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Gov. Whitmer signs clean energy bills into law in Detroit with legislators and Michiganders who support climate action. Photo by Tim Minotas.
Michigan Climate Legislation Signed Into Law. On November 28, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law one of the most ambitious and comprehensive climate action plans in the country. Tim Minotas, Michigan Chapter's Legislative and Political Deputy Director, explained that "these new laws deliver clean and affordable energy for Michiganders while all providing good-paying, family-sustaining jobs for Michiganders. Read our statement on this victorious moment here.
"Thanks to Sierra Club’s grassroots volunteers like you who spent months working alongside staff and our partners, we got these strong, clean energy bills across the finish line," Minotas said. "Now it is time to thank Governor Whitmer and the lawmakers who heard their constituents, kept their campaign promises, and voted for this landmark legislation." Take time today to send a thank you message to your lawmakers using the form in the button below.
Work is still ahead, and we want all of our volunteers to go into the new year feeling our deepest appreciation and share the motivation for taking the next steps in climate action in 2024.
Michigan families and communities are already experiencing the impacts of climate change with increased flooding and extreme weather events. Share your concerns and recommendations to address the increasing threats. File photos from 2021 flooding in southeastern Michigan, provided by Christy McGillivray.
Share Your Thoughts at MI Healthy Climate Plan Input Sessions. TheMichigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) is hosting several public meetings to gather public input on implementing the MI Healthy Climate Plan (MHCP). Registration is open for the three remaining in-person sessions and two virtual sessions, each from 6-8 p.m. Click the link to sign up for the session you want to attend.
Dec. 5 in Flint, at the Old Flint Journal Building, 200 E. First St., Room 132.
Dec. 6 in Marquette, at Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Ave.
Comments or questions can also be submitted to EGLE’s Office of Climate and Energy (OCE) at EGLE-OCE@Michigan.gov.
Share your thoughts on what the top priorities for climate action should be in Michigan. Register for a session near you or virtually today.
On Friday, December 1, the MPSC voted 2-0 (with one abstention) to approve Enbridge's Line 5 tunnel. Simultaneously, they all spoke of the true and present dangers the current pipeline poses to our Great Lakes and way of life. Read our statement HERE.
What does this mean? Well, it means we are going to continue fighting like hell. It also means that even the MPSC understands the Line 5 pipeline is dangerous and should be SHUT DOWN NOW.
Take some time to share the Chapter's social media regarding this horrible decision and then submit your own comment to the MPSC letting them know how disappointed you are in their decision today. Comments can be submitted through email to mpsc_commissioners@michigan.gov.
Look out for more communications on actions to take regarding this truly horrible decision by the MPSC. Start by submitting a photo to our Shut Down Line 5 photo petition.
Community Advocates Workshops - Harnessing Resources to Power Resiliency. Join Sierra Club Michigan Chapter for an evening of vision and fostering community in either the Muskegon area on December 5, or Detroit on December 7. Federal investments have the ability to create healthier, resilient communities and it's up to us to help shape that vision. Share your interests, connect with others and learn how you can advocate across the region.
Angela Lugo-Thomas (white shirt) volunteered with Raingardens to the Rescue in 2020. Chapter Director Elayne Elliot Coleman is on the far left. Sierra Club file photo.
Angela Lugo-Thomas Appointed to Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee. On November 21, Governor Whitmer announced appointments to several committees and commissions for the state. The Sierra Club Michigan Chapter is excited to see Angela Lugo-Thomas appointed to the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee, which advises the state on implementation of improvements, master planning and public safety for Belle Isle Park. Lugo-Thomas was a participant of the Sierra Club and Friends of the River Rouge Raingardens to the Rescue program in 2020, where she learned the importance of natural habitat, water conservation, pollinators, and more. Her knowledge and experience will make her an excellent fit for Belle Isle’s advisory committee.
Michigan Chapter Legislative and Policy staff Christy McGillivray and Tim Minotas joined Chapter Director Elayne Coleman at the state level Colloquium last week (left photo). Tim led Sierra Club's lobbying efforts at the state Capitol, including testifying in favor of the climate legislation with allies (left to right) Charlotte Jameson of Michigan Environmental Council, Derrell Slaughter of Natural Resources Defense Council and Nick Occhipinti of Michigan League of Conservation Voters.
Colloquium Connects State Level Sierra Club Staff Nationwide. Sierra Club state level legislative staff convened in Santa Fe, NM, for the Colloquium, an annual meeting that facilitates knowledge exchange across the organization. Chapter staff members Christy McGillivray, Tim Minotas and Elayne Coleman shared stories of the Michigan Chapter’s clean energy legislative victory, exchanged strategies with other chapters and shared best practices. We look forward to building on these conversations to ensure the Michigan Chapter continues to be one of the Sierra Club’s strongest chapters.
When the Michigan chapter staff returns, we’ll have updates for members on how we can engage in important infrastructure conversations, including Michigan’s planned hydrogen hub, the buildout of our onshore semiconductor manufacturing industry and how to organize to stop dangerous carbon capture projects.
For more than 50 years, Sierra Club has engaged Michiganders in helping to protect our wild places, air and water quality, and the planet. Environmental Teach-in in Ann Arbor in 1970. Photo courtesy of the University of Michigan Bentley Archive.
Sierra Club in Michigan is Hiring. Three positions are currently open for application. Click the links for full details and to apply.
The Field Organizeris responsible for organizing campaigns which win real victories and build the grassroots power to accomplish Sierra Club priorities, which are: to address climate disruption, transform the energy economy, protect communities from pollution, ensure access to the outdoors for all and protect our lands, water and wildlife.
TheMichigan Chapter Community Organizerposition will help lead and execute assigned components of Sierra Club Michigan’s water, land, wildlife and energy campaign work, with a primary focus on projects in Detroit.
The Michigan Chapter Volunteer Engagement Coordinator will develop and maintain a strong volunteer program that supports the organization's campaigns, committees and groups.The perfect candidate for this role believes that volunteers are integral to an organization's success, embraces collaboration, enjoys working with diverse groups and communicates effectively.
Lake Michigan sunset. Photo by Jan O'Connell.
Year-End Giving Options Prepare Sierra Club for 2024. Whether you are devoted to protecting the Great Lakes, supporting efforts to restore biodiversity, ensuring democracy, or fighting to make sure that no community is facing unjust environmental burdens, your gift to the Michigan Sierra Club will help our work in 2024 to advance all these causes. There are several ways to support the work of Sierra Club in Michigan at the end of 2023, including direct gifts, donations of stock or securities or gifts from the Individual Retirement Account. Find out the details here.
Crossroads Group members joined with Friends of Island Lake State Recreation Area on Black Friday. Photos provided by Crossroads Group chair Lee Anzicek.
Explore and Enjoy: Sierra Club Members #optoutside on Black Friday. Instead of going shopping on Black Friday, Sierra Club members across the state opted to get outdoors and enjoy nature instead of store aisles. Read about their experiences here.
It's time we made sure that nature is accessible for all. The Outdoors for All Act will help fund more outdoors projects, provide close-to-home opportunities to get into nature, protect more lands and green spaces and improve community access to outdoor spaces so that kids and families can #optoutside any day of the week, any time of the year. Tell Congress to pass the Outdoors for All Act now.
