| Dear Robert, It's time for us to go on the offensive against the climate skeptics and cynics in Virginia! The People's Climate March in NYC was a clarion call to our nation and to the world to act. We must now bring that call to action to Virginia. And act we did! Last week over 1,000 of us sent a message to the staff of the State Corporation Commission that we did not appreciate that this supposedly unbiased regulatory agency would play politics with the climate change issue. As a result of that pressure, we got a meeting with the SCC staff this past week. Unfortunately, that meeting did not go well. It was clear that the SCC does not understand or appreciate the critical need to address climate change. It is clear that they favor running 50 year-old coal plants indefinitely and firing up new gas plants over any other means of generating electricity. Most disappointingly, they don't even understand how investments in efficiency, wind and solar can save us all money. If the SCC is bad, the Virginia General Assembly is worse, controlled by climate skeptics or climate cynics scared to death of their climate change denying Tea Party base. On Wed, Nov 19, two of those legislators and climate action obstructionists, Senator John Watkins and Delegate Terry Kilgore, are holding a special legislative meeting in Richmond to attack the EPA's Clean Power Plan. We need you there! If you can, please come to Richmond on Wednesday, Nov 19 to fight for climate action; for climate justice. Click here to learn more, or read on for details provided below. Sincerely, 
Glen Besa, Director
Virginia Chapter Sierra Club 
IN THIS ISSUE: Calling all Climate and Clean Energy Action Heroes (That's You!) New Book, Virginia Climate Fever, Turns up the Heat on Climate Skeptics Pipeline Blues! Virginia under Siege! Register Today for Advocacy Bootcamp Be a Citizen Lobbyist — Join Lobby Corps! 2014 Virginia Chapter Sierra Club Awards MAKE THIS VIDEO GO VIRAL! Recent Clean Energy LTEs _____________________________ Calling all Climate and Clean Energy Action Heroes (That's You!)  Save-the-Date: Wednesday, Nov. 19
On Wednesday, November 19 you may want to take the day off and come to Richmond. On that day, at 10 AM in House Room D of the General Assembly Building (201 N. 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219) two of the legislators out to kill the EPA's Clean Power Plan plan to hold a one sided hearing attacking this critical climate rule. We don't expect to be allowed to speak but we plan to give Senator Watkins and Delegate Kilgore an earful by filling the room. But that's up to you. _____________________________ New book, Virginia Climate Fever, Turns up the Heat on Climate Skeptics 
Here is another holiday gift idea-either as a gift to a friend or for yourself. Steve Nash's new book, Virginia Climate Fever, could be a game changer in the fight over climate change in Virginia. Using modeling by prominent climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, Nash is able to take climate modeling down to the county or city where you live and predict just how hot future summers may be. Ask for the book at your local book store or order it online.
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Pipeline Blues! Virginia under Siege! There are no less than three major pipelines proposed to run through Virginia from the fracked gas wastelands of WV, PA and OH to new users anxious to burn cheap but dirty natural gas,
Yes, the wall to wall TV ads would have you believe that gas is a clean fuel, but that is bunk! If gas were "clean," Dominion would not be proposing to increase its carbon pollution by up to 37% solely related to increased use of gas in generating our electricity--not counting the methane that escapes from the fracked wells and the pipelines. ___________________________ Register Today for 2-day Advocacy Bootcamp! Want to have a bigger say in how Virginia is governed? Join us for a two-day training on the ins-and-outs of the legislative process, and become more comfortable with both the policy and rhetoric of lobbying. This class is perfect for anyone who wants to put some spring in their step this year at Conservation Lobby Day, has a strong interest in Virginia politics or who is considering joining the Citizen Lobbyist Program. This event is free for Sierra Club members. WHO: hosted by the Virginia Civic Engagement Table (VCET), a coalition of progressive issue advocacy organizations, including the Sierra Club WHAT: Talking to Elected Officials: A two-day class on how you can impact Virginia Policy as a Citizen Lobbyist WHEN: Sunday, November 16th from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM & Saturday, December 6th from 10:00 AM to 4:30, followed by a Graduation Reception WHERE: Downtown Richmond, VA RSVP: http://bit.ly/ZxrhNK This event will include a guided tour of the General Assembly Building, a panel with both experienced lobbyists and Virginia legislators, a primer on both the legislative and the budget process, as well as a workshop on how to have successful conversations with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The Virginia Legislative Session starts on January 14 this year-- arm yourself with the confidence and tactics you'll need to be an effective advocate by attending this class. ___________________________ Be a Citizen Lobbyist — Join Lobby Corps!  Did you know that this year your legislators will only spend 45 days in Richmond deciding how Virginia laws are changed? That's right! The best time and place to talk to your elected officials about environmental policy is right where you are: in the district where you and your legislator both live.
Join the Club's team of citizen lobbyists. We advocate for the environment without the long trips to Virginia’s Capitol. We meet our elected officials in the districts we call home. For forty-five days this year, your legislator’s ears are ringing with the cacophony of voices in Richmond. Talk to them before they leave the peace and quiet of home, on any one of the remaining 320 days of the year. Lobby Corps. Reminding legislators to vote for the environment where it really matters: in their own backyard. ___________________________ Recent Clean Energy LTEs We must act on climate change now Richmond Times-Dispatch Ivy Main, McLean A moral imperative Virginian Pilot Ed Marroni, Norfolk A drought of climate change data The Washington Post Seth Heald, Alexandria A misguided rush toward climate engineering The Washington Post Christopher Miller, Arlington Fossil fuel's effects Virginian Pilot Tom Ellis, Hampton Biomass causes problematic emissions too The Washington Post Richard Ball, Annandale We need to stop global warming now Richmond Times-Dispatch George Henry Smith, Richmond | IN THIS ISSUE: Calling all Climate and Clean Energy Action Heroes (That's You!) New Book, Virginia Climate Fever, Turns up the Heat on Climate Skeptics Pipeline Blues! Virginia under Siege! Register Today for Advocacy Bootcamp Be a Citizen Lobbyist — Join Lobby Corps 2014 Virginia Chapter Sierra Club Awards MAKE THIS VIDEO GO VIRAL! Recent Clean Energy LTEs 
Click here to "Like" the VA Chapter. 
NEW MEMBER SPECIAL!!!  $15 Membership Special – New Members Only! Click here to join TODAY!
Ready to get to work on our Virginia Clean Energy Team? Click here to be guided to our volunteer form. Thanks! ________________________ 
With your gift, you can advance solutions to protect our ocean, lakes and bays, our forests and the natural legacy throughout Virginia. Best of all, 100% of your donation stays in Virginia and supports our work right here in the Commonwealth. Click here to donate today. MAKE THIS VIDEO GO VIRAL! 
Check out this terrific song from Virginia's own Robin & Linda Williams. "We Don't Want Your Pipeline" we all sing to Dominion. Click here to view and share widely! Let's make it viral! 2014 Virginia Chapter Sierra Club Awards  The Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club is pleased to announce our 2014 awards to volunteers who made outstanding contributions to the club over the past year.
In reality, many hundreds of our members deserve awards for the work all of you do on behalf of Virginia's environment, and the world's. Our volunteers step up all the time: to attend rallies, give testimony, write letters, and most recently, to serve as bus captains for the People's Climate Rally, and to attend and make their voices heard. We cannot give awards to everyone, but please accept our thanks. Awards were presented at our annual Gathering last weekend. Honorees who were not in attendance will receive their awards at Group excom meetings or local events. 2012 and 2013 award-winners were not considered for awards this year, which explains why some obvious names are missing here.
2014 awards: John Cruikshank
In recognition of: His dedicated service during his years as Chapter Chair Ann Moore
In recognition of: Her outstanding service as Secretary Bill Penniman
In recognition of: His exceptional leadership as Conservation Chair Susan Stillman
In recognition of: Her exceptional leadership of the Legislative Committee Barbara Williamson
In recognition of: Her outstanding service to the people of Southwest Virginia Dick Ball
In recognition of: His outstanding leadership on energy issues Tim Stevens
In recognition of: His outstanding service as Treasurer Joe Cook, Chesapeake Bay Group
In recognition of: His outstanding leadership of the Coal Dust Campaign Norbert Pink, Great Falls Group
In recognition of: His outstanding work on volunteer engagement Paula Chow, Rappahannock Group
In recognition of: Her outstanding contributions to the Rappahannock Group John Zeugner, Falls of the James Group
In recognition of: His outstanding service to the Falls of the James Group Kirk Bowers, Piedmont Group
In recognition of: His outstanding leadership on transportation and natural gas pipeline issues Susan Bonney, Great Falls Group
In recognition of: Her exceptional grassroots leadership on climate change Christine Llewellyn, York River Group
In recognition of: Her outstanding leadership on climate change Linda Stevens, Great Falls Group
In recognition of: Her outstanding service to the Great Falls Group |
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