Residents of
Eastern Iowa, Make Your Voices Heard!

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 9^th 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.