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Local Level Actions
Ask Whatcom County Council Members to Provide a Timeline for Repairs to the Jail
Source: RC Member
Description: Send a message to the Whatcom County Council Members with a call to action to present a timeline for when citizens can expect all possible repairs will be made to make our current jail facility safe and humane.
Background: There has been gross avoidance of clearly needed repairs on the current downtown facility and Whatcom County Executive Louws has actually said that the cities were specifically opposed to full jail repairs, due to the cost, while he was still trying to bring the County Council on board with the Jail Facility Finance and Use Agreement. (Watch the YouTube video at 2:59:00 from the Whatcom County Council Meeting with the Public Hearing from June 13, 2017 on the size of the jail.)
On July 22, 2017, Sheriff Bill Elfo appeared on Kris Halterman’s Saturday Morning Live Radio Show on KGMI saying that “routine maintenance” on the jail has not been getting done for the last decade and a half. After years and years of officials making claims the jail is falling apart, Whatcom County is in peril of a lawsuit due to these conditions and we citizens can no longer allow officials to neglect the inmates and workers at that facility for what will be years to come, with or without the approval of a new facility.
Contact Information:
County Council addresses:
- council@co.whatcom.wa.us
- bbrenner@co.whatcom.wa.us
- rbrowne@co.whatcom.wa.us
- bbuchana@co.whatcom.wa.us
- cweimer@co.whatcom.wa.us
- kmann@co.whatcom.wa.us
- ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us
- tdonovan@co.whatcom.wa.us
Copy to:
- jlouws@co.whatcom.wa.us
- sheriff@co.whatcom.wa.us
- ccmail@cob.org
- mayorsoffice@cob.org
- cityhall@lyndenwa.org
- korthuiss@lyndenwa.org
- mayor@ci.everson.wa.us
- mayorbromley@cityofsumas.com
- nickolausl@lummi-nsn.gov
- jonmutchler@cityofferndale.org
- citycouncil@cityofnooksack.com
Contact page for Ferndale City Council Members
Contact page for Blaine City Council Members
Suggested Script:
Dear Whatcom County Council,
I am calling on Council Members to bring forward a timeline of when the public can expect that the current jail facility will have all possible repairs made to make it safe and humane.
Sheriff Elfo has said publicly that routine maintenance on the jail has been ignored for a decade and a half and denies responsibility for this himself. County Executive Louws has indicated that the cities are not in favor of all possible repairs being made to make the current jail safe and humane.
Someone is responsible for the current unsafe condition of the jail and I believe that right now, this responsibility rests with community members such as myself, you council members, and all the other parties I have copied on this email. We currently have no new jail. We won’t have one for years, even if the jail sales tax were to be approved by voters. County Executive Louws has indicated there would be some incremental repairs on our current facility, maybe in 2018. This is not specific and the public, inmates, and workers at the jail need assurances of when all repairs are going to be made to the jail that are possible to make to address safety issues and malfunctions that present inhumane conditions. We can’t afford to wait any longer. The current disgraceful condition of our jail is on all of us.
Sincerely,
<Enter Your Name>
Act by 8/22: Comment to Stop the Largest Oil-by-Rail Terminal in Nation
Source: Washington Environmental Council
Description: The largest oil-by-rail terminal in North America could be built right here in Washington state. The Tesoro Savage oil terminal proposed for Vancouver is nearing a decision point, and Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) is seeking public input on a draft industrial stormwater discharge permit. The industrial stormwater permit contains significant flaws that should lead EFSEC to deny the permit. The storage and handling of huge quantities of crude oil will create pollution harmful to the Columbia River and groundwater.
Contact Information: Click here to submit online comment to the Energy Facilitate Site Evaluation Council.
Suggested Script:
Dear EFSEC,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment on the Stormwater Permit for the proposed Tesoro-Savage oiI by rail terminal in Vancouver, WA. I urge you to deny the industrial stormwater permit for this unnecessary, unwelcomed, and dangerous project that would pollute the Columbia River and surrounding groundwater. The project proposes to handle a staggering 360,000 barrels of oil each day—over 5.5 billion gallons of oil each year. To do this, Tesoro would bring up to five loaded oil trains each day down the Columbia River, trains similar to the one that derailed, spilled, and burned in Mosier in 2016.
Under Washington state law, Tesoro must show that the “lowering of water quality is necessary and in the overriding public interest.” EFSEC must consider “the benefits and costs of the social, economic, and environmental effects associated with the lowering of water quality.” Tesoro fails to show that “the lowering of water quality is necessary.” EFSEC fails to explain why Tesoro cannot invest in technology to remove pollution or why the proposed facility could not be a zero discharge operation.
Just as importantly, Tesoro fails to demonstrate an “overriding public interest” for the nation’s largest oil-by-rail terminal. Here are a few reasons why Tesoro’s proposal hasn’t proven an “overriding public interest”:
- Tesoro would increase oil spill risks and potentially damage critical salmon habitat, drinking water, and other uses of the Columbia River.
- The oil terminal and its trains would threaten the health and safety of Vancouver residents and people who live in towns along the rail line. This is contrary to “an overriding public interest.”
- Tesoro’s “social, economic, and environmental effects” will harm Vancouver and other communities, not benefit them. The City of Vancouver and others have testified to the potential negative impacts of the Tesoro project as a whole, including identifying the potential for $5 billion or more in damages in a worst-case oil train derailment.
- Expert testimony has shown that Tesoro’s project is unnecessary for meeting Washington’s energy needs. We have safer, cleaner, and more climate-friendly ways of meeting our needs than oil trains.
Finally, the permit fails to provide all the information necessary to make an informed decision. EFSEC must review and approve a Spill Control Plan before issuing a pollution permit for the nation’s largest oil by rail terminal. As drafted, the permit leaves the public in the dark about what steps Tesoro would take in the event of an oil spill. Additionally, EFSEC must protect people that regularly eat fish caught in the Columbia River. As drafted, the permit ignores the state’s recently adopted standards for toxic pollution—including cancer-causing pollutants. Tesoro’s proposed stormwater pollution permit fails to inform the public about the specific engineering plans and procedures that Tesoro would employ to protect salmon from harmful toxic pollution.
EFSC should deny the industrial stormwater pollution permit for the Tesoro Savage oil terminal, and it should deny the proposal overall. EFSEC should reject all permits and authorizations for a project that would bring up to five loaded trains each day through the Columbia River Gorge – trains similar to the one that derailed and spilled in Mosier. The risks posed by oil trains and the oil terminal is an overriding public danger, not an “overriding public interest.”
Additional Information:
Contact Your Representative: Restore Wild Salmon to the Columbia and Snake Rivers
Source: Sierra Club Washington Chapter
Description: Once again, anti-environmental Members of Congress are trying to halt efforts to restore wild salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
H.R. 3144 would stop action, including even studying possible actions, to aid endangered salmon in the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The bill would prevent federal agencies from increasing water “spill” to aid salmon or studying removal of four aging, outdated dams in the Lower Snake River.
This legislation is misinformed, counter-productive and would be extremely damaging to salmon recovery efforts if passed. Tell your representatives to oppose this legislation!
Contact Information:
Congressman Rick Larsen (WA 2nd Legislative District)
WA 360-733-4500, DC (202) 225-2605
http://larsen.house.gov/contact-rick/email-rick
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA 1st Legislative District)
WA (360) 416-7879, DC (202) 225-6311
https://delbene.house.gov/contact-me/email-me
Suggested Script:
Dear Representative, I urge you to oppose H.R. 3144, which would undermine recovery efforts and planning for salmon in the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The legislation introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers would overturn a recent court decision to provide more spill (water over the dams) to assist young salmon migration downstream to the ocean. Additional spill is one of the most effective near-term actions we can take to aid salmon while we evaluate long-term solutions. The legislation would further direct the federal agencies to not evaluate increased spill options and potential options for removing dams on the Lower Snake River as part of the court ordered Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process.
Additional Information:
Opinion: Bill would rubber-stamp salmon failure
Source: RC Member
Description: Send a message to the Whatcom County Council Members with a call to action to present a timeline for when citizens can expect all possible repairs will be made to make our current jail facility safe and humane.
Background: There has been gross avoidance of clearly needed repairs on the current downtown facility and Whatcom County Executive Louws has actually said that the cities were specifically opposed to full jail repairs, due to the cost, while he was still trying to bring the County Council on board with the Jail Facility Finance and Use Agreement. (Watch the YouTube video at 2:59:00 from the Whatcom County Council Meeting with the Public Hearing from June 13, 2017 on the size of the jail.)
On July 22, 2017, Sheriff Bill Elfo appeared on Kris Halterman’s Saturday Morning Live Radio Show on KGMI saying that “routine maintenance” on the jail has not been getting done for the last decade and a half. After years and years of officials making claims the jail is falling apart, Whatcom County is in peril of a lawsuit due to these conditions and we citizens can no longer allow officials to neglect the inmates and workers at that facility for what will be years to come, with or without the approval of a new facility.
Contact Information:
County Council addresses:
- council@co.whatcom.wa.us
- bbrenner@co.whatcom.wa.us
- rbrowne@co.whatcom.wa.us
- bbuchana@co.whatcom.wa.us
- cweimer@co.whatcom.wa.us
- kmann@co.whatcom.wa.us
- ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us
- tdonovan@co.whatcom.wa.us
Copy to:
- jlouws@co.whatcom.wa.us
- sheriff@co.whatcom.wa.us
- ccmail@cob.org
- mayorsoffice@cob.org
- cityhall@lyndenwa.org
- korthuiss@lyndenwa.org
- mayor@ci.everson.wa.us
- mayorbromley@cityofsumas.com
- nickolausl@lummi-nsn.gov
- jonmutchler@cityofferndale.org
- citycouncil@cityofnooksack.com
Contact page for Ferndale City Council Members
Contact page for Blaine City Council Members
Suggested Script:
Dear Whatcom County Council,
I am calling on Council Members to bring forward a timeline of when the public can expect that the current jail facility will have all possible repairs made to make it safe and humane.
Sheriff Elfo has said publicly that routine maintenance on the jail has been ignored for a decade and a half and denies responsibility for this himself. County Executive Louws has indicated that the cities are not in favor of all possible repairs being made to make the current jail safe and humane.
Someone is responsible for the current unsafe condition of the jail and I believe that right now, this responsibility rests with community members such as myself, you council members, and all the other parties I have copied on this email. We currently have no new jail. We won’t have one for years, even if the jail sales tax were to be approved by voters. County Executive Louws has indicated there would be some incremental repairs on our current facility, maybe in 2018. This is not specific and the public, inmates, and workers at the jail need assurances of when all repairs are going to be made to the jail that are possible to make to address safety issues and malfunctions that present inhumane conditions. We can’t afford to wait any longer. The current disgraceful condition of our jail is on all of us.
Sincerely,
<Enter Your Name>
Act by 8/22: Comment to Stop the Largest Oil-by-Rail Terminal in Nation
Source: Washington Environmental Council
Description: The largest oil-by-rail terminal in North America could be built right here in Washington state. The Tesoro Savage oil terminal proposed for Vancouver is nearing a decision point, and Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) is seeking public input on a draft industrial stormwater discharge permit. The industrial stormwater permit contains significant flaws that should lead EFSEC to deny the permit. The storage and handling of huge quantities of crude oil will create pollution harmful to the Columbia River and groundwater.
Contact Information: Click here to submit online comment to the Energy Facilitate Site Evaluation Council.
Suggested Script:
Dear EFSEC,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment on the Stormwater Permit for the proposed Tesoro-Savage oiI by rail terminal in Vancouver, WA. I urge you to deny the industrial stormwater permit for this unnecessary, unwelcomed, and dangerous project that would pollute the Columbia River and surrounding groundwater. The project proposes to handle a staggering 360,000 barrels of oil each day—over 5.5 billion gallons of oil each year. To do this, Tesoro would bring up to five loaded oil trains each day down the Columbia River, trains similar to the one that derailed, spilled, and burned in Mosier in 2016.
Under Washington state law, Tesoro must show that the “lowering of water quality is necessary and in the overriding public interest.” EFSEC must consider “the benefits and costs of the social, economic, and environmental effects associated with the lowering of water quality.” Tesoro fails to show that “the lowering of water quality is necessary.” EFSEC fails to explain why Tesoro cannot invest in technology to remove pollution or why the proposed facility could not be a zero discharge operation.
Just as importantly, Tesoro fails to demonstrate an “overriding public interest” for the nation’s largest oil-by-rail terminal. Here are a few reasons why Tesoro’s proposal hasn’t proven an “overriding public interest”:
- Tesoro would increase oil spill risks and potentially damage critical salmon habitat, drinking water, and other uses of the Columbia River.
- The oil terminal and its trains would threaten the health and safety of Vancouver residents and people who live in towns along the rail line. This is contrary to “an overriding public interest.”
- Tesoro’s “social, economic, and environmental effects” will harm Vancouver and other communities, not benefit them. The City of Vancouver and others have testified to the potential negative impacts of the Tesoro project as a whole, including identifying the potential for $5 billion or more in damages in a worst-case oil train derailment.
- Expert testimony has shown that Tesoro’s project is unnecessary for meeting Washington’s energy needs. We have safer, cleaner, and more climate-friendly ways of meeting our needs than oil trains.
Finally, the permit fails to provide all the information necessary to make an informed decision. EFSEC must review and approve a Spill Control Plan before issuing a pollution permit for the nation’s largest oil by rail terminal. As drafted, the permit leaves the public in the dark about what steps Tesoro would take in the event of an oil spill. Additionally, EFSEC must protect people that regularly eat fish caught in the Columbia River. As drafted, the permit ignores the state’s recently adopted standards for toxic pollution—including cancer-causing pollutants. Tesoro’s proposed stormwater pollution permit fails to inform the public about the specific engineering plans and procedures that Tesoro would employ to protect salmon from harmful toxic pollution.
EFSC should deny the industrial stormwater pollution permit for the Tesoro Savage oil terminal, and it should deny the proposal overall. EFSEC should reject all permits and authorizations for a project that would bring up to five loaded trains each day through the Columbia River Gorge – trains similar to the one that derailed and spilled in Mosier. The risks posed by oil trains and the oil terminal is an overriding public danger, not an “overriding public interest.”
Additional Information:
Contact Your Representative: Restore Wild Salmon to the Columbia and Snake Rivers
Source: Sierra Club Washington Chapter
Description: Once again, anti-environmental Members of Congress are trying to halt efforts to restore wild salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
H.R. 3144 would stop action, including even studying possible actions, to aid endangered salmon in the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The bill would prevent federal agencies from increasing water “spill” to aid salmon or studying removal of four aging, outdated dams in the Lower Snake River.
This legislation is misinformed, counter-productive and would be extremely damaging to salmon recovery efforts if passed. Tell your representatives to oppose this legislation!
Contact Information:
Congressman Rick Larsen (WA 2nd Legislative District)
WA 360-733-4500, DC (202) 225-2605
http://larsen.house.gov/contact-rick/email-rick
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA 1st Legislative District)
WA (360) 416-7879, DC (202) 225-6311
https://delbene.house.gov/contact-me/email-me
Suggested Script:
Dear Representative, I urge you to oppose H.R. 3144, which would undermine recovery efforts and planning for salmon in the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The legislation introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers would overturn a recent court decision to provide more spill (water over the dams) to assist young salmon migration downstream to the ocean. Additional spill is one of the most effective near-term actions we can take to aid salmon while we evaluate long-term solutions. The legislation would further direct the federal agencies to not evaluate increased spill options and potential options for removing dams on the Lower Snake River as part of the court ordered Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process.
Additional Information:
Opinion: Bill would rubber-stamp salmon failure
Source: Sierra Club Washington Chapter
Description: Once again, anti-environmental Members of Congress are trying to halt efforts to restore wild salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
H.R. 3144 would stop action, including even studying possible actions, to aid endangered salmon in the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The bill would prevent federal agencies from increasing water “spill” to aid salmon or studying removal of four aging, outdated dams in the Lower Snake River.
This legislation is misinformed, counter-productive and would be extremely damaging to salmon recovery efforts if passed. Tell your representatives to oppose this legislation!
Contact Information:
Congressman Rick Larsen (WA 2nd Legislative District)
WA 360-733-4500, DC (202) 225-2605
http://larsen.house.gov/contact-rick/email-rick
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA 1st Legislative District)
WA (360) 416-7879, DC (202) 225-6311
https://delbene.house.gov/contact-me/email-me
Suggested Script:
Dear Representative, I urge you to oppose H.R. 3144, which would undermine recovery efforts and planning for salmon in the Snake and Columbia Rivers. The legislation introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers would overturn a recent court decision to provide more spill (water over the dams) to assist young salmon migration downstream to the ocean. Additional spill is one of the most effective near-term actions we can take to aid salmon while we evaluate long-term solutions. The legislation would further direct the federal agencies to not evaluate increased spill options and potential options for removing dams on the Lower Snake River as part of the court ordered Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process.
Additional Information:
Opinion: Bill would rubber-stamp salmon failure
National Level Actions / Other
Comment by 8/28 on Rollback of Clean Water Act Protections
Source: Washington Environmental Council, American Rivers, Save EPA
Description: Headwater streams and wetlands are vital parts of our water infrastructure, contributing to drinking water supply, filtering pollutants, absorbing floodwaters, and providing habitat for wildlife across the nation. However, the EPA wants to get rid of protections for small streams and wetlands. Tell EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt not to roll back clean water protections! Note: Save EPA indicates comment deadline has been extended to 9/27/17, but EPA docket indicates 8/28/17 deadline.
Contact Information: Click here to submit comments online.
Suggested Script:
I am absolutely opposed to the proposed repeal of the Clean Water Rule. Repealing this vital safeguard will put our health and communities throughout the nation at risk. I strongly urge you to reconsider your position and drop the repeal of the Clean Water Rule.
The federal government needs to do more, not less, to protect clean water and safeguard our communities. Repealing the Clean Water Rule is shortsighted and flies in the face of public opinion. More than 800,000 Americans supported the Clean Water Rule when it was proposed. It is grounded in science and the law. It is an essential tool to help us to get to goal of ensuring all of our waters are swimmable, fishable, and drinkable.
In Washington State, wetlands and ephemeral streams need Clean Water Act protections to protect communities. In eastern Washington, wetlands provide important groundwater recharge zones to aquifers that provide drinking water as well as habitat for resident and migrating birds. On the Olympic Peninsula, the 2015 drought caused several streams to go dry before reaching the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In the Puget Sound region, small headwater streams are critical to downstream salmon habitat, and wetlands provide flood protection for downstream communities. Throughout Washington State, recreation and wildlife are strong economic drivers. Without protections for wetlands and small streams, our communities would suffer.
Please listen to the majority of Americans who expect EPA to protect clean water, not polluter profits, and stop this dangerous repeal process.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Sincerely,
[insert name]
Additional Information:
Docket Folder: “Waters of the United States” – Reinstatement of Preexisting Rules
Defending Our Waters: Background and talking points from former EPA staffers
Comment by 8/25 on Rollback of Climate Pollution and Fuel Economy Standards
Source: Save EPA
Description: The first opportunity to defend strong fuel economy and GHG standards is to comment on NHTSA’s “Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Model Year 2022-2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards.” This notice is a preparatory step for a NHTSA rule establishing binding fuel economy standards for 2022-2025, and notes that NHTSA also may re-evaluate the existing 2021 fuel economy standards. It is important to comment because of the potential for the Trump Administration to propose setting model year 2022-2025 fuel economy standards weaker than the levels NHTSA previously determined would be warranted. In addition, the notice raises some significant standard-setting issues, and NHTSA’s approaches might be used to influence the parallel EPA re-evaluation of greenhouse gas standards.
Contact Information: Click here to submit comment online. Comments due 8/25 8:59 p.m PST.
Suggested Script: I am deeply concerned about the impacts of global climate change to human and ecosystem health and welfare. We need to take substantial, immediate action wherever and whenever we can to curb greenhouse gas emissions to protect our children’s future. I am writing to express strong support for stringent fuel economy standards for model years (MY) 2022-2025. Specifically, the lower bound for MY 2022-2025 standards should be no less stringent than the existing 2021 standard, which NHTSA has already found to be feasible. The upper bound should be more stringent than the MY 2022-2025 non-binding standards that NHTSA identified as maximum feasible in 2012. Finally, in the interests of public transparency and use of best available science, it is critical that NHTSA both adequately disclose the detailed workings of the model it uses to analyze fuel economy standards and subject it to peer review.
Additional Information:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Docket Folder NHTSA-2017-0069
Save EPA: Defending Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) Standards for Cars & Light Trucks
Call Senators Regarding Ocean Monitoring
Source: Jen Hoffman’s Action List
Description: Support S. 1425, the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act, to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System. (The ICOOS Act of 2009 created a national system for integrating data from all ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas, monitoring things like temperature and ocean acidification.) (hat tip)
Call: Your two U.S. senators (lookup or leave message) — ASAP — this bill can be scheduled for a vote any time!
Script: Hi, I’m [name] from [ZIP]. I’m calling today to ask [senator] to support S. 1425, the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act. The ocean observation system established by the 2009 bill is an extremely valuable resource, and I want to see its work continue. As S. 1425 has passed committee and moved to the floor, do you know how [senator] intends to vote?
Contact Judge Regarding Lee Statue
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: Activists on the ground in Charlottesville have been fighting white supremacy for a long time, including pushing for the removal of a statute of Robert E. Lee and other Confederate monuments Let’s show them some support.
Contact Information: Contact the office of Judge Richard Moore of the Charlottesville Circuit Court to urge him to dismiss an upcoming court case disputing the ability of the City Council to remove the Lee statute; we can reach the judge’s office at 434-970-3766 or via mail sent to the Hon. Judge Richard Moore, Charlottesville Circuit Court, 315 E. High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 and via e-mail to the Clerk of Courts at duggerl@charlottesville.org.
Suggested Script: “I’m leaving a message for Judge Moore regarding the upcoming Monument Fund hearing, scheduled for August 30th. As someone concerned about community safety, I strongly urge you to join the City of Charlottesville in dismissing this case, which will continue to sow violence in the community”
More: Petition Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer and Councilwoman Kathy Galvin to change their votes against removing the statue and to support the removal of all other Confederate monuments, which we can do at this link:https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/remove-charlottesville-statues.
Additional Information: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/14/543471538/charlottesville-rally-aimed-to-defend-a-confederate-statue-it-may-have-doomed-ot
Thank ACLU for Refusing to Defend Hate Speech Involving Firearms
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: The ACLU has often taken on cases of hate groups on the grounds of free speech. However, after the events of last weekend, the ACLU has changed their policy so that they will no longer take on hate groups that protest with firearms.
Action: Thank the ACLU for this change.
Contact Information: 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York NY 10004 or call 212-549-2500.
Suggested Script: “Hello, my name is _____ and I am from Bellingham, WA (or your city) and I would like to thank you for taking the recent policy change to no longer represent hate groups which protest with fire arms.”
Ask Trump to Take Responsibility for his Role in Recent Hate Crimes and Demonstrations
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: Join in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s petition telling Trump to take responsibility for the hate he’s unleashed:
Background: If you are not familiar with the Southern Poverty Law Center, here is some information about them. https://www.splcenter.org/about
Contact Information: https://www.splcenter.org/tell-president-trump-take-responsibility-hate-hes-unleashed
Thank Senator Murray for Rejecting Clean-Energy Cuts
Source: Washington Environmental Women’s Alliance
Action item: Senator Patty Murray is a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which has rejected the Trump Administration’s proposed clean-energy budget cuts and boosted Department of Energy funding. Thank her for vote and let her know how important this kind of legislation is!
Background: “As detailed in a summation of the report by the Brookings Institute, the committee of Senators voted 38-1 to increase the Department of Energy’s budget—effectively rejecting the Trump administration’s proposed budget.” Source
Contact Information:
Senator Patty Murray, WA (206) 553-5545, DC (202) 224-2621
https://www.murray.senate.gov/contact/e-mail.cfm
Suggested Script: “My name is ______ and I am calling from [insert city). Thank you for rejecting the Trump’s administration’s proposed clean energy budget cuts and boosting Department of Energy funding for solar power, offshore wind development, and energy storage. With global climate change threatening our lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems, it’s critical that the federal government support development of clean energy.
Additional Information:
Green Car Reports article: Senate panel rejects clean-energy cuts, boosts DoE funding instead
Brookings Institution article: Senate panel speaks for sound clean energy policy-and rebukes Trump
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, 2018
Source: Washington Environmental Council, American Rivers, Save EPA
Description: Headwater streams and wetlands are vital parts of our water infrastructure, contributing to drinking water supply, filtering pollutants, absorbing floodwaters, and providing habitat for wildlife across the nation. However, the EPA wants to get rid of protections for small streams and wetlands. Tell EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt not to roll back clean water protections! Note: Save EPA indicates comment deadline has been extended to 9/27/17, but EPA docket indicates 8/28/17 deadline.
Contact Information: Click here to submit comments online.
Suggested Script:
I am absolutely opposed to the proposed repeal of the Clean Water Rule. Repealing this vital safeguard will put our health and communities throughout the nation at risk. I strongly urge you to reconsider your position and drop the repeal of the Clean Water Rule.
The federal government needs to do more, not less, to protect clean water and safeguard our communities. Repealing the Clean Water Rule is shortsighted and flies in the face of public opinion. More than 800,000 Americans supported the Clean Water Rule when it was proposed. It is grounded in science and the law. It is an essential tool to help us to get to goal of ensuring all of our waters are swimmable, fishable, and drinkable.
In Washington State, wetlands and ephemeral streams need Clean Water Act protections to protect communities. In eastern Washington, wetlands provide important groundwater recharge zones to aquifers that provide drinking water as well as habitat for resident and migrating birds. On the Olympic Peninsula, the 2015 drought caused several streams to go dry before reaching the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In the Puget Sound region, small headwater streams are critical to downstream salmon habitat, and wetlands provide flood protection for downstream communities. Throughout Washington State, recreation and wildlife are strong economic drivers. Without protections for wetlands and small streams, our communities would suffer.
Please listen to the majority of Americans who expect EPA to protect clean water, not polluter profits, and stop this dangerous repeal process.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Sincerely,
[insert name]
Additional Information:
Docket Folder: “Waters of the United States” – Reinstatement of Preexisting Rules
Defending Our Waters: Background and talking points from former EPA staffers
Comment by 8/25 on Rollback of Climate Pollution and Fuel Economy Standards
Source: Save EPA
Description: The first opportunity to defend strong fuel economy and GHG standards is to comment on NHTSA’s “Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Model Year 2022-2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards.” This notice is a preparatory step for a NHTSA rule establishing binding fuel economy standards for 2022-2025, and notes that NHTSA also may re-evaluate the existing 2021 fuel economy standards. It is important to comment because of the potential for the Trump Administration to propose setting model year 2022-2025 fuel economy standards weaker than the levels NHTSA previously determined would be warranted. In addition, the notice raises some significant standard-setting issues, and NHTSA’s approaches might be used to influence the parallel EPA re-evaluation of greenhouse gas standards.
Contact Information: Click here to submit comment online. Comments due 8/25 8:59 p.m PST.
Suggested Script: I am deeply concerned about the impacts of global climate change to human and ecosystem health and welfare. We need to take substantial, immediate action wherever and whenever we can to curb greenhouse gas emissions to protect our children’s future. I am writing to express strong support for stringent fuel economy standards for model years (MY) 2022-2025. Specifically, the lower bound for MY 2022-2025 standards should be no less stringent than the existing 2021 standard, which NHTSA has already found to be feasible. The upper bound should be more stringent than the MY 2022-2025 non-binding standards that NHTSA identified as maximum feasible in 2012. Finally, in the interests of public transparency and use of best available science, it is critical that NHTSA both adequately disclose the detailed workings of the model it uses to analyze fuel economy standards and subject it to peer review.
Additional Information:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Docket Folder NHTSA-2017-0069
Save EPA: Defending Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) Standards for Cars & Light Trucks
Call Senators Regarding Ocean Monitoring
Source: Jen Hoffman’s Action List
Description: Support S. 1425, the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act, to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System. (The ICOOS Act of 2009 created a national system for integrating data from all ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas, monitoring things like temperature and ocean acidification.) (hat tip)
Call: Your two U.S. senators (lookup or leave message) — ASAP — this bill can be scheduled for a vote any time!
Script: Hi, I’m [name] from [ZIP]. I’m calling today to ask [senator] to support S. 1425, the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act. The ocean observation system established by the 2009 bill is an extremely valuable resource, and I want to see its work continue. As S. 1425 has passed committee and moved to the floor, do you know how [senator] intends to vote?
Contact Judge Regarding Lee Statue
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: Activists on the ground in Charlottesville have been fighting white supremacy for a long time, including pushing for the removal of a statute of Robert E. Lee and other Confederate monuments Let’s show them some support.
Contact Information: Contact the office of Judge Richard Moore of the Charlottesville Circuit Court to urge him to dismiss an upcoming court case disputing the ability of the City Council to remove the Lee statute; we can reach the judge’s office at 434-970-3766 or via mail sent to the Hon. Judge Richard Moore, Charlottesville Circuit Court, 315 E. High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 and via e-mail to the Clerk of Courts at duggerl@charlottesville.org.
Suggested Script: “I’m leaving a message for Judge Moore regarding the upcoming Monument Fund hearing, scheduled for August 30th. As someone concerned about community safety, I strongly urge you to join the City of Charlottesville in dismissing this case, which will continue to sow violence in the community”
More: Petition Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer and Councilwoman Kathy Galvin to change their votes against removing the statue and to support the removal of all other Confederate monuments, which we can do at this link:https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/remove-charlottesville-statues.
Additional Information: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/14/543471538/charlottesville-rally-aimed-to-defend-a-confederate-statue-it-may-have-doomed-ot
Thank ACLU for Refusing to Defend Hate Speech Involving Firearms
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: The ACLU has often taken on cases of hate groups on the grounds of free speech. However, after the events of last weekend, the ACLU has changed their policy so that they will no longer take on hate groups that protest with firearms.
Action: Thank the ACLU for this change.
Contact Information: 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York NY 10004 or call 212-549-2500.
Suggested Script: “Hello, my name is _____ and I am from Bellingham, WA (or your city) and I would like to thank you for taking the recent policy change to no longer represent hate groups which protest with fire arms.”
Ask Trump to Take Responsibility for his Role in Recent Hate Crimes and Demonstrations
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: Join in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s petition telling Trump to take responsibility for the hate he’s unleashed:
Background: If you are not familiar with the Southern Poverty Law Center, here is some information about them. https://www.splcenter.org/about
Contact Information: https://www.splcenter.org/tell-president-trump-take-responsibility-hate-hes-unleashed
Thank Senator Murray for Rejecting Clean-Energy Cuts
Source: Washington Environmental Women’s Alliance
Action item: Senator Patty Murray is a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which has rejected the Trump Administration’s proposed clean-energy budget cuts and boosted Department of Energy funding. Thank her for vote and let her know how important this kind of legislation is!
Background: “As detailed in a summation of the report by the Brookings Institute, the committee of Senators voted 38-1 to increase the Department of Energy’s budget—effectively rejecting the Trump administration’s proposed budget.” Source
Contact Information:
Senator Patty Murray, WA (206) 553-5545, DC (202) 224-2621
https://www.murray.senate.gov/contact/e-mail.cfm
Suggested Script: “My name is ______ and I am calling from [insert city). Thank you for rejecting the Trump’s administration’s proposed clean energy budget cuts and boosting Department of Energy funding for solar power, offshore wind development, and energy storage. With global climate change threatening our lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems, it’s critical that the federal government support development of clean energy.
Additional Information:
Green Car Reports article: Senate panel rejects clean-energy cuts, boosts DoE funding instead
Brookings Institution article: Senate panel speaks for sound clean energy policy-and rebukes Trump
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, 2018
Source: Jen Hoffman’s Action List
Description: Support S. 1425, the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act, to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System. (The ICOOS Act of 2009 created a national system for integrating data from all ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas, monitoring things like temperature and ocean acidification.) (hat tip)
Call: Your two U.S. senators (lookup or leave message) — ASAP — this bill can be scheduled for a vote any time!
Script: Hi, I’m [name] from [ZIP]. I’m calling today to ask [senator] to support S. 1425, the Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act. The ocean observation system established by the 2009 bill is an extremely valuable resource, and I want to see its work continue. As S. 1425 has passed committee and moved to the floor, do you know how [senator] intends to vote?
Contact Judge Regarding Lee Statue
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: Activists on the ground in Charlottesville have been fighting white supremacy for a long time, including pushing for the removal of a statute of Robert E. Lee and other Confederate monuments Let’s show them some support.
Contact Information: Contact the office of Judge Richard Moore of the Charlottesville Circuit Court to urge him to dismiss an upcoming court case disputing the ability of the City Council to remove the Lee statute; we can reach the judge’s office at 434-970-3766 or via mail sent to the Hon. Judge Richard Moore, Charlottesville Circuit Court, 315 E. High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902 and via e-mail to the Clerk of Courts at duggerl@charlottesville.org.
Suggested Script: “I’m leaving a message for Judge Moore regarding the upcoming Monument Fund hearing, scheduled for August 30th. As someone concerned about community safety, I strongly urge you to join the City of Charlottesville in dismissing this case, which will continue to sow violence in the community”
More: Petition Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer and Councilwoman Kathy Galvin to change their votes against removing the statue and to support the removal of all other Confederate monuments, which we can do at this link:https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/remove-charlottesville-statues.
Additional Information: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/08/14/543471538/charlottesville-rally-aimed-to-defend-a-confederate-statue-it-may-have-doomed-ot
Thank ACLU for Refusing to Defend Hate Speech Involving Firearms
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: The ACLU has often taken on cases of hate groups on the grounds of free speech. However, after the events of last weekend, the ACLU has changed their policy so that they will no longer take on hate groups that protest with firearms.
Action: Thank the ACLU for this change.
Contact Information: 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York NY 10004 or call 212-549-2500.
Suggested Script: “Hello, my name is _____ and I am from Bellingham, WA (or your city) and I would like to thank you for taking the recent policy change to no longer represent hate groups which protest with fire arms.”
Ask Trump to Take Responsibility for his Role in Recent Hate Crimes and Demonstrations
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: Join in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s petition telling Trump to take responsibility for the hate he’s unleashed:
Background: If you are not familiar with the Southern Poverty Law Center, here is some information about them. https://www.splcenter.org/about
Contact Information: https://www.splcenter.org/tell-president-trump-take-responsibility-hate-hes-unleashed
Thank Senator Murray for Rejecting Clean-Energy Cuts
Source: Washington Environmental Women’s Alliance
Action item: Senator Patty Murray is a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which has rejected the Trump Administration’s proposed clean-energy budget cuts and boosted Department of Energy funding. Thank her for vote and let her know how important this kind of legislation is!
Background: “As detailed in a summation of the report by the Brookings Institute, the committee of Senators voted 38-1 to increase the Department of Energy’s budget—effectively rejecting the Trump administration’s proposed budget.” Source
Contact Information:
Senator Patty Murray, WA (206) 553-5545, DC (202) 224-2621
https://www.murray.senate.gov/contact/e-mail.cfm
Suggested Script: “My name is ______ and I am calling from [insert city). Thank you for rejecting the Trump’s administration’s proposed clean energy budget cuts and boosting Department of Energy funding for solar power, offshore wind development, and energy storage. With global climate change threatening our lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems, it’s critical that the federal government support development of clean energy.
Additional Information:
Green Car Reports article: Senate panel rejects clean-energy cuts, boosts DoE funding instead
Brookings Institution article: Senate panel speaks for sound clean energy policy-and rebukes Trump
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, 2018
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: The ACLU has often taken on cases of hate groups on the grounds of free speech. However, after the events of last weekend, the ACLU has changed their policy so that they will no longer take on hate groups that protest with firearms.
Action: Thank the ACLU for this change.
Contact Information: 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York NY 10004 or call 212-549-2500.
Suggested Script: “Hello, my name is _____ and I am from Bellingham, WA (or your city) and I would like to thank you for taking the recent policy change to no longer represent hate groups which protest with fire arms.”
Ask Trump to Take Responsibility for his Role in Recent Hate Crimes and Demonstrations
Source: Rogan’s List
Description: Join in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s petition telling Trump to take responsibility for the hate he’s unleashed:
Background: If you are not familiar with the Southern Poverty Law Center, here is some information about them. https://www.splcenter.org/about
Contact Information: https://www.splcenter.org/tell-president-trump-take-responsibility-hate-hes-unleashed
Thank Senator Murray for Rejecting Clean-Energy Cuts
Source: Washington Environmental Women’s Alliance
Action item: Senator Patty Murray is a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which has rejected the Trump Administration’s proposed clean-energy budget cuts and boosted Department of Energy funding. Thank her for vote and let her know how important this kind of legislation is!
Background: “As detailed in a summation of the report by the Brookings Institute, the committee of Senators voted 38-1 to increase the Department of Energy’s budget—effectively rejecting the Trump administration’s proposed budget.” Source
Contact Information:
Senator Patty Murray, WA (206) 553-5545, DC (202) 224-2621
https://www.murray.senate.gov/contact/e-mail.cfm
Suggested Script: “My name is ______ and I am calling from [insert city). Thank you for rejecting the Trump’s administration’s proposed clean energy budget cuts and boosting Department of Energy funding for solar power, offshore wind development, and energy storage. With global climate change threatening our lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems, it’s critical that the federal government support development of clean energy.
Additional Information:
Green Car Reports article: Senate panel rejects clean-energy cuts, boosts DoE funding instead
Brookings Institution article: Senate panel speaks for sound clean energy policy-and rebukes Trump
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, 2018
Source: Washington Environmental Women’s Alliance
Action item: Senator Patty Murray is a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, which has rejected the Trump Administration’s proposed clean-energy budget cuts and boosted Department of Energy funding. Thank her for vote and let her know how important this kind of legislation is!
Background: “As detailed in a summation of the report by the Brookings Institute, the committee of Senators voted 38-1 to increase the Department of Energy’s budget—effectively rejecting the Trump administration’s proposed budget.” Source
Contact Information:
Senator Patty Murray, WA (206) 553-5545, DC (202) 224-2621
https://www.murray.senate.gov/contact/e-mail.cfm
Suggested Script: “My name is ______ and I am calling from [insert city). Thank you for rejecting the Trump’s administration’s proposed clean energy budget cuts and boosting Department of Energy funding for solar power, offshore wind development, and energy storage. With global climate change threatening our lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems, it’s critical that the federal government support development of clean energy.
Additional Information:
Green Car Reports article: Senate panel rejects clean-energy cuts, boosts DoE funding instead
Brookings Institution article: Senate panel speaks for sound clean energy policy-and rebukes Trump
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, 2018
From the Calendar
Link to the Riveters Collective Calendar
Every Monday: Attend a vigil hosted by C2C and Keep Bellingham Families Working. A vigil will be held from 11:30a.m.-12:30p.m. in front of City Hall until Aug. 28, 2017 or from 5:00-6:00p.m. at the WTA downtown bus station. Support undocumented and immigrant families to live in safety and dignity in our community. Come together and join in building power in people!