HOME

Previous Newsletters



Concerned Citizens of Platte County, Inc. (CCPC)

Feb., 2008 Newsletter

Contents






Holcomb plant rejection - voters agree with decision



Kansas voters by a 2-1 ratio agree with the decision by the state to block construction of two coal plants in western Kansas, according to a Jan. poll-http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/430553.html. The Kansas legislature is trying to overturn that decision with a bipartisan agreement that would allow the plants and limit carbon emissions in the state-http://cjonline.com/stories/013008/bre_energy.shtml. Gov. Sebelius is opposed to this plan saying it would actually encourage even more coal plants- http://www.kansascity.com/344/story/469899.html


Missouri Legislation



Lots of good legislation proposed to protect our property values from Confined Animal Feeding Operations, promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Check out our website for a list of the bills we are watching- http://www.ccpcmo.org/tell/legislative1.html.


MO Petition will require utilities use Renewable Energy



An initiative petition has been filed with the Sec. Of State that will require utilities to gradually source up to 20% of their power from renewables by 2020. About 125,000 signatures will be needed by May 4th to get it on the November ballot. Twenty- four states have renewable energy requirements - Missouri passed legislation last year that only recommends it. Contact PJ Wilson for more info - Serendipity1234@yahoo.com http://publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1216342§ionID=1


Platte County participates in Household Hazardous Waste program



Residents of unincorporated Platte County can now safely dispose of their household hazardous waste thanks to the county-s recent decision to join the Regional Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program coordinated by the Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District. More info at www.recyclespot.org. Watch your local papers for mobile event sites and dates.


NEW! Great Plains Alliance for Clean Energy (GPACE)



GPACE is a Kansas organization committed to supporting a clean, secure, profitable energy economy benefiting Kansas businesses, farms, communities, and citizens. It advocates the notion that a vibrant economy and healthy environment are not mutually exclusive, but rather, mutually reinforcing. www.gpace.org.


NEW! Climate and Energy Project (CEP)



Founded by Wes Jackson's Land Institute, CEP seeks to build unexpected coalitions and make climate and energy issues that affect every citizen post-partisan. Because solid factual information can be hard to find in one place, CEP launched a new website - www.climateandenergy.org.


Gov. Sebelius Forms Wind Working Group



Noting that Kansas has the potential to be one of the country's leading producers of wind energy, Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) and Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson (D) announced the formation of the Kansas Wind Working Group to attract more wind power projects to the state. http://www.governor.ks.gov/news/NewsRelease/2008/nr-08-0107a.htm


MARC's Acadamy for Sustainable Communities



Want to know more about the nuts and bolts of sustainability? Classes begin in January 2008 and the academy will offer seminars, roundtable discussions and other special events focused on land use, climate control, green infrastructure and other sustainability issues. http://www.marc.org/Sustain/


MO Conservation Lobby Day - Feb 26



Plan to attend this exciting day at the capital, Feb. 26 - 9:30am-3:30pm - topics will include Green Build, Renewables, CAFOs and Sand and Gravel Mining. This is a fun day to meet your representatives, tour the capital and influence your legislators. Learn how to lobby for your other causes, too! We have a group leaving from Camden Point at 6:15 am and then stopping to pick up more at 6:45am at the Dickinson Theatre, 4900 NE 80th St., KCMO, 64119 (I-435 and 152 Hwy). Let me know if you would like a ride. http://www.movotesconservation.org/DocumentLibrary/lobby%20day%2008-large-2.pdf


KC Metro - America's Green Region?



There's a group of organizations in KC working on a strategy to become "America's Green Region". These aren't the usual suspects. Of course you have Bridging the Gap, Mid-America Regional Council, Johnson County and KCMO involved. But the KC Area Development Council, Greater KC Chamber and the Civic Council are also signed on. Hopefully, people around the nation will think of KC when they think of "green" places to live. They'll think of a healthy region to raise their families and locate their businesses. Hopefully, it will be true. I'll keep you updated on the progress!


Surprising Survey Results for Platte County



As part of the Platte Profile long range planning process, Platte County commissioned a random survey of 409 residents in late 2007. The survey was done by ETC Institute and has a 95% level of confidence (+/- 5%). There were some interesting results. Platte County residents rank sustainability of the environment and maintaining control over animal feeding operations high. They do not think the county should make more development a priority.

The Platte Profile Citizen Planning Team is taking these survey results and public comments from the open house, website, focus groups, and comment cards (over 4,000 public comments) under consideration in making recommendations for the long-term vision for the county. There will be one more open house for the public to view the plan prior to adoption by the County Commission in the first half of 2008. Visit www.platteprofile.com for more info. The survey is not posted yet, but should be shortly.


Headlines



Wal-Mart Chief Pledges to go greener. http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/01/24/wal-mart-chief-pledges-to-go-greener/

Westar Signs with Wind energy developers. http://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2008/01/07/daily32.html


Events



MO Global Warming Action Training - Discovery Center - Feb 9 - 9am-3pm http://www.audubon.org/campaign/workshop.php

KC Remodeling Show - Feb 8-10 - American Royal Center. Don't miss the new "Green Zone", an exhibition of eco-conscious living. http://www.patrihaproductions.com/RemodelingShow/.

Platte County Sustainable Living Show - Mar. 15 - 10am-3pm. Platte County Middle School, Platte City. Come visit with vendors that can help you make your home more energy efficient, introduce you to renewable energy options, and save you money. Lots of activities for the kids. www.ccpcmo.org.

Earth Fair - Apr. 12 - 10-3pm - Shawnee Mission East High School - Mary Helen Korlebik - mhkor@kc.rr.com

BTG?s Earthwalk/Earthfest - Apr. 19 - Shawnee Mission Park - 9am Earthwalk - 10-2pm Earthfest- http://www.bridgingthegap.org/egap.php?id=183


back to our home page