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Concerned Citizens of Platte County, Inc. (CCPC)

January 2009 Newsletter

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In this issue



Upcoming Events
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CCPC Meeting - This Sunday - Jan 4 - 5pm - Weston, MO - e-mail me for location - sbrown816@gmail.com

Breaking the Silence Conference - Jan 16-17 - Reardon Civic Center, 500 Minnesota Ave, Kansas City, KS - Focusing on seeking multicultural solidarity in addressing the global environmental crisis and creating local sustainability. Speakers include David Korten, author of The Great Turning.

CCPC Green Living Show - April 4 - 10am-3pm - Zona Rosa - Kansas City, MO




New 5 KW Solar Array in Downtown KC
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CFM Distributors, an energy efficient heating and air conditioning equipment company, recently installed a very large 5 kilowatt solar array (click on the title above to see picture). The installation was a joint project with KCP&L and The Energy Savings Store. KCP&L is interested in offsetting carbon emissions from their new coal-burning power plant. CFM's President, Tom Roberts, has a deep commitment to the environment and to saving money. His building in the West Bottoms has many other energy efficient features including lighting, HVAC, and a "green" parking lot.


Factory Farm News
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Factory farms get around pollution regulations It's happening in Barton County, south of Kansas City. To avoid pesky health regulations, factory farms are now just putting a bunch of "too small to regulate" factories close together in an area. Legal, but stinky!

EPA exempts factory farms from reporting health threatening spills Livestock and poultry factories no longer must report "releases of hazardous substances above health-based thresholds to the federal government". Another reason we strongly work to maintain "local control".

MO Judge backs down from Farm Bureau and they still aren't happy The Missouri Judge that ruled no factory animal farm can be within a 15 mile radius of any state park, recently amended her ruling - reducing the limit to 2 miles and making it applicable to only the proposed farm for Arrow Rock. Missouri Farm Bureau is appealing this decision because apparently any type of regulation limiting their ability to make gobs of money is unacceptable.


EPA Administrator says EPA will not regulate CO2
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Steven Johnson penned an incredible memo, forbidding the agency from including carbon regulations in new coal-burning power plants' air permits, a month after EPA's Appeals Board ruled the agency could include such regulation. Mr. Johnson is set to be replaced when the new administration takes office - Don't let the door hit you, buddy!


Solar Stuff
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Young people want some "green" in their vacation Study finds that "nearly 75 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds are more likely to visit an attraction with environmentally friendly practices...According to the survey, in ranked order: recycling bins, energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, food and beverages in biodegradable containers, and reusable shopping bags" are what they want.

Lawsuit filed - Regulators didn't read "The Easy Connect Act" The MO Public Service Commission included an insurance requirement in their rulemaking concerning Missouri's new Net-metering law, "The Easy Connect Act". Net-metering allows electric customers to sell renewable power (wind and solar) back to their utility easily and at a fair price. There was no insurance requirement included in the law and this may discourage homeowners from installing renewable energy systems. Great River's Environmental Law Center is representing the citizen's group, Renew MO, in the suit.




Shorts
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Read about the legislative priorities resulting from the Environmental Summit.

One KC Voice - Ongoing KC Regional Sustainability workshops Grant opportunities for Community Conversations for math, engineering, tech, and science education

MO Sen. Claire McCaskill doesn't get it. She asked the Obama Admin. to put the brakes on carbon legislation saying it will "kill jobs". Somebody please tell her it will create even more clean energy jobs!

Reality Coalition - running ads pointing out there really is no "Clean Coal".

KC City Council and Mayor Funkhouser joined "a national coalition of elected local government officials to push for federal investment in local climate action to create new green jobs, revitalize the economy and promote energy independence."




Contact Information
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phone: 816-877-6760





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