CRACK FERC OPEN
JUNE 23-25
Washington, DC
The time to escalate is now! Click here to sign up!
BXE is planning a three day sharing/training, art-build and action from June 23-25, beginning the morning of Saturday, June 23rd. Will you join us?
Our communities and our planet are in desperate need of a halt to the permitting and building of all new fossil fuel pipelines and other infrastructure. Communities in the way of proposed new pipelines, compressor stations, storage and export facilities face toxic industrialization, eminent domain abuse, air, land and water pollution, and threats to health and safety. And our disrupted climate can only heal when jobs-creating renewable energy and energy efficiency have displaced fossil fuels, and people power has displaced corporate power.
For decades FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, has supported the oil, gas, coal and nuclear industries. It has rubber stamped virtually all gas pipeline permit applications. They have confronted us and the rest of the country with a rigid, unified and punitive refusal to listen to grassroots concerns about communicide and climate change. This has led to a massive build-out of fracked gas infrastructure in many parts of the country, with all of the disruption and danger that come with it.
Recently, though, things are changing. Despite the Trump Administration’s full-throttle efforts to keep fossil fuel empires going, many cracks in their foundations have been appearing:
**Industry leaders are openly upset about the grassroots actions that have affected their plans.
**State and federal courts are beginning to delay or challenge FERC permits, efforts to subvert state powers over air and water quality, eminent domain abuse and actual pipeline construction.
**Fracked gas prices are so low that some companies have gone bankrupt, while costs are increasing. Trump’s steel tariffs are hurting the pipeline industry.
**A broad range of groups are working together to get banks to stop financing extreme energy.
**Wind, solar and renewable storage technologies continue to grow, as low prices make them much more attractive, and this is happening worldwide.
**2017 was the first year ever that both coal and gas declined in the electric power sector.
**Several states have stopped the construction of new gas-fired power plants, and resistance against them nationally is a big worry to the gas industry.
There are even cracks appearing at FERC: Commissioners voting unanimously to reject Rick Perry’s push to further subsidize coal and nukes; voting, because of a court decision, to end a substantial tax break for pipeline companies; new Democratic commissioner Richard Glick issuing several strong dissents on pipeline permit applications; and there have been other dissents too. These can greatly help court challenges.
It is time to escalate at FERC. BXE is planning three days of sharing/training, art-building and action from June 23-25, beginning the morning of Saturday the 23rd.
On June 23rd we will take part in the DC national action being organized by the Poor People’s Campaign. This will be the last of 40 days of action the PPC is organizing around the country. Following the demonstration we will gather in the late afternoon for a time of sharing, art-building and getting prepared for action at FERC and elsewhere the morning of Monday, June 25th. We will spend all-day Sunday continuing that preparation and community-building.
We intend to devise actions which can further open up the cracks in FERC’s leadership and structure. In the past BXE has had success in getting the attention of FERC employees, press and others with nonviolent blockades, fasting, die-ins, days of silence, sidewalk feasts of pancakes and sweet potatoes, music, prayer and bird-dogging. We are also considering other locations where we could take action.
We urge you to sign up (click here!) for this convergence and action. It’s time to Crack FERC Open!
(Image Credit: Kim Fraczek)
LOGISTICS
Food: Seeds of Peace will be cooking for us. There will be three meals a day.
Housing: Those who need housing are welcome to stay with us at St. Stephen’s Church (1525 Newton Street, Washington, DC). The church will be available from 4pm on Saturday, June 23rd to the morning of Tuesday, June 26th. We will be sleeping on the floor, so please bring any and all bedding you will need to feel comfortable. Bathrooms and a showers ($1 per use for the shower) will be available. During the day, we will lock our items in a storage room at the church.
Schedule: To Be Announced
Donations: To Be Announced
ENDORSING ORGANIZATIONS
198 methods
350 Loudoun
Berks Gas Truth
Deep Green Resistance New York City
ECHO Action NH: #FossilFree603
Food & Water Watch
NH Pipeline Resistance
OVEC-Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition
Preserve Rockbridge
The Shalom Center
New From BXE!
“No New InFRACKstructure 2018 Action Calendar”
Beyond Extreme Energy has decided to pull together and publish regularly a calendar of actions being planned, in the works or on-going. We will publish it at least every two weeks. It will be available on our website, and it will also be distributed via email and social media. It is a calendar primarily for actions aimed at stopping the building of any new fossil fuel infrastructure. Submissions for this listing should be sent to actions@beyondextremeenergy.org and should include location, date(s), description (short) and contact info.
The Action Calendar can be found here or in the menu on the left-hand side of our website.
Let’s build the movement!
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Questions? Need to contact us? Email info@beyondextremeenergy.org
FERC DISRUPTED!
(Photo Credit: Phil Ateto)
“My name is Molly Dunton and I live and work in DC, not far from FERC headquarters. I have the pleasure of working for the national environmental non-profit Earthworks, and I have the privilege of working with residents around the country that have been negatively impacted by extreme energy development. In other words, my job involves supporting communities that have been forsaken by FERC in the name of corporate profits. I may not live in a frontline or fenceline community, but I carry the voices of my partners on the the front lines with me into my work. My home is not currently threatened by one of FERC’s reckless project approvals, but when might it be? Regardless of how much or how little physical stake any of us has in a given project on FERC’s docket, this fight is personal.” Click here to read more from Molly on the January 2018 disruption of FERC’s Commission Meeting.
FERC doesn’t work – and it’s about to get worse. Trump’s pro-industry commissioners are ready to use their new rubber stamps to approve more fracked-gas pipelines while Congress pushes legislation to expand FERC’s authority. PLEASE head for FERC on Sept. 20 at 8:30 a.m. The change starts here. Click here for more details.
THREE ARRESTED AT HEARINGS FOR FERC NOMINEES
Three people were arrested as they interrupted Senate committee hearings for the last two Trump nominees to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. One of them, Andrew Hinz (top), who worked at FERC for 25 years, called out: “Have a conscience! FERC is destroying the atmosphere!” Read all about it at our blog post.
THREE ARRESTED TRYING TO BLOCK SENATE PANEL VOTE ON FERC COMMISSIONERS
Three people representing a coalition of nearly 170 groups were arrested disrupting a committee vote to advance the president’s nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. They stood up and spoke out about FERC’s abusive practices and disregard for the environment. Read all about it at our blog post.
FIVE PROTESTERS DISRUPT FERC COMMISSIONER HEARING
BXE protesters disrupted hearings for President Trump’s nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, calling out “FERC hurts families, Shut FERC down!” and “FERC hurts families, FERC hurt towns” and “The future is watching.” Four were arrested and one detained. Read all about it and view photos and videos here.
Trump Nominates New FERC Commissioners, We Pledge Resistance
There is no such thing as a good FERC commissioner. Until Congress takes steps to replace the agency with one dedicated to a just transition off of fossil fuels, the Senate should oppose all nominations. It’s especially important to block appointments to FERC now because the agency is operating below quorum and any delays in the confirmation process is a delay to all of the harmful fracked gas infrastructure projects that are awaiting FERC’s rubber stamp. Read on here.
SWEET POTATOES, NOT PIPELINES
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is a $5 billion high pressure fracked gas pipeline proposed for WV, VA, and NC. Among its many potential harms, it would negatively impact farmland and farm families along its 550 mile route. BXE’s sweet potato action gave voice to impacted communities in all three states while focusing on the particular concerns of sweet potato farmers in NC (NC is the nation’s leading producer of sweet potatoes).
Call to Oppose Trump’s FERC nominations
Call on Congress to stop or delay Trump’s nominations to FERC and push for what we really need: an agency dedicated to a just transition from fossil fuels. We’re asking communities across the nation to call key senators on March 22 & 23 and then again on April 5 & 6. Read all about it at our blog post.
[photo from E&E News]
Oppose Trump’s appointments to FERC
President Trump will appoint three people to the five-member Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). If your organization would like stay connected to the effort to oppose the nominations, please fill out this form. We’ll be in touch about the ways we plan to pressure senators to vote no on these appointments, including potential actions and other ways to get involved. Questions or concerns? Contact Actions@BeyondExtremeEnergy.org
Please join us as we seek to pack the Thursday, Jan. 19, meeting in DC of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency that ruins communities and our climate by rubber stamping fracked-gas infrastructure and much more. Facebook event page here. Also planned are speak-outs from people in front-line communities from 10 -10:30 a.m. and a rally from 10:30 – 11 30 a.m. Email us at Actions@BeyondExtremeEnergy.org for more information.
2. Demand withdrawal of militarized sheriff departments
3. Join the Mississippi Stand to shut down DAPL in Iowa
On Dec. 1, more than a hundred #NoDAPL actions across the world are kicking off a Global Month of #NoDAPL solidarity to #ProtectWater in the face of escalating human rights abuses. Join this Thunderclap by noon Dec. 1 to amplify our voices.
The financial footing of the Dakota Access Pipeline is in jeopardy if Energy Transfers does not complete the project by Jan. 1. If this deadline is missed, a majority of the shippers with contracts to use the pipeline will be able to renegotiate or cancel their contracts. Read more here. DNB Bank of Norway, one of the major financiers, has already sold its assets in the company due to public pressure and is considering withdrawing its loans.
Indigenous leaders are asking people to keep up the pressure on the investors of Dakota Access Pipeline and the Sheriff Departments that have been brutalizing peaceful water protectors.
#NoDAPL: BXE stands in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux and the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Indigenous leaders are calling on us to take action and disrupt “business-as-usual” one week after the election to demand that President Obama’s Army Corps of Engineers and the incoming administration stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. Actions in the United States, aimed at the Army Corps of Engineers, and around the globe are planned Tuesday, Nov. 15. Find an action near you here. (And no surprise here: The incoming president has up to $1 million invested in this pipeline. )
Straw bales needed: The Standing Rock camps are having problems getting straw bales for construction and insulation. North Dakota and South Dakota sources are drying up and refusing to sell or deliver to Standing Rock. Please spread the word that straw bales are needed; transportation can be worked out. With the first significant snow expected this week, firewood and winterizing will be needed. Please share and refer folks so we can make sure #protectors and families are cared for during the harsh winter ahead.
Beyond Extreme Energy supports the Standing Rock Sioux’s stand against the 1,134-mile Dakota Access Pipeline. Read about the protectors on our blog post and about a New Haven, CT, solidarity protest here. Read all about BXE’s solidarity action at TD bank branches in DC here.
BXE has created a Frontline Community Support Fund. Read all about it in our blog post.
BXE activists blockade the entrance to the Democratic National Committee offices. Read all about it in our blog post.
Beyond Extreme Energy extreme? Not at all. Read all about it at our blog post.
BXE activists interrupted U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz to carry the message of “No LNG Exports” to the Virginia Energy Forum. Read all about it at our blog post.
THE RUBBER STAMP REBELLION IS HERE
The #RubberStampRebellion has been at FERC (and much more) this week. Read blog posts from Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 and Day 4. The schedule is here.
People of faith told FERC commissioners at their April meeting that permits for fracked-gas pipelines and other infrastructure are harming all life and morally wrong. Read about it and watch videos at our blog post here.
Dozens of Democracy Spring activists show up for BXE’s Dunkin’ Democracy event at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. See more photos and read about our action on the BXE blog here.
Michael Bagdes-Canning writes about wealthy companies’ seizure of private lands in Pennsylvania for fracked-gas pipelines. “It may be legal, but it is not right. The courts may sanction it, but there is no justice,” he says. Read his blog post here.
On the sidewalk in front of FERC, Beyond Extreme Energy and other activists talk about that agency’s destructive permits. They implored FERC commissioners to join them for pancakes cooked on a solar stove and topped with the last syrup from Megan Holleran’s maple trees, which were cut down for a pipeline. Filmmaker Josh Fox, Holleran and five others were arrested in the #PancakesNotPipeline action. Read all about it at the BXE blog. (Photo via Twitter by Eleanor Goldfield at Art Killing Apathy.) Also, be sure to view Josh Fox’s short film about the Holleran family, their maple trees, climate change and the #PancakesNotPipelines action at FERC.
Led by Nancy Vann, a Peekskill landowner whose property was taken by Spectra for pipeline construction, several New York residents stood up at FERC’s March public meeting to ask the commissioners why they have ignored Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s urgent request to halt construction on Spectra Energy’s Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project. Protesters, including Cari Gardner (above), were forcibly removed from the room. Read the full report at the BXE blog here.
BXE hails FERC’s rejection of the Jordan Cove LNG facility and related pipeline in Oregon. It is one of many projects BXE has targeted during actions at FERC. During BXE’s 18-day water-only fast at FERC last fall, Francis Eatherington, above, was roughly led out of a FERC meeting while trying to explain her concerns about the project. Read BXE’s and Eatherington’s reaction at our blog here.
Dozens from around the county rallied in March against Dominion’s planned fracked-gas liquefaction and export facility at Cove Point. Read about Cove Point Spring Break here.
Protests are mounting against Duke Energy’s plans to “modernize” with yet another generation of fossil-fuel powered plants. Read Steve Norris’ BXE blog post here.
Several BXE activists have been in northeastern Pennsylvania to stand with a family and community trying to stop the clearing of maple trees for the 124-mile long Constitution Pipeline. Tree-chopping has begun. Read blog posts by Ted Glick of BXE here and here.
ResistAIM defenders block work on Spectra’s fracked-gas pipeline under the Hudson River. Read all about it at the BXE blog here.
In a carefully coordinated, rolling cross-country action, Beyond Extreme Energy (BXE) and Stop the West Roxbury Lateral pipeline (SWRL) delivered humorous but pointed Valentine’s Day cards (such as above) to the four FERC commissioners at their homes and DC residences. A press release is here. Press coverage here and here. To send a belated card, grab your paste, markers, fancy doily hearts and construction paper (or print out our #valentine) and get all the details here.
Charges have been dropped against these BXE climate activists, who called out Exxon for the company’s #ClimateCrimes. Read more at the BXE blog.
The #FrackingBanner went on a 10,000-mile tour. Click the image to see the schedule. Contact BXE at info@beyondextremeenergy.org if you’d like the United States of Fracking banner to visit your community. #FloodtheSystem
More Than 80 Health Professionals Demand Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Stop Unethical Experiment
Check the BXE blog for more.
View FERC’s official calendar here.
