Executive Director, Rob Fisher is a member of the Arkansas Govenor's Commision on Global Warming and has worked to help align state policies to address climate change. While ECO is extremely busy conducting research and restoration in Arkansas, the issue of Climate Change is vitally important to us all and ECO is compelled to be involved in addressing this issue. Regardless of how one might feel about the details of Climate Change, it's happening and something has to be done to address our contributions to the problem. Please don't dismiss or delay action, we must act now to start combating Climate Change! Know that your participation will and does matter. ECO works continuously with Arkansas leaders to address this subject both on a local and national level.
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ECO has been working on state and federal environment and
energy policy issues for over 8 years. Director Rob Fisher was appointed
to the Governor's Commission on Global Warming in 2007. The creation of
the commission was directed by the State Legislature and an extensive report, outlining 54 policy recommendations,
was completed in October of 2008. You can also see a summary of the report and a video
of Governor Beebe speaking about the commission. On the national level,
ECO is the state representative for, and works closely with, the Pew Environment Group.
ECO continues the fight for legislation addressing climate change by supporting
the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
(ACES), also known as the Waxman-Markey bill or the "Cap and
Trade" bill. The ECO team conducts meetings and calls with Arkansas'
congressional delegation in order to share important information and refute
claims by dirty industries that are generally opposed to regulation.
Additionally, ECO continues to work with the network of environmental organizations
in Arkansas to engage the public through grassroots outreach and
advocacy. Join the effort on Facebook to find
out how you can help!
 To learn more about ECO's Energy and Climate policy initiatives and how you can get involved, please visit our Facebook page Arkansans For Clean Energy Jobs and become a fan!
Please scroll down to learn more about climate change....
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 ECO's "No Coal" Campaign helped to derail a the John
W. Turk Jr. Plant in Hempstead County. This coal-fired plant may still
be built so ECO needs you to help keep the pressure on the Arkansas
Public Service Comission. Tell them that we Arkansans don't want more
dirty energy created in our state!
Check out this news story for a good summary of the issue.
Please scroll down to learn more about coal...
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It’s Time To STOP Global Warming
CITIZENS’ CLIMATE POLICY: A STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
Global warming is one of the most serious threats to our environment, our health and our economy. The most recent scientific studies prove that global warming is here now and is already causing environmental changes that will have significant economic and social impacts.
The good news is that if we act now, and act decisively, we can reduce the worst effects of global warming. We can reduce global warming pollution by using existing technologies to make power plants and factories more efficient, make cars go farther on a gallon of gasoline, and shift to cleaner technologies, such as hybrids, cleanly-produced bio-fuels, and wind and solar power. Some cities, states and individuals are already adopting many of these solutions, which also reduce our dependence on oil, reduce air pollution, and protect pristine places from oil drilling and mining. State and local initiatives are proving that answers exist.
To reinforce and expand on those efforts, we need federal action that triggers solutions on a national scale. U.S. businesses can and should lead the world in developing new energy technologies, but most will not without the guidance of mandatory limits.
A federal limit on global warming pollution that meets the following principles is the responsible way to ensure protection of our environment for ourselves, our children, and future generations.
1. Guarantee global warming pollution reductions, with enforceable deadlines.
Scientists say that we must begin to significantly reduce our air emissions from today’s levels in the next 10 years and cut them by 60-80% by 2050 if we are to avert the worst consequences of global warming. Coal-fired power plants are the largest single source of global warming pollution. Cars, trucks and SUVs run a close second. Pollution from these sources is rising.
2. Promote clean and efficient sources of energy.
We can start using a number of low- and zero-pollution options immediately. The cleanest, fastest, and safest way to move away from dangerous sources of energy is to use energy more efficiently in our homes and vehicles. Energy efficiency reduces pollution and saves consumers money. Renewable energies like wind, solar and cleanly-produced bio-fuels reduce pollution, reduce reliance on oil and create new economic opportunities for farmers and small businesses.
3. Immediate action is required. If we wait, it will be too late.
We must begin to significantly reduce our emissions within 10 years if we are to limit global warming to 3.6° Fahrenheit and avoid the most dangerous impacts of global warming. The window of opportunity is closing, and the time for action is now.
In 2005 the U.S. Senate recognized that global warming is real and that the time has come for strong federal policy. As the impacts of global warming become more pervasive, it is clear that we cannot afford more delay. Our health and environment demand it.
 ECO is part of the Arkansas Climate Awareness Project (ARCAP). Click here to learn more about ARCAP
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NO NEW COAL, YES TO CLEAN ENERGY
All across the United States opposition is mounting against coal-fired power plants. Environmental activists, investors, politicians, and other groups are working to promote clean renewable energy and energy efficiency as a way to meet our energy needs in a more environmental friendly manner. "Wall Street is every day becoming more aware of the risks of building new coal plants - both the carbon-cost risks and the reputation risks," says Dan Bakal, director of electric power programs for CERES, a coalition of environmental groups and institutional investors.
 AEP's Conesville, Ohio, coal plant. Photo by Peter Essick, National Geographic.
Coal-fired power plants provide more than half of the electricity generated in the United States.
There are potentially two new coal-fired power plants coming to the Natural Sate. Dynegy/LS Power, based in Houston, TX began construction on the 665-megawatt Plum Point plant near Osceola in 2006. The plant is to begin operations in 2010, providing electricity to North Little Rock and several other Arkansas cities.
American Electric Power’s, Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) has plans to build a $ 1. 4 billion, 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Hempstead County, Arkansas. By a 2-1 vote, SWEPCO won approval from the Arkansas Public Service Commission in November to build the plant. That ruling has since been appealed to the Arkansas Court of Appeals, as SWEPCO awaits an air quality permit from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.
Coal-fired power plants are a significant threat to the environment and public health. Power plants are a major source of air pollution, with coal-fired power plants spewing 59% of total U.S. sulfur dioxide pollution and 18% of total nitrogen oxides every year.1 Coal-fired power plants are also the largest polluter of toxic mercury pollution2, largest contributor of hazardous air toxics3, and release about 50% of particle pollution.4 Additionally, power plants release over 40% of total U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, a prime contributor to global warming.5
As top climate experts and agencies suggest we need 80% carbon cuts by 2050 as a solution to truly combat global warming. As the number one contributor nationwide to CO2 emissions it is critical at this time that we begin to shift away from coal-fired power plants to new clean energy alternatives.
We need your help to stop the construction of these new coal plants and move Arkansas to a clean and green energy future. Arkansas has many alternatives such as wind, solar, and biomass to replace these dirty coal plants while creating a new green energy economy.
To find out more about this campaign and find ways to get involved please contact James Burke for more information: burke@ecoconservation.org
Together we can help keep Arkansas the Natural State!
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report." 2003. Appendix A.
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fact Sheet, "EPA to Regulate Mercury and Other Air Toxics Emissions from Coal- and Oil-Fired Power Plants." December 14, 2000. Available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3/fact_sheets/fs_util.pdf
3. Clean Air Task Force, "Children at Risk: How Air Pollution from Power Plants Threatens the Health of America's Children." May 2002. Available at http://www.catf.us/publications/reports/Children_at_Risk.pdf
4. Clean Air Task Force, "Children at Risk: How Air Pollution from Power Plants Threatens the Health of America's Children." May 2002. Available at http://www.catf.us/publications/reports/Children_at_Risk.pdf
5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2005," April 2007. Based on calculation of CO2 emissions from tables 3-1 and 3-3. Available at http://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usinventoryreport.html
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