The 2011 Georgia Legislative Session Begins!
If you haven't gone stir crazy yet from being stuck indoors, check out the Georgia Chapter website for the full list of our legislative priorities. The most timely issue is the one to provide transparency for Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) members, who have no access to information about the risky venture Power4Georgians is leading them on in the development of two new coal-fired power plants.
On Thursday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Cobb EMC CEO Dwight Brown has been indicted on 31 counts of racketeering and theft. Read about it here or check out the more detailed story in the Marietta Daily Journal. According to the Marietta Daily Journal, "the indictment alleges that Brown used Cobb Electric Membership Corporation as a piggybank to fund various operations and activities of Cobb Energy without approval by the cooperative's members, as required in EMC's bylaws." It is estimated that the development of Plant Washington has cost $27 million to date, of which Cobb EMC paid a significant portion that has never been approved by the coop's members. Plant Washington looks like the very same sort of deal.
Mark Woodall, Chair of the Georgia Sierra Club, observed that 'a lot more transparency for the customer-owners of these electric coops is needed in this state to prevent the sort of acts that Dwight Brown is accused of committing."
Quick Links
The Georgia Water Coalition is working to collect 5000 signatures to let our elected leaders know that we want our rivers and communities protected from water grabs.
The state's current laws regulating interbasin transfers are weak and should be strengthened, click here to sign the petition.
Sierra Club Meetings
Smart Energy Team Meeting, Monday, January 17th, 6:30p.m refreshments, 7p.m. start, Colleen Kiernan - colleen.kiernan@sierraclub.org or Erin Glynn - erin.glynn@sierraclub.org Wildlands & Wildlife Committee Meeting, Tuesday, January 18th, 7:00p.m., Phil Zinsmeister - Chair, pzinsmeister@oglethorpe.edu RAIL Committee Meeting, Monday January 24th, 6:45 p.m., Jim Dexter - Chair, call 678-313-2407, jimdex@aol.com Atlanta Inner City Outings (ICO), Outing Leader Training (OLT 101) Saturday, January 22nd, Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 25th, 7:00p.m., contact Allison Williams, Chair, for more information, adwilliams8@yahoo.com |
Environmental Events
Introduction to the Living Building Challenge - January 14th
Learn about the principles and rationales of restorative design at this brown bag lunch sponsored by the American Institute of Architects Atlanta Committee on the Environment. Contact Bill Abbelle wabballe@tvsdesign.com for more information and to RSVP.
Celebrate the King Legacy - January 15th
On Saturday, January 15th, join friends and allies from the Sierra Club and Fall-line Alliance for a Clean Environment at the first-annual Jefferson County MLK Day Parade and March. This action-packed day starts at 10AM in Louisville, GA. Contact Erin Glynn at 770-598-6814 for more information and to RSVP. Also, please read and share this powerful piece by Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery entitled "King Would Have Fought Coal Plants."
Off-shore Wind 101 Webinar - January 25th
The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) presents a monthly webinar series, and January's topic is Offshore Wind 101. The session will provide you with basic information about the benefits and impacts of offshore wind energy and give you opportunities to support offshore wind energy. Join them on January 25, 2011 from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST for a briefing and open discussion. For more information and to register, click here.
Help the Georgia Chapter Sponsor Recycle Runway at Hartsfield Jackson!
Recycle Runway Collection will be on display at Terminal E of the Atlanta Airport in 2011! Nancy Judd designs high-end clothing made from recycled aluminum cans, glass, junk mail and even newspapers! The display will be seen by over 13.5 million people and will provide great visibility for the Georgia Chapter.
Will you help us become a $500 sponsor by donating today?
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