June 2, 2009
Contact:
Virginia Cramer, 804-225-9113 x 102
House Parties Gather Across U.S. to Urge Big Picture Solutions
Support EPA Action on Global Warming, Public Health
Washington, D.C.: Concerned citizens will gather at over 70 events across the country tonight to show support for strong action by the Environmental Protection Agency on global warming. The EPA’s recent finding that carbon dioxide and other global warming pollution present a danger to public health and welfare is the first step toward regulating global warming pollution from coal plants, cars and other major polluters.
Just two weeks ago thousands of people turned out for EPA hearings in Arlington, VA and Seattle, WA, testifying and rallying in support of EPA’s action on global warming. Tonight’s house parties provide those not near the hearing sites a chance to make their voices heard. Attendees will watch footage from the hearings, submit their own comments to the EPA, and plan how they can help bring about a clean energy future.
“With more than 70 house parties going on across the Nation, and more than 36,000 comments already submitted as part of our Big Picture Campaign, it’s clear that there is a broad base of support for the Obama administration’s strong action to renew our economy and fight global warming by building the clean energy future,” said Mary Anne Hitt, Deputy Director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign.
“The pieces to the type of big picture solution we need are beginning to fall into place. First the endangerment finding, and then strong new standards to make our cars and trucks go further on a gallon of gas, slash our dependence on oil, and dramatically cut global warming pollution. The next major piece of the climate puzzle will be finalizing the strong science-based Renewable Fuel Standard recently proposed by EPA,” said Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director.
The EPA will be holding a hearing and workshop on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard on June 9th and 10th in Washington, D.C.
Find out more about the house parties and the Big Picture campaign here: www.sierraclub.org/bigpicture
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