coal-fired power plant in Marshalltown. Alliant knew the costs of running coal plants would be increasing, but didn't know how much.

From Michigan Liberal...

The costs to building new coal plants, already up compared to a couple of years ago thanks to the rising costs of construction materials, will go up also, either because the utilities will need to invest in clean coal technology (which doesn't exist right now in the market) or to buy carbon credits to make up for the excess pollution. Neither is cheap, and the costs for both will be passed along to rate payers.

When the Iowa Utilities Board agreed to a 10% return on investment after Alliant asked for a 12.5% return, Alliant knew they would be unable to pass the cost of this increase onto customers.

Iowa, like Michigan, depends on electricity from coal plants. Now is the time to chart are path for our future energy needs. State leaders need to continue to strongly push renewable energy and need to announce that coal is going to be a declining part of our energy future.

This state can either acknowledge that federal action on this is imminent, or it can continue to pretend that an energy plan crafted last year remains relevant in terms of today's political and economic environment. The costs of coal are going to go up, and the federal carbon program is aggressive enough, it's not unimaginable that the costs for coal could pass on their way up the declining cost for renewable energy, made cheaper thanks to improvements in producing technology and the electrical grid.

Related articles by Zemanta

• EPA Presses Obama On Climate Regulation (cbsnews.com)
• EPA Makes Landmark Finding: Global Warming Threatens Public Health and Welfare (worldchanging.com)

Iowa House Passes Bill Extending Ban on Manure Application

From Blog for Iowa...

Due to widespread pressure from members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) and other environmental groups from all across the state, the Iowa House passed SF 432 with strong amendments today. This bill will ban the application of factory farm liquid manure on snow-covered ground during the winter months [extending the ban to start December 21, vs. February 1 in the original version] and bans application on frozen ground between Feb. 1 and April 1.

After receiving thousands of messages from Iowans concerned about water quality, and input from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, House members were forced to review the original proposed bill to expand the scope of regulation and close major loopholes.

Lori Nelson, a member of Iowa CCI from Bayard, stated, "We have been calling for tough regulation of manure application on frozen and snow-covered ground for a long time now. The legislature picked up this issue because of our original pressure on the Environmental Protection Commission and Department of Natural Resources to construct a strong rule, and we weren't about to let a bill to pass that would continue to allow factory farms to pollute our waterways with this practice."

While amendments to SF 432 made the bill significantly stronger, Iowa CCI Executive Director Hugh Espey said, "We still have a long way to go. This regulation of factory farm manure application is a step in right direction to protect our water quality, but Iowa must continue to stand up against corporate pressure and put people's health and our environment before polluters."

Easy Earth Day Activites

Image via WikipediaHere are some easy Earth Day activities...

For $10

• Make a $10 donation (or more!) to Replanting the Rainforests, an organization collecting donations to help restore and permanently rebuild some of the 80% of the world’s native forests that have been destroyed.
• Offset your carbon footprint. Carbonfund.org allows you to see how much your carbon footprint is for your home, car, travel, or event and allows you to offset it. Or just select the Gift option to choose your offset in $10 increments (it’s tax deductible!).
• Go see Disneynature’s first film: Earth, adapted from the Emmy Award Winning Planet Earth, which follows three animal families and their journey. During opening week Disney will plant a tree for each ticket purchased.

For Free

• Volunteer at a community garden, animal sanctuary, or other pro-green organization. Make a once a month commitment.
• Start a green habit. Buy reusable bags, get biodegradable poop bags for your pooch, start timing your showers, carpool, walk, take the bus, whatever you’ve been meaning to do, use Earth Day as a green New Years Eve.
• Plant something. Nothing feels greener than planting a tree or a garden.
• Get outside! Take a walk in the park or a hike in the woods and say thanks to Mother Nature up close.

Something easy that I did this morning was walk around and unplug any chargers and appliances. I found 2 cell phone chargers, 1 laptop, a coffee pot, and I shut down my computer.

Related articles by Zemanta

• How to reduce your impact on the planet (news.cnet.com)

Manure Spill Shows Hazards of Factory Farms

From Iowa CCI...

Des Moines, Iowa, April 4, 2009 - Yet another manure spill has reached our waterways at the hands of factory farm operator Lawrence Handlos, when last night, approximately 2,000 gallons of manure spilled into Indian Creek after a line ruptured while emptying the manure pits. Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) are outraged by this irresponsible behavior and contamination of Iowa's waters.

While the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has congratulated the factory farm crew for pumping most of the manure back out of the creek - requiring them to land-apply approximately 500,000 gallons of contaminated water - they failed to recognize that this is not the first time Lawrence Handlos has had a manure spill.

In fact, Handlos was previously ordered to pay a fine of $50,000 by the Attorney General's office after spilling over 7,000 gallons of manure into the East Branch of the West Nishnabotna, failing to submit manure management plans for his site, at one point applying over 700,000 gallons of manure at once, and failing to obtain construction permits after expanding his factory farm facilities.

"Handlos has degraded our environment repeatedly in the past and this is just one more example," said CCI organizer Sonia Skidmore. "Factory farms pose a risk to our water quality, because even small mistakes or equipment failure can result in thousands of gallons of manure pollution. This is why factory farms should be required to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) water discharge permits - especially those that have already had multiple manure spills, such as Lawrence Handlos."

This is another example of why there needs to be local control of hog confinements in Iowa. However, leaders at the Statehouse refuse to debate the bill. To top it off, a bill is moving through the legislature that would allow polluters like Handlos to apply manure on frozen ground that would then run off into Iowa's streams and rivers when the ground freezes.

Now is the time for Iowa to make a commitment to cleaning up our rivers and streams. A diary posted at Bleeding Heartland earlier this week told about Iowa having 42 out of the 150 waterways that create the Gulf of Mexico's 'Dead Zone'.

The USGS identified "the top 150 polluting watersheds in the Mississippi River Basin that cause the annual 8,000 square-mile 'Dead Zone' in the Gulf of Mexico" and found that 42 of those watersheds are in Iowa.

Cleaning up our waterways would be an boost to Iowa's economy. By increasing recreational opportunities and protecting Iowa's natural resources, more young Iowa's would be attracted to stay in the state. Iowa has invested in a great bike trail system throughout the state. Now it is time to clean up our waterways.

Regulating Plant Food?

In a hearing last week about regulating carbon, Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) remarkably questioned the need to regulate carbon, saying that carbon is just plant food and we'd do more harm than good.

SHIMKUS: It’s plant food … So if we decrease the use of carbon dioxide, are we not taking away plant food from the atmosphere? … So all our good intentions could be for naught. In fact, we could be doing just the opposite of what the people who want to save the world are saying.

Applying Manure on Frozen Ground?

It seems like common sense not to put manure on frozen ground that will run into our rivers and streams when the ground thaws, however a bill that would allow just that is moving through the statehouse.

From Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI)...

We need you to stand up for clean water NOW!

Our legislators caved in to corporate big-moneyed pressure today with the passage of SF 432 through the Senate with a vote of 43-6. This bad, last-minute regulation of manure application on frozen ground undercuts the DNR's authority and is a slap in the face to thousands of everyday Iowans who are fighting for clean water.

We need to stand together for our water quality and the health of all Iowans!

Take URGENT action NOW:

1. Join with us for a critical press conference and lobby day at the State Capitol Monday, March 30 at 10:45 am. We need you there to have a strong presence to show our legislators that Iowans are appalled by this decision and blatant disregard for our quality of life.

Following the press conference, we will lobby our legislators and deliver letters to key leaders to make sure our message is heard loud and clear. We should wrap up the day by 3 pm. Please reply to this email and let us know if you can be there.

2. Contact key leaders at the Statehouse. We need you to tell Governor Culver, House leadership Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Speaker Pat Murphy and your House representative to tell them to stop kowtowing to corporate ag special interests and stand up for our water quality and the common good. Call on them to protect everyday Iowans and to stand in opposition to SF 432. Follow this link to send them an email, or you can give them a call.

Gov. Culver: 515-281-5211
Rep. McCarthy: 515-281-3054
Rep. Murphy: 515-281-5566
House switchboard: 515-281-3221

A Funnel Thing Happened...

The legislative process in Iowa continues to be a daunting proposition to understand as bills are killed before they can be voted on by the full body. Below is a summary of those items that are DOA (and that doesn't mean "Department of Aging") and those that are Stayin' Alive.

According to the Des Moines Register:

ALIVE

These bills survived today's funnel deadline and will see more debate.

Jobs and economy:

WORKERS' CHOICE OF DOCTOR: Iowans injured on the job could choose their own doctor in workers' compensation cases. Senate File 155.

PREVAILING WAGE: Workers on certain government construction projects would see government-set standards for wages and benefits. House File 333.

BARGAINING: Unions representing public employees could negotiate more items. This bill could restore much of what Culver vetoed last year; Culver said he believes a compromise may be reached. House Study Bill 269.
Advertisement

MENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE: Smaller businesses that provide health insurance for their workers would have to provide coverage for mental health conditions, including alcohol and drug abuse treatment. Senate File 16.

MASS LAYOFFS: Iowa companies that lay off 25 or more would have to give workers 30 days' notice. House File 681.

WEB BUSINESS: There would be a lower investment threshold for Microsoft and other Web portal businesses that expand or locate in Iowa to get tax breaks. Senate File 302.

PUPPY MILLS: The state could inspect federally licensed dog breeders in Iowa to better deal with abuse and neglect. House File 486.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES: A technical bill on the Public Employment Relations Board. This is the bill that was amended last year to contain open-scope bargaining legislation. House Study Bill 269.

UNEMPLOYMENT: Benefits to the unemployed would be expanded for six months if they enter a training program. House File 623.

IOWA VALUES: Various business financial assistance programs would be changed. House File 656.

MORTGAGES: To help keep people in their homes, this bill would deal with those facing bank foreclosure. House Study Bill 170.

Environment, recreation, transportation:

CAR EMISSIONS: Most Iowa passenger vehicles would have emissions standards beginning with the 2011 model year to limit greenhouse gases. House File 422.

UNINSURED MOTORISTS: Coverage in case of accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists would be increased. Senate File 321.

BIODIESEL: Owners of diesel vehicles filling up in Iowa would be required to use biodiesel. Senate File 294.

NO BURNING: All cities would have to enact burn bans. House File 627.

HUNTING FEES: Out-of-state visitors would be charged more to hunt and fish in Iowa. Senate File 375.

BICYCLE RIGHTS: Bicyclists would have new protections, such as full use of a lane. Senate File 117.

DRUNKEN BOATING: Operators of motorboats, sailboats and personal watercraft would be considered intoxicated when their blood-alcohol level is .08, not .10. Senate File 3.

CONSUMER FRAUD: Iowa's 3,000-plus annual fraud victims could take individual court action. Senate Study Bill 178.

WAGE DISCRIMINATION: Penalties would be stiffer for businesses that violate the state's wage discrimination law. Senate File 137.

COLD MEDICINE TRACKING: Anyone who buys cold medicine that contains pseudoephedrine would have to sign an electronic logbook at the pharmacy so that Iowa law enforcement officials could track multiple purchases. Senate File 104.

GUNS: Sheriffs would have to say in writing why they denied a gun permit. House File 193.

AGRIPROCESSORS: Business owners would face steeper penalties for child labor law violations. House File 618.

INDECENT: People caught publicly masturbating could be charged even if the victim doesn't see genitals. House File 657.

PRIVATE INFORMATION: Private information would be redacted from recorders' records. House File 506.

PORNOGRAPHY: Adults who intentionally expose children to obscene images that could cause them harm would be guilty of child abuse. Senate File 271.

Government issues:

HUMAN RIGHTS: The state Department of Human Rights would undergo a major reorganization, including splitting it into two divisions: ethnic minorities and women, and disabilities. Senate Study Bill 1304.

CIVIL RIGHTS SUBPOENAS: The civil rights commission would have extra subpoena power to investigate unfair or discriminatory practices. Senate File 96.

FLOOD INSURANCE: Cities and counties with areas located in federally designated flood areas would be required to participate in national flood insurance. House Study Bill 181.

OPEN RECORDS: Loopholes in Iowa's open records law would be closed. Senate File 282. House Study Bill 234.

SEARCHABLE BUDGET: Would create a searchable database on the state budget. House File 74.

TAX: Cities that collect more sales tax than expected would have to tell voters how they spend it. House File 111.

Education, children and families:

COLLEGE COSTS: A judge would be allowed to order parents to pay for college costs even if the parents were never married. Senate File 113.

SCHOOL MERGERS: A task force would study merging school districts. House File 265.

ATHLETES AND OPEN ENROLLMENT: High school students who open enroll would be ineligible to participate in varsity sports for six months. House File 495.

SCHOOL DROPOUT AGE: Teens could no longer drop out of high school at 16. House File 259.

Health:

PROSTHETICS: Insurance companies could not deny medically necessary prosthetic devices. House File 311.

HEALTH INSURANCE: Employees of nonprofits and small businesses could purchase the same health care coverage as state workers. Coverage for children and other issues are part of this bill. Senate File 48.

Elder Iowans:

NEW NAME FOR ELDER AFFAIRS: The Iowa Department of Elder Affairs would be renamed the Iowa Department on Aging. Senate File 204.

NURSING HOME TAX: A nursing facility provider tax will be created so that the state can put it in a fund that can be used to draw down federal money. Senate Study Bill 1179.

ABUSE AND INJURIES: Dependent adults would have more protections from abuse that doesn't result in physical injury. Senate Study Bill 1206.

Veterans

PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS: Veterans would get preferential hiring for government jobs. House File 522.

INCENTIVES: Veterans who served at least 12 months of active duty would get cash incentives up to $5,000 for working in jobs with a shortage of skilled workers. Senate File 250.

Elections:

ELECTIONS: Polls for city elections could open at noon. House File 450.

CAMPAIGN SALARIES: Candidates could not use campaign cash to pay themselves, spouses or children. Senate File 50.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: The popular vote, rather than the Electoral College, would decide presidential elections. No matter how the vote turns out in Iowa, the state's electoral votes would go to the candidate winning the national popular vote. Senate File 227.

Alcohol-related

BEER AT WINERIES: Iowa wineries that host weddings and other functions could sell beer if they buy it from a wholesaler. Senate File 188.


DEAD

These bills failed to get enough votes to pass today's deadline, but no bill is ever truly dead until the session ends. Budget and tax bills are exempt from the funnel.

Jobs and economy:

FAIR SHARE: Unions could negotiate for the right to charge fees to nonunion workers covered by collective bargaining. This technically failed to meet this year's deadline, but Democratic leaders have an interest in resurrecting it House File 555.

PAYDAY LOANS: The interest rate would be capped at 36 percent for payday loans, which are based simply on a borrower's paycheck without proof of ability to pay. Advocates are pushing for it to re-emerge in a tax bill. House File 288.

MINIMUM WAGE: Iowa's hourly minimum wage would increase the same percentage every year as the increase in federal Social Security. House File 11.

Environment, recreation, transportation:

DISTRACTED DRIVERS: Drivers in Iowa would face a new penalty if they get into an accident while texting, watching TV or playing with a pet. Senate Study Bill 1217.

HANDS-FREE CELL PHONES: Drivers couldn't talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device. House File 9.

GAS TAX: State tax on gas and diesel fuel would go up, and the money would go to road and bridge repairs. Senate Study Bill 1182.

Justice:

PAROLE FOR YOUNG CRIMINALS: Iowans serving a life sentence for a crime committed while a minor could file for a sentence review after 15 years. House File 43.

Government issues:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE: An Iowa law that declares English as the state's official language would be repealed. House File 14.

HOG LOTS: Cities could regulate the siting of certain confinement feeding operation structures in unincorporated areas within two miles of city limits. Senate Study Bill 1161.

Education, children and families:

SCHOOL YEAR: The 180-day school calendar would be replaced with 990 hours of instructional school time at 5.5 hours per day for grades 1-6 and 1,080 hours of instructional time for grades 7-12. House File 26.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: Students who fall behind their grade proficiency in reading or math wouldn't be able to graduate to the next level. House File 129.

GAY MARRIAGE: The marriage law would be gender neutral. The words husband and wife would be replaced with "spouse." Senate File 353.

LEAVING KIDS IN THE CAR: Leaving a child unattended in a car would be a simple misdemeanor with a $100 fine. House File 110.

SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS: Schools would be allowed to charge fees for field trips, but must waive them for low-income families. Senate File 274.

Health:

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Restricted marijuana use would be legal in Iowa for pain and nausea relief. Senate File 293.

AUTISM: Treatment of autism spectrum disorders must be covered by health insurance for anyone under 21. Senate File 1.

Elder Iowans:

SILVER ALERT: A "silver alert" program would be created to help locate missing people with cognitive impairments, such as elderly people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. House File 369.

REPORTING HEALTH FACILITY PROBLEMS: When health care facilities commit a violation that puts someone in harm of danger or death, the Department of Inspections and Appeals would have to report those to the Legislature and governor. House File 512.

Veterans

VETERANS' PAYMENTS: Veterans' service-connected disability compensation could not be used to calculate child support or as assets in a divorce case. House File 170.

VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS: Veterans organizations wouldn't have to pay anything for a class A liquor license, regardless of how much liquor they sell. House File 66.

Elections:

CAMPAIGNING: Special interest groups couldn't distribute campaign material advocating for a certain candidate without that candidate's consent. House File 229.

Alcohol-related:

DISTILLERY SALES: Iowa distilleries could sell their products to visitors. Senate File 210.

Immigration:

STATUS DATABASE: A database would provide information to employers or state agencies on the immigration status or citizenship of a person. House File 109.

Smoking:

CASINO SMOKING: Smokers could no longer light up on the gambling floors of state-regulated casinos. House File 6.

OUTDOOR BAR SMOKING: Smoking would be allowed in outdoor areas of bars and restaurants. House File 174.

Missing in action on this list is the Senate Agriculture Committee caving in to the big-money interests of livestock commodity groups like the Iowa Pork Producers when they passed a bill (SF 308) that would undercut the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) rulemaking process to restrict manure application on frozen ground.

Groups including Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Iowa Environmental Council, Des Moines Water Works, Iowa Farmer's Union, Sierra Club, and the Department of Natural Resources strongly opposed Senator Kibbie's bill and called on him to put our health and water quality above the interest of the factory farm industry by allowing the DNR to finish their rulemaking process.

On Senate File 308 and companion bill House File 574, CCI Executive Director Hugh Espey said, "These so-called attempts to regulate manure application on frozen ground are so weak and full of loopholes that they will lead to more water pollution caused by factory farms. For all intents and purposes, this bill stops DNR from taking strong action to protect our waterways. It's an excellent example of our elected officials kow-towing to corporate interests at the expense of the common good. Today's vote by the Senate Agriculture Committee is a slap in the face to everyone fighting for clean water."

Of course, bills can be resurrected and nothing is final until My 10th when the legislature closes it session.

What can Green do for you?

John Deeth shared an article yesterday from World Changing that explains 3 different kinds of environmentalists.

Bright green: "any vision of sustainability which does not offer prosperity and well-being will not succeed." This reminded me of Rep. Jay Inslee's book, Apollo’s Fire: Igniting America’s Clean Energy Economy.

"Light greens strongly advocate change at the individual level. The thinking is that if you can get people to take small, pleasant steps (by shopping differently, or making changes around the home), they will not only make changes that can begin to make a difference in aggregate, but also begin to clamor for larger transformations."

"Dark greens, in contrast, tend to emphasize the need to pull back from consumerism (sometimes even from industrialization itself) and emphasize local solutions, short supply chains and direct connection to the land."

Then there are of course the "grays" who deny there's any problem at all. Other names for this group include "browns" and "Republicans.

Alliant Drops Plans for Marshalltown Coal Plant

Alliant Energy announced this morning they are dropping plans to build a $1.8 billion coal-fired power plant in Marshalltown.

From the Marshalltown Times-Republican...

The news came several weeks after a decision by the Iowa Utilities Board, which did not approve a 12.5 percent return on investment, instead allowing the company only to realize a 10-percent return on investment, had the plant been built.

"Had we received what we had asked for, I think we would still be looking at a way to get to yes," said Tom Aller, president of IPL.

Aller mentioned several factors as reasons why the plans for the plant were canceled. In addition to the rate decision from the IUB, he said an elongated air quality permit process, along with pending litigation by outside groups, also played roles. Further, he said the national climate, with talk of carbon penalties and banning coal plants, further destabilized the situation.

According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the coal-fired power plant was to use the highest available technology.

The plant was proposed by the utility as a coal-burning power plant that would use newer, more efficient technology and generate some of its power by burning renewable switchgrass or other biomass. The Iowa Utilities Board eventually stipulated that the plant be fueled 10 percent by biomass, and that the company also build 1,100 megawatts of wind energy by 2028.

However, the plant still lacked the ability capture carbon, mercury, and other fine particle matter and this drew concerns from many around the state....

Opponents of the plant included the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate, which said it would drastically increase customer bills, and a coalition of groups advocating more green solutions to the state's energy needs. They included Waterloo-based Community Energy Solutions, Cedar Rapids-based Plains Justice, the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club and Interfaith Power & Light.

Proponents of the plant cited an increase in jobs, though many would temporary jobs during construction of the plant.

The power plant had strong support in Marshalltown, where it would have provided $350 million in construction payroll and 85 permanent jobs, with annual payroll of $8.5 million.

Those are tough to lose during these tough economic times, but the external costs of the plant on increased power rates, on public health, and on the environment have seemed to outweigh any short term gain.

Clean Coal Clean

The Reality Campaign has a new ad out directed by the Coen Brothers...

Iowa Global Warming Campaign Event on Monday

Iowa Global Warming Campaign is planning a fun event on Monday.

We're busy putting together an awesome event this coming Monday, February 23rd, as part of our monthly volunteer push and would love to invite you to attend. Starting at 6:00pm in our offices, there will be a discussion centered on ICCAC recommendations, passenger rail and mobilizing neighborhood climate leaders, then a letter writing party and a screening of the film "Fighting Goliath," about the Texas coal industry. We'll have food and movie snacks-its an easy, fun way to get involved and tell your representatives what you think!

An Iowa Activist Evening

"February- Leadership for Coal and Climate."

This event is planned to start at 6:00 pm on Feb 23, 2009 at Iowa Global Warming and ELPC Offices.

Iowa Looks at Coal Ash Regulations

Last month a flood of toxic sludge in Tennessee covered hundred of acres of land after a dam broke at a coal plant.

Iowa is now looking to regulate the disposal of coal ash.

Iowa environmental regulators say they will push for landfill-style regulations for coal ash disposal sites in the state.

Members of the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission vowed Tuesday to push for the more stringent and costly rules. They also criticized Iowa Department of Natural Resources officials, who last month said they favored the testing of groundwater to see if the toxic ash was polluting waterways before requiring liners and monitoring at new disposal sites.

The commission's decision follows recent coal ash spills in Tennessee and Alabama, and stems from efforts to rewrite the state's landfill rules.

Coal ash comes from coal-burning and contains heavy metals and pollutants linked to neurological problems and other illnesses.

There are more than a dozen coal ash disposal sites in Iowa.

Proposed Marshalltown Coal Plant Would be one of the State's Top Polluters

The proposed Marshalltown coal plant would be one of Iowa's top 3 polluters of greenhouse gas emissions, despite claims of the plant will use "clean coal" techonology.

From the Des Moines Register...

Research conducted for Iowa's Climate Change Advisory Council, a 23-member group appointed by Gov. Chet Culver, shows emissions in the state have been growing steadily since at least 1990 and will increase 34 percent by 2025. The council has been looking for ways to cut emissions by 50 percent to 90 percent by 2050.

The group, which includes representatives from utilities, universities, industries and government, is expected to make recommendations to the Legislature in December.

Nathaniel Baer, who follows energy issues for the nonprofit Iowa Environmental Council, said the inventory shows Iowa is heading in the wrong direction, trying to add two new coal plants in Marshalltown and Waterloo, instead of finding alternatives and reducing the harmful gases.

The Marshalltown plant would rank second or third in the state on greenhouse gas emissions and worsen the problem, Baer said.

"At a time when we need to be leveling our emissions and looking for ways to reduce them, we have utilities raising emissions by huge proportions," he said.

Green Jobs Now Rally and Community Conversation

Looks like an interesting event Saturday in Des Moines...

GREEN JOBS NOW
Rally and Press Conference

Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m. – Noon, State Capitol, West Steps

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
To follow from 1-3 p.m. at Mars Cafe, 2318 University Ave., Des Moines

Speakers from local organizations and businesses will be sharing their success stories and helping people plug into the Green Movement in Des Moines. Opportunities to engage in community dialogue and networking. Speakers include Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, and representatives from Dickinson, Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen, P.C.’s Green Business and Sustainability Law Group, Green Drinks, Interfaith Power and Light and more.

For more information contact Larry James Jr. at larry.james@me.com or visit http://www.myspace.com/marscafe