FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE on April 1st, 2023
Media Contact: Benny Mattson • 515-123-CATS • rmattson@iowaipl.org
Cats Against Coal Joins “Clean Up MidAm” Campaign
Iowa – Cats Against Coal, an organization that works to protect cats from the climate crisis, announced today that it has joined the Clean Up MidAm campaign.
“For as long as cats have walked the earth, we have utilized sunny spots for basking,” says Benny Mattson, CEO of Cats Against Coal. “It only makes sense that solar panels would be able to do the same exact thing while generating the energy that we need. Between solar panels and those giant pinwheel toys, why even burn coal in the first place?”
The Clean Up MidAm campaign was launched in March 2022 by a coalition of organizations and concerned Iowans to hold MidAmerican Energy accountable and ask for a public plan to close its Iowa coal plants by 2030. While the monopoly utility advertises a 100% renewable energy vision, it runs one of the largest coal fleets in the country, and is the single largest carbon polluter in Iowa.
“Iowa Interfaith Power & Light is excited to welcome Cats Against Coal into the Clean Up MidAm campaign. Cats Against Coal’s cutting claw advocacy work to have Iowa’s coal plants retire by 2030 is needed in our coalition and by the world,” said Deaconess Irene DeMaris, Executive Director of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light. “Across our state from barns to condos, Iowa’s majestic cats are advocating for clean energy and air that is equitable and just. We believe it should be MidAmerican’s moral imperative to put our cats’ future ahead of company profits. And we believe that MidAmerican can and will do the right thing for Iowa’s cats and cats across the world.”
(L to R: Benny, Felix, Bear, King)
“Cats Against Coal is passionate about fighting the climate crisis. Our food systems are being disrupted including our favorite treat, tuna. Our humans are increasingly becoming anxious, which impacts our quality of life and being able to nap in peace,” says Felix DeMaris-Nims, Meow Programs Director of Cats Against Coal.
Happy April Fools Day from Iowa IPL’s Cats (Who are Against Coal)!
The (very real) Clean Up MidAm Coalition includes multiple organizations including Iowa Interfaith Power & Light, Iowa Environmental Council, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Sierra Club, Clean Energy Districts of Iowa, and countless Iowans who care about the future of our state. Visit www.CleanUpMidAm.com for more information.