Greetings RE-AMPers!
In this issue:
- Over the past couple of months we’ve heard stories from the Wisconsin State Table and the Iowa State Table regarding their aligned funding work and how that’s contributing to the long term power building goals of their table. This month we’re going to hear from Illinois and their work to develop a downstate caucus. Read more here.
- We also caught up with Jessica Collingsworth, Illinois State Table Member to hear about her experiences as a state table member.
- Iowa State Table elected a new leadership team. Read more here
- In the campaign section you’ll also read about Ashwat Narayanan’s keynote address to Strong Towns, highlighting the work they’ve done in Wisconsin to stop new highway expansions.
- If you’re curious about what the RE-AMP Steering Committee is up to, read this month’s update from Nachy Kanfer.
- Don’t forget to register for the RE-AMP Annual Meeting!
- Find out more and listen to the State of the State Tables Network Webinar.
- Thank you to members who submitted photos from the People’s Climate March. Looks like it was a great event! Check out photos here.
- Of course – don’t forget to check in on the Network Events or catch up on the State of State Tables webinar in the From the Archives.
— Feature Stories —
Member Interview: Jessica Collingsworth, Union of Concerned Scientists
I had the pleasure of catching up with State Table Member, Jessica Collingsworth. She had some great advice about how to maintain a healthy culture within the state table through good communications. You can read the full interview here. – Sarah Ann Shanahan, RE-AMP Community Manager
— Network News —
Monthly Message from the Steering Committee
– contributed by Nachy Kanfer, Sierra Club
Nachy Kanfer
The Steering Committee met in April to discuss and approve several critical items. Most importantly, we received an in-depth update from RE-AMP staff on systems analysis around “equitable deep decarbonization.” The crux of the issue is this: it takes time to do good systems analysis, especially when this analysis is intended to put our equity goals at the forefront. So we can’t rush that. And yet we are already seeing various Action Teams forming and crystallizing, and it’s important to make sure all our work — including that of the Action Teams — is grounded in a systems analysis of equitable deep decarbonization. After lengthy discussion with staff, the Steering Committee gave a “thumbs up” to staff to continue the process of consultation and work on the systems analysis, and to keep in touch with Action Teams as they are forming.
The Steering Committee also discussed the 2017 criteria and process around Global Warming Strategic Action Fund proposals for state tables. We expect to have additional guidance for the network shortly for how we will be reducing the burden of grant applications.
Finally, per the bylaws we adopted earlier this year, we have appointed a Nominations Committee to recruit candidates for the upcoming Steering Committee elections. This committee consists currently of Jennie Curtis, Lisa Daniels, Ed Miller, Don Morrison, Duane Ninneman, and Jacqui Patterson, and Sean Estelle.
We look forward to our next update, which will include more information about Action Teams, the Annual Meeting, and the 2017 GWSAF application process.
Network Webinar: State of the State Tables
We want to thank everyone who participated in the webinar on May 8th. It was a packed agenda featuring seven state tables and a variety of speakers. We heard about the importance of well thought out plans to get victories in Ohio and Illinois, the patience it takes to build just relationships amongst ourselves in Michigan and Minnesota, and the importance of organizing from Wisconsin, North Dakota and Iowa.
While we heard some common threads we also heard about the unique approaches each state is taking to meet the needs of their membership and their state’s landscapes. In case you missed it, you can find the recording on the Commons by navigating the ACTIVITY bar and selecting WEBINARS from the group resources menu. You can also find the recording the this Newsletter under From the Archives.
There were a lot of great questions, but unfortunately we couldn’t get to all of them. If your question didn’t get answered reach out to fellow Network members via the Commons or if you have a state specific question, reach out through that state’s page in the groups section.
A big thank you to our speakers and Network members for participating!
Register before it’s too late!
Room block expires May 28th!
Register now for the 2017 RE-AMP Annual Meeting: Empowering the Midwest Climate Movement at Loyola University July 11-13th. Register here: https://reamp2017.eventbrite.com
Registration opened May 1st and closes May 31st. One benefit of RE-AMP membership is that organizations’ first attendee is free! Additional organizational representatives may be added for a small fee.
There are several tickets to choose from:
- Designated Representative-Use this ticket to register your organization’s first representative. A benefit of RE-AMP membership is you get to send your first attendee free!
- Additional representatives are welcomed at an additional cost to help cover the cost of their attendance.
- Tier 1 Organization – $50 fee per additional representative for operating budgets under $500,000
- Tier 2 Organization – $150 fee per additional representative for operating budgets between $500,000-$2 million
- Tier 3 Organization – $250 fee per additional representative for operating budgets over $2 million
- Staff and Leadership – RE-AMP Staff, RE-AMP Steering Committee members, and State Table Coordinators use this ticket to register for free and do not count against an organization’s designated representative
- Speaker or Presenters – This ticket is for those who are brought in to lead workshops or give a keynote address.
State table leaders, who are not with RE-AMP member organizations, may attend with a small fee based on their operating budget. Use Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 to register appropriately.
Register today: https://reamp2017.eventbrite.com
Lodging: There are 75 rooms available at Loyola which are on hold until May 28th. There’s a combination of single, double and grad apartments. Loyola will make rooming pairs based on gender. Book early to ensure you have a place to stay!
Travel Assistance: We do have a modest budget for travel assistant and the policy is the same as in past years. Priority is given to small organizations who would otherwise not be able to attend. You must register by May 31st to be considered.
More details about the agenda, lodging, guidebook and travel assistance can be found on the Annual Meeting page on the Commons. A full agenda can be found here.
– Campaign and State Table Updates —
Illinois Climate Table: Future Energy Jobs Act Implementation Update
– contributed by Jen Walling, Illinois Environmental Council
Jen Walling
In the waning days of 2016, after more than two years of persistent advocacy and tough negotiations, significant clean energy and climate legislation was passed in Illinois. The Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) is momentous not only for what it does, but also for the signal it sends: that even while the new federal administration insists on promoting a regressive, uneconomic, and unhealthy energy agenda, states can assert themselves as leaders in building the clean energy economy. So what does FEJA do?
In terms of clean energy development, the Act fixes the broken renewable portfolio standard and puts Illinois back on track to acquiring 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2025. New provisions set explicit, long-term new build requirements that will ensure that renewable energy credits are supplied by new construction of wind and solar projects in the state, including community solar, low-income solar, brownfield solar, and distributed generation projects.
The energy efficiency provisions contained in FEJA will give Illinois the distinction of having one of the top programs in the nation. Illinois is served by two utilities, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) and Ameren. Under FEJA, ComEd (which serves Chicagoland and is one of the country’s largest utilities) will be required to reduce energy demand by 21.5 percent by 2030, while Ameren is committed to achieving a 16 percent reduction. The act also requires that a minimum of $25 million per year be spent on programs to increase the efficiency of low-income households and includes on-bill financing options.
While roughly 70 percent of the program dollars allocated by FEJA fund the renewable energy and energy efficiency provisions described above, it also includes support for two of Exelon’s nuclear plants in the form of a new “Zero-Emission Standard” (ZES). Needless to say, the Illinois Climate Table was not thrilled about this portion of the bill, nor that it received the lion’s share of media coverage. Ultimately, however, the Climate Table voted overwhelmingly to support the final bill.
The Illinois Climate Table was formed in 2014 to bring together stakeholders interested in implementation of the Clean Power Plan. Out of this table came the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, a coalition of over 300 environmental organizations, environmental justice organizations, businesses, labor, and public health organizations. The table has subcommittees such as policy, communications, grassroots, an EJ Caucus, and a newly forming downstate caucus. Recently, the table voted to be led by a steering committee of diverse interests.
Currently, the Illinois Climate Table is currently focused on implementing the Future Energy Jobs Act to ensure the aspects of the bill we care about are carried out successfully and lead to substantial job creation, greatly reduced emissions, and empower disadvantaged communities to participate in the clean energy economy. We are doing so by working with solar businesses to shape the Illinois Solar for All programs, pushing Ameren to fulfill its obligations, and representing the interests of the Illinois Climate Table in front of the hearings being held by the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Illinois Power Agency.
In short, while our new president considers new ways to undermine environmental protections and panders to those abandoned by teetering coal companies, Illinois is busy building the foundations of the future energy economy.
Ashwat Narayanan, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Addresses Strong Towns
Check out Ash’s keynote address where he describes the importance of the work in Wisconsin to stop new highway expansion and invest in our existing infrastructure here!
Iowa State Table Elects New Leadership Team
– contributed by Nathan Shepherd, Iowa State Table Coordinator
Nathan Shepherd
The Iowa table met early May and had elections of the Steering Committee elections at the meeting since there were only five members running for the five open seats. With their terms beginning June 1, 2017 the newly elected Steering Committee members are:
- Nathaniel Baer, Iowa Environmental Council- 2 year term
- Kari Carney, 1000 Friends of Iowa – 2 year term
- Steve Falck , Environmental Law & Policy Center- 2 year term
- Susan Hendershot Guy, Iowa Interfaith Power & Light – 1 year term
- David Osterberg, Iowa Policy Project -1 year term
Our thanks to the current transitional Steering Committee members for their extra hours on phone meetings, document reviews, and Table development. And thanks to those who have agreed to serve on the new permanent committee.
People’s Climate March!
Thank you to everyone who submitted photos and stories of the Climate March!
Check out this Climate March story created by Creation Justice Ministries on Storify
– submitted by Shantha Ready Alonso
— Network Events —
Iowa State Table Meeting | May 10th
RE-AMP Steering Committee monthly call | May 17th
Deadline for Registration for Annual Meeting | May 31st | Register here
Faith in Solar Webinar | June 6th 12-1 p.m. | Register here.
Iowa Interfaith Power & Light is putting our faith in solar! By installing and supporting solar on congregational facilities, people of faith are reducing their carbon emissions and relying on safe, clean, and renewable energy, all while saving money on their energy bills—money they can invest in their community and in their mission.
We are partnering with members of the Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association (ISETA) to offer an informative webinar for congregations and faith communities interested in installing solar on their facilities.
In this free, one-hour webinar, three presenters will walk participants through the process of installing solar from start to finish. Participants will receive a brief introduction to solar energy, a better understanding of the application and installation process, and will learn about different models for financing solar as a non-profit organization.
Presenters include:
- Tim Dwight, Integrated Power Corporation
- Warren McKenna, Farmers Electric Cooperative
- Logan Welch, Van Meter
While some information may be tailored to Iowa’s solar industry, congregations and faith communities within the RE-AMP network are invited to participate!
Wisconsin State Table Meeting | June 15th
Midwest Renewable Energy Association Fair | June 16th-18th | Custer, WI
Annual Meeting Planning Committee call | June 19th
RE-AMP Steering Committee | June 21st
RE-AMP Annual Meeting | July 11-13th | Loyola University, Water Tower Campus
Wisconsin State Table Meeting | October 1-2nd | Eau Claire, WI
— From the Archives —
State of the State Tables | May 2017 | Recording here | PowerPoint Slides available here.
RE-AMP members are working in challenging political environments, but our state tables are working to change that. State tables are a place where members work to build power over time so we can win later what we can’t win now. Each Table’s approach is unique to their own landscape and membership, but they have one thing in common: they are designed to build power over time. Join us for this interactive webinar to hear the progress, triumphs and lessons learned from RE-AMP State Tables.