Here is some valuable information from our contacts at the state capitol. Please act on this info regarding the pro-nuclear bills - They offer no protection for the citizens of Oklahoma from either the very real and dangerous health risks, nor the terrible financial burden that would be placed on the people.
After a relatively successful legislative session, things have heated up over the past few weeks with reintroduction of nuclear legislation (SB 831 and SB 1668) and the Oklahoma New Development Impact Fee bill (SB 805). After many long hours of lobbying and numerous phone calls, emails, and personal visits to legislators offices from many of you, SB 831, which was
amended on the House floor, passed overwhelmingly on party lines and is now in conference committee. The amended version of SB 831 no longer contains cost recovery language allowing for CWIP, but does establish an application process for the Corporation Commission to determine the need and feasibility of a nuclear facility in Oklahoma. Unfortunately, SB 831 contains no provisions requiring the Corporation Commission to consider an environmental, public health, and economic impact due to radioactive waste storage and/or disposal. On the whole, SB 831 is a woefully inadequate regulatory scheme literally drafted by utility lobbyists over the course of an hour without any stakeholder input.
Contact the members of the Conference Committee and ask them to disapprove SB 831 as it will have drastic impacts on Oklahoma's public health, environment, and economy. Oklahoma should be moving towards a clean energy economy based upon wind, solar, geothermal, natural gas, and energy efficiency. The Conference Committee members are as follows:
Bingman, Brian (C)
Senate
District 12
Republican
Room 424
(405)521-5528
bingman@oksenate.gov
Crutchfield, Johnnie C.
Senate
District 14
Democrat
Room 533B
(405)521-5607
bigger@oksenate.gov
Gumm, Jay Paul
Senate
Dristrict 6
Democrat
Room 535A
(405)521-5586
gumm@oksenate.gov
Johnson, Mike
Senate
District 22
Republican
Room 519
(405)521-5592
johnsonm@oksenate.gov
Mazzei, Mike
Senate
District 25
Republican
Room 413
(405)521-5675
mazzei@oksenate.gov
Myers, David
Senate
District 20
Republican
Room 414
(405)521-5628
ingraham@oksenate.gov
Yesterday, SB 1668 by Sen. David Myers (R-Ponca City) and Rep. Rex Duncan (R-Sand Springs) passed through the Senate on a vote of 27-19. Sen. Cliff Branan (R-OKC) filed a Motion to Reconsider and will have the next 2 days to request a revote after adequate lobbying against SB 1668. The following Senators voted against SB 1668, which amends the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority Act to allow municipal power authorities to own interests in
nuclear facilities, including: Sens. Ballenger (D), Bass (D), Branan (R), Burrage (D), Corn (D), Crutchfield (D), Ellis (D), Gumm (D), Ivester (D), C. Johnson (D), Laster (D), Leftwich (D), Lerblance (D), Marlatt (R), Nichols (R), Paddack (D), Rice (D), Sparks (D), and Wilson (D). Please contact Senators and either thank them for voting against SB 1668 or ask those who
voted in favor to change their vote on reconsideration.
HB 3028 by Speaker Benge (R-Tulsa) and Sen. David Myers (R-Ponca city) establishes the Oklahoma Energy Security Act and includes the Renewable energy goal of 15% by 2015, as well as a natural gas goal for no coal development until at least 2020, with natural gas as the stated preferred fossil fuel for Oklahoma. HB 3028 is currently in conference committee and
should advance within the next week! Passage of an RPS in Oklahoma has been a Chapter priority for two years and we're almost there!
On a positive note, Governor Henry signed HB 3015 into law, marking a victory for the local foods movement in Oklahoma! HB 3015 established the Healthy Cornerstore Market program, authorizing up to $350,000 in low interest loans for markets selling up to 90% of their goods as healthy, local foods!
Additionally, Governor Henry signed HB 2973 into law, which allows for the creation of Regional Transportation Authorities! With the creation of a regional transportation authority, our communities will be one step closer to realizing genuine, effective public transportation.
Finally, regarding the tumultuous and cumbersome agency consolidation process, HB 3173 by Rep. Hickman (R-Dacoma) and Sen. Brian Bingman (R-Sapulpa) which originally proposed consolidating the Scenic Rivers Commission into Tourism & Recreation and the Conservation Commission, the Senate remarkably passed an amendment filed by Sen. Wilson (D-Tahlequah)
which proposed the creation of a massive Department of Natural Resources including over 30 agencies and commissions. Clearly, this bill was headed to conference committee! Word outside of the authors and leadership has been very quiet. I've conversed with the Speaker's office at length regarding this and they've said discussions are very tight on which agencies will
actually be consolidated or not. Department of Mines is still on the table, but it doesn't look good for OSRC.
For your full report and more detailed links, click the link below. Thank you for all your help this session..it's not over yet.
To view your forwarded copy of our Capitol report now, please go to the following URL: http://www.ecapitol.net/email/email_1Y2H_2XL14TNPG.htm
It will be available to you online for the next 10 days.
Showing posts with label State Capitol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label State Capitol. Show all posts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Alert! Opportunity for action! Sierra Club Lobby Day and Call In Day March 30
Hi all,
Read Bud's message below, please, and if you cannot make it to the Capitol tomorrow PLEASE call your representatives or email them and make your voice heard! We are especially opposed to House Bill 1662 which makes nuclear power easy to slip into the state without resistance. See below. All the mentioned legislation is important and we need to stay on top of these issues. Thank you everyone - spread the word!
The Carrie Dickerson Foundation Board of Directors
>>>Greetings Sierra Club members and friends!
Just a reminder that tomorrow is our scheduled Lobby Day at the State
Capitol at 2 PM on the 2nd floor rotunda. It is critical for conservation
issues to be taken seriously that you show up to make your voice heard!
I've requested that those planning on attending RSVP to either 405.445.9435
or bud.scott@sierraclub.org. Thus far, I have 3 RSVPs! We need your help in
expressing support on these critical issues!
The lobby day will be followed with Conservation & Cocktails at the 51st
Street Speakeasy (1114 NW 51st/west of Western on NW 51st) at 6 PM for a
handcrafted beer tasting and informal conversation with invited legislators
and other officials. Again, I need RSVPs to determine how much food to
purchase. Please RSVP and join for a relaxing evening with opportunities to
discuss your conservation initiative with elected officials and other
partners.
The lobby day will focus on four pieces of legislation as follows:
SUPPORT
HB 3015 by Rep. Seneca Scott (D-Tulsa) and Sen. Tom Ivester (D-Elk City)
provides financial incentives through the Agricultural Linked Deposit
Program in the form of low-interest loans to individuals/partnerships
investing in healthy corner stores (majority of food/product being local and
grown local, with less than 10% of sales from cigarettes and beer). HB 3015
falls under the Sierra Club priority of Food Localization. The funds for HB
3015 are already in place and will not have a fiscal impact upon the state.
HB 3015 is up for consideration tomorrow(!) in the Senate Finance Committee
at 10:30 AM. In my previous email I requested that you contact the Senate
Finance Committee members to encourage them to vote in favor of the
legislation.
HB 3028 by Speaker Chris Benge (R-Tulsa) and Sen. David Myers (R-Ponca City)
is the Oklahoma Energy Security Act, which sets forth a Renewable Energy
Goal for electric generating entities of 15% of their electric generating
portfolio by 2015. The bill also establishes a natural gas goal and CNG
fueling station goal. This legislation reflects a top priority for the
Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club as it will encourage our electric
providers to move beyond dirty coal-fired power and enhance renewable energy
generation in Oklahoma. HB 3028 has passed the House, passed through the
Senate Energy and Environment Committee and is up for consideration by the
entire Senate for passage. Contact your Senator or Representative and
encourage them to vote for a smart energy policy, such as that reflected by
HB 3028.
OPPOSE
SB 1662 by Sen. David Myers (R-Ponca City) and Rep. Rex Duncan (R-Sand
Springs) amends the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority Act to allow
municipal power authorities to (1) purchase electricity from nuclear
facilities, and (2) to invest in a joint venture for a nuclear facility. As
originally passed, the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority Act specifically
excluded nuclear energy as an eligible resource or investment for municipal
power authorities. The reasoning behind this has not changed: Oklahoma
does not need the radioactive waste generated by these facilities
threatening the public health and natural resources of our state.
Furthermore, nuclear energy is the most cost-prohibitive commercially
viable power resource available...most of that cost would be passed on to
Oklahoma electric consumers!
SB 1662 is up for consideration tomorrow, Tuesday at 1:30 PM before the
House Energy and Utilities Committee! Contact the members of the Energy
Committee and express your opposition to SB 1662 TODAY!
Read Bud's message below, please, and if you cannot make it to the Capitol tomorrow PLEASE call your representatives or email them and make your voice heard! We are especially opposed to House Bill 1662 which makes nuclear power easy to slip into the state without resistance. See below. All the mentioned legislation is important and we need to stay on top of these issues. Thank you everyone - spread the word!
The Carrie Dickerson Foundation Board of Directors
>>>Greetings Sierra Club members and friends!
Just a reminder that tomorrow is our scheduled Lobby Day at the State
Capitol at 2 PM on the 2nd floor rotunda. It is critical for conservation
issues to be taken seriously that you show up to make your voice heard!
I've requested that those planning on attending RSVP to either 405.445.9435
or bud.scott@sierraclub.org. Thus far, I have 3 RSVPs! We need your help in
expressing support on these critical issues!
The lobby day will be followed with Conservation & Cocktails at the 51st
Street Speakeasy (1114 NW 51st/west of Western on NW 51st) at 6 PM for a
handcrafted beer tasting and informal conversation with invited legislators
and other officials. Again, I need RSVPs to determine how much food to
purchase. Please RSVP and join for a relaxing evening with opportunities to
discuss your conservation initiative with elected officials and other
partners.
The lobby day will focus on four pieces of legislation as follows:
SUPPORT
HB 3015 by Rep. Seneca Scott (D-Tulsa) and Sen. Tom Ivester (D-Elk City)
provides financial incentives through the Agricultural Linked Deposit
Program in the form of low-interest loans to individuals/partnerships
investing in healthy corner stores (majority of food/product being local and
grown local, with less than 10% of sales from cigarettes and beer). HB 3015
falls under the Sierra Club priority of Food Localization. The funds for HB
3015 are already in place and will not have a fiscal impact upon the state.
HB 3015 is up for consideration tomorrow(!) in the Senate Finance Committee
at 10:30 AM. In my previous email I requested that you contact the Senate
Finance Committee members to encourage them to vote in favor of the
legislation.
HB 3028 by Speaker Chris Benge (R-Tulsa) and Sen. David Myers (R-Ponca City)
is the Oklahoma Energy Security Act, which sets forth a Renewable Energy
Goal for electric generating entities of 15% of their electric generating
portfolio by 2015. The bill also establishes a natural gas goal and CNG
fueling station goal. This legislation reflects a top priority for the
Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club as it will encourage our electric
providers to move beyond dirty coal-fired power and enhance renewable energy
generation in Oklahoma. HB 3028 has passed the House, passed through the
Senate Energy and Environment Committee and is up for consideration by the
entire Senate for passage. Contact your Senator or Representative and
encourage them to vote for a smart energy policy, such as that reflected by
HB 3028.
OPPOSE
SB 1662 by Sen. David Myers (R-Ponca City) and Rep. Rex Duncan (R-Sand
Springs) amends the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority Act to allow
municipal power authorities to (1) purchase electricity from nuclear
facilities, and (2) to invest in a joint venture for a nuclear facility. As
originally passed, the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority Act specifically
excluded nuclear energy as an eligible resource or investment for municipal
power authorities. The reasoning behind this has not changed: Oklahoma
does not need the radioactive waste generated by these facilities
threatening the public health and natural resources of our state.
Furthermore, nuclear energy is the most cost-prohibitive commercially
viable power resource available...most of that cost would be passed on to
Oklahoma electric consumers!
SB 1662 is up for consideration tomorrow, Tuesday at 1:30 PM before the
House Energy and Utilities Committee! Contact the members of the Energy
Committee and express your opposition to SB 1662 TODAY!
SB 1668 is sponsored by Sen. David Myers (r-Ponca City) and Rep. Rex Duncan (R-Sand Springs). PLEASE contact the committee members below and express your opposition to this legislation.
House Energy and Utility Regulatory Committee:
Blackwell, Gus 405.557.7384 gusblackwell@okhouse.gov
Brannon, Neil 405.557.7413 neilbrannon@okhouse.gov
Cooksey, Marian 405.557.7342 mariancooksey@okhouse.gov
Enns, John 405.557.7321 john.enns@okhouse.gov
Hilliard, Wes 405.557.7412 weshilliard@okhouse.gov
Jackson, Mike 405.557.7317 mikejackson@okhouse.gov
Jett, Shane 405.557.7349 shanejett@okhouse.gov
Johnson, Dennis 405.557.7327 dennis.johnson@okhouse.gov
Kirby, Dan 405.557.7356 dan.kirby@okhouse.gov
Kouplen, Steve 405.557.7306 steve.kouplen@Okhouse.gov
Lamons, Lucky 405.557.7390 luckylamons@Okhouse.gov
Martin, Steve 405.557.7402 stevemartin@okhouse.gov
McPeak, Jerry 405.557.7302 jerrymcpeak@okhouse.gov
Peters, Ron 405.557.7359 ronpeters@okhouse.gov
Proctor, Eric 405.557.5410 eric.proctor@Okhouse.gov
Rousselot, Wade 405.557.7388 waderousselot@okhouse.gov
Sanders, Mike 405.557.7407 mike.sanders@okhouse.gov
Schwartz, Colby 405.557.7352 colby.schwartz@okhouse.gov
Sherrer, Ben 405.557.7364 bensherrer@okhouse.gov
Steele, Kris 405.557.7345 krissteele@okhouse.gov
Thompson, Mike (Chair) 405.557.7403 mikethompson@Okhouse.gov
Trebilcock, John 405.557.7362 johntrebilcock@Okhouse.gov
Walker, Purcy D. 405.557.7311 purcywalker@okhouse.gov
Watson, Weldon (Vice Chair) 405.557.7330 weldon.watson@Okhouse.gov
Wesselhoft, Paul 405.557.7343 paulwesselhoft@okhouse.gov
HB 3137 by Rep. Jeff Hickman (R-Dacoma) and Sen. Brian Bingman (R-Sapulpa)
proposes to consolidate the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission within the
Oklahoma Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and
Recreation. The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission is vital to the
preservation of water quality on the Illinois River and should be left in
place to maximize monitoring and policing of water quality on the Illinois
River and the five other designated Oklahoma Scenic Rivers.
HB 3137 is part of a larger omnibus effort to consolidate agencies and has
passed the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural
Resources. Contact your Senator and express the need for the Scenic Rivers
Commission to be preserved. Oklahoma's rivers have too much to lose!
Please RSVP to both the Lobby Day and the Conservation & Cocktails event. If
you are unable to attend either event, PLEASE contact your legislators
regarding the listed legislation. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
--
Robert "Bud" Scott, Esq.
Chapter Director
Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club
PO Box 60644
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73146
405.445.9435
bud.scott@sierraclub.org
>>>
HB 3137 by Rep. Jeff Hickman (R-Dacoma) and Sen. Brian Bingman (R-Sapulpa)
proposes to consolidate the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission within the
Oklahoma Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and
Recreation. The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission is vital to the
preservation of water quality on the Illinois River and should be left in
place to maximize monitoring and policing of water quality on the Illinois
River and the five other designated Oklahoma Scenic Rivers.
HB 3137 is part of a larger omnibus effort to consolidate agencies and has
passed the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural
Resources. Contact your Senator and express the need for the Scenic Rivers
Commission to be preserved. Oklahoma's rivers have too much to lose!
Please RSVP to both the Lobby Day and the Conservation & Cocktails event. If
you are unable to attend either event, PLEASE contact your legislators
regarding the listed legislation. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
--
Robert "Bud" Scott, Esq.
Chapter Director
Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club
PO Box 60644
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73146
405.445.9435
bud.scott@sierraclub.org
>>>
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