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Sierra Club volunteer lobbyists met with Sen. Rebekah Warren (second from left) during Lobby Day 2019. File photo.
Michigan Chapter Lansing Lobby Day
Wednesday, May 17
We are back in action with our first in-person Lobby Day since 2019! This will be the first time in 42 years that Sierra Club citizen lobbyists will be speaking with members of a pro-environment majority in the State Legislature. Your participation is more important than ever. Still, we cannot take anything for granted so your participation is more important than ever. It is imperative that lawmakers know that Michiganders want action on environmental priorities NOW.
Sign up today and join us for a day of education and advocacy. This year, we will focus on lobbying around energy issues impacting our state and communities. We will be announcing specific topics and legislation soon!
2022 Turn Oakland Green March participants. Photo by Analicia Hazelby.
Explore and Enjoy: Join 2023 Earth Month Events Across Michigan: There has never been a more important time to show your support for fighting climate change, protecting communities, and ending pollution. Sierra Club members are collaborating on events from Grand Haven to Mancelona to Oakland County to educate, clean up and support action to protect our environment. Find the full list of activities here, and let us know of others to add to the list by contacting sarah.tresedder@sierraclub.org.
Wege Speaker Series: Dr. Shalanda Baker, Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy, will address environmental justice and energy issues. This event, on April 20 at 4 p.m., will be virtual. Find details here or contact jan.oconnell@sierraclub.org or 616-956-6646.
The fight to shut down Enbridge Line 5 has been underway for a decade and now President Biden is being called on to act. Photo of protest on Mackinac Island in 2018 from Sierra Club files.
Delay in EIS for Proposed Enbridge Oil Tunnel: The Army Corps of Engineers has announced a delay until at least 2023 for completion of the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Enbridge oil tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. The federal agency cited the more than 17,000 comments as a contributor to the delay. Sierra Club and partners in Oil and Water Don’t Mix point out that the delay increases the urgency for shutting down the 70-year-old deteriorating dual pipelines lying on the bottom of the Great Lakes.
Read the SIERRA Magazine article about A Battle for the Future of the Great Lakes and click the button below to tell President Biden to shut down Enbridge Line 5 now. Support the Michigan Chapter's work to shut down Line 5 by going here.
Gov. Whitmer's budget calls for investment in access to Michigan's spectacular natural resources. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Rivermouth Campground. Photo by Anne Woiwode.
Tell Legislators to Support Gov. Whitmer's Budget Proposal: Gov. Whitmer’s 2023-2024 budget proposal commits billions to workforce training and development in the clean energy and transportation sectors; clean up legacy contamination; address the climate crisis; expand outdoor access; upgrade our water infrastructure and protect Michigan’s children from lead and other toxic chemicals. Urge your legislators to support these investments to build a stronger, more prosperous and equitable state in the face of major challenges.
Congressional Representative Debbie Dingell testifies before the Michigan Public Service Commission hearing on the massive DTE power outages in February and March. Photo by Sarah Tresedder.
MPSC Hears Concerns About Utility Outages: The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) held two hearings for customers of DTE and Consumers Energy to testify about the impact of the extensive and days-long power outages suffered by hundreds of thousands after intense ice storms in February and March. Read more about the compelling testimony here and learn how you can help hold these massive utilities accountable by contacting mike.berkowitz@sierraclub.org.
Dr. Dolores Leonard, a visionary community leader, provided insights into environmental justice challenges for the Clean Energy and Climate Justice Team retreat. Sierra Club photo.
Climate Justice Tour Inspires Sierra Club Staff and Volunteers: Last month the Michigan Sierra Club's Clean Energy and Climate Justice Team gathered to recharge, spend time with leaders of impacted communities, and plan for the remainder of 2023. The staff and volunteers from across the nation kicked things off with a 'day in community' where we toured Michigan's most polluted neighborhoods in the tri-cities of River Rouge, Ecorse and Southwest Detroit. But we also visited places like Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, where Sierra Club helped secure an air pollution monitoring station, and DTE's River Rouge coal plant, which was retired in 2021 thanks to a Sierra Club Clean Air Act lawsuit settlement. See more scenes from our environmental justice tour here and learn more about how we work to center anti-racism, equity and justice in our campaigns here.
VOTE in the Sierra Club National Board Election: The national Sierra Club board of directors election is underway, and your vote matters! Members received their ballot in early March either by mail or electronically. The ballot is accompanied by information on the candidates and where Sierra Club members can find additional information located on the Sierra Club’s website.
Michigan Chapter Endorsement: The Michigan Chapter recommends a vote for David Holtz in the upcoming election for the Sierra Club's Board of Directors.
We Can't Do It Without You!
Members and donors like you are the lifeblood that fuels our grassroots work to protect the Great Lakes state. If you have made a donation to support the Michigan's Chapter March Campaign, THANK YOU! If not, please take a moment to keep our Chapter powerful by making your gift, especially if you've never given before. Any amount is appreciated and makes a big difference and 100% of your donation to the Michigan Chapter's March Campaign stays in Michigan. Email elayne.elliott@sierraclub.org if you have questions or need information about other ways to donate -- and thank you!
