Historic Climate Bill! Action still needed!

Northern Virginia Climate Update 5/29/09

Last week was historic in terms of climate change legislation. An omnibus climate bill (American Clean Energy and Securities Act (ACES or HR 2454) passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee. This is the first step in passing a science-based bill that addresses the real threat of climate change.

Unfortunately the ACES bill has been severely compromised by the fossil fuel industry and specifically the coal industry. The negotiations coming into markup yielded numerous loopholes for the coal industry, including provisions eliminating EPA authority to clean up the nation’s oldest and dirtiest coal-fired power plants. In addition, free allocations to polluting industries and utility companies further slow the opportunity to spark strong job creation.

The renewable energy standard (RES) and energy efficiency resource standards (EERS) which were separate and strong when the bill was first drafted have been consolidated and lowered the point where, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the approximate energy savings from the new reduced goal will be only 3% more than they are now (because most states already have RES or EERS of their own).

Obviously we as Virginians know that a business as usual approach is not good enough to address this problem. Business as usual for Virginia is fighting coal on very front. We are battling the Wise County Coal Plant in SW Virginia in court and another one on the ground in Surry County. We cannot allow Congress to essentially legalize new coal plants in the Commonwealth through 2025 and dole out large sums of money to utilities like Dominion Power as it continues to post record profits and demands rate increases of their customers (US).

As this bill moves through the floor of the House of Representatives there is still an opportunity to strengthen this bill, and this is where you come in. Both Congressman Moran and Congressman Connelly have already stood out as champs for the environment and now is their opportunity to really define themselves as Climate Champions. We need either Congressman to introduce amendments to strengthen this bill and protect consumers (not the fossil fuel industry!) before it comes to the House floor vote. I will be scheduling meetings with both Congressman in the coming weeks. Please let me know if you are interested in attending. (I'd like to post a take action link on the blog so that people submit strengthen amendment requests via the blog, but wanted to run the idea by you guys first)

This month, on Thursday, June 11, we will be meet again at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, in Hollin Hall’s Fireplace Room,
Address: 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria VA 22307.

We will have a special action at this month’s event. Our speaker will be John Passacantando, former director of Greenpeace USA and a Mt. Vernon neighbor. John has spent 15 years working to combat climate change, and he will present as inspirational talk about our challenges in the days ahead. John is well known for his eloquent and insightful public addresses, and has talked before many non profit, student and business organizations. He has just started a new blog about the economy and the environment at www.ournexteconomy.com Please feel free to invite your friends and neighbors to see John speak, and find out more about our group. have a special action event.


Other upcoming events:



Saturday June 6th- 9:30am-12:30pm,

Building a Green, Clean Energy Future

Tools for Change Workshop

NRECA Building 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA (Near Ballston Metro)

RSVP @ http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/NOVAClimate

Write Your Congressman Today!

Reject polluter handouts

Right now, utility companies and their coal-state defenders in Congress are wrecking America’s last, best chance to solve global warming. By insisting on free pollution permits, the nation’s biggest utilities like Dominion, Pepco, and BG&E are pushing for legislation that is complicated, unfair, and destined to fail.


Click here to send an email today!

Northern Virginia Climate Update

Greetings!

For those I haven't met yet, my name is Lauren Glickman. I am the Virginia Campaign Coordinator for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Many of our friends and neighbors in the Mt. Vernon/Alexandria area care deeply about solving the climate crisis and promoting a strong economy based on green energy. I've been working with the Mt Vernon Citizens for Sustainable Energy to make sure our voices are strong and united in promoting climate solutions. We are particularly focused on the action in the U.S. Congress now and through the rest of this year. There is no better time than now to make your voice heard, as our elected representatives decide what kinds of legislation they will or will not support on curbing global warming.

We've recently started a blog that will have all of our current efforts posted and will be updated weekly, (http://mvclimate.blogspot.com/) If you know of climate related events that are going on in the area, please send them to me and I can get them posted. Things are changing so fast with federal climate legislation I will try to keep everyone as up to date as possible, and of course if you have any questions or ideas feel free to shoot me an email as well.


Upcoming Events this week:

This Wednesday, May 13th, 7pm- Climate Action Wine and Cheese
Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, in Hollin Hall’s Fireplace Room,
Address: 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria VA 22307.

These monthly events are designed to a fun way to take action on federal climate issues (we usually write letters and make phone calls) as well as meet your neighbors. It's also a great opportunity to voice your ideas for the group. If you can make it please RSVP to Lauren@chesapeakeclimate.org

May Events:

Monday May 18th- All day- EPA Endangerment Hearing

EPA is requesting public input on whether carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases "endanger" public health and welfare and we need to be there to
demonstrate our support for swift action. This is the critical first step
for EPA to begin regulating carbon dioxide from coal plants, cars, and
other major sources of global warming pollution. We are also working on
ways to make it as easy as possible for folks who can't attend these
meeting to ensure your voices are heard (more on that shortly).

Sign up to speak at these meetings -- the sign up form is at:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment.html.

If you can attend you can also submit a comment online at:
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/endangerment.html#written

Tuesday May 19th- 2pm, Gubernatorial Debate
The Ernst Center, Northern Virginia Community College (Annandale Campus)
8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA

Make sure our next Governor makes Federal Climate policy a top priority!
Come out and ask the tough questions of our candidates in person!

Next Month:

Saturday June 6th- 9:30am-12:30pm, Building a Green, Clean Energy Future
Tools for Change Workshop
NRECA Building 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA (Near Ballston Metro)
More details: http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/NOVAclimate

Again if you questions or other events to add please feel free to drop me an email at Lauren@chesapeakeclimate.org