September 2020 Great Falls Group Cascade |
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As people across the country protest in defense of Black lives, the Sierra Club recognizes the need to dismantle systemic racism in the United States and within our own organization. We must reckon with how white supremacy -- both past and present -- has shaped our institutions and do the critical anti-racism work necessary to repair the harm done. The environmental movement does not exist in a vacuum, and it is our responsibility to use our power to help abolish systemic racism which is destroying lives, communities, and the planet. -- from Sierra Club Virginia Chapter |
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Significant Events Calendar
Sept 9 - 2020 Sierra Club Awards Celebration
Thru Sept. 13 - Online Survey for CECAP
Sept 15 - Livable Public Play Spaces that Integrate Natural Systems Webinar
Sept 17 - Transforming Our Cities: Imagining a Future of Equity and Sustainabilty Webinar
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The Fairfax County Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) work continued. The Task Force and Focus Groups held a virtual electronic meeting of both groups on July 29, 2020. It provided a good forum to discuss and determine the myriad decisions needed to be made on the goals and other critical issues for the CECAP.
On August 27 and September 1 and 2, 2020, there will be three public meetings with an online survey open from August 27 through September 13. The survey is available at the same link.
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Sierra Club members should participate in the meeting of their choice (you only need to attend one) and respond to the survey.
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2020 National Awards Celebration |
WHEN: Wed., Sep 9, 2020; 7pm
DESCRIPTION:This year’s awards presentation will recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment. Join us and be inspired by the incredible individuals and groups who are affecting change around the country and across the world.
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Time to Update the Energy Provisions in Virginia’s Building Code
This year, the Virginia Sierra Club is committing to a major effort to update the energy aspects of building codes. What gives us this opportunity is that the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development is considering adopting key parts of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, particularly for building single and multifamily houses. People and communities need construction rules that both are efficient and look ahead to future needs. This protects the environment -- and it saves money! We also submitted specific proposals to update the energy-related provisions of the building code primarily for residential dwellings.
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Piedmont Environmental Council Receives Governor's Award
Congratulations to the Piedmont Environmental Council for receiving a Governor's environmental excellence award! Great work PEC! Partners worked together for over 20 years to preserve 326 acres at Gilberts Corner in Loudoun County to serve the community through a farm, which donates food and promotes better management practices to improve water quality through its educational programs.
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Clean Energy Virginia: New advantages for clean energy businesses
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New laws, including the Virginia Clean Economy Act, are creating advantages for clean energy businesses looking to locate in Virginia. This five-part webinar series covers a variety of opportunities for entrepeneurs that have sustainable goals for their day-to-day business operations.
Now you can view the slide presentations and videos from each webinar.
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Power for the People Virginia |
Recent posts from Ivy Main's blog on energy-related matters in Virginia
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Ivy Main, Conservation Co-Chair &
Renewable Energy Chair
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Voter Turnout Drive
Sierra Independent Action is running a massive voter contact program focusing on the battleground states of Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Through its vast network, the Sierra Club has identified 1.3 million voters in those states who care about the environment, but who are either undecided or vote infrequently. The Sierra Club needs your help to get these voters motivated! Find out how you can reach voters by writing letters, making phone calls, or sending text messages.
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Absentee Voting
Victoria Higgins, Field Manager for the Virginia Conservation Network, points out that the deadline to request an absentee ballot for the November 3 general election is 5pm on Friday, October 23. You can visit the Board of Elections website now to apply to vote by mail. It takes almost no time at all. Go to https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/Lookup/absentee
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Proposed Ski Slope in South County Needs Public Input |
An unsoliticed proposal has been submitted to Fairfax County for an indoor ski facility, luxury hotel, retail, and several outdoor recreation facilities to be built on government-owned property at the I-95 Landfill Complex site in Lorton, VA. This brings with it environmental, health, and equity considerations. Because the facility requires re-zoning, the Board of Supervisors must vote on it.
Before the proposal proceeds any further, we need public comment to evaluate the project and how it fits into our larger vision for this area of South County.
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Would you like to get involved with this project?
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Ski dome rendering for SnowWorld, Milan, Italy Designed by J+S Architecture and Engineering
Please read about the proposal and give your input to Ana Prados.
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Calls to AG Herring to Stop the MVP
As we celebrate the cancellation of the Atlantic Coastal Pipeline (ACP), we realize that there is still work to do. The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), a 303-mile high-pressure fracked gas pipeline which will cut through waterways, mountains and indigenous lands, has not been stopped.
The Great Falls Group sent an email to its members and supporters asking them to contact Attorney General Mark Herring. We asked AG Herring to do his job and stop the MVP, which has been cited for numerous violations of the Clean Water Act. In total, over 150 calls were made asking AG Herring to protect Virginia's waters by stopping the MVP.
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MVP Southgate Water Permit Denied by NC DEQ! |
August 11th brought welcome news as North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality denied the water permit needed for the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s "Southgate” extension. Impacted community members and a coalition of organizations worked together to bring attention to the harmful impacts the project would bring to North Carolina’s Alamance and Rockingham Counties.
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Letters to the Editor Writers Wanted
Letters to the editor (LTEs) raise public awareness on issues. Often the editorial page, with its LTEs, is the most read section of the paper. Elected officials ask their staff to read LTEs to learn what issues are important to their constituents. Learn more on writing LTEs.
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Checking and Updating Your Sierra Club Contact and Membership Information
Are you not getting your Sierra Club communications -- or maybe you're getting too much? Or do you just want to see if your membership information is correct? Go to My Account on the Sierra Club National website to address these issues and, if needed, update your info.
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Volunteer Opportunities to Directly Help the Environment
Do you want to learn something new and interesting that will directly help the environment? If so, this is an opportunity for you. You can set your own hours, work at home, enjoy rewarding working relationships, get hands on training and see Virginia. All you need is a fairly good computer and computer skills to review aerial photos.
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Are you interested in more opportunities like this to help the environment?
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The Great Falls Group Needs Your Assistance in Reorganizing
The Sierra Club Great Falls Group is exploring reorganizing and renaming itself. What this means for you is that there are opportunities for you to get involved, use your skills, and make your voice heard in your local and regional area. We need your help and ideas on how to accomplish this. This can be a fun activity and a way to get to know your Sierra Club community members. We are still ramping up this activity.
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Are you interested in getting involved with the reorg?
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COVID-19
The COVID-19 crisis has not passed and continues to disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people and other communities of color. The pandemic has revealed how the communities hardest hit are often the same communities that suffer from high levels of pollution and poor access to healthcare. The fight for environmental justice cannot be separated from the fight for racial justice. -- from Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
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Ways to Stay in Touch with GFG |
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Send comments or questions to the editor.
Thank you!
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