Climate Change: Decision Time 

Cathy Duvall, Sierra Club's National Political Director, spoke last night in Chapel Hill about the future of climate legislation on Capitol Hill and the role North Carolina might play in the vital debate. A sizable crowd filled 3 Cups to the brim to hear how Sierrans can play a major role in breaking the stranglehold that utilities hold over the South.

Senators from the South - Kay Hagan in particular - will play a key role in the success or failure of climate change legislation on Capitol Hill.

North Carolina is the only Southeastern state to pass a renewable energy portfolio standard; we can lead by example in a region where utilities have long claimed renewables aren't viable.

Couldn't make it?

Take the time to donate to our efforts today! C4 money is one of our most precious resources as an organization and your financial support is invaluable as we try to build a clean energy future for North Carolina and the country.

It's Alllivee! Intermodal Transit bill now law

HB148 authorizes a public referendum for a half-cent sales tax increase in the Triad and Triangle counties (Wake, Durham, Orange, Guilford, Forsyth) and allows for a referendum on a smaller quarter cent in the state’s other 94 counties.

The end result will be that cities and counties now have more options and flexibility to fund public transportation projects. See photos of the bill signing here.

Greensboro rallies for Clean Energy

On August 20th, a large crowd of North Carolinians in favor of strong clean energy legislation gathered outside of the Greensboro Coliseum for a clean energy rally. The rally came before Energy Citizens - a front group for big oil - held an American Petroleum Institute sponsored event inside the coliseum.

Check out photos of the event on our Facebook page.

Upping NC's plastic recovery

According to DENR, North Carolina's recovery rate for plastic bottles is only about 18%. So what's the remedy? A statewide change in recycling policy is coming October 1st. You can read more about the upcoming landfill ban on DENR's website.

Outings

Take a look at our statewide outings calendar.

Remove invasive plants from Appalachian Trail | September 11-12, 2009 | Appalachian Trail Conservancy

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is seeking volunteers to perform inventory and control of invasive exotic plants along the Appalachian Trail in western North Carolina

Devils Marbleyard Backpack | September 11-13, 2009 | Piedmont Plateau Group 

Devils Marble Yard (DMY) has been described as “God’s rock garden”, a large area of 200 million year old sandstone blocks along a ridge. For photos and hike description http://www.hikingupward.com/ and www.roanoke.com/outdoors/hiking

Bartram Trail Backpack | October 17 -25, 2009 | Capital Group

Starting in GA, we will backpack the 100 mile Bartram Trail end-to-end. It starts east of the Appalachian Trail (AT), heads north towards Highlands, N. C., then heads northwest, intersecting the AT at Wayah Bald, runs with it briefly, then turns northwest, skirting Nantahala Lake, rejoining the AT atop Cheoah Bald where it ends.

Must Reads

The Capitol Group's endorsements have been hitting the Raleigh blogosphere.

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