January 2022 Newsletter
Thanks again for all you do to build a more beautiful, healthy and sustainable community.
Happy New Year!!
We hope your year is off to a great start and you’re ready to renew efforts to build a more sustainable community. Here are some green updates, programs and events to help you live more sustainably…
Start with Your Spirit
Almost every faith tradition in the world has a statement on climate change that reminds us of our sacred relationship to Nature and calls on us to be good stewards. To nurture and inspire your spirit, check out this new webinar series on Eco-Spirituality which begins on Mon. Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m. RSVP here.
Engage Your Kids
The Earth Day Art Contest is a fun way to celebrate our earth through art! Art entries will be displayed at several public exhibits for Earth Day to give our youth a voice. And, we hope it inspires our community to live more sustainably to protect their future. Learn more.
Support Green Policies
These important bills would help build more sustainable and resilient communities in Indiana, but are at risk of dying in committee if they don’t get a hearing. Urgent help is needed!
Climate Task Force Bill
You might recall the truly amazing students at Confront the Climate Crisis who worked with Senator Alting to write the climate task force bill, SB255. These young people deserve the chance to make the case for their bill! Unfortunately, Sen. Mark Messmer, R (Jasper), is holding the bill and denying them this opportunity. You can learn more about the bill here and in this video to see how these students are standing up for themselves and ALL our kids and grandkids. Here’s how you can help them get a hearing!
Pro-Solar Bills
These pro-solar bills are also at risk:
HB 1136 would make solar more affordable by extending net metering for 3 more years, and would allow more people, cities and schools to go solar by increasing the cap from 1.5 to 3%. It would also save more tax dollars by allowing cities and schools that invest in solar to “aggregate” meters.
SB 248 and HB 1304 are needed to close a loophole being used by utilities that financially harms solar investments (“instantaneous” netting).
Indiana voters want lawmakers to protect energy choice, energy freedom and energy independence. But, Rep. Ed Soliday, R (Valparaiso) and Sen. Eric Koch, R (Columbus) haven’t scheduled these bills for a hearing yet. You can see here that thousands of jobs and billions of dollars are at stake if these bills die. Here’s how you can stand up for solar!
Stay Informed
Join us Thurs. Feb, 10, 6:30 p.m. for a Mid-Session Legislative Update. Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director of the Hoosier Environmental Council will provide an update on environmental, climate, and energy bills, and how you can take action to make a positive impact! Learn more and RSVP
Go Solar Before Net Metering Ends
Solar is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your carbon footprint. These free info sessions are hosted by not-for-profits Solar United Neighbors and Solarize Indiana that have helped hundreds of Hoosers go solar. You’ll learn how to power your home or electric vehicle with sunshine, and how to take advantage of net metering and the federal tax credit! You’ll also learn how to beat the rush to get your system installed before net metering ends on July 1st.
Learn more.
Join the co-op to get a free quote.
Webinars
Wed. Feb. 16, 7 pm Sign up here
Thurs. Feb. 24, 7 pm Sign up here
Sat. Mar. 12, 9 am Sign up here
Noblesville Library
Tues. Feb. 22, 6:30 pm
Sign up here
Fishers Library
Thurs. Feb. 24, 6:30 pm
Sign up here
Spread the Word
Please tell family and friends about our new, user-friendly website! Many thanks to John Calhoun, Madelyn Zalon, Cindy Muse, and Jim Grimes for updating the CGI website! Huge thanks to Margaret Stout for creating and hosting the original website and Richard Lopez for providing technical support all these years.
Support Us
When you shop on Amazon, please use AmazonSmile to support Carmel Green Initiative. They will donate 0.5% of your purchase when you go to this link – http://smile.amazon.com/ch/26-3903616
Sincerely,
Leslie Webb
President
Carmel Green Initiative
www.CarmelGreen.org
Become a member!