March 17th, 2014
Dear
Fellow Sierran
Here's what's in this week's edition of CoolCATs Weekly:
1) The Resilient RI Act
2) Spectacular DG Hearing
3) Transit Bill Hearing Tuesday
4) Climate Forum at URI on Wednesday
5) Plastic Bag Ban Hearing on Thursday
6) Executive Committee Election 2014
1) The Resilient RI Act
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Hot off the presses, Representative Art Handy's Resilient RI Act has been introduced, and it's already getting some nice press. I even heard about it on RIPR this morning. The coverage is great, but what's even nicer is that the groups behind Art's legislative initiative have put together an informational website to support the effort, find it here. If you don't have time to click through, this legislation is this year's version of the perennial climate bill which calls for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Only this year it's been significantly improved to contain provisions for adapting to the climate change that is already baked into the cake. Mitigation and adaption, what could be better, right?! You can help get this bill passed by TAKING ACTION HERE.
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2) Spectacular DG Hearing
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The other critical climate impact bill this year, the Distributed Generation Growth Program, had its Senate side hearing last week, and there was a remarkable show of force from the audience. Dozens came to testify in support and there was no opposition. For more information, check out the great reporting from ecoRI.
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3) Transit Bill Hearing Tuesday
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It's not slowing down at the Statehouse either. Tomorrow, the House Finance Committee is hearing Rep Jay Edwards' Transportation Infrastructure Fund Bill (H7432), which would provide RIPTA with 55 million dollars of new funding over the next five years. While there are some technical problems with the bill, such support for transit is a welcome change from past years. Please consider coming out in support for the hearing Tomorrow. YOU CAN JOIN AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS HERE.
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4) Climate Forum at URI on Wednesday
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You may remember a couple of weeks back when I sent out notification about a climate forum at URI that had to be postponed. Well, you can put it back on your calendar for Wednesday at 7pm. It'll be in the same place, Lippitt Hall, room 402, on URI's Kingston Campus. JOIN AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS HERE.
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5) Plastic Bag Ban Hearing on Thursday
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Thursday brings us back to the Statehouse where the Plastic Bag Ban Bill will be heard. Our friends at Environment Rhode Island have been hammering on this issue for a few years now, and hopefully this is the year we can help put an end to the scourge of plastic bags littering our state. JOIN AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO THE HEARING.
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6) Executive Committee Election 2014
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Last but not least this week, our executive committee elections to fill up our governing board with new volunteer leadership is underway. The ballot will remain open for a month, but why not VOTE NOW and get your Sierra Club democratic duty out of the way.
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Thank you for signing up for Cool CATs Weekly. You can make your community "Cool" by advocating for renewable power, green buildings and transportation choices. Visit the Cool Cities website for resources and toolkits.
Sincerely,
Abel Collins
The Sierra Club Rhode Island Chapter
42 Rice St.
Providence, RI 02907
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