January, 13th 2009

2009 promises to be a good year for clean water.

The TVA coal ash spill in Harriman, TN, though devastating, has given citizens a new insight into the dirty side of coal. It has served to remind many of us that the interests of coal companies do not align with what is best for the people of Appalachia or the environment.

As the new session of Congress begins this week, and a new administration to enter office early next week, there is more attention than ever before on the energy crisis and the need for a green economy.

The time is right to pass the Clean Water Protection Act, and with that dramatically curb the instance and impact of mountain top removal mining. Last session closed with the broadest support we’ve ever had for the measure:

The Clean Water Protection Act can be passed this session. You can help make it happen.

By attending the 4th annual End Mountaintop Removal Week in Washington, you can join us in lobbying our legislators to pass the CWPA. Past lobby week participants have come from all across the United States to join with other activists and impacted citizens in speaking with their congressional Representatives about MTR and the CWPA.

At last year’s lobby week, people like you helped us gain 8 new co-sponsors!

Registration is open now and will continue until February 25th. Scholarships are available on a limited basis; scholarship deadline is Feb 20th. Get the answers to more of your questions at our FAQ page.

If you are antsy to get started appealing to your elected representatives, here is another initiative to tell the new administration clean energy is a priority:

CLEAN- a collaborative movement of state and local organizations working, at all levels of government, to implement new energy policies – has launched a campaign to let President-elect Obama know that there is strong grassroots support for bold action on our clean energy future. The next step in the campaign is a national call-in day to the White House on Wednesday, January 21st* in order to make our voices heard on Obama’s first day in office. We want to make it known that the American people are saying YES to renewables, YES to energy efficiency, NO to coal and nuclear! It will take people calling from all across the country and all walks of life to make an impact. We need your voice, too! Please click here to make your pledge to call the White House on Wednesday, January 21st. It will only take a few minutes to take part in this national movement to ensure a clean energy future for America!