LWVMZC Home Page

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 Care

    Dr. 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 speaks to LWVMZC 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)

    Candidate Forum Criteria

    Click to read newly adopted criteria for participation in LWVMZC candidate forums.

    Think Before You Ink

    Click to read this alert regarding the signing of various ballot initiative petitions.

    EPA Four Corners Position Proposal

    The League of Women Voters of LaPlata and Montezuma Counties have recently sent a letter to Lisa Jackson, Head of EPA, proposing that the agency provide the Four Corner Area with a senior position reporting to EPAUS who would encourage and help to create a system-wide approach to solving air quality problems within the Four Corners. It is hoped the new EPA Four Corners position would lead to a singular, system focus for the three EPA regions that oversee the Four Corner Area: Denver Regional office for Colorado and Utah; Dallas Regional office for New Mexico and San Fransisco office for Arizona. In addition to the letter, here are links to a summary of the proposal made to the EPA by the two Leagues of SW Colorado, and a draft description of the senior position.

    Montezuma County Air Quality

  • 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. 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.
  • Colorado Ozone Tech. Support Document Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment PDF document contains ozone requirements and a great deal of general information about areas of the state including Montezuma county. Search the document for 'Montezuma'.
  • Healthcare Action Center

  • I Am Organizing For Health Care
  • 2010 Election Schedule

  • CO LWV Election Schedule
  • TEXT to Small or Large?

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  • Good Reading

  • Online Read
    Mountain Studies Institutes´ 2009 San Juan Air Quality Forum Presentations

  • Online Read
    Health Care Issues Behind Health Care Reform is new (2009). The League of Women Voters of Arizona has just published this comprehensive booklet on the health care issues that are driving health care reform efforts in the U.S.

  • Online Read
    CURBING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS — TWO APPROACHES
    By Eleanor Revelle

  • Online Read
    Lighting the Way to a Greener Environment
    By Eleanor Revelle

  • Online Read
    The Heat Is On — Climate Change and Emerging Policies
    By Robin Tokmakian

  • Online Read
    There is no Free Lunch — But There Are Cost Effective Solutions
    By Pamela W. Person

  • Online Read
    Staying Warm and Living Green
    By Eleanor Revelle

  • Online Read
    Water — let´s use it wisely
    By Eleanor Revelle

  • Online Read
    CARBON OFFSETS: A CAUTIONARY TALE
    By Eleanor Revelle

  • Must read book - Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman.

  • Global Climate Change Resources

  • CO. Center on Law and Policy Publications page
    This organization is non-partisan.

  • Why We Need Government and Government Needs Us
  • 2008 Election Links

  • CO. Ballot Issues
  • CO. Legislative Council ballot analyses
  • League's Stands on Ballot Issues
  • CO. Voters Guide
  • U.S. Election 2008
  • 411Vote.org