Fossil fuels, nuclear and hydroelectric clearly play a much larger role than wind or solar at this time. The significance of conservation is tricky to evaluate, but data by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) showed that conservation supplanted 8.6% of its energy demand, saving them the construction of a new plant. A DOE study estimates a >30% decrease (compared to "Business as Usual") in growth of energy demand if the government invests in conservation. Furthermore, for the last 30 years, increase in global GDP averaged 22% (19 - 25%) every 5 years while energy use see-sawed between -5% and 24%. This contradicts arguments that slowed growth in energy consumption (i.e. conservation) will cause economies to falter.

Not only is conservation already a significant factor in meeting energy needs - it is cheaper than any other method of supplying energy except hydro-electric (BPA). A $500 investment (energy efficient appliances, water heater blanket, weatherizing, etc.) can reduce a home's energy costs 10 to 30% which means a payback period of less than five years. Five years from now, coal fired, nuclear or hydroelectric plants would just be coming on line or still be in the development stage. So, in addition to being cheaper, it is quicker.

Even though currently insignificant, forecasts indicate that solar and wind are the technologies with the most world wide potential for growth. Centrally located fossil fuel, nuclear and hydro plants only have a cost advantage if there is a grid system in place. For the one to two billion people in the world off-grid, solar and wind are cheaper than other options.

Finally, fossil fuels, nuclear and hydroelectric have garnered the lion's share of U.S. subsidies for energy. Since subsidies effectively increase taxes on other businesses (16% according to Citizens for Tax Justice), they should meet important public purposes. Industries with mature technologies and well established markets shouldn't need subsidies if they are really economical. This suggests that these fuels from the fifties may be more of a drag on the economy than wind and solar, basically the 21st century equivalent of buggy whips.

Conservation is cheaper, quicker, cleaner and already has a significant share of the energy market. Without subsidies and in a global market, solar and wind power have a larger growth potential than fossil and nuclear fuels. It appears that the Cheney energy team may have given much more weight to factors other than cost, efficacy and and market potential (let alone environmental considerations). What where they thinking?

Find out More:

• DOE study: http://www.ornl.gov/ORNL/Energy_Eff/labweb.htm/
• Bonneville Power Administration: http://www.bpa.gov/energy/N/inside_ee/conservation_legacy/
• Citizens for Tax Justice: http://www.ctj.org/html/corpwelf.htm
• Energy Information Agency (subsidies, growth): http://eia.doe.gov

BioRegional Quiz: Does any creature like poison ivy?

Job of the Month: WOODWISE PROGRAM DIRECTOR. Co-op America in Washington, DC is seeking a WoodWise Program Director for two-year, grant-funded position. Responsible for developing and overseeing Co-op America's WoodWise Program and its current campaign, the magazine PAPER Project. WoodWise works to reduce demand for wood products and to get corporations to adopt environmental practices. The PAPER Project works to reform the magazine industry. Director will head the WoodWise team & work with other divisions at Co-op America to plan & implement campaigns; supervise staff; educate & mobilize constituencies around forest protection issues; collaborate with allied environmental groups; raise funds from foundations; and publicize the program's work. Salary: $35,000 - $40,000, + excellent benefits. Visit www.coopamerica.org or call 202-872-5327. To apply, fax resume & cover letter to Liz Borkowski, 202-331-8166.

Information on other Environmental Positions is available from the MU Environmental Studies Program, 211 Lowry (inside the Honors College), 882-7116, envstudy@showme.missouri.edu or at www.ejobs.org

Special Events/Information:
MISSOURI RIVER CELEBRATION: June 9, 10am - 8pm Rocheport. Celebrate Missouri River's heritage & resource potential. Includes Lewis & Clark Rendezvous 2001 & re-enactment by Discovery Expedition - replica boats and 25 re-enactors! Music, Water Festival, Booths and Vendors. Contact: 573-256-2602 or moriver@coin.org

MU Meetings and Events (call to confirm times and places)
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL 882-7116 Call for meeting dates and times over the summer.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES EXEC COM 882-7116 Call for meeting dates and times over the summer.
RECYCLING COMMITTEE 882-3091 Call for meeting dates and times over the summer

Organization Meetings and Events (call to confirm times and places)
AUDUBON SOCIETY Contact Brad Jacobs at 874-3904 for more information.
CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING 875-0539 Call for information on classes.
COLUMBIA FOOD CIRCLE Call 882-7463 or e-mail hendricksonm@missouri.edu for information.
COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS 874-6271 Volunteers needed:
Household Haz Waste, 1st/3rd Sats; Composting Wkshops and volunteers needed for numerous solid waste reduction activities. Call for details.
FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE STATE PARK 474-7429 Butterfly Identification at the park - Tuesday June 26, 5:30 pm, Cabin at Upper Park. Batty for Ice Cream (ice cream social and bat viewing), Tuesday July 24, 7 pm, lower (DevilÕs icebox) lot. Contact nancij4@home.com for details.
GREEN PARTY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI May 20th, 6:30 pm @ Canopy, 1027 E. Walnut.
GREENBELT COALITION 442-4789 Meeting, Tuesday June 5, 7 pm - Outdoors Building, 200 Old 63 S. http://www.coin.org/community/rec-center/greenbelt/green.htm
MISSOURI HEARTWOOD 443-6832 Meetings Tuesdays, 7:30 pm, 1027 E. Walnut. http://www.heartwood.org/MO/
MISSOURI NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY. Call 445-0321 or hayden@tranquility.net. No meeting in June.
MISSOURI RIVER COMMUNITIES NETWORK. 443-0292 2nd Annual MRC Festival & Lewis and Clark Rendezvous. Saturday, June 9th, 2001 in Rocheport MO. http://mrcn.missouri.org/ for info or to volunteer
NATIVE AMERICAN SUPPORT GROUP 443-5985 Meeting 2nd Sundays.
ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK 449-7402 http://rockbridge.missouri.org Tour of Devil's Ice Box Trail and watch bats emerge, June 30, 7:30 pm. Work sessions 2nd Saturdays 9 and 1:30 pm Park Office
SHOW ME CLEAN STREAMS COALITION Volunteers needed for 12 area watershed surveys and stream cleanups throughout the summer. Free introduction to Water Quality Monitoring workshop in Columbia, June 23, 8:30 - 5:00. Call for information (573)751-4115 ext 3169 or register on-line at www.mostreamteam.org
SIERRA CLUB 443-4401 Meeting 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Hillel Foundation, 1107 University Avenue, http://sierra.osage.missouri.org/ June 22-24 - Paddy CreekTrip Contact Rebecca Schedler 443-4401 to register
SMART GROWTH COALITION Meetings 1st Weds, 7 pm, Boone County Government Bldg. Contact tomvmoran@yahoo.com for more information.
WILD ONES July 7th Project Workday. Will visit a member's home gardens. See some spectacular summer blooms. Call 882-6072 or e-mail beamerl@missouri.edu for details

Answer to BioRegional Quiz: Poison ivy is a nuisance to people but has considerable wildlife value. The white, waxy berries are a popular food for songbirds, particularly robins, catbirds and grosbeaks. Small mammals and deer browse on poison ivy foliage, twigs and berries.