Tag: Environment

Emergency! Solar bills gutted & high utility bills will follow! Call state legislators TODAY and Monday

Please share widely!

(From Indivisible CA Green Team) On April 17, Assembly Energy Chair Petrie-Norris allowed poison pill amendments to AB 2256 and AB 2619, gutting two great bills that would have required the CPUC to include all the benefits of rooftop solar in their NEM proposal. These amendments were so unacceptable that both authors had to pull their bills.

This coming Wednesday, April 24, we have another shot. AB 2256 is on the agenda, and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin’s bill – AB 1999, the repeal of the utility tax, needs to be heard, as well.  We need everyone to call Asm Petrie-Norris to pass these 2 bills with no amendments and our own assemblymembers to have them apply pressure! The utilities are doing everything to kill these bills that harm their profits so that our rates can continue to go up with no end in sight. (First post on this issue here.) Note:

  • Everyone, even non-constituents, can call Ass. Petrie-Norris, as she is the chair of the committee.
  • Speak for yourself and/or behalf of any groups you belong to, as either a leader or member. (Indivisible Ventura is one of the 300 nonprofit groups who submitted a letter in support AB 1999)
  • We need many many calls. This is a make or break moment.

Two scripts – 35 seconds each – We timed them!

Continue reading “Emergency! Solar bills gutted & high utility bills will follow! Call state legislators TODAY and Monday” →

Stop the utilities’ money grab! Take rooftop solar back!

We need your calls today and Monday! CA should be a leader in rooftop solar and it should be affordable for everyone!

After our utilities and our CA Public Utility Commission colluded to tank our solar industry and eliminate 17,000 good jobs, a group of state lawmakers are proposing to get rooftop solar growing again while also protecting our right to make solar energy without taxes or penalties. The hearings on this are next week, Tuesday and Wednesday. The utilities are pulling out all stops to kill our important bills, especially AB 1999, the repeal of the utility tax.

Call your state assemblymember and senator to tell them to pass these bills and get rooftop solar growing again.

Continue reading “Stop the utilities’ money grab! Take rooftop solar back!” →

A new kind of “Electric Slide”

2035 – the year that all new cars should be electric zero-emission models to meet the Paris Accord goals, is just 13 years away.

The transportation sector contributes 27 percent of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions – the biggest single culprit.  Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill contains $7.5 billion for building a national network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers to compete with nearly 117,000 gas stations. On the state level, Gov. Newson signed an executive order requiring that 100% of new passenger vehicles sales in California will be ZEVs by 2035. Meanwhile, polls indicate that while three quarters of Americans see electric vehicles as the future of transportation, initial high cost and lack of easy access to a charging station hold many back. Here are some CA proposals to help solve these problems.

Action #1: Tell your CA state senators that we need SB-1230 & SB-1482!

Continue reading “A new kind of “Electric Slide”” →

Wed 2/12: Two messages from Sierra Club’s Jim Hines & two actions. Do one with your first cup of coffee.

Action #1 – Call your legislators with support for two local environmental bills.

(Message from Jim Hines, Sierra Club)
Good Morning Ventura and Santa Barbara County Friends!: 
Noon (west coast time) February 12th…vote on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on:

Both bills protecting lands within Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

It has been exciting working on these two bills, lobbying members of congress for passage and now we will see tomorrow if we are successful. 

for the wild,
Jim

Minimal script: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want Rep. [___] to know how important [his/her] support for HR 2199 – Central Coast Heritage Protection Act and HR 1708/S.774 – Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act is for the protection of our environment and wildlife.

  • Rep-check for HR 2199 here – Brownley has cosponsored, Carbajal is the original sponsor.
  • Rep-check for HR 1708 here – Brownley has cosponsored, Carbajal has not.

Contact
Rep. Julia Brownley:email, (CA-26): DC (202) 225-5811, Oxnard (805) 379-1779, T.O. (805) 379-1779
or Rep. Salud Carbajal:email. (CA-24): DC (202) 225-3601, SB (805) 730-1710 SLO (805) 546-8348
Who is my representative/senator?:https://whoismyrepresentative.com

Action #2 – Put your legislator on notice – “Don’t let selling off our public lands and our national parks to destructive industries happen on your watch.”

“There’s a quiet, almost covert, effort to dismantle the public lands management infrastructure,” said Jim Lyons, who was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Interior Department in the Obama administration. “It’s very effective. I call it evil genius.” So let’s let in a little sunshine, folks!

(Message from Jim Hines, Sierra Club below)

Hello Friends:

APOCALYPSE NOW COMING TO A NATIONAL PARK YOU LOVE 

Continue reading “Wed 2/12: Two messages from Sierra Club’s Jim Hines & two actions. Do one with your first cup of coffee.” →

Wed. 11/20: Mark your calendar for tomorrow’s 3rd Thursday “Pizza, comradery, & postcard” event!”

Indivisible Ventura is still in mourning over Congressman Elijah Cummings’ passing. In his honor, we encourage everyone to do these actions for democracy listed on our 10/16 post.

Action  – Tomorrow – Thursday 11/21 – Meet at Santino’s for pizza, good conversation, and social justice – every Third Thursday starting at 11:30 am

  • Where: Santino’s Pizza. It’s at 4231 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, 93003
  • When: Thursday, Nov. 21st, 11:30am – 1:30pm.
  • RSVP for our supporters: Nope. Just come. Invite your friends!
    We do, however, reserve the right to refuse any volunteers and their services.
  • What to bring: We provide the pizza, postcards, stationary. If you prefer, you may bring your own stationary for letter actions.
  • Donations gratefully accepted: A postcard stamp is $0.35! We’re trying to achieve 300 finished postcards, which equals $105. Donations of money for stamps and pizza or rolls of postcard stamps are gratefully accepted. 
  • Questions? Email indivisibleventura@gmail.org

Tomorrow’s Menu:

Postcards: We’re going to be writing 300 postcards to voters in Texas in connection with the NAACP and the Center for Common Ground‘s – Reclaim our Vote campaign!

Why do we need a RECLAIM OUR VOTE campaign? Community of color voters are being placed on “Inactive” or “Unregistered” lists at a 16% higher rate than whites. The ability to vote of people in minority communities was already being systematically undermined over the last decade, by the imposition of strict new voter ID laws, by the reduction in polling places and early voting, and through many other tactics. Continue reading “Wed. 11/20: Mark your calendar for tomorrow’s 3rd Thursday “Pizza, comradery, & postcard” event!”” →

Thur. 10/17: “What can I do? I’m just one person.” Answer: “A lot.” Join us today for 3rd Thursday – Pizza, comradery, & postcards!

In honor of Congressman Elijah Cummings, please take some actions today to protect democracy. We’ve listed some on our 10/16 post and we have more below.

Action #1  – TODAY! Meet at Santino’s for pizza, comradery, and social justice – every Third Thursday starting at 11:30 am

  • Where: Santino’s Pizza. It’s at 4231 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, 93003
  • When: Thursday, Sept. 19th, 11:30am – 1:30pm.
  • RSVP for our supporters: Nope. Just come. Invite your friends!
    We do, however, reserve the right to refuse any volunteers and their services.
  • What to bring: We provide the pizza, postcards, stationary. If you prefer, you may bring your own stationary. A postcard stamp is $0.35. (300) postcards equals $105. Donations of stamps are always gratefully accepted. 
  • Questions? Email indivisibleventura@gmail.org

Today’s Menu:

Postcards: We’re going to be writing 300 postcards to voters in Dallas in connection with the NAACP and the Center for Common Ground‘s – Reclaim our Vote campaign!

Why do we need a RECLAIM OUR VOTE campaign? Community of color voters are being placed on “Inactive” or “Unregistered” lists at a 16% higher rate than whites. The ability to vote of people in minority communities was already being systematically undermined over the last decade, by the imposition of strict new voter ID laws, by the reduction in polling places and early voting, and through many other tactics.

 Cards of support: We’ll also send cards of support to Rep. Adam Schiff and staff. President Trump has focused his vitriol, and the rage of his followers against this incredibly brave legislator overseeing the inquiry that threatens his corrupt presidency.

Action #2  – Mark your calendars! Jim Hines of the Sierra Club needs our help! (Please share!)

image.png

“Greetings Friends of Our Oceans:

A vast pristine ocean area where some of the largest kelp beds in the world grow, numerous whale species swim and feed, sea otters frolic and giant Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles glide through the clear waters. All currently protected by the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS). Continue reading “Thur. 10/17: “What can I do? I’m just one person.” Answer: “A lot.” Join us today for 3rd Thursday – Pizza, comradery, & postcards!” →

Fri 7/19: Thanks to everyone who wrote a comment in defense of wolves! You helped set a record.

Video from the Center for Biological Diversity. Their members wrote over 650,000 comments.

1.8 million people spoke up for wolves!

(From the Animal Welfare Institute) “Nearly 2 million Americans, joined by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and a broad coalition of animal welfare and environmental organizations, have registered their opposition to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposal to gut Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for gray wolves across the contiguous United States.

The USFWS received more than 1.8 million public comments opposing the wolf delisting plan by its deadline yesterday. The total number of comments ranks among the highest ever submitted on a federal decision involving an endangered species. In addition, 86 members of Congress, 100 scientists, 230 businesses, and 367 veterinary professionals all submitted letters rebuking the administration’s plan to cede management of the species to state agencies.

Upon reviewing the submitted comments, the USFWS will prepare and publish a final rule in the Federal Register.”

This isn’t over yet…

Continue reading “Fri 7/19: Thanks to everyone who wrote a comment in defense of wolves! You helped set a record.” →

Sun 7/14 – Mon 7/15: We’re up to over 600,000 comments to protect the wolves!!! But there are a lot of copies…Let’s pile on some new ones. Deadline – Monday 7/15, 11:59 pm EST

Action – If you think your comment might be considered a copy, please submit it again with more personal add-ons. Or try writing one for the first time. 

Way back in April, we asked everyone to write comments to prevent the Trump Administration from removing Endangered Species Act protections from wolves and declaring open season of an animal that is still functionally extinct in much of its former range. (Why? See “Background” below) We asked that people read other people’s comments here for inspiration if they needed it but to channel their 7th grade creative writing class and mix it up. The government will throw out DUPLICATE/OR NEAR DUPLICATE COMMENTS.  However…There are still a lot of exact duplicates!
If you feel that maybe your comment will be considered a copy, or just have some writing-zen going, please submit again.  (These are the starts for what look like the most popular copies)

  • “(David Bernhardt) I am alarmed that the Trump Administration is ..”
  • “I am appalled by the Department of the Interiors decision to strip …”
  • “ Scientists estimate that hundreds of thousands of wolves once inhabited …”

The proposed regulation to wipe out wolves is here

Howl back/comment here

Deadline this Monday (tomorrow- 7/15 ) at 11:59 PM EST.

Walk through these quick questions to spice up your comment with personal insights… Be passionate, be concerned, be snarky, be you!

Mon 7/8: Protect wild California! Tell Sen. Jackson to support (2) bills with (1) call!

Up in the Santa Monica Mountains, P-47 was just going about his job. The mountain lion, studied by researchers since he was 4 weeks old, was part of an ecosystem that keeps rodent populations under control. However, due to eating prey animals dosed with anticoagulant poisons, internal bleeding caused him to die a slow and painful death.

Action #1 – Stop the poisoning of our wild critters. Say “YES” to AB 1788!

AB 1788 – Pesticides: use of anticoagulants. Anticoagulant rodenticides (rat poison) indiscriminately destroys ecosystems and poisons native wildlife such as bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, owls and hawks. These rodenticides are also one of the top ten pet toxins, injuring or killing household pets who eat either affected rodents or the bait itself. In addition, more than 4,400 children under age 6 were poisoned with these long-acting toxins in 2016, which disproportionately harmed those from low-income families. (More information from Project Coyote and Marilyn Krieger’s article “Rat Poisons Aren’t Selective” here.) We can do better.

This bill has passed the Assembly and is now in the Senate Natural Resource and Water Committee. Senator Jackson is on it, along with Senators Stern, Jones, Allen, Borgeas, Caballero, Hertzberg, Hueso, and Monning. They’ll be voting Tuesday morning (7/9), so get your call in today. 

One call does it all! See the combo-script under Action #2 below!

Action #2 – Stop killing bobcats! Say “YES” to AB 1254

image.png
Many people saw this picture of a bobcat kitten and a fawn, who had been rescued from Santa Barbara’s 2009’s Jesusita Fire. During the mayhem, rescuers were forced to put animals anywhere they could, since they had run out of crates. The kitten ran to the fawn, and it was instant bonding

Continue reading “Mon 7/8: Protect wild California! Tell Sen. Jackson to support (2) bills with (1) call!” →

Mon 6/10: He wants to frack CA over. Got 5 minutes? Try the new EASY comment generator! Deadline TONIGHT 11:59pm EST!

PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Action: This is it, people! Start making comments! Public comment open until Monday night 6/10, 11:59pm EST  – NEW EASY METHOD!

Option 1 – “Super Easy” 5-minute comment generator.

The folks at Los Padres Forest Watch have created this nifty system to help you create an original (VERY IMPORTANT!) public comment on this issue.

Simply go here and follow their instructions.  5 minutes, one click and you’re done! No, you don’t have to read any further. You’re ready to go right now!

In fact, it’s so easy, please share on all your social media platforms and do a couple today before deadline!

Option 2 – More challenging – comment directly on BLM’s weird comment site.

Click to comment directly here.

For graphic instructions on using this strange portal, links to maps of open leases, government documents on this project including the “Draft EIS”, go here.

If you’re interested in this subject, we’ve collected lots of information for you to skim through here. Take one fact or issue, or as many as you want to create your comment. Comments don’t have to be long or extremely technical.
(In item #12 below, there are linked sources that specifically address the BLM EIS. They are being updated while you read this…)

Background

Continue reading “Mon 6/10: He wants to frack CA over. Got 5 minutes? Try the new EASY comment generator! Deadline TONIGHT 11:59pm EST!” →