C-PACE update, VCN General Assembly Preview, Community Conversations: the Path to Advocacy, GFG Elections, Pipeline Updates, Sierra Club Great Falls Group Holiday Party
December 2019 Great Falls Group Cascade
From the Chair
In the past month, the Great Falls Group (GFG) has continued to make progress on several fronts. In particular, we’ve been getting more members involved via the successful Volunteer Night meetings focusing on environmental action. We’ve worked to resolve new land use issues as well, and we’ve educated members about the importance of preserving our wilderness with a presentation on the Red Rock area in Southern Utah. We’ve also worked with the Sierra Club’s Virginia Chapter to improve communication and finalize the new statewide Mission and Vision statements.

Significant Events Calendar

Dec 5 - Community Conversations: The Path to Advocacy

Dec 7 - VCN General Assembly Preview (Reston, with organizations tabling)

Dec 9 - Sierra Club Great Falls Group Holiday Party
Climate and Energy
C-PACE 

The Great Falls Group led advocacy efforts supporting the County Board’s decision to develop a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACE) program. We were pleased to learn that the county reached a major program milestone on November 14, 2019, in awarding a contract to the Virginia PACE Authority to serve as the Program Administrator.  This is a new nonprofit that helps Virginia towns and counties administer their C-PACE programs. According to county staff, the program should begin operations by early next year after program guidelines are completed.

2019 General Assembly Preview
Reston Watch Party hosted by Sierra Club/Great Falls Group
WHEN:  Saturday, December 7, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
WHERE: National Wildlife Center (near Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station), Reston, VA 20190 and Richmond
DESCRIPTION:  Join Virginia's conservation community at its annual General Assembly Preview for a special look at what's to come in the 2020 legislative session. The General Assembly Preview includes presentations by leading Virginia experts on the environmental topics that are expected to rise to the top in 2020. There will be areas for organizations to table at Reston.  Registration

Vienna Number One in NoVa Solar
Vienna is the top zip code in northern Virginia for installing solar systems. Learn how Solarize NOVA assists homeowners.

Image source: Patch / Town of Vienna
Earth Day 2020
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 participate in during the month of April to celebrate this special day. If you have any suggestions, please send them to Norbert at [email protected]

Image source: Earthday.org
Land Use
Community Conversations: 
The Path to Advocacy
WHEN: December 5, 2019, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
WHERE: Mosaic Community Space, 2985 District Avenue, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22031
DESCRIPTION: This will be the first in a series of conversations about how we can participate in the local environmental movement in ways that are satisfying, enjoyable, empowering and sustainable for each of us. Three local environmental advocates will talk about their perspectives on environmental advocacy in Fairfax/Northern Virginia/Virginia - where we are now, and where we’re going.
Join us!
CONTACT or RSVP: Douglas Stewart, 
SPONSORS: Friends of Accotink Creek, Friends of Holmes Run, Sierra Club Great Falls Group

Photo credit: Kris Unger
Pipelines
Why Pipelines Lead to Higher Energy Prices
Virginia's controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline claims to have over 230 miles of pipe laid, but they have a lot of complicated, expensive construction challenges ahead, not to mention suspended permits and legal challenges. With demand for natural gas projected to fall, they face massive stranded assets in the future whose costs will be passed on to ratepayers. Meanwhile, leading U.S. utilities are finding that clean energy portfolios (CEPs) can provide affordable power as reliably as gas-fired plants .

Pipeline Updates
Two recent news stories provide useful updates on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP):

Have you heard of Transco Pipeline's Southeastern Trail Expansion Project?  

The 42" fracked-gas pipeline expansion project would be located in Prince William and Fauquier Counties. V isit the Great Falls Group website to l earn more about this proposed project, and the opportunity for public input by Dec. 17 by
And More
Holiday Party Potluck – Sierra Club Great Falls Group
WHEN: Monday, December 9, 6 - 9 pm. Food served at 6:30 pm.
WHERE: National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190
PROGRAM: Enjoy   great food and drink and socialize with people who share your interests and concerns. Please bring a dish to share and a card/paper sign with dish name and ingredients.
QUESTIONS:   Robin Olsen
SPONSOR: Sierra Club/Great Falls Group   
 
We need volunteers!
 
  • Holiday planning committee
  • Setting up the decorations
  • Organize what people are bringing
 
Please contact Robin Olsen if you would like to volunteer to help with the party, or have suggestions.
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).

Candidate statements and voting instructions are available on the Great Falls Group website.
Removing Invasive Plants, Planting Trees
On October 26,13 friends volunteered to remove invasive plants and plant 25 new native tree seedlings. They plucked the blue and purple berries from the porcelain berry vein and pulled the light green berries from the mile-a-minute vine so these agressive creepers won’t germinate and spread. Susan Bonney and Rekha Nadkarni helped organize the event. Thanks to Fairfax Releaf for the training and supplies!

Benefits of Leaving the Leaves
Did you know that letting fallen leaves stay on your property rather than raking them away is beneficial to both your garden and wildlife?

Red Rock Canyon Presentation
On October 22nd, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) grassroots organizer Travis Hammill presented the film “ WILD UTAH: America’s Red Rock Wilderness ” at Oakton Library and discussed issues of land preservation and conservation in Utah.

Ways to Stay in Touch with GFG
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Thank you!