Comments from the Chair, Robert W. Hastings:
I recently attended the 17th Annual Alabama Water Rally, the annual conference of the Alabama Rivers Alliance, of which the Alabama Sierra Club was a sponsor. Our meeting site at Lake Guntersville State Park was especially scenic with several inches of snow on the ground. As I listened to excellent presentations and discussions about water issues in Alabama, I was impressed with how many other Sierra Club members were present and working on water-related issues in the state. We have had a significant working relationship with ARA for several years, and share many members. Our sponsorship and financial contributions to the series of nine Water Policy Symposia organized by ARA resulted in the Alabama Sierra Club Chapter being named the ARA 2014 Beyond Rivers Partner of the Year. In addition, our former Executive Committee Chair Margo Rebar was given the 2014 James Lowery Service Award.
(photos of Lake Guntersville State Park sign and snow scene by Robert W. Hastings; photos of Rally participants by John Wathen)
Our annual lobbying grants from National Sierra Club have helped support the ARA lobbying efforts relative to the development of a state water management plan. Especially noticeable at the Water Rally were the numerous young people from CASE (Coalition of Alabama Students for the Environment), many of whom have participated in Sierra Club summer training programs (SPROG) with support from the Alabama Chapter. In addition to hearing reports on various water-related issues in Alabama and the campaigns underway to address those issues, one of the greatest benefits to attending conferences such as the Water Rally is the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with other like-minded environmentalists. We sometimes become frustrated by the apathy and outright opposition to environmental protection in Alabama, but there are actually many activists and environmental organizations doing great work in the state. But we can all do more. Get involved with your local Sierra Club Group, and find out how you can help.
Attend Group meetings to learn more about what issues and activities with which your Group may be involved. Most of us love Alabama for its rich natural areas and biodiversity, in spite of its severely backward politics. Please do what you can to help us protect the Alabama we love. We need you.
Alabama Chapter Sierra Club’s CCL Delegate Report 2015
By Carol Adams-Davis
The annual meeting of the Sierra Club’s Board, the Sierra Club Foundation Board, and Council of Club Leaders was held in the fall in San Francisco.
The CCL functions as an advisory body to the Sierra Club’s Board of Directors and its governance committees on chapter and regional concerns. The CCL is composed of a delegate from each chapter and a delegate from both the Sierra Student Coalition and Sierra Club California. The CCL meets in joint session with the Board of Directors in the Annual Meeting.
Michael Brune, Executive Director, spoke about building bigger teams… The largest climate march in US history is not the end. It has been yet another demonstration of our strength and we will continue to create more diverse, inclusive, ambitious events and actions! He concluded saying, "Indeed, we believe that working toward a just, equitable, and transparent society is not only morally necessary but also exactly what we need to confront the unprecedented environmental challenges we face."
We celebrated Modern-Day Muirs with an uplifting evening offering gratitude for and deep appreciation of individuals whose efforts have created a brighter future for the planet and for us all. Over 20 people were honored at the Awards Presentation, including: Rose Johnson, recipient of the Robert Bullard Environmental Justice Award; Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) received the Edgar Wayburn Award, which honors outstanding service to the environment by a public official; Krista Schlyer, recipient of the Ansel Adams Award for her photography which brings awareness about the devastating ecological effects of the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border; and, author and conservationist Terry Tempest Williams, recipient of the highest award conferred by the Sierra Club–the John Muir Award. Terry’s speech was incredibly inspiring and it was a call to action. These are people whose dedication makes the Sierra Club the force for change that it's been ever since 1892.
Chapter leaders asked for a shorter, clearer, more emphatic national policy on fracking, and the Board adopted one, making it abundantly clear that the Sierra Club opposes fracking due to its unacceptable pollution and climate threats. The new policy will give our chapter leaders more discretion to decide the most effective ways to fight fracking in their own states.
During a long discussion of Sierra Club’s energy policy, President David Scott introduced the resolution of 100% carbon-free electric power sector by 2030. David Scott emphasized, “We’re solutions-oriented, and the solutions we support are increased energy efficiency and clean, carbon-free energy sources such as solar and wind power...We don’t need energy tweaks. We need a new clean energy economy. We need to promote leaps in clean energy adoption and new, innovative technologies.”
Local actions in our Alabama communities are how the rubber meets the road most effectively.
A delegate is the only person who can bring forward a resolution at a CCL meeting. Resolutions passed by the CCL Council are presented as recommendations to the Board of Directors.
The following resolutions have been sent to the Board for approval or disapproval.
Resolution 1: Increase & Continue Sierra Student Coalition Interaction with Chapters and Groups
Resolution: The Council of Club Leaders requests that the Sierra Club National Board of Directors and staff and the Sierra Student Coalition Ex Comm and staff determine and take the necessary actions to increase regular interaction between the SSC and Chapters & Groups
Comments: The Sierra Student Coalition is setting up a new data management system to track affiliates and leaders who could build positive relationships with their local Chapters
Status: Passed. 53 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention
Resolution 2: Response to the Citizens United Decision of the Supreme Court
Resolution: The CCL believes the Supreme Court decision in “Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission” to be contrary to the principles of representative democracy and asks the Club’s Board of Directors to support a constitutional amendment that would overturn the legal holding of that case. The Board of Directors is further requested to establish a nationally empowered team to develop a strategy to engage on this issue and address other issues of corporate legal status and corporate influence on public policy.
Status: Passed. 47 in favor, 6 opposed, 2 abstentions
Resolution 3: Opposing Hydraulic Fracturing to Extract Natural Gas
Resolution: The Council of Club Leaders calls on the Sierra Club Board of Directors to oppose all methods of natural gas extraction that require hydrofracking techniques and horizontal drilling.
Status: Failed. 6 in favor, 47 opposed, 2 abstentions.
Resolution 4: Chapter and Group Input into Evaluation of National Club Employees
Resolution: The Council of Club Leaders requests that the Board of Directors direct Human Resources to develop tools and processes to give Chapters and Groups a defined opportunity to participate in the evaluation of national Club employees working in their territory.
Status: Passed. 48 in favor, 5 opposed, 2 abstentions.
Resolution 5: On Sierra Club Political Committee Logo Policy for Endorsed Candidates
Resolution: In order to provide a more efficient response to requests from endorsed candidates to use the Club’s logo, the Council of Club Leaders calls on the Sierra Club Board of Directors to direct the SCPC to delegate to the Chapter Political Chairs the authority to carry out the SCPC logo policy.
Status: Tabled indefinitely. 45 in favor, 9 opposed, 1 abstention.
Resolution 6: On USPS-ready Labels for Groups and Chapters
Resolution: The Council of Club Leaders calls on the Sierra Club Board of Directors to analyze and reconsider the announcement by the Labels Desk Sept. 16 that it is ending its traditional assistance with USPS-ready labels to groups and chapters. We ask that any new costs to national because of USPS changes be weighed against costs to groups and chapters and increased burdens on volunteers.
Status: Motion withdrawn
Resolution 7: Sierra Club listserve policy.
Resolution: The Council of Club Leaders seeks Sierra Club Board of Directors approval to revise the listserve policy to allow chapters and groups to have an opt-out instead of opt-in policy for general membership E-news listserves for regular periodic communications.
Status: Failed. 2 in favor, 48 against, 5 abstentions
The CCL Delegates shared thoughts on how to best achieve our goals in 2015. We also took steps to better assess and strengthen our chapters' crucial work.
Alabama Last in Use of Solar Potential
by Bob Mount
Following are excerpts from articles gleaned from the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), Renewable Energy World (REW), the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
Solar is widely regarded as the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source available, and the U.S. has some of the richest solar resources in the world (SEIA). The cost of solar energy has fallen sharply over the last 20 years, and experts predict the cost will drop below that of retail electricity between 2013 and 2018 in many parts of the country (NRDC).
Kurt Eberbach, attorney with the SELC writes that two years ago, Georgia Power Company, owned by the Southern Company and the state's largest utility, proposed adding 210 megawatts of solar to its energy supply. The Georgia Public Service Commission ordered the company to more than triple that amount to 525 MW, enough to supply power to 50,000 homes. Ga. Power is scheduled to add almost one gigawatt of solar energy to its system by 2016, and says that the state is considered a national leader in solar generation. According to the company, this will ultimately save the state's ratepayers several hundred million dollars, and millions in tax revenue will accrue to rural counties across the state where solar farms will be constructed.
In late 2013 the company proposed to levy a tariff of $22 per month on consumers using solar equipment to reduce consumption costs at homes, businesses, and farms. At public hearings before the Public Service Commission, consumers registered their strong objections, and the company withdrew its proposal to levy the punitive tax.
How does Alabama compare with Its sister state regarding present and future solar generation and the benefits that accrue to consumers? Despite the similarity of the two states' meteorological and political climates, they are worlds apart in their attitudes toward use of solar power. While Georgia's policy makers realize the benefits of promoting solar generation, Alabama has erected barriers against it. Appearing to take their marching orders from Alabama Power Co. and the coal companies (my opinion), our state's public service commissioners recently adopted a monthly charge of $5.00 per kilowatt used by residences, small businesses, and schools within Ala. Power Company's service areas that rely partially on solar to reduce their electric bills. SELC contends that the effect and doubtless the purpose of the tariff is to virtually destroy any incentive to make the investments required to install solar equipment. The tariff was instituted without public input as to the wisdom and justification for the action.
Writer Eberbach states, "As a result of the Commission's policies, Alabama ranks next to last among states in solar jobs per capita, while Georgia has six more solar jobs per capita than our state and is poised to be among the top five in the country in this regard." Concluding, he writes, "As solar costs continue to fall, Alabama should follow Georgia's lead. Alabama Power and its regulators at the PSC should seize the opportunity to lower costs for consumers and bring needed revenue and jobs to economically struggling areas of the state. Moreover, the commissioners should remove the punitive tax on citizens who use solar power to reduce their energy bills. Let 2015 be the year when Alabama embraces its abundant solar potential and the economic growth that comes with it."
ExCom Outing to Stephen's Gap Callahan Cave Sunday, April 26 - Stephen's Gap Callahan Cave Preserve hike. Moderate.
Featured in National Geographic magazine, Stephen's Gap Cave in Jackson County is an explorer's dream. Recently purchased by the Southeastern Cave Conservancy (SSCi), with a contribution by the Sierra Club Alabama Chapter, the property will be preserved it in its wild state for future generations to enjoy. Joining us will be SSCi Board Chair, Ron Miller, and our Chair, Bob Hastings. We will take a fairly short hike (.8 mile), surrounded by wildflowers, to the cave. Dependent on rainfall we might view a waterfall flowing into the "pit." We will use the 'walk-in' entrance to the cave , which is sloped, rocky and can be muddy. Inside, the floor continues a downward slope which must be approached with caution. Once inside, again dependent on water flow, we'll be rewarded with spectacular waterfalls, a rushing stream, and for the keen eye, embedded fossils. Outside the cave, we'll continue uphill to see more of the property and possibly another waterfall. This outing is limited in participant number and requires a permit. Special arrangements have been made. Non-ExCom members are welcome if the number limit is not exceeded. If you do sign up, please commit to showing as you are taking a spot. For more information and to reserve a spot, contact Sandy Kiplinger at sandykip@otelco.net
Conservation Alabama's Legislative Tracker
With the legislative session in Montgomery, heating up, stay alert for bills that will damage our environment. We'll do our best to alert you as we find out, but you can also check in on a particular bill by visiting the website below.
http://www.conservationalabama.org/action/#/bills
Electronics Recycling Day in Huntsville, Saturday April 18.
Do you want to dispose of the old electronics cluttering up your house in a responsible way? On your way to Earth Day, take advantage of free document shredding, hard drive destruction, electronics recycling and prescription medication disposal, all at the Redstone Federal office on Wynn Drive, Huntsville, AL.
The parking lot will be set up to provide drive-thru style services. Just hand your items through the window or pop your trunk, and volunteers will take your items and destroy or recycle them securely-- no need for you to even get out of your car.
Items you can bring for recycling:
- PCs, laptops, tablets, dvd players, digital clocks, cameras and accessories such as keyboards, mice, speakers, cables and connectors, batteries, webcams and modems
- Small appliances such as shredders, printers, blenders, hair dryers and flat irons
- Up to three bags or boxes of documents for shredding
- Prescription or over the counter medications
Please note that this recycling effort cannot handle the old tube-style CRT monitors, microwaves, light bulbs or hazardous materials.
Recycling will take place from 8:30am - noon on Saturday, April 18 in the parking lot of Redstone Federal Credit Union at 220 Wynn Drive NW. From I-565, take the Sparkman Dr exit to Madison Pike.