| From | Mike Tidwell, CCAN <[email protected]> |
| Subject | CCAN Summer News |
| Date | July 2, 2020 3:32 PM |
Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
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[[link removed]] [[link removed]] Read this: All the news on the climate fight.
[[link removed]]
CCAN SUMMER NEWSLETTER
DC | MD | VA | Donate
[[link removed]]
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
[[link removed]]
Mike Tidwell
Dear John,
It was the worst of times. It was the worst of times.
Or so it seems lately in our country. COVID-19. Police brutality. The recession.
And, in case anyone has forgotten, the climate keeps changing faster and faster.
The temperature reached nearly 101 degrees Fahrenheit in Siberia last week,
inside the Arctic Circle. That just flat-out scares me.
And, like most of you, CCAN has been very busy on many fronts this spring and
summer. In April, thanks to a Zoom comedy show, we raised nearly $3,000 for the
Capital Area Food Bank. In June, we joined the Movement for Black Lives to fight
against runaway police budgets and abuse against Black and Brown communities.
And all the while we’ve maintained the fight against climate change in the
Chesapeake region and nationwide while protecting our staff through work-at-home
practices and safe protesting in the streets. That’s why we’re asking you to support our work.
[[link removed]]
Read more on the blog -->
[[link removed]]
WASHINGTON, DC AND NATIONAL
ANNOUNCING: "FIGHT TO VOTE. VOTE TO LIVE."
[[link removed]]
The November election for President and Congress is the biggest election in our
lifetime. Climate change. COVID-19. Police brutality. We can only begin to solve
these problems with the ballot. Which is why our sister organization CCAN Action
Fund launched a campaign called “Fight to Vote. Vote to Live.”
As you read this, powerful leaders across the country are doing all they can to
purposefully suppress ballot access, especially in Black and Brown communities.
That’s why we’re asking you to sign the pledge to “Fight to Vote.” When you do,
we’ll follow up with easy-to-use tools to register yourself and others to vote. Sign the pledge today!
[[link removed]]
DC ATTORNEY GENERAL SUES FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES
We have great news from Washington, DC. Attorney General Karl Racine recently
filed a lawsuit against fossil fuel companies for misleading consumers about
climate change. The short story: Big oil companies like ExxonMobil knew their
product would cause global warming, then lied for decades to cover up the
science. Now, the lawsuit alleges, these companies should pay DC residents for
climate damages. We cheered on this lawsuit and will be supporting its efforts.
Similar lawsuits have been filed nationwide, and t hese lawsuits have been picking up steam. In the past three months, judges in
the fourth and ninth circuit courts have ruled that these cases should proceed
in state court, which is great news!
But the fossil fuel executives at Exxon and others will do all they can to stop
these lawsuits. We know they will try to make Congress give them a waiver of
liability, essentially throwing out those lawsuits. CCAN has been working hard
to prevent this. Congressman Jamie Raskin wrote a letter urging House leadership
never to pass such a waiver, and we helped him get 60 members of Congress to put
their names on it — as a result of this, the recently introduced federal climate policy now makes
such a disclaimer clear. Polluters will keep trying to get themselves off the
hook for causing climate change, and we will keep holding them accountable. Read more about DC's lawsuit
[[link removed]] , then donate to fund our work fighting fossil fuel corporations in Congress.
[[link removed]]
A HISTORIC MOVEMENT FOR BLACK LIVES IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network was created to fight for a safe,
sustainable future. Justice has always been a part of that goal. Now, with the
rampant racism running through our country, and shocking recent police brutality
events, it’s clear that justice must come to the fore.
That’s why we supported protests in DC and across the country to fight for a
more equitable future. We’re also supporting efforts to “defund the police” —
specifically, to rapidly divest from police programs that directly or indirectly
give rise to brutality, and invest instead in social and community programs that
protect and enhance the wellbeing of all Americans.
Right now, we are in a historic moment with a massive movement fighting for
racial equality, and we can’t just watch from the sidelines. History will look
back upon this year. We urge you to learn more about the police divestment
movement. Watch this video with CCAN Board Members Terence Ellen and Rev. Lennox
Yearwood, Jr. on why CCAN supports the “Defund Police” movement.
[[link removed]]
"FIGHT TO VOTE. VOTE TO LIVE." WATCH THE VIDEO
We’ve got to do our part to make sure everyone’s voice is heard in November,
especially the voices most suppressed and most vulnerable. To do that, we need
to make sure everyone's vote is counted. Our sister organization, CCAN Action
Fund, has a plan. All we need now is you.
Watch the video (2 minutes):
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]][[link removed]]
MARYLAND
RECOVER FROM CORONAVIRUS WITH A CLIMATE STIMULUS
When the Maryland General Assembly adjourned early, without passing a single
bill to address climate change, we were disappointed, to say the least. The
Climate Solutions Act — which would have given Maryland the strongest climate pollution reduction
requirements in the nation — had cleared two Senate committees and received a strong bipartisan vote, only
to fall short. But with the COVID-19 shutdown putting one out of every six
Marylanders out of work, we now know those climate actions are our single best
way to get people back on their feet.
That's why CCAN is working with wind and solar industry representatives, other
climate advocates, and state legislators on a package of climate actions that
are affordable for the state, create thousands of good-paying jobs, AND help us
save a habitable planet for future generations. We can unleash more than 5,000
wind and solar jobs in the next few years just by addressing needless regulatory
complications. We can go from losing more than 10,000 energy efficiency jobs
during the pandemic to leading the nation in annual energy rate savings. We can
keep fossil fuel-powered cars off the road by investing federal stimulus dollars
in maintaining and ultimately expanding public transit. But we need you. Sign the petition to support a climate stimulus in Maryland!
[[link removed]]
A NEW FRACKED-GAS THREAT ON MARYLAND'S EASTERN SHORE
After launching CCAN’s “No New Fossil Fuels” campaign, we have worked diligently
together to protect ALL Maryland communities from the onslaught of fracked-gas
infrastructure through legislation, legal action, grassroots mobilization, and
more. This has included standing with communities as they continue to weather
the possibility of the Potomac Pipeline, listening to and working with
communities that are boxed in by polluting and toxic fossil fuel infrastructure,
and more.
Now, there’s a new pipeline threat coming to Maryland, and Maryland ratepayers
are on the hook for it. Two proposed pipelines would connect to bring fracked gas from Delaware into
Maryland down the Eastern Shore, threatening the region’s ecosystems and
drinking water supplies, and causing irreparable damage to the land and our
climate.
On Tuesday, July 7th at 6:00pm, the Maryland Department of the Environment will
be hosting a virtual hearing on a permit needed to move forward with
construction. This is a perfect opportunity to attend and voice your concerns
directly to the MDE. RSVP to join the virtual hearing here!
[[link removed]]
VIRGINIA
WE PASSED THE HISTORIC VIRGINIA CLEAN ECONOMY ACT!
2020 was the year for bold action on our electricity grid in the Old Dominion.
With the passage of major clean energy bills during the legislative session this
spring, we have taken gigantic steps towards a fossil fuel free electricity grid
within our lifetimes. We have passed the Environmental Justice Act, joined the
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the Solar Freedom bill, and, most notably
the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA). VCEA will shut down Virginia-based fossil
fuel generation by 2045 and get all utilities to 100% clean power by 2050.
While we will still be taking more action to speed up the transition towards a
clean grid, we also need to expand our horizons in order to tackle the biggest
carbon emitter in Virginia, transportation. CCAN is taking this challenge head
on: in the coming months you are going to hear about some of our ideas to
equitably transition away from combustion engines and towards a cleaner future
where everyone can get to where they need to be without the use of carbon and
hopefully without needing a car at all. Donate today to help us keep our winning streak going as we move into the
transportation sector!
[[link removed]]
THE LATEST STATEWIDE PIPELINE FIGHT: THE HEADER INJUSTICE PROJECT
CCAN is engaged on all fronts in a fight against Virginia Natural Gas’ Header
Injustice Project (HIP). This insidious network of dirty energy would include
three new gas pipelines (totaling 24 miles) and three new or expanded gas
compressor stations. HIP is projected to snake from Northern Virginia, through
Central Virginia, and end in Hampton Roads, poisoning the air and water of
countless communities and swallowing whole neighborhoods into dangerous “blast
zones.” The health risks posed by this project cannot be overstated.
We just had a MAJOR win when the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)
voted to withhold a key permit for the project! But we know the fight is not
over. The fracked gas company will keep pushing its terrible project into
communities that don't want it to feed gas plants that we don't need -- with key
components going through majority-minority communities, the textbook definition
of environmental racism. We're going to keep fighting this and other fracked gas
projects on all fronts. Donate to support our efforts to keep Virginia free from fracked gas.
[[link removed]]
ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE: STILL MISSING EIGHT PERMITS
Despite a disappointing decision by the Supreme Court, Dominion's Atlantic Coast
Pipeline is far from a done deal. In a 7-2 decision on June 15, the U.S. Supreme
Court ruled the U.S. Forest Service had the authority to grant a permit for the
ACP to cross the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. While the Forest Service may
have the authority to allow this crossing, the agency still has a number of
issues to fix with that permit. The lack of a Forest Service permit plus the
seven other permits the ACP lacks -- from an air permit for the Buckingham
County Compressor Station to a permit under the Endangered Species Act -- means
that Dominion has a long way to go before it can break ground in Virginia. More details on these missing permits available here.
[[link removed]]
Meanwhile, the Mountain Valley Pipeline continues to fall farther and farther
behind, with an in-service date most recently pushed to 2021. The pipeline is
under a stop-work order thanks to a challenge to the pipeline's Endangered
Species Act permit brought by CCAN, the Sierra Club, and others and it is also
missing key permits to cross rivers and streams. The pipeline has been an
environmental and economic disaster, wreaking incredible environmental damage to
the region at a price tag of more than $5.4 billion. We'll keep fighting this
pipeline in courts.
Back to the ACP, Dominion just asked the federal government for a two-year
extension while it sorts out its mess. Tell the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission enough is enough: deny Dominion's
request. Deadline is TODAY!
[[link removed]]
EVENTS
DC EVENTS
July 6, 6:00pm: DC Climate Coalition meeting. What's next after the Clean Energy DC Act? Join dozens of environmental groups
for their monthly meeting discussing climate justice in the District.
RSVP [[link removed]]
July 26, 5:00pm: Climate, Literature and Activism with author Jenny Offill and
Politics & Prose . Join us for a conversation with NY Times-bestselling author Jenny Offill to
discuss her new novel Weather , about a librarian grappling with the climate crisis. This event is a
fundraiser for the Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute.
RSVP
[[link removed]]
MD EVENTS
July 15, 7:00pm: Writing for Advocacy: Zoom training. Want to know how to write a great letter to the editor to help support our
Maryland campaigns? How about general tips and tricks to write something great
and convince all your friends to join the movement? This training is for you!
RSVP
[[link removed]]
July 29, 7:00pm: New Volunteer Orientation. Have you wanted to get involved with the climate fight but really aren’t sure
how? Are you fired up but don’t know how to direct your energy? We want you!
Join us for our Volunteer Orientation to learn more about how you personally can
fit into the Maryland climate movement.
RSVP
[[link removed]]
VA EVENTS
July 14, 7:00pm: Writing for Advocacy: Zoom training. Want to know how to write a great letter to the editor to help support our
Virginia campaigns? How about general tips and tricks to write something great
and convince all your friends to join the movement? This training is for you!
RSVP
[[link removed]]
August 11, 7:00pm: New Volunteer Orientation. Join CCAN for our first Virginia Volunteer Training! We will be outlining the
ways you can support ongoing campaigns in Virginia with varying levels of time
commitment and no previous experience needed.
RSVP
[[link removed]]
SUPPORT CCAN
Under a Trump presidency, state-based climate action is the path forward to
keeping fossil fuels in the ground and ramping up clean energy progress. Your
tax-deductible donation will help us respond to threats to our climate with
bold, creative action. Make your gift today!
Donate now
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
CCAN SUMMER NEWSLETTER
DC | MD | VA | Donate
[[link removed]]
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
[[link removed]]
Mike Tidwell
Dear John,
It was the worst of times. It was the worst of times.
Or so it seems lately in our country. COVID-19. Police brutality. The recession.
And, in case anyone has forgotten, the climate keeps changing faster and faster.
The temperature reached nearly 101 degrees Fahrenheit in Siberia last week,
inside the Arctic Circle. That just flat-out scares me.
And, like most of you, CCAN has been very busy on many fronts this spring and
summer. In April, thanks to a Zoom comedy show, we raised nearly $3,000 for the
Capital Area Food Bank. In June, we joined the Movement for Black Lives to fight
against runaway police budgets and abuse against Black and Brown communities.
And all the while we’ve maintained the fight against climate change in the
Chesapeake region and nationwide while protecting our staff through work-at-home
practices and safe protesting in the streets. That’s why we’re asking you to support our work.
[[link removed]]
Read more on the blog -->
[[link removed]]
WASHINGTON, DC AND NATIONAL
ANNOUNCING: "FIGHT TO VOTE. VOTE TO LIVE."
[[link removed]]
The November election for President and Congress is the biggest election in our
lifetime. Climate change. COVID-19. Police brutality. We can only begin to solve
these problems with the ballot. Which is why our sister organization CCAN Action
Fund launched a campaign called “Fight to Vote. Vote to Live.”
As you read this, powerful leaders across the country are doing all they can to
purposefully suppress ballot access, especially in Black and Brown communities.
That’s why we’re asking you to sign the pledge to “Fight to Vote.” When you do,
we’ll follow up with easy-to-use tools to register yourself and others to vote. Sign the pledge today!
[[link removed]]
DC ATTORNEY GENERAL SUES FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES
We have great news from Washington, DC. Attorney General Karl Racine recently
filed a lawsuit against fossil fuel companies for misleading consumers about
climate change. The short story: Big oil companies like ExxonMobil knew their
product would cause global warming, then lied for decades to cover up the
science. Now, the lawsuit alleges, these companies should pay DC residents for
climate damages. We cheered on this lawsuit and will be supporting its efforts.
Similar lawsuits have been filed nationwide, and t hese lawsuits have been picking up steam. In the past three months, judges in
the fourth and ninth circuit courts have ruled that these cases should proceed
in state court, which is great news!
But the fossil fuel executives at Exxon and others will do all they can to stop
these lawsuits. We know they will try to make Congress give them a waiver of
liability, essentially throwing out those lawsuits. CCAN has been working hard
to prevent this. Congressman Jamie Raskin wrote a letter urging House leadership
never to pass such a waiver, and we helped him get 60 members of Congress to put
their names on it — as a result of this, the recently introduced federal climate policy now makes
such a disclaimer clear. Polluters will keep trying to get themselves off the
hook for causing climate change, and we will keep holding them accountable. Read more about DC's lawsuit
[[link removed]] , then donate to fund our work fighting fossil fuel corporations in Congress.
[[link removed]]
A HISTORIC MOVEMENT FOR BLACK LIVES IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network was created to fight for a safe,
sustainable future. Justice has always been a part of that goal. Now, with the
rampant racism running through our country, and shocking recent police brutality
events, it’s clear that justice must come to the fore.
That’s why we supported protests in DC and across the country to fight for a
more equitable future. We’re also supporting efforts to “defund the police” —
specifically, to rapidly divest from police programs that directly or indirectly
give rise to brutality, and invest instead in social and community programs that
protect and enhance the wellbeing of all Americans.
Right now, we are in a historic moment with a massive movement fighting for
racial equality, and we can’t just watch from the sidelines. History will look
back upon this year. We urge you to learn more about the police divestment
movement. Watch this video with CCAN Board Members Terence Ellen and Rev. Lennox
Yearwood, Jr. on why CCAN supports the “Defund Police” movement.
[[link removed]]
"FIGHT TO VOTE. VOTE TO LIVE." WATCH THE VIDEO
We’ve got to do our part to make sure everyone’s voice is heard in November,
especially the voices most suppressed and most vulnerable. To do that, we need
to make sure everyone's vote is counted. Our sister organization, CCAN Action
Fund, has a plan. All we need now is you.
Watch the video (2 minutes):
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]]
[[link removed]][[link removed]]
MARYLAND
RECOVER FROM CORONAVIRUS WITH A CLIMATE STIMULUS
When the Maryland General Assembly adjourned early, without passing a single
bill to address climate change, we were disappointed, to say the least. The
Climate Solutions Act — which would have given Maryland the strongest climate pollution reduction
requirements in the nation — had cleared two Senate committees and received a strong bipartisan vote, only
to fall short. But with the COVID-19 shutdown putting one out of every six
Marylanders out of work, we now know those climate actions are our single best
way to get people back on their feet.
That's why CCAN is working with wind and solar industry representatives, other
climate advocates, and state legislators on a package of climate actions that
are affordable for the state, create thousands of good-paying jobs, AND help us
save a habitable planet for future generations. We can unleash more than 5,000
wind and solar jobs in the next few years just by addressing needless regulatory
complications. We can go from losing more than 10,000 energy efficiency jobs
during the pandemic to leading the nation in annual energy rate savings. We can
keep fossil fuel-powered cars off the road by investing federal stimulus dollars
in maintaining and ultimately expanding public transit. But we need you. Sign the petition to support a climate stimulus in Maryland!
[[link removed]]
A NEW FRACKED-GAS THREAT ON MARYLAND'S EASTERN SHORE
After launching CCAN’s “No New Fossil Fuels” campaign, we have worked diligently
together to protect ALL Maryland communities from the onslaught of fracked-gas
infrastructure through legislation, legal action, grassroots mobilization, and
more. This has included standing with communities as they continue to weather
the possibility of the Potomac Pipeline, listening to and working with
communities that are boxed in by polluting and toxic fossil fuel infrastructure,
and more.
Now, there’s a new pipeline threat coming to Maryland, and Maryland ratepayers
are on the hook for it. Two proposed pipelines would connect to bring fracked gas from Delaware into
Maryland down the Eastern Shore, threatening the region’s ecosystems and
drinking water supplies, and causing irreparable damage to the land and our
climate.
On Tuesday, July 7th at 6:00pm, the Maryland Department of the Environment will
be hosting a virtual hearing on a permit needed to move forward with
construction. This is a perfect opportunity to attend and voice your concerns
directly to the MDE. RSVP to join the virtual hearing here!
[[link removed]]
VIRGINIA
WE PASSED THE HISTORIC VIRGINIA CLEAN ECONOMY ACT!
2020 was the year for bold action on our electricity grid in the Old Dominion.
With the passage of major clean energy bills during the legislative session this
spring, we have taken gigantic steps towards a fossil fuel free electricity grid
within our lifetimes. We have passed the Environmental Justice Act, joined the
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the Solar Freedom bill, and, most notably
the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA). VCEA will shut down Virginia-based fossil
fuel generation by 2045 and get all utilities to 100% clean power by 2050.
While we will still be taking more action to speed up the transition towards a
clean grid, we also need to expand our horizons in order to tackle the biggest
carbon emitter in Virginia, transportation. CCAN is taking this challenge head
on: in the coming months you are going to hear about some of our ideas to
equitably transition away from combustion engines and towards a cleaner future
where everyone can get to where they need to be without the use of carbon and
hopefully without needing a car at all. Donate today to help us keep our winning streak going as we move into the
transportation sector!
[[link removed]]
THE LATEST STATEWIDE PIPELINE FIGHT: THE HEADER INJUSTICE PROJECT
CCAN is engaged on all fronts in a fight against Virginia Natural Gas’ Header
Injustice Project (HIP). This insidious network of dirty energy would include
three new gas pipelines (totaling 24 miles) and three new or expanded gas
compressor stations. HIP is projected to snake from Northern Virginia, through
Central Virginia, and end in Hampton Roads, poisoning the air and water of
countless communities and swallowing whole neighborhoods into dangerous “blast
zones.” The health risks posed by this project cannot be overstated.
We just had a MAJOR win when the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)
voted to withhold a key permit for the project! But we know the fight is not
over. The fracked gas company will keep pushing its terrible project into
communities that don't want it to feed gas plants that we don't need -- with key
components going through majority-minority communities, the textbook definition
of environmental racism. We're going to keep fighting this and other fracked gas
projects on all fronts. Donate to support our efforts to keep Virginia free from fracked gas.
[[link removed]]
ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE: STILL MISSING EIGHT PERMITS
Despite a disappointing decision by the Supreme Court, Dominion's Atlantic Coast
Pipeline is far from a done deal. In a 7-2 decision on June 15, the U.S. Supreme
Court ruled the U.S. Forest Service had the authority to grant a permit for the
ACP to cross the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. While the Forest Service may
have the authority to allow this crossing, the agency still has a number of
issues to fix with that permit. The lack of a Forest Service permit plus the
seven other permits the ACP lacks -- from an air permit for the Buckingham
County Compressor Station to a permit under the Endangered Species Act -- means
that Dominion has a long way to go before it can break ground in Virginia. More details on these missing permits available here.
[[link removed]]
Meanwhile, the Mountain Valley Pipeline continues to fall farther and farther
behind, with an in-service date most recently pushed to 2021. The pipeline is
under a stop-work order thanks to a challenge to the pipeline's Endangered
Species Act permit brought by CCAN, the Sierra Club, and others and it is also
missing key permits to cross rivers and streams. The pipeline has been an
environmental and economic disaster, wreaking incredible environmental damage to
the region at a price tag of more than $5.4 billion. We'll keep fighting this
pipeline in courts.
Back to the ACP, Dominion just asked the federal government for a two-year
extension while it sorts out its mess. Tell the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission enough is enough: deny Dominion's
request. Deadline is TODAY!
[[link removed]]
EVENTS
DC EVENTS
July 6, 6:00pm: DC Climate Coalition meeting. What's next after the Clean Energy DC Act? Join dozens of environmental groups
for their monthly meeting discussing climate justice in the District.
RSVP [[link removed]]
July 26, 5:00pm: Climate, Literature and Activism with author Jenny Offill and
Politics & Prose . Join us for a conversation with NY Times-bestselling author Jenny Offill to
discuss her new novel Weather , about a librarian grappling with the climate crisis. This event is a
fundraiser for the Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute.
RSVP
[[link removed]]
MD EVENTS
July 15, 7:00pm: Writing for Advocacy: Zoom training. Want to know how to write a great letter to the editor to help support our
Maryland campaigns? How about general tips and tricks to write something great
and convince all your friends to join the movement? This training is for you!
RSVP
[[link removed]]
July 29, 7:00pm: New Volunteer Orientation. Have you wanted to get involved with the climate fight but really aren’t sure
how? Are you fired up but don’t know how to direct your energy? We want you!
Join us for our Volunteer Orientation to learn more about how you personally can
fit into the Maryland climate movement.
RSVP
[[link removed]]
VA EVENTS
July 14, 7:00pm: Writing for Advocacy: Zoom training. Want to know how to write a great letter to the editor to help support our
Virginia campaigns? How about general tips and tricks to write something great
and convince all your friends to join the movement? This training is for you!
RSVP
[[link removed]]
August 11, 7:00pm: New Volunteer Orientation. Join CCAN for our first Virginia Volunteer Training! We will be outlining the
ways you can support ongoing campaigns in Virginia with varying levels of time
commitment and no previous experience needed.
RSVP
[[link removed]]
SUPPORT CCAN
Under a Trump presidency, state-based climate action is the path forward to
keeping fossil fuels in the ground and ramping up clean energy progress. Your
tax-deductible donation will help us respond to threats to our climate with
bold, creative action. Make your gift today!
Donate now
[[link removed]]
Message Analysis
- Sender: Chesapeake Climate Action Network
- Political Party: n/a
- Country: United States
- State/Locality: n/a
- Office: n/a