The P-G's "Mapping mortality" Series: A must read!

Hopefully, you're all reading the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's "Mapping mortality" series. It explores how our region's high level of industrialization and reliance on burning coal coupled with our geography has led to higher than normal levels of cancer and heart and respiratory problems than one would expect to see (yes, it factors in this areas higher level of cigarette smoking).

You can find an index of this week's article, photos and videos here.

You can see how they actually mapped out incidence of disease vs. locations of refineries/plants/etc. here.

It's literally a matter of life and death.

Want to help?



Here's PennFuture's Breathe Easy, Stay Healthy campaign.

Here's the Sierra Club's petition to stop the Wellington coal plant.
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Pack the Room!

Via Randy Francisco (Beyond Coal Campaign, Sierra Club):

The EPA is holding a public hearing in Pittsburgh on its plan to create new standards to protect our health from toxic coal ash, the carcinogenic byproduct containing mercury, arsenic, and lead, that is produced when coal is burned to produce electricity.

But Dirty Coal is pulling out all the stops to weaken the EPA's proposal -- claiming that this toxic coal waste should be regulated the same way as household trash.

Help us pack the room at the EPA hearing in Pittsburgh to show them that Americans demand strong standards to protect communities from toxic coal ash.

Here are the details:

DATE: Tuesday, September 21st
TIME: Morning session from 10am to 12pm, afternoon session from 1pm to 5pm, evening session from 6:30pm to 9pm or later.
WHERE: Omni Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219 (map).
CONTACT: Randy Francisco at [email protected] or (412) 802-6161 with any questions, or if you are looking for a carpool, a bus, or can't make it but still want to get involved.
RSVP: http://action.sierraclub.org/coalash_pittsburgh

Marcellus Shale City Council Post Agenda Today

Via Peter Wray, Co-Chair, Conservation Committee Allegheny Group, Sierra Club:

INFORMATION GATHERING SESSION ON MARCELLUS SHALE DRILLING
To all: Councilman Doug Shields is hosting a Marcellus Shale Post-Agenda on Monday, July 12, 2010 in City Council Chambers at 1 PM to educate the public and members about Marcellus Shale drilling. The post-agenda meeting will be televised on City Cable Channel 13. Sorry about the short notice!

Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who might be interested.

Public Encouraged to Attend to Learn About this Critical Issue

The Agenda is as follows:

An Explanation of the Technical Process of Marcellus Shale Drilling by Radisav D. Vidic, University of Pittsburgh Environmental Engineering Group

Health and Community Impacts by Chuck Christen, University of Pittsburgh Center for Healthy Environments and Communities

The Pennsylvania Context and Its Effect on Local Marcellus Shale Drilling by the Honorable David K. Levdansky, PA House of Representatives, Finance Committee Chairman, Game and Fisheries Committee

The Marcellus Shale Play: A DEP Perspective by Jack Crook, Compliance Chief – Oil and Gas, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Potential Problems with the Existing Set of Laws by John Baillie, Senior Attorney at PennFuture’s Pittsburgh Office

Consumer Protection by Nadia Steinzor, Marcellus Regional Organizer for EARTHWORKS

Industry Side by Kathryn Klaber, President and Executive Director of the Marcellus Shale Coalition

Link
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No Bailouts for BP Rally Photos/Coverage

KDKA TV video @
http://kdka.com/video/[email protected]
As mentioned here, there was a rally yesterday in downtown Pittsburgh to protest BP.

The rally was hosted by the local chapters of MoveOn.org, Sierra Club and PennEnvironment.


Mellon Square, Pittsburgh, PA

Unfortunately, my camera is slowly dying and it took forever to "warm up" so no photos of City Paper talk show host Lynn Cullen or KDKA's Jon Delano. But, you can see Lynn interviewed in the link above.

As Lynn said on her show yesterday, she wanted to find some ray of light and so hoped that the BP Oil mega clusterfuck (my phrase, not hers) could be a "teachable moment." She spoke about the co-dependent relationship that we have with oil and how we've made a deal with the devil. She also mentioned an article in this week's City Paper about the dangers of drilling in the Marcellus Shale fields (of which we were all standing above).

It was raining cats and dogs leading up to the rally and for the first ten or fifteen minutes, so kudos to all those who braved the weather.

Randy Francisco, Sierra Club and Robert King, MoveOn
Joy Sabl gets creative as an oil-covered bird

Frack off!
(More photos after the jump)

EVENTS

April 8, 2008

Drinking Liberally Pittsburgh
WHAT: Drinking Liberally Pittsburgh
WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 2008, 7:00 PM
WHERE: Buffalo Blues, 216 S Highland Ave (Shadyside)

Drinking Liberally is a great organization that exists across the nation. A happy hour that is open for anyone that wants to get together and talk politics. Mostly from the liberal point of view. More info @ http://drinkingliberally.org/locations.html#pa


April 9, 2008

ACORN Protest Against Sen. Specter's Vote Against Families Facing Foreclosure
WHAT: ACORN Protest Against Sen. Specter's Vote Against Families Facing Foreclosure
WHEN: Wednesday, April 9th, 2:00
WHERE: 425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1450, Regional Enterprise Tower (old Alcoa Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

"ACORN members, upset by Senator Specter's vote last week to kill a provision that could help 600,000 families facing foreclosure save their homes, plan to protest his Pittsburgh office. The Durbin amendment, which was offered to the Foreclosure Prevention Act, would have allowed bankruptcy judges to modify the terms of the mortgages of primary residences to achieve an affordable monthly payment when mortgage servicers refuse to or are unable to make such modifications....In 2007, Pennsylvania saw 34,089 foreclosures filings, a number which continues into 2008, averaging 77 foreclosures filed every day."


April 10, 2008

Public Hearing on Senate Bill 1250
WHAT: Tell Pennsylvania Senate Members to vote NO on Senate Bill 1250
WHEN: Thursday, April 10th, 2:00 pm
WHERE: Allegheny County Courthouse, Gold Room 437 Grant St., Downtown Pittsburgh, Corner of Grant and Forbes

"Please come to the public hearing in Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 10th and tell Pennsylvania Senate Members to vote NO on Senate Bill 1250. Senate Bill 1250 is a Constitutional Amendment which would ban gay marriage AND civil unions in Pennsylvania. On Thursday, April 10th there will be a public hearing in Pittsburgh to discuss the impact this amendment would have on the Commonwealth. In past hearings, supporters of this discriminatory bill have been extremely active and vocal. It is crucial that we outnumber them this time around. We urgently need people to come to the hearing so senators know that people from the Pittsburgh area don't want our General Assembly to legislate hate." Call (412) 681-7736 for more information.

League's Cocktail Hour With Our New State Director
WHAT: Meet-and-greet for Liz Rincon, PA League's New State Director
WHEN: Thursday, April 10th, 5pm - 8pm
WHERE: DejaVu Lounge, 2106 Penn Avenue (the Strip District), Pittsburgh, PA

"Chat with our new State Director, Liz Rincon, and the politically minded and active in our area at our informal cocktail hour this Thursday, April 10th -- Enjoy the drink specials and free appetizers provided by our hosts at the DejaVu Lounge." RSVP here


April 12, 2008

PUSH (PA United for Singlepayer Healthcare) General Meeting
WHAT: PUSH General Meeting
WHEN: Saturdau, April 12, 2008, 10 – 12 a.m.
WHERE: Church of the Redeemer, 5700 Forbes Ave.(Squirrel Hill), Pittsburgh PA

"Health care for all NOW! Make it happen: Get Active! AGENDA: Reports: March 19th Legislative Hearing on SB300/HB1660. FUTURE ACTIONS: Bird dogging the candidates , Uninsured Trail of Tears & other actions, Leafleting/Tabling at events, Pittsburgh hearing, Lobbying" For more info: [email protected]


April 14, 2008

"Should the Mon-Fayette Expressway Be Completed?" Public Debate
WHAT: "Should the Mon-Fayette Expressway Be Completed?" Public Debate
WHEN: Monday, April 14, 2008, 6-7:30
WHERE: Frick Fine Arts Auditorium (Oakland) Pittsburgh PA

Speakers will include Shawn Fox, Allegheny County executive chief of staff; Andrea Boykowycz, PennFuture outreach coordinator, and Pitt student debaters Colin Esgro and Richard Pittman. A webcast of the debate may be viewed at http://mediasite.cidde.pitt.edu/ starting at 6pm on April 14 (select "William Pitt Debating Union" in the catalog window). For more info, 412-624-2887 or [email protected]


April 15, 2008

Sierra Club Tax Day Rally for HR 5351
WHAT: Sierra Club Tax Day Rally for HR 5351
WHEN: Monday, April 15, 2008, 4:30 PM
WHERE: Squirrel Hill Post Office, Murray Avenue (Squirrel Hill), Pittsburgh PA

"WIND NOT WINDFALLS - End the Giveaways to BIG OIL. Oil and gas companies are making record profits and receiving generous taxpayer subsides, while we're paying record highs for gas. Senators McCain, Clinton, Obama and Specter will have the opportunity to vote on redirecting subsidies from oil companies to incentives for job-creating renewable energy. It's time for the senators to move forward and vote for clean energy, not Big Oil. We are asking them to vote yes on HR 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008. Help us get the message out." To sign up contact Justin at [email protected] or call 412-802-6161

Hillary House Party
WHAT: Hillary House Party
WHEN: Tuesday, April 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Roselle Private Home, 2525 Collins Road,Pittsburgh 15235 (Blackridge)

"Join us for a celebration of the candidacy of Senator Hillary Clinton. Learn more about her positions and know that she is the strongest candidate to win the Pennsylvania primary and in November. She has the experience to make a difference: economy heading for recession, women’s wages 2/3 that of men, millions without health insurance, unemployment highest in over 2 years, $158 million spent each month on fuel alone to maintain the Iraq conflict. Now is the time to step forward because Senator Clinton will make the changes we desperately need! We will also honor Jeanne Clark and the late Tim Sullivan, longtime NOW activists and Hillary Clinton supporters." RSVP by April 13, 412-731-7490 or [email protected]


April 18, 2008

SEAD 2008 GOTV Rally
WHAT: South End Active Democrats 2008 GOTV Rally
WHEN: Friday, April 18, 2008, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
WHERE: Resurrection Church Hall, 1100 Creedmore Avenue in Brookline, 15226

For $7 you get free food, beer/wine/pop, a DJ and a chance to meet the Democratic candidates. People from all over the county attend, not just South Enders.


April 22, 2008

Sierra Club "Election Day Adopt a Poll"
WHAT: Sierra Club "Election Day Adopt a Poll"
WHEN: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 (All Day)
WHERE: All over Pittsburgh

"Collect petition signatures at polling places telling Senators to take Big Oils' tax breaks away. We are asking them to vote yes on HR 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008." To sign up contact Randy Francisco at [email protected] or call 412-802-6161


April 25, 2008

Equal Pay Rally
WHAT: Equal Pay Rally
WHEN: Friday, April 25, 2008, Noon
WHERE: Market Square, Pittsburgh PA

Save the date! Brought to you by the Women & Girls' Foundation of SW PA. More details later.
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Call for Speakers on CBA at County Council

County Council Meeting on Community Benefits Agreement

Community members, Pittsburgh UNITED and representatives from local organizations including the PA League of Young Voters, ACORN and Sierra Club, will ask County Council on Tuesday, March 25th to pass legislation supporting Community Benefits Agreements.

The public will be provided with the opportunity to highlight the importance of community input on economic development projects and present arguments on two proposed pieces of legislation.

The Community Benefits Bill #3656-08 will take power away from the community being directly involved in the drafting of Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) with developers on proposed projects.

Pittsburgh UNITED recommends the passage of the Impact Analysis Bill #3657-08, which establishes process and criteria for considering the social and economic impacts of proposed major development projects.

Impact reports, completed by Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, will allow the public to learn about and make comment on projects and their anticipated effects on the community as well as provide information valuable to the creation of a CBA between the community and developer.

To sign up to speak:
Before 5 p.m. Monday, March 24th, contact John Mascio, Chief Clerk at [email protected] or 412-350-6495 and provide the following info:
- Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Affiliation/Association, if any

MEETING DETAILS:
Time: 5:00 PM, Tuesday, March 25th
Place: Allegheny County Court House, 436 Grant Street, Downtown Pgh in Gold Room, 4th Floor
Chair: Councilperson Bill Robinson, his committee is hosting hearing
Format: Each person gets to speak for 3 min. max

Check out the official notice with this info at http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/agenda/mar28/280325.pdf

EVENTS!

March 5, 2008

Phonebanking for Hillary Clinton
WHAT: Phonebanking for Hillary
WHEN: TODAY! Wednesday March 5, 2008, 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE: AFSCME, 116 Blvd of Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

For more info, and additional phonebanking days, contact Stephanie Rex @ [email protected]

Democracy for Pittsburgh Meeting
WHAT: Democracy for Pittsburgh Meeting
WHEN: TODAY! Wednesday March 5, 2008, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Mario's / Blue Lou's, 1514 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh (South Side) PA 15203

Agenda: meet a candiate / possible candidate endorsement (local race). Brainstorm on mitigating the P.O. / voter registration fiasco. Show up for more details!

RSVP: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=28119


March 6, 2008

The PA League of Young Voters Membership Kick-off Event
WHAT: Brand New Membership Program + Kick-off Event Today!
WHEN: Thursday, March 6th, 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM
WHERE: The Shadow Lounge, 5972 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15206

$10/$5 with new membership pledge! The League is launching a membership program. It will be a whole new way for their supporters to help sustain the League's efforts while gaining more access to local politics and the inside League scoop. It's a 5-part showcase with the best of the best local performers -- click here to see the full lineup -- and click here to see the initial membership benefits.

If you can't attend the event Thursday, you can still sign up to be a new member. For more information about membership, please contact [email protected]


March 8, 2008

Canvass for Obama
WHAT: Canvass for Obama
WHEN: Saturday, March 8, 2008, 10:30 AM
WHERE: Starbucks McKnight - Siebert, 4885 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Join the Ross/West View team as they try and register voters in a door to door canvass this Saturday. They will have walk lists directed at registering Independents to Vote for Obama on April 22nd.

Contact: Shea McKinney, 412-403-0768 or [email protected] to confirm. RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rdg9


March 13, 2008

Sierra Club creating its own PAC - Kick off Party!
WHAT: Sierra Club creating its own PAC - Kick off on Thursday, March 13
WHEN: Thursday, March 13, 2008, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
WHERE: WYEP Community Broadcast Center, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh PA 15203 (Southside, 12th Street)

Refreshment and drink, plus music by Devilish Merrie. Suggested contribution: $25. Payable at the door. Mingle with special guests State Representatives Dave Levdansky and Matt Smith, and Pittsburgh City Councilmen Patrick Dowd, Bruce Kraus, and Bill Peduto, all of whom the Allegheny Group proudly helped elect.

"In recent years the Allegheny Group has carefully selected candidates who we can confidently endorse. Those endorsements have generally resulted in our organizing an electoral campaign to support each candidate. However, we have found that the funds available from the Pennsylvania Chapter have limited the extent of these particular campaigns. Therefore, for the first time ever, we are creating our own Political Action Fund to support candidates for local state and Council offices in SW Pennsylvania. Our goal is to create a fund of $1,000 to help pay for mailings, phone banks, room rental, house parties, etc."

Info/RSVP: Peter Wray - [email protected] with "Fund Raiser" as the subject.
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Sierra Club has posted mayoral candidates' responses to questionnaire

You can see the questions and answers that our local Sierra Club asked Luke Ravenstahl and Mark DeSantis here (scroll down the page).

The Sierra Club is one of the oldest, largest and most influential environmental groups in the nation. It lobbies legislatures on behalf of the environment and helps to educate the public.
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Blue-Green Mixer Tonight!

Blue-Green Mixer
Tuesday, Sept. 25
5:30-7:30pm
United Steelworkers Bldg. Lobby
Blvd. of the Allies and Stanwix, Downtown


From the Sierra Club:

Relax, unwind and get to know some new faces at our first PA Blue-Green social. Please join us for refreshments and mingle with Steelworkers and Sierra Club members

Refreshments provided—FREE!

The Blue-Green Alliance

The Blue-Green Alliance is a strategic alliance between the Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers. It was founded on the principle that we can have good jobs and a clean environment. Safe workplaces mean healthy neighborhoods, and in a carbon-constrained world, for jobs to be economically sustainable they must be environmentally sustainable.

For more info email [email protected] or call 412-802-6161

GOOD JOBS – A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT – A SAFER WORLD

Brief Announcement

Along with Agent Ska, I'll be speaking tonight at the Sierra Club in Oakland on blogging. It's called "Techno Tuesday" or something like that. Agent Ska described it this way:

The Sierra Club is having a "Techno Tuesday" this upcoming Tuesday, March 27th from 6-8:30. We (Dayvoe and I) will be talkin politics, technology, blogging, vlogging, and heck, maybe even the environment.

Should be an interesting time.