Thank you to everyone who attended Earth Ministry’s Year-End Gathering! Nearly 50 members of our community came together to reflect on 2020 and look toward to the year ahead. If you were not able to join us, here is a written version of Earth Ministry’s year-in-review presentation.
Community Within COVID
Changed plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, compiling an Earth Day interfaith video message and hosting Zoom gatherings
Community members sent in photos when quarantine began – see posts on Facebook and Instagram
Accompanied 3 new Greening Congregations in process
Launched net zero carbon congregations networking space
Faithful Advocacy
2020 Washington State Legislative Session
Together we helped pass…
The Climate Pollution Limits Act (HB 2311)
Update the state’s greenhouse gas limits to reflect current science and lay groundwork to reach net zero carbon emissions and beyond.
The Safer Firefighting Foam Act (HB 2265)
Remove exemptions for oil refineries and chemical plants previously in WA’s first-in-the-nation-ban of firefighting foam containing toxic PFAS chemicals.
The Reusable Bag Act (SB 5323)
Eliminate thin carry-home plastic bags at all retail establishments to help Washington address a growing recycling crisis.
Salmon Recovery
Lower Snake River Salmon
Jan: Three Lower Snake River Stakeholder Process meetings (John R & LeeAnne)
Feb: Outreach trip to Shalmon UCC in Richland, covered by NPR
March: Columbia River Systems Operations Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DEIS did not recommend dam removal, won’t fulfill treaties/save salmon
6 hearings moved to teleconferences, faith leaders testified
June-Aug: 6th District faith leader community letter to US Rep. Derek Kilmer asking for collaborative leadership, signed by 77 and delivered with a joint press release. Met with Rep. Kilmer in Aug and Oct, establishing ongoing relationship with his office.
Sept: Organization letter sent to 17 key state legislators thanking them for supporting the stakeholder process and asking them to support Gov. Inslee’s new collaboration with 3 other Governors
Sept-Dec: Statewide salmon sign-on letter to Senators Murray and Cantwell signed by 452 and delivered in virtual meetings
Chehalis River Dam
New dam proposed on the Chehalis River for flood reduction. It will not provide electricity or completely prevent flooding. The Quinault and Chehalis tribes are both opposed to the dam, as well as the Chehalis Alliance
May: 138 comments on the project’s state DEIS through Earth Ministry
Win: Gov. Inslee directed agencies to assess a non-dam alternative. Also requested improved communications with tribes.
Climate Action and Fossil Fuel Projects
Kalama Methanol
World’s largest fracked-gas-to-methanol refinery proposed in Kalama along Columbia River
Stated that the project will have a large climate impact but justified it by speculating that it would be less emissions than potential alternative sources.
Faith community photo petition in solidarity with Puyallup Tribe – album on Facebook
Tacoma Tideflats Interim Regulations
Interim regs currently protect Tideflats from new fossil fuel projects, we want them strengthened to include expansions of existing facilities
Renewed in May and Oct – Earth Ministry staff/board testified at City Council
May: Coalition testimony training – Earth Ministry taught the advocacy piece and worked with local pastor on sample testimony
Oct: Council sent interim regs to Planning Commission to make permanent (win)
Sub Area Plan on pause
Seaport Sound Terminal (Tacoma)
Fossil fuel storage and transport facility in Tacoma wants to expand capacity for storage. We asked the City to make a determination of significance for more review of impacts.
Sept: 10 comments by people of faith in Tacoma, staff testified at public meeting
Fossil Free King County
July: King County Council voted to make permanent the ban on new fossil fuel infrastructure that we originally helped pass in 2019
Earth Ministry submitted an organizational comment and staff testified
Toxic Chemical Reform
PFAS Drinking Water Standard
Dec 2019: Staff/board attended public meetings in Spokane, Mt. Vernon, and Tacoma
March: faith community comments on draft drinking water standard
Aug: Toxic Free Legacy Coalition letter expressing dismay at delay
