High Fives to the Political, RAIL and Energy Committees
The Georgia Chapter Political, RAIL and Energy Committees managed to score some wins on Election Day, despite the overall disappointing results.
The Political Committee was pleased to support Elena Parent for Georgia House District 81 against the incumbent Jill Chambers. Chambers had served as the Chair of the MARTA Oversight Committee for the last several years, and used the post to launch a series of queries into MARTA's finances, only to find that there was no smoking gun. Chambers also attempted to quash financial relief for MARTA, by opposing the temporary lifting of the requirement that MARTA spend 50% on operations and 50 percent on capital projects. We hope that the message here is that being anti-transit in Atlanta doesn't fly anymore. Welcome, Representative Elena Parent!
The RAIL Committee spent several evenings phonebanking Clayton County residents, asking them to support the non-binding referendum to join MARTA. Voters responded with an over 70 percent approval rate. Next up, getting the Clayton County Commission to put the issue to a binding vote in the next general election.
Finally, the Energy Committee worked to spread the word about Amendment 4, which allows state agencies to enter into multi-year contracts for energy efficiency projects. Over 60 percent of voters statewide supported it.
Your contributions to our Legislative Program helps us stop bad legislation that will harm people or the environment.
Quick Links
Did you miss Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune on 60 Minutes on Sunday? Don't worry, you can still check it out here.
Sierra Club Meetings
Wildlands & Wildlife Committee Meeting, Tuesday, December 21st, 7:00p.m., Phil Zinsmeister - Chair, pzinsmeister@oglethorpe.edu Fundraising Committee, Wednesday November 17th, 7:00p.m., Erin Wetty - Chair, ewetty@seyfarth.com Smart Energy Team Meeting, Monday, December 6th, 6:30p.m refreshments, 7p.m. start, Colleen Kiernan - colleen.kiernan@sierraclub.org or Erin Glynn - erin.glynn@sierraclub.org |
Environmental Events
Plant Washington Closing Arguments -- November 18th
The closing arguments will be heard in our appeal of the Plant
Washington air permit at 9:30 a.m in the Office of State Administrative
Hearings at 230 Peachtree Street NW Suite 850 (map). For background on the issues in the case watch our press briefing here. For more info, contact colleen.kiernan@sierraclub.org.
Do you -Heart- the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
Wish it a happy 50th birthday! And ask President Obama to protect it permanently as a National Monument. On December 6th, 1960, President Eisenhower created the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge due to the incredible work by Macon-native Ed Wayburn. Since then, the Sierra Club has been working to protect it (and winning!).
Stop Big Oil once and for all from turning this unique place into an industrial drilling wasteland here.
Volunteer to Wrap Gifts at REI to Support Inner City Outings
Did you read about our ICO program last month and want to get involved? Here's a fun and easy way to help! Every year, REI hosts ICO volunteers who wrap gifts for a contribution! This effort raises almost all of the money they need to get kids outside. Shifts are available on December 22, 23 and 24. Contact Dolly to sign up for the NE Expressway store, contact Maggie to sign up for the Perimeter store. Sign up for the ICO newsletter here.
Congrats also to our Savannah River Group in Augusta!
Their Rivers Alive clean-up in October turned up 250 volunteers, collected 8 tons of trash, and got some great coverage in the Augusta Chronicle!
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