Virginia

We want a science based cap on carbon in 2009 that will spur a shift to a clean energy economy and provide pathways out of poverty for the least among us.
Join the people wearing caps (the goofier the better) for our photo petition to be delivered to Congress.
You can help by getting photos of your fellow congregants after services or religious school wearing caps and holding these signs. Make sure to have them sign the paper petition, as well. Just set up a table, have some hats available and snap away. It's fun!

Tips:
- Be short and sweet and let people know how they are going to make a difference, why this is a faith issue, and what else the congregation is doing.
- Ask everyone you see to sign the petition, and don’t be upset if some people say no.
- Supplies – Don’t forget a few pens, a clipboard, digital camera and a positive attitude.
- Wear one of the hats; it will attract a crowd.
- Have another person work the room.     

To send in photos:
1. go to flickr.com and sign in or create an account
2. Upload "Photos and Video"
3. Add tags to batch as "capcarbon2009"
4. in description add the name of your congregation
(Alternatively you can email the photos to CapCarbon2009@gmail.com and with the subject line: Put a Cap on It! and your congregation name in the email body.)
5. please send the petition to:
Allison Fisher
GWIPL
4500 Mass Ave NW
Washington DC 2006

2009 Legislative Session
Thanks to Karen Menichelli (Temple Rodef Shalom), Bob Wilden (New York Ave Presbyterian), Kent and Steve Rogers (Little River UCC), and Julie Bruns (Immanuel Church on the Hill) for going to Richmond on Jan. 19 to meet with their elected officials about achieving an energy efficient and healthy Virginia.  For more information check out Wise Energy for VA website.

Virginia Wise Energy Tour
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a stop on the Wise Energy Tour. Together through direct conversations with policymakers, we will save our mountains, address climate change, protect consumers and build a clean energy economy. Now it is time for Virginians to schedule meetings; and we are here to help. To register you meeting or join a meeting, visit: http://wiseenergyforvirginia.org/take-action/#register

And check out this independent report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, which states that Virginia can cut electricity use at least 20% by 2020 using affordable and already available efficiency measures that will save ratepayers money.

Governor’s Commission on Climate Change
In August, Gov. Kaine’s Commission on Climate Change held a public hearing in Richmond to receive input into an action plan being prepared by the Commission. Citizens from throughout the Commonwealth, including fourteen people from “coal country,” passionately urged the Commission to do what is necessary to secure a clean energy future, free of coal plants like the one in southwest Virginia.

Unfortunately, the Governor’s current plan calls for a mere 30% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from what they would otherwise be by 2025. That shady language translates into an actual reduction of only about 7% below today’s emissions. Such a reduction is not even close to what science calls for, what our technology allows, or what other states are committing to and will fail to protect our poor and vulnerable neighbors. And it's far less than what Virginians deserve.

You can add your voice and urge strong science based action, which will protect the poor and vulnerable, by sending in written comments. You can use these sample talking points to send an email to the Commission at climatechange@deq.virginia.gov.

Opportunities for Involving Your Community
1. Educate your congregation about mountain top removal
- Need some photos for a display? Print this power point, photos courtesy of ilovemountains.org
- Be prepared for questions with talking points
2. Contact Allison, GWIPL's Program Director, for more information

Our Time in Wise, VA - Dispatch from Allison
I had the privilege to join 10 faith leaders from Northern Virginia and throughout the Commonwealth in a delegation of Jews, Christians, and Muslims attending the Air Pollution Control Board hearing on June 24 in Wise, VA. Members of this faith delegation testified against Dominion Power’s proposed coal-fired power plant. During our time in Wise, we viewed the sin of mountain top removal, hiked through one of the most bio-diverse wonders of God’s creation, and broke bread and listened to music with 75 other citizens from Wise and all over the state. In the morning, we joined in a prayer circle lead by SAMS President Pete Ramsey, where he prayed for us and Dominion Power.

Although the Air Board did grant Dominion its permits, they significantly reduced the amount of mercury and other pollutants the plant can omit - thanks in a large part to the righteous indignation around this project. The “Wise Energy for VA” coalition finds the permits as they stand to be illegal, falling short of full compliance under the Clean Air Act, and appropriate action will be taken. We are excited to continue in this fight and look forward to continue to work with you for a healthy and sustainable Virginia. For more on the decisions, visit the coalition’s website.

More from Wise:
- Nadia (pictured above) writes about her time in Wise on the Green Muslims blog
- John Moyle, senior pastor of Oakbrook Church in Reston, VA, writes on his blog about his trip to Wise County: read his entry I Went to the Moutaintop ... But it Was Gone.

Mile-Long Petition

The crowd rolls up the "mile long" petition in order to prepare it for delivery to Dominion's representatives.

Our thanks to the more than 42,000 people who signed the "mile-long" petition to Dominion, including hundreds within the GWIPL network.

On May 8, hundreds from across Virginia joined Wise County residents in Richmond at a park across from Dominion's headquarters. They delivered to company representatives a "mile long" petition against a proposed coal-fired power plant in Wise County, VA and in favor of efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy.

Read more about delivery of the petition on the CCAN blog.

Rabbi Ben Romer, of Richmond's Congregation Or Ami, spoke at a rally on May 8 for the delivery of the "mile long" petition.

Letter to Gov. Kaine
March 10, 2008 - Faith leaders from across the Commonwealth joined together today to call on Governor Kaine to lead the state to a clean energy future and oppose Dominion Power’s proposed coal plant in southwest Virginia. Read the letter to Gov. Kaine.

Press Release
"FAITH LEADERS URGE GOV KAINE TO OPPOSE COAL PLANT: Over 60 Leaders from Across Virginia Call Clean Energy a Moral Issue," 3/10/08 - Go to the release

Press
- "Moral Principle Spurs Opposition to Plant" by Pat Watkins, (of Virginia Interfaith Power and Light), Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/30/08.
- Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial, "Wise Choice," 3/14/08.
- "Letter to Kaine opposes plant: Religious leaders, scholars say a power plant planned for Wise will be too harmful to the Earth" by Greg Edwards, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3/11/08.

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