 Green our Fleet!
With gas prices at a record high, now is the time for state financed vehicle fleets to make the switch to low carbon, fuel-efficient alternatives. You can help by encouraging the General Assembly to protect air quality and save taxpayer dollars by greening the state fleet.
H2720, Energy Efficient State Motor Vehicle Fleets, will require that all new non-emergency vehicles purchased for the state fleet meet the top 15% of vehicle class for fuel economy (determined by the EPA). Considering the costs of maintaining state vehicles and the number of vehicles expected to be bought during the 2009-10 fiscal year, H2720 would save North Carolina upwards of $1 million dollars in vehicle purchasing costs. With increased fuel efficiency that naturally results from a hybridized fleet, North Carolina will save nearly $350,000 in fuel expenditures per year (which will compound as older vehicles are retired and replaced by fuel-efficient vehicles).
Please write your representative in support of this legislation.
 Legislative Update
The legislative session appears to be winding down, as lawmakers put the finishing touches on the budget. Meantime, Sierra Club is working hard to make sure that our key conservation priorities are addressed before closing time. One of those key issues is drought legislation. A sticking point in the negotiations is whether to require minimum conservation measures of local governments. In drought, early conservation is key to avoiding later crisis. Water systems are funded by selling water, and it’s tempting to delay conservation requirements of customers. But if minimum measures apply to all systems, no one system will have the incentive to hold off.
There’s further evidence that this approach is necessary and appropriate: new data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shows that 70 municipalities in NC are facing exceptional drought, the highest category, but 21 of those systems have no conservation measures in place. Of the 129 communities in extreme drought, 75 percent require no conservation or voluntary measures. North Carolina needs minimum water conservation measures.
Information about other legislation we’re working on can be found at our legislative tracker.
 A Quick Response for the Environment
Seth Hawkins, ER doctor in Morganton, assistant professor at Western Carolina University, and South Mountains Outings Leader, has penned an upcoming article in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services that outlines the possibility of hybrid SUV use for quick response vehicles.
Using the Ford Escape hybrid, Hawkins demonstrated that hybrids can circumvent the usual not-so-green behavior of the typical EMS vehicle -- extensive idling, frequent starts and stops, and rapid acceleration -- while losing none of the utility of non-hybrids.
This study shows that hybrid SUV's save taxpayer dollars and produce significantly less emissions. EMS vehicles should not be left out of the current green fleet initiative. To read more about this study, take a look at our Chapter write-up.
 Capital Group Woke Up Wake County
On June 26, along with several other progressive organizations, the Capital Group hosted several presentations on the future of transit in the Triangle at the Wake County Transit Forum.
Keith Parker, CEO of the Charlotte Area Transit System, spoke about the great waves Charlotte has made with transit. Carol Coletta, a national urbanism expert and host of NPR's program Smart Cities spoke about the role of transit in growth planning, and had this to say about the Triangle:
"We risk losing what is great about our home if we fail to plan for future growth. Transit and coordinated land use planning must be a priority for our community."
Key recommendations include an overhauled and enhanced bus network that will better connect the Triangle, and an updated express service to and from Raleigh-Durham and the International Airport, as well as rush-hour bus service to more remote communities. Rail cars would connect Chapel Hill and Raleigh to bypass the most congested corridor. Thanks to the Capital group, we're closer to seeing a much-needed transit overhaul in the Triangle.
 Lobby Day
On Tuesday, June 24, volunteers ventured to Raleigh from all across the state to speak with members of the General Assembly. Our volunteer lobbyists started off the day with coffee and biscuits as Chapter lobbyist Christa Wagner gave an in-person legislative update and Rep. Pricey Harrison discussed state water policy.
After the briefing, our lobbyists headed over to the legislature to meet with their representatives. Sierra Club volunteers had excellent discussions about conservation priorities likely to be heard this session including: S599, the inlet stabilization pilot project, H2499/S1879, drought and water management recommendations, H2363/S1894, congestion relief and intermodal funds, and some others we're watching carefully.
All in all, it was a very important day for the Chapter, and we thank everyone who joined us. If you couldn't make it this time, make sure to swing by the Capitol next session!
Outings
Visit our Outings page for info on summer trips.
In the News
Couple Enjoys Eco Life in the Round Charlotte Observer Jun 30, 2008
Sierra Club volunteers Ron and Nancy Bryant were interviewed on their sustainable lifestyle.
Charlotte: Save Money And Gas By Eating Delicious Food WSOCTV.com Jun 20, 2008
According to the Sierra Club, produce at your local grocery store travels an average of 1,500 miles to get there. "It has to get there somehow, and a lot of oil gets burned up in the process," said Chatham Olive from the Charlotte chapter of the Sierra Club. "Local agriculture is becoming the 'in' thing," said Olive.
Lawmakers ponder drilling off N.C. coast Charlotte Observer Jun 19, 2008
Molly Diggins, state director of the Sierra Club, dismissed the renewed call for offshore exploration as "a tired refrain that benefits the energy industry and would be of very little help to consumers, particularly in the short run."
Can't wait for our next issue? Check out our new look NC SIERRA CLUB BLOG for conservation links, volunteer ideas, and news relevant to all our members and supporters.
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