Monthly Meeting
The State College chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 17 at 5:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at the end of Waupelani Drive in State College. Please note the change of meeting time. We will henceforth meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:30. We hope that this change will make it possible for more people to attend. Please join us to plan our activities for the coming year, to share news of our accomplishments, and to learn more about the progress of HR 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.
News from our Chapter
Congratulations to our CCL volunteers who have written excellent pieces for our local newspaper in the last month.
Joseph Haloua was the author of this month’s OpEd in the Centre Daily Times on August 18. He offered a perceptive view of the yellow vest movement in France and explained why a carbon fee and dividend would not encounter similar opposition.
Eric Boeldt wrote a letter to the CDT that was published on August 8. He stressed the importance of a legislative solution to the climate crisis and described HR 763.
Ken Riznyk’s letter in the CDT on August 21 urged government action on climate change. It is the second letter on this page.
Dorothy Blair mentioned the connection to climate change in a letter arguing for the preservation of the Pine Hall forest that was published in the CDT on August 19.
Sylvia Neely gave a presentation about CCL and HR 763 to the State College Kiwanis Club at their regular meeting on August 26.
On our Facebook page, you can read Mark Neely’s review of a book on an important subject: Howard J. Herzog’s Carbon Capture.
National news
CCL November Lobby Day – November 11 and 12. We encourage anybody interested in CCL to attend this conference in DC. It has several things going for it. You will learn a great deal about our legislative solution. You will make a difference by lobbying on Capitol Hill. You will meet a lot of dedicated and interesting people. You will not have to invest a long period of time. And finally, you can get a scholarship to cover registration plus $50 for travel. Please contact Sylvia Neely at SNeelyPA@gmail.com as soon as possible and I will send the application details to you. The deadline is October 15, but applications will be considered as they are submitted, so the earlier you apply, the better.
HR 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act now has 60 co-sponsors. The latest to sign on is Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (MO- 05). For a full list of sponsors, click on the link.
Carbon pricing bills. Things have been rather quiet on the carbon pricing front because Congress has been on their usual August recess. However, just before they left town, several bills were introduced that would put a price on carbon. We still prefer the Energy Innovation act, but these bills are an indication that there is growing interest in a solution to the climate crisis that incorporates a revenue neutral carbon tax. Here is an article from CCL describing the new bills.
Community News
When school is in session in State College, things get a lot more active. Here are some options this month for climate related activities.
The Sustainability Showcase is returning for Fall 2019. Each Friday from noon to 1:30 in the HUB on Penn State campus there is a speaker on sustainability subjects. On Friday, Sept. 6, Kirk French, Professor of Anthropology, will talk about “On the Rocks: The Sobering Effects of Climate Change on Global Alcohol Production.” For a full list of speakers and to register, click here.
National Drive Electric Week – The local gathering of electric car enthusiasts will take place on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 11 am to 1 pm at Country Inn and Suites. Click on the link to register and show your electric car. If you are thinking of buying an electric car, you can check out different models at this event.
Science on Tap. Every third Tuesday of the month at the Federal Taphouse, 130 S. Fraser Street, PSU faculty talk about their research and answer questions. Event begins at 6 pm, speakers are at 7 pm. On Sept. 17, Dr. Tom Richard and Dr. Justin Schwartz will discuss Drawdown.
Green Drinks. Get together with others interested in environmental issues to share ideas. Fourth Thursday of every month at the Federal Taphouse above Target on South Fraser. The gathering on September 26 will begin at 5 pm.
More to come soon ….