New Our LWVMZC July 2010 Newsletter
includes our updated calendar
As usual, full of great local, Colorado and U.S. information.
New LWVUS Toolkit for Climate Change
Global climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our nation and
our planet today. Increasingly severe consequences are projected for more people
and more regions of the world unless we act now — as individual, as communities,
and as a nation. For its part, the League is calling for prompt action to cut this
country´s GHG emissions, freeze construction of new coal−fired power plants,
invest in a new clean energy economy, and help the world´s poorest countries
tackle the challenges of climate change.
The changing climate is threatening human health and causing environmental damages
New Portal to healthcare info
It´s a very handy resource for information that used to be difficult to find.
It´s available to help millions who need insurance find it, and as a resource
for those who want to shop around for new options or find out their new benefits
under the new law.
where anyone can go to find insurance options in their state.
The Latest
LWVMZC´s response to Enivonmental Assessment of Kinder Morgan mining CO2 on the Canyon of the Ancients.
Reference: Environmental Assessment CO-800-2009-043, Kinder Morgan
Proposed Goodman Point Development Project
Dear Mr. Rice,
The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County has the following comments and
concerns on the subject Environmental Assessment for Kinder Morgan´s proposed six
new wells for carbon dioxide extraction and associated pipeline system.
Click to read more
Marcia Angell on Obama´s Health CareDr. Marcia Angell, a single-payer advocate, doesn´t think there´s much in the President´s plan to feel good about. But it´s not just the particular version that she objects to − rather that the bill doesn´t address what´s fundamentally wrong with the American health care system. More...
EPA Four Corners Position!! −−−−>See the description and links in the right sidebar.
Ozone Readings in Cortez − Real Time !! Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides ozone readings for the past 12 hours. See right sidebar.
Ozone Readings in Cortez − Long Term Table. See right sidebar. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment table of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th maximum 8hr average ozone readings as well as 3 year average of 4th maximum values.
Celebration of the
League of Women Voters 90thAnniversary
The League of Women Voters of Montezuma County will celebrate the 90th anniversary with a cake cutting at the general meeting "Legislative Lowdown" for interested public on Saturday, February 20 at 2 P.M. in the Calvin Denton Room of Empire Electric Association, 801 N. Broadway, Cortez. Our State Senator, Bruce Whitehead and Representatives Ellen Roberts and Scott Tipton are invited to discuss 2010 Colorado Legislative efforts and issues.
More...
About the League of Women Voters 90thAnniversary
The League of Women Voters (LWV), a nonpartisan political organization
that works to improve our system of government and impact public policies
through citizen education and advocacy, is celebrating its
90th anniversary in 2010. Not coincidentally,
the 19th amendment to the United States
Constitution that gave women the right to vote celebrates its
90th anniversary in 2010, as well.
"The women who started the movement to give women the right to
vote really didn´t know where it would end, how it would end, or
when it would end," said League of Women Voters president,
Mary G. Wilson. "And yet they persevered. They persevered in a
time when it wasn´t fashionable for women to speak out on any
issue − let alone try to get some rights for themselves. They
worked against all odds − and succeeded."
More...
Mountain Studies Institute Feb 2010 Newsletter
American Values and Health Care Reform
from the New England Journal of Medicine
Sustainability Study Documents
The LWVCO Sustainability Study will start soon. More background documents have recently been added and may be found
here.
"Great Decisions" Discussion Groups Starting
Great Decisions discussion groups focus on the Great Decisions briefing book.
This well researched annual publication provides eight timely global topics read
by group participants prior to meetings, in order to guarantee that all discussion
group members come together from the same point of reference, with the same facts
and basic understanding of the issues to be discussed. Everyone is encouraged to
share his or her thoughts and each participant's point of view carries equal weight.
In conjunction with the League of Women Voters of Montezuma County two
Great Decision Discussion Groups have been formed. Meetings to discuss 2009 topics will be held at the Mancos Library (533−7600) and to discuss the 2010 topics at the Dolores Library (882−4666). Attend both groups to discuss all 16 topics!!
Click the links below to view the topics.
Contact the above phone numbers or Jodi Foran, President, for more information.
882−2401 president@lwvmontezuma.org
New!
LWVUS health care white papers
Health Care Education Background Papers
The Health Care Education background papers
examine various questions. State and local Leagues
may use these papers as bases for their own discussion
and as reprints in League newsletters.
(read more)
Desert Rock funding request rejected
by Dale Rodebaugh
Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated; Thursday, December 10, 2009
12:24AM
Developers of the proposed Desert Rock power plant on the
Navajo Nation reservation near Farmington have lost their
bid for $450 million in stimulus money to install an expensive
carbon−capture system in the facility, which would be
the third coal−fired power plant in the Four Corners.
The proponents, the Navajo Nation and Sithe Global, in April
were stripped of the air−quality permit they were granted in
the summer of 2008 by the Environmental Protection Agency.
(read more)
The LWVMZC letter to the EPA regarding our local power plants is now available
here.
Think Before You Ink
LWVCO is encouraging the public to be cautious during this period of circulation of initiative petitions.
Senator Whitehead spoke to LWVMZC
On Sat, October 17, Senator Whitehead spoke at the Pondeosa Restaurant in Dolores. He brought us up to date on many issues being considered, including water issues.
New links to the latest Climate Change science
Some presented at the
"Dealing with Drought —
Adapting to Climate Change" workshop in Durango Oct 22, 2009.
"Dealing With Drought" Workshop's Home Page
Western Water Assessment's "Dealing with Drought — Adapting to a Changing Climate" Workshop Home page
Overview
The WWA, in conjunction with the Colorado Water Conservation
Board (CWCB), presented the "Dealing with Drought-Adapting to a
Changing Climate" workshop series during October in three
locations around Colorado. These workshops built on themes and
information from the October 2008 Governor’s Conference on
Managing Drought and Climate Risk. The 80 participants represented
diverse sectors and interests affected by drought and climate,
including water resource management, agriculture, land-use
planning, forest and range management, watershed protection,
environmental organizations, and tourism & recreation.
(read more)
Summary Reports
WWA Intermountain West Climate Summary
The Intermountain West Climate Summary (IWCS) provides the
latest climate information in a simple compact document aimed at
water managers, planners and policy makers with water-related
interests. By improving awareness and understanding about forecasts
as well as climate phenomenon, the climate summary helps WWA
facilitate a dialog among potential users, researchers, and
operational providers of climate information with the ultimate
goal of providing enhanced climate services...(more)
NRCS Colorado Basin Outlook Reports (Jan-May 2009)
June 1 Summary:
Summary
May´s warm and dry weather patterns have contributed to an early
meltout of Colorado's mountain snowpack. With nearly uninterrupted
snowmelt occurring throughout May, only remnants of last winter's
snowpack now remain across southern Colorado. With the early melt,
streamflows have responded accordingly with earlier than normal
high volumes. Seasonal volume forecasts have not changed significantly
from last month in most basins. For most of the state near average
spring and summer runoff is forecast, with below average runoff
forecast across the southwestern portion of the state. As expected,
reservoir storage has improved significantly with the early snow melt
and is currently in the best condition in a decade.
Colorado Water Conservation Board "Climate Change in Colorado Fact Sheet"
The scientific evidence is clear: the Earth´s climate is
warming. Multiple independent measurements confirm
widespread warming in the western United States.
in Colorado, temperatures have increased by
approximately 2ºF between 1977 and 2006. Increasing
temperatures are affecting the state´s water resources.
The Colorado Climate Report is a synthesis of climate
change science important for Colorado´s
water supply. It focuses on observed trends, modeling, and
projections of temperature, precipitation,
snowmelt, and runoff. The report summarizes Colorado—specific
findings from peer—reviewed
regional studies, and presents new graphics derived
from existing datasets. The state is home to
many experts in climate and hydrology, and this report
also draws from ongoing work by these
scientists...(more)
Colorado Water Conservation Board's "Climate Change in Colorado" page.
The scientific evidence is clear: the Earth’s climate is warming.
Multiple independent measurements confirm widespread warming in the
western United States; in Colorado, temperatures have increased by
approximately 2°F between 1977 and 2006. Increasing temperatures are
affecting the state’s water resources...(more)
Other
Report looks at hidden health costs of energy production
WASHINGTON — Generating electricity by burning coal
is responsible for about half of an estimated $120 billion in
yearly costs from early deaths and health damages to thousands
of Americans from the use of fossil fuels, a federal advisory
group said Monday.
Where Do Toxins in the Air Come From and How They Are Monitored
A presentation by Mike Silverstein (PDF), Colorado Air Pollution
Control Division´s deputy director and the manager of the
division´s Planning and Policy Program given at the Air Quality
and it´s Impact on Health Forum, October 8, 2009.
Mike´s main area of expertise is in air quality planning, which
involves working with industry, government agencies and citizens to develop
plans for areas that have violated National Ambient Air Quality Standards,
such as the ozone standard. Mike also leads the division´s efforts
to assess air quality issues in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Four
Corners region. Mike holds B.S and M.S. degrees in Geography from the
University of Colorado. Prior to joining the division, Mike was an
environmental scientist with the E.P.A. in Denver and an environmental
consultant.
2009 League Day Presentations
Mark Cavanaugh´s American Recovery Act Presentation (PDF)
Irene Aguilar´s Health Care presentation (PDF)
Phyllis Horney´s Fiscal Crisis write-up (PDF)
Volunteer Opportunities
Try the search site All For Good. Enter your zipcode to search.
Check out Serve.Gov for volunteer opportunities or to register your project and request volunteer help.
In the News
Desert Rock funding request rejected
by Dale Rodebaugh
Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated; Thursday, December 10, 2009
12:24AM
Developers of the proposed Desert Rock power plant on the
Navajo Nation reservation near Farmington have lost their
bid for $450 million in stimulus money to install an expensive
carbon−capture system in the facility, which would be
the third coal−fired power plant in the Four Corners.
The proponents, the Navajo Nation and Sithe Global, in April
were stripped of the air−quality permit they were granted in
the summer of 2008 by the Environmental Protection Agency.
(read more)
LWVCO President on "Term Limits"
Joe Hanel
Journal Denver Bureau
DENVER — If Democrats pick a new state senator for Southwest Colorado this year, the appointee would have plenty of company among unelected lawmakers at the state Capitol.
Twenty—one of the 100 members of the General Assembly first won their seats by appointment, not election.
"It's become a practice for both parties to do that so they can have an incumbent's name out there," said Patty Cordova, president of the League of Women Voters Colorado chapter...(more)
Comments on the Desert Rock Draft EIS submitted by LWVMZC Aug 16, 2007
LWVMVC Letter to EPA re Desert Rock PSD and CO2 Regulation.
Eric Janes, our Environmental Chairman, has written a letter which we have sent to the EPA stating our concern
regarding the EPA's removal of CO2 monitoring from the PSD.
Read about Eric's background in our
November/December, 2007, newsletter in the lefthand menu.
Click to read the letter.
LWVUS Calls for Moratorium On Coal Fired Power Plants.
Moratorium on New Coal-Fired Electric Power Plants Is Imperative to Address Global Warming.
Global warming is happening, and its impacts are already being felt today.
Click to read the article in our September Newsletter.
Mark Your Calendar
See our online calendar.
If you find problems or have suggestions, email Chris Foran (chris@foran.net)
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