Iowa Bishop Calls for Climate Dialogue

The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, is calling for a year-long dialogue about energy and climate change in Iowa in today's DesMoines Register (see excerpt of editorial below):

As people of faith we are called to care for God's sacred creation and everything therein, which the Lord has described as "good." We are charged with caring for the poor and vulnerable around the world through alleviation of global poverty. We are faced with a formidable challenge on both fronts - the effects of global warming.As the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, noted in a recent statement, "The biggest challenge that faces us in terms of global policy at the moment is how we are to find ways of reducing and controlling climate change without eating into the economic aspirations, the proper aspirations of our poorest societies towards prosperity, respect and dignity."
In my own church we have heard from Anglican faithful in Swaziland about how climate-related drought has made it all but impossible to grow food. Our fellow churchgoers in Bangladesh have warned us that rising waters threaten to engulf the homes, places of worship and communities of millions. We must act to protect our brothers and sisters and reduce pollution here at home.After the disappointing response of the Bush administration to the global climate-change conference in Bali, it is increasingly apparent that it will fall to state-level leaders, such as Iowa Gov. Chet Culver, to help prod the United States to address the urgent challenges and opportunities created by global warming.
The good news for Iowans is that our governor made renewable energy a major part of his platform upon entering office. He has shown courage in helping to frame a multistate accord to reduce global-warming emissions. The next logical step for him in showing his commitment to a cleaner future for Iowa and the rest of the world is the convening of a statewide dialogue on energy and the related choices that we must all make.

Interfaith Power and Light is a religious response to global warming with chapters in 25 states and Greater Washington, D.C. Find a link to your local chapter at http://www.theregenerationproject.org/State.Find discounts on energy saving products at http://www.shopipl.org/

Vermont Rock Point Power Challenge

Rock Point Power Challenge

Please join our pioneering efforts to take Rock Point off the power grid.
Share your ideas for becoming a sustainable community
Let’s Challenge others to Share their Power
Join in discussions leading us into an action plans for a more self- sustainable future.
We need your knowledge, expertise and support to achieve our goal.
To Share the Power, we need each other.

Share The Power !
Monday, November 12, 2007 4pm – 8pm.
Bishop Booth Conference Center
6pm Light Dinner
Chili Cornbread, Dessert

RSVP by November 8th to one of the following:
Debi Paterson, Executive Director
Bishop Booth Conference Center, 658-6233
Chuck Courcy, Rock Point Property Manager, 355-8737

Connecticut Hydro Power Conference

Hydropower in Connecticut and the Northeast

January 11, 2008

This is the official Conference Announcement.

The starting time and registration procedures are not determined yet.

This conference will examine the role of hydropower in the push forrenewable energy sources as well as the implications of the incentivesthe state and the federal governments are considering for hydrodevelopment. There will be a particular emphasis on small, new hydroand the recent proposals under consideration in Connecticut andVermont. Elements of the discussion will include: * The historical context, parallels with the hydro rush of the1970s and 1980s * Impact of new, small hydro on the ecology of rivers * Alternatives such as increased efficiency, new technologies * What constitutes green hydro, design vs. size

For more info:

Rivers Alliance of Connecticut

7 West Street

POB 1797

Litchfield, CT 06759

Tel: 860-3619349

Interfaith Power and Light is a religious response to global warming with chapters in 22 states and Greater Washington, D.C. Find a link to your local chapter at http://www.theregenerationproject.org/State.htm
Shop for energy Saving Products at www.shopipl.org.

Support Maine Wind Farm

Western Maine Wind Farm Gets Second Wind!
Public Hearing: September 19th and 20th
Your Support Needed!
Maine Mountain Power has submitted a revised application for their wind power project in Franklin County--near Sugarloaf Ski Resort. The project would produce 54 MW of clean energy, more than any other wind power installation currently operating in New England. The developer has committed to permanently protect the more ecologically-sensitive Redington Mountain from wind development as part of the revised project protecting sensitive wildlife habitat while increasing clean, renewable energy in Maine. This is a win-win solution for Maine's citizens, and we urge everyone to support it.
Although the Black Nubble Wind Farm has earned broad support from more than 20 organizations (see box below) it still faces strong opposition. That is why we are asking for your help. Please:
Write a letter in support of the project, and address it to: Maine Land Use Regulation Commission; Attention: Catherine Carroll; 22 State House Station; Augusta, Maine 04333 (or email it to LURC@maine.gov); and/or

Attend a public hearing on the evening of September 19th and/or 20th to testify in support of the project at Sugarloaf Ski Area.

Need a Ride to the Hearing?
A 32 passenger vehicle reserved for each night will be departing from Portland and stopping in Augusta to pick up passengers. Here are the details :
Portland Pick Up Time: 3 PM (Please be there NO LATER than 2:45pm).
Portland Pick Up Location: Park & Ride lot on Marginal Way (near the U-Haul)--it's right off the 295-Franklin Arterial ramp
Portland Pick Up Confirmation: To reserve your seat please email Sara Lovitz of the Natural Resource Council of Maine or call her at (207) 622-3101 extension # 205.

Interfaith Power and Light is a religious response to global warming with chapters in 22 states and Greater Washington, D.C. Find a link to your local chapter at http://www.theregenerationproject.org/State.htmShop for energy Saving Products at www.shopipl.org.

Clean Energy Expo in Essex, CT Sept. 25

Essex Citizens for Clean Energy is sponsoring a Clean Energy Expo at the Essex Town Hall auditorium on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 from 6-9 pm. The speakers will include: State Representative James Spallone,who will speak on the recent energy bill that was passed by the General Assembly; First Selectman Philip Miller, who will talk about clean energy initiatives in Essex; and Robert Wall, Director of Marketing Initiatives at the CT Clean Energy Fund, who will talk about financial incentives for purchasing clean energy. In addition, therewill be exhibits concerning clean energy and green technology. Forfurther information, go to http://www.essexcitizensforcleanenergy.com/.

Congressional Energy Debate

A debate over an energy bill that will probably last all year has already been termed "historic," according to US News and World Report.

Key House Democrats pledged to fight energy legislation proposed by fellow Democrat Rick Boucher while many Republicans voiced support for Boucher at a crowded energy subcommittee hearing today.
Henry Waxman, chair of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, said Boucher's discussion draft failed to solve the dual dilemmas of climate change and energy security.
"This discussion draft doesn't step up to the urgent problems facing us," Waxman said. "It blinks and then steps back."
Edward Markey, chair of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, criticized Boucher's bill for not reflecting "the spirit of what this country wants to see happen." Boucher's discussion draft contains several elements that are anathema to environmentalists. For example, it would overturn the recent Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA that gave the EPA the right to control greenhouse gas emissions and would prohibit states from enacting their own legislation.
"This bill is cutting the legs out from under states just as they are starting to spring forward on greenhouse gas legislation," Markey said. Boucher's proposal also would change the current renewable fuels standard to an alternative fuels standard in order to promote coal-to-liquids production, a fuel that can be used in vehicles. Boucher represents southwestern Virginia, a major coal-producing region.
Critics deride coal-to-liquids as counterproductive because of its heavy carbon content. Boucher's bill would increase corporate average fuel economy standards but not as aggressively as in a bill coauthored by Markey.
But John Shimkus and Dennis Hastert, both Republicans of Illinois, offered support for the Boucher bill. Hastert said it "levels the playing field to get alternative fuels to the market." Shimkus praised its focus on coal, noting Illinois's massive deposits of the fuel. In a sign of how electrified the energy debate has become, Markey and Shimkus agreed on one key point: that the ensuing debate—likely to last till the end of the year—will be "historic."

IREJN is Connecticut's Interfaith Power and Light. Visit us at www.irejn.org.