OLCV e-bulletin: Will DC follow in OR's footsteps? Other news and upcoming events

DC to follow in Oregon's footsteps?

In 2007, Oregon's Legislature adopted a 25% by 2025 standard that was part of the Oregon Conservation Network's Priorities for a Healthy Oregon.

Yesterday in Washington, D.C., Representative Ed Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and Representative Todd Platts (R-PA) introduced a bipartisan bill calling for 25% of American energy to come from renewable sources by 2025.

Read the League of Conservation Voters' press release.
Read more about the bill.
Wildlife can't wait

In case you missed it last week, there was a great guest opinion in The Oregonian.
Warren Aney, a wildlife ecologist from Tigard, reminds us of some of the great conservation strides made during the far more severe economic depression of the 1930's.

He writes, "Things became much worse then than they are now; there was a disastrous stock market crash, banks and businesses closed, agricultural prices fell, factories shut down, and unemployment eventually reached 20 percent.

That depression lasted for over 10 years. Yet during this time Americans and Oregonians made some of the century's greatest conservation strides."

Continue reading Aney's article.
We want you!

OLCV has eight county chapters throughout the state. The chapters are managed by all-volunteer steering committees. If you value a clean and healthy environment and are passionate about Oregon politics, please consider getting involved with your local county chapter. You decide your level of involvement.

• I want to be an environmental leader (10-15 hours a month)
  Join your local Steering Committee: Attend monthly meetings, help with endorsement recommendations, organize local events, help with local campaign efforts, raise money to support our local efforts to elect pro-environment candidates
• I want to take action (5-10 hours a month)
  Join our Grassroots Action Team: Attend city council meetings and report back to the steering committee on important environmental issues, write letters to the editor, volunteer at local events for OLCV, help canvass and phone bank for pro-environment candidates
• I want to help when I can (3-5 hours a month)
  Green Volunteer: Lobby your legislators

To get involved in Multnomah, Marion, or Lincoln County email Tresa Horney; Clackamas, Lane, or Washington County email Andy Maggi; Deschutes County email Ben Gordon; Jackson County email Mat Marr.
Metro Columbia River Crossing Hearing in Portland

Yesterday, the Oregonian published an op-ed by Metro Council President David Bragdon: "Bridge Analysis goes in a Circle." In the article, he thoughtfully lays out several of the potential downsides of a large freeway bridge and the problems with the analysis that has been presented so far. Read the article.
Today, Metro will be taking public comments at a hearing.

WHAT: Public Hearing on the Columbia River Crossing

WHEN: Thursday, 2 PM, Feb. 5

WHERE: Metro Council, 600 NE Grand Ave, Portland

Global warming, air quality, health, more gridlock on I-5 – these are just some of the many reasons to care about this project.

Please come testify today or if you can’t testify in person send an email to the Councilors. To send an email click on the names of the Metro Councilors below.

Metro Councilors:
David Bragdon (Metro President)
Rex Burkholder
Carlotta Collette
Kathryn Harrington
Carl Hosticka
Robert Liberty
Rod Park

You can also add your name to the growing list of Climate Smart Columbia River Crossing supporters.

Visit the Coalition for a Livable Future's website to learn more about the Columbia River Crossing and the campaign for a Climate Smart solution.
RePower Oregon 2009 Citizen Lobby Day

Join RePower Oregon 2009 in Salem to advance the extensive package of legislation to curb global warming. Let your legislators know that 2009 is the year to get climate change legislation passed in Oregon.

WHEN: Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM February 10, 2009

WHERE: Reed Opera House, Trinity Ballroom
189 Liberty St NE # 204 Map
The day begins with a morning training session, where you will review the who, what, how, and why of citizen lobbying. After that, you will be divided into groups by House District and meet with your State Representatives and State Senators face-to-face about why they need to take immediate action to cap global warming pollution.
Carpool information will be distributed to everyone who RSVPs.
RSVP NOW.

Implementing solutions to fight global warming is one of the Oregon Conservation Networks' six Priorities. Learn more.

Clean Energy & Jobs Town Hall in Lane County
Lane County Commissioners Rob Handy and Pete Sorenson and Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy are holding a town hall meeting on Wednesday Feb, 11 2008 about Clean Energy and Jobs. Please attend to show your support.

WHAT: "New Era of Cooperation between Eugene and Lane County"
WHEN: 7-8:30 PM, Wednesday, Feb. 11
WHERE: Harris Hall, Lane County Public Service Building, 125 East 8th Ave., Eugene
WHO: Lane County residents are invited to listen, learn, and share their views on jobs and clean energy.
Here is the announcement from Lane County’s website.

Purchase your tickets to OLCV's 12th Annual Dinner for the Environment

Join hundreds of your fellow conservationists, civic leaders, and sustainable business representatives at OLCV's legendary Annual Dinner.

WHEN: Friday, April 24, 2009; no-host cocktail at 5:30 pm, dinner & program at 7 pm

WHERE: Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Portland

Keynote: Dan Kammen, Distinguished Professor of Energy at UC Berkeley, and Director of the Transportation Sustainability Research Center. Kammen is a contributing member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that shared the 2007 Nobel Prize. Kammen directs the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory at UC Berkeley and is host of the Science Channel series 'Ecopolis.'

Menu: Sustainable Northwest Menu (vegetarian and vegan options available) with great Oregon wines donated by some of Oregon's finest wineries

Ticket price: $125 per seat. 10 seats to a table; 5 to a half table. Purchase tickets now.

Event sponsorships are also available. Contact OLCV Development Director, Molly Kramer, for more information at 503-224-4011 or via email.
Stay connected on Facebook and SalemWatch

Join our OLCV Cause on Facebook and recruit your friends to join you.
This is a great way to learn about OLCV's upcoming events and opportunities, pass on information to your friends about OLCV and see who else is involved.
You can find us at http://www.causes.com/olcv

Sign up for SalemWatch, the weekly update during the session for those who’re looking for more details about individual bills.

SalemWatch is your best source for news on significant environmental decisions being considered by the Legislature.
During the Session, SalemWatch is published weekly, with special action alerts on upcoming important votes you can influence with emails and letters.