FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 26th, 2017

More than 400 landowners, conservation organizations, indigenous tribes, youth, business owners, state agencies and concerned community members have filed as intervenors this month in order to stand up against the proposed Pacific Connector Pipeline and LNG export terminal.

Without action on the Jordan Cove Project, Governor Brown’s climate grandstanding is little more than an attempt to win environmental credibility without having to make a hard decision that might cost her some political points with large corporate donors and the building and construction trades. The climate doesn't care about the politics of triangulation, horse-trading, or campaign contributions. 

Earlier this week the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and 30 other Ashland businesses sent the Ashland City Council letters announcing their support for the proposed Climate Action Ordinance. The City Council will vote on the ordinance at their meetings on Tuesday, September 5 and Tuesday, September 19th. Join us at this historic vote and RSVP here.

The ordinance, proposed by Ashland Youth Climate Action, affirms the city's commitment to the climate pollution reduction goals set in the Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) and requires a three year comprehensive review, which will help the community stay involved to ensure both the city and community are on track to reach our goals.

By passing the ordinance and following through with their ambitious plan, Ashland will become a leader in local climate action. Since the plan was passed in March, the city has funded a staff position to manage and oversee the CEAP and is in the process of creating a citizen advisory committee. The final thing our community asked for in this first phase of implementation is the Climate Action Ordinance.

Check out the letter from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a list businesses supporters below. If your business is not on this list and wants to endorse the ordinance please email allie@rogueclimate.org.  

Can you – tonight, if possible – call Senators Wyden and Merkley about Senate hearings tomorrow morning (east coast time) on two Trump nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)?

If need be, you can leave a voicemail message for them.

Wyden is on the Senate Energy Committee that is holding the hearings and will have a chance to ask the nominees for specific commitments. Merkley is not on the committee but, as a senator from an affected state, can speak out and influence the process.

Unfortunately, we can’t assume that either of our senators will demand commitments from the nominees that they will protect Oregonians from the proposed Jordan Cove fracked gas export terminal and pipeline. The project was rejected twice by FERC last year, but the company has re-filed for approval since the Trump administration took office.