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Concerned Citizens of Platte County, Inc. (CCPC)

Sept., 2007 Newsletter

Contents






Events



Sierra Club Meeting - Sept. 4, 7pm Discovery Center, 4750 Troost, KCMO, Global Warming, Climate Protection and how to be a catalyst for change in our local communities.

Energy Efficiency Forum, Sept. 14, 8am-2pm, Bartle Hall, Sponsored by KCP&L, AARP, Sierra Club, Mid America Regional Council, Greater KC Chamber of Commerce, Aquila, MEDA, & Kansas Energy Council. National and local speakers will discuss energy efficiency legislation in Missouri and Kansas. Your input needed in work group sessions. Free exhibit booth space is available for your organization. Breakfast and Lunch provided. More info on attached PDF.

Concerned Citizens of Platte County Meeting-Sept.16 - 7pm - Meet and greet candidates for 1st District Platte County Commission, Tom Pryor, Kathy Dusenbery and Bill Quitmeyer. Power Plant Restaurant, 2 Main St., Parkville, MO, 64152. More info - sbrown816@gmail.com.

Ozark Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Expo - Sept. 22-23 - Les Bourgois Winery, Rocheport, MO (Near Columbia) - www.ozarkre.org.

Clean Air Challenge 5K Run/Walk - Sept. 29 - 8am. Benefits the American Lung Association. Hear speakers on how we can reduce air pollution. Entertainment includes Radio Disney, music and food. Cost: $25 for run. Free for walk. Loose Park, Kansas City, 816-841-5242 x. 1109.

6th Annual Environmental Summit - Sponsored by Missouri Votes Conservation - Nov. 3 - 10am-3:30pm Columbia location TBD, for more information, go to www.movotesconservation.org or contact Mark Fogal at mfogal2002@yahoo.com.


State Energy Efficiency Legislation- 2008



We hope Missouri and Kansas will pass Energy Efficiency Legislation in the 2008 session. Our utilities have financial incentives to produce more and more power - not to conserve energy. This legislation will give them the same incentive to implement energy efficiency programs for their customers, as they have to build new power plants. We are working with a broad coalition of groups - Please attend our Energy Efficiency Forum on Sept. 14 (see above).


Federal Legislation - The Energy Bill



The Energy Bill passed in the House with a 15% Renewable Energy Standard, extension of the Wind Production Tax Credit and incentives for small wind turbines. It did not contain an increase in auto fuel efficiency standards, but legislators hope to include this when the House and Senate versions are merged. To e-mail your reps visit http://www.uspirg.org/.


New FOX 4 TV Green Web Page



http://media.myfoxkc.com/special/head/header_FOXe.html


Holcomb, KS (Sunflower) Power Plants in the news



The Pitch Newspaper ran the following story on August 9 - Her Dirty Secret: Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius preaches green, but her heart is as black as coal. The Governor has lately been addressing climate change and energy conservation, but declines to stop the huge Sunflower coal plant proposal. The plants are currently waiting for approval from regulators and face numerous citizen lawsuits. You can view the whole story by Carolyn Szczepanski at http://www.pitch.com/2007-08-09/news/her-dirty-secret/print.


Platte County Update



County among top 20 Sustainable Communities in Nation - Brian Nowotny, county Director of Parks and Rec, announced that the county is a finalist for the National Association of Counties- Sustainable Communities Award. The county was recognized among 20 others for its work with existing parks and rec facilities, and planning efforts for future projects. Notification of the winner will be in September.

Platte Profile - Platte County has started the process to update the long-range plan for the county. The team will meet over the next 6 months with adoption by the commission slated for early 2008. We decided on the 8 goal areas - New this year is an Environment goal area! Focus groups of interested citizens will meet twice - once in August and once in Sept. Two public meetings are slated for October and March. Visit www.platteprofile.com for more info.

Green Build Ready for Implementation! - The Platte County Green Build committee has completed work and staff is working on final implementation. I will update you on the details when available. The Commission will appoint a 'Platte County Green Build Committee' that will help promote, organize, and implement the program on an ongoing basis. Please let me know if you are interested in serving on this committee - sbrown816@gmail.com.


KCMO Climate Protection Plan Update



The first phase of the Climate Protection Plan for Kansas City with a goal of reducing carbon emissions from government operations 30% by 2020 continues to be implemented. The second phase of the planning process begins in September with work groups meeting monthly until April. Phase 2 will focus on goals for reducing carbon in the entire community. You may view the completed Phase one report at www.kcmo.org/manager.nsf/web/cpp.


Headlines



Business goes on an energy diet, Wall Street Journal, 8/27/07. Businesses are taking advantage of dramatic energy savings for relatively small investments. Full article available to WSJ subscribers. Summary available at http://news.mongabay.com:80/2007/0827-wsj.html.

Westar Plugging into Efficiency Programs, Lawrence Journal World, 8/19/07. The Topeka based utility has unveiled a new program called the Efficiency Center to help customers track and reduce energy usage. It's posted on their website at www.westarenergy.com.

Renewable Energy Use Up, Fossil Fuels Decline, Dayton Daily News, 8/22/07. Renewable energy use increased by 7% from 2005 to 2006 according to the Energy Information Center. However, total US energy usage declined 1% due to reduction in fossil fuel use.





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