Hello to all my friends,

I am sending you a friendly message about the need to voice your concern about coal issues that will pollute our air! I hope you are not offended as I answer all the questions and concerns in one email! If you just need a reminder to voice your thoughts call 298-6142 for the Mayor's office or email at ecall@bountifulutah.gov . Tim Wagner's contact information is at the bottom of the page if you want to contact him for more information.

The Bountiful City Council is back in town from their Washington D.C. trip so now is an ideal time to express your concern. Perhaps you are only sure enough to call and say that you are not sure that coal is a good option and you would like to explore other options. Perhaps you are only sure enough to say that you want to preserve and improve our air quality, not worsen the problem.

Maybe you are concerned that the coal plant will ultimately drive your property values down and add future tax issues as the government taxes the dirtiest sources of energy. Whatever your main issue, please let your feelings be heard. As I mentioned before, this is an area that concerns me greatly and has done so for about 4 years. I know Mayor Joe Johnson as a wonderful and inspirational leader. I know that he will be concerned when polite Bountiful citizens and other Davis County residents call.

I have received some emails asking for reasons why the coal power may be a good thing. I am working with a team of 5 doing a presentation for a WSU class now. One person, Morgan, is addressing the positive aspects of the coal picture. No doubt the system they are considering is less polluting than the ancient coal plants that covered cities in black film years ago. It is also cheap in the short run. We have so many better options right now than coal plants that are more economical and preserve our health and the beauty of this valley! It is so much simpler to choose a worthwhile energy source now than to alter or shut one down after it is built.

A couple of emails focused on the global warming issue, claiming that they do not buy the global warming issue. May I suggest that the global conferences involving 20,000 scientists from all over the world all agree to the global warming issue. Visit the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for details. http://www.ipcc.ch/ I thought the issue was clearly defined in 1989 when I was studying environmental biology in a class at BYU. The evidence has mounted with great intensity since then. The only place where a "controversy" is drummed up is within the popular media. A documentary that avoids political slant is "An Inconvenient Truth." Another documentary discusses the many options for clean energy- "Kilowatt Hours."

Most of us do not have the time to spend studying this issue and reading the scientific reports which are so detailed that training is required to understand the documents. Renting the above films provides some speedy education on the subject. We are also striving to set up an informational meeting and a film viewing that will explain some of these issues. We are trying to select a date at the Bountiful Library so keep in touch!

As we involve ourselves in the rhetoric please recognize the solid nature of the data compiled and analyzed by people who have nothing to gain by proving that global warming is happening. You may enjoy flipping through the slides of those who search for workable plans to trap CO2 in the earth on the IPCC website. These professional are certain of the many consequences of the climate change and they are seeking inventions and innovations to stop or slow the damage. I can see that if they could convince us to act, we could all be powerful agents for good. I want to be one of those who is working for a common good! I read a wonderful book that tells our history of water management starting from 14th century in Europe. Water: A Natural Resource, by Laura Outwater details many of the losses we have already sustained in our environment. I notice that so much of our American dream was facilitated by resources that we have now squandered. It is a beautiful book of history and science!

My husband just came in and it is time for me to go to bed. He says that he doesn't know much about the science but he can see the smog and he can feel the burn in his lungs. That is real and he knows that along that issue he can help influence a change. I encourage education and responsibility for ourselves and our children! I love this city and I want it to make choices that are smart for a long time!

Here's to your health and happiness!
Elizabeth Merrell

CALL TIM FOR MORE INFORMATION!
Tim Wagner
Director, Utah Smart Energy Campaign
Utah Chapter Sierra Club
2159 So. 700 E., Suite 210
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
office: 801/467-9294