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On-going IPL State and Federal Campaign for Strong, Binding Climate Legislation
Updated 08.09.10
Despite an apparent bleak outlook in terms of a national climate bill, netiher California Interfaith Power and Light nor its national IPL associates are giving up hope. Recent Lobby Days in the nation's capitol (May 2010) and our state capitol (June 2010) witnessed leaders and clergy urging legislators not to give in to special interests in the struggle for carbon emissions.
The June Sacramento Lobby Day was a flurry of activity. 49 legislative visits were accomplished with a group of 15 clergy from around the state. The bills that CIPL had chosen to lobby for in particular were SB 722, the Renewable Portfolio Standards; AB 2529 (Fuentes) regarding State Agency Regulations; AB 1405 (de Leon) regarding Community Benefits Fund; and general pro-AB 32 discussion. Currently, AB 1405 is receiving a great deal of support; AB 2529 was pulled by the author before a crucial vote and presumed dead; and the RPS bill is due to come up for votes with a deadline of August 31.
CIPL leaders and clergy lobbied for environmental legislation at their annual Cal Lobby Day in June
DC LOBBY DAY - May 2010: For a photo gallery of the DC IPL trip, click here.
Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) leaders from 36 states gathered in Washington, DC last week to lobby their House and Senate members for strong climate legislation. Two main priorities pushed were a strong, binding, enforceable cap on carbon emissions that reflect the latest scientific predictions and financing for domestic and international adaptation measures for those especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Did You Know? IPL's national coalition has an on-going campaign around coal. And in the DC Lobby Day conference, a true prophet on the issue of Mountain Top Removal (MTR.) Lorelei Scabro, a coordinator of Coal River Wind, spoke of her transformation from a member of a coal family to activist, speaking out about MTR and advocating for wind energy. Speaking emotionally about her native West Virginia, she highlighted the feeling of “a sense of place,” recognizing the deep connection that she, her family and friends have with the land. Lorelie’s husband had worked in the coal mines for 35 years and died of black lung disease, an ailment that affects many coal miners due to exposure to coal. Immediately prior to her presentation, there was a breakout session on IPL’s on-going, multi-state initiative on this issue.