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Dear John,

SUMMER VACATION!!!! Remember when those words would consume you during the
latter part of the school year, as anticipation and excitement left
everyone eager for the time off that all kids crave. Nowadays, the running
narrative is how we are all too busy to take off, “we are in this
moment”, “the work has to get done”... and it will, thanks to those
making Just Transition real on the ground and those engaged in the work of
supporting our movements. Thank you for all you do!

This summer, we hope you are able to prioritize enjoying time with those
close to you at some point and simply relax. When some of us pause, others
fill in. So, in the spirit of encouraging everyone to take some time off,
this newsletter will be taking a break next month. See you in September!
CJA OFFICES WILL ALSO BE CLOSED FROM AUGUST 2-13, 2021.

THIS MONTH, CJA MEMBERS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO...

CJA Calls on Members of Congress & US/Canada to Do the Right Thing: Stop
Supporting Carbon Capture & Go Bigger in Spending Bills

Earlier this week, CJA joined more than 500 organizations to call on the US
and Canada to immediately stop pursuing the use of Carbon Capture and
Storage (CCS). As an unproven technology with no ability to do what is
needed to stop climate change- cut emissions at source- this is just
another false promise from big business and industry. Read our press
release [4] and the full letter published as a full-page ad in the
Washington Post here.

A day later, CJA’s Energy Democracy Working Group Co-Chair, Basav Sen,
spoke outside of Congress to advocate for bigger and bolder investments in
any reconciliation spending package that proceeds the Senate’s
infrastructure bill. While a step in the right direction, the Senate's plan
likely will not include the amount of climate, care, jobs and justice
investments we know we need and have been advocating for through THRIVE
[5]. Watch Basav’s full speech here. [6]

[6]

This month, CJA also joined together with numerous organizations to support
the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act [7] introduced by Representative
Jamal Bowman from NY. The bill aims to invest $1.43 trillion over 10 years
in public schools and infrastructure to combat climate change.

On June 16, Michelle Martinez, acting Executive Director for CJA member
group, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, testified before the House
Committee on Oversight and Reform’s Subcommittee on the Environment. This
hearing focused on "Jumpstarting Main Street: Bringing Jobs & Wealth Back
to Forgotten America." Michelle shared the importance of making sure energy
is affordable and healthy through the Renewable Energy Economy and the
fight to level the playing field with bold direct community investments to
ensure equitable development. Watch Michelle's testimony here [8] at the
44:45 minute mark.

To learn about other legislation CJA has endorsed in the past or our public
policy efforts, please take a look at our Policy Webpage [9]. You'll find a
summary of the work we have done, core policy areas, and access to fact
sheets & other resources.

MOVE THE MONEY: US ENERGY SECRETARY VISITS UPROSE IN BROOKLYN

CJA member UPROSE, located in Brooklyn New York, had a visit from the US
Secretary of Energy this month. As she toured the community and learned of
their work to bring clean and community controlled solar and other just
development to the neighborhood she was also reminded of how important
moving federal dollars to frontline communties is at this critical moment,
especially when just solutions to the climate crisis are being developed at
the local level. However, if investments and benefits through the
Biden/Harris Justice 40 Initiative do not “center the communities where
climate and dirty energy inequities most clearly need to be addressed —
and where climate inequities and many other problems are being solved at
once — it won’t live up to its potential to transform our response to
climate change.” Read the full Hill opinion piece [10] about the visit by
Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE here.

BUILD THE NEW: CJA MEMBERS CONTINUE TO WIN WITH COMMUNITY CONTROLLED
SOLAR CAMPAIGNS

CJA member Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC), and local allies across
the state, were successful in both halting an attempt to cut rate
compensation for rooftop solar users and increasing the current rate.
Kentucky Power, the state’s utility company, was looking to generate
revenue via rate increase rates, reductions in the credits solar users
received, and restrictions to new rooftop solar projects. KFTC within a
coalition of organization’s intervened, [11] filing suit against the
utility provider. In May, Kentucky’s Public Service Commission (PSC)
released a ruling adopting changes to net metering. The previous $0.03/kWH
compensation credit has been increased to $0.09/kWH, making rooftop solar
financially rewarding for customers. PSC’s ruling is an opportunity to
comprehensively integrate solar PV and other renewable energy generation
sources into Kentucky’s power system.

In other solar related member news, Soulardarity has been working to
install solar powered street lights in Highland Park, Michigan. [12] Their
project dates back to 2011 when the city of Highland Park, which was in
debt to the utility company DTE Energy, removed roughly 1,200 streetlights
as a means of settling it’s debt. With many residents having to deal with
unlit neighborhoods Soulardarity stepped in, partnering with local
companies to replace the lost streetlights. This past June 10 new
streetlights were installed, providing community driven infrastructure
where traditional decision-making has failed.

Soulardarity’s work has also involved a push for community solar as part
of DTE Energy’s resource plan that outlines new electrical infrastructure
across Southeast Michigan. Since then, Soulardarity has been able to start
a relationship with DTE, and connecting with the Michigan Public Service
Commission.

Support CJA

Climate Justice Alliance

PO BOX 10202
Berkeley, CA 94709
United States


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