Category: Blog

After nearly three years of relentless community pressure, champions on the DC Council finally passed it… the strongest climate law in the country!
With a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the Clean Energy DC Act is heading to the Mayor’s desk to become law. Thanks to your focused work, the District of Columbia now leads the nation on climate policy. We will be powered by 100% renewable electricity by 2032, achieving this goal sooner any state in the country. We’ll have new and groundbreaking efficiency standards for existing buildings. (Buildings account for 74% of the District’s greenhouse gas emissions. This is a big deal.) We’ll raise tens of millions of dollars to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and provide assistance to low-income DC residents, plus a jobs program. And we’ll tackle transportation by joining the emerging regional plan under the Transportation Climate Initiative.
All told, the Clean Energy DC Act will reduce climate pollution in the District by a whopping 45%, and puts the District on track to meet our commitments under the Paris Climate Accord. And here’s the best part: the White House and Congress will be lit with renewable energy, whether they want it or not. Yessss.
I am humbled by the years of hard work that have culminated in passing this omnibus bill — the hard work of our incredible partners in the DC Climate Coalition, of champions in government, of people like YOU. Citywide sustainability plans developed over the last decade laid the foundation for the Clean Energy DC Act. Agency staff were basically jumping with joy that ideas they drafted were freed from collecting dust on the shelf! Reflecting on the tough road we’ve all traveled together, it made me so happy to hear insiders credit the carbon fee-and-rebate campaign for “coming out of nowhere like a freight train” to force lawmakers to act.
After thirteen years of climate activism, I had begun to think the odds of passing legislation were about the same as riding a unicorn off into the sunset. Now I see what it takes to win.
Here are my top three lessons:

1. WE WIN WHEN WE TREAT EACH OTHER WELL

Every kindness matters. Every time you give someone the benefit of the doubt. Every time you say thanks. Every time you recognize the human behind the title, the vulnerable heart behind the strong words, the hope to be loved behind the flailing juggernaut of ego.
I believe that climate change is above all else the symptom of a culture lacking in compassion. We are told to acquire more than to give; to fear more than to be; to react before observing. Compassion is not just being nice–it is the grounds for responsibility, justice, and healing. It requires that we seek and defend the truth with ferocity, and to treat each other as if we are inescapably one, because that’s how it really is.

2. AIM HIGH + PERSIST + BE FLEXIBLE = SUCCESS

I am now a die-hard carbon pricing / market-based climate policy fan who spearheaded support for a sprawling command-and-control omnibus of bold mandates (nerd alert). Translation: I believe in intellectual integrity combined with a drive for political results, which requires flexibility.
We must win what we can, where we are, with what we have.

I hope our story inspires even more synergy between the big national ideas–Citizens Climate Lobby’s bold, equitable, and bipartisan carbon fee and dividend bill, and the #GreenNewDeal championed by Sunrise Movement & Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. (Shout-out to organizing phenom Jamie DeMarco for his leadership at that nexus.) The Clean Energy DC Act is mind-blowingly awesome. But to be clear, it passed *because* of the Carbon Fee & Rebate campaign.
This city’s passion for the Carbon Rebate–a progressively redistributive polluter-pays policy–struck terror into the heart of the Council. Why? Because it would be so damn effective at disrupting the fossil fuel status quo, and tackle so many injustices at once (climate, economic, and racial). We scared them into action and ended up with a great bill. One milquetoast, corporate-friendly Democrat looked me in the eye to commit his support for the Clean Energy DC Act: “because it’s not a carbon tax.” (These same lawmakers think a federal carbon tax would be *super*, btw).
Look, every policy costs. It’s rarely acknowledged, but often mandates cost more than carbon pricing and end up being less equitable and racially just, because you increase prices without generating revenue to redistribute. It’s more complicated than our debates usually allow. But David Roberts might be right that you only pass laws by flashing the green shiny things and hiding the price tag. I don’t know if that will work to meet IPCC targets on time, and I believe that it’s better to be transparent and share the wealth.
Our movement’s on an enormously complicated mission. So I want to talk to more of you about how to simultaneously crack the often inverse codes of good policy and good politics. We don’t have any time left to choose one over the other.

3. ACTIVISTS NEED FACILITATORS

You know that phrase “who needs enemies with friends like these”? Progressives and justice advocates and environmentalists are damn good at internal destruction and tearing each other down. TBH, my wounds from the Pacific Northwest have taken a long time to heal. But there are such simple things we can do to become unbreakably united and therefore invincible.
For one, campaigners need facilitation pros! Justin Wright of Habitus Incorporated masterfully facilitated the strong foundation of our coalition. I swear we would not be here without having done that work together under professional guidance. I am grateful he taught me how to better listen, communicate, and see how little needs to be taken personally.

It’s not all sunshine and flowers. It stings to remember what we lost to the ruthless brute force of the utilities and their bottomless greed.
Just before Tuesday’s vote, Councilmember Cheh tore into Pepco-Exelon for “hijacking” parts of this bill to wield even more control over DC. Utility lobbyists stripped out long-term Power Purchase Agreements for renewable energy, falsified environmentalists’ support for their monopolizing agenda, and railroaded their way to dominate the Public Service Commission and block progressive climate action. Frankly, it is terrifying to see first-hand what a stranglehold corporations have on our elected officials (and remember, there’s not a single Republican on the DC Council). Their dirty tricks and backroom deals are disgusting.
No doubt remains: our future depends on organized people power. Scrappy grassroots movements — like this one you’re part of — are what stands between corporate money and the democracy we need to save the world. I always knew that in theory, but experiencing this campaign through from start to finish has engraved that truth into my bones.
This is truly only the beginning, and there are more fights to face ahead. This is why I sincerely hope you’ll consider a special year-end donation to CCAN today. We genuinely need your support to keep fighting dirty energy dollars and to inspire states to follow our lead. I am so proud of the District of Columbia right now. But if everyone else doesn’t step up, we’ll still be toast.
My heart is full with gratitude for this organization. CCAN has empowered, taught, and inspired me to no end. I am infinitely grateful for our invaluable partners in the DC Climate Coalition, as none of this would be happening without the sacrifices and collaborative goodwill of these dear friends, nor that of our hardworking allies in DC government. So please donate today. 
Above all, I am grateful for you. For every hour you volunteered, dollar you donated, call you made, email you sent, petition you signed, event you rallied, poster you stenciled, meeting you attended, friend you recruited, question you asked, answer you gave, and for every no you turned into a yes.
Thank you.
With love,
Camila Thorndike

Everything we ever thought as possible in Virginia politics is rapidly shifting in the Commonwealth. From the the ballooning number of ACP permits being rejected in court, to the State water control board voting to reconsider the crucial 401 permit for EQT’s Mountain Valley Pipeline, to the State Corporation Commissions rejecting Dominions Integrated Resource Plan for the first time in history, the fossil fuels industry, and Dominion in particular are in full blown panic mode as their longtime role as Richmond’s uncontested power broker is drawing to a close.
Over the past several weeks, CCAN has been hard at work alongside nearly a dozen local and regional grassroots groups to organize a series of events highlighting the Regional Greenhousee Gas Initiative (RGGI). Joining RGGI is one of the primary ways we can continue our momentum against Dominion Energy’s dirty policies – while making them pay for all of the harm that their disastrous policies have incurred in vulnerable communities around the Commonwealth. The series, titled From Pipelines to Progress: Virginia Unites for Jobs, Clean Energy and Social Justice, made its way to Fredericksburg, Richmond, Staunton and Virginia Beach.
Over 200 Virginians came out to attend the series, which featured delegates, councilmen, health care professionals, faith community leaders, advocates for low-income communities, and an activist storytelling training given by the hardworking people over at Progress Virginia. All speakers honed in on one central issue: how absolutely vital it is for Virginia to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2019.
In an attempt to greenwash his legacy for higher political aspirations, then-governor Terry McAuliffe signed Executive Directive 11 in twilight hour of his administration, mandating that the commonwealth link with the RGGI program. This means that Dominion and other big fossil fuels polluters will be forced to lower emissions from power plants — cutting carbon emissions down by up to 30% from these facilities statewide. The problem is, however, that unless Virginia formally joins the program through legislative action, Dominion will be allowed to keep the hundreds of millions of dollars that the program would generate each year.
If the money went back to the Commonwealth it could easily be invested into the communities that are already suffering the most from Dominion’s policies. That means investing in coastal resilience for our vulnerable coastline and into energy efficiency so that low-income residents can save money each month on their already exorbitant energy bills.
To underpin the importance of this, the series included a presentation from CCAN Virginia Director Harrison Wallace. Wallace’s presentation honed in on his own personal story and the urgency for Virginia to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). “When it comes to the climate crisis, we are in a speeding car headed off a cliff, and Dominion is at the wheel” said Wallace to packed churches, libraries, and auditoriums across the Commonwealth. “Luckily”, Wallace continues, “we are at a watershed moment.” Dominion sees the writing on the wall, their reign of uncontested rule over Richmond is drawing to a close, and it is up to everyday citizens to stand up and demand they no longer write their own rules at the expense of public health, rate payers, and the climate.
 
 

 
The action doesn’t stop now. As the speakers stressed, it is more important than ever for Virginians to continue the momentum that we have gained and take the power back from Dominion Energy. That means coming to Richmond this January and speaking with your legislator about the urgency of addressing the climate crisis. They need to understand that Viginia needs to formally join RGGI immediately as Virginia’s first step of many towards 100% renewable energy.
CLICK HERE NOW TO RSVP FOR OUR LOBBY DAY ON MONDAY, JANUARY 14TH.
See you there!

 

Camila is the DC campaign director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and has been at the heart of the movement behind what will soon become the strongest climate bill in the country. She coordinated and led the “DC Climate Coalition,” which is made of more than 110 environmental and justice advocacy organizations, faith groups, unions, consumer advocacy organizations, D.C. businesses, and more. Here’s her story.
What woke you up to the climate crisis?
I was 15 when I first saw the climate “hockey stick” graph. I realized that this skyrocketing arrow of temperature would take place in my life time. All of the big milestones of life that I was looking forward to would be in the context of this big global crisis. It led to the question of whether or not to have kids — which is still a big question for me — where I would put down roots, what my family would do. My mom’s a farmer; will that be still viable in Oregon, where I’m from, when temperatures get so extreme?  
Then I had the great fortune of visiting my extended family — including a bunch of cousins in Australia — after I graduated from high school. For my eighteenth birthday, they gave me this awesome gift of a day snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. But I saw that the reef, even then, was starting to bleach out. That was one of the first realizations that all these forecasts of devastation were already starting, and at a very fast rate.
What impacts of climate change currently hit home to you?
The last two summers, my home in the Rogue Valley in southern Oregon has been suffocated by wildfire smoke. My mom started the first commercial organic cut-flower farm on the West Coast. I grew up there with my little sister. But now, my sister works with her, and they have to wear heavy-duty gas masks, with the level of smoke that sometimes makes southern Oregon look like Beijing. It was like that for eight weeks this summer.
Then the Paradise fires happened, following all the previous years’ fires in California. There was an illusion that if you live in a town or city that you’re going to be safe, but that’s been totally obliterated. Homes and entire cities have been burned to the ground. People escaped down these two-lane roads on foot, or in cars with their kids while the outsides are melting and the glass was too hot to touch. Entire families have burned to death.
Even though I live out in DC and thankfully no fire has come that close to my hometown, they come closer every year, they last longer every year, the number of fires grows every year, and it’s not getting better. I don’t know what that means for how to feel safe. I would love to move back there someday but, frankly, don’t feel great about what the future holds. For the whole West Coast. Wherever there are trees, it’s like a forest of matchsticks that could provide fuel to the fire.
What brought you to CCAN and the campaign in DC?
I was so excited to talk with Mike Tidwell when the vision for passing a carbon fee and rebate in DC was starting to come into focus. It followed my work in Oregon starting what became a national organization called Our Climate which trains young people and students to advocate for strong and effective climate policy, to meet with lawmakers and host creative events to raise awareness and make the issue really fun to participate in.
By the time Mike reached out, we had a partnership with Years Of Living Dangerously that had just taken off with the national Put A Price On It campaign and I felt like the initial chapter getting that off the ground was pretty well complete for me — we had just onboarded this amazing new executive director, Page Atcheson Matilsky, and I realized that my heart is really in campaigning on the ground, being in state capitols, working directly with coalitions and lawmakers to get legislation passed. So I was really excited to take what I had learned about carbon pricing and campaigns and get it done in DC where there is such a smaller body of lawmakers and such a more progressive body of lawmakers than in many places.
How did that morph into what the campaign is today?
We came really close to the introduction of a carbon tax in DC! It was hard because our hopes had been raised very high. The Council Chairman said that a majority of the Council was in favor of our proposal and Councilmember Cheh stated publicly that it was a great policy.
While the carbon tax was never introduced, we created what one of our allies called a “political crisis” that was too good to go to waste. This incredible coalition built intense political pressure. Constituent demand had formed for strong and fair climate policy in DC, creating the opening for Councilmember Mary Cheh and Nicole Rentz — her brilliant staff leader — to put together a package of policies that had already been called for under the Clean Energy DC plan and introduce it thanks to all of the pressure that we generated. We’re grateful for what she has championed since the bill’s introduction in July.
This is a bill that, if it passes in its original form, would cut emissions almost 50 percent in DC and set a lot of precedence in the country. Frankly, we don’t have time to pick our favorite policy. I think we should absolutely all fight for what we think is best and then, only after expending 110% of ourselves and coming up against a real wall should we consider compromise of any sort. And the compromise we ended up with is a real strong one I think we can all be proud of.
How is this campaign different from other environmental campaigns you’ve worked on in the past?
It’s the most harmonious and hardworking coalition that I’ve ever helped build and lead. I credit Justin Wright of Habitus Incorporated with laying the foundation for that ability to collaborate. We brought him in the beginning of the campaign for a carbon tax after the Washington State I-732 debate was brewing. It became really clear you needed to have a really active and thorough stakeholder engagement process to make sure that the policy you put forward is really collaboratively shaped by as many groups in the community as possible. That’s way easier said than done. For a policy as complex and ambitious, and the number of organizations that have an interest in it, turns out having a professional like Justin was essential. That set up great relationships that have made working on this campaign such a joy.
What was your favorite moment in this campaign?
We did so many creative actions around the Wilson Building! If I could pick two actually, the last two were my favorites. The beach volleyball event in front of the Council was really fun to be out there in shorts and lifeguard sweatshirts on a November day, punting a big inflatable earth volleyball around, and then being able to testify before the Council in that sweatshirt and say, “the reason we were all out there is that we’re tired of politicians playing games with our only planet.” I think that CCAN consistently brings that creativity and that fun, which grounds all of this wonky policy-speak back in why we’re doing this and how we’re doing it — makes it possible to make us seem even bigger than we are.
I also loved unfurling the enormous banner of thousands of petitions that had been collected by our coalition and all of our incredible volunteers over the last two and a half years. We went inside the Council building with these boxes, and thanks to Jamie DeMarco at Citizens Climate Lobby and Rebekah Whilden of Sierra Club who have done this before, we strung the petitions together and — even though it wasn’t technically allowed by security — we unfurled it throughout the halls of the first floor of the Wilson building, creating an enormous loop. It just felt like all of the voices of DC residents who so passionately want DC to do the right thing were all represented there. It was a really fun moment to look back and think about all the nights our team has been at ANC meetings, getting resolutions passed, canvassing at farmers’ markets and metro stops, and speaking to classes — this many people were working so hard to build a win, it was cogent proof that people’s voices make a difference.
I don’t think I’ve ever experienced the power of democracy and grassroots power-building exerted onto lawmakers for such a tangible outcome. The link between the action and end results has been very tight on this campaign in a way that I haven’t experienced before.
What was your biggest accomplishment on this campaign?
Persistence. We just never stopped, and that’s what CCAN does also; it’s part of our DNA. And it really matters. I think people give up too soon. Our team and the incredible coalition we’ve been a part of, we didn’t slow our roll. That’s what you have to do if you’re going to force politicians into a corner where they just have to do something.
One word summing up your experience with this campaign:
Empowering!
What do you hope to see happen in the next year after the Clean Energy DC Act passes?
DC should pass a carbon tax ;)
What’s next in the life of Camila?
My fiance and I are going on a month-long meditation retreat where I always find the best tools for building personal resilience and the ability to keep working on climate change and living a joyful, balanced life. I’m really excited about that — I’ve done five- and ten-day retreats before, and they’ve always been more rewarding than they are challenging. And they are challenging.
Who would you high five?
Nicole Rentz — this wouldn’t have happened without her.

by Jessica Beal, CCAN Intern
A week ago we received the news that the DC Council would move to pass the Clean Energy DC Act (the first of two votes). This is the news that CCAN has been waiting for, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be apart of a coalition that worked diligently to pass this monumental bill.
After having some time to reflect on all of the people that I witnessed fight for this victory,  it was the volunteers that I met through this process that left the largest impression on me. I was inspired by the Howard University students, the local residents, and CCAN Action Fund volunteers that showed up to every event, that spoke out about the importance passing this bill, and took action in their own communities.
Before my arrival at CCAN, I had been wallowing in a feeling of discouragement due to the federal government’s inaction in regards to climate change. Yet these activists summoned a spirit of revival within me, and renewed my hope in the power of advocacy. Our work at CCAN could not be done without the help of volunteers who choose to not let others stand in the way of a sustainable future. In fact, the fight may not always lead to a victory, but that should never terminate your will to persist.
So I write this post both as a thank you to the volunteers who took the time to fight for the Clean Energy DC Act and inspired me, but also as a notice to others. Your voice matters, and any action that you choose to take to fight for your cause is important. I carried one of thirteen  boxes full of 10,000 petitions through the halls of the D.C. Council. Each petition signed was someone who took the opportunity to state their opinion. I felt the weight of each individual’s voice as I marched it to a Councilmember’s office. It matters that we do what we can: sign a petition, speak at a local hearing, engage with people in your community. You never know who it will inspire, and what your actions will accomplish.

On November 9, the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board heard testimony about a prposed compressor station in Buckingham County as part of Dominion Energy’s Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Here’s an exchange that was taken from testimony between Air Board member Sam Bleicher and representatives from Dominion.

Less than one week after Bleicher raised concerns, he was dismissed from the Air Board.
Oppose the Buckingham Compressor Project. Call Governor Northam at 804-784-2211. Tell him to stop protecting Dominion and start protecting the people of Union Hill, Virginia.

Record flooding. More hurricanes. Brett Kavanaugh. And now a dire warning that the world has until 2030 to stem the impacts of climate change.
How are you feeling?
It’s a valid question. A new study indicates that changes in weather — and the stress and anxiety around climate change —  is impacting Americans’ mental health. With recent headlines like the UN IPCC’s report, in which we are warned that we only have ten years to completely remake our energy system and cut carbon emissions in half, it’s okay to feel scared, and maybe a little bit helpless. It’s easy to feel like we as individuals cannot stop the climate destruction that’s happening or give in to the “doom-and-gloom” narrative that we see all around us.
But it’s NOT okay to do nothing about it. It is much harder, but far more important, to rise above hopelessness and come together as neighbors and do what we can to stop climate change from impacting our homes and our fellow Americans.
While there are times I still feel climate despair, I’m constantly uplifted and inspired by the work we do every day at CCAN. We’re empowering people across the Chesapeake region to take the climate fight into their own hands at the local level. In the near term, we cannot wait for Trump’s EPA to take action for us at the national level – the local level is where it’s at:

• In D.C., the DC Climate Coalition is making moves on the bill that would move the District to 100% renewable energy by 2032 – a comprehensive bill that is the result of over two years of organizing and meetings with impacted stakeholders to form a just and equitable bill.
• In Maryland, hundreds of voters have taken pledges to vote for clean energy this November and have taken the “No New Fossil Fuels” pledge – stating that they will not support any new gas pipelines or other harmful energy source to be constructed. We’re also working to expand  Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard by doubling and put the state on track to 100% renewable energy. . And we’re seeing residents from across Maryland say NO to pollution-spewing trash incinerators and saying yes to energy alternatives like community solar.
• In Virginia, we’ve seen a new wave of grassroots resistance to fossil fuel pipelines like Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). A combination of civil disobedience, public outcry, and legal challenges in the courts have resulted in permits to be tossed, temporarily halting construction on the MVP. Meanwhile, we’re campaigning for Virginia to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a needed step to reduce statewide carbon emissions.

What YOU can do:

1. Make sure you’re signed up on our email list and be sure to write in your zip code to get the important climate updates in your area. Want to get up-to-the-minute updates on our work? Like our Facebook pages for CCAN and our sister organization and advocacy arm CCAN Action Fund..
2. Register to vote OR check to make sure you’re registered and make a plan to vote on November 6th.
3. Volunteer with us. Fill out this volunteer survey and we’ll put you in touch with an organizer in your area who can talk to you about ways you can plug-in.
4. Donate to help fund climate victories. If you’re running short on time – donating is the best option. Your donations will help us fund canvassing trainings, hire fellows to help us with our work, and will go towards our everyday campaign work expenses.

Or, do you need to just vent to someone? We want to hear how you feel!

The work we do is hard – but we never lose sight of why we came to the table in this fight. We know it won’t be easy. But we also know that we have the grit, resilience, and tenacity to look the climate crisis in the face and find motivation to keep fighting.
The most important thing to remember is that we’re all in this together. If you’re struggling, talk to your community, speak to a friend, or find mental health services. Together, we can find solutions to our climate crisis and know that there is still hope.
 
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If you are in crisis and need immediate support, call or go the website of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). Trained workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To find a mental health care provider and treatment, read more from the American Psychological Association on how to find services and what to look for.