Why Should I Join the Capital Climate Coalition on March 2nd at the John A. Wilson Building?

Our planet, country and communities are in crisis. The limited progress we have made in the last decade to reduce our countries carbon emissions and fight global warming is in danger of disappearing as budget shortfalls and changing priorities dismantle and weaken efforts to create jobs, promote energy efficiency and increase the amount of renewable, clean energy available in our communities.

In the District of Columbia we are poised on the precipice of progress. Thanks to organizations like the Institute for Market Transformation, Cool Capital Challenge, Friends of the Earth, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Sierra Club and Mt. Pleasant Solar Coop (and many others)  we have created numerous programs and policies, like the Sustainable Energy Utility, that will give us the tools to start creating jobs and reducing carbon emissions.

Even with these first steps we are having trouble maintaining adequate financial support and momentum to keep these programs and policies strong and make sure we are doing our part to save the planet. That's why the DC Environmental Network wants to invite you to take an easy first step to start working towards enjoying the benefits of the work we have all participated in the last decade.

Step One: Join Us at the John A. Wilson Building on March 2nd to Support Bill 19-10, the "Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011"

Please consider joining us to show support for the "Distributed Generation  Amendment Act of 2011" at a Public Hearing March 2nd at 2:00 PM at the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Room 123). (Come testify or just sit and quietly listen to the numerous organizations and activists that will be expressing support and suggesting ways to strengthen this bill.)

CLICK HERE TO LET ME KNOW YOU CAN ATTEND!

This important bill was introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh and Co-Sponsored by Councilmembers Yvette Alexander, Tommy Wells, Michael Brown, Phil Mendelson and Harry Thomas. This bill sets a framework and goals for the District that will ensure the development of a robust solar community; creating jobs, providing a price hedge against rising energy costs, strengthening the local transmission grid, and producing significant localized environmental benefits.

You can learn more about the legislation by watching a presentation by solar industry expert Mike Healy and read a recent blog post on the bill.

This legislation is what is on the table today. Participating in this hearing can help us by:

• Conveying strong support for the "Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011";
• Helping the Council understand the connection between a strong economy and a healthy environment;
• Letting the Council know that even during challenging economic times District citizens want to make progress reducing carbon emissions (this will be particulary important as the District of Columbia is struggling with a $400 million dollar budget gap and important environmental programs are threatened);
• and educating ourselves about how this legislation can be an important next step.

We are all in this together! Hope you can attend!

DATE: Wednesday, March 2, 2011

TIME: 2:00 PM

PLACE: John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Room 123, Near Metro Center Metro Station.

CLICK HERE TO LET ME KNOW YOU CAN ATTEND!

For more information contact Chris Weiss at 202-518-8782.

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