Alliance to Halt Fermi 3 - free showing of The Future of Energy

Alliance to Halt Fermi 3

invites you to attend a free showing of

The Future of Energy

Bedford Public Library

8575 Jackman Rd

Temperance, MI

Wed May 25 from 6-8pm

There will be a Q&A afterward.

Please bring your friends! This dynamic film shows the promise of 100% clean, safe, renewable energy TODAY...there are examples of communities around the USA who are making this happen in their own backyards.

Together We Can Erase Nuclear Power From Our Future!

Alliance to Halt Fermi 3

TAKE ACTION: Tell Your Senator to Vote for Clean Energy

Updated October 28, 2016

The Senate is reviewing Michigan's energy laws RIGHT NOW! Will they decide to double down on dirty coal, fracked natural gas, nuclear and other polluting sources or will they move boldly toward a clean energy future? We have a chance to get more renewable energy and efficiency built into Michigan's energy policy but we need your help to make this happen.

Instructions
1) Click here and put your address into the form to find out who your state Senator is.
2) Review our talking points (below).
3) Click here to find your state Senator's office phone number.
4) Call your state Senator's office and use the talking points to tell them: vote NO on Senate Bills 437 and 438. If you call M-F 9am-5pm you'll likely get to speak with the legislator's staff. If not, please leave a voicemail for them.

Talking Points
[Introduce yourself, say where you live in their district]

I urge you to vote NO on SB 437-438 (sponsored by Sen. Mike Nofs and John Proos). These bills raise Michigan's renewable energy standard to 15% by 2021 which is not enough to seriously mitigate climate change and address our dependence on polluting fossil fuels. They also create a grid usage charge for net metering/distributed generation. I oppose this legislation because it would keep our electric grid powered by dirty, polluting, and unsustainable fossil fuels.

I want Michigan to hold utility companies accountable and require them to invest in renewable energy and efficiency. SB 437-438 will not accomplish this.

Here is want I want to see in Michigan's next energy policy: 
-Increase Michigan's renewable energy standard (not an unenforceable goal) to 30% by 2030.
-Increase Michigan's energy efficiency/optimization standard from 1% to 2% annually. 
-Remove the existing spending cap on Michigan's energy efficiency program.
-Ensure that "clean" or "renewable" energy is not redefined to include any fossil fuels, nuclear energy, or energy from incinerating wastes. 
-Ensure that customers are able to produce their own energy and are allowed to either use that energy themselves or sell it back to a utility company at full price, not a wholesale price.
-Lift the cap on net metering/distributed generation.
-Enable everyone to participate in community renewable energy projects.

Please vote NO on SB 437-438 in order to support clean air, clean water and clean energy.

Take Action: Tell Your Representative to Vote NO on Destructive Energy Legislation!

Updated November 14th, 2016

Instructions
1) Click here and put your address into the "Find a Representative" form to find out who your state Representative is.
2) Review our talking points (below).
3) Click here to find your state Representative's office phone number.
4) Call your state Representative's office and use the talking points to tell them: vote NO on Senate Bills 437-438. If you call M-F 9am-5pm you'll likely get to speak with the legislator's staff. If not, please leave a voicemail for them.

Talking Points
[Introduce yourself, say where you live in their district]

I urge you to vote NO on SB 437-438 (sponsored by Sen. Mike Nofs and John Proos). These bills raise Michigan's renewable energy standard to 15% by 2021 which is not enough to seriously mitigate climate change and address our dependence on polluting fossil fuels. They also create a grid usage charge for net metering/distributed generation which would truly harm the solar industry in Michigan. The bills also define polluting energy sources such as unsustainable biomass and waste incineration as "renewable". I oppose this legislation because it would keep our electric grid powered by dirty, polluting, and unsustainable fossil fuels.

I want Michigan to hold utility companies accountable and require them to invest in renewable energy and efficiency. SB 437-438 will not accomplish this.

Here is want I want to see in Michigan's next energy policy: 
-Increase Michigan's renewable energy standard (not an unenforceable goal) to 30% by 2030.
-Increase Michigan's energy efficiency/optimization standard from 1% to 2% annually. 
-Remove the existing spending cap on Michigan's energy efficiency program.
-Ensure that "clean" or "renewable" energy is not redefined to include any fossil fuels, nuclear energy, or energy from incinerating wastes. 
-Ensure that customers are able to produce their own energy and are allowed to either use that energy themselves or sell it back to a utility company at full price, not a wholesale price.
-Lift the cap on net metering/distributed generation and remove unreasonable grid charges.
-Enable everyone to participate in community renewable energy projects.

Please vote NO on SB 437-438 in order to support clean air, clean water and clean energy.

TAKE ACTION: Tell Energy Committee Members to Vote for Clean Energy

The House and Senate Energy Policy Committees are reviewing Michigan's energy laws this fall. Will they decide to double down on dirty coal, fracked natural gas, nuclear and other polluting sources or will they move boldly toward a clean energy future? We have a chance to get more renewable energy and efficiency built into Michigan's energy policy but we need your help to make this happen.

PLEASE review the talking points below, and then call any of these State Representatives and Senators on the Energy Committees and tell them to vote in support of renewable energy and efficiency:


Senate

Committee Leadership
Sen. Mike Noffs (R-Battle Creek) Committee Chair, (517) 373-2426
Sen. John Proos (R-St. Joseph) Majority Vice-Chair, (517) 373-6960
Sen. Hon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor) Minority Vice-Chair (517) 373-7800

Southeast Michigan
Sen. Joe Hune (R-Hamburg) (517) 373-2420
Sen. Dale Zorn (R-Monroe) (517) 373-3543
Sen. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) (517) 373-0994
Sen. Steven Bieda (D-Warren) (517) 373-8360

Mid-Michigan
Sen. Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) (517) 373-1760
Sen. Mike Shirkey (R-Hillsdale) (517) 373-5932

West Michigan
Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton) (517) 373-0793


House
Committee Leadership
Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) Committee Chair, (517) 373-0839
Rep. Gary Glenn (R-Midland) Majority Vice-Chair, (517) 373-1791
Rep. Bill LaVoy (D-Monroe) Minority Vice-Chair (517) 373-1530

Southeast Michigan
Rep. Wendell Byrd (D-Detroit) (517) 373-0144
Rep. LaTanya Garrett (D-Detroit) (517) 373-2276
Rep. Derek Miller (D-Warren) (517) 373-1772
Rep. Julie Plawecki (D-Dearborn Heights) (517) 373-0849
Rep. Robert Kosowski (D-Westland) (517) 373-2576
Rep. Jason Sheppard (R-Clayton) (517) 373-2617
Rep. Michael Webber (R-Rochester Hills) (517) 373-1773
Rep. Marilyn Lane (D-Fraser) (517) 373-0159
Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R-Oxford) (517) 373-1798
Rep. Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Twp) (517) 373-0843

Mid-Michigan
Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Grand Ledge) (517) 373-0853
Rep. Brett Roberts (R-Clark Lake) (517) 373-1775
Rep. Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes) (517) 373-0834

West Michigan
Rep. Holly Hughes (R-Montague) (517) 373-3436
Rep. David Maturen (R-Marshall) (517) 373-1787

Northern Michigan
Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) (517) 373-0850
Rep. John Kivela (D-Marquette) (517) 373-0498
Rep. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) (517) 373-0156
Rep. Peter Pettalia (R-Presque Isle) (517) 373-0833
Rep. Triston Cole (R-Kewadin) (517) 373-0829

Please share this link with anyone who might be willing to help!

Thank you,

Mike Berkowitz

Legislative & Political Director

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

109 E. Grand River Ave.

Lansing, MI 48906

Office: (517) 484-2372 Ext. 13 

Cell: (248) 345-9808

Like us on Facebook!

Sierra Club's Clean Energy Talking Points

Sierra Club’s Recommendations [this is your main message to lawmakers]
· The Legislature should increase Michigan’s Renewable Energy Standard to 30% by 2030 and increase its efficiency standard to 2% annually. This would combat subsidies/costs of fossil fuels and promote meaningful progress in climate change mitigation.
· The legislature should ensure that customers are able to produce their own energy and sell it at full price.
· The legislature should enable everyone to participate in community renewable energy projects.
· The legislature should not weaken the definition of renewable/clean energy. Fossil fuels, nuclear energy, waste incineration, and pumped storage are not renewable energy sources. Energy sources that emit air pollution (including the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane), water pollution, and produce radioactive waste should not be considered “clean energy” in Michigan’s laws.

Support the Powering Michigan's Future legislation SB 295-297 and HB 4518-4519, HB 4055: increase Michigan’s renewable energy standard to 20% by 2022, gradually increase the energy optimization standard until reaching 2% annually in 2019 for electricity and 1.5% for natural gas, and eliminate the renewable energy surcharge.
Bill sponsors: Hoon-Yung Hopgood, David Knezek, Sam Singh, Marcia Hovey-Wright, Julie Plawecki.

Support the Bipartisan Energy Freedom legislation HB 4878-4881: remove barriers for businesses and individuals to generate their own energy and receive fair-value pricing. Enable community energy projects.
Bill sponsors: Gary Glenn, Ed McBroom, Scott Dianda, Jeff Irwin

Oppose SB 437-438 (Mike Nofs, John Proos): sunset Michigan’s Energy Optimization standard in 2019, repeal Michigan’s Renewable Energy Standard, establish a definition for “clean energy” that includes polluting fossil fuels, implement a voluntary green pricing program, eliminate net metering, destroy the distributed energy market, and replace standards with an Integrated Resource Planning process.

Oppose HB 4297-4298 (Aric Nesbitt): replace renewable energy/efficiency mandates with an Integrated Resource Planning process, establish an unenforceable 30% renewable/efficiency goal, and remove sustainability criteria for wood/tree biomass.

Background Information

In 2008, the Michigan Legislature passed the Clean, Renewable, and Efficient Energy Act (Public Act 295).
· The law put in place a Renewable Energy Standard (RES) that requires Michigan’s utility companies to generate 10% of their electricity from clean and renewable sources by 2015.
· The law also created an Energy Efficiency Program which requires Michigan’s utility companies to help their customers use energy more efficiently by 1% every year.

PA 295 of 2008 has been an unparalleled success, but we need to do more.
· Since 2008 we’ve seen a dramatic reduction in the cost of renewable energy, with the latest wind energy contracts coming in at less than half the cost of new coal and competitive with natural gas.[1]
· All major utility companies in Michigan have met the 10% renewable energy goal and 1% efficiency goal and have reduced/eliminated surcharges to pay for it. Despite overwhelming success, utility companies are pushing to end these standards and replace them with an Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process. States with an IRP but no RES or efficiency standard always result in less renewable energy and efficiency than states with standards.[2]
· Michigan’s Energy Efficiency program has provided the cheapest source of new power (over 6 times cheaper than coal) by shaving off demand for energy. For every $1 invested in energy efficiency, customers are saving more than $3.55.1 However, a spending cap in the 2008 law on the energy efficiency program prevents utilities from meeting their full customers’ demand.
· According to the Michigan Public Service Commission’s (MPSC) 2013 report, Michigan could achieve a RES of 30% without technical difficulties or increased costs.[1]
· PA 295 defined renewable energy to include solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, and landfill gas.

Using more renewable energy and energy efficiency will reduce pollution, mitigate climate change, and give Michigan cleaner air and water.
· Fossil fuels create $523 billion of domestic public health and environmental costs annually and also receive over $500 billion in annual subsidies from our government.[3]
· Increasing our use of renewable energy and energy efficiency will give us cleaner air, protect our Great Lakes, reduce illness, and save lives.
· Michigan’s coal plants emit dangerous levels of toxic pollutants like mercury, arsenic and chromium. Coal plant pollution also triggers 68,000 asthma attacks and causes 180 premature deaths every year in Michigan.[4]
· Coal plants are the biggest point-source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, exacerbating climate disruption.[5]
· Natural gas is not an acceptable alternative because Fracking threatens our water and the extraction/pipeline process releases methane, an extremely potent greenhouse gas emission.[5]

Increasing Michigan’s use of renewable energy and energy efficiency will create jobs and spark investment in our state.
· Renewable energy and efficiency are strong economic drivers, attracting investment and creating jobs that can’t be shipped out of state or overseas.
· Expanding our use of clean energy will build on our manufacturing strength and will allow us to retool and reopen closed manufacturing facilities.
· Michigan currently spends $24 billion per year importing fuel into the state.[6] 100% of our fuel for coal and nuclear power comes from out-of-state, 99% of our petroleum, and 80% of our natural gas as well.[7]
· Solar, wind and energy efficiency have no fuel costs and don’t send our money out of state.

Renewable energy and energy efficiency help rein in rising energy costs.
· Moving to clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency will make electricity costs more affordable for Michigan families, who recently experienced double-digit rate increases because of the state’s reliance on coal, nuclear and natural gas imported from other states.
· Renewable energy costs less than all other forms of energy. While the costs of new coal and nuclear energy range from $108-$133 per MWh and natural gas averages $67 per MWh, wind energy costs between $43-59 per MWh, while energy efficiency costs $11 per MWh.[1]

¹MPSC Report on the Implementation of PA 295, February, 2015 and “Readying Michigan to Make Good Energy Decisions – Renewable Energy”, September 2013, http://michigan.gov/documents/energy/re-execsumm-draft_434479_7.pdf

²ACEEE http://aceee.org/blog/2014/12/irp-vs-eers-there%E2%80%99s-one-clear-winner-
³International Monetary Fund http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2015/NEW070215A.htm and Harvard Study on the Life Cycle Cost of Coal http://www.chgeharvard.org/sites/default/files/epstein_full%20cost%20of%20coal.pdf

⁴Michigan Environmental Council Report of Public Health Impacts of Coal-Fired Plants in Michigan, 2011

⁵US Environmental Protection Agency Website

⁶ACEEE http://www.mwalliance.org/sites/default/files/uploads/ACEEE_2010_Kushler%20Presentation%20MI%20TLR%20October%202010.pdf

⁷US Energy Information Website

Sign Up for Citizen Lobby Day - Wednesday, May 6

Sierra Club's 2015 Spring Lobby Day!

Wednesday, May 6  •  8:45am - 3:30pm  •  Lansing

Sign Me Up!

Lobby Day will convene at the Central United Methodist Church in Lansing at 8:45am. The church is located at 215 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, at the corner of Capitol & Ottawa, just across the street from the Capitol Building. We’ll be educating lawmakers about Clean Energy and Hydraulic Fracturing.

We have lots of new lawmakers to educate about critical environmental issues that YOU care about. All lobbying takes place in teams of 2 to 3 people. Each team will be led by an experienced Lead Lobbyist who knows their way around the Capitol and will lead the meetings. No experience is necessary. Please join us by signing up here.

Use the links on the right side of this page to navigate to the maps, agenda and the background information you need for a successful Lobby Day.

Lobby Day is $10, which is payable at the event by check or cash. This covers your lunch and snacks in the morning. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS Friday, May 1st AT 5PM.  SIGN UP NOW!

For more information, contact Mike.Berkowitz@sierraclub.org or 248-345-9808.

Already signed up for lobby day? Start reviewing the materials we will be lobbying your lawmakers on.

Our group of amazing volunteer lobbyists from all over the state at our last Lobby Day! 

Ask Lawmakers to Move Forward for Clean Energy

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION

Ask Lawmakers to Move Forward for Clean Energy

Michigan residents should be entitled to clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and affordable electricity. Depending on dirty fossil fuel energy sources like coal threatens the air we breathe and our Great Lakes, rivers and streams. In addition to harming our health, coal-generated electricity is expensive—coming in at almost twice the cost of recent wind contracts.  Clean energy such as wind, solar and energy efficiency are the solution to these problems.

Complete the form below in order to send a letter to your lawmakers asking for clean energy!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THIS ACTION

Lame-Duck Session Brings Lame Enviro Proposals

Michigan Chapter Update December 7, 2014 In This Issue: Lame Duck, Lame Environmental Proposals Clean Energy Legislation Introduced, But Too Late for This Year Concerned About Food, Ag, Animals? Then Save the Date: March 9, 2015! Wayne County Exceeds Acceptable Levels of Sulfur Dioxide Looking for a Few Good Volunteers to Work on Oil & Gas Do You Have Design and Layout Expertise? Join the Sierra Club or Give the Gift of Membership Thank You! Lame Duck, Lame Environmental Proposals Pollution pours from an incinerator in Detroit. Legislation being considered in the lame-duck session in Lansing would allow the burning of old tires and solid waste to count as renewable energy. Sierra Club is currently battling two lame environmental bills the Michigan legislature is entertaining during its lame-duck session. The first is HB 5205, which would classify the burning of solid waste as a form of renewable energy and allow for the construction of new incinerators. Sierra Club opposes this proposal because waste incineration does not produce clean energy -- it emits more carbon dioxide per unit of energy than any other form of electricity, greatly contributing to the negative consequences of climate change. We're also fighting SB 910, which would prohibit the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality from enforcing air pollution regulations on wood heaters. Unregulated wood heaters account for 13% of the country’s soot pollution and have major public health implications such as increased risk of heart disease, asthma, and lung disease. On the positive side, we support SB 795-800 which would increase prison time and fines for illegally introducing prohibited, non-native aquatic species (like Asian Carp or Zebra/Quagga mussel) into Michigan's waters. We also like HB 5397, which would allow municipal utility providers to fund residential clean energy programs through on-bill payments. This legislation is crucial to helping homeowners to get financing for efficiency upgrades and renewable energy projects. Let your elected officials know how you feel about these four environmental proposals! Please take a moment to look up your State Senator and State Representative. Have questions or want to get involved? Contact Anne Woiwode at anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org or 517-484-2372 x 11. Clean Energy Legislation Introduced, But Too Late for This Year Three bipartisan bills to expand Michigan’s 2008 renewable energy and energy efficiency laws were introduced in November, just as the legislature entered its lame-duck session. The current law, which expires next year, mandates that electricity providers meet a 10% renewable energy requirement, and that electric and natural gas utilities achieve annual energy optimization standards. The bills, HB 5967(Schmidt), 5968 (Dianda) and 5969 (VerHuelen), are expected to be reintroduced in the 2015 legislative session. Sierra Club welcomes the long overdue debate on renewing and expanding the current clean energy laws, particularly because legislation under debate this year would gut the current laws. However, there are concerns that this package falls short on several counts. For example HB 5968 sets a strong but voluntary goal (unlike the 2008 law) for Michigan’s electric utilities to increase renewable energy by 1.5% per year in their generation portfolio.  “Michigan families from Ironwood to Monroe need Lansing to work as fast as possible to move our state beyond fossil fuels to protect health and fight climate change,” said Michigan Chapter Chair David Holtz.  “It's time to hold utilities like DTE and Consumers Energy accountable to what our state really needs--a clean energy future fueled by renewable energy.”  Watch this space for details about "Farming Our Future: The Forces and Faces of 21st Century Agriculture," a conference presented by Less=More on March 9, 2015. Concerned About Food, Ag, Animals? Then Save the Date: March 9, 2015 A groundbreaking conference exploring the political, legal, and historical forces that shape farming in Michigan today and how to chart a path to a more sustainable food system takes place March 9, 2015 on the campus of Michigan State University during MSU’s historic Agriculture and Natural Resources Week. Presented by the Less=More Coalition, Farming Our Future: The Forces and Faces of 21st Century Agriculture will channel diverse national, regional and local conversations about the environmental, economic and social impacts of modern agriculture into a comprehensive forum to facilitate joint efforts to build a better food system. Look for more details in this e-newsletter and on the Less=More Twitter feed @MoreforMichigan and on the Less=More Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/MoreforMichigan. Wayne County Exceeds Acceptable Levels of Sulfur Dioxide Wayne County is experiencing a crisis in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, a powerful pollutant that comes from coal plants and other sources that reacts with nitrogen oxide to create acid rain and can cause or aggravate health issues. People with cardiovascular disease or chronic lung disease, as well as children and the elderly, are most likely to suffer from health problems linked to elevated sulfur dioxide levels. Wayne County is the only county in Michigan to be designated as having SO2 levels that exceed what is considered acceptable. The Michigan Department of Environment Quality (MDEQ) is working to bring the levels under control, but the process, which requires a public hearing, has been delayed by months from its projected date already. Sierra Club is tracking the MDEQ as it develops a plan to ensure it includes a solution that addresses the heart of the problem -- 85% of all sulfur dioxide emissions in Wayne County come from three DTE Energy facilities, two of which are coal plants. A transition to cleaner energy is the only way to help ensure clean air for Wayne County residents. Click here to learn more.

MDEQ HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON NEW DRAFT FRACKING RULES

If you are concerned about Fracking in Michigan - then we need you to speak out now!  

The MDEQ is now accepting comments on their new draft rules for hydraulic fracturing.  The comment period ends on Thursday July 31.  There are two public hearings - one in Gaylord on Tuesday July 15, and one in Lansing on July 16.  Both are from 6:30-9:30PM.  Details are in the official Public Notice here:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-oogm-Part615-Revision-NOH2014_460477_7.pdf  

We need as many people as possible to attend these two hearings, and tell the DEQ:  

"These new rules don't make fracking any safer for Michigan; our air, water and communities are still at risk, and MDEQ needs to go much much further to protect us, or just stop allowing fracking."  

Would you be willing to go to one of the hearings, and help us to share that message?  

Won't you please join us?  Our attendance at these two hearings are one of the most direct ways we'll ever have of winning any positive changes in Michigan having to do with extracting fossil fuels.  If you live in an area of Michigan that has been subjected to new extreme hydraulic fracturing for natural gas or oil, then you have important input for the DEQ on their proposed rules.  Who better than you to tell them what it's like to live near one of these places?  

If you have any questions at all, let me know at rita.chapman@sierraclub.org.  

Thank you, I hope to hear from you!    

Rita Chapman

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

Tell Legislators: Protect Our Water From Fracking!

Fracking is a growing practice used in drilling for natural gas that threatens Michigan's water and air.Fracking has caused thousands of incidents of environmental contamination across the country.

Michigan can't afford to get this one wrong. Half of Michigan residents get their drinking water from groundwater wells.  Tens of billions of dollars a year are pumped into the economy by water-dependent industries like fishing, boating and tourism, and countless jobs would be lost if our waters were contaminated.

Even though fracking practices have evolved significantly and become much more dangerous, our laws and safeguards have failed to keep up. As stewards of one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water, we must act to protect its water resources and our Pure Michigan legacy. 

Urge your State legislators to Support the Fracking Legislative Package!

Your message will be sent to your State Representative, State Senator, and the Democrat and Republican Leadership in the House and Senate.

Ask Lawmakers to Move Forward for Clean Energy

Michigan residents should be entitled to a healthy living situation, clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and affordable electricity. Depending on dirty fossil fuel energy sources like coal and natural gas threatens our environment, our access to clean air and water, and costs Michigan families and ratepayers.  Clean energy such as Wind, Solar, and Energy Efficiency are the solution to these problems.

Complete this form to send a letter to your lawmakers asking for clean energy!

Your message will be sent to your State Representative, State Senator, and the Governor.

TAKE ACTION NOW! Natural gas rig collapsing in Gulf of Mexico

Dear Friend, President Obama -- It's time to move beyond natural gas. Photo Credit: Louisiana Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Two well blow-outs on natural gas rigs in the Gulf of Mexico in two weeks? This is outrageous! After a well blow-out on Tuesday, a fire started and continues to burn out-of-control just 60 miles from the Louisiana shore. The good news is that the 44 crew members were all safely evacuated. The bad news is that natural gas continues to leak from the well, firefighting vessels have not been able to get close enough to put out the fire 1, and the well has partially collapsed 2. Will you tell President Obama that natural gas is another dirty, dangerous fossil fuel? Natural gas should not play a role in our country's energy future. If President Obama moves forward with a plan to replace coal with natural gas, it means more fracking in our communities, on our public lands, and off our coasts. Although it is too early tell what kind of environmental damage this well blow-out and fire have caused, we already know the impact of fracking in communities across the country -- polluted air, poisoned water, and more climate pollution. Instead of more fracking, we need to double down on clean energy like wind and solar. Send your message today. Drilling for natural gas, whether on land or in the Gulf of Mexico, is not the solution to meet our country's energy needs. Thanks for all that you do, Deb Nardone Director, Beyond Natural Gas Campaign Sierra Club P.S. Please share this email with your friends, family, and colleagues. References: 1. McGill, Kevin. "Gas well in the Gulf continues to burn", USA Today, 7/24/2013. 2. Fowler, Tom and Snider, Alison. 'Gas-Drilling Rig Begins to Implode in Gulf of Mexico", Wall Street Journal, 7/24/2013.

Speak up for Consumers Energy to become a Clean Energy Leader!!

ARE YOU A CONSUMERS ENERGY ELECTRIC CUSTOMER WHO WANTS YOUR UTILITY TO USE MORE CLEAN ENERGY??  

Then we could use your help to tell the MI Public Service Commission (MPSC) that Consumers Energy should berequired  to do more to move toward clean energy! Right now, Consumers under a biennial review of its Renewable Energy Plan that they (and all Michigan utilities) are required to submit every two years regarding their progress toward their goal of 10% renewable power by 2015 (find the electronic docket here if you really want to get into the issue deeply!: http://tinyurl.com/CMSREPlan).  

Over the next few weeks, comments from the public (in particular Consumers ratepayers) can be submitted to the MPSC regarding this plan, giving you a chance to urge that the second largest electric utility put more truly renewable energy in place -- after all, they actually REDUCED the price of the renewable energy they are providing because it was a lot cheaper than they thought!   

 Here are THREE THINGS you can do to help:

1) Participate in a WEBINAR Friday morning, June 21, on Encouraging More Solar as part of Consumers Plan (details TBD): Brad Klein of Environmental Law and Policy Center and Douglas Jester of 5 Lakes Energy are planning a webinar, aimed mainly at the solar industry, to talk about opportunities to urge the MPSC to call for more solar energy as part of the Consumers Energy plan.  Please contact me if you would like to join the webinar (and please join it if you are going to attend the hearing!).

2) Attend the hearing on June 26th, 9 a.m., in Lansing: YOU can offer comments and urge the MPSC to require Michigan's biggest electric utilities to adopt Sustainable Clean Energy Plans so that the people of our state are ready for the future!

MPSC Hearing on Consumers Energy 

Renewable Energy Plan

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26th - 9 A.M. 

Constitution Hall, 525 W. Allegan Street, Lansing, MI 

Questions about this? drop Anne Woiwode a note and I'll give you more information (anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org) - I'll be out of town until Saturday but can field your emails while on the road!

3) Submit written comments on line by sending your own letter to the MPSC: Written comments are also being collected by the MPSC, and you can go to our on-line alert to submit a letter (including some of your personal views) by going here: https://secure.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=11323

Want to do something else really cool? Take a tour of the Consumers Energy Lake Winds Energy Park near Ludington and you'll learn how the state's second largest utility is benefiting from investing in this clean, renewable energy source. That's why Consumers asked the Michigan Public Service Commission to lower the surcharge for renewable power a couple of years ago--because the cost was coming in much lower than expected! Yet, Consumers is still proposing a new power plant fueled by natural gas AND delaying the "mothballing" of seven coal-fired power plants to keep their coal-burning options open.

-- 

Anne Woiwode, State Director, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
109 E. Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906
anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org   office: 517-484-2372 x 11

Support the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter - protecting, exploring and enjoying Michigan since 1967

Spread the Word to Your Favorite Farmer: Less=More Offers Easy Access to Subsidy Info * Join Our Citizen Lobbying Team!

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	Michigan Chapter Update  May 19, 2013  In This Issue: Spread the Word to Your Favorite Farmer: Less=More Offers Easy Access to Subsidy Info Join the BlueGreen Alliance for Climate and Jobs Town Hall May 30 Data Entry Party Tuesday, May 21, in Lansing! Join Our Citizen Lobbying Team Sierra Club Members Meet with Labor/Business in DC to Discuss Clean Economy Michigan mega-dairies annually generate millions of gallons of waste filled with pathogens, growth hormones and contaminants that ends up in our waterways. These polluting factory farms are supported by your tax dollars, which put livestock farmers that do not harm the environment at a disadvantage. Help us even the playing field for sustainable livestock farmers! Learn more at www.MoreforMichigan.org. (Photo: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service) Spread the Word to Your Favorite Farmer: Less=More Offers Easy Access to Subsidy Info As part of its effort to help level the playing field for sustainable livestock farmers in Michigan, the Less=More Coalition has made available information about taxpayer-funded Farm Bill conservation subsidies in one place online at http://tinyurl.com/EQIPsubsidies. Less=More is a sustainable agriculture coalition launched earlier this year to address the inequity of Farm Bill subsidy distribution in Michigan and how the system favors polluting factory farms over safe, sustainable livestock farms at the expense of the environment and public health. The Less=More web link connects farmers with basic information about 2013 Farm Bill subsidies in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in Michigan. It includes a listing of the more than 100 conservation practices funded by EQIP and the amount of money available for each practice as well as the most current EQIP application. "This information is available on the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service website, but it can be tricky to find if you don't know where to look," says Lynn Henning, Sierra Club Water Sentinel. "We make it as simple as possible. A farmer can sit down and see what's out there for him or her with a click of the mouse."  Click here for the full story and spread the word to your favorite farmer!   Join the BlueGreen Alliance for Climate and Jobs Town Hall May 30 in Warren On May 30, the BlueGreen Alliance (BGA) will hold a town hall discussion in Warren to explore how updating our infrastructure to deal with the consequences of changing climate in the Great Lakes region -- from roads, bridges and transit to our electrical grid and systems that protect our water -- will create good, family-supporting jobs. The event will feature BGA Executive Director Dave Foster along with Michael Langford, President, Utility Workers Union of America National; Steve Frenkel, Midwest Director, Union of Concerned Scientists; Brian Pallasch, Managing Director, American Society of Civil Engineers; Roxanne Brown, Assistant Legislative Director, United Steelworkers, and David Hecker, President, AFT Michigan. Sierra Club is a founding member of the BGA, a partnership that unites 14 of our country's largest unions and environmental organizations, including Sierra Club, to work on areas of common interest. (see related story below) Join us for this important discussion on Thurs., May 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the IBEW/Detroit Electrical Industry Training Center, 2277 E 11 Mile Road, Suite 1, Warren, MI 48092-5217.  Light Refreshments will be served.  Please RSVP to Sue Browne, 269-838-5956.     Data Entry Party Tuesday, May 21 , in Lansing For three months earlier this year, Sierra Club volunteers circulatedpetitions across the state to get a referendum on the wolf hunting lawpassed late in 2012. They collected thousands of signatures, and now we need your help to enter these vital names and addresses into our database. Please join us for a Data Entry Party hosted by our very own Mike Berkowitz on Tues., May 21, from 4-8:30 p.m. at our Lansing office, 109 E. Grand River Ave. Snacks and drinks will be provided. There is free parking in the lot behind our building, accessible off of north Washington Avenue. If you have a laptop, please bring it with you! RSVP to mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org.  If you can't make this soiree but still want to help, email mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org to arrange another time to help out. Join Our Citizen Lobbying Team! Are you concerned about fracking? Do you care about preserving our forests? Want to know how to help stop climate disruption? If so, consider joining the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter's Citizen Lobby Team.We're looking for passionate people to help put pressure on their lawmakers to solve environmental problems like fracking, climate change, and natural resource exploitation. The best part is, you can do it in the comfort of your own home! To get involved or learn more, contact Mike at mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org or (517) 484-2372, x 13.  A Green Jobs Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill was attended by many of the Michigan participants in the Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference in DC last month. Some are pictured here with Cong. Dan Kildee (third from right), including Sierra Club's Tiffany Hartung, Moving Beyond Coal Campaign Organizer; Brad van Guilder, Moving Beyond Coal Organizing Representative; Richard Morley Barron, Chapter Political Committee Chair; Laurie Tata, Nepessing Group volunteer; and representatives from the National Wildlife Federation, Utility Workers Union of America, and League of Conservation Voters.  A group from the Detroit area traveled to DC to attend the Good Jobs Green Jobs conference. They included: from left, Sandra Turner-Handy, Michigan Environmental Council; Ebony Elmore, River Rouge resident; Rhonda Anderson, Sierra Club Environmental Justice Organizer; Steve Kozel, of the Calumet Project, Hammond, Ind.; Alisha Winter resident River Rouge, and Valerie Burris, Detroit. Sierra Club Members Meet with Labor/Business in DC to Discuss Clean Economy Last month, Sierra Club sent several Michigan Chapter members to attend the annual Good Jobs Green Jobs National Conference hosted by theBlueGreen Alliance.  More than 1,800 union workers, environmentalists, business and non-profit leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. to learn about current trends and emerging issues as well build relationships with people from around the country. With the consequences of climate change too big for a single group to tackle, the conference sought to bring together labor union members, environmentalists, business owners, community leaders and elected officials nationwide for one of the country's largest discussions on how to build a cleaner, more efficient American economy. We're everywhere! @MichiganSierra Support the Michigan Chapter  Click HERE to make a Secure Online Donation! Unsubscribe from Michigan Chapter Updates Update My Profile | Manage My Email Preferences | Update My Interests | Explore Our Online Communities   Michigan Chapter - Sierra Club 109 E. Grand River Avenue Lansing, MI 48906 Contact Us Header photo Near Andrus Lake, Upper Michigan, by Beverly Wolf.

Tell Gov. Snyder to Delay Fracking!

Michigan must delay all new natural gas exploration and extraction by hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," until our laws and regulations are updated to protect water quantity and quality, and to require public disclosure of chemical use and public participation in the permitting process. That was the message Sierra Club and Clean Water Action delivered on May 17 in response to the growing threat to Michigan's water from proposed deep well fracking. Join this effort by telling Governor Rick Snyder to direct the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to delay issuing any new fracking permits until regulations are updated.

Michigan's economy depends on clean water and air. But they are threatened by fracking, a type of drilling used to access deep shale gas formations. Companies drill down as deep as 9500 feet, then horizontally another 5000 feet. Millions of gallons of water with thousands of gallons of chemicals are forcibly pumped down the well to blast open tight rock fissures, so the gas flows more freely up the well. A Congressional report lists hundreds of different chemicals and compounds, including 29 that are known or possible carcinogens or are regulated for other risks to human health. Some of these fracking fluids flow back up the wells carrying toxic and even radioactive substances mobilized from the rock by the fracking chemicals. Thousands of incidents of contamination from fracking have been reported in other states. In addition, millions of gallons of water are in effect diverted from the Great Lakes Basin since the chemical pollution and deep well disposal removes it from the water cycle forever.

Contact Governor Snyder using the form below to tell him it is in the best interest of Michigan's residents, water, and natural resources to put newly proposed hydraulic fracturing on hold until regulations are updated. Find out more about Sierra Club's work to protect our precious water and air from contamination from fracking on the Michigan Chapter webpage.