The League's Environmental Quality/Climate Change Committee (EQ) studies and acts on environmental issues related to land, air, water, energy, waste, climate change, sustainability, and biodiversity. 

Click here for a blog post from LWVUS on the climate crisis. 

April 2023 - EQ Annual Report

The EQ committee studies and acts on environmental issues related to land, air, water, energy, waste, climate change, sustainability, agriculture, and biodiversity. The committee utilizes In League Reporter articles on numerous Natural Resource/Environmental Quality subjects to educate League members on Environmental Issues.

Environmental Quality is everyone’s concern. Forward questions, suggested topics, or comments to EnvironmentalQuality [at] lwvstl.org. 

The League continues to be represented on the St. Louis County Government Waste Management Commission and the Rate Commission of the Metropolitan St Louis Sewer District. The League is an active member of the Missouri Clean Energy Coalition (MCEC).

The EQ committee uses numerous League Positions (national, state and local) with Board Approval to testify, lobby, and take action. This year EQ used Zoom and electronic communications on environmental/ natural resource issues (resource management, environmental protection and pollution controls, air quality, energy, land use, water resources, waste management and recycling, nuclear issues, public participation, agricultural policy and transportation). EQ Program focus for the year included continued advocacy for clean air and water as well as measures to significantly mitigate and slow the rate of climate change. We participated in Program Planning as well.

EQ is working to expand our social media. Tweets were submitted for Mo DNR Testimony, regarding water quality and CAFO’s, MSD Storm Water Management Public Hearings, and Lead.

The committee continues to monitor and advocate for sustainability for both the City of St Louis and the greater region. This past year the EQ Committee continued to monitor national, state and local environmental issues. It is anticipated that this will continue to be our focus in the coming year.

The EQ participated in the Missouri Environmental Summit in October. EQ works with coalition partners to monitor legislation, regulatory agencies, and pending rule changes.

The Committee meets quarterly and conducts business and activities between meetings via email and phone. Everyone is welcomed to join our committee. If you do not have time to be involved with the EQ but would like to keep informed and receive action alerts on environmental issues, please email Mickey at mickeycroyle [at] gmail.com and you will be added to the alerts and committee emails. Many League members receive information from the committee, and respond to request for actions alerts, but do not have time to actively participate in committee Meetings.

Recent EQ Committee Action and the Natural Resource positions used:

Note: for the last biennial our Natural Resource Positions did provide sufficient resources and support to act on the priorities and to address the environmental problems/issues of our region.

1. December 2019 initially and secondarily December 2022 testimony to US EPA request for comments regard Study to Reduce Lead Exposure and Disparities in US Communities.
   Positions used: health and safety, clean air, water and air, hazardous waste, environmental protection, environmental justice, climate change, etc.
2.  April 18, 2022, and August 1, 2022 Mo DNR Water Protection Program regarding NPNES Operating Permit, Ameren, Labadie water permit. (Water, environmental protection, climate change, environmental justice)
3. Oct. 4, 2022 submitted comments opposing Spire Energy third rate increase using environmental justice, rate position, climate change, environmental protection, health and safety.
4. Dec. 4, 2022 submitted comments to the US EPA on the St Charles City Water Well Contamination using water quality, hazardous waste, environmental justice, health and safety, and climate change.
5. Dec. 6, 2022 participated in a US EPA town hall meeting regarding Good Neighbors, Air Pollution and Ozone concerns.  Positions of support included Air pollution, climate change, clean air environmental protections.  They are now asking for comments on improvement of air quality, reduction of ozone with a focus on neighboring states impact especially related to low income and minority communities.  EQ is working on a statement and will be bringing to the Board for approval. 
6. January 2023 working on statement to the MO PSC regarding Ameren’s second rate increase including a fixed rate that has a greater impact on minority, low income and fixed income households.  (Environmental protection, rate)
7. During March 2023, submitted comments on revised air quality standards to protect the public from the harmful effects of soot. Used Natural Resource Positions include Air Quality, Environmental Protection and Climate Change.

8. Preparation of testimony to US EPA regarding increase standards for water effluent  from Power Plants. (environmental protection, hazardous waste, air pollution, climate change, environmental justice).

January 2023 Newsletter Article about Jana School radiation exposure:

In St Louis, the radiation detected at Jana School is many magnitudes (in scientific terms this refers to factors of ten) lower than that in Fukushima, which was one-tenth of Chernobyl.  Lessons learned from the Japanese study (below) could indicate that the emotional response and the Jana school closure could result in a decline in general well-being and health of the community. A better understanding of the facts and the science behind them should ease those ill effects. 

January is National Radon Action Month.  Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that cannot be seen or smelled, is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in the U.S. and is responsible for about 21,000 U.S. deaths each year. Most homes throughout US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Region 7 are in areas designated as EPA Radon Zone One or Two, indicating high or moderate potential for elevated radon levels. EPA Region 7 encompasses Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations.  

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Click here for a presentation on our past EQ work.