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Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

* June 26 Monthly Meeting – Change of Location and Time for a Very Special Event

Posted in Beyond Coal, Beyond Oil, Charlotte, Climate Crisis, Conservation, Duke Energy, Events, Mecklenburg, Meetings, Sierra Club, Take Action on May 10, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

No Rate Hike For Dirty Energy Photos

Over 1,500 NC photo petitions to Duke Energy

Our regularly scheduled meeting for June 26 (the 4th Wednesday of the month) will be held in the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, Courtroom 5310, located at 832 East 4th Street, Charlotte, NC beginning at 6:00 PM (pre-hearing activities at 5:00 PM).

Why you ask? That’s because the North Carolina Utilities Commission has selected Charlotte as a Public Hearing location for the proposed Duke Energy rate hike! We need you, your friends and neighbors, small business owners that you know, members of your house of worship, and others to speak out at the public hearing – No Rate Hikes for Dirty Energy!

  • Duke Energy is requesting a rate hike to pay for their outdated business plan that relies on dirty energy and little NC investment in energy efficiency. In fact, they are requesting a rate schedule that would actually penalize energy efficiency and conservation measures with higher rates.
  • Duke Energy’s third rate hike since 2009 would boost average residential rates by 13.9% while rates for many large corporations would drop by up to 4%
  • With monopoly control over its customers, Duke is seeking a guaranteed profit of 11.25% – a return that far exceeds market levels.
  • Despite their greenwashing, Duke is now the world’s second largest power corporation and greenhouse gas emitter. They are the Number 1 Dirty Energy electric utility in the U.S. and are responsible for some of the dirtiest air in the country and causing thousands of asthma attacks, heart attacks and deaths in our state.  In North Carolina, we already pay the hidden cost of coal with our health and our environment. We want NC to be more energy efficient and powered by local wind & solar that will employ thousands of North Carolinians

Make plans to arrive early for the peaceful rally, press conference, free pizza, and to sign up to speak. These pre-hearing activities will start at 5:00 PM. Check back for additional information and materials.

See you and hundreds of other concerned ratepayers on June 26th at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, Courtroom 5310, located at 832 East 4th Street, Charlotte, NC.

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* Communities and the Cost of Coal, May 7

Posted in Beyond Coal, Climate Crisis, Events, Take Action on May 3, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Mark your calendar and come out and learn about “Communities and the Cost of Coal”. Do you know how green your bank is? I’ll bet you’ll be surprised. See more below.

RAN Coal May 2013

For more information on this issue, see:

Extreme Investments: U.S. Banks and the Coal Industry

RAN, Sierra Club, and BankTrack’s 2013 Coal Finance Report Card

In this fourth annual Coal Report Card, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club, and BankTrack evaluated the largest U.S. banks based on their financing of coal, which is the largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

In spite of the human and environmental costs of coal as well as the growing financial risks associated with investments in the coal industry, U.S. banks financed a combined $20.8 billion for the worst-of-the-worst companies in the coal industry in 2012. Bank of America, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase had the most exposure to coal among U.S. banks in 2012, financing $3.03 billion, $2.75 billion, and $2.17 billion respectively in loan and underwriting transactions with companies that engage in mountaintop removal coal mining or electrical utilities that are expanding or extending the lives of their coal-fired power plant fleets.

This year’s report card highlights additional risks associated with companies that transport coal or are involved with coal export terminals. We also include case studies on the most risk coal investments banks are exposed to, including Patriot Coal, which declared bankruptcy in 2012 and began to phase out its MTR mining operations, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, which recently announced controversial plans to extend the life of a coal plant.

With few exceptions, bank lending and financing policies for the coal sector for this year’s report card received disappointingly low grades. Although Wells Fargo improved to a “C” for taking steps to improve its mountaintop removal mining lending practices and HSBC North America received a “C-“ for policies covering its lending to coal-fired power, grades for the rest of the U.S. banking sector showed almost no improvement from last year.

2013 Coal Finance Report Card Policy Grades:

 

2013 Mountaintop Removal Grade 2013 Coal-Fired Power Plant Grade
Bank of America C- D
BNY Mellon F F
Citigroup C- D
Goldman Sachs D D
HSBC North America D+ C-
JPMorgan Chase D+ D
Morgan Stanley C- D
PNC Financial C- F
US Bank D D
Wells Fargo C D

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* Sign Up to Shape a Sustainable Charlotte

Posted in Charlotte, Climate Crisis, Events, Mecklenburg, Sustainability, Take Action, Volunteer on May 3, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Sign up to be one of 400 folks to help develop a sustainable model for Charlotte’s future!

Reality Check 2050

Reality Check 2050 Registration

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* Sierra Club Calls Out Duke for Dirty Energy

Posted in Beyond Coal, Beyond Oil, Climate Crisis, Coal, Conservation, Duke Energy, Events, Nuclear, Sierra Club, Take Action on May 3, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Duke AGM 2

Hey Team!
It was an awesome  day in our effort to move Duke beyond coal.  A diverse coalition of groups– including AARP, Greenpeace, NC Housing Coalition, Sierra Club and more– came together this morning at the annual shareholder’s meeting.
We held a press conference in the morning and greeted shareholders with a photo petitions wall of 1,500 Duke customers calling for affordable rates for clean energy solutions.   About 60 people stayed outside during the meeting for a demonstration and teach in about coal, clean energy, and organizing opportunities.
Some 30 people went inside the shareholder’s meeting.  CEO Jim Rogers gave a presentation that was a small part about their financials and state of the company, and a large part about Duke’s investments in clean energy and expectations of being a leader on climate.  He then fielded questions– he took about 15 from the crowd and all but one were from our people.  We asked about the risk of coal, the opportunity in energy efficiency, offshore wind, solar, rate increased and more.  Then he cut the questions off and ended the meeting.  Jim Rogers is really, really slick.  He says almost all of the right things.  There are many things to digest, but here are a few of my take-aways:
- Duke does not support repeal the NC REPS.  The first question was a guy affiliated with ALEC who asked Mr. Rogers to stand up against liberal extremists. And the CEO responded that this is a good, reasonable policy.  He later clarified to the media that he does not support repealing the bill.
- He thinks solar will eventually outpace wind and wants to do utility scale solar in NC.  Gave some comments about being “blocked” by the commission from having their renewable arm operate in the state.
- expects to be in front of the utilities commission this year on net metering and rooftop solar
– reiterates that there is “no wind resource” in NC; anticipates offshore wind development will be 10 years out.
– offered to meet with environmentalists to have a longer conversation
I was inspired by all of the hard work that went into this, the guts that people had to stand up and speak truth to power, and by the movement that we are growing every day.
Thanks to all of you for your awesome work!
Kelly Martin

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* Send Jim Rogers an Email Today!

Posted in Beyond Coal, Beyond Oil, Charlotte, Climate Crisis, Duke Energy, Events, Sierra Club, Take Action on May 1, 2013 | 1 Comment »

Hope to see you at the Duke Energy Shareholder meeting tomorrow!

Until then, let’s send Jim Rogers a loud message that we want a new energy direction for North Carolina!

Thanks for your support!

Sierra Club - Explore, enjoy and protect the planet

Dear Friends,

Tell Duke Energy to move beyond coal to clean energy

Progress Energy's Asheville Coal Plant
Take Action

On this Thursday, May 2, Duke Energy will convene its annual meeting of shareholders. As the country’s largest utility, the choices they make affect our climate, our air, and our water — and they need to hear from you.

Tell Duke that North Carolina’s future is with clean energy.

At their shareholder meeting, they will discuss our energy future and where they will invest in the coming year. By standing up as a customer, you can demand more clean, renewable energy and point out the risks of fossil fuels.

Duke’s shareholders will be discussing how they can continue to be profitable, and we have a powerful message for them: fossil fuels are a risky investment.

The only sustainable business plan is one that invests in a clean energy future. Duke must move faster in bringing more clean energy and retiring coal to make sure North Carolina stays competitive.

Stand up for the future, for the air and water, and for the climate. Tell Duke to move beyond coal and invest in clean, renewable energy.

By signing our letter, your voice will be heard in the shareholder meeting. With your help we can let Duke know that the only business plan that will profit in the long term is a plan for a clean energy future.

Thanks for everything you do to protect the environment,

Emma Greenbaum
Beyond Coal Campaign
Sierra Club

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P.S. After you take action, be sure to forward this alert to your friends and colleagues!

P.P.S. Can you make it to the shareholder meeting in Charlotte? We’ll be gathered outside the meeting standing up for clean energy. RSVP here if you can make it.

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* Duke Shareholder Meeting Rally – May 2 – Join Us!

Posted in Beyond Coal, Beyond Oil, Charlotte, Climate Crisis, Duke Energy, Events, Fracking, Mecklenburg, Nuclear, Sierra Club, Take Action on April 28, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

 

Sierra CLub Rally Protest

Duke Energy plans to continue their dirty and risky business plan at the expense of our pocketbooks, our health, our air, water, and land, and our future. We need to send a strong message to Jim Rogers, the Duke Board of Directors, major shareholders, financial analysts, the North Carolina Utility Commission, and  our local and state elected officials, and Duke ratepayers across the state that “Cleaner is Cheaper” and “Don’t raise our rates for Dirty Energy“.

Join us for a peaceful rally, press conference and teach-in this Thursday, May 2, from 8:30 until 1:30 at 526 S. Church Street Charlotte, NC 28202, the old Duke Energy headquarters. Wear your Sierra Club hat, t-shirt or wear your Sierra Club button. Bring your signs, posters, banners. Bring a carpool of friends and be a part of this movement for a cleaner energy future for North Carolina.

The Climate Clock is Ticking and Our Planet Needs Your Voice!

Duke: Hear Ratepayers’ Voices & Don’t Raise Rates for Dirty Energy

 Ratepayers from across Duke Energy’s six state service area will convene at the company’s Annual Shareholder Meeting on Thursday, May 2nd to call for Duke to change their business model and protect our planet.

Activists will present a 9’ x 16’ wall displaying hundreds of photos, each one of a ratepayer communicating their disagreement with Duke Energy’s decisions to raise rates for the third time since 2009 and their continued investments in dirty, dangerous, and climate-wrecking energy sources and power plants that we don’t need.

As Duke holds its private meeting behind closed doors, we will host our own teach-ins outside to share our concerns about Duke Energy’s business model. We’ll send Duke Energy a strong message that the time for serial rate hikes that are rigged against residential and small business customers is over! Pollution of our health, air, water, and lands must end with a new focus on clean renewable energy and energy efficiency. Join a broad coalition of rate payers calling for change!

 

WHAT:                Rally, Press Conference, and Ratepayers’ Stakeholder Meeting (community teach-in)

Where:               526 S. Church Street Charlotte, NC 28202 (old Duke Energy headquarters)

WHEN:

8:30                       Arrival for Rally

9:00 – 9:30         Rally outside Duke Shareholder Meeting (526 S Church St, Charlotte)

9:30 – 9:45         Press conference

10:00 – 10:30   State of the States (5 minute reports from representatives from NC, SC, OH, IN, FL, KY)

10:30 – 11:00   Break Out 1: Dirty Energy (Coal, Nuclear, Natural Gas)

11:00 – 11:30   Break Out 2: Clean Energy (Wind, Solar and Energy Efficiency)

11:30 – 12:00   Break Out 3: Organizing Opportunities (Rate Hikes, Legislative battles/ALEC, Expanding competition for energy efficiency and renewables)

12:00 – 12:30   Reportbacks from group break outs

12:30 – 1:00      Reportbacks from folks that spoke inside the Duke Shareholder Meeting

1:30                       Lunch on your own

Make plans to be here!

Bring your signs, posters, banners, and a friend!

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* Hats Off to Parks, May 10th – Support Our Parks

Posted in Conservation, Events, Sierra Club, Sustainability on April 21, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Mark your calendar and register for this annual fundraiser for our parks! The Sierra Club Central Piedmont Group is a proud supporter.

May 10th: Hats Off to Parks

Location:  Freedom Park

Time:  11:30AM—1PM

The funds raised will help us and partners like you build a very special playground in memory of the youth and teachers lost in Newtown Connecticut tragedy.  More details

June 14th & 15th Romare Bearden Grand Opening Weekend

Location: Romare Bearden Park
Time:  All Weekend

Hats Off to Parks 2013

Newtown CT Memorial Playground

Each year Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and the Partners for Parks Foundation hold the Hats Off to Parks event.  The event is held to raise funds for special park projects that could not be completed otherwise. In the past 2 years proceeds from the event have given us the opportunity to build a playground in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood and have gone towards helping us open up access to the Clarks Creek Nature Preserve.

This year the event will be held on May 10th at Freedom Park (11:30AM – 1PM).  The funds raised will help us build another very special playground. We are going to build a playground in memory of the youth and teachers lost in Newtown Connecticut tragedy. This playground will be designed by children from our community and built by volunteers.
We need your help! The Hats Off to Parks funds are raised through sponsorships, ticket sales and our Silent Auction. The event is a luncheon held at Freedom Park. It’s themed as an Old Fashion Garden Party with the women in Dresses and Hats and some men have been known to wear their seersucker suits…and of course their hats. There is great food, music and lots of FUN supporting a wonderful cause. Please help us by supporting the 2013 Hats Off to Parks. Donations will be accepted by the Partners for Parks Foundation; a 501 C 3 organization.  You can go to partnersforparks.org/events to make your donation. For additional  information about Sponsorship Opportunities please contact Lori Saylor at  Lori.Saylor@mecklenburgcountync.gov..

Thank you to our sponsors

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* Green Fire Comes to TV This Week

Posted in Climate Crisis, Conservation, Events, Sustainability on April 21, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Sierra Club had several showings of this great documentary. It is fantastic! If you missed it or want to see it again, here’s your chance.

Green Fire will air in North Carolina starting on April 20th.

Statewide        UNCTV-MX      Saturday          4/20/2013       19:00:00

Charlotte         WTVI               Sunday             4/21/2013       13:00:00

Statewide        UNCTV             Monday           4/22/2013       4:00:00

Statewide        UNCTV-EX       Monday           4/22/2013       21:30:00

Statewide        UNCTV-MX      Friday              4/26/2013       6:30:00

Statewide        UNCTV-EX       Saturday          4/27/2013       9:00:00

Statewide        UNCTV-EX   Saturday          4/27/2013        17:00:00

Green Fire 2

New Documentary Film Connects Leopold to Modern Conservation Efforts

April 15, 2013 (Baraboo, Wis.) —Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time will make its national public television debut on stations all over the country for Earth Day 2013. Major cities showing the film include Charlotte, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., New Orleans, and Houston. Currently the film is scheduled to air on stations in over 40 states, with more being added daily. In 2012, Wisconsin Public Television began broadcasting the one-hour program statewide. A slightly longer version has screened in theaters and at over 2,000 community venues since the film’s premiere in February of 2011.

Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time was honored with an Emmy® award for Best Historical Documentary at the 54th annual Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in November 2012.

Green Fire is the first feature-length documentary about the great conservationist Aldo Leopold (1887-1948). He is the father of the national wilderness system, and a key figure in developing the fields of wildlife management, restoration ecology and sustainable agriculture.

The film was produced by the Aldo Leopold Foundation, the U.S. Forest Service and the Center for Humans and Nature.

“Aldo Leopold’s legacy lives on today in the work of people and organizations across the nation and around the world,” said Aldo Leopold Foundation Executive Director Buddy Huffaker. “What is exciting about Green Fire is that it is more than just a documentary about Aldo Leopold; it also explores the influence his ideas have had in shaping the conservation movement as we know it today by highlighting some really inspiring people and organizations doing great work to connect people and the natural world in ways that even Leopold might not have imagined.”

 

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* Make Your Voice Heard: Duke Energy Shareholder Meeting, May 2, 9:00 am

Posted in Beyond Coal, Beyond Oil, Charlotte, Climate Crisis, Duke Energy, Events, Mecklenburg, Sierra Club, Take Action, Volunteer on April 20, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

Ratepayers from across Duke Energy’s six state service area will convene at the company’s Annual Shareholder Meeting on Thursday, May 2nd to call for Duke to change their business model and protect our planet.

Activists will present a 9’ x 16’ wall displaying hundreds of photos, each one of a ratepayer communicating their disagreement with Duke Energy’s decisions to raise rates for the third time since 2009 and their continued investments in dirty, dangerous, and climate-wrecking energy sources and power plants that we don’t need.

As Duke holds its private meeting behind closed doors, we will host our own teach-ins outside to share our concerns about Duke Energy’s business model. We’ll send Duke Energy a strong message that the time for serial rate hikes that are rigged against residential and small business customers is over! Pollution of our health, air, water, and lands must end with a new focus on clean renewable energy and energy efficiency. Join a broad coalition of rate payers calling for change!

Join Us and Make Your Voice Heard!

Click below to download and share the flyer

Duke Shareholder Meeting 2013 SC Flyer

Duke Shareholder Meeting Flyer SC CPG

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* Climate Convergence on Raleigh April 20-21

Posted in Beyond Coal, Climate Crisis, Conservation, Duke Energy, Events, Take Action on April 15, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

CCR 2013

 

The following is a message from the Climate Convergence on Raleigh Organizing Team:

Friends–!

Climate Convergence on Raleigh (CCR) is quickly approaching, this weekend, April 20-21!!! Please help spread the word with your friends and networks!!!

I am excited the weekend will be a mixture of education, inspiration, and a call to action! From our lectures and panel discussions on climate change, reducing our use of fossil fuels, making the critical shift to renewables, growing food in a new climate, and climate ethics, we’ll also have inspiring poetry, prayer, song, and a spirited climate convergence speak out with many local leaders from organizations across North Carolina.

Several local rallies and events will precede the Climate Convergence on Raleigh in Sylva, Boone, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro to help energize and recruit more participants, and to inform local government officials, the press, and the public about the urgency of climate change. Bicyclists will be leaving from Boone on April 18th and hooking up with the rallies in Winston-Salem and Greensboro on April 18 and 19.

Raleigh activities take place at Church of the Good Shepherd on Saturday from 10 am – 9 pm in Shepherd Hall (on the third floor of the Parish Life Center next to the sanctuary) and again Sunday morning from 9 am – 11:45 am in the Soup Kitchen on the ground floor (look for signs and enter from Morgan Street).  The rally on Sunday takes place on Halifax Mall from 1:30 to 3:15 pm, then we will march around the legislative building using the sidewalks as we call on the legislators and governor to take action now on the urgency of climate change. We will return to the mall around 4 pm and end with an Earthwalk teaching circle.

I’m excited to share the completed program with you that includes a great line up of speakers and the logo that was designed for us by V. Cullum Rogers. You’ll find a PDF attachment below.

One of the principal demands of the statewide action is that the NC General Assembly pass House Bill 401/S362, the Efficient and Affordable Energy Rates Bill.  You can find the list of other demands below.

This is the first year of CCR. Help us kick off the first year in a big way!!  Please share the announcement with others and help spread the word!!! We’re building a people movement in NC!!!!

Harvard

CCR 2013 Program

CCR 2013 Brochure

CCR 2013 Platform

 

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