Fall 2006 – Spring 2007

LWV Energy Committee researched Action Plans of several U.S. cities which had signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. The committee provided this information during meetings with Columbia’s mayor and city manager and urged prompt implementation of the city’s Climate Protection Agreement (CPA) adopted July 2006.

Conducted LWV unit meetings in March 2007 to share information about Columbia’s CPA, other cities’ Action Plans, and meetings with Columbia officials, as well as facts about Missouri’s greenhouse gases and highlights from recent IPCC reports.

Facilitated a one hour discussion with members of the city council and environment commission on Community Cable TV to inform citizens about Columbia’s Climate Protection Agreement and the need for action on climate change.

Presented a one hour program on Community Cable TV in which a local citizen

explained his proposal to meet Columbia’s projected electricity demand through 2020 with wind power and Pumped Hydro Storage, instead of building a new coal-fired plant.

Prepared articles for local Voter, e.g. LWVUS’ statement re need for climate change

action, Columbia’s CPA, suggestions for individual actions to reduce global warming, availability of federal tax credits for solar systems and energy efficiency measures.

Monitored city progress in acquiring renewable energy sources to comply with

the requirements of the Columbia Renewable Energy Standard enacted by voters in 2004 following an initiative petition drive led by LWV and a community coalition.

At Water & Light advisory board meetings LWV expressed support for new energy

conservation programs and early acquisition of renewable energy sources to meet Columbia’s future electric needs. A customer rebate program for purchase of high efficiency air conditioners proposed by LWV was subsequently implemented.

Presented a statement supporting a proposed net-metering rule (later adopted) allowing full credit for power sent back to the utility by local on-site generators.

Co-sponsored a community “Step It Up” (for Climate Change) event with the local Climate Change Coalition on April 14. Distributed a list of actions individuals could

use to reduce their carbon “footprints” and initiated collection of signatures on three separate petitions urging climate change action at local, state and federal levels.

At the annual Earth Day Festival, the League exhibit highlighted renewable energy

sources, actions to reduce GHGs, and the petitions for action on climate change.

The CBC LWV Annual Meeting in April featured a University of Missouri science professor addressing the question, “Can We Stop Global Warming?”

In May LWV & CC Coalition formally requested the Columbia City Council to promptly implement the city’s Climate Protection Agreement and appoint a broad-based citizen

committee to formulate a Climate Action Plan. The Council was also presented with several hundred signatures on petitions for local action on climate change.