Periodic news items and alerts about global climate change justice, energy efficiency, energy conservation, and sustainable energy alternatives for congregations.
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Please let us know what you are doing to address climate change as a justice issue and what your congregation is doing to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, or use alternative energy sources.
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Blessings!
Tim Kautza
Coordinator
Contents:
NO CLIMATE BILL FROM ENERGY COMMITTEE THIS YEAR
SIGNIFICANT DECREASE EXPECTED IN AFRICAN WATER SUPPLY WITH CLIMATE CHANGE
NM AND AZ GOVERNORS LAUNCH REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVE
CAN MUTUAL FUNDS LESSEN GLOBAL WARMING?
GREEN POWER FROM MANURE = BROWN POWER
AMERICANS OPEN TO GAS TAX RISE TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING, FOREIGN OIL DEPENDENCE
TELL US ABOUT THE GOOD THINGS YOU’RE DOING
US PIRG CRITIQUES BINGAMAN CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION
US ARMY REPORT SUGGESTS ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE SOURCES
COURT SHOOTS DOWN ATTEMPT TO EASE CLEAN AIR REQUIREMENTS
THE EMPEROR’S NEW ENERGY AT CEDAR RAPIDS
SEVERAL ENERGY BILLS IN LEGISLATURE DEMAND ATTENTION
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NO CLIMATE BILL FROM ENERGY COMMITTEE THIS YEAR
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici said Tuesday that his committee would not be moving climate legislation this year. "I have been working on trying to get answers about climate change in terms of how you might carry out a program. The answers have not yet given me ... anything close to a way to [write a bill]. So there’s no intent that a bill come out of committee in this short time because, frankly, I don’t know how to write it and I don’t think anybody does," Domenici said. The Energy Committee plans an April 4 conference to consider responses to a February climate change White Paper produced by the committee. For the White Paper, visit http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=IssueItems.View&IssueItem_ID=33
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SIGNIFICANT DECREASE EXPECTED IN AFRICAN WATER SUPPLY WITH CLIMATE CHANGE
In a study published in Science Express on March 2, scientists predict that Africa will have 25 percent less surface water by the end of the century due to climate change. Predicted precipitation changes due to warming climate will result in an amplification of the drought conditions currently felt in East Africa. According to the Science and Development Network, the study found that three-quarters of African countries are at least partially in an "unstable" zone, where small reductions in rainfall could cause disproportionately large declines in river water. The complete article is restricted, but more details can be found at www.irc.nl/page/28482 For more about expected climate change affects on Africa visit www.scidev.net/ms/climate_africa/index.cfm?pageid=476
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NM AND AZ GOVERNORS LAUNCH REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVE
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano signed an agreement launching the Southwest Climate Change Initiative on February 28, establishing a framework for the two states to collaborate on strategies addressing the impacts of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the region. Visit www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_states/news.cfm
Late in 2005 the governors of seven northeast states announced agreement on a mandatory cap-and-trade program to control carbon dioxide emissions. www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2005/2005-12-20-05.asp
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CAN MUTUAL FUNDS LESSEN GLOBAL WARMING?
As global warming continues to pose health and economic risks, investors have successfully persuaded a handful of corporations to reduce their heat-trapping emissions. Unfortunately, major mutual fund companies such as Vanguard, Fidelity, and American Funds, have not pressed the companies in their portfolios to address global warming. For more details or to send a letter urging these mutual funds to protect the health and economic well being of current and future generations by supporting meaningful action on global warming today, visit http://ucsaction.org/campaign/3_3_06_mutual_funds/w3ed5xu2r5b6n5n
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GREEN POWER FROM MANURE = BROWN POWER
An Op-Ed by Nicolette Hahn Niman, an environmental lawyer and cattle rancher, was published March 4 in the New York Times that challenges the popular belief that energy generated from manure is "green power." She says it’s just the opposite and encourages factory farming. For the Op-Ed, visit
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/04/opinion/04niman.html?ei=5070
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AMERICANS OPEN TO GAS TAX RISE TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING, FOREIGN OIL DEPENDENCE
According to a New York Times/CBS News poll published February 28, a majority of Americans would support a federal gasoline tax increase if it resulted in less global warming or reduced dependence on foreign oil. Eighty-seven percent believed that Washington should require automakers to make more efficient cars. For the complete article, visit
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/28/national/28gas.html?ei=5088
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TELL US ABOUT THE GOOD THINGS YOU’RE DOING
Iowa Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign and Interfaith Power & Light would like to know the good things your congregation is doing (little or large) to become more energy efficient, conserve energy, move toward sustainable energy sources, etc. Also, Martha Gardner of the Environmental Stewardship Office of the Episcopal Church would love to gather stories about what congregations are doing to "go green", to reduce their greenhouse emissions, etc. She would like contact information so she can be in touch directly to document such things as: the process congregations went through, what challenges they faced, did they work with a utility and/or state agency, did they have funding assistance, etc. It will be especially important to document the variety of congregations - urban and rural, from the various regions of our country, and both the small, mission-type churches, as well as the cathedral-types. If you have stories already documented, please send those! Please send info to Tim Kautza at ncrlctk@mchsi.com and Martha at mgardner@episcopalchurch.org.
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US PIRG CRITIQUES BINGAMAN CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION
On March 9, the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) released a 24 page critique of the climate change legislation filed by Senator Bingaman (D-NM) as an amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 05, P.L. 109-58) last June. It included a call for "mandatory market-based systems" to slow greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While the Bingaman amendment was withdrawn from consideration for EPACT, the issue of a national mandatory "cap-and-trade" system will be considered at the April 4 Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee Climate Conference. For the two-page executive summary and full report visit http://uspirg.org/uspirg.asp?id2=22623
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US ARMY REPORT SUGGESTS ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE SOURCES
"The days of inexpensive, convenient, abundant energy sources are quickly drawing to a close," according to a recently released US Army strategic report. The report posits that a peak in global oil production looks likely to be imminent, with wide reaching implications for the US Army and society in general. The report warns that to sustain its mission "the Army must insulate itself from the economic and logistical energy-related problems coming in the near to mid future. This requires a transition to modern, secure, and efficient energy systems, and to building technologies that are safe and environmental friendly." The best energy options they conclude are "energy efficiency and renewable sources." However, "currently, there is no viable substitute for petroleum." Sounds similar to recommendations made by Iowa Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign in Iowa’s Sustainable Energy Charter. For the complete article with links to the report visit www.energybulletin.net/newswire.php?id=13737. For IICEC’s energy charter, visit www.ncrlc.com/IICEC-webpages/iicec-web02.html
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COURT SHOOTS DOWN ATTEMPT TO EASE CLEAN AIR REQUIREMENTS
A federal appeals court March 17 blocked the Bush administration from implementing a regulation that would have eased clean air requirements for some 17,000 industrial facilities, including coal-fired power plants and oil refineries. The court handed down a stinging rebuke of the regulation, which it said is "contrary to the plain language" of the Clean Air Act. The unanimous ruling by the three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is a major victory for a coalition of 15 states and a long list of environmental and public health organizations who filed suit to block the August 2003 rule. For the complete article visit www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2006/2006-03-20-10.asp
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THE EMPEROR’S NEW ENERGY AT CEDAR RAPIDS
Kamyar Enshayan, UNI Center for Energy and Environmental Education and
community activist, will present "The Emperor's New Energy," 2:00 p.m., March 26 at Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids. Participants will grapple with questions like… What are the questions ordinary citizens ought to ask of any proposed "new" energy source that is claimed to solve our energy problems? As oil supplies dwindle, marketers are selling all sorts of things as "renewable" energy. How do we sort through them? Dr. Enshayan, an agricultural engineer, has recently published a book about renewable energy options, "Living Within Our Means." Visit www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org or call 319.362.0664 to find Indian Creek.
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SEVERAL ENERGY BILLS IN LEGISLATURE DEMAND ATTENTION
As of March 17, following are the sustainable energy-related bills that made it that are still being considered by the Iowa General Assembly. The descriptions below include Iowa Environmental Council’s view of the bills and an indication of each bills status as of last week. We suggest you refer to Iowa’s Sustainable Energy Charter when judging the bills, particularly the principles and values section and the recommendations. Visit www.ncrlc.com/IICEC-webpages/iicec-web02.html
We are grateful to the Iowa Environmental Council for making this information available to us.
House File 2542, Senate File 2167 MERCURY SWITCHES.
The Iowa Environmental Council is supporting this bill
Requires vehicle manufacturers to submit a plan to recover and recycle mercury-added vehicle components to the DNR within 90 days of the effective date of the bill & bans the components as of July, 2008. Eligible for House debate.
House File 2559, E-85 CONTRACTS.
The Iowa Environmental Council is monitoring this bill
Requires E-85 delivery contracts to provide for delivery of set amounts at set times or alternatively allow franchisees to buy from another source if the fuel is not available. The franchisee must provide public notice when doing so. Requires franchisee to indemnify franchiser against liability claims from using E-85 gas from another source. Prevents franchiser from terminating contracts because of purchase from another source. Eligible for House debate.
House File 2682, RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDIT ELIGIBILITY.
The Iowa Environmental Council is monitoring this bill
Requires Renewable Energy Credit applicants to have financing before applying and requires a purchase power or similar agreement within ninety days. Eligible for House debate.
House File 2702, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY.
The Iowa Environmental Council is supporting this bill.
Allows one member of the Economic Development Board to have expertise in alternative and renewable energy instead of economic expertise, and adds alternative and renewable energy to lists of targeted industries. Passed House Economic Growth Committee. Eligible for House debate.
House File 2735, E-85 & BIODIESEL.
The Iowa Environmental Council is monitoring this bill
Adopts standards for renewable fuels, including biodiesel blends, with a standard of at least 2% biodiesel, and ethanol blends, with a standard of at least 10%. Requires a renewable fuel producer to be accredited in order to sell biodiesel. Establishes penalties for violations of these provisions. Creates a program to loan money to service stations for sales of E-85 or biodiesel. Makes the loans interest-free. Requires the station owner to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with the DNR. Appropriates money from the Healthy Iowans Tobacco Trust to the DNR to administer the renewable fuels program. Creates a credit for sales of E-85 of 3 to 5 cents, depending on the level of E-85 sales. Amended and passed House Ways and Means Committee. Eligible for House debate.
House Study Bill 767, RENEWABLE FUEL FUND.
The Iowa Environmental Council is monitoring this bill
Creates a renewable fuel infrastructure fund to promote renewable fuel, including E-85 and biodiesel. Provides cost-share assistance to service stations to install equipment or tanks. Appropriates $50 million annually for ten years from the Iowa Values Fund. House Agriculture Committee.
Senate File 2077, SOLAR EQUIPMENT EXEMPTION.
The Iowa Environmental Council is supporting this bill
Creates a sales tax exemption for the purchase of solar energy equipment. Senate Ways and Means subcommittee – Danielson. Miller, McCoy, Zaun.
Senate File 2256, House File 2685, SOY TRANSFORMER FLUID TAX CREDIT.
The Iowa Environmental Council is monitoring this bill
Creates a soy-based transformer fluid tax income, sales, use and replacement tax credit for the cost of changing to soy-based transformer fluid. This bill will probably be referred to Senate and House Ways and Means Committee.
Senate File 2325, RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS.
The Iowa Environmental Council is supporting this bill
Extends the eligibility of renewable energy facilities for a tax credit to facilities that start by January 1, 2012. Increases tax credits for wind energy to a maximum of 180 megawatts of nameplate generating capacity and increases non-wind alternative energy facilities to 20 megawatts of nameplate capacity. Adds refuse conversion for heating purposes and makes such systems eligible for tax credits. Individuals on last year’s list of those waiting for energy tax credits must provide documentations that the project is still viable. Prohibits one entity from receiving more than 10% of the available energy credits. Requests a study on energy transmission systems. Referred to Senate Ways and Means subcommittee – Bolcom, McKibben, Hahn, Stewart.
Senate File 2347, ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS.
The Iowa Environmental Council is monitoring this bill
Allows corporations, to enter into energy performance-based contracts for energy conservation with qualified providers. Requires savings to be specified. Another work in progress. There is opposition to the current bill. Eligible for Senate debate.
Senate File 2380, RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARDS.
The Iowa Environmental Council is monitoring this bill
Adds definitions for biodiesel, biodiesel blended fuel, ethanol, & ethanol blended gasoline. Requires biodiesel to be at least 1% biodiesel. Eligible for Senate debate.
Senate File 2381, SOLID WASTE COMBUSTION.
The Iowa Environmental Council is monitoring this bill
Places combustion with energy recovery as a higher preference above other approved techniques of solid waste management. Eligible for Senate debate.
Senate File 2383, BIODIESEL & ETHANOL
The Iowa Environmental Council is monitoring this bill
Establishes standards for biodiesel requiring biodiesel blends to be at least 2% biodiesel by volume & prohibit false advertising. Eligible for Senate debate.
Senate File 2385, ETHANOL FUEL MANDATE.
The Iowa Environmental Council is monitoring this bill
Requires gasoline sold to be at least 10% ethanol by January 2007. Defines gas with less than 10% ethanol as high emission. Creates exceptions for racecars, aircraft, diesel fueled vehicles, snowmobiles, atvs, antique cars and boats. Requires high emission gas to be premium grade. Allows only one pump of restricted use fuel. Creates an income tax credit for selling E-85 fuel of 10 cents per gallon from 2007 to 2012. Eligible for Senate debate.
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