Say "cheese" for Clean Cars

On March 5, the EPA will hold a hearing in Washington, DC, to consider granting California a waiver to implement clean car standards that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars and trucks. Fourteen other states have adopted California's standards and await the green light.

In the past, North Carolina's legislators have taken a wait-and-see approach to the standards. But a recent NC Division of Air Quality report showed that adopting the standards would reduce North Carolina's global warming pollution 40% over and beyond the benefits of increased federal fuel economy standards.

Add your photo to Sierra Club's Photo Petition. Tell the EPA they hold the keys to clean car standards. If the EPA allows California to implement its standards, the decision would go a long way towards similar legislation here in NC.

March Appeal - it's in your mailbox!

It's just once a year. Every March, the North Carolina Chapter asks our entire membership to support our direct advocacy work in the legislature. This year's appeal should arrive in your mailbox any day. We hope you will give it your thoughtful consideration.  

With a new President and a new Governor, a new landscape is before us. And with your financial support, the North Carolina Sierra Club can and will move quickly to secure the fruits of promises made during last fall's campaign season. 

We have a short window of opportunity to make as much progress as possible. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, most recently borrowed by President Obama in running for office, “we are faced with the fierce urgency of now.”

We can’t let our window of opportunity slip away. Nor can we rely on elected officials to do the job alone. We can shape the debate with our new Governor and with the legislature, where the North Carolina Sierra Club has been a force for almost 40 years - with your help.

Mountaintop Removal, Removed

Representive Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford) has introduced HB 340, the Appalachian Mountains Preservation Act, which would produce a statewide ban on coal procured through terribly destructive mountaintop removal practices. Harrison is joined by 27 representatives from across the state, including Angela Bryant (D-Halifax, Nash), the new Chair of the House Energy and Energy Efficiency Committee. Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate (S-341).

North Carolina is currently the second biggest consumer in the US - after Georgia - of coal procured by mountaintop removal. In lieu of a nationwide freeze on the practice, the Appalachian Mountains Preservation Act couldn't come at a better time. A recent, unfavorable ruling by a panel of federal judges permits mining companies to devastate mountaintops without conducting adequate environmental reviews or acting to minimize the impact on streams. 

As a result, Appalachia could be facing as many as 150 new mountaintop removal coal mining operations.

Take Action now. Tell the EPA to ban mountaintop removal coal mining.

Lobby Nights

Interested in meeting your legislators face-to-face on Sierra Club environmental issues? The Capital Group is offering Sierra Club members a way to get involved in the environmental future of your state: Lobby Nights. Most Monday nights, the Sierra Club Lobby team travels to the NC Legislative Building to discuss issues like Jordan Lake and Transportation.

Read about Lobby Nights at the Capital Group’s website.

Never done this before? Capital Group Political Chair Ed Clayton will lead you through the steps. You will join a group of one or two other Club members, at least one of whom knows the ropes. Your group will be briefed and provided background information on our issues.

The objective is to spend five minutes with a legislator, highlighting the importance of one or more bills to the environment. For more info, contact Ed Clayton.

Outings

Sun, Mar 15   Early Spring Hike at Eno State Park   (Capital Group)

Enjoy an early spring Hike at the Eno State Park. About 5 miles.

Sat, Mar 21   Stone Mountain State Park Loop Trail   (Piedmont Plateau)

See views from the valley and the mountain top

Sat, Apr 11  Urban hike: Watts Hospital, West Durham, East Campus, Ninth Street & beyond  (NC Chapter)

You'll see a little nature and learn some Durham history along the way. Local history lover John Schelp will narrate along the way.

Can't wait for our next issue? Scope out our blog. 

For upcoming club events and meetings, take a look at our Chapter Calendar.

And be sure to join us on Facebook.