February 2020 Great Falls Group Cascade
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In the past month, the Great Falls Group (GFG) has continued to make progress on several fronts, with participation in the CECAP Task Force and Focus Groups, a successful pipeline community meeting, GFG ExCom elections, the participation in the EQAC Public Hearing and Richmond environmental rallies and lobby day.
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Significant Events Calendar
Feb. 11
- Virginia General Assembly Session Crossover
Feb. 12
- Fracked Gas Pipeline: Community Session - Manassas
Feb. 19
-
Volunteer Action Night for the Environment
Mar. 7 -
Virgnia General Assembly Session Adjourns
Apr. 22
- Earth Day
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The kick off for the Fairfax County Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) Task Force was held January 24. The plan, which will be the first of its kind for the county, will include a greenhouse gas inventory as well as targets for greenhouse gas reduction in the coming years. The CECAP will also include actions and strategies to help mitigate climate change and to reduce the impact of climate-related events on county residents and businesses. Once developed, a final plan will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for adoption.
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Fracked Gas Pipeline Coming to PW County: Community Session #2 (Manassas)
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WHEN:
Wed., February 12, 6:30-8:30 pm
DETAILS:
Two new proposed pipelines are seeking state permits from Virginia agencies, including a 42-inch fracked gas pipeline in Prince William County and Fauquier County. Join us and learn about the proposed dirty energy projects and how we can raise awareness.
Click
here
for more information and to RSVP.
SPONSORS:
Mothers Out Front Woodbridge, Food and Water Watch Virginia, Sierra Club Great Falls Group, The Greater Prince William Climate Action Network, Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
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Photo credit: Clem Murray
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Volunteer Action Night for the Environment (Fairfax)
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WHEN:
Wed.,
February 19
, 6:30-8:30 pm
DETAILS:
Join us in working to combat climate change and global warming. Activities include a campaign to confront the energy challenges posed by Loudoun County's massive data centers, and fighting oil and gas pipelines in Virginia. Come be part of the
solutions!
RSVP
SPONSOR:
Sierra Club/Great Falls Group
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April 22, 2020 will be the
50
th
anniversary of Earth Day
.
GFG is looking for presentation topics or activities that our members and community can take part in during the month of April to celebrate this special day. If you have any suggestions, please send them to Norbert at
norbertsierra@aol.com
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Image source: Earthday.org
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Response to American Legion Bridge Expansion
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Now that the widening of the American Legion bridge and parts of I-270 have been approved, environmental groups need to raise awareness about the effects of the project on the local area, transportation, and climate change.
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Screen shot from MDOT I-495 & I-270 Managed Lanes Study
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Delays Still HInder ACP and MVP Progress
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The Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) lack permits to continue construction due to legal challenges and court decisions.
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Fracked Gas Pipeline Coming to PW County: Community Session Raises Awareness
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Forty-eight people attended the Manassas pipeline community meeting Jan. 22. Many a
ttendees reported they had never heard of this project, yet FERC and Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality DEQ appear to have permitted it. Citizen advocacy on the local and state level are the next steps
SPONSORS: Food and Water Watch Virginia, Sierra Club/Great Falls Group
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Great Falls Group ExCom Elections
The Great Falls Group is a local Sierra Club group within the Club’s Virginia Chapter. It is governed by a volunteer leadership group, the Executive Committee (ExCom).
There are nine positions on the ExCom, and each year some of these spots come up for election. In 2019 two ExCom members (Helene Shore and Joe Apple) stepped down, leavnig six open positions in all. Six nominees were elected to fill the positions (Alex Rough, Ana Prados, Linda Stevens, Peg Hausman, Robin Olsen, and Susan Bonney).
Thanks to Helene and Joe for many hours of selfless work, and to the new and continuing members who have devoted many volunteer hours to supporting the Great Falls Group activities.
More information will be provided in the next
Cascade
issue.
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A Historic General Assembly Kick-off
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For the first time in twenty-six years, Virginia has a legislature and executive branch poised to take strong action to address the climate crisis. To kick off the General Assembly, on January 14 hundreds of advocates traveled from across the state to the capitol to show support for clean energy.
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Group photo on the stairs of the Virginia State Capitol
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Plant NOVA Natives Plans Pre-Spring Events
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Here is an
update
for Plant NOVA natives, a group that encourages planting native plants in Northern Virginia for easier care and more benefit to wildlife. Among notable events is
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Helping the Program Chair
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Would you like to help develop GFG programs? We are looking for someone to assist with program development. There are many ways you can help: booking speakers or events, selecting dates, advertising in local media, coordinating with the local venue (often a library), and creating RSVPs. This is a great opportunity to help GFG with its environmental and other programs, be a member of a committee, and meet new friends. If you are interested in assisting, please contact Catherine Carver at
ccarver37@gmail.com.
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Ways to Stay in Touch with GFG
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Send comments or questions to the
editor
.
Thank you!
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