Jim Hurdis on US Environmental Policies on Gas and Oil Production

I’m struck by the audacity of Senator Joe Manchin’s energy permitting proposal and have been reflecting on how we got here and the implications for moving forward.

In the 1960s, many realized that our country’s industrialization was polluting the air and water and contaminating the land. People were ill and dying from the pollution. I saw firsthand the effects of coal strip mining in Illinois, where I spent my youth. 

In response, Congress passed a series of Environmental Acts aimed at restoring our waterways, air, and land, dealing with hazardous waste, and creating an agency to oversee protecting the environment. (Library of Congress: guide).  

They included the: Clean Air Act (1970); Clean Water Act (1972); Comprehensive Environmental Response,  Compensation, and Liability Act (1972);  Endangered Species Act (1973); Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (1972); National Environmental Policy Act (1970)  and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976). In 1970, President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Sometimes the reviews were onerous, but so was the contamination. I remember the snail darter discovery, which stopped the construction of a Tennessee Valley Authority dam until a resolution was achieved. I also recall the pipeline leaks in Wisconsin from visiting my grandparents. (The Center for Biological Diversity reports nearly 300 pipeline incidents per year on average through 2013.)

Previously, Sen. Manchin (D-WV) reached a side deal with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to overhaul the U.S. energy-permitting process in exchange for supporting the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which included significant investments to address the climate crisis. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and President Joe Biden were aware (WV News) (The Hill) of their deal. The West Virginian senator’s reforms are aimed at speeding up the approval of energy projects. Later, facing widespread bipartisan opposition, after a leak and official release, Sen. Manchin pulled his reforms from the Continuing Resolution (NPR).  Minority Leader McConnell called it a “poison pill” (Government Executive). Both Sen. Schumer and Sen. Manchin vowed to “keep working on the permitting bill” (Bloomberg).

What galls me is why these energy projects are considered such a high priority when so much of what the U.S. produces is not for domestic use? 

Read More

Susan and Jim Hurdis at the Mountain Valley Pipeline protest in D.C. They are members of the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, North Carolina, where Jim served two years as co-chair of their social justice committee. Along with the environment, Jim is passionate about gun violence issues, food insecurity, and affordable housing.

Supreme Court, North Carolina Moore v Harper
Wednesday, November 16
8:00pm ET ·  7:00pm CT ·  6:00pm MT ·  5:00pm PT
REGISTER HERE

The next major challenge to U.S. Democracy comes before the Supreme Court in North Carolina's Moore v. Harper. Join us for an in-depth look at what’s at stake with a member of Common Cause NC, which is a defendant in the case.  

Experts say an extreme interpretation of the Constitution in this North Carolina redistricting case would make it even easier for state legislatures to suppress the vote, draw gerrymandered election districts, and subvert election results, among other concerns. At issue is a fringe legal ploy, the so-called “independent state legislature theory,” which has never been accepted by American courts. While the Moore case will not affect the 2022 election voting maps, it could have profound implications for the freedom to vote — and having those votes count equally in future elections — including the all-important 2024 presidential cycle. 

Becky Harper of Common Cause NC  – also a long-time member of UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC – will discuss arguments by Republican lawmakers on the case’s potential impact on our elections and what Unitarian Universalists can do to fight back. Becky will be joined by an attorney from the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, also involved with the case.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on the case later this year and make a ruling next year, in time for the 2024 elections.

See former Attorney General Eric Holder’s comments on the case: NC case at Supreme Court ‘should keep every American up at night.

Indigenous Peoples' Day 

Write Your Legislators HERE

Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the past, present, and future of Native peoples throughout the US.  It’s aimed at changing the narrative around the arrival of Columbus to reflect a more accurate history. The holiday celebrates the cultures, contributions, and resilience of contemporary Native Peoples. It recognizes the legacy and impact of colonialism on Native communities.

The seed for Indigenous Peoples Day was planted at a U.N. international conference on discrimination in 1977. The first state to recognize the day was South Dakota in 1989. Then the cities of Berkeley and Santa Cruz, California, followed suit. Today 14 states and more than 130 cities celebrate the day instead of Columbus Day.

On October 8th 2021, President Joe Biden recognized Indigenous People’s Day by issuing a proclamation, 

“On Indigenous Peoples Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations. On Indigenous Peoples Day, we honor America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today.”

But there has been little federal action since to spread that recognition.  We invite you to voice principled concern and pressure for recognition and proper historical context, as exemplified in Senate Bill 2919 and House Bill 5473, making it a legal public holiday substituting Columbus Day. 

Cindy Piester serves on the UUJEC Board and is a Unitarian Universalist Ventura Church, CA, member. She is an activist affiliated with Veterans for Peace, the National Climate Action Working Group, Sunrise Movement, and Sierra Club, among other groups.

Cindy Piester on Hurricanes and Climate Change

As we see Florida (and other states) hard hit by Hurricane Ian and Puerto Rico struggling to recuperate from Hurricane Fiona, it is discouraging that there is little or no tie being made to the root cause of climate change in the media among political decision-makers.

Yes, immediate, compassionate care is essential, but these supercharged storms are a real, tangible consequence of a human experiment burning billions of tons of fossil fuels.

The hour is late, to avoid increasingly frequent and ever-worsening climate catastrophes, we must make these connections, recognize the teachable moment that this is, and move away from fossil fuels with fierce determination. A livable planet demands nothing less.

Cindy is board member of UUs for a Just Economic Community (UUJEC).  See her article and Democracy Now video segment  Reality of Global Warming": Hurricane Ian’s Power Shows How Climate Change Supercharges Storms 

UU the Vote National, Fall Flex 

We are asked to sharpen our denominational presence in voter mobilization and join UU the Vote to reach 4 million voters, with special attention in 12 key states! The Fall Flex leverages the power of UU national, state, and local networks to #VoteLove and #DefeatHate in critical ballot measures and combat the voter suppression laws that have made it more difficult for people to vote.

Gifts to UU the Vote will now be split between UU the Vote and CUUSAN (Coalition of UU State Action Networks) to sustain UU work at the state level.

The support resources from UU the Vote are extensive, and the list of national partners is impressive; for example, 8 of the key states coincide with the efforts by the Poor People’s Campaign (details below in the Economic Justice section).

UU the Vote of DC-MD-VA Event Calendar

The project has launched its Calendar Link for regional residents and congregations; please feel free to post: https://bit.ly/2022UUtheVoteDCMDVACalendar.  

The calendar lists upcoming phone banks, text banks, and other key events related to our UU mobilization. It’s a living document so additional events will be added.  For example, our campaign is hosting the North Carolina UU Forward Together phone bank on Thursday, Oct 13, so that’s an event that would be particularly helpful for lay leaders and clergy to attend and promote. There are also phone banks every week to help defeat the anti-abortion Constitutional amendment in Kentucky.

Contact Olivia Elder, our half-time voting campaign organizer, for more information at: uuvotermobilization@gmail.com.

Congregations in DC, MD, and VA are specifically asked to fill out this survey so we know how much voter mobilization work you’re trying to do and who is the best point of contact

Reforming the Electoral Count Act (ECA) Continues to Make Progress 

The ECA, as enacted in 1887, contains numerous ambiguous provisions that partisans may try to exploit, as we saw in the runup to the January 6 insurrection. The House passed a bill last month (Sept. 21)  to address these issues.  The Presidential Election Reform Act (PERA) was proposed by Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). 

In the Senate, a bipartisan group –  10 Republicans and 10 Democrats –  are collaborating on the Manchin-Collins Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA). The Senate Rules committee made slight revisions during a bill markup on September 27. (The House version has more specifics and a higher threshold for challenging a slate of electors  – 33 % vs. 20%). 

Minority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced his support for the Senate version late last month and rejected what he called “the partisan” House version. It remains unclear when the Senate will vote on the bill, but it’s not expected until after the midterm elections. If passed, differences between the House and Senate versions must be worked out in a Conference Committee. The good news is that the legislators, including House and Senate leaders, understand the importance of getting it passed this session of Congress. 

UUSJ will continue to advocate for ECA reform. Its Democracy Action Team is organizing a group to make phone calls to Senate and possibly House offices shortly after the elections. Stay tuned for details.

DAT is urging colleagues and friends to write their senators in support of the ECA reform bill and pass it during this session of Congress. We can’t assume it would pass in the next Congress. Take Action

Review, Learn, And Act For Our Democracy

UUSJ’s Democracy Action Team (DAT) will host Supreme Court, North Carolina Moore v. Harper (see details above), on Nov. 16, building on its three successful democracy events last month.  Last month’s events included (you can view last month’s videos by clicking on the event titles):

•  A UU the Vote Congregation Leaders Meeting of people leading the UU the Vote activities in their various congregations. (Sept. 7) It featured JaZahn Hicks, UU the Vote Campaign Manager, who discussed the effectiveness of various voter contact methods. DAT provided a  list of UU the Vote activities and events that local UU churches can use. The list will be updated through the midterm elections.

• A Voter Mobilization Keynote with Andrea Miller event. (Sept. 13) Andrea is the Founding Board Member of the Center for Common Ground (CCG) and an inspirational, unwavering fighter for racial justice and voting rights.  An engaging and enthusiastic speaker, Andrea’s talk was highly informative.

• State of Our Democracy: Reforms to Renew And Strengthen It Going Forward with Lee Drutman. (Sept. 21) Lee was named one of Washington’s Most Influential People by Washingtonian magazine in 2021. He has published numerous pieces in the New York Times, Washington Post, Vox, NBC Think, and Foreign Policy, among many other outlets. More than 110 people attended the event, with many more later watching the video.

Immigration Film Fest
October 13-16
Ticket Purchase

This year’s Immigration Film Fest explores the nature of HOME. Is it a place, a safe space, a feeling, a memory, a person, or something more?

The 2022 World Migration Report estimates that in 2020 over 281 million people were living outside of their country of birth, whether because of forced displacement, climate change, or moving to seek better opportunities. The UN estimates 89.3 million people were forcibly displaced from their homes due to persecution, conflict, and human rights violations. They estimate that children make up nearly half of these forced migrants.

Join us online and in person to see their stories, hopes, and yearning to settle and be at home in the world. Watch IFF 2022 selections at HOME with family and friends for a full week, or join us in Washington DC, and Arlington for a weekend of festival screenings from October 13-16.

Stability And Welcome For Afghans, Promises Kept By Veterans

UUSJ continues its work in achieving stability for Afghans, an effort that began in spring and gained speed in mid-summer. The needed stability, welcome, and promises veterans want to keep are best exemplified in the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA). For UUSJ, these are the principled concerns at stake. 

In early September, the Immigration Action Team (IAT) led, co-led, and participated in 12 Senate and House meetings as part of the Evacuate Our Allies (EOA) coalition, playing a pivotal role as volunteer experts and showing UU solidarity in the work. In those meetings, UUSJ gained co-sponsorship support for the AAA from two Senate offices and one House office, as of the last count.

UUSJ then extended that effort with the UU Service Committee (UUSC) and met with an additional nine Republican Senate offices, all key on the AAA, and brought 111 constituents – including those who are not UUs –  into that direct federal advocacy. One such meeting included six constituents, none of whom were UU. Many volunteers shared moving and compelling stories, demonstrating solidarity and bravery. For many, this was the first time they had done such advocacy. 

In sum, our IAT leveraged direct federal advocacy in 21 offices to help defend our principled concerns and push towards a just outcome for Afghans, veterans, service providers, and the many UUs who are supporting recently-arrived Afghans in our local congregations and communities in keeping with our faith’s long tradition of welcome.

You can help. It is not too late to Tell Congress to Pass the Afghan Adjustment Act. Every voice matters; both Democrats and Republicans need to hear constituent support.

If you want to hear about advocacy opportunities, join that list HERE.

Background On Our Effort 

Leading up to September, UUSJ invited UUSC to join in our commitment to welcome Afghans. We shared our analysis and belief that supporting the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) was prudent, and in keeping with our faith. 

UUSJ joined the amplification effort led by the Evacuate Our Allies (EOA) coalition in late July pressuring Congress to introduce the AAA. A bicameral, bipartisan proposal was put forward (SB 4787 and HB 6585) on August 9, revealing a closely-negotiated bill expected to gain support in time for the September Continuing Resolution (CR). Then we joined the EOA coalition for an advocacy push.

When the strategy met unexpected resistance among some staff – primarily in Republican offices – advocates, including UUSJ, sprung into action. We will need to keep up the work, but we did get some modest wins in the CR passed on September 30 (Federal News Network).

Read more…

Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2022 Passed Out of Committee

UUSJ continues to advocate for reforming the immigration judicial system.  U.S. immigration courts are politicized, and various administrations have repeatedly made decisions based on political expediency rather than efficiency or sound legal arguments. The courts also lack adequate funding and staffing. Because of these fundamental problems, the immigration court system cannot deliver just and impartial decisions promptly.

We recently heard the bill (H.R. 6577) passed out of committee. It has 57 cosponsors, all Democrats. There are 25 Democrats and 18 Republicans on the Committee. It does not appear to have been a recorded vote, but if all Democrats voted for it, then 12 of 18 Republicans were against it. That is unfortunate. However, it also means 6 Republicans must have abstained or missed the vote. Let us hope they abstained because they understand it's actually what is needed, even if they did not want to go on record.

There is still time to urge your House member to support the bill to reform the immigration judicial system (H.R. 6577). Take Action: It’s Time to Reform the Immigration Judicial System

Provide Public Comment on the Five-Year Plan for Offshore Drilling

Tell the Biden Administration to say “No!” to new oil and gas drilling on Outer Continental Shelf by commenting on the Administration’s proposed plan by the October 6 deadline. Check out the Taproot Earth Toolkit for details.

This is a great activity for congregational social justice committees or ministries, especially those operating in the environment and climate justice or economic justice space. It is also open to individuals. Let UUs say no more drilling.

This summer, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) (BOEM) released a proposed five-year plan (July 8 Federal Register) for oil and gas leasing in the Outer Continental Shelf. This plan allows the government to lease the seabed for offshore oil drilling. For the first time, the government’s draft environmental impact statement includes an option with no oil and gas lease sales, potentially ending future offshore oil drilling.

The International Energy Agency has made it clear that the world must stop new drilling for oil and gas immediately to ensure we meet our decarbonization goals and avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

Global Multi-Faith Mobilization

Join Faiths 4 Climate Justice, an initiative of Green Faith, for a month-long mobilization effort, Oct 2 - Nov 6. Green Faith International and many partners are hosting this global and nationwide effort. Faiths 4 Climate Justice is a global multi-faith action with grassroots faith communities taking action in countries worldwide. Green Faith includes more than 100 organizations, denominations, and lineages, representing more than 100 million people from Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Baha’i, Indigenous, Christian, and many more faith and spiritual backgrounds. 

They are rising together to call for:

• An immediate end to new fossil fuel projects and deforestation
• A rapid transition to 100% renewables and a fair phase-out of fossil fuels
• A commitment to a just transition for impacted workers and climate-vulnerable communities

Download resources and find an action near you, or add an action to the Oct. 2 - Nov. 6 map: https://greenfaith.org/faiths4climatejustice/

For Those Near D.C.

People of faith and conscience are joining For People, For Planet: Decolonize, Decarbonize – a series of protests and public demonstrations at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings in Washington, D.C. Actions include: 

• GreenFaith is organizing a faith component to Another World Is Possible! Festival of Resistance, Friday, Oct. 14, from 7:30am - 11am, and then later the same day with Big Shift Global March and Rally from 12-2pm​​​​​​​
• Jubilee USA will be building a sukkah in observance of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot on Friday (Oct. 14)  afternoon and leading action on Saturday, Oct. 15.

If you would like to be part of the D.C.  faith contingent, please contact Aly Tharp, aly@greenfaith.org, formally of UU Ministry For Earth.

If you want to hear about witness or rally opportunities, join UUSJ’s witness list HERE.

Climate Disaster Response: Assessing Climate Impacts & Making Connections, by UUA's Create Climate Justice

Climate disasters impact our communities - how can UUs be prepared? Join this series of workshops that will help identify climate risks and assess who is most at risk and how your community will be impacted. Then make a plan to respond to climate disasters in your neighborhood.

• Oct 25: Mobilizing for action - https://secure.everyaction.com/PS4mePprYUuC-kAGNfm4vQ2
• Nov 15: Community conversation - https://secure.everyaction.com/521PTTsun0ie7uIeFovFAw2

Both sessions are 90 minutes long and begin at: 7:00pm ET · 6:00pm CT · 5:00pm MT · 4:00pm PT

Environmental Justice for All Act

Tell Your Legislators to Pass

The Environmental Justice for All Act is a vital first step toward giving communities most impacted by pollution the tools to hold polluting industries accountable. Among other things, this bill (H.R. 2021 & S. 872) would:

• Enable frontline environmental justice communities to take polluters to court for projects that use federal funds and engage in environmental discrimination. 
• Require federal agencies to consider the cumulative impacts on human health when issuing permit decisions.
• Impose fees upon oil, gas, and coal companies that would be used to support workers and communities as industries transition from fossil fuels.
• Provide regular funding for research and programs to improve public health and reduce health disparities in communities suffering from environmental injustice.

Manchin Permit Proposal Pulled From The Continuing Resolution

We won this round, but the victory feels fragile. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) pulled his proposal to fast-track energy permitting from the test vote set up by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on September 27. See our email on this topic just before the showdown over the Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the Federal governemnt. 

Yet, Bloomberg reports both Sens. Schumer and Manchin have vowed to “keep working on [the] permitting bill.” If this holds, it will likely reemerge after the election. So advocates are racing to determine what this might mean for the next round and getting ready for the Senate’s expected return on November 14.

The September result was largely due to boisterous opposition by environmental justice advocates, with pressure from the House to decouple the proposal from the CR and the Republican Conference's interest in a “clean CR.” For more information, see the Hill’s report, “McConnell, GOP give political payback to Manchin.” It is unclear if these political interests, and bedfellows, will reprise the outcome in the future. 

UUSJ joined amplification efforts, mobilized for rallies, and participated in advocacy on this issue as part of the People vs. Fossil Fuels coalition. An Op-Ed in Truthout, for the Environment and Health section, showcases that effort "Grassroots Climate Organizers Led the Way to Scrapping Manchin’s Dirty Deal."

Briefing on the 2022 American Family Survey
Tuesday, Oct. 4, 1:00 pm-2:15pm ET
RSVP

As the 2022 midterm elections approach, Americans must weigh economic and social issues in a rapidly shifting political and cultural environment. The 8th annual American Family Survey, a nationwide poll with 3,000 respondents, reveals how families are experiencing and viewing issues from inflation and the economy to abortion and teaching about race and gender in public schools. 

This year’s survey emphasizes how the opinions of moderate Republicans and moderate Democrats differ from the more conservative or liberal members of their parties. It also explores trends in marriage and family life over the past eight years—including how family relationships are faring in the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about the report at the Oct 4 briefing hosted by the Brookings Center on Children and Families, Desert News, and Brigham Young University.

Biden-⁠Harris Move to End Hunger by 2030

The Administration announced more than $8 Billion in funding for new commitments as part of the call to action during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. This came as part of a summit, and the White House focused on food as part of its “Equity Agenda.” The last such gathering occurred in 1969 when President Richard M. Nixon hosted a summit that aimed to end hunger in America “for all time.”

• Video of Remarks
• Written Remarks
• Fact Sheet
• Health.Gov

While the press focused on President Joe Biden’s gaff at this event (WaPo) (Bloomberg), the president unveiled a plan – with corporate actors like Google, Tyson Foods, and Walgreens – to mobilize private sector and philanthropic commitments to expand access to healthy food. The plan also calls for lowering sodium and sugar content and expanding nutritional research.

Among other noteworthy goals are: 

• Expanding food stamps, formally titled the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and, 
• Covering “medically-tailored” meals through Medicare, which would require congressional approval for changes to Medicare.

National Public Radio digs into the politics with “Key takeaways from Biden's conference on hunger and nutrition in America.”

A diverse group of faith leaders from across the country joined the Poor People’s Campaign in urging Congress to act before the midterm elections on critical moral and social issues impacting our nation’s most vulnerable members.

Gathering in Washington, DC, last month, the faith leaders implored members of Congress to take action on (1) living wages, (2) voting rights, and (3) reinstatement and expansion of policies that research shows can immediately lift millions of families out of poverty.

The Sept. 22 briefing at the Rayburn House Office Building (video) helped launch the PPC: National Call for Moral Revival’s “50 Day Push: Mobilizing, Organizing, Registering, Educating & Voting Forward For Democracy And Justice” (Slide deck).

The 50-Day Push includes:

• Two National Canvass Days on Sept. 24 & Oct.8
• A National Day of Action, Oct. 15, which includes a 100-person march in each state down main street;
• A Virtual National Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Facebook Live event, Nov. 3 at 8 pm ET

The PPC: NCMR also plans to engage with voters in 15 priority states based on the PPC: NCMR’s moral analysis. The states are Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

Some of the PPC: NCMR states coincide with UU the Vote’s 12 focus states, which include: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.