SierraScape April - August 2017
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Help Save Eleven Point River State Park, Solar Energy and More
by Henry Robertson
Eastern Missouri Group Executive Committee Vice Chair
Do you ever feel your voice is lost in the crowd when you contact your federal representatives? That can be frustrating, but at the local, state level your voice can stand out. You can easily find your state Senator and Representatives by checking: https://www.mo.gov/government/legislative-branch/. If you have any questions about who represents you call our office at 314-644-1011.
The General Assembly is in session till May 12, with the power to do a lot of bad and, just maybe, a little good. Some 2,000 bills have been filed, House bills (HB) and Senate bills (SB). Most of them barely leave the starting blocks. Few will cross the finish line of passage. Here are some of the important environmental bills that are moving as of this writing (March 18), with the Sierra Club's position on each. Call your representatives and senators!
HB 698 (oppose) would prevent the creation of any new state park until all existing parks have been brought up to date and fully maintained. And when will the legislature provide the money to do that?
HB 821 (oppose) requires DNR to sell off land acquired with lead remediation settlement funds, particularly Eleven Point River State Park. This bad bill is gathering support, your voice can help push back.
HB 340 (oppose) threatens rooftop solar in Missouri. Another candidate for worst bill of the year! Electric utilities don't like homeowners horning in on their monopoly by generating some of their own power. This bill would pile an extra 75% onto the monthly fixed charge that other customers pay, just for homeowners who dare to do this, making the payback time on solar systems longer.
SB 109 (support) is a solar bill of rights that would stop homeowners' associations from discriminating against solar on aesthetic or other grounds. Here is something great to support.
SB 22 (support) authorizes DNR to buy out homes near West Lake landfill that have been affected by radioactive waste. A move like this is long overdue.
HB 175 (oppose) is a blow to local control. It forbids any local government to pass any ordinance or regulation about the labeling, cultivation or other use of seed (think GMOs), fertilizers or soil conditioners.
SB 368 (oppose) says that any financial information that polluters provide to the Department of Natural Resources will be automatically considered confidential and may be kept from the public.