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The Cascade: The Great Falls Group Newsletter
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Vegan Potluck Dinner
Friday, June 24, 7:30 pm
Vienna
March on the Mansion
Saturday, July 23, noon to 2 pm
Richmond
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 Virginia's Offshore Energy: A Victory
A grassroots movement convinced 110 East Coast municipalities, 101 members of Congress, and 700 state and local officials to publicly oppose offshore drilling and seismic blasting. So Caroline Wood, mid-Atlantic organizer for Oceana, told 22 Great Falls Group members and friends. In a presentation titled "Virginia's Offshore Energy: Wind vs. Oil," Wood outlined proposals for drilling for oil off the coast of four Atlantic Coast states--Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia--and the Obama Administration's recent decision to not grant drilling permits for the 2017−2022 period for this region.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) responded to opposition from the U.S. Department of Defense, coastal and inland communities in the four states, nongovernment organizations and citizens groups, fishermen and the fishing industry, homeowners on and near the coast, and state and local governments, who participated in forums and community action.
Grassroots Organizing
Offshore drilling became a threat to the Atlantic Coast in 2008 when the Bush Administration quietly lifted a moratorium on Atlantic drilling. Coastal communities were unaware of the prospect of offshore drilling until 2015, when Oceana, an environmental nongovernmental organization, reached out to people along the Atlantic coast who would be directly impacted by drilling. Because they would be affected through coastal industrialization and oil spills that would burden large, profitable industries such as fisheries and tourism, these communities responded to Oceana's call to action.
Wood stated that "approximately 110 coastal towns passed resolutions opposing seismic airgun blasting, a first-step to discover offshore oil and natural gas." Such seismic blasting uses loud, strong sound waves that hurt or kill marine life, harm fisheries, and disrupt local economies. One hundred percent of South Carolina's coastal communities went on record opposing offshore drilling, a rare, unexpected outcome. Besides community and citizen pressure, the U.S. military insisted that 80 percent of the area off the Virginia coast should be off-limits for offshore drilling.
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Very significant in the decision to not grant permission for offshore drilling was and is the diversity of opposition," Wood said. Coming together were municipal, state, and county governments, people of all ages, citizens and civic groups, schoolchildren, homeowners, tourism and fishing interests, chambers of commerce, and others. Officials and local governments, who initially favored or were perceived as favoring offshore drilling, came to oppose drilling based on Oceana's efforts. Oceana's activists also pursued positive communication as needed with BOEM personnel.
Jobs
The audience inquired about how many jobs and how much money are represented by Virginia's coastal communities' tourism, fishing, and recreational activities. Using Census Bureau and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data, Wood stated that these activities support more than 91,000 jobs and generate about $5 billion in GDP in Virginia. Fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood markets account for 4,953 jobs and over $1.09 billion in GDP, while tourism and recreation provide 86,139 jobs and $3.88 billion in GDP.
Offshore Wind
Wood then turned to offshore wind energy, saying, "Virginia has the opportunity to be the center of offshore wind on the East Coast." In Virginia, offshore wind power has the potential to generate more jobs and produce more power than drilling for oil and gas. Importantly, it benefits coastal communities, their citizens, businesses, and industries because it produces clean, renewable energy. Virginia's estimated reserves of economically recoverable oil and gas would meet domestic demand for oil for only 18 days and gas for 46 days, while wind-generated production would be never-ending and clean.
Virginia's Dominion Power bought the rights to develop two test wind turbines off Virginia Beach. However, the cost has been more than Dominion anticipated, which has led to project delays and the loss of $40 million in federal funding.
By Kate Hochman and John R. Swallow
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Gas Pipeline in Northern Virginia?
Numerous proposals portend new and upgraded pipelines crisscrossing Virginia carrying natural gas from West Virginia. According to a recent Chesapeake Climate Action Network presentation, three major pipelines are proposed:
- Atlantic Coast Pipeline: 1.5 billion cubic feet per day capacity
- Mountain Valley Pipeline: 2 billion cubic feet per day capacity
- WB Xpress Project: 1.3 billion cubic feet per day capacity
As part of these projects, $25 billion of infrastructure will transport fracked natural gas from the Marcellus Shale to domestic users and to facilities for export abroad. In addition, two fracked, natural gas power plants are planned.
These pipelines and power plants pose a threat on several fronts. They:
- promote fracking in neighboring states, causing environmental destruction, threatening both human health and economic welfare, and accelerating global warming;
- tie up financial resources that would be better spent in transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources; and
- commit Virginia to dependency on fossil fuels for decades.
Natural gas (mostly methane) is a greenhouse gas that is 86 times as potent as carbon dioxide.
In addition, Governor McAuliffe recently earned a D+ report card due to his support of natural gas pipelines and export facilities and his support of offshore drilling for fossil fuels.
Taking Action
We are at a turning point in Virginia's energy future. In recognition of this critical time, the environmental community has come together to send a message to Governor McAuliffe. On April 2, there was a statewide rally in 11 different locations throughout Virginia called "Governor McAuliffe: Cut Carbon Now! Do the Right Thing." Coming up on July 23, the environmental community will gather in Richmond for the Energy Justice Rally and March to the Governor's Mansion (see calendar below) to demand a better, clean energy future. There is no time to waste.
These pipelines projects have much in common with each other. They:
- have similar purposes;
- have similar timelines;
- impact similar natural features;
- are affected by the same energy market economics;
- cause the same global warming;
- have the same adverse impacts on frontline communities; and
- will potentially be subject to the same future carbon dioxide and methane emission regulations and the same carbon taxes.
Therefore, Kirk Bowers, pipelines program manager of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, recommends preparing a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to evaluate all the pipeline proposals. Bowers makes this recommendation in his extensive review of Columbia Gas Transmission's WB Xpress project, which impacts Northern Virginia. The WB Xpress project proposes:
- a 6,400 horsepower compressor station in Centreville;
- 2.2 miles of new pipeline in western Fairfax close to elementary schools, Oakton Library, subdivisions, and a park; and
- modifications to an existing Loudoun compressor station.
We cannot allow business as usual to continue. For the WB Xpress Project, Bowers has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which issues permits for these projects, to consider a wider array of issues than usual. To ensure that business as usual does not prevail, please lobby your Virginia General Assembly delegate and senator for a PEIS letter, and write letters to the editor about the rush for natural gas pipelines in Virginia.
Learn more on this issue on the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter website, where you can send a message to Governor McAuliffe.
By
Natalie Pien, Conservation Chair
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My white wood aster in bloom |
Have You Planted Your Virginia Native Plants Yet?
Inspired by a fellow member of the Great Falls Group, who planted a
Virginia native garden, I decided to tackle the invasive Japanese honeysuckle that was taking over my back yard and plant some Virginia native plants.
Once the honeysuckle was gone, I used Plant NoVa Natives'
Native Plants for Northern Virginia guide to select plants that would fit my landscaping needs and the amount of shade in my yard.
According to Plant NoVa Natives, the benefits of Virginia natives include:
- Naturally beautiful! Native plants will add beauty to your garden.
- Low maintenance! Native plants are adapted to local conditions. Planted in the right place, native plants need less water and other care.
- Good for the Earth! Native plants support butterflies, birds, and pollinators.
Other Great Falls Group members have discovered Virginia native plants. Susan Bonney says, "I bought three stonecrops (Sedum ternatum) at the Walker Nature Center native plant sale in April last year, and it is blooming and doing great!" Trish Wotowiec says that her false indigo and native honeysuckle are blooming.
With Plant NoVa Natives' guide and resources, it's easy to make your garden a Virginia native garden. What are you waiting for?
By Linda C. Brown
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Virginia Sierrans Join Rally to End Offshore Drilling
On May 15, m
ore than 1,000 people gathered in front of the White House and marched to the Reflecting Pool to call on the Obama administration to stop offshore drilling. Great Falls Group members joined the crowd.
Speakers at the rally called on President Obama to keep the Arctic and Atlantic oceans out of future offshore drilling programs and to end all new oil and gas leases on the Gulf Coast. They asked him to ensure a just transition to clean energy.
The movement to stop offshore drilling has mobilized millions of Americans across the country. More than 1 million petitions have already been delivered urging the Obama administration to protect our climate, our environment, and our coastal communities by keeping fossil fuels in the ground.
Rally Sponsors
The rally and march were energized by the support of a large number of diverse groups--among them, several from Alaska, the West Coast and the Gulf Coast. Sponsors included 350.org, Alaska Wilderness League, Bold Alliance, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for International Environmental Action, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Climate First! CREDO, Environment America, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Howard County Climate Change, Indigenous Environmental Network, Interfaith Moral Action on Climate, League of Conservation Voters, Natural Resources Defense Council, Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Oil Change International, Pacific Environment, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club, Waterkeeper Alliance, World Wildlife Fund, 350 Central Virginia, 350 Loudoun, Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy, LA Bucket Brigade, Mobile Environmental Justice Action Coalition, Hijra House, REDOIL, Interfaith Power and Light MD.DC.NoVA, and STEPS Coalition.
Speech Highlights
Earl Kingik, an Inupiaq hunter and whaling captain:
"I am a subsistence hunter from Point Hope and have been my whole life.... I am very concerned about how our whales and walrus and seals will react to oil and gas exploration and development in the Arctic Ocean, in our garden. Allowing development there does not respect what our garden provides to us.... I saw what happened when oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico. I know that a spill like that in the Arctic could not be cleaned up. I've traveled to D.C. from the Arctic to share my story and to say loudly: there should be no further lease sales in the Arctic Ocean to protect our garden and our way of life."
Hilton Kelley, Goldman Environmental Prize winner and Executive Director of Community In-power and Development Association:
"From the beaches of southeast Texas to the wetlands of Louisiana and Mississippi, the entire Gulf--including the once vibrant economically sound fishing, crab, and oyster industry--has been devastated by oil spills. Even before the Deepwater Horizon spill, oil rigs in the Gulf spilled and leaked tons of oil into our waters, washing oil upon the shores where kids once built sand castles, played in the surf, and looked for seashells. Now those beaches are empty with only the sights and sounds of waves filled with tar and chemicals crashing on the shore. We must end this cycle and keep the oil where it belongs--in the ground."
Kaydrianne Young, political activist from Miami:
"Once again we are watching as an oil spill in the Gulf threatens our environment and our communities. The Gulf Coast has been treated as a sacrifice zone for this country for long enough. We are here to tell President Obama to champion bold and aggressive climate action for our communities and to protect our land and water. It is time to stop offshore drilling for good!"
By Susan Bonney
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Reston Golf Course: Vital Habitat vs. High Rises
Reston is caught in a classic open space vs. development struggle.
Since 2007, Reston National Golf Course (RNGC) has been a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program Golf Course, and this recreational space has been part of Reston's planned community since its inception. Because RNGC's 166 acres are very close to the Silver Line Metro in Reston, they are coveted by developers, despite a very clear land use designation of permanent recreational open space.
Rescue Reston is the grassroots volunteer organization working to defend RNGC. For a glimpse of this green space, see what Bill Burton, longtime Restonian and member of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia, writes about this "vital habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species." In the April issue of Reston Magazine, Bill takes readers on a virtual walk along Reston Association paths that border and cross the golf course. He starts where the tree canopy is dominated by chestnut oaks; strolls by Links Pond, where a resident counted 66 species of birds over a single year; and ends at old-field habitat with hardwood canopy--one of the rarest habitats in Fairfax County. Read Bill's article, "Reston's Public Golf Course: Good for Wildlife, Too!"
and plan your own tour early some morning.
By Connie Hartke, President, Rescue Reston
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Fairfax County Public Schools Evaluating Solar Power
Members of the operations staff responsible for purchasing electricity for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) have been meeting with a number of solar suppliers. Staff members are gathering information, terms and conditions, and pricing for solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) with an eye to installing solar on a number of schools in the next couple of years. The advantage of PPAs are that the school system, which has limited capital funds, would be paying for the energy in the same way that they currently pay Dominion Virginia Power, by how much they use.
With a PPA, the solar energy provider continues to own and maintain the panels for a specified term and is able to take advantage of the Federal Investment Tax Credit. The schools do not pay taxes, so if they were to purchase the panels, they would not be able to take advantage of the tax credit.
When you see your Fairfax County School Board representative, let him or her know that you support solar on Fairfax County schools. Solar power provides a hedge against increases in the price of electricity, and it is an excellent educational tool. Parents and students in Fairfax County are technically and environmentally sophisticated. They expect their school system to move forward with current technology. And as one of the members of the FCPS evaluation team stated in a recent meeting, solar "is the right thing to do!"
By Susan Stillman
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Linda (2nd from left) joins Great Falls Group members in honoring Virginia Senator Chap Petersen with the Legislative Leader Award. |
In less than a decade, Linda Burchfiel has served as chair, vice-chair, acting secretary, program chair, and political chair of the Great Falls Group (GFG), as well as fracking chair for the state Sierra Club (SC) chapter. Everyone will miss this one-woman environmental commando team when she leaves Virginia for Santa Fe, New Mexico. "But it's almost a given," says former GFG chair Roger Diedrich, "that she'll find new roles to carry on the fight there."
Linda says it was a
Washington Post article on mountaintop removal mining that started her on her mission. "Before that," she says, "I'd just assumed everything was under control, the EPA was making sure the damage was fixed. But I realized it wasn't that way at all, and I looked for a way to solve it."
After checking out several green groups, Linda decided to work with Sierra Club: "I liked how they emphasized grassroots involvement at all levels." Her first action was a trip to Virginia's Wise County to speak at a meeting against a proposed coal plant. "Several coal miners were at the meeting too," she remembers, "and they didn't look too friendly. We could understand why. But our hosts told us women we'd better visit the restroom two at a time!"
Although a member of the GFG, Linda helped the Mount Vernon Group in the struggle to get the old, filthy Mirant coal plant in Alexandria shut down. After years of joint effort, Mirant was closed--her first SC victory.
Linda soon became the GFG's program chair. "Same as now," she says, "we experimented with ways to bring new people in and help them become active." Several members worked to spread the word about energy efficiency, giving talks throughout the county to homeowners' groups. One activist, Rekha Nadkarni, held gatherings in her own home to show neighbors her money-saving measures. "Rekha got practically her whole neighborhood more energy efficient," recalls Linda.
Already a member of the county's Environmental Quality Advisory Committee, Linda rose to GFG vice chair in 2010 and was chair during 2011-13, also serving briefly as secretary. Under Linda's leadership, GFG pushed Fairfax County to institutionalize a responsible environmental ethic.
"Ross Shearer, Roger Diedrich, and I worked with then-Chairman Gerry Connolly on getting the county to enroll in the Cool Counties Initiative, a project developed with the Sierra Club. The idea was to have a strategic plan to cut emissions and do annual inventories of the community's energy use," Linda explains. "We also worked to get the county to adopt a green building code for buildings above a certain size."
But it's proving difficult to get the county to make meaningful changes under Cool Counties. A big push to get a renewable energy demonstration project, with solar, wind, and geothermal power installed in the Lorton Energy Triangle, went nowhere. "It takes a lot of effort from a lot of people from all sides," says Linda, "to make an impact on a huge, slow-moving bureaucracy like Fairfax County. You just have to keep working at it."
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| Linda (behind red hat) at the People's Rally for Climate Justice |
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In 2013 she passed the baton to current GFG chair Norbert Pink--but didn't slow down. During 2014-16 she has been both the GFG political chair and the SC Virginia Chapter fracking chair. As political chair, she's organized phone banks and grilled politicians about their plans for the environment. In her anti-fracking role, she's worked with other SC advocates to try to replace toothless state regulations with stronger ones.
Linda says she'll miss working with Ivy Main and other terrific volunteers and staff in Virginia, and will also miss living near Washington, D.C., where it's easy to testify at hearings in Congress and the EPA. She's been thankful for the chance to take part in some big protests, especially the White House rally against the Keystone Pipeline at which she elected to get arrested. But she's looking forward to living among the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains and would love to share them with others: "Tell people they're always welcome to visit!" she says.
by Peg Hausman
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Just a few hours away from Northern Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is home to part of the Appalachian Trail and many other hikes. The Stony Man trail is a short, pleasant hike and has some of the best vistas in the park. The trailhead is located in the Central District at mile 41.7 on Skyline Drive.
Explore, enjoy, and protect the planet!
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Get Outdoors with the Sierra Club
Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) is a special activities group of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. It organizes hikes and events year-round for the general public on behalf of the Sierra Club's chapter in Washington, D.C., and the Maryland and Virginia Chapters' Washington-suburb groups. Volunteer leaders conduct the events, many of which include conservation, educational, or historical elements. For information about SCPRO and its upcoming events, visit the
SCPRO Events website. To obtain a free calendar subscription, inquire about becoming a SCPRO outings leader, or get answers to other questions, write to
info@sierrapotomac.org.
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Great Falls Group Executive Committee
The monthly meeting of the Great Falls Group (GFG) Executive Committee is open to all Sierra Club members. Contact Norbert Pink for meeting times and location. If you would like to help the group, please volunteer by contacting one of the following leaders or Norbert Pink.
Officers:
Committee Chairs:
Committee Support:
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Calendar of Events
Vegan Potluck Dinner, 7:30 pm
What is a vegan? And what does a vegan eat? Does it taste good?
How does what you eat affect your health and the health of the planet?
Let's start a discussion about this issue and eat some delicious food while doing it.
Location: A GFG member's home in Vienna
Saturday, July 23
March on the Mansion, noon to 3 pm
Richmond
Meet at the Bell Tower on the Capitol grounds (or a nearby park TBD).
We will march to Governor McAuliffe's house with hundreds of pipeline fighters, river lovers, faith leaders, farmers, climate activists, moms and grandfathers. Demand real leadership for: solar panels, not pipelines; clean water, not coal ash; climate justice,not corporate control. Tell Governor McAuliffe that his legacy rests on standing up to big corporations like Dominion and standing with Virginians fighting for a better, brighter future.
SPONSORS: Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Potomac Riverkeeper Network, and others.
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