hec environmental advocates2018/05/09 · state a healthier, better place to live and do business....
TRANSCRIPT
HEC ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES
all. together. now.
About the Hoosier Environmental Council
OUR MISSION:The Hoosier Environmental Council is the voice of the people for the environment in Indiana-the organization with the passion and the plan to tackle our environmental challenges and help make our state a healthier, better place to live and do business.
What the “HEC” does HEC do?
Education
• Presentations, e.g. “Greening Your Community” events
• Annual “Greening the Statehouse” forum
• Webinars• E-news, Action alerts, HEC
mailer, Personalized outreach
What the “HEC” does HEC do?
• Legal & Technical Assistance– Workshops in pollution-afflicted
communities – rights & action• Rural: CAFO workshops• Urban: Enviro Justice workshops
– Technical assistance • Well & soil testing• Public health effects expertise
– Legal Assistance• Outdoor wood boiler• CAFO – existing & proposed
What the “HEC” does HEC do?
Advocacy~Legislative ~Regulatory ~Courts
THE ISSUESEnergy, Land, Water, Climate, and Environmental Justice
The Issues
• Clean Energy• Sustainable Ag• Land Use• Mass Transportation• Clean Water• Climate• Environmental Justice
How To Get Involved
Grassroots Advocacy 101
Stay informed – HEC Website
www.hecweb.org
Help Raise Awareness
www.facebook.com/hecweb
www.twitter.com/HEC_ED
www.instagram.com/hoosierenvcouncil
www.youtube.com/user/hecweb1
Identify & engage your elected officials
bitly.com/INLegishttp://iga.in.gov/legislative/find-legislators/
Know when a bill’s being heard, voted on, when other events are coming up
Engage Your Lawmakers
1. Attend a committee hearing2. Visit, call, and/or email on legislation3. Meet your legislators in person – in and
out of session – at a Third House meeting, the Statehouse, in your district
4. Spread the word
• Your time commitment as an EA is entirely up to you!
• Calls to constituents in key districts• Background research• Third House Party Attendance• Visiting your legislators at the
statehouse regarding important bills• Tabling at events (Earth Month, other
festivals, for both HEC & Mounds)• Organizing/Attending GYC Events
BECOME AN HEC VOLUNTEERENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATE
• Calls to Constituents• Third House Party
Attendance• Visiting your
legislators at the statehouse regarding important bills
BEING AN HEC ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATE DURING THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Communicating with Supporters of HEC
ANSWERHello, (NAME). My name is ____________________, a volunteer with the Hoosier Environmental Council, calling regarding some current legislation in the Statehouse. How are you?I am calling our supporters today to ask you to help us reach out to your Senator regarding SB 207, which would change current Homeowner Association restrictions on solar installations. Do you have a moment to talk?
MESSAGEHello. My name is ____________________ with the Hoosier Environmental Council.There are currently two types of Homeowners Association restrictions on solar: one is absolute prohibition and the other is unreasonable restrictions, where solar panels must be kept out of view. SB 207 has been introduced into the state legislature to provide guidance and reasonable standards that Homeowners Associations can follow in approving requests for solar panel installations. SB 207 has been assigned to the Senate Civil Law CommitteePlease call and/or email _____________ today and urge (him/her) to support SB 207.You may reach ____________ at ______________ or by email at [email protected] you for all you do for the environment!
SAMPLE CALL SCRIPT
YES:There are currently two types of Homeowners Association restrictions on solar: one is absolute prohibition, where no solar panels are allowed at all; the other is unreasonable restrictions, where solar panels must be kept out of view (no street view, contained within fence, etc.) with no consideration given to south-facing homes.SB 207 has been introduced into the state legislature not to remove HOA powers, but to provide guidance and reasonable standards that HOAs can follow in approving requests for solar panel installations. Such reasonable standards for solar panels include non-glare surface, color matching the panels and other equipment to the roof, flush mounting or slightly raised on the roof, and an exception to the “no street view” rule for homes that face south and would otherwise lose more than 15% efficiency with out-of-view panels.SB 207 has been assigned to the Senate Civil Law Committee. Would you be willing to contact your senator today and urge them to support a hearing on SB 207?
(If yes, provide legislator’s information – on call list sheet – or offer to email them the information along with a link to our webpage devoted to this bill.)
(Thank them for their time and commitment to helping Indiana’s environment.)
KEY ISSUES TO WATCH FOR IN THE 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Other Actions
In December 2017, IPL filed a new base rate case (Cause No. 45029) before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), despite the fact that they raised base rates less than two years ago. IPL is asking the IURC for permission to raise their annual operating revenues by $95 million, and significantly increase your monthly fixed charge (the amount you pay regardless of how much energy you use). Increased fixed charges have a disproportionate impact on low and fixed income households (seniors, disabled, and other vulnerable populations) AND penalize households that are conserving energy and making their homes more energy efficient.
IPL’s Rate Case
IPL’s Rate Case - What Can You Do?Send comments to the OUCC and make your voice heard!
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, Attn: Bill Fine115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500SIndianapolis, IN [email protected](888) 441-2494 phonetinyurl.com/noiplratehike
Tell the OUCC and the IURC Regulators:• To oppose IPL’s request to increase fixed monthly costs and charge
you more for using less. • To fight for residential customers to ensure that monthly bills are
affordable, just, and reasonable.• To support IPL’s request for a voluntary “round-up”
program to assist households experiencing difficultiespaying their bills.
Make sure to reference Cause Number 45029 in your comments!
Endangered Species ActTake time to look up your newspaper’s submission guideline. If your LTE is too long, it won’t get published.
Inspire others with a “call to action”. This is when you tell the audience, or the intended recipient of the message, something they can do to help.
Personalize your letter. What matters to you most about the issue? These anecdotes establish you as an authority on the subject and make your letter relatable to others.
Share your success! When the letter gets published,use it as a way to share the information with friendsand family.
Endangered Species Act• Populations of important species here in Indiana have been
successfully restored thanks to the ESA.• The ESA has saved 99 percent of listed species from
extinction, including those found here in Indiana such as the Indiana bat.
• Scientists predict more than 200 species would have gone extinct by 2006 if not for the ESA.
• It provides valuable grants to assist state recovery efforts when state funding resources haven’t been adequate to do the job.
• It’s good for Indiana’s economy.• It gives states an important role in determining
whether a species should be listed as threatenedor endangered.
