Lobby for NC Environment, May 30

The North Carolina General Assembly returns to Raleigh in May. Those of us who care about land and water conservation need to let our legislators know how important this issue is for North Carolina.
Please make plans to join us for Land for Tomorrow Lobby Day on Wednesday, May 30 to help us tell our conservation story and ensure continued support for the state’s four conservation trust funds. 
You know firsthand the difference that land and water conservation has made in your community and across the state. Your legislators need to hear from you so they can understand how important this issue is for their constituents.
Visit landfortomorrow.org for more details and to register for Lobby Day.

See you in Raleigh on May 30^th!

Last Chance to Speak, Fracking in NC

Last Chance to Speak Out on Possible Fracking in NC!

Public Hearing on Draft Shale Gas Report
6:30-8:30 PM, Monday, April 2
The Barn at Fearrington Village
100 Village Way, Pittsboro. (map/directions)

arrive by 5:15PM to sign up to speak

Chatham County will host the last final hearing on DENR's draft shale gas study report next Monday. This meeting will cover a summary of the draft report and DENR will be present to accept comments. For possible talking points click here.

The deadline to submit written comments has been extended to April 2. Send your comments via email to shale_gas_comments@ncdenr.gov or mail to NCDENR, attn: Trina Ozer, 1601 MSC, Raleigh 27699

House Republicans Slowing the Rush to Frack? Only ‘til early 2014…

On Wednesday, Representatives Gillespie and Stone held a press conference to outline a proposal that would continue some studies on regulatory needs for fracking and require legislative proposals by March of 2014. While this is a big improvement over the aggressive bill we expect from Senator Rucho and Rep. Mike Hager, it would still call for regulations even before the EPA study on water impacts is final (late 2014) or national regulations are considered. Stay tuned for further detailed review by grassroots groups of the Gillespie/Stone proposal and opportunities to advocate for improvements!

Here’s the News and Observer’s coverage of the press conference: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/29/1966174/delay-fracking-2-gop-lawmakers.html

Fracking in NC? Update

The DENR shale gas hearing in Chapel Hill had a large, feisty and well-informed turnout last night! Thank you for your presence, comments and solidarity against 'fracking' in North Carolina, which regional legislators got loud and clear. DENR acknowledges plenty of unknowns in the study and we'll have more to point out in written comments, due April 2. Many speakers pointed out that we haven’t seen evidence from any state that fracking can be done safely. Thanks to public pressure, a third and final hearing will take place in Chatham County next week!

EVENTS:

• March 30, 7-9:30 PM. Black Mountain, Fracking in NC? (details).
• April 2, 6:30-8:30 PM. Pittsboro (map/directions), Shale gas study hearing (details) and DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS! Email to shale_gas_comments@ncdenr.gov or mail to NCDENR, Attn: Trina Ozer, PO Box 1601, Raleigh, NC 27699

Second Public Comment Session on Fracking, Mar. 27

DENR is holding its second public comment session on its hydraulic fracturing report tomorrow, March 27th, at 6:30pm at East Chapel Hill High School.  More information about these meetings can be found on DENR's website here: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/guest/public-input

 

RAFI encourages the public to provide DENR with comments on hydraulic fracturing and consumer protection at the upcoming public meetings. Although the Attorney General's office has not made the consumer protection section of the report available at this time, it is important that landowners tell DENR and the Attorney General's office of the importance of maintaining landowner property rights and supporting strong landowner protections. Anyone interested in landowner protections and hydraulic fracturing can contact RAFI-USA for further information.

NC Ranks 10th

From NC League of Conservation Voters:  A special report released on the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act of 1972 finds that toxic water discharges still abound, and North Carolina places tenth on the list of states by volume of discharges.

The 48-page report, titled "Wasting our Waterways 2012", was issued by the PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center. It is based on discharge information submitted to the EPA for its Toxic Release Inventory for 2010, the most recent data year available.

The report notes that 53 percent of assessed rivers and streams, and 69 percent of assessed lakes, remain unsafe for swimming or fishing or both. Our nation continues to fall far short of the 1972 Clean Water Act's goal that all American waters should be "fishable and swimmable".

Amendment 1, local film Sunday, Feb. 26, 7 pm

Learn more about Amendment 1, NC Legislature, tomorrow evening, 7:00, Whispering Pines Community Center, 1320 Ray's Bridge Rd, just off Hwy 22, about 1 1/2 miles north of the traffic circle at the airport, Whispering Pines, NC.

We are at a critical point in the health of the state of North Carolina.   Please join our Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Sandhills as we present the first in a series of films to bring awareness to Moore County about the inequities of Amendment One.

Art Pope Exposed, Dec. 13, 7 pm

Hello Advocates,

There’s still time to RSVP for the upcoming “Art Pope Exposed” community teach-in in Raleigh this Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7pm at the NC Association for Educators building, 700 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC. We’re expecting a good crowd and lively discussion.

Can’t make it to Raleigh? Don’t fret, we’re bringing it to you. Our friends at the Institute for Southern Studies will be webstreaming the Tuesday event at: http://www.ustream.tv/user/facingsouth.

RSVP to attend in Raleigh OR tune in for the webstream at 7pm Tuesday.

Onwards,
Adam Sotak, Organizing Director,
Democracy North Carolina

Leasing Your Mineral Rights? Carthage, Aug. 23

August 23rd, 2011, 6-8pm
Old Town Hall Building, 203 W. Barrett St., Carthage NC

Thinking About Leasing Your Mineral Rights?

With the arrival of natural gas leases in central North Carolina, landowners should understand the complexities of natural gas exploration, acquaint themselves with how to critically assess mineral rights contracts and learn about the potential impacts of drilling on agricultural fields, water resources, timber, and personal property. On August 23nd at 6pm the Rural Advancement Foundation International will host Penn. St. Cooperative Extension Educator Tom Murphy and N.C. St. Cooperative Extension Specialist Dr. Ted Feitshans for a public community information session on hydraulic fracturing and mineral rights leasing. Topics of discussion will include understanding the gas drilling process, negotiating a fair mineral rights lease, potential impacts on land resources, and limiting landowner financial liabilities in contracts.

Mr. Tom Murphy is a Penn. St. Cooperative Extension Educator with extensive knowledge of gas exploration and experience working with landowners in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania. Mr. Murphy will lead a presentation on gas exploration process, potential impacts on land and water resources, and the experiences of landowners leasing mineral rights in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Ted Feitshans, attorney and an Extension Specialist in the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department at NC State University, will also give a presentation on how NC landowners can evaluate leases offered to them by drilling companies and determine the status of ownership of the mineral rights on their land. Dr. Feitshans is one of the few mineral rights experts in North Carolina, with extensive experience in environmental and agricultural law.

Representatives from RAFI-USA, a farmer advocacy non-profit organization based in Pittsboro, will be present to help landowners with additional resources on natural gas extraction and information on legal supports available to landowners interested in signing a mineral rights lease. Following the presentations there will be a question and answer session for program participants.

This event is free and open to the public and will run from 6pm-8pm on Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011 in the Old Town Hall Building in Carthage, NC. For additional information you may contact RAFI staff member Jordan Treakle: 919-444-1321; jordan@rafiusa.org

More information on mineral rights leasing can be found on RAFI's website: http://www.rafiusa.org/gaslease.html

Local Response NC Legislature, P'hurst Aug. 9

From: Kevin Smith




Date: August 4, 2011 9:11:41 PM EDT







Subject: A gathering to organize opposition to the proposed marriage amendment to the state constitution








On September 12th the General Assembly will reconvene to consider amendments to the state constitution; aka the GOP's annual pander to the religious right, a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and civil unions. The difference is that this time they have the numbers to make it more than symbolic.

If the hypocrisy of a legislature that wants government's hands off everything except for women's reproductive rights and the most personal decision two adults can make offends you, come help us consider ways in which we can remind Congressman Boles and Senator Blake, both co-sponsors, that the state has more pressing priorities than a shrinking fraction of the populace's need for self righteousness.

If you would like to help, please join us in the hearth room at the Congregational Church of Pinehurst, 7:00 on Tuesday, August 9th. The church is at 895 Linden Road in Pinehurst across the road from Elliott's. I hope to see you there.
Thanks,  Kevin Smith

July 28, Fracking, SOS, Sou. Pines

On July 28, 7 PM at the Southern Pines Civic Club, Save Our Sandhills will follow up the recent screening of the movie GASLAND with an open question–and--answer panel discussion featuring Senator Harris Blake and Representative Jamie Boles explaining their position to endorse North Carolina’s Senate Bill 709.
Understanding the topic of natural gas and fracking is going to be critical to this area since so many counties appear to be sitting on top of a 40-year supply of natural gas.

Big Thank You to Gov. Purdue--No to Fracking, etc.

Environmental Coalition Praises Governor Perdue For Vetoing GOP-Backed Bills That Would Have Hurt North Carolina's Environment and Economy


Coalition includes: Clean Water for North Carolina, Environment North Carolina, Environmental Defense Fund, North Carolina Coastal Federation, NC Conservation Network, NC League of Conservation Voters, NC Sierra Club, NC Wildlife Federation, Southern Environmental Law Center, Western North Carolina Alliance and others.

Governor Perdue’s historic vetoes of S 781 and S 709 are to be commended. The 2011 session of the N.C. General Assembly has carried out a relentless assault on the environment, and Governor Perdue understands that. The legislature has attacked environmental safeguards, land conservation, financial incentives for the wise management of our natural heritage, and even environmental education. We applaud the Governor for standing up to these assaults.

S 781, Regulatory Reform Act of 2011, would have handcuffed state agencies from creating environmental protections for North Carolina’s air and water. By vetoing S 781, the Governor recognizes that North Carolinians overwhelmingly support keeping or strengthening N.C.’s environmental safeguards.

S 709, Energy Jobs Act, would have put North Carolina’s thriving coastal tourism economy at risk, in search of elusive offshore drilling revenues. The bill would have also pushed North Carolina to begin hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas, a dangerous process which contaminates groundwater and has caused devastation in other eastern states.

Also, a copy of the letter submitted to the Governor asking for the veto of anti-environmental bills, which contains a complete listing of all 33 groups, can be found at: http://www.wral.com/asset/news/state/nccapitol/2011/06/21/9758002/Env_veto.PDF

For More Information

Clean Water for North Carolina -- Hope Taylor, 919-401-9600, hope@cwfnc.org

Environment North Carolina -- Elizabeth Ouzts, 919-833-0015, elizabeth@environmentnorthcarolina.org

Environmental Defense Fund - Jane Preyer, w 919-881-2912, c 919-740-6727, jpreyer@edf.org

North Carolina Conservation Network - Brian Buzby, 919-247-3617, brian@ncconservationnetwork.org

North Carolina League of Conservation Voters - Dan Crawford, 919-839-0020, dan@nclcv.org

N.C. Wildlife Federation --Tim Gestwicki, 704-332-5696, tim@ncwf.org

N.C. Sierra Club --Molly Diggins, 919-919-833-8467, molly.diggins@sierraclub.org

Southern Environmental Law Center - Derb Carter, 919-967-1450, derbc@selcnc.org

Western North Carolina Alliance - Julie Mayfield, 828-258-8737, Julie@wnca.org

Reminder: GASLAND, June 15, Sunrise

GASLAND – The controversial documentary that has polarized America
Award-winning documentary "GASLAND" at the Sunrise, Southern Pines, Wednesday, June 15, at 7:00 PM. $7.
There is a natural gas drilling boom sweeping across the United States, and it is about to reach Lee County and northern Moore County. Geologists believe that there is a major sub basin of natural gas that extends from Granville County above Durham southward through the Sanford area and into Moore County to the vicinity of Carthage.
Energy companies want to use a highly controversial method of drilling to extract this gas, which is known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." Fracking involves vertical as well as horizontal drilling and the pumping of huge amounts of water and chemicals into the shale rock to break up the rock and release the natural gas.

Horizontal drilling is currently illegal in North Carolina, but two bills currently being considered in the General Assembly would overturn this restriction.

This film dramaticcally shows the potential dangers of fracking to the environment and expecially to groundwater.
In order to provide a balanced view of the issues raised, a distinguished panel will discuss pros and cons, and questions will be addressed.

Coastal Groins update

Coastal Federation and Locke Foundation Agree:  Groins Should Require Local Vote

Property owners in communities considering building a jetty, called a groin, to control beach erosion should be allowed to vote on the project or on any increases in local taxes that will be used to pay for the structure.
The N.C. Coastal Federation, the state’s major coastal environmental group, and the John Locke Foundation, the most influential conservative think tank in North Carolina, are urging the N.C. House of Representatives to add the requirement of a local referendum to a groin bill it’s considering. The bill would allow jetty-like groins to be built at inlets to control erosion and to protect private property. Such structures are currently illegal in North Carolina because they increase erosion elsewhere along the beach.

"This is a bad bill,” said Todd Miller, the executive director of the federation. “But if the legislature wants to allow these destructive piles of rock to be placed on our beaches, local taxpayers should get a say in whether they want to pay for them.”

These small jetties can cost as much as $10.8 million to build, according to a state study, and as much as $2.25 million to maintain each year.
"The best way to protect local taxpayers is to maintain the current ban on terminal groins,” said John Hood, president of the John Locke Foundation. “Short of that, local taxpayers should be allowed to vote on the issue before their community builds a terminal groin. Without a vote, taxpayers will have no voice and no choice but to pay a bill they don’t want and can’t afford for years to come."
The N.C. Senate, concerned about the possible cost to state taxpayers, amended the bill it eventually passed and sent to the House to include a requirement that the N.C. General Assembly must approve any appropriation for a groin, rather than allow the money to hidden in the state budget.
“The legislature gave some protection to state taxpayers by requiring a direct vote on any state appropriation,” Miller said. “Local taxpayers need to same sort of protection.”
The House is expected to take up the bill in the next few weeks.

Legislative Update, NC League of Conservations Voters

Legislative Watch: Dismembering DENR; Turning Off the Green Lights; Hot Rail

Outrageous attacks on past environmental gains continue in the General Assembly.

Dismembering DENR: The N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is our state's primary executive agency for implementing state laws and programs managing natural resources, and protecting clean air and water and public health. As such, it is the natural lightning rod for those politicians who do not believe in supporting any of those missions. That opposition is now manifesting itself in the open hostility of bills which would cut away key sub-parts of DENR and send them to other agencies. Last week saw the filing of SB 388, "Transfer Forestry & Forestry Council to DACS", joining the previously filed SB 229, "Transfer DENR Soil & Water to DACS". These bills would remove the forestry management and soil erosion control agencies from DENR and send them to the state Agriculture department, which is run by the independently elected Agriculture Commissioner instead of the governor. (The Ag department has traditionally been regarded as more firmly controlled by the agribusiness lobby and hostile to most environmental regulations.) Other proposals would cut away still other offices from DENR and send them to Commerce or the Wildlife Resources Commission. Commenting on these moves, Rep. Joe Hackney (D-Chatham) told the Raleigh News & Observer, "What I perceive is a generalized attack on all parts of DENR. There are some people who want to dismantle it and reduce it to little or nothing. There are others who want to neuter its regulatory side, which the public will not like. The public places a high value on clean water and clean air."

Turning Off the Green Lights: Meanwhile, the opponents of expanding North Carolina's use of renewable energy sources in the generation of electricity are weighing in through HB 431, "Repeal Senate Bill 3 of the 2007 Session". SB 3 (2007) contained both good (i.e., REPS) and bad (i.e., CWIP financing) provisions, but it's on some groups' hit parade today because of its good points: It directs that electric utilities produce a minimum percentage of their electricity from renewable energy resources. Anti-environmental policy groups like the John Locke Foundation have an abiding disdain for green energy, and continue to wail that the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) will raise electric rates (without contributing to their friends in the oil and nuclear industries). It's uncertain how far HB 431 will progress, since even the power companies now support the 2007 SB 3 as adopted, and have entered into a number of power-purchase contracts from renewable energy sources as a result.

Hot Rail: Rail has become the energy-efficient transportation system that anti-environmentalists love to hate. Incredibly, a Mecklenburg County legislator (Rep. Ric Killian, R-Mecklenburg) has filed a bill (HB 422, "No High-Speed Rail Money from Federal Gov't.") which would turn back a federal grant which includes $152 million now slated to improve rail safety and efficiency in his home county. That's how much of the total grant of $461 million in high-speed rail-enabling track and intersection improvements is targeted for improvements in Mecklenburg. The rest would go to improving track and addressing rail/street intersection problems across the Piedmont between Charlotte and Raleigh. The excuse for this anti-rail money madness is that high-speed rail would cost tax money to maintain on an ongoing basis. However, does anyone wish to bet that Rep. Killian would be...ahem...tarred & feathered & ridden out of town on a rail...by his constituents if he introduced legislation to turn down Charlotte beltway funds on similar grounds? The hypocrisy involved is staggering. Twelve other Representatives (all Republicans) have signed on to this legislation, which would cost North Carolina up to an estimated 5,000 construction-related jobs at a time when the state's unemployment rate exceeds 9%. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the House Transportation Committee tomorrow (Tuesday, March 29) at noon.

Regulatory Watch: Speak Up for Public Health and a Clean Environment

Two weeks ago CIB advised our readers of a series of so-called "regulatory reform" hearings planned as a means of generating support for stripping clean air and water protections off the rulebooks in North Carolina. Those hearings kicked off last week, and they continue this afternoon in Guilford County.

The good news is that opponents of environmental quality have not had the public stage to themselves thus far. At the first hearing in Wilmington on March 11, supporters of environmental quality were also present in force and spoke eloquently. According to the Wilmington Star-News, area resident Laura Parks kicked off the public comments by reminding committee members, "When you seek to weed through these regulations, know that we also rely on regulations to protect us...We may not be a business, just operating the business of our homes."

Environmental allies cannot afford to rest, however. Several additional hearings are planned by the "Joint Regulatory Reform Committee", including one today (Monday, March 28) from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Jamestown campus of Guilford Technical Community College, 601 High Point Road, Jamestown NC. Speakers will have up to two minutes to address the committee. Sign-up to speak begins at 12:30 p.m. Those who cannot attend can send comments to the committee care of regreform@ncleg.net.

Supporters of protecting clean air and water and public health are being called upon to stand up at these hearings to defend the laws and programs which protect our health and environment. Time and place details for the remaining public hearings (April 4, Winterville; April 15, Flat Rock; and April 21, Raleigh) can be found here: http://www.ncleg.net/documentsites/committees/jointregreform/Joint%20Regulatory%20Reform%20Meeting%20Schedule.pdf.

According to U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group), 108 million Americans live within 50 miles of one of the 104 operating commercial nuclear power plants in the United States. How many of them have received any information on emergency response or evacuation alternatives in the event of radiation releases similar to those taking place in Japan now?

Fears also continued to grow regarding the risk of further radiation leaks from spent fuel rods stored in pools outside the damaged reactors. In Japan as in the United States, tons of highly radioactive waste are stored in pools near but outside the reactor buildings. In the United States, almost 72,000 tons of these spent fuel rods are in temporary storage on plant sites, with more than three-quarters of the waste still very hot and sitting in water-filled pools for cooling. The amount of this intensely radioactive waste, which will remain toxic for tens of thousands of years, is currently growing in the U.S. at a rate of about 2,200 tons per year. When pools with the hot spent fuel are not kept filled with water, the residual heat of the rods can melt their casing and release highly dangerous radioactive isotopes to the environment. There is substantial concern that such releases already may have occurred in Japan.

Campaign Watch: Early Attacks Begin Against Environmental Ally

With the 2012 election year still nine months away, an automated telephone call attack campaign has already been launched against environmental ally U.S. Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC13). Miller's Congressional district is considered a likely target of redistricting efforts this year to reduce his support in 2012. In preparation for the expected campaign targeting Miller, the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee has initiated recorded calls to voters in the 13th District accusing Miller of supporting policies to raise gas prices. The calls implicitly refer to Miller's support for common-sense restrictions on offshore drilling. Miller responds that "according to the Bush Administration's Department of Energy, opening our entire continental shelf to oil drilling without regard to any environmental concern would not lower the price at the pump [for gasoline] at all. No amount of chanting 'drill, baby, drill' is going to change all that."
Education & Resources: Chances to Support Rail Transit
Finally this week, we note that residents of the Research Triangle region will have an opportunity to support development of its local, energy-efficient rail and bus transit system at four public workshops this week (March 28, 29, 30 and 31). For details on when, where, and how, see www.ourtransitfuture.com.

Help Elect Environmental Protectors

According to a survey conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research earlier this year, only 1% of Tar Heel voters cited the environment and climate change as the most important issues facing the country today—falling below “Other” and “Not Sure.” But to maintain North Carolina’s high quality of life and to continue growing our state’s economy, we must protect the air, water, and natural resources that make North Carolina special. This is why we need now more than ever to elect candidates who will make the environment a political priority.
In the 2008 elections, CCNC helped elect 71 of the 73 candidates we endorsed. These same elected officials did the job by ensuring a pro-conservation outcome for 10 of the 12 environmental bills Conservation Council worked on during the last legislative session. Please take a look at our 2010 Legislative Scorecard at http://www.conservationcouncilnc.org/  for a complete record of the key issues scored and how your representative voted on each.

We need your help once again this year. Your vote for our endorsed, pro-conservation candidates listed below and a gift to the Conservation PAC are two of the most important things you can do to help protect North Carolina’s environment, the health of our communities, and our economy.

With the General Election right around the corner, your contribution today will help us change the way environmental decisions are made in North Carolina. Your gift of $50, $100, $250 or $1,000 will make a huge impact, but gifts of any amount are appreciated.

Please help us elect leaders who stand up for conservation and successfully ensure a pro-environment majority in the NC General Assembly. Together, we will pass strong environmental policies for North Carolina.

Sincerely,  Carrie Clark, Executive Director

P.S. Anti-environmental interests are spending more money in this election than ever before. Help us level the playing field by making your gift to the Conservation PAC today!
Remember early voting starts today October 14 and continues through October 30. You can find your early voter site at ncvoterinfo.org/

2010 Conservation PAC General Election Endorsements

North Carolina State Senate Races

District 1 – Sen. Marc Basnight, D-Dare

District 2 –Barbara Garrity-Blake, D-Craven

District 7 – Sen. Doug Berger, D-Franklin

District 9 – Jim Leutze, D-New Hanover

District 12 – Jody McCloud, D-Johnston

District 15 – Sen. Neal Hunt, R-Wake

District 16 – Sen. Josh Stein, D-Wake

District 17 – Sen. Richard Stevens, R-Wake

District 18 – Sen. Bob Atwater, D-Chatham

District 19 – Sen. Margaret Dickson, D-Cumberland

District 21 – Eric Mansfield, D-Cumberland

District 23 – Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange

District 27 – Sen. Don Vaughan, D-Guilford

District 28 – Gladys Robinson, D-Guilford

District 36 – Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, R-Cabarrus

District 37 – Sen. Dan Clodfelter, D-Meck.

District 40 – Sen. Malcolm Graham, D-Meck.

District 44 – Beth Jones D-Burke

District 45 – Sen. Steve Goss, D-Watauga

District 49 – Sen. Martin Nesbitt, D-Buncombe


North Carolina State House Races

District 3 – Rep. Alice Underhill, D-Craven

District 5 – Rep. Annie Mobley, D-Bertie

District 7 – Rep. Angela Bryant, D-Halifax

District 9 – Rep. Marion McLawhorn, D-Pitt

District 16 – Rep. Carolyn Justice, R-New Hanover

District 19 – Rep. Danny McComas, R-New Hanover

District 20 – Rep. Dewey Hill, D-Columbus

District 21 – Rep. Larry Bell, D-Sampson

District 23 – Rep. Joe Tolson, D-Edgcombe

District 24 – Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield, D-Wilson

District 29 – Rep. Larry Hall, D-Durham

District 30 – Rep. Paul Luebke, D-Durham

District 33 – Rep. Rosa Gill, D-Wake

District 34 – Rep. Grier Martin, D-Wake

District 35 – Rep. Jennifer Weiss, D-Wake

District 36 – Robin Anderson, D-Wake

District 37 – Debra McHenry, D-Wake

District 38 – Rep. Deborah Ross, D-Wake

District 40 – Violet Rhinehart, D-Wake

District 41 – Rep. Chris Heagarty, D-Wake

District 44 – Rep. Diane Parfitt, D-Cumberland

District 45 – Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland

District 50 – Rep. Bill Faison, D-Orange

District 54 – Rep. Joe Hackney, D-Orange

District 55 – Rep. Winkie Wilkins, D-Person

District 56 – Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange

District 57 – Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford

District 58 – Rep. Alma Adams, D-Guilford

District 63 – Rep. Alice Bordsen, D-Alamance

District 81 – Rep. Hugh Holliman, D-Davidson

District 85 – Beth Ostgaard, D-McDowell

District 93 – Rep. Cullie Tarleton, D-Ashe

District 99 – Rodney Moore, D-Meck.

District 100 – Rep. Tricia Cotham, D-Meck.

District 102 – Rep. Becky Carney, D-Meck.

District 103 – Ann Newman, D-Meck.

District 104 – Rep. Ruth Samuelson, R-Meck.

District 106 – Rep. Martha Alexander, D-Meck.

District 107 – Rep. Kelly Alexander, D-Meck.

District 114 – Rep. Susan Fisher, D-Buncombe

District 115 – Patsy Keever, D-Buncombe

District 117 – Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson

District 118 – Rep. Ray Rapp, D-Madison

District 119 – Rep. Phil Haire, D-Jackson

Running for NC Senate, Kenneth Lewis

Meet Kenneth
As a business lawyer in North Carolina for more than 20 years, Kenneth has been helping to create jobs and greater economic opportunity for all of North Carolina’s citizens. Kenneth’s clients have spanned the industries which have propelled the state toward its #1 business climate ranking* for seven of the past eight years. These industries include manufacturing, domestic and international distribution, high technology, and alternative energy.

Not content to forge progress only from the confines of his office, Kenneth has volunteered for and served organizations that promoted entrepreneurship and job creation, responsible lending, low income housing and community development, reproductive health issues, expansion of health insurance, healthcare delivery, early childhood development and advocacy for children’s issues.

Forging a New Path Forward
Having worked closely with businesses, government and social entrepreneurs, Kenneth understands the goals, needs and challenges of each. Many see these groups as having competing interests and goals. But Kenneth understands that continued progress in our country and in North Carolina requires that these groups work together toward a single vision — securing real and lasting prosperity for all. Kenneth has the experience, the ideas and the energy to find the common ground that will keep North Carolina and our country moving forward. As a business lawyer, that’s what he’s done for the past 22 years --- help parties with different interests and perspectives find ways to succeed together by focusing on their common interests.

Kenneth has also been active in North Carolina politics throughout his life, at the grassroots level and in advising and supporting candidates. His decision to run for the United States Senate comes on the heels of his extensive work with the Obama presidential campaign. This work involved fundraising, grassroots voter registration and early voting drives, outreach for the national campaign with state political leaders and more.

The Family Who Serves Together, Makes Change Together
The story of Kenneth’s family echoes the story of the American dream — it’s a story of hard work, reliance on education to achieve success, and a belief in serving the broader community. Kenneth’s parents were the children of sharecroppers from North and South Carolina. Despite their meager beginnings, his parents, through hard work and sacrifice, found educational opportunities. His mother became a schoolteacher and his father a minister and college professor. Kenneth’s parents demonstrated their commitment to community through their service. During the turbulent 1960’s his father served as president of an interracial and inter-faith organization that worked on reconciliation and healing of past divisions, and was a founding board member of an anti-poverty program.

Inspired by prominent lawyers like Thurgood Marshall and Julius Chambers, who were working to create change in the 1960’s and 70’s, Kenneth decided to become a lawyer. After graduating from Duke University and Harvard Law School, he turned down offers from prominent law firms across the country, and returned to his home state of North Carolina to be part of its growth into a more dynamic and prosperous state.

During his career as a business lawyer, Kenneth has been a partner in two of North Carolina’s largest and most prominent law firms. He also co-founded and ran a small law firm. That firm’s mission was to provide high quality legal services to a broad array of clients who might otherwise be unable to afford such services, including a nationally recognized Small Business Administration lender and one of the state’s largest nonprofit developers of award-winning affordable housing.

Kenneth, 47, is married to his wife of 20 years, Holly Ewell Lewis, who is a graduate of Duke and the University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Graduate School of Business, and is a former marketing executive at Sara Lee. They live in Chapel Hill with their three children, Evan (15), Marshall (14) and Maya (9). Continuing in his family’s tradition of service, Holly and their teenage children tutor at-risk students at a local elementary school, and the entire family volunteers at a food ministry at their church, Asbury Temple United Methodist Church in Durham.

Conservation Insider Bulletin, Oct. 9

Conservation Insider Bulletin
Published weekly for the Conservation Council of North Carolina
Conservation News to Peruse & Use
Editor: Dan Besse, cib@conservationcouncilnc.org

October 9, 2009
There were mixed greens & browns in the Raleigh races this week, while in one upcoming Senate race green becomes stylish, this week in CIB:

--Campaign Watch: Raleigh Results; Senate Energy Action

--Global Warming Update: Chamber Bleeding High-Profile Membership Over Climate Obstructionism

--Washington Watch: EPA Finalizes Greenhouse Reporting Rule

--Conservationists: Remembering Margaret Pollard and Margie Ellison



Campaign Watch: Raleigh Results; Energy Steps Up as Issue in Dem Senate Race

Raleigh Results: The balance of power on the Raleigh City Council underwent an apparent shift as former council member John Odom re-took a seat over District B Councilor Rodger Koopman, an ally of strong land use planning. This is viewed as likely to end a previous Council majority for Mayor Charles Meeker's policies such as higher impact fees on development. However, other environmental allies such as Meeker himself, At-Large Councilor Russ Stephenson, and District D Councilor Thomas Crowder succeeded in retaining their seats. Local observers speculated that the heated Wake County school board races attracted many conservative voters in the North Raleigh contest which overlapped with Koopman's district, affecting that outcome.

Energy Steps Up as Issue in Dem Senate Race: So far, two North Carolina Democrats have declared their candidacies for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Richard Burr, and at least one other is nearing a decision on whether to run. Interestingly, it is the still-maybe candidate, former State Sen. Cal Cunningham, who has jumped into the debate with the greatest enthusiasm for action on clean energy / climate change legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate.

Cunningham traveled to Washington last week to attend the unveiling of the Barbara Boxer / John Kerry legislation on clean energy and climate change. He (along with N.C. House environmental leader Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford) is a cheerleader for that proposal.

When asked, Chapel Hill attorney Ken Lewis said he supported such legislation, and N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall indicated that she was studying it. Lewis and Marshall are the two declared Democratic candidates thus far.

Global Warming Update: Chamber Bleeding High-Profile Membership Over Climate Obstructionism

Here's an encouraging twist on the ongoing, intense national debate over climate change policy. Several high-profile business organizations have dropped their memberships in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in protest over the Chamber's obstructionism on this issue. In contrast to many other business organizations, the U.S. Chamber has uncompromisingly fought against efforts in Congress to require reductions in U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases.

As a result, two large electric utilities dropped their memberships in late September, and this week it was electronics leader Apple, Inc. In a letter to the Chamber president, Apple vice president Catherine Novelli said, "Apple supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and it is frustrating to find the Chamber at odds with us in this effort." (Washington Post, 10/5/09.)

The Chamber president, Thomas J. Donohue, is receiving criticism for what some perceive as a conflict of interest between his duties to that group and his membership on the board of directors for Union Pacific Railroad. Union Pacific opposes climate action legislation, as an estimated 20% of its business comes from shipping coal. Donohue has agreed to Union Pacific's policy for its board members, which calls for them to back Union Pacific's interests in other contexts. There have been calls for him to resolve the conflict by resigning one position or the other. Thus far, he has refused. (National Public Radio, 9/28/09.)

Washington Watch: EPA Finalizes Greenhouse Reporting Rule

As expected, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in late September issued its final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule. The rule will require approximately 10,000 industrial facilities to monitor and report their greenhouse gas emissions. The first reports are due on March 31, 2011 for calendar year 2010 emissions. Monitoring and recordkeeping activities must begin January 1, 2010, at covered facilities. EPA rejected arguments to delay the rule's implementation for a year.

If nothing else, this helps reinforce the message to potential obstructionists in Congress and lobbying groups that action is coming on climate change. Congress can set the policy—or, the Obama Administration is signaling, the executive branch has the existing authority under previous clean air legislation to act on its own through rulemaking.

Conservationists: Remembering Margaret Pollard and Margie Ellison

Two strong environmental activists with a history of special service to North Carolina's minority communities passed away recently. Margaret Pollard was a Chatham County Commissioner, and a trail-breaker as an African-American women in that post. A community organizer for decades, she also served at times as a member of the N.C. Environmental Management Commission and as a member of the board of directors of CCNC. N.C. House Speaker Joe Hackney (D-Chatham), speaking at Pollard's funeral, told mourners, "She had a real passion for helping poor people, for helping provide good nutrition for them and building houses for them."

Margie Ellison, also African-American, served as NC WARN's organizing director since 2006 and was a founder of the Grassroots Energy Alliance. Her work for Chatham County included chairing its Human Relations Commission, and serving on both its Economic Development Board and its Green Economy Task Force. In a statement, NC WARN said that "Margie's life was dedicated to the struggle for civil rights and for social, economic, and environmental justice."

Cool Cities in NC; Why Not Sou. Pines?

http://www.coolcities.us/state.php?state=NC

Wind, Baby, Wind!

http://www.environmentnorthcarolina.org/action/preservation/perdue-wind

NC Break-Down on Friday's ACES Vote

Final Passage:

Ayes - 219 (211 Dems, 8 Rep)

Noes – 212 (44 Dems, 168 Rep)


NC Dems:

Butterfield - Aye

Etheridge - Aye

Kissell - No

McIntyre - No

Miller - Aye

Price - Aye

Shuler - Aye

Watt – Aye

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml