Victory: Energy Help for Vulnerable Families - Michigan Chapter Update - 4.17.22
April 17, 2022
Michigan Chapter Update
April 17, 2022
In This Edition:
Victory: Sierra Club Secures Energy Efficiency Funding for Vulnerable Families
Michigan Chapter Spring 2022 Virtual Lobby Day of Action: May 11
Endorsements in U.S. House and MI Legislator Elections
One-Use Plastics Pose Even More Risks
Michigan Chapter is Hiring the Next Chapter Director
Sierra Club Board Election: Voting Ends April 27
Michigan Chapter Endorses Board Candidates
EarthShare at Work
Explore and Enjoy: Spring Wildflowers and Effects of Deer on Native Plants Presentation, April 19
CORRECTION: In the April 3 edition, the second and third sentences of "Countering Misinformation About Solar Panels" should have read "For example, a common misconception is that solar panels poison the ground. In fact, they do not." The editor apologizes for the mistake.
Look for the special Earth Day events edition of the Michigan Chapter Update on Wednesday, April 20
Victory: Sierra Club Secures Energy Efficiency Funding for Vulnerable Families
The Michigan Public Service Commission recently approved a groundbreaking settlement that Sierra Club and coalition partners negotiated with Consumers Energy, the culmination of the coalition’s intervention in the utility’s Energy Waste Reduction (efficiency) case. The settlement secured an additional $59 million for Consumers Energy’s efficiency programs over the next four years and requires the utility to target resources to the most energy-burdened communities in Flint. These are predominantly Black and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) communities that have been disproportionately impacted by legacy racist policies like redlining.
Mike Berkowitz, Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign senior representative in Michigan said, “Michigan has one of the highest energy burdens in the country and much of that impact is in Flint's majority Black income-qualified communities. We are proud to announce this important settlement agreement, ensuring Consumers Energy equitably distributes resources in a way that prioritizes these neighborhoods that have been historically disenfranchised, lowering energy bills while making homes safer and more resilient.”
This is the first time the Sierra Club intervened in one of Consumers Energy's efficiency cases, after successfully advocating for DTE to take similar actions in Detroit. Impacted community members in Flint told Sierra Club that they were tired of extreme energy burdens and Consumers Energy’s greenwashing.
Consumers Energy customers should check out the following websites:
Sierra Club Michigan Chapter Citizen Lobby Day, September 2019. Photo by Gail Philbin.
Michigan Chapter Spring 2022 Virtual Lobby Day of Action: May 11
On Wednesday, May 11, join Sierra Club volunteers for a Virtual Lobby Day of Action. These citizen lobbyists will let Michigan lawmakers know it is time to move forward to become strong advocates for clean energy investments such as energy efficiency, weatherization, affordable electrified transportation and renewable energy. The time is now for Michigan to become a leader in clean transportation and provide long-term solutions which will lower high energy burdens.
On May 11 citizen lobbyists will urge state lawmakers to:
Be clean energy champions.
Ensure that bold investments are made in upcoming infrastructure and budget supplemental packages.
Utilize the federal dollars that are coming into the state to tackle these issues and more.
NOTE: This will be a hybrid lobby day. Similar to previous virtual lobby days, the Chapter will provide an option for people to take action from the safety of their own homes via email, phone and social media with a handbook explaining how to engage. Alternatively, those who wish to meet with lawmakers through appointments to meet by video connections will have the opportunity to do so and should indicate that preference on the sign-up form.
Michigan Chapter Endorsements for the U.S. House and MI Legislature
The 2022 election season is approaching quickly, so it is time to get prepared. Every vote is crucial in deciding who sets Michigan’s policies governing clean water, clean air, clean energy and healthy habitats for the coming years. The Michigan Chapter has officially made the first two rounds of endorsements for this cycle, with the latest endorsements listed below.
U.S. Congress HD 6 | Debbie Dingell (D) HD 7 | Elissa Slotkin (D) HD 8 | Dan Kildee (D) HD 12 | Rashida Tlaib (D)
Michigan House HD 10 | Joe Tate (D) HD 19 | Samantha Steckloff (D) HD 22 | Matt Koleszar (D) HD 44 | Jim Haadsma (D) HD 53 | Brenda Carter (D) HD 70 | Cynthia Neeley (D) HD 73 | Julie Brixie (D)
Sierra Club members are encouraged to also check out the Michigan Chapter's first round list of endorsements of environmentally responsible candidates in order to reach informed decisions about who to vote for in the upcoming election. This list will be updated as additional endorsements are made of candidates and ballot measures, so please check back later as well.
Voters can click here to look up legislative district information, polling location, check on voter registration status and see the actual ballot they will use.
If you have questions about voting or the candidates, or how to help get the Sierra Club endorsed candidates elected, email the chapter Political Coordinator Tim Minotas at tim.minotas@sierraclub.org.
Recycled PET plastic in new bottles is not a solution to the one-use, throw away plastic problem. Photo by Anne Woiwode.
Single-Use Plastics Pose Even More Risks
The case against single-use plastics continues to grow. Let's review some of the current issues, highlighted in the P.B.S. Frontline series. First, less than 9% of plastic has ever been recycled. For a few years, plastic waste has been shipped to countries such as the Philippines to be dumped. In disadvantaged areas, the plastic is frequently burned, emitting toxic fumes which affect the health of nearby residents and contribute to global warming. Plastic is contaminating the oceans and it is predicted soon there will be more plastic in the oceans by weight than fish. Despite these problems, plastic production is expected to increase from 370 million tons in 2020 to 480 million tons in 2030.
With a growing number of companies committing to increase the use of recycled PET in their containers, putting PET plastic through a three-stage process called “super cleaning” can reduce the leaching problem. This is more expensive and is commonly cited as a reason why plastic is not recycled.
During times of backlash against plastic, manufacturers increase their advertising. These commercials either tout the benefit of plastic or push for increased recycling. Resisting these advertising campaigns and pushing for the elimination of single-use plastics is the way these environmental and health threats are addressed.
Michigan Chapter is Hiring the Next Chapter Director
The Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club seeks a caring, collaborative individual to lead a talented and committed team as Chapter Director. Strong candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to the values of equity, inclusion and justice, as well as demonstrated leadership, personnel management and organizational skills. Experience and aptitude for working within nonprofit, volunteer-led organizations, including experience managing a budget and administrative tasks associated with directing a nonprofit organization, are crucial. Sense of humor required.
Sierra Club Board of Directors Election: Voting Ends April 27
Those eligible to vote in the national Sierra Club Board of Directors election should have received their ballot either by mail or electronically (if they selected this option). The ballot is accompanied by information on the candidates and where members can find additional information on Sierra Club’s website.
Member participation is critical for a strong Sierra Club.
The Sierra Club is a democratically structured organization at all levels. Sierra Club requires the regular flow of views on policy and priorities from its grassroots membership in order to function well. Yearly participation in elections at all Sierra Club levels is a major membership obligation.
In a typical year less than 10% of eligible members vote in the Board elections. A minimum of 5% is required for the elections to be valid. Sierra Club's grassroots structure is strengthened when member participation is high. That means robust participation is needed in the voting process.
How to learn about the candidates?
Members frequently state that they don’t know the candidates and find it difficult to vote without learning more. Each candidate provides a statement about themselves and their views on the issues on the official election ballot. Those preparing to vote can learn more by asking questions of local group and chapter leadership and other experienced members. They can also visit the Sierra Club’s election website for additional information about candidates.
Then choose your preferred candidates and VOTE!
Voting Online is Quick and Easy.
Even members who receive their election materials in the mail are encouraged to use the user-friendly internet voting site to save time and postage. If sending via ground mail, please note that all ballots must be received no later than noon ET Election Day, April 27, 2022.
Michigan Chapter Endorses Candidates for the Sierra Club Board of Directors
The Michigan Chapter recommends a vote for Aaron Mair, Allison Chin, Cheyenne Branscum, Kate Bartholomew and Maya Khosla in the upcoming election for the Sierra Club's Board of Directors.
EarthShare at Work
Today’s employees seek purpose at work. Helping employees discover and support the issues that matter to them is connected to increased engagement, higher levels of productivity and innovation and bottom-line business benefits. Caring for our air, water, land and wildlife rank as top priorities with today's workforce. That's why the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter is a proud benefiting EarthShare nonprofit partner.
EarthShare is a leading network of environmental nonprofits that gives businesses and employees across America effective ways to care for our natural resources and contribute to a sustainable future. EarthShare works with the corporate sector to create dynamic and relevant engagement and philanthropic experiences for employees, businesses and the communities where they live and work. Join the movement to accelerate the pace of positive environmental change!
In Michigan, Sierra Club has 29 EarthShare nonprofit partners, and donations can support all of them with a gift or can be designated to a single entity, like The Sierra Club Foundation, Michigan Chapter. Learn more about EarthShare at earthshare.org.
Michigan wildflowers like spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) (l) and common trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum) (r) add beauty and joy to walks in the woods in spring. Photos by Anne Woiwode.
Explore and Enjoy: Spring Wildflowers
Spring is a wonderful time to look for native Michigan wildflowers along trails and pathways. In the southern lower peninsula, mild temperatures have given way to early blooms are already blanketing the forest floors with several weeks of beauty yet to come. Wildflower walks allow for social distancing while reveling in the splendor of Michigan’s spring.
Native wildflowers are found in parks, public forests, nature centers and along trails throughout the state as spring moves northward in April and May. Starting with the first blooms of the Dutchman's breeches, skunk cabbage and yellow trout lily, almost every week will bring new sights and smells to the wilds of the Great Lakes state. Look for trilliums, bloodroot, wild ginger, lady slippers and woodland phlox in the coming weeks.
Help ensure the future of wildflowers in Michigan by simply looking at and photographing them. The U.S. Forest Service Wildflower Ethics and Native Plants flyer explains the importance of protecting native plants for their ecological value and for future generations to enjoy.
Effects of Deer on Native Wild Plants Tuesday, April 19, 7:30 p.m., Huron Valley Group Program
On April 19 at 7:30 p.m. the Huron Valley Group will present a program on the Effects of Deer on Native Wild Plants. Dr. Jacqueline Cousteau will share her research on the effects of deer on trillium and other native wild plants. The program is available by Zoom or in person at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, 1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor.
