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Recent e-Alerts 

11/5/08 A Win for Wind and Renewable Energy

Prescribed fire

While some management may be of benefit to the overall landscape, much of the Southwest Project, including Smith Creek, emphasizes even-aged management, such as clearcut and shelterwood (two-stage clearcut) logging. Even-aged logging does not mimic natural processes in this area, and serves only the interests of subsidized resource extraction from our public lands. The economy in Boone and Callaway Counties, unlike much of the Ozarks, does not rely on timber, making it even more inappropriate to promote this type of management here.

But while there are problems with the Southwest Project as a whole, our immediate concern is the impact on the proposed Smith Creek Wilderness. The Cedar Creek District is the most fragmented and sparsely forested district in the Mark Twain National Forest, and the beautiful, ecologically-rich landscape of Smith Creek is unique in this setting. The management activities proposed here constitute an intensive level of development, and would needlessly destroy the remote naturalness of this area. Much of the management for the Epple Tract of Smith Creek does not make environmental or economic sense, and the most unique resources of Smith Creek would be sacrificed.

A coalition of organizations, individuals, and businesses around the state has endorsed a proposal for long overdue Wilderness designation of seven critical areas in the Mark Twain National Forest. Since adoption of the 2005 Forest Plan, the Forest Service has already proposed logging two of these areas (Lower Rock Creek and Smith Creek). It is now clearer than ever that Wilderness designation of all seven areas is critical for the long-term protection of Missouri's diminishing and endangered Wilderness resource.

For more information, visit www.mowild.org, or contact scottm@mowild.org or quercusstellata@gmail.com.

Comments on the Southwest Project are due by May 16. Please contact the Forest Service today. While composing your own comments is best, you can send (and edit) a comment letter directly from www.heartwood.org.

To send a letter by mail or your personal email account, send comments to:

Elrand D. Denson
Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
108 South Sam Houston Blvd.
Houston, MO 65483
comments-eastern-mark-twain-rolla@fs.fed.us (subject line: Southwest Project #21888)

The Southwest Project documents can be downloaded at http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/projects/projects/30801/. The North Zone maps cover the Smith Creek area.

Thanks!

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5/6/08 Save the Date - Green Homes and Renewable Energy Festival

GREEN HOMES & RENEWABLE ENERGY FESTIVAL
Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 10 am - 6 pm

GREEN HOUSE TOUR
Sunday, September 28, 2008

Presented by EarthWays Center and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment

Two major Missouri events, the Ozark Renewable Energy Expo and the EarthWays Green Homes Festival have merged!

We are combining our efforts to offer an exciting festival that will feature exhibits, workshops, hands-on demonstrations, kids' activities, a Green House Tour - and more!

The 2008 Green Homes & Renewable Energy Festival will be located at EarthWays Center, on Grandel Square in mid-town St. Louis. Please save the date and plan to participate. Read on below for more details!

Friends and Colleagues, Along with a spring warm up and new buds on trees, we are looking forward to our annual fall festivals. EarthWays Center is excited to announce our 2008 festival partnership with Missouri Coalition for the Environment, combining the drawing potential of two established public education events.

Mark your Calendar for Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28, 2008, as the event will not be the same without your participation and support.

Note change: This year, the festival is on Saturday, filling EarthWays' house, grounds and our entire street with workshops, exhibitors, music, food, and fun. Sunday will be devoted to a Green House Tour. The popular Change-A-Light Bulb Sale with $1 compact florescent bulbs will take place both days.

We will be in touch with you shortly to further update you on specifics of this year's festival. Changes and improvements reflect our recognition that general interest in green homes, energy efficiency, and sustainability is growing. We hope these changes allow us to accommodate the expanding community of fantastic companies, vendors, contractors, and organizations.

New Name - New Site Layout

For the 2008 Green Homes & Renewable Energy Festival we are expanding attractions into our neighborhood! On Saturday, Grandel Square will become a pedestrian festival promenade, showcasing a variety of exhibitors, renewable energy experts, and children's activities.

Workshops will be offered in Cardinal Ritter High School, at the end of our street. Attendees can explore a full city block of resources. EarthWays Center will also be open for public tours.

On Sunday, we will repeat and expand our Green House Tour, featuring a new group of certified-Green homes located around the St. Louis area. As in 2007, a bus-tour ticket option will be offered. Attendees can gather ideas and make connections to help them make their own home greener!

The 2008 festival will accommodate the needs of both EarthWays and the Coalition's past exhibitors, attract new participants, and generate greater Green public awareness and interest. And we've expanded the festival on Saturday to 10am - 6pm, in response to public and participant requests.

We look forward to working with you in the upcoming months as we plan for another successful fall festival. You will receive more information about festival participation and sponsorship in May.

If you have questions about the new structure or your participation in the Green Homes & Renewable Energy Festival please contact Joyce Gorrell at EWC or Erin Noble at MCE (contact information below).

Thank you for your support of EarthWays Center and Missouri Coalition for the Environment programs!

Erin Noble
Missouri Coalition for the Environment
314-727-0600
enoble@moenviron.org

Joyce Gorrell
EarthWays Center
314-577-0220
joyce.gorrell@mobot.org

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5/1/08 EPA Proposes New Lead Standard

Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced their new proposed standard for lead in the air. Here's the official word: http://www.epa.gov/air/lead/actions.html

The EPA is proposing to strengthen the lead standard from the current 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter to 0.1-0.3 micrograms per cubic meter in order to "continue America's clean air progress on lead."

This is an amazing step for public health and will drive innovation in technology. Today, we are celebrating, though there is still a long way to go toward the final rule due out in September.

This revision of the lead standard is nearly two decades overdue. The agency is taking comments for the next 60 days and expects to hold two public hearings June 12, 2008- one in St. Louis and one in Baltimore.

In the mean time, enjoy this bit of news of environmental progress.

Kathleen Logan Smith

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4/25/08 Take a Stand on the River des Peres - April 29

The River des Peres Watershed Coalition, with which the Coalition for the Environment is actively and proudly involved, is holding its third planning forum Tuesday, April 29, at 6:30 PM. The first two forums, in February and March, turned out to be great opportunities to meet people with similar interests in the River des Peres watershed and to look for interesting solutions to its unfortunately many problems.

But even if you couldn't make it to those two meetings, you won't want to miss this next one, because decision time has arrived! Now that a number of possible projects and activities have identified (but it's not too late to suggest others), it's time to narrow them down to those that are most worthwhile and doable. The River des Peres needs your ideas and wisdom, so please come join us at the forum.

The meeting will be held at the Heman Park Community Center, 975 Pennsylvania Ave., University City, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. (come visit!), and snacks and beverages will be provided.

The River des Peres Watershed Coalition was formed in 2002 to advocate for the protection and restoration of the St. Louis area's largest watershed. Encompassing the 114-square-mile area drained by the River des Peres and its many tributaries (Gravois, Deer, Black, and Engelholm Creeks, among others), the River des Peres watershed takes in much of St. Louis city, University City, Pagedale, Clayton, Richmond Heights, Webster Groves, Ladue, and 36 other municipalities. The RdPWC has held regular and well-attended river cleanups and invasive plant removals at various locations in the watershed as well as developed a demonstration restoration site on Deer Creek. (For more on the RdPWC, please go to www.riverdesperes.org.)

But much more, obviously, needs to be done to address the needs of this abused urban watershed. The time has come for the River des Peres Watershed Coalition to move to a new level of action. It is critical that this process include everyone concerned with the River des Peres watershed; it's going to take a lot of ideas and hands to assist this watershed to become, once again, what it can and should be. Please make a point to join us at the April 29 meeting, when we can set the direction for Coalition's future.

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4/21/08 Support the Coalition on Earth Day

The Missouri Coalition for the Environment is a small but effective force for clean water, clean energy, and public lands. As a not-for-profit, membership-supported organization, your support helps sustain our work and allows us to grow.

In honor of Earth Day, please make a spring contribution of $50, $100, $250, $500 or whatever you can afford to the Coalition.

By contributing, you become a member of the Coalition, and your support gives us the tools to fight for healthy streams, clean energy, and public lands.
Your support is the most important source of funding for the Coalition. Please give online today.

A number of important issues are moving - and quickly - this spring.

1. We are supporting the collaborative effort of groups across Missouri who are collecting signatures to get a Clean Energy Initiative on the November ballot. By requiring major utilities to obtain a minimum of 15% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021, the measure will help wean the state off of coal, clean our air, combat climate change and create local jobs. To help or learn more, visit www.renewmo.org.

2. The Coalition will be mobilizing citizens to prevent an effort by the state to remove Clean Water protections from hundreds of our streams.

3. The state will be acting on various rules for factory farms, lakes, and streams. The Coalition is pressing for meaningful laws and for closing loopholes.

4. The U.S. EPA will be issuing the air pollution standard for the toxic metal lead. We are collaborating with groups across the nation to advocate for a protective standard.

Please consider an Earth Day gift to support our work. Learn more at www.moenviron.org, where you can find updates, event calendars, and resources that you can use to make Missouri a cleaner, safer, healthier state.

Yours truly,
Kathleen Logan Smith

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4/15/08 Clean Energy Initiative Gains Momentum

The Clean Energy Initiative is gaining momentum every day, and we're only 17 days away from our signature deadline. Your help is urgently needed.

Only 17 more days! We Still Need Your Help...

As our deadline approaches, we are in desperate need for more signatures. Please volunteer to collect today. In doing so, you will be combating climate change and spurring the development of renewable energy in Missouri.

Over 300 volunteers are collecting signatures across the state! But in order to gather the required 100,000 signatures to get the RES on the ballot, we need 100 new volunteers to commit to collecting 40 or more signatures between now and Monday, April 28.

Will you sign up and help bring renewable energy to Missouri?

Getting the Renewable Electricity Standard on Missouri's ballot is one of the most important things we can do to impact climate change and boost the development of renewable energy in Missouri. Please commit to collecting signatures, even if it's only within your personal network.

How can you help?

Call or email the Missouri Coalition for the Environment today and we'll get you a petition immediately. Then, gather signatures at Earth Day events, neighborhood meetings, in the park, or at your book club meeting.

Sign up today - we are running out of time!
Phone: 314-727-0600
Email: enoble @ moenviron.org

And to thank you for your hard work:

Join us for happy hour and pizza at the
Missouri Coalition for the Environment office
"Turn 'em in and Tip one Up Party"
Every Thursday evening in April beginning at 7 pm.
Bring your petitions to be notarized
Have a cold beer/soda and pizza with the team!

Notary Information:
We have an official notary on staff at the MCE office 6267 E Delmar Boulevard 2-E. Brian is available from 9 am to 5:30 pm Mon-Fri. to notarize your petitions.

All petitions must be turned in by Monday, April 28.

To learn more about the Clean Energy Initiative visit www.RenewMO.org.

Thanks for your help!

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3/28/08 Help Bring Clean Energy to Missouri

We know you've probably been seeing various e-alerts calling for a mandatory Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) in Missouri. Arguably, no other policy is more effective at spurring the development of renewable energy.

Unfortunately, Missouri legislators have taken a pass on a historic opportunity to promote renewable energy solutions. Despite our "leaders" resistance to the RES, two-thirds of Missourians support it. That leaves it up to you and me.

Help us get the Clean Energy Initiative on Missouri's November 2008 ballot.

What is the Clean Energy Initiative?

85% of Missouri's electricity comes from coal --- all of which is imported from out of state. The Clean Energy Initiative is a mandatory RES that requires investor-owned electric utilities to purchase electricity from renewable sources -- solar, wind, landfill gas and biomass -- equaling at least 2% of retail sales by 2011 and increasing incrementally to at least 15% of sales by 2021.

The Clean Energy Initiative includes a cost containment provision that caps rate increases for Missouri consumers at 1%. Learn more at www.RenewMO.org.

How to Get Involved?

It will take over 100,000 signatures to get the Clean Energy Initiative on the ballot. Our signature gathering teams are working across the state, and we need your help now! A few hours of your time collecting signatures will help decrease Missouri's reliance on coal, fight climate change, and bring renewable energy jobs to the state.

Our May 2nd, 2008 deadline for signatures is quickly approaching and we desperately need your help!

Volunteer to collect signatures at one of the events listed below. You must be 18 years or older to collect signatures.

If you can't make these events, donate or become a volunteer at www.RenewMO.org

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

A few hours of your time can make a huge difference. Please email Erin Noble at enoble@moenviron.org or call (314) 727-0600 to sign up for one of the below events.

Saturday, March 29
Paint the Town Green: 1000 Signature Saturday

This Saturday, we'll collect 1000 signatures by painting the town green for renewable energy. We'll spread throughout the city, in high-traffic locations such as the Central West End, the Art Museum, and other fun places.

Meet us at 10 a.m. at the Missouri Coalition for the Environment. (6267 Delmar Blvd. Ste. 2E St. Louis, MO 63130 -- in the Delmar Loop, just above Meshuggah's Cafe).

After we collect, we'll meet at Blueberry Hill for a quick debrief and social.

Monday, March 31
Go Green for the Redbirds: Cardinals Opening Day

Join us as for the excitement of the St. Louis Cardinals' Opening Day at Busch Stadium, where we'll collect 1000 additional signatures for clean and safe energy.
Before the game: Meet at the Busch Stadium Metrolink stop at 1:15 pm.
During the game: We'll watch the game at Al Hrabosky's: 800 Cerre St, St. Louis, MO.
After the game: Meet outside Al Hrabosky's at 5:30 p.m. to walk back to the stadium in order to catch folks leaving game and gather more signatures.

Sunday, April 6
St. Louis Marathon
Meet at Civic Center Metro Link stop at 8:00 am

Tuesday, April 8
St. Louis Municipal Elections
Volunteers needed at various times and locations.
Email enoble @ moenviron.org to sign up.

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3/24/08 EPA Reopens West Lake Landfill Public Comment Period

PLEASE ATTEND THURSDAY, MARCH 27th, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

EPA Public Meeting
West Lake Landfill Superfund Site
Bridgeton Community Center
Multipurpose Room
4201 Fee Fee Road

This THURSDAY, MARCH 27th, the US Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting to discuss its plan to leave highly radioactive waste in the Missouri River floodplain, next to Earth City.

YOU ARE URGED TO ATTEND in order to demonstrate citizen resolve to remove all radioactive waste from the West Lake Landfill. Your very presence, whether or not you speak, will emphasize the community's determination to be heard.

The EPA has taken the unusual step to re-open the Public Comment period for its West Lake Landfill Superfund Site "Proposed Plan." Comments will be accepted from March 27th through April 9th.

This Public Comment period is our last opportunity to affect a change in EPA's Proposed Plan to leave the waste at West Lake.

In 1973, thousands of cubic yards of highly radioactive waste were illegally dumped in the 200-acre landfill. Located in the Missouri River floodplain, West Lake sits 8.5 miles upstream from public drinking water intake pipes.

Missouri American Water Company's North County water plant (in Florissant) provides drinking water from the Missouri River for people who live or work north of I-70. Additional intake pipes farther downstream supply water to the City of St. Louis. Removing the radioactive waste from the landfill will prevent contaminated water from the West Lake Landfill from getting access to your kitchen sink.

The radioactive waste was illegally dumped. No liner exists beneath the site to protect the radioactive material from leaching into the groundwater. Through years of exposure to threats of high river water and heavy rains, resulting in highly-saturated soils, radioactive wastes have been already migrating into the groundwater which flows to the Missouri River.

In 2006, the EPA released its proposed plan to place a cap made of rocks, clay and construction rubble on top of the radioactive waste. The plan was met with public outrage; more than 100 comments were submitted to the EPA. Many comments voiced alarm concerning the potential of flooding.

During the meeting on March 27th, people will have an opportunity to make their voices heard once again. The EPA is expected to tell the public that the Earth City levee will protect the landfill from flooding.

Professor Robert E. Criss, a geochemist at Washington University, commented that, "Levees fail. Several levees in St. Louis County have failed in the last fifteen years. These risks are chronically underestimated." He explained that the flow rate of the Missouri River near West Lake Landfill is about 70,000 cubic feet per second. When asked how long it might take for the landfill's radioactive contaminants to reach the North County water plant, in the event of a levee failure, Dr. Criss estimated, "About a day. The wastes would be everywhere."

The predominant isotope of concern is thorium-230. It has a half-life of 75,000 years. Other isotopes include uranium-238, with a half-life of four-and-a-half billion years. Polonium-210 is also present at West Lake.

Though safe cleanup may be costly, it can be done. Modern methods for removing dangerous wastes include "dust suppression tents" that employ negative pressure and filters. Placed above a hazardous site during excavation and cleanup, they prevent the release of radioactive waste particles into the air. (Nothing has been containing West Lake's airborne radioactive particles for the past three decades.) The cleanup of all the other sites in St. Louis that contain similar wastes (from nuclear weapons production in the 1940's and '50's) has either been completed or the sites are currently being excavated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The wastes are being transported to federally licensed radioactive waste disposal facilities --- away from water and away from people.

It is essential that Congress mandate that the Corps take charge of removing the radioactive waste from West Lake Landfill before the Corps' trained and experienced contractors leave St. Louis. That means NOW.

PLEASE ATTEND THE MEETING ON MARCH 27th and please also send written comments to the EPA. Please urge your neighbors and elected officials to attend also, and to send in comments.

Comments may be submitted in writing or electronically through April 9th, or during the March 27th public meeting. Send written or electronic comments to:

Debbie Kring
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA - Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
kring.debbie@epa.gov
Toll-free: 800-223-0425

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3/18/08 River des Peres Forum and Recent Event Materials

River des Peres Watershed Coalition - Planning Forum, March 25, 2008

The River des Peres Watershed Coalition invites citizens, civic and municipal leaders, and agency personnel to attend the River des Peres planning forum.

At the first planning gathering, which was attended by over 50 representatives from educational institutions, government entities, environmental organizations, and the general public, we discussed the critical issues that the community believes are affecting the River des Peres. On March 25, 2008, we will continue this discussion by considering ways that we can improve the River. The meeting will be held at the Heman Park Community Center in University City beginning at 6 pm.

Please contact Danelle Haake by phone at 314-941-0489 or email riverdesperes @ gmail.com for further information about the forum series or about the issues facing the River des Peres. We look forward to your enthusiastic participation in creating a new strategic plan for the River des Peres Watershed Coalition.

Materials Online - Climate Action Summit and Food Fight Panel

The Missouri Coalition for the Environment, the Sierra Club, Woman's Voices Raised for Social Justice and The Ethical Society of St. Louis thank the more than 150 participants that attended the Climate Action Summit on March 8. The day was full of informative speakers and networking. The handouts, presentations, and audio from the event can be accessed at www.moenviron.org/ClimateSummit.asp.

In case you missed the Food Fight Panel at the Coalition's Annual Meeting, access the audio of the informative event online at www.moenviron.org/annualmeeting.asp.

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3/4/08 Conservation Lobby Day Recap & Climate Summit Reminder

On Tuesday February 26, a geographically diverse coalition of nearly one hundred environmental supporters descended on the state capitol for Conservation Lobby Day. The event was sponsored by the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Missouri Votes Conservation, and the Sierra Club.

It was an exciting and rewarding day. We started off with legislative briefings on critical issues like factory farms, green building, e-waste, and renewable energy. Participants (both the inexperienced and the seasoned lobbyist) then dispersed throughout the building, attending hearings and meeting with legislators and congressional aides to express their support for policies that improve water and air quality, protect public health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Overall, the day was a great success and we thank all of you who showed up to lend your support. With your help, we will continue to make Conservation Lobby Day a force for change in Missouri.

To view legislative fact sheets on renewable energy, green building, factory farms, and other issues, visit www.moenviron.org/LobbyDay.asp.

Climate Action Summit this Saturday

Climate Action Summit
Local Action Against Global Warming

The Ethical Society of St. Louis
9001 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63117
Saturday, March 8, 2008
9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Attend the Climate Action Summit to learn what Missouri cities are doing to combat climate change and how you can get involved in helping your town go green. The event is free, but we'd appreciate it if you would register with this on-line form.

The Climate Action Summit is sponsored by the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, the Sierra Club, Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice, and the Ethical Society of St. Louis.

Tentative Schedule

9:00-9:30: Breakfast and registration

9:30-9:45: Erin Noble, Missouri Coalition for the Environment
Opening Remarks

9:45-10:20: Colleen Sarna, Sierra Club
Cool Cities and Citizen Action

10:20-11:10: Dennis Murphey, Kansas City Chief Environmental Officer
Development and Implementation of the Kansas City Climate Action Plan

11:10-11:40: Jay Hasheider, Columbia Water & Light
Integrating Renewable Energy and Efficiency into Utility Programming

11:40-11:50: Break

11:50-12:05: Linda Goldstein, Mayor of Clayton
Clayton's Action on Climate Change and U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Summit Report

12:05-12:20: Tim Embree, assistant to Mayor Francis Slay
St. Louis's Action on Climate Change

12:20-12:35: Rick Hunter, St. Louis Chapter, US Green Building Council
Green Building Solutions to Combat Climate Change

12:35-12:45: Liz Forrestal, Missouri Votes Conservation
Towards a Regional Sustainability Plan

12:45-1:00: Network with Municipal Groups

1:00-2:00: Optional Breakout Session, PJ Wilson, Renew Missouri
Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) Ballot Initiative: Missouri needs a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) which requires utilities to obtain a portion of their electricity from renewable sources. Learn about the effort to get this critical climate change policy on the November 2008 ballot and find out how you can get involved. (Lunch provided during this session).

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2/21/08 Be a Pal to the River des Peres - February 26

The River des Peres -- that poor, abused stream system that drains much of St. Louis city and county -- needs some good friends. One of the ways in which the Coalition for the Environment has come to the aid of the River des Peres is by being an active partner with the River des Peres Watershed Coalition (RdPWC). Next week, RdPWC will hold a community forum to set goals and chart a path to the future for this important organization. Everyone -- citizens, civic and municipal leaders, agency personnel, students -- who is interested in the River des Peres and its tributaries is invited to take part.

The first gathering to address the future of the Coalition will be on February 26, 2008, from 6pm to 9pm at the Heman Park Community Center, 975 Pennsylvania Ave., University City. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP to Danelle Haake at 314-941-0489 or email riverdesperes @ gmail.com. Additional meetings, as needed, will be held on the last Tuesday of each subsequent month.

The River des Peres Watershed Coalition was formed in 2002 to advocate for the protection and restoration of the St. Louis area's largest watershed. Encompassing the 114-square-mile area drained by the River des Peres and its many tributaries (Gravois, Deer, Black, and Engelholm Creeks, among others), the River des Peres watershed takes in much of St. Louis city, University City, Pagedale, Clayton, Richmond Heights, Webster Groves, Ladue, and 36 other municipalities. RdPWC has held regular and well-attended river cleanups and invasive plant removals at various locations in the watershed as well as developed a demonstration restoration site on Deer Creek. (For more on RdPWC, please go to www.riverdesperes.org.)

But much more needs to be done to address the needs of this abused urban watershed. The time has come for this young organization -- as it does for all watershed groups at this stage -- to take stock of itself, clarify its mission and goals, and reorganize itself to meet those goals. It is critical that this process include everyone concerned with the River des Peres watershed; it's going to take a lot of ideas and hands to assist this watershed to become, once again, what it can and should be.

Please make a point to join us at the February 26 meeting, when friends of the River des Peres can get to know each other and set the direction for the River des Peres Watershed Coalition's future.

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2/15/08 Food Fight Panel and Climate Action Summit

Food Fight - The Battle for Control Over What We Eat Missouri Coalition for the Environment's Annual Meeting

Sunday, March 2, 2008
Schlafly Tap Room
21st and Locust in Midtown St. Louis

Doors Open at 2:30 p.m.
Program 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Join us for a stimulating conversation about the health, economics, and politics of the food we eat.

Speakers:
John Ikerd: University of Missouri Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics. Author of Small Farms are Real Farms, Sustainable Capitalism, and Return to Common Sense.
Terry Spence: Northern Missouri cattle farmer and President of Family Farms for the Future, knows first hand what happens when farms go factory. His farm in northern Missouri is surrounded by factory farms and 80,000 pigs.
Chris Wimmer: proprietor of The Farm at Kraut Run, an organic farm in Wentzville, MO, coaxes food from the land for a growing number of subscribers.
Julia Hart: St. Louis Vegetarian Society, shares insights into the planetary benefits of a vegetarian diet.

MCE members and non-members are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to attend this free event by clicking here.

Climate Action Summit - Local Action Against Global Warming

The Ethical Society of St. Louis
9001 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO 63117
Saturday, March 8, 2008
9:30 am - 1:00 pm

Climate change is one of the most serious challenges facing our generation. Missouri is a major contributor to climate change as Missouri had the nation's fifth highest increase in per capita carbon dioxide emissions from 1990-2003.

Attend the Climate Action Summit to learn what Missouri cities are doing to combat climate change and how you can get involved in helping your town go green.

Complimentary continental breakfast will be provided from 9:00-9:30 am.

This event is sponsored by the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, the Sierra Club, and Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice.

Speakers:
Colleen Sarna, Sierra Club. "Cool Cities and Citizen Action"
Dennis Murphey, Kansas City Chief Environmental Officer. "Development and Implementation of the Kansas City Climate Action Plan"
Jay Hasheider, Columbia Water & Light. "Energy Conservation and Efficiency for Municipalities"
Linda Goldstein, Mayor of Clayton. "Clayton's Action on Climate Change and U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Summit Report"
Tim Embree, assistant to Mayor Slay. "St. Louis's Action on Climate Change"
Rick Hunter, St. Louis Chapter, US Green Building Council. "Green Building Solutions to Combat Climate Change"

Click here to register to attend the free Climate Action Summit.

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1/24/08 Conservation Lobby Day 2008: Show Me Clean, Show Me Green

Join Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Missouri Votes Conservation, and the Sierra Club at the Missouri State Capitol on Tuesday, February 26 for Conservation Lobby Day.

Learn about environmental issues facing the 2008 legislature such as CAFOs (factory farms), green building, renewable energy, and healthy streams. Meet with state senators and representatives and network with others in Missouri's conservation community.

Conservation Lobby Day begins at 9:30 am in House Hearing Room 2 (lower level of the capitol). The agenda includes a briefing on critical environmental legislation, a how to lobby session, meetings with legislators, and a complimentary lunch. Lobby Day will be completed at 3:30 pm.

Carpools are forming from St. Louis, Columbia, Kansas City, Washington University, and University of Missouri-Columbia.

Please click here for more information and to register. We need your help to promote environmental policy that will provide Missouri with a healthy and clean future.

We hope to see you there.

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1/17/08 Save Our Streams and Wetlands

Recent decisions by the United States Supreme Court and the Bush administration have created doubt about whether certain types of water bodies are protected by the Clean Water Act, the nation's landmark water pollution law. As a result, many of America's smaller streams and wetlands are not being adequately protected.

About 20 million acres of wetlands and nearly 2 million miles of streams are currently under threat by a draft guidance document released by the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers. The guidance was designed to assist the agencies in determining which waters will get Clean Water Act protection.

Unfortunately, the Bush administration's approach is seriously flawed and ignores a well-established scientific fact that streams and wetlands, no matter how small, are part of a larger, interconnected whole. Each of our rivers is born in these smaller water bodies, or what we call our "headwaters," and healthy headwaters are critical to healthy downstream waters.

If this guidance is finalized, it will be difficult to show that the Clean Water Act protects many of our smaller streams and wetlands. Proving that a water body warrants protection will require a resource-intensive, confusing and subjective process by an agency (the Army Corps of Engineers) that is already finding it impossible to meet its current obligations under the Clean Water Act.

You Can Help

1/10/08 Lack of Renewable Energy Leadership Slows Progress

It's no secret that Missouri is behind the curve on renewable energy and climate change policy. Perhaps the most telling sign of our lack of commitment came this winter at the Midwestern Governors Association's climate change summit. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt was the only governor of the twelve in the Association who did not participate in the development of a climate change agreement. In fact, Governor Blunt did not even bother to attend the summit. Blunt only recently signed limited provisions of the Association's agreement.

Despite Blunt's touting of this feeble commitment, his actions are greenwashing, pure and simple. He skillfully endorsed only the provisions of the plan that cater to his biofuel agenda, and refused to sign other provisions that set firm goals and measure progress in critical energy policy areas. For example, he did not commit to developing greenhouse gas reduction targets, participating in a regional carbon cap-and-trade mechanism, or enhancing Missouri's renewable electricity standard.

The third regional agreement of its kind in the United States, the Midwestern climate protection agreement is critical to the development of sound energy policy in this country. Collaboration among Midwestern governors is particularly important because the Midwest is the world's fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Missouri

Governor Blunt's lack of commitment to climate change and renewables is especially devastating given Missouri's heavy reliance on coal. Coal provides 85% of Missouri's electricity while only 0.01% of our energy is produced from renewable sources. Coal-burning power plants are the largest contributor to global warming, and mercury from coal plants has led to consumption warnings on fish in every water body in the state. Emissions from coal plants intensify asthma and heart disease.

Missouri has 21 coal-fired power plants and is considering permitting another plant in Norborne, Missouri. From 1990 to 2003, Missouri's per capita carbon dioxide emissions were the fifth highest in the country.

Missouri Fails to Adopt RES

Another sign that Missouri has fallen behind is their refusal to adopt a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). The RES requires utilities to obtain a fixed percentage of their power from clean, renewable sources by a target date. Instead of adopting the RES, Missouri's General Assembly adopted voluntary targets that simply require utilities to make a "good faith effort" to obtain 11% of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. Twenty-three states have a mandatory RES. By hiding behind voluntary standards, Missouri is evading its responsibility to reach its renewable electricity potential. A good faith effort alone will not transition Missouri to renewable energy.

The RES approach is cost-efficient (RES cost increases for the average household are about 25¢ per month) and is good for the economy. Renewable energy firms bring new jobs and investment to Missouri. In just one year, Wind Capital Group wind farms in Northwest Missouri generated nearly $300 million in investment for rural Missouri. Renewable energy is serious business.

Positive Changes Ahead

Despite a lack of true leadership on renewable energy policy, there has been some progress in Missouri. In 2004, the city of Columbia adopted a mandated RES by ballot initiative that garnered 78% of the vote. Columbia's RES calls for 2% renewables by 2007 and an increase to 15% by 2022. Columbia Water & Light is currently ahead of its RES schedule, using wind and landfill gas to meet its renewable energy targets.

Until 2007, Missouri was just one of a handful of states lacking an important renewable energy policy called true net-metering. Last year, the General Assembly passed a true net-metering law that makes it more cost effective to install a renewable electricity system in your home or office.

In addition, a November 2007 poll conducted by Research for Change found that 66% of Missourians would support a mandatory RES in Missouri. The same poll also found that 81% of Missourians support financial incentives that would lower the price of solar and wind technology.

Missouri voters recognize the economic, public health, and energy security benefits of renewable energy. The Missouri Coalition for the Environment is calling upon the General Assembly to answer to its constituents and pass an RES mandate and renewable incentives in 2008.

12/20/07 Did the Grinch Steal Church Mountain?

Remember the deluge at Taum Sauk two years ago this month, when Ameren overfilled and broke its reservoir, dumping well over a billion gallons of water into Johnson's Shut-ins State Park? That damage has recently been compounded by the failure to include the protection of nearby Church Mountain in the state's $180 million settlement of its civil suit with Ameren over the disaster. A fine start to the holiday season, indeed!

Church Mountain sits in the heart of the geologically unique and recreationally rich St. Francois Mountains, between Taum Sauk Mountain (Missouri's highest point) and Proffit Mountain, on which Ameren's Taum Sauk reservoir sat. It is a region of spectacular waterfalls (such as Mina Sauk Falls), crystal-clear streams, and well-loved hiking trails. The 1300 acres of Church Mountain that Ameren owns sits amid some of Missouri's most popular state parks and conservation lands. It's best use would clearly be to be joined with them to protect the entire area's great biological diversity and recreational value.

That's not the use Ameren has in mind for it, however. Only a few short years ago Ameren was stopped by the concerted efforts of citizens, state officials, and environmental groups, including the Coalition, from carving a huge reservoir atop Church Mountain for a pumped storage power generating facility that would have dwarfed the one at Taum Sauk. Even though it is now rebuilding the Taum Sauk reservoir, Ameren still has visions of reaping profits from a second facility on Church Mountain.

After the collapse of Ameren's dam, environmental groups joined to ask the state to acquire Church Mountain as part of its compensation for the damages to Johnson's Shut-ins and the Black River. Despite assurances from the state during negotiations with Ameren that at least a long-term lease for the property would be part of the settlement package, no lease to or transfer of Church Mountain was included in the $84 million payment for "natural resource damages."

The payment instead included a license (a $15 million credit to Ameren) to build an extension of the Katy Trail alongside (not on, as elsewhere) a railbed the company owns. There is a good chance it will never be built, given the inadequate amount of money Ameren provided in the settlement for the trail's construction and the multitude of landowners from whom permission to build would have to be granted. This is not to mention the hundreds of acres of trees that would have to be cut and wetlands filled to construct the trail. A good deal for the state it was not!

The settlement must get court approval before it is finalized, so there is still an opportunity to affect it's terms. Please submit your comments on the settlement to the Department of Natural Resources, for review by the state, Ameren, and the Reynolds County Circuit Court, by December 27.

You can email your comments to: moparks@dnr.mo.gov or mail to:

Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Division of State Parks
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Don't forget to put Church Mountain on your gift list!

12/7/07 Looking for the Perfect Green Gift?

Unsure what to get your friends and family this holiday season? Do your find your gifts always end up being returned, never used, or in the landfill anyway?

Avoid green guilt and holiday stress by giving loved ones a gift membership to the Missouri Coalition for the Environment. In the few minutes it takes to buy a membership online, your friend receives an MCE membership and an organic cotton MCE t-shirt, and the Coalition is better equipped to protect Missouri's water, air, and public lands.

Here's how it works:

You click here to purchase a MCE gift membership with your credit card, designating the name, address, and t-shirt size of the membership recipient. After a few days, your friend is mailed a certificate acknowledging your gift of MCE membership and a 100% organic MCE t-shirt (pictured to the right).

As an MCE member, your friend will also receive our Alert newsletter (published three times a year) and will be invited to MCE-sponsored events such as speaker panels, Conservation Lobby Day, our annual meeting, and more.

Why should I support the Missouri Coalition for the Environment?

12/4/07 Save the Money, Save the Future

Tell Congress that nuclear power is NOT the solution to the climate crisis and deserves no more subsidies!

The congressional Energy Bill is moving towards final floor votes in both Houses, perhaps as early December 5th or 6th in the House of Representatives. If passed by the House, the identical Energy Bill would then be taken up by the full Senate in short order. In recent days, an agreement was reached to require an increase in the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFÉ) standard for cars to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the first such increase in three decades in the United States. A Renewable Electricity Standard of 15% by 2020 is still being bitterly fought out between proponents and opponents behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, as are important renewable electricity tax incentives. It is not yet clear these good ideas will be included in the final energy bill, or if some of them might find new life in other bills in the near future. Suffice it to say, some good, long-overdue provisions are about to be passed by the House, and hopefully the Senate, in the days ahead. Tellingly, Bush has threatened to veto the energy bill.

Another major environmental victory in the energy bill is the likely exclusion of unlimited loan guarantees, without congressional oversight, for the construction of new reactors (the last order for a reactor in the U.S. that was actually constructed was placed in 1973).

However, it is now feared that this handout to the nuclear industry will rear its head in the energy and water appropriations bill, which will then be rolled into an omnibus appropriations bill. While it appears that we have beaten back the Senate's more extreme version of the nuclear loan guarantees provision, sponsored by Sen. Domenici (R-NM) -- to grant unlimited loan guarantees, while removing congressional appropriations oversight from year to year -- the current threat is that the nuclear power industry will seek $25 billion in new reactor loan guarantees in Fiscal Year 2008 alone. While the new version of the nuclear loan guarantee program would retain congressional appropriators' power to limit the amount of federal loan guarantees for new atomic reactors each year, it would not allow them to exclude nuclear reactors from eligibility for loan guarantees, even if such grants would make little or no sense in any particular year, or if better options other than nuclear present themselves (such as wind, solar, and efficiency projects). The nuclear power industry appears ready to seek $25 billion this fiscal year, $25 billion or more in Fiscal Year 2009, and so on into the future.

Incredibly, Domenici's extreme provision originated as a direct response from the nuclear industry to a reasonable position taken by bi-partisan (and pro-nuclear!) House appropriators. The House appropriators said that no new nuclear reactor project is far enough along yet to need federal loan guarantees in Fiscal Year 2008, so no such funding was going to be approved. Sen. Domenici is now wielding his immense political power (he is ranking Republican on both the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and on the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee) to try to lock in $25 billion for new nuclear reactors in the next year alone.

If enacted, Sen. Domenici's provision would effectively grant one of the single largest subsidies to the nuclear power industry in history. Not if, but when, nuclear utilities default on their loan repayments, taxpayers would be left holding the bag, potentially to the tune of tens of billions of dollars.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that well over half of new reactor construction projects will default on their loans. The unlimited nuclear loan guarantee proposal represents an extreme transfer of financial risk from nuclear utilities and Wall Street investment banks onto U.S. taxpayers.

The Nuclear Energy Institute, the lobby arm of the industry, has requested over $50 billion in federal loan guarantees over the next two years alone. Help stop these ridiculous loan guarantees!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Call your U.S. Representative and both of your U.S. Senators as soon as possible. Urge them to oppose the $50 billion in nuclear loan guarantees for new reactors in the next two years alone. Urge them to speak with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, to exclude such provisions from the final Energy Bill and from any appropriations bills. Urge them to speak with the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, and the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, from their House of Congress. Urge them to sign onto any congressional "Dear Colleague" letters opposing these massive federal loan guarantees for new atomic reactors, and any lingering rollbacks of congressional authority to oversee this program.

You can call your Rep. and Senators' Washington, D.C. offices via the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Or, to find phone numbers for your Representative's and Senators' district offices, go to www.congress.org and enter your zip code in the "My Elected Officials" box in the upper left hand corner of the Web site. There you can find complete contact information for your federal Representative and Senators.

Here's an example of what you could say: "Hello. My name is _____________. I live in ___________. I'm calling to urge Rep./Senator __________ to block massive nuclear power loan guarantees in the impending Energy Bill, appropriations bills, or any other legislation where it might be attached.

To learn more about the nuclear loan guarantee proposal, go to www.beyondnuclear.org.

The above alert originated with our friends at Beyond Nuclear.
Thanks for your efforts on behalf of a clean, safe energy future!

11/13/07 Make the Call for Wilderness!

Would you like to see more than 4% of the national forest land in Missouri protected as Wilderness-free from logging, road building, and ATVs? The Missouri Wilderness Coalition (MWC) is asking Congress to designate seven spectacular places on the Mark Twain National Forest as Wilderness areas. With the modest addition of these 50,000 acres, over 7% of the Forest would be kept in its natural wild state forever, to be enjoyed for its beauty, solitude, and unparalleled view of native Ozark forests now all but gone. And you can help make it happen.

You may have seen the front-page article on the Wilderness effort in Sunday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which describes the seven potential Wilderness areas. (You can also learn much more about the areas on the Missouri Wilderness Coalition website.) In the Post-Dispatch article, Senator Kit Bond stated, "I look forward to working with the Missouri Wilderness Coalition and my colleagues in Congress to extend federal protection to remaining areas deserving of special protection." This is a significant gesture from the Republican Senator, and he needs to hear from the people of Missouri that the new Wilderness proposal is right for Missouri and that his support is appreciated. At the same time, it is likely that Senator Bond will be hearing from our opponents, so we can't take his support for granted.

Please take a few moments to call Senator Bond at one of the numbers listed below. And when you call, please:

• Thank the Senator for his positive remarks in Post-Dispatch article, and for his history of supporting Wilderness in Missouri.
• Let him know that you support the Missouri Wilderness Coalition proposal to designate the seven new Wilderness Areas.
• If you have ever visited any of the seven proposed areas, or any other Wilderness Area in Missouri, be sure to say so.

Thanks for your efforts on behalf of Missouri's Wilderness!

11/9/07 New Coal Power Plant Proposed for Norborne, MO

Attend Public Hearing on Proposed Coal Power Plant

Goppert Community Center
Tuesday, November 13
2nd & Pine Streets,
Norborne, MO
6:30 pm
Norborne is 60 miles east of Kansas City.


Associated Electric is holding a public hearing next Tuesday regarding a proposed coal plant in Norborne, Missouri.

Associated Electric needs to hear from you that new coal plants are not an option. The state of Kansas recently denied permits for two new coal plants proposed in Kansas. We can do the same in Missouri, but our voices must be heard.

Please attend the hearing on November 13. There will also be a pre-hearing rally and press conference at the Goppert Community Center at 5:30 pm. A huge turnout from around the state will send a strong message to Associated Electric that Missouri:

Supports a clean energy future and opposes more coal plants that dirty our air and water and intensify global warming.

Please contact Melissa Hope (Melissa.hope@sierraclub.org) if you plan on attending. A bus will be provided if 30 more people from St. Louis attend. Please tell your friends and RSVP to Melissa by noon on Saturday so bus arrangements can be made.

If you can't attend the hearing, you may submit comments in opposition to the proposed plant by 5:00 p.m. on November 21, 2007.

Written comments should be sent to:

Mr. James L. Kavanaugh
P.O. Box 176 Jefferson City ,
MO 65102-0176

Click for the draft permit and the notice of public hearing.

Energy Bill Without Renewables? Your Calls Needed Today!!

Congressional leadership is dropping the ball on renewable energy, and your help is desperately needed to get the bill back on track.

Believe it or not, on Thursday morning, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi dropped both the renewable energy standard and the renewable energy tax incentives from the energy bill.

Without these provisions, the federal energy bill does NOTHING to promote renewable energy.

PLEASE call your Representatives and Senators and ask them to pressure Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi to put the RES and renewable energy tax incentives back in the bill. Energy legislation without these provisions would be a tremendous loss.

You can find your Senator and Represenative's contact information here. Please call their Washington offices.

Talking points include:

National Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)

• Support a renewable electricity standard that requires 15% of the country's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020
• 25 states plus the District of Columbia have approved renewable electricity requirements with many setting targets far more aggressive than the proposed federal standard of 15%. For example, California law mandates 20% by 2010 while Minnesota, Hawaii, and Colorado law mandates 20% by 2020.
• A national standard is especially important for Missouri as we do not have a state-madated RES. An RES will bring jobs and economic development to Missouri.


Renewable Energy Tax

• Incentives Please extend and expand existing renewable energy tax incentives, particularly the production tax credit for renewable power plants, Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, and the investment tax credits for commercial and residential solar and fuel cell technologies.
• These tax incentives are vital to ensure continued, dynamic growth in the production of electricity using renewable energy resources and should be extened at least 8 years.

11/2/07 EPA Staff Send Strong Recommendation to Administrator

10/26/07 Renew Your Membership Today

10/23/07 EPA Fails Our Mighty Mississippi

You Are Invited to Join Us as Words on Purpose Presents a Poetry Reading

10/10/07 Reminder--Call for Clean Water! And Last Chance for Fall Dinner Reservations (see below)

Last Chance- Reserve your space now! The Coalition's 38th Annual Awards Dinner

10/9/07 EPA Postpones Decision on St. Louis Radioactive Waste Dump

9/8/07 You're Invited - Ozark Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Expo

9/7/2007 Summit Features the Meramec River

8/22/07 Motion Denied. Yippee!!

8/9/07 Nuclear Power=Bad, Free Movie=Good

8/1/07 It's Not Too Late! Dial Doyle for Clean Safe Streams

7/25/07 Dial Doyle Today For Clean Safe Streams

7/19/07 Attend an Exclusive Green Shopping Night!

7/12/07 CAFOs and State Parks: Action & Update

6/27/07 U.S. Senate Energy Bill Falls Short

6/12/07 Solarbration Happy Hour Celebration

6/8/07 Call TODAY to support a National Renewable Electricity Bill

5/25/07 Legislative Recap

5/8/07 - Events - Events - Events

4/30/07 - Call Your Representative

4/23/07 - Bad CAFO Bill Stalls in Missouri Senate

4/18/07 - Missouri Senate Votes on SB 364

4/13/07 - Coalition Seeks End to Raw Sewage Overflows

3/19/07 - Coalition Annual Meeting

3/19/07 - St. Louis Earth Day in Forest Park

3/19/07 - Conservation Lobby Day

1/9/07 - Comment Deadline ends February 16

1/4/07 - Missouri Moves to Restore the Big River

For E-Alerts before 2008, click here