Mount Vernon Sierran -- Summer 2013
Mark Your Calendar For: Activist Nights: Every Wednesday at the Sierra Club's NOVA Hub in Alexandria Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Open House and Public Hearing: Th 6/20, Wed 6/26, Th 6/27, Various Locations Open House at the Sierra Club's New DC Office: Fri 6/21, DC Twilight Paddle at Mason Neck: Fri 6/21, Lorton Summer Solstice Campfire: Sat 6/22, Huntley Meadows, Alexandria Solar for Churches in VA: Sun 6/23, Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria Arlington Energy Masters Program: Wed 6/26, Fairlington Community Center, Arlington The Cicada Invaders: Sun 6/30, Mason Neck State Park, Lorton Birding for Beginners: Sun 7/7, Huntley Meadows, Alexandria Party for the Pike: Thurs 7/25, Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse Starry Skies: Meteors: Sun 8/11, Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield Campfire Friday: Stream Study: Fri 8/16, Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield
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In this issue:
Stormy Weather...
Heavy rains + more impervious surface = big headaches for local officials. Get the skinny on stormwater management--including the utility fees that finance the fight against flooding. Read More
Kudos for a Clean Energy Crusader
Farewell and thanks to Phillip Ellis, the Sierra Club's NoVA leader for the Beyond Coal Campaign. What's next for Ellis and the Wednesday Night Activists he organized? Read More
Feeling the Heat
When the mercury rises, so do serious illnesses caused by extreme heat. And the CDC warns that it's getting worse. Read More
At George Mason University, Sustainability's Central
Learn how GMU's Sustainability Institute is spearheading an interdisciplinary effort to change the way the university does business--and inspire sustainability in the local community. Read More
Notes from the Chair: Getting From Here to There
It's a busy time for MVG activists who care about transportation. Get the quick update on streetcars, HOT lanes, the Outer Beltway and other campaigns for commuters. Read More
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Running on Faith -- And Solar
On June 23, the Sierra Club and Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light will host a free workshop to share information about new state legislation that encourages adoption of solar energy. The law recently passed by the General Assembly allows non-profit organizations to obtain solar energy without having to pay the usual large up-front cost of buying the solar panels.
To do so, non-profits enter into what are called Power Purchase Agreements. These PPAs involve a third party entity that retains ownership of the solar panels, and sells the power they produce to the non-profit customer - much like utilities have traditionally charged for their power to customers.
The workshop will explain the legislation and how it might work for religious institutions interested in getting their energy from a non-polluting source.
The workshop will be held at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria (located off of Fort Hunt Road). This church already has solar panels installed, and from 6:30 to 7 church representatives will offer a tour of their system. The workshop will begin at 7. To RSVP (and request a ride from the Huntington Metro, if needed): visit www.tinyurl.com/vasolarworkshop.
The Mount Vernon Sierran is published quarterly by the Mount Vernon Group of the Sierra Club's Virginia Chapter. Content contained in the newsletter expresses the opinions of the authors and does not necessarily reflect any official Group position or campaign. Questions or comments? Email Mary Kadera, the newsletter editor, at Mount.Vernon.Group@sierraclub.org.
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