CIPL urges our members to vote for Proposition 87-- the Clean Alternative Energy Act--on the November ballot. Prop. 87 will reduce our oil dependence, cut global warming pollution, and improve air quality by creating a portfolio of clean fuels, clean-fuel vehicles and clean-fuel infrastructure. Funding for clean fuel expansion would come from an extraction fee on oil from California lands, similar to fees already levied by Texas, Louisiana, and other oil producing states. If passed, the measure would raise at least $4 billion to fund clean alternative technologies such as solar power, affordable hybrid electric vehicles and wind power. Big oil companies build their refineries and factories in communities of color, producing air pollution and toxic waste. By reducing California’s use of gas and diesel, Prop 87 will reduce air pollution that causes asthma, lung disease and cancer. The California Attorney General has confirmed Prop 87 makes it illegal for oil companies to raise gas prices to pass the cost to consumers. Many churches and faith-based organizations, as well as many environmental groups, are working to help pass Prop 87. For more information, please e-mail our new Southern California Outreach Coordinator Mike Sandler Email Mike. Mike is able to provide English/Spanish information sheets if your congregation would like to know more about 87.

We urge you to vote NO on Proposition 90. Prop 90, regarding Government Acquisition and Regulation of Private Property, is touted as the answer to the recent Supreme Court sanctioned problem of the government’s use of eminent domain to seize private property to build shopping malls.

Prop. 90 would allow lawsuits by property owners over and against almost any environmental, land use, zoning and planning laws. If the Prop. passes, property owners could sue the government for compensation for perceived losses due to zoning regulations that prevent garbage dumps from being built in residential neighborhoods, or laws that prevent inappropriate businesses or land uses near schools or churches. Land owners could sue over coastal permits that prohibit development of beaches which could destroy the ability of the California Coastal Commission to protect the coast.

This could bankrupt the government, prevent enforcement of current environmental protections, and stop new laws from being implemented. This proposition is opposed by environmentalists, labor, consumer groups, scientists, public health agencies and many others. For more information, please e-mail our new Southern California Outreach Coordinator Mike Sandler Email Mike.

 
Borrow a Copy of Who Killed the Electric Car?

CIPL has recently received donated copies of the new documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? The official DVD release is November 14th, 2006. You can read more about this great film here: Official Movie Site. If you would like to borrow a copy of the film before its release date, please e-mail Outreach Director Jessica Brown Email Jessica.

National Wildlife Federation: The Warning on Western Warming

A new report by the National Wildlife Federation predicts serious global warming impacts in 11 Western states. We will witness, "more prolonged droughts, more widespread wildfires, and extensive die-offs in regional plant, fish and game habitats." "The American West is truly on the front line," said the federation's global warming specialist, Ms. Patti Glick. "The latest science is painting a bleak picture." With your help, we can curb the tide of these impacts! The faith community in California must lead the way on this issue. Please contact Jessica or Mike to get involved in our work in California!

Read on. . .

Meet CIPL’s New Southern California Outreach Coordinator: Mike Sandler

CIPL welcomes Mike Sandler as the new Southern California Outreach Coordinator. Mike will be working with CIPL members and expanding CIPL’s presence in Los Angeles and Southern California. Mike has been working on climate change issues for 5 years, and was a founder of the Sonoma County Climate Protection Campaign, where he worked with local governments to quantify and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Before moving to Marina del Rey, he served two years as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Sebastopol. Mike is looking forward to meeting with you, hearing about the great work you are doing, and working with the faith community to address the social justice and moral issues of climate change. You can reach Mike at (310) 752-3436 or mike@interfaithpower.org.

THANK YOU to all the congregations who screened An Inconvenient Truth! Both Mike and I will be in contact over the next few weeks to see how your screenings transpired--great work and congratulations to all our event organizers!

Please take a moment to read some media coverage on the the Spotlight screenings, you can find copies of articles in the left toolbar of this newsletter.

It's great to have Mike on board in Southern California! I know we will all work to make him feel right at home in our organization.

With the election fast arriving, please feel free to call/e-mail Mike, Susan or myself with your concerns and questions. We look forward to hearing from and working with all of you in the upcoming months--what an exciting time!

Blessings,

Jessica Brown
California Interfaith Power and Light
phone: 510-444-4078 x 319