Friday, December 30, 2011 |
Take Action Before the Year Is Out
Greetings and warm wishes to all our SOCM family and friends at the end of another year. The final 2011 issue of the SOCM E-Newsletter is full of action alerts and ways in which you can make a difference as we enter a new year. We have much to celebrate from this past year: from holding National Coal Company accountable for its toxic discharges on Zeb Mountain, to organizing against civil rights abuses in Shelbyville, to cohosting the first mayoral debate on green collar jobs in Knoxville-which elected its first female mayor (and SOCM member), Madeline Rogero.
What an exciting year it has been! Thank you for working so hard this year for a better Tennessee. The work continues in 2012. Check the calendar to the right for upcoming events and opportunities to get involved. And of course, don't forget to check the actions below!
Happy New Year!
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Save Tax Cuts for Renewable Energy
Renewable energy's main policy driver is the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC). The PTC is a tax credit for businesses who own large, utility-scale renewable energy projects such as wind farms. The tax credit is based on actual energy generation, encouraging effective, efficient renewable energy projects. Tennessee benefits from the PTC because we are the home of several companies who supply manufacturing and services to the wind industry across the country.
While incentives for fossil fuels have a history of being long-term and stable, the PTC is a short-term policy which faces an end date. First enacted in 1992, it has been allowed to expire FOUR TIMES before being later renewed. Make sure the PTC is renewed before its 2012 expiration date! Tell your representative to support H.R. 3307!
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| SOCM Members Head Up Tennessee's Climate Action Campaign
The Tennessee Climate Action Campaign enlists those already alarmed about climate change and who want to do something real about it. In 2012, we will connect climate protection activists within our communities and across Tennessee. In 2013, the TN Climate Action Campaign will press TVA to adopt an annually compounded 1% energy efficiency target. Over a ten year period, those energy savings will allow many more TVA coal plants to close. SOCM members are heavily involved in this campaign, serving as team leaders and statewide contact point persons.
What can you do? First, contact your local power company and make an appointment for an in-home energy evaluation. The evaluator will leave you with recommendations for making your home energy efficient. From a list of approved Quality Control Contractors, choose one to make the improvements for you (or you can do the work yourself). TVA will repay the cost of the home evaluation when you follow through with recommendations and will match up to $500 in weatherization costs.
For more information or to find your local contact, click here.
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Oppose a Constitutional Ban on a State Income Tax
The House of Representatives will vote on a proposed amendment to constitutionally ban an income tax in Tennessee (SJR0221) on January 10, 2012. The Senate approved the measure in 2011. Long-time SOCM ally Tennesseans for Fair Taxation will gather individual members, coalition partners, unions, and community members in support of a progressive tax structure on January 7, 2012 for train-the-trainer workshops followed by a statewide rally to oppose SJR0221. The January 7th rally will also include coalition partners, TFT members and prominent speakers addressing the crowd to share the harmful effects of the proposed ban and advocate TFT proposals for revenue with justice for all. A smaller event will be organized for January 10th in Legislative Plaza before the House reconvenes at noon.
See the "Other Events of Interest" section at right for more information.
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Help Us Continue the Fight to End Mountaintop Removal
 Over the past 30 years, mountaintop removal coal mining has destroyed more than 500 mountains and buried over 2,000 miles of rivers and streams across Appalachia. SOCM has been fighting mountaintop removal and other destructive strip mining practices throughout our 40 years of existence. This year, we have had the opportunity to work in coalition with other statewide activists to support the Scenic Vistas Protection Act. In short, the bi-partisan Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act would ban mountaintop removal coal mining on ridgelines above 2,000 feet in Tennessee. The legislation is supported by religious congregations, conservationists, business leaders and elected officials from both sides of the aisle.With your support, Tennessee can become the first state in the U.S. to pass a ban on this destructive mining practice. Sign the petition today! Our neighbors are being heavily effected by MTR mining, as well. Right now, there are over 200 pending permits for new mountaintop removal mines in Appalachia- including Ison Rock Ridge in Wise County, VA. Tell the EPA "No New Permits for Mountaintop Removal Mining in Southewest Virginia" Click here to sign the petition.
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 We Appreciate Your Support at SOCM
During this Holiday season, we want to thank all of you for your continued support and investment in the work that SOCM does. We really think we have the best members any organization could ask for!
As 2011 comes to a close, you may be thinking of making an end of year donation. SOCM would appreciate you keeping us in mind. We've made much progress on our end-of-the-year fundraising campaign. There's still time for you to get your tax-deductible gift to SOCM. Your gift will help support our ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans and fight the social, economic and environmental injustices we are all facing today. To donate click here.
Happy Holidays from all of us at SOCM! |
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Your Community
Needs You
Join SOCM today! Click on the link below and designate your donation as membership dues or mail us a check with "new member" in the memo line.
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Cumberland County Chapter Meeting
Monday, January 9
Art Circle Library, Crossville
3 - 5 p.m.
Bedford County Chapter Meeting
Tuesday, January 10
Fly Arts Center, Shelbyville
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Jackson Chapter Meeting
Tuesday, January 10
SOCM West Office, Jackson
2012 MLK Conversation
Friday, January 13
Beck Cultural Center
1927 Dandridge Ave., Knoxville
6 - 8 p.m.
Cheers to SOCM
Thursday, January 19
Preservation Pub, Market Square, Knoxville
5 - 7 p.m.
Roaring River Chapter Meeting
Thursday, January 26
Cookeville Unity Church, Cookeville
7 - 9 p.m.
SOCM Board Meeting
Saturday, January 28
Lebanon, TN
9:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
SOCM Strategic Planning Session
February 4-5
TBD
Tennesseans for Fair Taxation Events
Teach-ins and Workshops
Saturday, January 7
Location TBA, Nashville, TN
1 - 3 p.m.
Statewide Rally on War Memorial Plaza
Saturday, January 7
War Memorial Plaza, Nashville, TN
3 p.m.
"Safeguard Tennesssee's Future: No on SJR0221"
Tuesday, January 10
Gauntlet Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN
12 p.m.
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"Our real freedom comes from being aware that we do not have to save the world, merely make a difference in the place where we live.
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