February 22, 2012

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EPA Administrator says administration has nothing against coal (AUDIO)

June 19, 2011 By

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson/ EPA photo

The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency insists the EPA isn’t out to get coal, but does want to address the pollution emitted from coal-fired power plants.

Jackson claims in an interview with the Missourinet that the proposed rules regulating coal-fired plants places all such plants on the same level, both old plants without scrubbers and the new ones with. Jackson says coal is fine as long as pollution is addressed.

“We’re not against coal, but if you want to burn coal you need to do it in a way that it doesn’t add more pollution to our air. And, again, remember that pollution results in our children getting sicker and our elderly residents perhaps dying prematurely, because of air pollution,” Jackson tells the Missourinet. “Air pollution, fine particles are killers.”

Jackson says those who claim the proposed EPA rules on coal costs too much have too narrow a focus.

“The recent rule that we proposed, the mercury and air toxic rules, have benefits of about $10 of health benefits for every dollar spent,” Jackson says. “So, it’s ten-to-one health benefits that you get from investing in pollution controls.”

Jackson denies the Obama Administration wants to get rid of coal. She insists that coal remains a part of the nation’s energy future.

AUDIO: Brent Martin reports [:60 MP3]

AUDIO: Brent Martin interviews EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson [4:15 MP3]

Filed Under: Energy, Environment & Conservation

MoDOT warns drivers to stay clear of floodwaters (AUDIO)

June 17, 2011 By

Water over road in Athcison County/MoDOT photo

State transportation officials warn motorists not to drive through floodwater during this wet summer.

Floodwater from the Missouri River covers I-29 in southwest Iowa, prompting the closing of the interstate between Rock Port, Missouri and Hamburg, Iowa. Traffic is being re-routed around the flooded roadways. Other roadways have been covered as floodwaters rise.

Elaine Justus with the St. Joseph office of the Missouri Department of Transportation warns motorists a little water on the road could be hiding a much bigger problem underneath.

“If the road has washed out beneath the water’s surface, you won’t be able to see that and you could be driving into a situation that’s something you won’t recover from,” Justus says. “So, please obey the barricades, don’t enter water conditions on roadways.”

Justus worries that some drivers might dismiss such a warning.

“People who especially are driving SUVs with a lot of clearance seem to think that they can go through flooded areas, but moving water is a significant difference from still water, from water that is just standing,” according to Justus. “It can be very bad with the water moving as fast and at the speed that it’s going.”

MoDOT warns against driving or walking through water-covered roadway. According to MoDOT, six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet and two feet can float your car. Water moving a mere two-miles-per-hour can sweep a car off a road or bridge, according to MoDOT.

Motorists can find the location of highways closed by water on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map, available at www.modot.org. Detours for closures on interstates and U.S. routes can be found at www.modot.org/flooding.

AUDIO: Brent Martin reports [1:10 MP3]

Filed Under: Transportation

Motorists traveling north on I-29 being re-routed (AUDIO)

June 16, 2011 By

Workers shore up I-29 in northwest Missouri/MoDOT photo

Motorists traveling north on Interstate 29 are being re-routed to continue into Iowa.

State transportation officials in both Missouri and Iowa closed a portion of I-29 after floodwaters crept over the south-bound lanes of the interstate on Wednesday and now have crossed over all four lanes just across the state line in Iowa. I-29 is closed to all traffic between Rock Port, Missouri and Hamburg, Iowa.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is re-routing north-bound traffic at the Highway 136 exit at Rock Port. Motorists can travel east to Highway 71, and then take it north of re-connect to I-29 north of the flooded portion. Traveling west has been a bit trickier. Construction is underway at the Brownsville bridge over the Missouri River, reducing the bridge to one-lane. That caused quite a traffic back-up yesterday. MoDOT is working with the contractor to allow both lanes of the bridge to open in and out of Nebraska. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Weather

Treasurer Zweifel to run for re-election (AUDIO)

June 15, 2011 By

Treasurer Clint Zweifel/campaign photo

State Treasurer Clint Zweifel says he would like another term.

Missouri’s economy has weighed most heavily on the mind of Zweifel, who won election in 2008 after serving as a state representative from Florissant. Zweifel claims success in issuing low-interest loans to businesses and farms supporting nearly 11,000 jobs. Zweifel says he’s been impressed with the reception the state college savings plan has received.

“And then I see also a sense of optimism,” Zweifel tells the Missourinet. “In light of all this economy and the challenges that Missourians have faced more Missourians than ever are saving for college right now through Missouri MOST, which I think is a statement of optimism that Missourians believe there’s a bright future for their kids.”

Zweifel is a Democrat. Missouri voters haven’t been kind to Democrats of late. Zweifel says he’s not worried.

“I think if there’s one way to describe Missourians it’s not necessarily a party affiliation, but it’s just a statement that they do expect results and they’re going to be independent in how they make their decision at the ballot box,” Zweifel tells us.

The Missouri Treasurer manages a $3.6 billion investment portfolio and oversees $23 billion in annual state revenues. The Treasurer administers state banking services. The office runs the $720 million Missouri Linked Deposit Program which extends low-interest loans to small businesses and farms. The Treasurer also is caretaker of $600 million in Unclaimed Property, seeking to return it to its rightful owners.

Zweifel and his wife, Janice, have been married for 14 years and are parents to two daughters, Selma and Ellie. The Zweifel family lives in Columbia.

Zweifel officially kicks off his re-election campaign next Wednesday, June 22nd, in Forest Park in St. Louis.

 AUDIO: Brent Martin interviews Treasurer Clint Zweifel [8:30 MP3]

Filed Under: Politics & Government

I-29 closed in northern Missouri due to flooding (UPDATE W/AUDIO)

June 15, 2011 By

Interstate 29 has been closed near the Missouri-Iowa border.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has announced that it has closed I-29 at its intersection with Highway 136 at Rock Port. MoDOT is urging travelers to use I-35, which isn’t expected to be affected by the rising Missouri River.

Motorists can locate highways closed by floodwaters on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map available at www.modot.org. Detours for closures on interstates and U.S. routes can be found at www.modot.org/flooding, along with other flood facts.

AUDIO: Brent Martin interviews MoDOT/Corps of Engineers on I-29 closure [3:15 MP3]

Filed Under: Weather
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