Sierra Club - Michigan Chapter Action Alerts

State of the Great Lakes: Sierra Club encourages bold action from Governor Whitmer

2020-01-29T20:35:00.004-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 29th, 2020

State of the Great Lakes: Sierra Club encourages bold action from Governor Whitmer

Media Contact:

Christy McGillivray: 808-726-5325, christy.mcgillivray@sierraclub.org

Sierra Club applauds Governor Whitmer’s efforts to hold polluters financially accountable for their toxic waste, remove PFAS from our drinking water, appoint an Environmental Justice Advisory Council, and elevate climate concerns across her administration.

However, Sierra Club was disappointed that the Governor passed on the opportunity during her State of the State to urge action on the many pressing environmental issues plaguing our Great Lakes State. They look forward to working with her on her commitment to elevate climate change and water issues in the coming weeks. The 150,000 Sierra Club members and supporters in Michigan stand ready to partner with the governor and anyone else who prioritizes the health of our communities and protecting the Great Lakes.

“We are pleased that the Governor has taken some concrete steps to restore Great Lakes protections,” said Christy McGillivray, Sierra Club Political and Legislative Director. “Our members--all Michiganders--want a governor who prioritizes the Great Lakes, and we look forward to seeing Gov. Whitmer establish herself as the Great Lakes protector that we know she plans to be.”

McGillivray said one of the biggest environmental challenges Michigan faces is opposition from Republican leaders in Lansing. “Senator Shirkey and Representative Chatfield are stonewalling efforts to clean up our drinking water,” she said. “The financial backing their caucus receives from polluters stands in the way of any real movement to address chronic impairment of our air, water, and communities. Michiganders deserve better from state government.”

The Governor’s State of the State address was mostly silent on the Great Lakes and climate change, with Whitmer promising action at some point in the near future. Justin Onwenu, Sierra Club's Environmental Justice Organizer based in Detroit, was hoping to hear more from the Governor’s State of the State on issues of climate justice:

“The heavy public health burden placed on communities in Detroit, where Michigan’s only oil refinery operates, is one of the most visible impacts on pollution from oil, coal and other fossil fuels that impact vulnerable communities throughout Michigan,” said Onwenu. “It’s time for Governor Whitmer to use her executive authority to decommission Enbridge Line 5. Enbridge is responsible for the worst inland oil spill in our nation’s history, and they consistently shirk responsibility for their terrible safety record. Line 5 is a clear and present danger to environmental justice communities throughout the state, it poses an imminent threat to the Great Lakes and to the workers and communities in northern Michigan and the UP who depend on the Great Lakes for their jobs, their drinking water and their blue economy.”

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 4 million members and supporters nationwide and over 150,000 in Michigan. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org/Michigan.

*Due to an extremely high volume of email--please text or call me at 808-726-5325 if you have not received a timely response.

Christy McGillivray

Political and Legislative Director

Michigan Chapter

She/Her

Cell: 808-726-5325

https://www.sierraclub.org/michigan

Facebook: @SierraClubMichigan

Twitter: @MichiganSierra

Instagram: @SierraClubMichigan

State of the Great Lakes: Sierra Club encourages bold action from Governor Whitmer

2020-01-29T20:15:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 29th, 2020

State of the Great Lakes: Sierra Club encourages bold action from Governor Whitmer

Media Contact:

Christy McGillivray: 808-726-5325, christy.mcgillivray@sierraclub.org

*Due to an extremely high volume of email--please text or call me at 808-726-5325 if you have not received a timely response.

Christy McGillivray

Political and Legislative Director

Michigan Chapter

She/Her

Cell: 808-726-5325

https://www.sierraclub.org/michigan

Facebook: @SierraClubMichigan

Twitter: @MichiganSierra

Instagram: @SierraClubMichigan

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Fundraiser featuring Minority Floor Leader Christine Greig April 11

2018-02-28T13:57:00.001-05:00

To RSVP for this fundraiser or join our host committee, please email sarah.tresedder@sierraclub.org.

To donate, you can:

-write a check payable to “Michigan Sierra PAC” and send it to our Lansing office (109 E. Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906) or

-donate via credit card here: http://tinyurl.com/q42nfob

Methane (natural gas) plant planned for Rives Twp

2018-02-23T12:56:00.002-05:00

Link to proposal

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: 2018 Michigan Sierra Club Citizen Lobby Day

2018-02-21T20:58:00.000-05:00

Sierra Club's 2018 Citizen Lobby Day!

Wednesday, April 11 • 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 pushing lawmakers to oppose Senate Bills 652-654 which would create committees/panels that are stacked with industry and heavy polluter representatives to review all rule-making and permit decisions of the Department of Environmental Quality. This is popularly referred to as “the fox guarding the hen-house” legislation. We'll also be lobbying in support of HB 4200-4202 and SB 154/156 which restores citizen oversight to the Departments of Environmental Quality and Natural Resources.

All lobbying takes place in teams of 2 to 4 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.

Lobby Day is $10, which is payable at the event by check, cash, or credit card. This helps us cover half of the event cost. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS Friday, April 6th AT 5PM. SIGN UP NOW!

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

Event Announcement: Fundraiser featuring Gretchen Whitmer October 4th

2017-09-06T11:51:00.001-04:00

Host Committee (still in formation)
Richard Barron | Dr. Farhan Bhatti | Craig Brainard | Brenda, Martin, & Mike Berkowitz

Courtney Bourgoin | Pegg Clevenger | Deb & Pat Egan | Lydia Fischer

Cecilia & Sarah Garcia-Linz & Ethan Rufenacht | Robert Gordon & Lisa Lemble

We cordially invite you to attend a
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter fundraiser featuring guest speaker:

Gretchen Whitmer

Former Senate Democratic Leader and Ingham County Prosecutor

Wednesday, October 4^th
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Gretchen Whitmer speaks at 4:30pm

At Midtown Brewing Company
402 S Washington Square, Lansing, MI, 48933

Suggested Contribution Levels:
Champion- $500 Sponsor- $250 Host- $150
Advocate- $100 Friend- $50 General Admission- $25 Student- $15
Contributions of all levels are accepted

How to Contribute:
Make checks payable to “Sierra Club Michigan Chapter” and put “Woiwode Fund” in the memo line and mail them to 109 E Grand River Ave. Lansing, MI 48906

Donate via credit card at http://tinyurl.com/SCWoiwodeFund

All proceeds go to the Anne Woiwode Fund benefitting the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter’s legislative, political, and youth programs.

To RSVP or join the Host Committee, please contact Mike Berkowitz:
Mike.Berkowitz@sierraclub.org or 248-345-9808

DISCLAIMER: This does not represent an endorsement of Gretchen Whitmer's campaign for Governor. Funds raised go toward the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, not Gretchen Whitmer for Governor.

Paid for by Sierra Club Michigan Chapter (109 E Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906). Contributions for this event are 501 C4 and are not tax-deductible. Produced and printed in-House.

Event Announcement: First Fundraiser of the Year!

2017-02-28T01:28:00.001-05:00

Host Committee

Richard Barron / Dr. Farhan Bhatti / Brenda, Martin, & Mike Berkowitz / Mark Brewer Annie Brown / Byrum & Fisk Communications

The Honorable John Chirkun & Zvonko Blazevski / Deb & Pat Egan / Dan Farough

Carol Graham-Banes / Joseph Herbst / Eli Isaguirre / Chris, Sara, & Clark Jackson

Sue Kelly / The Honorable Tim Killeen / Amanda Jennings Koski

Robert Gordon & Lisa Lemble / The Honorable Mark & Pamela Meadows / Mitch Mitchell The Honorable Jeremy Moss / The Honorable Hal Newnan / Gwen & John Nystuen

Jan O’Connell / Caitlin O’Rourke / Alaina Pemberton / Gail & John Philbin

Steve & Lillian Ross & Penelope Tsernoglou / Alberta Tinsley-Talabi & Carla Tinsley Smith John Taylor & Meredith Place / Tom Turner / The Honorable Robert Wittenberg

Anne & Tom Woiwode

We cordially invite you to attend a
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter fundraiser featuring guest speaker:

State Representative Sam Singh

House Democratic Leader and former Mayor of East Lansing

Wednesday, March 29^th
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

At Troppo
111 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI, 48933

Suggested Contribution Levels:
Champion- $500 Sponsor- $250 Host- $150
Advocate- $100 Friend- $50 General Admission- $25 Student- $15
Contributions of all levels are accepted

How to Contribute:
Please make checks payable to “Sierra Club Michigan Chapter” and put “Woiwode Fund” in the memo line and mail them to 109 E Grand River Ave. Lansing, MI 48906

Donate via credit card at http://tinyurl.com/SCWoiwodeFund

All proceeds go to the Anne Woiwode Fund (501 C4 – not tax deductible) benefitting the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter’s legislative, political, and youth programs. Anne and Tom Woiwode have graciously offered to match any donations up to $10,000.

To RSVP or join the Host Committee, please contact Mike Berkowitz:
Mike.Berkowitz@sierraclub.org or 248-345-9808

You are also invited to join our 50^th anniversary celebration on June 10^th: http://www.sierraclub.org/michigan/50th-anniversary

Say Yes To Nonpartisan Redistricting In Michigan

2016-09-08T18:39:00.002-04:00

Sign if you agree: Michigan needs a bipartisan or independent redistricting commission.

If we want to prevent the next Flint water crisis or tackle environmental justice issues that face marginalized communities in places like Detroit, we need to empower local voters. The current system dilutes their political power, making it harder to fix these major issues. Even worse, it reinforces a legacy of environmental racism and disenfranchises voters in the communities with the most pollution.

In 2020 when the next census occurs, Michigan will redraw its political boundaries for Congress and the Legislature. The time to start organizing around redistricting is now.

Sign the petition now to demand Michigan move to a bipartisan or independent redistricting process.

When the Legislature drew congressional and legislative districts in 2001 and 2011, both times they drew districts to create a partisan political advantage. Then they used this new influence to further empower emergency managers and pass further austerity measures that hurt everything from environmental protection to public education.

If we want to prevent the next Flint water crisis or tackle environmental justice issues that face marginalized communities in places like Detroit, we need to empower local voters. The current system dilutes their political power, making it harder to fix these major issues. Even worse, it reinforces a legacy of environmental racism and disenfranchises voters in the communities with the most pollution.

Stand up to empower local communities like Flint. Make sure our congressional and legislative seats are drawn fairly by supporting a bipartisan, independent redistricting commission.

Democracy is based on the idea that voters choose their representatives, not the other way around. When legislators draw their own districts, it insulates them from the voice of the people. The people are heard less, and big polluters and others with their teams of lobbyists are heard more.

It also means that, more and more, politicians aren't held accountable for their actions, as most will never face a viable challenger in the general election. They draw themselves "safe" districts where they can be re-elected easily. And the people, especially those hurt by pollution, are shut out.

Redistricting shouldn't be about creating job security for lazy politicians. Sign the petition now to support a bipartisan or independent redistricting process.
This fight is just beginning. Sign now and help start the journey that will make 2020 redistricting truly fair and equitable for all of Michigan.

Thanks for everything you do to protect our environment and democracy,

Aaron Mair
President
Sierra Club

Mark Your Calendar – Sierra Club Political Training is Saturday, September 10th

2016-08-09T16:24:00.000-04:00

Pre-registration is required! Get registered here: https://goo.gl/forms/AiltYqq7Gt0y7ySo1

What: FREE political training to prepare Sierra Club activists for the 2016 election, featuring Michigan’s leading political campaign experts, along with staff and activists from Michigan Sierra Club’s Political Committee. We provide a light breakfast, full lunch, beverages, snacks throughout the day, and host a Happy Hour afterward. Join us to gain the skills you’ll need to influence this year’s election for President, US Congress, the Michigan House of Representatives, and local races.

When: Saturday, September 10th, 9:15am-5:30pm, with a complimentary happy hour afterward from 5:30-7pm.

Where: Scarlett Middle School, 3300 Lorraine, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Free parking at the school lot.

Pre-registration is required! Get registered here: https://goo.gl/forms/AiltYqq7Gt0y7ySo1

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

2016-05-25T00:30:00.000-04:00

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

Join Flint residents in Lansing on May 19th and tell our elected officials to pay to fix Flint!

2016-05-18T10:30:00.002-04:00

In the next few weeks, legislators in Lansing will decide how much money will be allocated to Flint to address the water crisis. They will decide whether emergency supplemental funds should be moved to Flint now or not. They will decide how much money our children deserve for education and nutrition. They will decide whether the State of Michigan will help Flint residents have a healthy and safe future. But far too many of them think the "Flint issue" has blown over.

We know it has not. For over two years Flint residents have had tainted water flowing through our taps. There’s no clear timeline for when we'll be able to safely use the water.

Mothers were told the water was safe to drink for the kids. There have been incidents of seizures, miscarriages, cognitive and behavioral problems, all for drinking water we were told was safe.

People are still reporting skin rashes and hair loss when they wash their hands in the water or bathe. People have to wake up every day and figure out how they are going to drink, cook, and bathe often with bottled water. No one should have to go through this simply to have safe water.

Our elected leaders must step up to fix this problem. They need to hear from us! Join Flint residents in Lansing on Thursday, May 19th to have our voices heard.

People across the state are joining us to tell the legislature to fix Flint! We've received over 5,000 support letters from voters in over 40 districts in Michigan telling their representative to pay up to fix Flint!

Agenda, Thursday May 19th

7:45am: Flint car pool from the old K-Mart on Miller Rd and S. Ballenger Hwy in Flint.

9:00am: Meet at Clean Water Action offices (2722 E Michigan Ave Suite 201, Lansing MI 48912) for breakfast and lobby visit preparation.

10:00am: Visit legislators offices to deliver support letters from voters in their district and tell them the real story of what the water crisis is like in Flint.

Noon: Press conference and rally on the Capitol lawn with Flint residents.

1:00pm: Prayer vigil for Flint in the Capitol Rotunda

2:00pm: Head back to Flint.

We need solidarity from across the state, so please join Flint residents in Lansing on May 19th and tell our elected officials to pay to fix Flint!

Demand Clean Power Now!

2016-02-27T17:33:00.000-05:00

First they poison the water. Next is the air.

The failures of Governor Snyder and the state government to protect Flint residents from the poisoning of their drinking water have been well documented.
After systematically deconstructing local government, which allowed the poisoning of Flint's drinking water, Governor Snyder's next priority is to allow corporate polluters to continue releasing toxins into our air.
Despite promising to go forward with a Michigan plan that would comply with the EPA's Clean Power Plan, Gov. Snyder has backed down from that commitment. Last week, he announced that Michigan would no longer develop rules for power production that would save lives, curb air pollution, and help Michigan become a leader in the new clean energy economy.

3 Ways to Take Action

1. Join us for a phone bank Friday, Feb. 26th at 12:00pm at the Detroit MU Office (4405 Wesson St., Detroit). We will be helping Michigan residents get their voices heard on this issue. Please contact Dorthea (dorthea@miunited.org) with questions.
2. Contact Gov. Snyder yourself to let him know Michigan should be putting its people and environment ahead of corporate interests. Click hereto find out how.
3. Join us at our rally in Lansing on Monday, Feb. 29th. The rally was supposed to be today, but was rescheduled due to the snow storm. Click hereto register and for more information.

"Demand Clean Power Now!" Rally Rescheduled

We had planned a rally on the steps of the state Capitol building to keep pressure on Gov. Snyder to go forward with the CPP. Unfortunately, the rally had to be postponed due to the weather has closing many state buildings and making travel hazardous.
The rally has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 29th.
Click here to join us and for more information.

Tell Gov. Snyder: Climate Can't Wait!

Click here to call and/or email Gov. Snyder demanding that he protects public health and begins to address the continued poisoning of his state.

www.miunited.org

Michigan United
4405 Wesson St.
Detroit MI 48210 United States

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Political Fundraiser March 16, 2016

2016-02-02T18:06:00.002-05:00

Click here to donate!

Email Mike.Berkowitz@sierraclub.org to RSVP or join the Host Committee

Jocelyn Benson

A Message from Sierra Club on the Flint Water Crisis

2016-01-29T00:33:00.000-05:00

The man-made drinking water crisis in Flint has made international headlines. For more than a year, state officials -- from Gov. Snyder to his appointed Flint emergency managers to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality -- exposed an entire city to the risk of lead poisoning in their drinking water. It's a public health catastrophe with long-lasting consequences for the children under the age of six in Flint who will suffer neurological damage for the rest of their lives.

Sierra Club has been working to help the people of Flint but we need to do more. Another organization doing good work in the city is the Genesee County Hispanic/Latino Collaborative, which is focusing on Flint's immigrant community, making sure that undocumented people have access to clean water, filters, and information. But they need financial support and volunteers. If you can make a donation or a commitment of time, please consider contacting them today and offering them your support.

In the midst of this catastrophe, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter has been working to help in these ways:

We oppose charging Flint residents for poisoned water, so we are keeping pressure on Gov. Snyder. The state--not Flint residents--should be paying for water poisoned by actions of the state.

We are working with EPA Region 5 Acting Director Bob Kaplan to ensure that the EPA has support for implementing its emergency order requiring the state to act swiftly in restoring safe drinking water for Flint's residents, including replacing the city's dangerous lead pipes. Early on, we wrote to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy requesting a Flint investigation. Within a few days of that letter, the EPA announced it would investigate, including assessing the actions of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Our Chapter Executive Committee appointed a former member of the EPA's national Safe Drinking Water Advisory Council, Cyndi Roper, to be the Chapter's volunteer representative on safe drinking water issues. It's clear we need to strengthen federal safe drinking water laws so fewer people--especially those in older communities with aging infrastructure--are exposed to lead.

We have submitted comments to the EPA on a proposed new lead and copper drinking water rule and will continue to advocate for better laws and more infrastructure funding.

Chapter staff and volunteers participated in a massive protest at the governor's State of the State address and issued a public statement on the situation in Flint.

Our volunteer leaders met with the national president of Sierra Club, Aaron Mair, and came away with a strong commitment of support for Flint. President Mair also personally contributed $1,500 to help organizing efforts in the city.

Our local Nepessing Group of Flint area volunteers has conducted public presentations explaining the Flint situation, distributing water and finding ways to recycle many single-use plastic bottles.

Our focus is on helping the people of Flint and holding the Snyder administration accountable for restoring safe drinking water to this struggling community.

###

Gail Philbin, Director
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SierraClubMichigan
Twitter: @MichiganSierra

TAKE ACTION: Tell Your Senator to Vote for Clean Energy

2015-12-03T13:52:00.001-05:00

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!

2015-11-19T13:32:00.003-05:00

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.

Oct, 1, Sustainable Practices in a Michigan City

2015-09-29T19:12:00.001-04:00

Mayor George Heartwell will talk about challenges and successes of implementing sustainable practices within the City of Grand Rapids.
Free and open to the public.

Thursday, October 1, 2015
5:00-6:30pm
Rackham Amphitheatre, 915 E. Washington St.
This event is hosted by Program in the Environment (PitE) and co-sponsored by Graham Sustainability Institute; Center for Local, State, & Urban Policy (CLOSUP), Ford School; Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning; Environmental Law and Policy Program; Frederick A. and Barbara M. Erb Institute

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Political Fundraiser October 14, 2015

2015-08-25T17:58:00.001-04:00

Donate online at sc.org/MichiganVoteEnvironment

Susan Smith, Former President of the League of Women Votes Michigan

Deep Well Injection in Michigan: Deepening Our Understanding and Exploring What We Can Do About It

2015-08-21T12:19:00.000-04:00

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has received applications for permits for deep well injection activity in more than a dozen counties. Is your county one of them? What does it mean for you and your family? Find out at our workshop Sep. 26!

What do you know about deep injection wells in Michigan? If the answer is "not much," then please consider joining us on Sep. 26 at Alma College for an important workshop about the environmental risks this activity (taking place in counties around the state) poses to our water quality and environment.

WHAT: Deep Well Injection in Michigan: Deepening Our Understanding and Exploring What We Can Do About It

WHEN: Sat., Sep 26, 10am - 2pm

WHERE: Alma College, 614 W. Superior St., Alma; Room L4 of the DOW/KAPP Bldg.

Permits for injection wells containing hazardous substances posing a serious threat to water quality are increasing in Michigan, yet most people including local public officials know little about them. In an effort to educate Michigan citizens and local governments, Sierra Club has paired with Grobbel Environmental & Planning Associates to present a workshop on about the history, purpose and risks of injection wells in Michigan.

Christopher P. Grobbel, PhD, is an environmental consultant based in Traverse City and MSU professor of environmental planning and management, environmental impact assessment, environmental law, and sustainability studies.

Christopher P. Grobbel, PhD, will present "Deep Well Injection in Michigan: Deepening Our Understanding and Exploring What We Can Do About It" on Saturday, Sep. 26, from 10am - 2pm at Alma College, 614 W. Superior St. The event takes place in Room L4 of the DOW/KAPP building.

Grobbel will lay out the context for this activity in Michigan and then explore the environmental risk associated with it and how the public can get involved in the process. Grobbel's presentation will cover the history and regulatory framework of injections wells, the technology and geology involved in Michigan, and dangers such as spills and seismic activity.

REGISTER TODAY!

On or before Sep. 18: $25 general public/$15 students (with ID). The cost covers lunch and all conference materials.

After Sep. 18: $35 for the general public; $20 for students. Final registration deadline is Sep. 25. No walk-ins.

Register: www.tinyurl.com/deepwell

Questions: gail.philbin@sierraclub.org

Download a printable copy of this announcement.

Sierra Club Seeking Communication Internship Applicants

2015-07-29T15:13:00.000-04:00

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Communications Internship

What is the Sierra Club?
The Sierra Club's members and supporters are more than 2.4 million of your friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet. Founded in 1892, the Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Our mission is to: (1) Explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; (2) Practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; (3) Educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and (4) Use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

Internship Responsibilities
In this internship, you will directly assist the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter staff in communicating to our members, the public and the media with a focus on environmental advocacy. Potential responsibilities include helping plan the Sierra Club’s online newsletter, tracking media hits, maintaining media email contact lists, writing articles about environmental topics, managing social media accounts, preparing social media reports for the chapter’s Executive Committee, website support, drafting press releases, helping create educational presentations, organizing events, assisting with public outreach, working with Sierra Club volunteers to carry out environmental campaign priorities, research, data entry and office work as needed.

Qualifications
The ideal applicant will have good writing and research skills, a knowledge or interest in environmental issues, a knowledge or interest in communication and social media, and be proficient in Microsoft Office applications and Google Documents. They will be able to take direction on projects and work independently.

Logistics
Internship positions are available for spring (January-May), summer (May-August), and fall (August-December) semesters, and can be shortened or extended as needed. This internship is unpaid, but can earn you class credit. The internship is housed in our Lansing office, located at 109 E. Grand River Ave. Lansing, MI 48906. Internships can be arranged for between 15 to 25 hours per week, with flexible scheduling, primarily during business hours (9am-6pm).

To apply, send resume to mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org and anne.woiwode@sierraclub.org, with a brief (one-two paragraphs) statement describing your interest in this internship.

Mike Berkowitz

Legislative & Political Director

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

109 E. Grand River Ave.

Lansing, MI 48906

Office: (517) 484-2372 Ext. 13

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

2015-06-23T11:24:00.000-04:00

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

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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

TAKE ACTION: Tell Legislators to Vote "NO" on Pipeline Secrecy Bill

2015-05-12T16:54:00.000-04:00

The House Natural Resources Committee is reviewing a dangerous piece of legislation that we have a chance to stop. House Bill 4540 that would amend Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act to permanently block public access to energy system safety records in Michigan. This would include high-risk pipelines like the one running through the Straits of Mackinac operated by the controversial Canadian oil conglomerate Enbridge, Inc.

We need your help to stop this legislation!

PLEASE review the talking points below, and then call the State Representatives on the House Natural Committee and tell them to vote NO on House Bill 4540:

Rep. Andrea LaFontaine (R-Columbus Township) Committee Chair, 517-373-8931
Rep. Bruce Rendon (R-Lake City) Majority Vice-Chair, 517-373-3817
Rep. Anthony Forlini (R-Harrison Township) 517-373-0113
Rep. Ken Goike (R-Ray Township) 517-373-0820
Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto) 517-373-0846
Rep. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) 517-373-0156
Rep. John Kivela (D-Marquette) Minority Vice-Chair, 517-373-0498
Rep. Charles Smiley (D-Burton) 517-373-3906
Rep. Julie Plawecki (D-Dearborn Heights) 517-373-0849

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!

May 12, 2015

To: Chairman McBroom and members of the House Oversight and Ethics Committee

RE: House Bill 4540

On behalf of our 60,000 members and supporters in Michigan, the Sierra Club urges a NO vote on HB 4540 (Heise), a bill that would amend Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act to permanently block public access to energy system safety records in Michigan. This would include high-risk pipelines like the one running through the Straits of Mackinac operated by the controversial Canadian oil conglomerate Enbridge, Inc.

Enbridge’s twin Line 5 pipelines through the Straits of Mackinac have been the subject of intense public interest since it was publicly revealed in early 2014 that the 60-year old lines pose a serious threat to the Great Lakes and northern Michigan communities and businesses. A pipeline spill here would contaminate the Great Lakes and collapse the northern Michigan tourist economy. Michigan citizens need to know more, not less, about the safety of Enbridge’s pipelines and all pipelines in Michigan. This bill won’t make us safer: it will do the opposite. It was the oil and gas industry’s failures to comply with safety regulations and protocols that caused the largest inland oil spill in America in Marshall, Michigan, along with dozens of other spills across the nation. The industry’s failures are what pose an immediate threat to property, communities and the environment, not the public’s right to know about those failures.

HB 4540, as introduced, would preclude property owners from finding out basic details about the pipelines that run through their property. Basic information “about the production, generation, transportation, transmission, or distribution of fuel or energy” would be exempt from Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act under this proposal. That means state-level bureaucrats that have been given information by a pipeline company that has access to your property (e.g. Enbridge, or natural gas pipeline companies proposing the Vector and ET Rover pipelines) would not be allowed to tell you what materials are getting pumped through the pipeline on your property, where that product is going, or what plans the company has in the event that the pipeline ruptures on your property. HB 4540 would potentially also block citizens from finding out information about the electric power plants and oil refineries putting pollution into their water, their air, and their communities. Michigan’s laws should protect Michigan’s property owners and public health. But HB4540 would, instead, put property owners and the public health at risk.

In addition, this legislation is unnecessary because federal rules already address national security issues when it comes to pipelines. Moreover, Michigan’s FOIA law already has a provision that exempts from disclosure records that would jeopardize our safety and security. The exemption proposed in HB 4540 for "critical energy infrastructure" is excessive since information that would make infrastructure vulnerable to a terrorist attack is already exempt from disclosure.

Not only is this legislation unnecessary, the language in it is so broad it could have major unintended consequences. Exempting information that "could be useful to a person planning an attack on critical energy infrastructure” could block access to all aspects of pipeline and electricity infrastructure/operations, including information that has nothing to do with safety or security. At a minimum, this definition and clause must be limited to already existing language from federal rules.

HB 4540 would result in Michigan citizens having less access to information about interstate pipeline safety than citizens of other states. Michigan citizens should not be treated as less trustworthy than residents of neighboring states.

The current FOIA appeal process is already overly burdensome. The process includes an appeal to the head of an agency, which typically confirms the denial, and then another appeal to the circuit court. People should not have to go to circuit court in order to see public records that may shed light on pipeline safety, maintenance, and potential environmental catastrophes. HB 4540 would make the process even more burdensome for Michigan’s citizens.

For these reasons, we urge you to vote NO on HB 4540. Votes pertaining to this bill will be included in the Sierra Club’s legislative scorecard.

Sincerely,

Mike Berkowitz

Legislative and Political Director

Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

Oil, gas pipeline info would become secret under bill

2015-05-10T23:38:00.004-04:00

Contacts: Anne Woiwode, Conservation Director, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

Mike Berkowitz, Legislative & Political Director, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter

HB 4540 is scheduled to have a hearing NEXT THURSDAY in the Oversight and Ethics Committee in the House. This hearing has NOT yet been posted, but that is not unusual -- they are only required to give about 18 hours notice, and usually it is just a couple of days in advance that notice is given.

EVEN if you cannot ATTEND the hearing, PLEASE plan to submit testimony in writing (send it to the Committee Clerk Joy Brewer noting that it is for the Oversight and Ethics Committee hearing on HB 4540), and encourage your members and colleagues to directly contact the members of the Oversight and Ethics Committee (listed below) to urge them to vote down HB 4540.

More information and insights will be coming.

House Oversight and Ethics Committee page:
http://house.michigan.gov/MHRPublic/CommitteeInfo.aspx?comkey=345

Ed McBroom (R) Committee Chair, 108th District

Martin Howrylak (R) Majority Vice-Chair, 41st District

Joseph Graves (R) 51st District

Lana Theis (R) 42nd District

Rose Mary Robinson (D) Minority Vice-Chair, 4th District

Kristy Pagan (D) 21st District

Joy Brewer, Committee Clerk, 517-373-8474

Oil, gas pipeline info would become secret under bill

By Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press 9:48 a.m. EDT May 8, 2015

It's a matter of national security, says state Rep. Kurt Heise: Keeping information about oil and gas pipelines, high-powered electrical lines and other critical energy infrastructure out of potential terrorists' hands. More ...

RSVP for our Political Fundraiser on Wednesday May 6 in Lansing

2015-04-14T12:35:00.002-04:00

To RSVP, please contact Mike Berkowitz at 248-345-9808 or Mike.Berkowitz@sierraclub.org.

Sign Up for Citizen Lobby Day - Wednesday, May 6

2015-04-14T12:27:00.000-04:00

Sierra Club's 2015 Spring Lobby Day!

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

Sign Me Up!

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!