With the changing political scene, we need to focus our attention to the regional, state, county, and local level of governments. Dealing with climate impacts is important especially in the current political arena. The Environmental Quality and Climate Committee (EQC2) studies and acts on environmental issues related to land, air, water, energy, waste, climate change, sustainability, agriculture, and biodiversity. Environmental Quality is everyone’s concern. The Committee meets quarterly the first Saturday of February, May, August, and November at 1 pm and conducts business and activities between meetings via email and phone. Everyone is welcome to join our committee.

Environmental Quality and Climate Committee has continued to advocate, educate, and engage our members and the entire region on the impacts and mitigations of climate change.

1. EQC2 keeps informed about current events, policy issues, and local initiatives that affect our environment and climate. Cuts to the US EPA and lack of public representation on the numerous Missouri regulatory commissions and boards. We need to ask questions and express our opinions, engaging with elected officials and participating in public forums, to ensure that our voices are heard. Speaking up can protect the health and safety of our communities. LWVUS is encouraging local Leagues to advocate and educate their region/community and League members on local and regional action to combat climate change. We continue to advocate and educate the St. Louis Community and the LWV Metro STL members on climate, climate impacts and motivate people to be involved in the climate battle.
2. The committee utilizes League networks and connections to expand our capacity and opportunities for action, advocacy and education on environmental and climate topics. to combat impacts of climate change on a regional level.
   A. LWVUS: 
   EQC2 participates in the LWV US Climate Interest Group and communicate to League members. It keeps us informed about environmental advocacy in other regions and states. The LWVUS Climate Interest Groups posts PowerPoints, articles, information on climate change, how to combat its impacts including links to educational webinars. We seek permission from LWVUS to submit testimony on environmental regulations for our region.
   B. Update for water management strategies must be done by regional, state, and local authorities. The LWV Inter League Organization of the Upper Mississippi River Region (UMRR) includes LWV of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois. Our membership expands our regional efforts and environmental collaborators to work regionally to maintain the health of the greater Mississippi River basin, combat climate change and provide educational resources and tools. UMRR has an extensive network with numerous environmental groups whose focus is the Mississippi River and its river basins. St. Louis is in the Deer Creek watershed within the Upper Mississippi River Basin including the Missouri River, Des Peres River, Meramec, and Illinois Rivers. The Karst topography found in St. Louis area further contributes to flooding, sinkholes and provides pathways for pollution (environmental, chemical, nutrient, stormwater runoff) migration to contaminate water sources (ground, wells, rivers, streams, creeks, lakes and ponds).
   C. EQC2 networks with LWV Missouri (LWV MO) and other local leagues of Missouri at conferences and conventions. Information, call to action, educational opportunities and events are shared using electronic communication throughout the year.
3. EQC2 utilized our networks and collaborations with the environmental and climate organizations of our region including Sierra Club, Missouri Clean Energy Coalition, Metropolitan Congregations United, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Park Boards, Conservation Federation of Missouri, Stream Teams, Great Rivers Environmental law Center, Missouri River Bird observatory, Audubon Riverlands in Alton, American Lung Association, Missouri Parks Association, Operation Food Search to promote environment projects,  education opportunities, and expand our outreach.
4. EQC2 monitors and tracks Missouri Legislature using both the LWV Kansas City Legislative tracking Group, Missouri Legislature Bulletin and information from our network of Missouri environmental groups. Communication and update Legislative Tracking information is shared with League members and program committee. For the current Missouri Legislative 2025 Session, action alerts regarding Utility, Pesticides, Corporate Capture Missouri Clean Water Commission have been issued.
5. Worked to expand the committee’s environmental social media presence.
6. Used the In League Reporter Articles and Environmental Tips to educate our members on climate and environment, as well as for call to action. Please forward questions, suggested topics, or comments to the Committee.
7. EQC2 monitor County and Local Governments, Schools, Universities, Neighborhood Associations looking for additional opportunities to advocate and educate on climate change. Attended the Jeff-Vander-Lou Neighborhood Association in December and presented information on both the Ameren Rate Increase and the Lead Remediation Water.
   On Jan 27, Joan Hubbard and Mickey presented on the 365 Internet Radio Station BRHF on the Mindful Monday Show at 1 pm. I presented Voting and Citizen’s Participation using both the success with HB 2134 from last year that required permitting and regulation of animal waste from CAFOs and Ameren Rate Hike Citizen Participation Opportunity.
8. Participated in Earth Day at Forest Park.
9. Encourage people to register vote, make sure that they are registered, and they vote Informed on the issues!
10. Monitor regulatory agencies including the US EPA and Mo Department Natural Resource (MNR), Missouri Public Service Commission, Missouri Clean Water Commission and the Missouri Clean Air Commission and presented testimony including:
    -July 2024 to US EPA Region 7 concerning Radiation Contamination at West Lack
    -August 2024 Missouri Department of Natural Resources opposing water permit for two large Concentrated Animal Feed Operations (CAFOs)
    -September 2024 Public Service Commission opposing the Ameren request to build a methanol plant
    -November 2024- 2025 Public Service Commission opposing Ameren rate increase.
    -November Units resulted in many additional personnel opposition comments and social media outreach.
    -December 2024 American Water Rate increase

─Mickey Croyle, Chair LWV Metro STL Environmental Quality and Climate Change Committee

We are fortunate to have an excellent committee including: Mary Archer, Anita Barni, Karen Brawn, Meredith Dean, Linda Hanson, Nancy Hutchins, Jitka Olander, Linda Peterson, Nancy Price, Kathy Quigley, Barbara Sheinbein, JoAnne Steineman, Carol Prombo, Sandy Claverie, Laura Rose, Carole Boller, Ron Williams, Mary Ann Lazarus, Chris Erwin, Julia Brown, Brenda Switzer, Mary Ann Meyer, Stacey Thomas, and Louise Wilkerson. Many others receive minutes and action alerts, allowing us to respond to Environmental Issues and work to combat Climate Change.