Concerned Citizens of Platte County, Inc. (CCPC)

October 2008 Newsletter

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In this issue

Another Reason to Pass Clean Energy Initiative
HRES Sustainable Homes Tour
Creating a Sustainable KC
MVC's Environmental Summit
T. Boone and His Plan

Dear friends:

We're having a board meeting tomorrow night and it reminded me to ask you all something - want to join us? We have a few board openings just waiting for you! We meet monthly(usually), host the Sustainable Energy Fair in the Spring and our Trivia Challenge in the Summer. We keep up with issues that might impact the health of our families, our quality of life and our property values. Plus, we are just a fun group! Let me know if you are interested.

Take care - Susan Brown Chairman, Concerned Citizens of Platte County, Inc.

Another Reason to Pass the Clean Energy Initiative

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I thought of another reason voters have to pass the Missouri Clean Energy Initiative on the Nov. ballot. More manufacturing jobs. Wind companies from the US and around the world are rapidly opening new wind blade, tower and turbine plants in the US. According to the National Renewable Energy Lab, 15 new US facilities opened or were announced in 2007. None of these were in Missouri. A blade manufacturer just created 500 new jobs in Newton, IA - the same town that saw their Maytag plant close 2 years ago.

Missouri needs to get our share of these jobs and passing the Clean Energy Initiative will help. We have a well trained workforce and location close to excellent wind corridors. What we don't have is the public commitment to renewable energy like other states. When siting new plants, these companies look for states that have enacted Renewable Energy Standards like the one we will vote on in November. Gradually increasing the amount of renewable energy that our utilities must use, ensures markets for clean energy products like wind and solar and the opportunities for our workers to build them.

http://www.missouricleanenergy.org/about.asp

Heartland Renewable Energy Society's Sustainable Homes Tour & Energy Fair

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Discovery Center, 4750 Troost, KCMO
Saturday, Oct. 4

I would recommend purchasing your Bus Tour tickets in advance online at www.heartland-res.org. $15. Otherwise come see the exhibitors and presentations on renewable energy and energy efficiency at the Discovery Center. Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver will speak at noon.

Creating a Sustainable Kansas City Region Imagine KC Kick-off event

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Saturday, Oct. 11
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Mid-america regional council
600 broadway st., ste. 200
Kansas City, Mo.

We have the forum - you have the answers Let's talk about sustainability: making our region and its resources work for us and for future generations. How do we get from where we are today to a sustainable future?

Sign up at http://www.onekcvoice.org/evites/imaginekckickoffevite.htm

Missouri Votes Conservation's 7th Annual Environmental Summit

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Saturday, December 6th, 9am to 3pm
Mizzou Campus, Columbia, MO

Come join us to discuss key environmental and conservation issues facing Missouri and its residents. The summit is an opportunity to develop common agendas and set conservation priorities for the coming year, forge alliances among the diverse pro-conservation interests, and network with knowledgeable conservationists from across the state.

Possible topics for this year include:
-Green Building
-CAFOs (Factory Farms)
-Renewable Energy
-Clean Streams (including sand and gravel mining)
-Transportation
-Utility Regulation
-Climate Change/GHG reductions
-Solid Waste Reduction

In addition to large group discussions, the summit will feature small break-out groups around each issue topic, which will be a chance to share ideas and formulate policy goals. We are still deciding which issues to form groups around, and we want to hear from you! Email mwisotsky@movotesconservation.org and tell us which of these topics interest you. If it's not on the list, feel free to suggest your own.

http://www.movotesconservation.org/

T. Boone Pickins and His Plan
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I'm not sure if this guy has the best plan for our energy future, but I liked one of his quotes "A fool with a plan is better than a wise man without one". We just need to collectively decide on a direction - status quo isn't working. If you haven't looked at it yet - here's the website: http://www.pickensplan.com/index.php

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