April 7, 2008

Culver urges Iowans to lobby legislators for bottle bill expansion
By Charlotte Eby

DES MOINES —  Gov. Chet Culver said expanding the bottle bill remains one of his top priorities this year and urged Iowans to put pressure on lawmakers to pass it.

Culver’s comments came at a news conference this morning after a top legislative leader said that an expansion of one of the state’s largest recycling programs will have trouble passing this year.

Culver wants to include more beverage containers in the state’s can and bottle deposit law or “bottle bill,” and called the plan one of his administration’s necessary environmental efforts.

“This is the right thing to do for the people of Iowa,” Culver said.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said Friday an expansion of the bottle bill was in significant trouble in the legislature as lawmakers are heading into the final weeks of the session.

Culver said he believes some lawmakers appear confused about which proposal he is pushing. The governor backed off an original proposal that would double the 5-cent deposit and only return 8 cents to consumers when they redeem the cans.

The plan he is pushing now would keep the deposit at 5 cents, which all would be refunded to consumers when they return the containers.

Culver said under his proposal, the law would cover an additional 330 million beverage containers every year and keep many out of landfills.

“I’d like to get something big done in terms of environmental legislation this session,” Culver said. “I really think that this will show our commitment to it. I’m not concerned about the special interests and the other powerful groups that are trying to bring this thing down.”

The Iowa Grocery Industry Association, the Iowa Wholesale Beer Distributors Association and some retail chains are against the measure, among others.

Culver stopped short of saying he would call lawmakers back into a special session if they did not approve the measure before they adjourn for the year later this month.

“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to wrap that into the final push here as we adjourn,” Culver said.

Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames, remains optimistic they’ll approve it this year. She said constituents contact her urging lawmakers to vote to include water and juice bottles. “I’m still hopeful that something can be pursued, because I think there is a lot of support out there,” she said.

Charlotte Eby can be reached at 515-243-0138 or [email protected].

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