Recommended Actions for the Week of 20170703

Source: RC Member

Description: Call Michael Lilliquist and Terry Bornemann on the City Council and ask that they vote no to putting the jail on the ballot for 2017.

Contact Information: 

• Michael Lilliquist: (360) 778-8212
• Terry Bornemann: (360) 305-0606

Suggested Script: A few helpful talking points are listed below.

• The work to reduce incarceration isn’t done and we should allow that good work to be completed.
• The process remains out of order with the jail moving forward before we know how big it should be.
• If we build the big jail in Ferndale for $110M+ there will be little money left for other critical needs like treatment.
• Moving the jail to Ferndale is the wrong approach for Bellingham. Either the businesses in the civic center move or attorneys and others drive back and forth every day.

Source:  Re Sources for Sustainable Communities and Sierra Club

Description: Help Puget Sound Energy (PSE) go coal-free by submitting a comment to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and PSE CEO Kimberly Harris asking that PSE retire the Colstrip Coal-fired power plant by 2025 and commit to 100% renewable and energy-efficient replacements with no new natural gas.

Background: While the majority of energy for PSE comes from hydroelectric dams, the utility that powers Whatcom County still gets about 32% of its electricity from coal-fired power plants. PSE is the primary owner of one of the largest remaining and dirtiest coal-fired power plants in the Western United States, the Colstrip Generating Facility in Colstrip, Montana.  The facility is the 3^rd-biggest polluter in the U.S.  Your voice as a PSE ratepayer can make a difference over whether or not a highly polluting coal-fired facility continues to provide energy for Washington state homes and businesses, or if we move past this outdated fuel source to cleaner, smarter, and more innovative means of meeting our basic needs.

Contact Information: Submit comment to UTC online here.  Write to Kimberly Harris at here.

Suggested Script: 

As a concerned Washington resident, I urge you to retire the Colstrip Coal-fired power plant by 2025 and commit to 100% renewable and energy-efficient replacements with no new natural gas.

We have a choice to make — dump hundreds of millions of dollars of our hard earned money into an outdated, out-of-state coal plant or invest that money right here in Washington and throughout the region building energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions that will create thousands of well-paying jobs, improve public health, and significantly cut carbon pollution.

All across the country, communities and utilities have declared that coal is too costly and risky for ratepayers, including Portland General Electric and TransAlta here in the Northwest. More than 200 coal plants are slated to retire. It is time to develop a plan to transition off coal and to invest in clean energy for the benefit of ratepayers, our local economy, and our children’s future.

Additional Information:

Seattle Times: Pressure Puget Sound Energy to abandon all coal

ReSources: Coal-Free PSE

Source: Sierra Club Washington Chapter

Description: Ask Governor Inslee to oppose the methanol refinery proposed in Kalama, WA.

Background: If built, the methanol refinery in Kalama, WA, would be the world’s largest, and would refine fracked gas into methanol and ship it to China to make plastics. This single project would consume more fracked gas than any sector of Washington’s economy. This will require new gas pipeline infrastructure, likely down the I-5 corridor in Washington. Gas infrastructure carries a big risk of explosions and leaks methane, a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide.  Getting Governor Inslee to oppose the project is the best way to stop it.

Contact Information:

Governor Jay Inslee, 360-902-4111, TTY/TDD call 711 or 1-800-833-6388

http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/contact/send-gov-inslee-e-message

Suggested Script: Governor Inslee, More than ever, we need you to be our climate change and public health champion. That’s why I’m calling on you to oppose Northwest Innovation Work’s natural gas-to-methanol refinery. Building the world’s largest natural gas-to-methanol refinery in Kalama, Washington, is the wrong direction for our safety, river, climate and private property rights. I am concerned that the refinery would consume a staggering amount of fracked gas, increasing greenhouse gas pollution, not to mention a host of as-yet-undisclosed impacts.  This project flies in the face of your bold vision to address climate change and create clean energy jobs. I’m calling on you to take a second look at your early endorsement of the project and join the growing movement of people, businesses, and organizations opposing methanol.

Additional Information:

$1.8B methanol plant gains key permit from Washington state — with conditions

Description: Thank Attorney-General Bob Ferguson for threatening to sue the Trump administration for violating the Clean Air Act and attempting to “harm” Hanford Reach National Monuments.

Background: Last year, EPA adopted a rule limiting methane emissions from new and modified oil and gas extraction and pipeline facilities.  The agency began developing the guidelines for limiting emissions at refineries and other facilities, as it is required to do.  However, on March 2^nd, Pruitt ordered the EPA to halt the process for establishing guidelines.  Further, in April 2017, Trump issued an executive order to review National Monuments, including Hanford Reach, designated or expanded since 1996.

Contact Information: Call Attorney-General’s office at (360) 753-6200 or 1-800-551-4636 or submit a comment online.

Suggested Script: Thank you for your leadership protecting the public from the dangerous and reckless actions of the Trump administration.  Maintain the protections of the Clean Air Act is critical to protecting public health from the damaging effects of poor air quality, global warming, and ocean acidification.

More Information:

AG Ferguson pledges lawsuit in response to EPA Clean Air Act violation

Stop flouting the Clean Air Act or we’ll sue, AGs tell Trump’s EPA

AG Ferguson to Trump –We’ll sue if you mess with national monument

Description: Trump has ordered the Department of the Interior to review all designations of national monuments greater than 100,000 acres created since 1996. Removing Monument protection will open the areas up to coal, oil and gas exploration.  This is the last week for comment!  Public comments on 26 monuments will be accepted through July 10, 2017.

Source: Jen Hoffman’s weekly action list email

Description: Oppose the ban against Muslims, despite SCOTUS ruling.

Background: 

1. #NoBanNoWallNoRaids blog 
2. Infographic 

Contact Information: 

• Senator Maria Cantwell: (206) 220-6400
• Senator Patty Murray: (866) 481-9186 (toll free)

Suggested Script:  I’m a constituent from [ZIP], concerned about discrimination against Muslims immigrating to the US and the SCOTUS ruling. I am asking you for two things: 1. To extend the definition of family to include grandparents, fiancé/es, aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces. 2. To pass stronger anti-discrimination and sanctuary resolutions so that liberty and welcome may prevail.

Source: Jen Hoffman’s weekly action list email

Description: Oppose the Supreme Court’s decision to mix church and state.

Background: Read the article from NPR: Supreme Court Rules Religious School Can Use Taxpayer Funds For Playground.

Contact Information: 

• Senator Maria Cantwell: (206) 220-6400
• Senator Patty Murray: (866) 481-9186 (toll free)

Suggested Script:  I’m from [ZIP] and am very concerned about the Supreme Court’s recent decision to use taxpayer funds for church expenses. I do not want our country to abandon its longstanding constitutional protection of separation of church and state. I oppose government funds going directly to any house of worship. Please tell me what [name] is doing to address this issue.

Source: Jen Hoffman’s weekly action list email

Description:  Advocate for open debate instead of secret healthcare deals.

Background: Read the article from Kaiser Health: McConnell Has About $200B In ‘Candy’ To Make Deals On Obamacare Repeal.

Contact Information: 

• Email, call: (202) 224-2541, or fax: (202) 224-2499

Suggested Script: I am calling Senator McConnell in his role as Senate Majority Leader. I am concerned that the secrecy and speed of the AHCA bill don’t serve the American public. These hasty actions are hurting your party. I would like Sen. McConnell to slow down the process and have open, collaborative hearings that address the needs of all Americans.

Additional Information: Article from Daily Kos: Ready or Not, McConnell is Going to Push Trumpcare.

Description: Call and ask Senators Cantwell and Murray to withhold consent and filibuster by amendment on the AHCA.

Contact Information: Call our Senators.

• Senator Maria Cantwell: (206) 220-6400
• Senator Patty Murray: (866) 481-9186 (toll free)

Suggested Script: This is a modified script from Indivisible.

Hi. I’m [NAME] from [ZIP], calling about the Senate healthcare bill. I know Senator (Murray/Cantwell) will vote to oppose it, but the process needs to slow and open hearings on the bill must happen. I would like [name] to “withhold consent” on all Senate business and to “filibuster by amendment.” I know these seem extreme, but tens of thousands of lives are at stake if the AHCA passes. Is Sen. [name] willing to take these measures?

Additional Information: Complete this form from Indivisible by Monday, July 26, 2017.

Description: Call Senators Murray and Cantwell and ask them to Oppose Sec. DeVos’ efforts to exclude LGBTQ kids from quality education. The Trump administration wants to invest millions in a private-school voucher and public-private charter schools. Critics worry these schools might not be required to follow federal anti-discrimination laws. For example, religious schools might expel LBGTQ students merely for being LBGTQ.

Background: Schools that receive federal funding are supposed to follow federal anti-discrimination laws but DeVos has not promised to require schools receiving vouchers to follow these laws. The fear is that this could lave LBGTQ students are risk for discrimination.

Contact Information: 

• Senator Maria Cantwell: (206) 220-6400
• Senator Patty Murray: (866) 481-9186 (toll free)

Suggested Script: I’m [NAME} from [City, State] calling to express my concern about Betsy DeVos’ agenda to exclude LGBTQ kids from receiving a quality education. As Sen/Rep [name] knows, sexual orientation is not a legally protected status in the US. So when DeVos says she’ll uphold the current law, this means she can legally discriminate against gay kids in education. That’s not okay. (Share story if you have a LGBTQ family member or friend.) America can’t afford to abandon our kids. Will [name] work to be sure all kids receive a robust, quality education?

Additional Information: Article from USA Today

Description: Call the White House comment line to advocate for open, frequent press briefings.

Background: According to the Washington Post, White House press briefings are a running conversation—for now, anyway. President Trump is mulling drastic changes that could include reducing the frequency of briefings to once a week and requiring reporters to submit written questions according to the New York Times.

Contact Information: Call the White House comment line (202) 456-1111 (or email).

Suggested Script: Hi, I am concerned about the lack of open press briefings at the White House. I think a free press is essential to our democracy. I would like open, televised briefings from the president on a regular basis. Thank you.

Contact Information: Call a news outlet you subscribe to or watch (list).

Suggested Script: Hi, I’m a subscriber/viewer and am concerned about the lack of open press briefings at the White House. I think a free press is essential to our democracy. Can you tell me what [org] is doing about this issue?