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.

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 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. Watch Basav’s full speech here.

This month, CJA also joined together with numerous organizations to support the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act 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 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. You'll find a summary of the work we have done, core policy areas, and access to fact sheets & other resources.

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 about the visit by Elizabeth Yeampierre, Executive Director of UPROSE here.

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, 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. 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.