Energy: Turning Missouri Around
By Henry Robertson, Energy Chair In November, the Midwestern Governors Association, comprising 12 states, held a two-day summit on climate change and energy security. It concluded with the Midwest Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord signed by the governors of nine states and the premier of Manitoba. The accord sets greenhouse gas reduction goals and calls for a regional cap-and-trade system. Two other states did not sign the accord but did endorse an Energy Security and Climate Stewardship Platform that pledges to meet specific goals on energy efficiency, renewables and biofuels.

Only Missouri was a complete no-show. Governor Matt Blunt’s administration did not even participate in the preparations leading to these agreements. Read more...

Personal Life Choices and Sustainability
By Ron McLinden, Transportation Smart Growth Chair

In July, the Missouri Chapter adopted a resolution on consumption and sustainability, and forwarded it to the Council of Club Leaders for consideration. That resolution reads: “The Missouri Resolution: The Council of Club Leaders reaffirms that global warming is the highest priority issue for the Club, and acknowledges that energy efficiency and renewable energy are critical components of the Club’s campaign to address this issue. We ask that the Board initiate a high-profile campaign in support of “sustainable life choices” as a co-equal part of the Club’s response to global warming, and that a sustainable life choices message be incorporated into communications from the Club related to global warming." Read more...

New Wilderness Resolutions for 2008
by Caroline Pufalt

Take the 2008 New Year Wilderness Resolution challenge! Commit to doing some or all of the following:

1. Contact your Senators and U.S. Representative to voice your support for new Wilderness areas in the Mark Twain National Forest.

2. Talk to your friends and relatives who share your concern about preserving Missouri’s special places and ask them to contact their legislators too.

3. Write a letter to your local paper voicing your support for new Wilderness areas in Missouri.

4. No matter how busy you are, take time to visit Missouri’s wild places!

Read more...

Short Trips - Transportation issues around the state
By Ron McLinden and Ginger Harris

Kansas City Moves Forward on Light Rail
All speculation to the contrary, Kansas City is indeed moving toward building the first phase of a light rail system. A citizen initiative, approved at the polls in November, 2006, was found not to be feasible. Read more...

Club Expresses Concern About Eight-Lane I-70 Concept
Through a letter sent by Great Rivers Environmental Law Center on November 7, the Sierra Club has expressed concerns about MoDOT’s plan to re-study 199 miles of I-70 with the intent of building it as an eight-lane highway, with four of the lanes reserved for trucks. A previous environmental study, completed in 2001, concluded that I-70 should be re-built as a six-lane highway, but MoDOT sought designation of I-70 as part of a federal “Corridor of the Future” and got $2 million of federal money to study the truck lane concept. Read more...

Environmental Podcasts
by Claus Wawrzinek, THB Chair

Podcasting is largely a recent phenomenon that has arisen with the emergence of portable audio players. Podcasting provides an easy outlet for smaller organizations or individuals to bring their message to the world. As opposed to radio broadcasting, the podcasting medium is to some degree a form of narrowcasting. Podcasts typically reach very small niche audiences. However, some podcasts are quite popular and can reach large audiences. Podcasting is a type of audio and video broadcast media distribution on the Internet. Usually podcasts involve data files that contain audio or video data that is stored on the Internet that comes to your computer automatically on a subscription basis. Once a podcast is downloaded to your computer, you can either listen or watch the broadcast on your computer or you can transfer it to a portable audio/video player and listen to it without being on the Internet. This can be quite convenient when you ride the bus or do your yard work. Read more...

Energy Bills Likely to Draw Attention of Legislators
By Roy C. Hengerson, Missouri Legislative Director

The Missouri State Legislature begins its 2008 Session on Wednesday January 9 at 12 noon. How prominent environmental issues will be is not certain at this point. However, it is likely that energy bills will again receive attention from legislators. Passage of the Easy Connection Act, which combined net metering with renewable energy targets, was a significant victory in 2007, and one that may lead to other energy bills being introduced and moving through the legislative process. We can count on the need to play defense in preventing passage of bad environmental bills that always crop up. The Missouri Sierra Club plans to be fully engaged as the 2008 General Assembly debates and decides on bills affecting the health and environment of Missouri’s citizens. Your support for our legislative program is vital to its success. Read more...

Chair’s Column
by Jim Turner, Missouri Chapter Chair

Awhile ago I mentioned Sierra Club membership to a progressive neighbor in my town, and he replied “I’m not that confrontational.” Certainly confrontation of determined corporate polluters is necessary at times, and our Missouri Chapter takes the litigation route when other means fail. But we also have an increasing need for “non-confrontational people” to get involved in our Group and Chapter meetings. Read more...

Our Thanks to Bob and Claus!
By Caroline Pufalt

Thanks for years of dedicated volunteer service in editing and publishing the Missouri Sierran newsletter! For many years Bob Sherrick and Claus Wawrzinek have been the “unseen” force behind our newsletter, formerly called the Ozark Sierran. Read more...

Picnic at Ha Ha Tonka State Park
by Melissa Hope, Missouri Development Director

Sierra Club members and friends gathered at Ha Ha Tonka State park on a beautiful afternoon in September, 2007 for a picnic hosted by Barbara Fredholm of Camdenton. Participants were invited to “Do Something for the Planet!”

Melissa Hope, Missouri Sierra Club and Susan Brown, Concerned Citizens of Platte County spoke about existing and emerging energy issues in Missouri, water quality issues, and shared tips for successfully organizing neighbors and friends for community action. After the presentation the group had the opportunity to discuss concerns about their Ozark environment. The picnic was enjoyed by all with a backdrop of hammered dulcimer music by Laurie Thompson with Dave Thompson on guitar. Read more...

Ozarks New Energy Conference to feature high-profile alternative energy experts
By Jennifer Ailor, ONE Conference Coordinator

Focus on current and future alternative energy and sustainable fuels for the Ozarks.

The Ozarks New Energy (ONE) Conference Feb. 22-23 will bring a slate of prominent researchers and speakers to Springfield, as well as local experts, discussing alternative fuels to coal, gas and oil and their development and application in the Ozarks. Read more...

Missouri Can Do Better Than Coal
By Melissa Hope, Development Director

Sierra Club assembled a broad coalition of citizen, health, religious, labor, energy and environmental groups from throughout Missouri on November 13, 2007 to announce their opposition to Associated Electric Cooperative Inc’s (AECI) planned coal-burning power plant in Norborne, MO and their support for clean and renewable energy sources for Missouri’s future. The announcement preceded a public hearing being held by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) in which many participants testified. COALITION: •Concerned Citizens of Carroll County •United Steel Workers •Blue Green Alliance •Columbia Climate Change Coalition •Burroughs Audubon •Citizens for Environmental Action •Concerned Citizens of Platte County •Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition of Kansas City •True Blue Women •Sierra Club •Missourians for Safe Energy •Missouri Coalition for the Environment •The American Lung Association •Physicians for Social Responsibility. Read more...

Sierra Club’s Clean Air & Energy Campaign leads the way in Missouri
By Melissa Hope, Development Director

Our successful Clean Air & Energy Campaign is energizing citizens across the state to demand smart energy solutions that clean up our environment, curb global warming and create jobs. In addition, we are working directly with Missouri’s energy industry and the Public Service Commission to encourage the development of clean and responsible energy alternatives for our future. When necessary we use public interest litigation to achieve our goals. Read more...

Know Your Sierra Club - Council of Club Leaders
By Caroline Pufalt

We know the Sierra Club from the ground up. We read the local newsletter, attend a local outing, learn about state legislative issues and gather information on national environmental issues to help out at that level. We vote for group and chapter volunteer leaders in Missouri. We all have the option of voting for the Club’s National Board of Directors too. Read more...