Can you believe it? SOCM will celebrate its 40th birthday next year! We have come a long way since then, but we still have a long way to go. With support from you, our members and friends, we can keep moving forward on the principles that SOCM was founded on 40 years ago.
In 2012, we will be fighting devastating extractive processes on a number of different fronts from fracking to strip mining. As you know, SOCM has been heavily involved in the fight to end mountain top removal and the impacts to communities from destructive strip mining since its inception in 1972.
In Tennessee, one of our main focuses will be on the Scenic Vistas Protection Act (click here to sign the petition). This fall, we joined several other groups across the state to coordinate support for this bill which would, in short, prohibit the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) from issuing permits for any mining 2,000 feet and above. This is a great opportunity to work with some amazing environmental advocates and we foresee this coalition making great strides in pushing this bill through. We are also monitoring water quality in areas around mines in Tennessee. In fact, we partnered with other state groups in filing lawsuits against Knoxville-based National Coal, LLC twice this year for contaminating our water.
On a Federal level, we are working with the Alliance for Appalachia to try and pass the Clean Water Protection Act in the House of Representatives and calling for the Senate to support the Appalachia Restoration Act. We will be working with the Alliance to lobby Congress and will periodically be sending out Action Alerts before important votes.
Click Here to Support SOCM in 2012.
As we end this year, we are excited about the progress and accomplishments made, but there is still so much work to do!
As we enter 2012, be on the lookout for issues and opportunities to get involved. SOCM members do important work towards implementing the changes that will bring social, economic and environmental justice to Tennessee. Funding is tough right now and a few of SOCM's longtime funders, such as the French American Charitable Trust, have begun to close their doors. We need your help more than ever as we end 2011.
Remember, every little bit helps. Whether you are making a donation, buying SOCM gear at our online store, recruiting members, renewing your own membership, wearing your SOCM t-shirt or carrying your Chico bag in public, it all helps us spread the word about the important work we are doing.
Click Here to Support SOCM in 2012!