It’s like one of those horror movie zombies, the thing that just won’t die. Yes, once again the Republican Party, joined by some Democrats, all doing the work of Exxon Mobil, Chevron, the American Petroleum Institute and all the others, are trying to force through approval of the Keystone XL pipeline in Congress.
My highlights from the Polar Bear Plunge
On January 21st over 100 people ran into the cold Potomac River as part of CCAN’s 7th Annual Polar Bear Plunge. We braved the ice and snow (about an inch worth) that came down the night before, and leftover light rain, to do the first of these seven plunges with precipitation on the ground.
Groups to Sue Over Delayed Coal Ash Standards
Canadian Youth Delegation Ejected from COP17
Need a dose of some inspiration for this rainy Wednesday morning? I sure needed some when I walked into the CCAN office this morning.
CCAN congratulates Obama administration on decision to delay Keystone XL tar sands pipeline & examine climate impacts
12,000 Activists Surround White House to Demand Stop to Keystone XL Tar Sands Oil Pipeline
Tar Sands Action: My arrest story
It’s taken me a little bit to process the Tar Sands Action. Ok I’ve been busy. But I wanted to share my arrest story with fellow Power Shifters, especially leading up to the big October 7th action. We are still fighting.
I never thought I’d get arrested. I’m committed 100% to this cause and plan to work on these issues for the rest of my life. But I wasn’t convinced this was my role until the action began and I realized that this one felt different.
MD Rep. Van Hollen Calls for President Obama's “Closer Scrutiny” of Proposed Keystone XL Tar Sands Oil Pipeline
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jamie Nolan, 410-463-9869, jamie@chesapeakeclimate.org
WASHINGTON, DC — Mike Tidwell, Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), today praised a letter sent by Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen to President Obama concerning the Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline. Van Hollen, a noted environmental defender, is currently ranking member on the House Budget Committee and a member of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.
“Congressman Van Hollen’s leadership on the Keystone XL pipeline issue is welcome and appreciated,” Tidwell said. “His letter today to the White House raises key concerns involving increased greenhouse gas emissions, pipeline safety and public health impacts. CCAN urges President Obama to take Van Hollen’s letter seriously.”
In the letter, Van Hollen writes about the need for “closer scrutiny before any final national interest determination on the project is made.” While the State Department has issued its own Environmental Impact Statement, Van Hollen notes that eight executive branch agencies – including the Environmental Protection Agency — must still “review and comment” before a final determination can be made.
Concern over the Keystone XL oil pipeline has been growing rapidly over the last month, galvanized by the arrests of 1,252 people at the White House between August 20 – September 3. Learn more at www.tarsandsaction.org.
Read Rep. Van Hollen’s letter to President Obama here.
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) is the first grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to fighting global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Our mission is to build and mobilize a powerful grassroots movement in this unique region that surrounds our nation’s capital to call for state, national and international policies that will put us on a path to climate stability. Learn more at www.chesapeakeclimate.org.
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Saying "NO" to the tar sands
Commentary by Mike Tidwell
I went to the White House and got arrested last week because I don’t like hurricanes — and I really didn’t like Irene. The storm knocked out power to my Takoma Park home from Sunday to Monday and it took off the top of my chimney.
Going to jail for the environment
The Baltimore Sun
By Mike Tidwell and Dr. Cindy Parker
As you read this, two starkly different visions of Maryland’s energy future are clashing on a sidewalk outside the White House.