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June 29, 2009
Dear Friend,
Here's what's in this week's edition of CoolCATs Weekly:
1) Victories for the New Energy Economy
2) Action Alert: Contact Governor Carcieri
| 1) Victories for the New Energy Economy |
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 I want to congratulate everyone who took action through CoolCATs Weekly this legislative session. The Rhode Island General Assembly delivered the Transit Signal Priority, which became law last week, and an investment of $8.8 million in Rhode Island's public transit system.
The Assembly also kept clean energy clean by putting off a trash incinerator at the central landfill. All told, CoolCATs generated hundreds on emails and phone calls to Rhode Island's state legislators and the Governor.
Thank you all! I'll be in touch with you when we schedule the victory party this summer! |
| 2) It's the Governor's Turn |
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 Late last week, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed the state budget for the coming year. In it, they included a new investment in public transit through a two cent per gallon gasoline tax increase.
For the average car, that amounts to 25 cents every time you fill up. But it generates $8.8 million for public transit. Considering that our economy loses half a billion dollars or more every year from gasoline imports, keeping a little to invest in the state can go a long way. However, this is definitely not the ultimate solution. But for now, it is an important step.
But Governor Carcieri still needs to make a decision whether or not he will support the General Assembly's state budget. And he needs to do it in the next 48 hours or the state will start losing money as we enter the new fiscal year.
 Tell Governor Carcieri to support the new investment of $8.8 million in public transit.
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| 3) What are CoolCATs? |
 Cool CATs are the Sierra Club's Cool Cities Community Action Teams. Cool Cities or Cool Communities are those local governments that sign on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Sierra Club Community Action Teams are teams of volunteer activists who work together to build environmental communities by hosting house parties, going door to door with our message, or participating in phone banks. |
Thank you for signing up for Cool CATs Weekly. You can make your community "Cool" by advocating for renewable power, green buildings and transportation choices. Visit the Cool Cities website for resources and toolkits. Sincerely, Chris Wilhite Sierra Club Rhode Island Chapter |
Tell Governor Carcieri to support the budget for public transit.
Energy Independence Day
Sunday, July 5
1:00 pm
Portsmouth High School (near wind turbine)
Portsmouth
Monthly Chapter Meeting
Tuesday, July 14
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Sierra Club RI Chapter Office
17 Gordon Ave., Ste. 208
Providence
Community Meeting: Aquidneck Transportation Choices
Tuesday, July 28
6:00 pm (tentative)
Channing Memorial Church
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