New Group formed to PROMOTE Plant

Community Energy Solutions Challenges New Group to Public Discussion

Community Energy Solutions, the nonprofit organization promoting a clean, efficient energy future for the Cedar Valley, has challenged Progress Cedar Valley to call for a public forum on the LS Power Plant.

"We eagerly welcome this opportunity for public discussion of our energy future," said Mark Kresowik, organizer for Community Energy Solutions. "This is a local decision – LS Power needs the City Council of Waterloo to rezone the property. We hope this new group will join us in calling for democracy, for an open forum with City officials and the public."

Representatives for the Iowa Utilities Board have stated that if the local planning agency denies zoning, the plant cannot be built. The City Council has the ability to stop this plant.

"Some say it is a 'done deal', but local elected officials have yet to come out, listen to the people and explain to the public what position they have taken so far and why," said Kamyar Enshayan, a Cedar Falls City Councilor.

Some members of Community Energy Solutions also challenged the group's claims that approval by the Department of Natural Resources meant the plant would be safe.

"We know the EPA and DNR regulate some of the pollution," said Gail Mueller, President of Community Energy Solutions. "But then why are 16 states suing the EPA for not protecting the public? And who is regulating the millions of tons of carbon dioxide that contribute to global warming?"

Sixteen states have sued the Environmental Protection Agency for mercury rules that are too lenient. Coal-fired power plants contribute 40% of the carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. The LS Power plant will emit the equivalent of more than 600,000 cars on the road.

"We MUST have a public discussion about the extremely exciting new advances in technology," said Renata Sack of Waterloo. "Iowa could be entirely powered by renewable energy. It is imperative that the citizens of Waterloo and Black Hawk County become educated in renewable energy sources. We cannot allow mercury and CO2 to be released into the atmosphere by new coal combustion plants."

Those promoting the economic benefits also have something to consider.

"Idaho Governor Jim Risch declared that as long as he promoted economic development the damages created by emissions from coal-fired power plants would outweigh any economic benefit. He effectively banned the construction of coal plants in Idaho. Do you really think that a few dollars is worth more than the health of our children, and grandchildren?" said Don Shatzer, Vice President of Community Energy Solutions.

Thousands of citizens do not feel that this plant represents progress for the Cedar Valley, the State of Iowa, or the United States of America. Nearly 4,000 people have signed a petition against the LS Power project.

Carrie La Seur, an attorney with Midwest Environmental Justice Advocates, said, "I have confidence that Waterloo's leaders will soon realize that coal-fired power generation is Iowa's past, not its future. I don't know how you can call this plant 'progress' for anyone."

The public, and Progress Cedar Valley, is invited to participate in the League of Women Voters Forum on the LS Power Plant on Tuesday, Sept. 26^th at 7 pm in Area Education Agency 267. Community Energy Solutions is also playing host to the Green Bike Tour, www.greenbike.org, which will be coming to Washington Park in Waterloo at 10:30 am and the Center for Energy and Environmental Education at 12:15 pm on Thursday, Sept. 21st.For more information, go to http://cleanairwaterloo.com or email cleanairwaterloo@gmail.com.

Group to bike for greening of America - Metro

Group to bike for greening of America - Metro

Check out this great article in the Daily Iowan on the upcoming Green Bike Tour. It is coming to Waterloo and Cedar Falls on September 21st. Join today!

The Local Process

For months, local government agencies and representatives have been telling citizens they can’t stop this plant. We now know that is not true. The Iowa Utilities Board’s attorneys have said that this project is NOT exempt from local zoning.

Below is an email from the City Planner describing the local zoning process that must take place before this plant is built. It is time to for the public to speak.

“Again, we would prefer to rezone the property to "M-2,P" Planned Industrial if it is annexed into the City of Waterloo. The "M-2,P" classification is consistent with the majority of land being rezoned in the Northeast Industrial Park area, including the Deere site, Tyson Foods, Tannery, Ferguson, etc. The Heavy Industrial designation (M-2) lists under its Principal Permitted Uses:

" A building or premises may be used for any purpose whatsoever except those listed in subparagraph 1, 2,3, and 4 below: ........ (a power plant is not listed in the subparagraphs).

Therefore, this zoning classification would work for the use of a power plant. A power plant is not otherwise listed as a permitted use in the Zoning Ordinance (as it cannot list everything).

The rezoning process is as follows:

Upon annexation, the land is, by ordinance, automatically zoned "A-1" Agricultural District. The application would need to be submitted for the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission meets once a month on the 1st Tuesday of the month. Requests are due two weeks prior to that time to allow us staff time for mailing notice, etc. The request would be mailed to all property owners within 250' of the property boundaries to be rezoned. (The next PZ meeting is Sep 12 due to holiday, with a turn-in date of Aug 29). After review by the Planning Commission, the request is forwarded to City Council. The City Council must go to a meeting and set a date of public hearing - generally 2-3 weeks after that initial meeting. At the hearing, the City Council will approve or disapprove of a request. If the Planning Commission recommends denial, or if 20% of the landowners (by area) within that 250' mailing notice area are opposed to the request, it will take a 3/4 majority of the City Council to approve the rezoning (6 out of 7 council members).”

To contact Waterloo City Councilors, click here: http://www.wplwloo.lib.ia.us/waterloo/citycouncil.html

For more information on upcoming events and ways to help, click here: http://cleanairwaterloo.com