The PCL Insider: News From The Capitol
Don't forget that the annual PCL-PCLF Symposium
will be held on Saturday, April 14th, in Sacramento. It's one of
hundreds of "Step It
Up" events being held nationally. There's still time to
register – but please do it today!
PERSONAL CHANGE, NATIONAL PRESSURE: PCL LEADERS SAY
"STEP IT UP" AT UPCOMING SYMPOSIUM
PCL Board President and former California Attorney General
John Van de Kamp along with PCL Foundation Board President and
acclaimed environmental leader Dave Hirsch send this special
message:
Dear Friends:
The 2007 Environmental Legislative Symposium is one of over
1,200 "Step It Up"
events being held throughout the nation on Saturday, April 14th.
The idea is to galvanize the public to take real action on
global warming.
Last year, our Symposium was titled "A Climate of Change,"
referring not only to global warming, but to the need to change
our governmental priorities and policies. The challenge of
global warming is truly testing us, testing our society, and
testing our governmental institutions. Our response to the
challenges we face must be sure, certain and decisive:
- We need to change the way we use and produce energy.
- We need to change the way we use and deliver water.
- We need to move to a different transportation future.
- We need to stop the air and water pollution that is putting
the public health at risk.
- We need fundamental land use reform.
The passage of AB 32, "The Global Warming Solutions Act of
2006," demonstrates that Californians are willing to "Step It
Up," and to take on the challenge of global warming. But AB 32
is just a promise to make the changes we need to make. Now, we
need actually to make them! Join us to learn "How
To..." win the environmental battles that test this
generation.
John Van de Kamp
President, PCL Board of Directors
David Hirsch
President, PCLF Board of
Trustees
Last year's Symposium was historic; over three hundred of
California's environmental leaders, from State Senators and
former Congressional Representatives to grassroots community
campaigners and local environmental justice advocates, came
together to identify the full range of policy changes necessary
to ensure a healthy environment for California.
This year we're aiming even higher.
We've joined with over one thousand groups in all fifty
states for a "virtual"
march on Capitol Hill as part of Step It Up 2007, a National
Day of Climate Action demanding strong federal legislation to
tackle our growing climate crisis.
As our contribution to the cause, we've drafted a Step It Up
declaration for everyone at the Symposium to sign. At lunch,
we'll present the declaration to California Congressman Jerry McNerney to take back
with him to Washington D.C. McNerney is a wind energy economist
and was recently appointed to Nancy Pelosi's House Select
Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
We're also helping to create change where it matters
most, in our own personal lives and in the local decisions
that shape our communities.
At this year's Symposium we'll provide you with the tools you
need to make the promise of AB 32 a reality at home and
throughout your sphere of influence.
Join environmental activists and leaders from all over
California on April 14th as we Step It Up in Sacramento!
IF IT'S RECESS WHY IS EVERYONE WORKING SO HARD? SUITS ON
HANGERS NO INDICATION OF SLOW DOWN IN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY
WORLD
This week the California Legislature has abandoned the
classrooms of the Capitol for a "recess" back in their home
districts. If it's "recess," why are we working so hard?
Here in "the Big Tomato" (cited recently as one of the five
"most livable" regions in America and as America's most
integrated city), environmental advocates are burning the
midnight oil in preparation for a whirlwind of legislative and
budget hearings in the weeks ahead.
While our business suits are on hangers on the back of our
office doors, PCL staffers are working even faster and more
furiously than usual!
Here are a few of the top priority bills that we're
following:
SB 974 (Lowenthal) - The "Clean Ports Investments Bill" would
collect $30 from each container processed at the state's largest
ports to invest in projects that clean up port-related air
pollution and relieve traffic congestion from the movement of
freight throughout the state. Diesel exhaust from the
ships, trucks, trains, and yard equipment at the ports
contributes to high levels of asthma, other respiratory
diseases, cancer, and premature death. The Clean Ports Bill
would help relieve the burdens disproportionately borne by those
who live near our ports and along the transportation routes that
carry freight.
AB 609 (Eng) – This bill would remove a significant
road block to the state's ability to buy energy efficient and
other environmentally friendly equipment for state buildings by
revising the cost-comparison processes to better incorporate
costs over the life of the equipment.
AB 704 (Eng) – The "Resident Advisory Commissions on
the Environment Act" would require local governments to
establish bodies of community members to assist cities and
counties with local issues relating to environmental awareness,
education, and preservation of community natural resources.
Stay tuned next week as we return to our regularly scheduled
chaos!
There's still time to register for this year's
Symposium – but please do it today!
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