July 2021 Newsletter

Dear CCL members,
We are pleased to share that on June 24, the Senate passed (92 to 8) The Growing Climate Solutions Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. This bill was both endorsed by Citizens’ Climate Lobby and also served as a “secondary ask” in many CCL chapter lobbying meetings across the country, including our own. Senators Toomey and Casey both voted in favor of the Act. 

In other good news, Congressman John Curtis of Utah established the Conservative Climate Caucus. Both of our representatives in Congress, GT Thompson (PA15) and Fred Keller (PA12), joined the Caucus. Many thanks to the hard work and leadership put forth by Cathy Cullen, Sylvia Neely, and Michele Mitchell who serve as liaisons for our chapter’s lobbying activities. 
July’s 5 x 3 meeting and ice cream social
July 20, 5pm – 6pmSt. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
208 West Foster Avenue
State College, PA 16801

Come and get the “legislative scoop” as we gather for a 5 x 3 meeting and ice cream social. We’ll present a high-level overview of what’s happening in Congress by giving you the scoop on 5 bills for 3 minutes each, while we enjoy ice cream sundaes. 

Take Action in July

Has your Member of Congress heard from you lately? Take 5 minutes to call your Members of Congress. Sign up to get a monthly reminder that includes phone numbers based on your congressional district. In June, 18 callers from the PA 12 and PA15 Districts made 38 calls to legislators. This is an excellent showing for our regional calling effort. Let’s match or exceed that total in July, if possible.

Put your sleuthing skills to work– we are looking for opportunities around the area to table. If you hear of any, please text Diane Mills at 570-660-7678 or reach out by email at tabling@statecollegeccl.org.

Watch the June Conference recordings now available on YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXjILMNokmN5_6j3VW7LZZCvT_b4LjIkq
There are many good sessions.  We especially recommend the beginning and ending keynote presentations.  Jerry Taylor of the Niskanen Center focused on the difficulties of getting Republicans to support climate legislation.  Adele Morris of the Brookings Institution analyzed the challenges of persuading the Biden administration to endorse a price on carbon.
News From our Chapter

Educating:
This month’s OpEd in the Centre Daily Times, published on June 13, was by the executive director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Mark Reynolds, along with our chapter member Linda B. Westrick.  It was entitled “Price on Carbon Must Be Part of This Year’s Climate Legislation.”

Richard Jones wrote a letter that was published in the Lock Haven Express on June 12: “Republican Solutions to Climate Change.”  

Lobbying:
Members of the State College and Susquehanna Valley chapters met with the staff of our elected representatives in districts 12 and 15 during the June Lobby Days.  Thank you to Cathy Cullen, Michele Mitchell, Kay Cramer, Linda Westrick, Kathy Pollard, and Sylvia Neely. We also appreciate the help of Calvin Norman, who joined the meetings to provide expert information about forests in Central PA.

Tabling is back! 

Helen Kenion, Diane Mills, and Lisa Richardson tabled on Saturday, June 26 in Lock Haven during the “Best of Clinton County” event and parade.  Thank you, Diane, for making the arrangements.
News from Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Do you understand the difference between carbon fee and dividend and cap and trade?  Would you like to learn what the benefits are of the Energy Innovation Act?  Daniel Richter, the Vice-President of Government Affairs at CCL, presents a crystal clear explanation of these questions and others on a podcast interview with Climate Now.  Here is the link.   

Community News
The Sustainability Institute at Penn State and the GreenGov Council are hosting a seminar on the topic of “Climate Risk Assessment in PA.”  It will be held via Microsoft Teams on Friday, July 9 from 1:00 to 1:45 pm.  To register click here and then choose the link under Venue.

June Newsletter
August 2021 Newsletter

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