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Meetyour legislators at home this summer to urge support for critical environmental legislation. Photo of Rep. Tyrone Carter with Elayne Elliott, Amy Hemmeter, Ebony Elmore, Alisha Barnes and Jacob Bolton. Photo by Elayne Elliott.
Join the In-District Lobby Teams This Summer. Michigan’s House and Senate will recess for most of July and August with members spending time in their districts. Now is the time to use your voice to influence your lawmakers and urge them to prioritize environmental issues when they head back to the Capitol. Join our in-district lobbying team and help us make game-changing investments in renewable energy and water infrastructure a real thing. Your voice represents real power in Lansing. We need you! Sign up below.
Aggregate mining bills would undermine all local control while failing to ensure environmental protections. Sierra Club file photo.
Aggregate Mining Bills Blocked: Thanks to the sustained pushback by environmental and local government groups over the past week, the bad aggregate mining legislation failed to move out of Michigan House committee on Tuesday. The fight to block this package of mining bills came together in a fast-paced week of action and decisions. Sierra Club rallied members statewide to urge their legislators to reject the bills. A letter from Sierra Club and other environmental organizations to legislators provided a detailed list of the reasons these bills are bad for Michigan’s water, air and communities.
This is a victory but the fight is far from over. These bills will be back and it is crucial that the legislature include protections for groundwater and air quality with testing and monitoring as well as robust local government and environmental input.
Take action today and tell your representatives to vote no on these bills.
2019 Climate strike. Bring your demands for clean, affordable energy to Rep. Scott's listening sessions around the state. Photo by Mike Berkowitz.
Attend Rep. Helena Scott's Listening Session Tour for Energy Equity and Reliability: June to August. The Sierra Club Michigan Chapter invites you to participate in an important series of listening session events hosted by Rep. Helena Scott. The upcoming seven events from June to August focus on addressing energy equity and reliability in Michigan. Rep. Scott, as the chair of the Energy, Communications, and Technology committee, has significant influence in shaping energy policies. Public engagement is crucial in ensuring affordable and quality energy services for all. Find the details below.
DTE's planning will affect how the utility produces power in the future. Photo of the DTE Monroe Plant by Analicia Hazelby:AMH Creative LLC, for Sierra Club.
DTE Planning Report Card: The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is now considering DTE Energy’s long-term plan to provide electricity for our state. This plan is a roadmap for how DTE plans to power Michigan homes and businesses for the next 20 years. A broad coalition of clean energy, environmental justice and consumer advocacy organizations graded DTE’s proposed plan, looking at clean energy benefits, affordability and equity. Check out the report card for yourself and let the commission know that DTE can do better.
State funds for low-carbon energy projects like wind power are good, but the inclusion of grants for fracked gas projects is a serious concern. Photo by Jan O'Connell.
MPSC "Low-Carbon" Grants Subsidize Utility Gas Projects: The Michigan Public Service Commission approved close to $50 million in state funds for low-carbon energy projects across the state. However the majority of the funds will be used for fracked gas and biogas projects. The Sierra Club will continue to fight for clean energy that is affordable, reliable and equitable for all and will advocate against false solutions like “renewable natural gas." Find out more here.
Anna Stuntz presented her powerful poem on climate impacts and Line 5 to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Screenshot from Oil and Water Don't Mix.
Eighth Grader's Poem Stuns MPSC: The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority (MSCA) heard comments urging action to reject the proposed Line 5 tunnel that poses serious environmental and cultural concerns. During public comments at the MPSC meeting eighth grader Anna Stuntz stunned the commissioners by reading her compelling poem on the impact of climate change and Line 5. See Anna's amazing presentation here.
Molly Burhans, at TEDx Boston. Screen capture.
Mapping the Catholic Church to Fight Climate Change
Sunday, July 16, 3:00 p.m.
Ann Arbor, in person or by Zoom
Molly Burhans is a visionary young woman with a big idea: that the Roman Catholic Church, the world's largest non-governmental landowner, should use its properties sustainably and lead the world toward sustainability. The Sierra Club Huron Valley Group is cosponsoring the program at the St. Mary Student Parish. Find details on the in person event here and the Zoom version here.
Chapter Director Elayne Elliott (l) discusses Juneteenth and SierraClub shows support for Pride Month. Sierra Club photo and image.
Reflections on June Celebrations: Juneteenth and Pride Month. Michigan Chapter Director Elayne Elliott comments on the importance of the Juneteenth holiday and its connection to the fight for environmental justice. "The fight against systemic oppression and for environmental justice are inextricably linked."
This Pride Month, Sierra Club is sharing uplifting stories from LGBTQI+ community leaders, Sierra Club staff members and volunteers, and partner organizations to remember our history, celebrate the amazing individuals and advocates in this space and learn about the work that remains to be done.
Pictured Rocks Chapel Trail. Sierra Club file photo.
Honoring Your Loved Ones by Preserving and Protecting Michigan. Honor a friend, family member or colleague with a gift that helps protect the Great Lakes for generations to come. Commemorative gifts offer a unique way to honor all of life’s special milestones. An attractive note or certificate is sent to the honoree informing them about the gift and identifying the donor or donors.
Memorial gifts can be a thoughtful way to affirmed shared environmental values. Memorial gifts can be personalized with a thoughtful card and a notice can be placed on the Michigan Chapter website and in the printed or online newsletter. The gift amounts for Commemorative and Memorial gifts will be kept confidential unless otherwise requested.
For more information and other ways to give, please contact Elayne Elliott at elayne.elliott@sierraclub.org or 313-965-0055.
OAK Week participants with Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland. Sierra Club photo.
OAK Week in Washington, D.C. Michiganders joined the Outdoor Alliance for Kids (OAK) Week in Washington, D.C. with young people from across the country to advocate for outdoor access and environmental justice. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland participated with the more than 140 students and sponsors and spoke about the importance of making the outdoors accessible to all. Read the blog and watch the inspiring video here.
Dune Harbor Park, Muskegon. Photo courtesy of Dianne Bantle.
Explore and Enjoy: Muskegon County MeetUp - Dune Harbor Park Walk. Muskegon County has a new park! Bring your family and join us for a walk at Dune Harbor Park. The trail is 2.2 miles long and will take about one hour to walk together. If you arrive before the group leaves the parking lot, your $5 parking fee will be paid for by Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. If you have questions, contact Tamara Horne at tamara.horne@sierraclub.org.
When: July 12 at 6 p.m.
Where: Seminole parking lot at 2161 Seminole Rd., Muskegon. There are two lots, we'll meet at this one.
