FERC's review process shows bias in favor of the pipeline industry

Posted to this video are several speakers who live along the NEXUS pipeline.
Published on Dec 26, 2016
FERC's review process shows bias in favor of the pipeline industry. That was the message from a group of citizens who testified at the People's Hearing on FERC Abuses on December 2. The panelists also say property owners have no defense against projects that ruin their land and do not properly compensate them for their losses.
On Youtube: People's Hearing FERC Abuses - Bias and Abuse in the Process

BREAKING: 688 institutions representing $5 trillion have committed to divest from fossil fuels

2016 has been a tough year. Devastating climate impacts and the reality of a dangerous, anti-climate federal government means holding onto hope is more important than ever -- so let's take a moment to recognize our movement’s successes and learn from our victories.

A new report released today with our friends at Divest-Invest shows that the divestment movement doubled in size since 2015. 688 institutions across 76 countries who represent more than $5 trillion worth of assets have committed to divest!

Share this exciting news with your friends and show that the divestment movement continues to march forward.

And there’s more good news: New York’s American Museum of Natural History, one of the world's most respected science museums, just slashed fossil fuel investments from its $650 million endowment.

This is big! Today's news shows just how powerful divestment continues to be in the resistance against a rogue fossil fuel industry, and in shining a light on its devastating impacts. In times like these, it's important to take a moment to reflect on what the divestment movement has been doing right.

• We are organizing for the long haul: It’s more important than ever to organize our communities and grow our movement from the grassroots up. The fossil fuel divestment movement has always believed that it will take more than just governments to address climate change, and that remains as true as ever.

• We are powerful: The fossil fuel industry is fighting for its life against a growing climate movement. 688 institutions in 76 countries have committed to divest from fossil fuels and resistance to fossil fuel projects is taking root all over the world. This is what happens when we organize and fight, and we must continue to fight.

• We are everywhere: Divestment has reached every pocket of our society, in countries all over the world. Faith groups, cultural institutions, pension funds, universities and more have committed to divest from fossil fuels. Climate leadership is coming from surprising places.

• We are keeping the pressure on: In the face of a dangerous and anti-climate federal government and intensifying climate impacts, it's more crucial than ever to push our institutions -- especially locally -- to step into their leadership and fight with our communities for climate justice.

The announcement today shows just how far the divestment movement has come.Share this exciting news to show that our movement is strong and we will not back down.

Our work is not over, and there are many more challenges ahead. But the fossil fuel industry is weaker than it’s ever been and we remain strong on the side of climate justice.

Onward,

Katie for 350.org

P.S. Want to do more? Share the news about New York's American Museum of Natural History here.

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350.org is building a global climate movement. Become a sustaining donor to keep this movement strong and growing.

BP Oil Spill Trashed More Shoreline Than Scientists Thought

New evidence extends the size of the disaster that occurred six years ago this week.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160420-bp-oil-spill-shoreline-affected-deepwater-horizon-anniversary/

Reflecting on the Paris Climate Agreement, one year later

One year ago, world leaders from 195 countries adopted the Paris Climate Agreement, a plan to reduce CO2 emissions and slow the impact of global climate change. Ford Foundation program officers reflect on the progress made this year, the roles of business and indigenous land rights in combating climate change, and how countries are moving from planning to implementation.

http://www.fordfoundation.org/ideas/equals-change-blog/posts/reflecting-on-the-paris-climate-agreement-one-year-later/

21 Times That Clean Energy Was Through the Roof in 2016

Whether your trusted source is Google, Jessica Biel, the U.S. Department of Energy, ski towns, TIME, or Florida -- there’s no denying it, 2016 was a great year for clean and renewable energy!

Check out our quick list of 21 times that clean energy was through the roof in 2016!

http://www.sierraclub.org/compass/2016/12/21-times-clean-energy-was-through-roof-2016

The answer to the enemies of net metering: Battery Powered Homes

The answer to the enemies of net metering. But then they would declare it constitutional to charge self sufficient residents a fee for not using an utility...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxABosWfuus

Tesla's Power Wall might even offer a better deal: https://youtu.be/FHswxauDGVg

Michigan Passes Legislation to Boost Renewables Mandate, Retain Net Metering - for now

First I read https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/michigan-passes-bills-to-boost-renewables-mandate-retain-net-metering and got really excited, then I read a more detailed article by David Eggert, Associated Press, online at: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Energy-legislation-appears-to-be-in-reach-on-10797759.php which was also mirrored by the Daily Telegram the past Friday (12/16/2016), In this article, the details of a proposed change in net-metering of residential and business renewable energy producers were provided as such:
"— not apply — for now — a "grid" charge to new customers participating in a net metering program, instead requiring a study to determine an appropriate fee. These are residents and businesses with their own wind turbines, solar panels or other types of renewable sources that reduce their electric bills."
This is good news for now - but an appropriate fee may come at any time and with much less public notice. I fear they (DTE, Consumers and their lobbyists) will try to slip this in as sneaky as the registration penalty for environmentally conscious drivers of electric and hybrid cars that just came in the mail. I will have to pay $60 more a year because my Prius uses less fuel and therefore I would not be paying my fair share on the improvements of Michigan streets and roads. A crooked logic that got the environmental movements divided and was introduced in a very sneaky - and delayed way to reduce resistance to almost nonexistent levels.