Asking You to Sign On to a Couple of Letters, Upcoming Events

Happy Friday!

Somewhat like the birds of Appalachian Spring, we have some updates to sing out. We’re popping into your inbox to remind you of a couple of sign-on opportunities and some upcoming events.

First, a network of groups tackling the human health and climate issues arising from the onslaught of fracking and new fracked gas infrastructure is urging folks in our movement to endorse and join with the Poor People’s Campaign. We note that the campaign has plan for actions on ecological devastation and health during the week of June 3-9. We are looking for as many folks as possible to sign-on here, by the end of today. Background: Poor People’s Campaign Resurrected: Sign-On to Statement of Support

Also to sign: Demand FERC Reform on Pipeline Review Process

We hope some of you can join us tomorrow, Saturday, May 19 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the Fourth Annual Sustainability Fair at The Wild Ramp, 555 14th Street West, Huntington, WV 25704.

Do you have your tickets yet for Reflections on Sacred Actions for Earth? This Catholic Committee of Appalachia event takes place on Saturday, June 9 from 4-8 pm at St. John XXIII Pastoral Center in Charleston. Tickets may be purchased here.

We are also asking that you please take a few moments to comment on Shell’s proposed Falcon Pipeline. This pipeline is a key component to politicians’ misguided plans for the Appalachian Storage Hub, which could lead to a massive fracking and petrochemical build-out in the Ohio Valley. You can comment online here, and/or attend a public hearing hosted by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on May 23 at 6 p.m. at Harrison Central Jr/Sr High School, 440 East Market Street, Cadiz, Ohio, 43907. More details here. 

For those of you who may have reason to be in the Pittsburgh area next week, we wanted to note these two events, one on May 22 called Where Plastic Ends Up – An International Perspective on Plastics and one on May 23 called Energy Innovation Center. Both event are part of the “Stopping Plastic Where It Starts” tour, which we are excited to take part in on May 24!

Finally, ICYMI, here’s an op-ed that ran in the Charleston Gazette, written by OVEC Executive Director Natalie Thompson: Clean water vs. dirty money.

The birds, as well as other breathers of air and drinkers of water, will thank you for taking action. The bird at top is an American Redstart, and just above, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak, both of which were in the yard of an OVEC staffer this spring. Tweet on!

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