Des Moines Register
06-13-07
Cities must lead in developing energy security
By FRANK COWNIE
IOWA VIEW
Recognizing the serious need for local energy security and energy self-reliance, I
feel strongly as mayor of Des Moines that I should take action to develop
strategies for conservation and renewable energy.
Global and national events threaten our energy independence daily, and
prevention and preparation must start in the local arena. City governments
across the nation must take the lead in mapping out the future of energy for their
communities. In perhaps an unprecedented move, I have asked mayors from
around the state to join me along with business, education, civic, labor and
industrial organizations for the first Energy Futures Conference of Iowa.
On Friday and Saturday, mayors from across Iowa will meet in Des Moines to
develop strategies for conservation and renewable energy. Members of the Great
Des Moines Partnership also have been invited to participate.
Through this conference, we hope to develop a renewable-energy master plan
for 2008 and a curriculum to teach about sustainability that can be applied K-12
nationwide.
Friday evening's activities will feature a roster of nationally known speakers, and
the public is invited to attend for free to learn more about the critical energyrelated issues facing our cities and nation.
Keynote speaker will be Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, an internationally recognized
speaker on sustainability and population issues. She will address why ecological
diversity matters.
Among other speakers: John B. Askew, Region 7 administrator for the
Environmental Protection Agency, will discuss climate-protection actions that
citizens and businesses can take. He's a sixth-generation farmer of land near
Thurman. Roya Stanley, with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in
Golden, Colo., will address economic-development opportunities in renewable
energy. Jason Hartke from the Green Building Council will focus on buildings as
energy producers. And Tim Borich, associate dean of community and
regional planning at Iowa State University, will speak on the bioeconomy and
coming lifestyle changes.
On Saturday, participants will act as if they must make the transition to
renewable energy in one year and will develop energy strategies for the
residential, industrial, health-care, transportation and other sectors.
During the summer, Iowans will be invited to discuss the results on Votelink.com,
linked from the city of Des Moines home page, add additional options and vote
on actions they would like to see implemented.
Please join us Friday night to become part of determining our energy future.
FRANK COWNIE is mayor of Des Moines.