Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Public Hearing - Longleaf Energy Station
Now is an important time to let the state Environmental Protection Division (EPD) know that Georgia needs to invest in the technology of the future and not in hazardous coal fired power plants. Georgia electric utilities should invest in clean, reliable energy sources available today, such as biomass from farms and forest, wind power, solar power and energy efficiency.
EPD is holding a public hearing on July 28th to get citizen input about the hazardous pollutants that will be emitted from the proposed Longleaf Energy Station. Longleaf Energy Station is a huge 1200 megawatt coal-fired power plant proposed for Early County in South Georgia. The power produced by this plant could be sold out of state while the pollution remains in our state. Burning coal releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide (which changes our climate); sulfur dioxide (which damages crops and trees); nitrogen oxides (a key component of smog); and mercury (a potent neurotoxin especially damaging to pregnant women and children).
Once built, this power plant will continue to produce pollutants for fifty years or more. We will be locked into breathing air contaminated with millions on tons of pollutants that are known to cause respiratory diseases and even premature death. Longleaf wants to build the plant based on old technology. Longleaf also hasn’t done the right kind of review to ensure that we will breathe the least amount of pollutants as required by the law. The law requires that a hearing be held so that the public can tell EPD what it thinks about the health effects of the pollution coming to its community.
We encourage you to consider taking action now to ensure a clean energy future. For ways to get involved please contact Seandra Rawls at the Georgia Chapter office at 404-607-1262 x 222 or seandra.rawls@sierraclub.org. You can write comments to the EPD or even attend the hearings to show your support!
Club Meetings:
RAIL Committee Meeting, Monday, July 27th, 6:45p.m., Jim Dexter 678-313-2407, jimdex@aol.com Smart Energy Team Meeting, Sunday, August 2th, 5p.m., Seandra Rawls - Chapter Staff, 404-607-1262 x 222 Fundraising Committee Meeting, Tuesday, August 25th, 6:30p.m., Sandy Stewart & Erin Wetty - Co-Chairs, call 404-607-1262 x 225 |
Outings Leader Training
Saturday, July 25th, 8:00a.m. to 12 noon
This is the first step to becoming a certified outings leader. You will learn the requirements for leading outings and also receive practical leadership training. There is no cost for the OLT 101 course. The training course is held only twice a year in the Atlanta area and attendance is limited to 10 people. For more information or to sign up, please contact Edward Scholl at edscholl@bellsouth.net or click here.
Wahsega Conservation Retreat
Friday - Sunday, August 28th - 30th
Camp Wahsega near Dahlonega
Come to the cool Georgia mountains to hear the latest on the conservation campaigns of the Sierra Club. This year's conservation retreat is for volunteers both new and veteran, chapter conservation issue leaders, group conservation chairs and anyone else interested in helping save the planet. Clean energy, transit, water protection, wildlands, coastal and other issues will all be covered. Registration fee of $85 includes all meals from dinner Friday through lunch on Sunday. For more information please contact Mark Woodall at markwoodall@windstream.net or click here.
Membership Dinner
Sunday, July 26th, 6:00 p.m
Come for dinner at L’Thai in Tucker. L’Thai is the first organic Thai restaurant in Georgia. It is located at 488 0 Lawrenceville Hwy, Tucker. Membership is obviously a huge part of the Sierra Club - it’s our members who make the club who we are and our membership ensures that we can continue on with our mission. I hope that you will join us in celebrating our new SuperFRIP campaign, a membership drive with the intent of getting our members together at social events, while attracting new folks to the Club. For more information please contact the Georgia Chapter at georgia.chapter@sierraclub.org.
Sierra Club 101
Saturday, August 1st, 10a.m. - 12p.m.
Attention, Members! You joined the Sierra Club to help protect the environment -- now what? Sierra Club 101! Come learn about the Sierra Club and how to get involved in our local efforts. Open to members and non-members alike--bring a friend! Refreshments provided. For more information or to sign up please click here.
Cloudland Canyon
Sunday, August 2nd
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Enjoy awe inspiring vistas along the West Rim Loop before delving into the more intimate beauty of the canyon. Please contact Paula Phillips, Hike.n.Seek@gmail.com.
Williams Pulpit
Saturday, August 15th
Western North Carolina
Hike to the "pulpit" a huge 100 foot rock outcrop with great views of the nearby valley. The area is reportedly a great spot for summer wildflowers. Contact volunteer leader Lee Thomas at 770-458-3389.
**Please visit the outings section of the Georgia Chapter website to see a complete list of outings. Click here.
Chapter Retreat at Okefenokee Swamp
Friday - Sunday, October 30th - November 1st
Laura Walker Park, near Okefenokee Swamp
Join us this fall for the annual chapter gathering. We’ll have kayak/canoe trips in the swamp, float trips on the St. Mary’s river, hikes with naturalists in the forest, and much more... Please look for the registration form on the chapter website, and join us in the swamp for an unforgettable Halloween. For questions or more information please contact Genie Strickland at the Georgia Chapter at genie.strickland@sierraclub.org or 404-607-1262 or click here.
Other Environmental Items:
Have you ever wondered where your food comes from whether you are eating at your favorite restaurant or shopping at your local store? Instead of buying from your local grocery store, there are many options available that better support your local community and protect our environment. You can join a Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA) that will deliver you fresh, seasonal produce or shop at local farmers markets. Help the environment and be creative! Explore your options by clicking here.
Hemlockfest
Friday - Sunday, November 6th - 8th
HemlockFest is an annual benefit music festival to increase public awareness and generate funds to help save the Eastern and Carolina Hemlock trees. Funds raised each year are used for support of the Georgia laboratories rearing adelgid-devouring beetles, education and research on the HWA problem, and assisting businesses and homeowners to protect Hemlocks on their private property. Learn more by clicking here.
Interested in reading more?
If you have missed an issue of Footnotes Online you can view them online in our Footnotes Online archive by clicking here. You can also sign up for alerts in order to take action at times when we need decision makers to hear from you. We need your help!