Month: March 2017

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NEWSLETTER ADDENDUM – SHOW TIME

Devil is in the Details – Monday March 13 Oil Train HEARING
information from

Charles (Surfrider), Ethan (Stand), Mary  (ECOSLO), Valerie (Ctr Bio Diversity), Andrew (Sierra Club)

Ph 805.459.6698

A week from yesterday, March 13,  Monday The SLO County Supervisors will begin hearings on the Phillips 66 crude oil train terminal project.  Also, at high noon in the County Plaza across from the hearings (1000 block of Monterrey St) we will have a huge “SLO Clean Energy Crossroads Rally” to not only encourage denial of the Phillips 66 project but to also assert our support for clean energy alternatives to dirty fossil and nuclear fuels.  We have cancelled our plans to have a permitted march due to logistical and cost requirements imposed by SLO City (freedom of assembly is not free in SLO).  The Rally will be permitted.

 
We want more speakers at the hearing  You will also have the option of choosing a one minute, two minute, or three minute speaking length–with one minute speakers going first, two minute speakers going second, and three minute speakers going last.  You can track the progress of speaker numbers on line at the Board of Supervisors webpage if you so desire.  It only takes a minute to state your name, where you live and tell your Supervisor you want them to deny the project because (fill in here your top concern).  We especially need people living in Lynn Compton’s or Debbie Arnold’s Districts to give them this message.  
 
The 12 noon rally will feature keynote speakers SLO Mayor Heidi Harmon and our Congressman Salud Carbajal, along with local activists working with issues of offshore oil and gas development, community based clean energy, expanded oil drilling and contaminated groundwater, and the Phillips 66 project.  And most important, this is a time to stand in solidarity for our support of the transition to a new clean energy economy and a healing of the atmosphere, starting right here, right now. 
 
We need volunteers to help with set-up/takedown of the rally, staffing information tables, providing traffic control if needed, and to participate in the San Jose oil train street theater (no experience necessary), clean up during and after rally, etc.
 
 
 
Below are outreach and posting resources you can use to disseminate word of March 13 to your contacts.  PLEASE HELP US
Charles (Surfrider), Ethan (Stand), Mary  (ECOSLO), Valerie (Ctr Bio Diversity), Andrew (Sierra Club)
Ph 805.459.6698

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Lot on our plates. Thank you to all who took the time to To help Hua, please visit our fundraiser here.and to sign and share the Petition. We are making a difference.

Signers are from one end of the State to the other.  Keep it up. Our voice gets louder and louder with every signature.

TO: STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL: SHUT THESE WELLS DOWN.

Tomorrow
 
WEDNESDAY Global DAY WITHOUT A WOMAN MARCH
10-2 Start @ Meadow Park
March downtown to Mission

International Women’s Day (IWD), originally called International Working Women’s Day, is celebrated on March 8 every year.[2] It commemorates the struggle for women’s rights.

The earliest Women’s Day observance was held on February 28, 1909, in New York and organized by the Socialist Party of America.[3] A Women’s Day demonstration on March 8, 1917 in Petrograd sparked the Russian Revolution.[4]


Whoaa.
 
So, if you can’t make the march make your absence felt by not spending any money (except perhaps @ local woman owned business)   And if you must work wear RED in solidarity with women everywhere.

jeannewater@gmail.com

It only seems impossible until its done. Nelson Mandela.
“Respect is love in action.”
— Bangambiki Habyarimana
 
 
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Newsletter #63- Good Job

5 things
#1
Peschong recused himself on the consent item on setting the hearing; he has promised to recuse on the Phillips 66 decision also. So, now there will be 4 Supervisors, chaired by Adam Hill, and it would take three votes to reverse the Planning Commission denial.

Government Code Title 3. Division 2. part 2. Chapter 1. Article 1  (OMG this took some work.  thank you C.H.!)
§ 25005. Transaction of business
A majority of the members of the board constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No act of the board shall be valid or binding unless a majority of all the members concur therein.


That means if there is a 2-2 split there is no majority and reversing the planning commission’s denial of the project is denied.

Phillips has appealed the Planning commissions decision to the Board of Supervisors. They didn’t like being told NO.  No surprise they are looking to show just cause why the decision was in error and should be reversed.  They are on the defense.  This is a good thing.

The planning commission did everything right. They took all the hundreds of public comments, emails, data, reports, peer reviews,  government studies, letters signed by the National Teachers Association, Health and Safety professionals, Environmental organizations, official letters from peer community leaders from across the State and United States and voted to deny the permit.  We did a damn good job of presenting our case to the planning commission and the planning commission did a damn good job of acting on those facts and information presented to them.  We won.  Phillips lost.

I am just mentioning this because a new round of hearings are due to begin because of the appeal.  I don’t know that there is much more that we could say. Nothing has really changed. The oil trains and their impact on communities is still as unforgiving and counter productive as it was 6 months ago.

The  planning commission was relegated the task by the Board, using county resources, staff, counsel and tax dollars, to come to an informed decision and the decision was to deny.  I do not know how the Board could in good conscience doubt the integrity of the staff and the commissioners but then again decisions are not always made in good conscience and common sense as the criteria. Facts don’t lie.  So a call to action to attend the appeal hearings is in order.

Let us not forget. We have the upper hand here. We are in the position of power.  We do not have to defend or make our case all over again.  It is Phillips that is in the hot seat. They have the burden of proof on their shoulders. So let’s make sure the Board is well aware of all the indisputable facts and evidence and actions and bring this to the table and lay it all out so we know exactly what Phillips has to prove to overturn the Planning commissions decision.

And the way we do that is  insist the Board indicates for the record  all the correspondence, public comments, attendance records, official data, reports, peer reviews, emails, etc. already submitted and part of the record is duly noted and entered into the record on day one. This should be something that staff can access without too much trouble. They have a record. They tallied everything. It was part of their job. So asking for that record to be brought forward and enter it as part of this proceeding is a must. This is a fair official request and deserving of an official response from the Chair from the get go.

Call the Board of Supervisors

(805) 781-5450
San Luis Obispo Board-Sprvsrs
Contact the Chair – Adam Hill- Adam Hill ahill@co.slo.ca.us  Hannah Miller  hmiller@co.slo.ca.us 805-781-4336 prior to the hearing date and request a tally of all the communications, data, reports, organizations, letters, meetings, studies, peer reviews, public comments be available to the public and entered into the appeal hearing record. Lets get all the cards on the table.
Cool thing is this request becomes part of the record too. So get those numbers soaring.

We have a right to be acknowledged and recognized and everything that is part of the record needs to be upfront and on the table before Phillips puts their case on the table.  Wait for an answer. Wait for the acknowledgement. Get the record on the table.
It needs to be perfectly clear exactly what Phillips needs to disprove and overcome in order to overturn the planning commissions decision.  Remember folks we won. Lets act like it.

#2

Segue…..wait for it…   Phillips is just a precursor to what is in the works with Sentinel and the illegal and unlawful permitting of uncertified operators and operations at the Arroyo Grande Oil Field. The Arroyo Grande Oil field has never been UIC certified by DOGGR.  That means every permit granted to the oil fields since 2002 giving them permission to use the unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo county as a toxic waste disposal site was in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.  There are plenty more violations where that came from but all we need is one to prosecute and that is a good one.
Board is waiting and so is Sentinel for the EPA to exempt the aquifer so they can then ‘legally’ give them a permit to build 450 new illegal wells.  Well that’s not the way it is going down this time.

According to DOGGR the Arroyo Grande Oil Field was to be shut down on Feb 15, 2017.  The Board should have revoked the current permit and dismissed the pending one on that order alone. But they didn’t and that is not looking good for them.

There is nothing legal about the Arroyo Grande Oil Field operation.  Even if the EPA exempts the aquifer the Board is still liable for knowingly permitting illegal and criminal activity for 15 years.  It’s simple. Not certified. No permit.

Maybe the Board didn’t think anyone would notice or maybe they didn’t care, either way this oil field is in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act and this Board has a lot of explaining to do.

The pending lawsuit filed against the Board by the Center for Biological Diversity for permitting an uncertified, unlicensed oil drilling operation is scheduled for May 11.  The Board could avoid all this if they just did their job and revoked the permits and shut the uncertified wells down NOW.  We will see if they have the courage and wherewithall to do the right thing.  We got everything we need though to make sure the right thing happens sooner or later.
#3

MARCH 8  International Women’s Day.

DAY WITHOUT A WOMAN STRIKE.   I’m wearing RED to work.   And here is the Central Coast contact info.

#4

More irons in the fire.
And as promised here is the petition to the State Attorney General calling on the Chief law enforcement officer of the State to SHUT DOWN THE WELLS.  I am calling it a Prescription for Wellness. Clinging to the notion that “there is NO HARM in asking.” It can’t hurt to ask the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for help and it could do a world of good.

Will hand deliver it to the Attorney General’s office and our County Board of Supervisors.  This effects every drop of water in California because every aquifer, stream, river above and below ground is connected.  What happens in our backyard effects water everywhere. There are 105,000 unregulated wells in California up and down the  State. I say unregulated because they are self regulated and over 6,000 of them have not been certified  safe.  That has the potential of affecting water sources for millions of people.

All the wells were suppose to be shut down on Feb. 15.  So, it would behoove us all to get this petition to go viral. The more signatures there are the louder our voices get.  We will hand deliver the final result to the AG and BOS.  Road trip anyone?  Counting on all you wonderful people that are working your little hoofies to the quick to keep our home sweet home safe and sound to get this petition signed with a record amount of signatures in short order. I know we can do it.

Sign and share.  Shut down these wells.

State Attorney General- SHUT DOWN THESE WELLS
#5
Thanking you all in advance for your kindness and generous spirit.  Thank you.

The Story

For those who have had the pleasure of meeting and being in Ceremony with Hua Anwa, you know her to be an authentic, capable, independent and knowledgeable woman, and a dedicated wisdomkeeper and ceremonialist.

In a most humble way, Hua is needing to raise funds to help with some immediate healthcare and automotive needs.  While reaching out in this way is a huge step outside Hua’s comfort zone, our generous and timely support will mean the world to her and will allow her to look after these personal needs and continue preparations for a very busy and exciting year of Ceremony in 2017!

Clan Mother Hua is a Elder, a teacher of mixed Mayan and Cherokee descent and an adopted Chumash.  She conducts a variety of Sacred Ceremonies, workshops and other Teachings and is spiritual leader of the Circles of Empowerment Church in Central California.

In traditional cultures, taking good care of our Wisdomkeepers is a very sacred responsibility. By supporting Clan Mother Hua with her Sacred Request, indirectly, we will also be helping to support our thriving spiritual Community in a very Good Way.

Blessings
–A Loving Community Member

To help Hua, please visit our fundraiser here.

And lastly,

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Jim Cole planted a forest of everlasting love.  Seeds of wisdom and knowledge and acts of kindness he graciously and generously shared will grow in loving memory and gratitude.  Thank you Jim Cole.

His spirit of unselfishly giving his time and attention to build a better, more sustainable world will live on in those that knew and loved him. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm, Sunday, March 19, 2017, at Pavilion on the Lake in Atascadero. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Jim at One Cool Earth (onecoolearth.org/join-us). Sign his guestbook   – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sanluisobispo/obituary.aspx?n=willard-james-cole-jim&pid=184256091#sthash.Qm961YX3.dpuf

Much love,
It only seems impossible until its done. Nelson Mandela.
“Respect is love in action.”
— Bangambiki Habyarimana
 
 
 
 
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To: California State Attorney General Xavier Becerra Shut Down these Wells

Sign the petition: California State Attorney General: Shut Down these Wells

Petition by Jeanne Blackwell

Petition Background

I invite all those that are living with unlicensed operators and illegal dumping of toxic waste in your backyard to sign this petition and name your site in the petition. Let the Attorney General know each and every site that is harboring unlicensed operators. We will make this official. We will deliver this personally to the Attorney General with your site clearly cited for the record. I am hoping that this will be a call to action for our Chief Law Enforcement Officer. We have a right to be recognized and our concerns acknowledged. We have a right to petition our government for redress of grievances. This is a time sensitive grievance we need resolved now.

On Feb 15, 2017 we the people of California were looking for relief from the constant fear and uncertainty of contamination of our water by uncertified Toxic Waste Injection operators. Our hope of relief was shattered when The State Department of Conservation Division of Gas, Oil and Geothermal Resources failed to honor their deadline to shut down all oil drilling wells and sites that had not been properly vetted by DOGGR. This is an forgivable breach of trust.

DOGGR defaulted on their deadline date and unvetted wells remain fully operational.

The State of California was delegated primary responsibility for implementing the Class II oil and gas underground injection control (UIC) program of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in 1983.

DOGGR has admitted the program has never been fully operational or functional citing unresolved and ongoing staffing and funding issues that prevented them from implementing, monitoring and enforcing a fail safe, secure program.

As a part of its oversight role, EPA audited the California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources’ (DOGGR) Class II UIC primacy program in 2011 and identified substantial implementation deficiencies.

DOGGR, together with The State Water Resources Board and the EPA agreed to set Feb. 15, 2017 as the deadline for completion of the implementation of the UIC program with the condition that all non-compliant, undocumented operations would be shut down for our own safety and well being.

That deadline has come and gone and nothing has changed. All the wells are still in operation. This is a breach of trust by the agencies entrusted with the safety of our water. It is beyond reason to expect us to have any faith or confidence in this process.

It has been 33 years since DOGGR was given the responsibility of implementing a program to protect and safeguard our underground water resources from an accident prone industry with a history of mechanical malfunctions and human error that uses a patented toxic waste disposal process that has been proven to compromise the geological integrity of the subterranean soil. Under these conditions accidents, spills, explosions and contamination of our water resources is inevitable.

The Feb 15, deadline was going to put an end to the uncertainty, constant stress and anxiety of not knowing if our water is safe.

DOGGR still has problems as does the EPA. Under this new administration the EPA is facing the threat of being dismantled. This situation is unbearable and only compounds our fear and anxiety over conditions that threaten water resources critical to our well being.

It does not seem at all fair nor does it instill any confidence in our regulatory process or law enforcement that we must bear the burden of a flawed system that risks irreversible and irreparable damage to a limited natural resource and a public good fundamental for life and health. Water.

For over 15 years we have been living with the unauthorized and unlicensed dumping of toxic waste into the unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County.

This odious omnipresence plagues many communities throughout California as the undersigned will attest to citing their areas of dire concern.

This uncertainty must end. The unvetted sites MUST be shut down.

The Attorney General has independent authority, acting directly in the name of the People, “to take action to protect the natural resources of the State of California from pollution, impairment, or destruction.”

Therefore, WE, the undersigned, do hereby implore and beseech State Attorney General Xavier Becerra to provide the leadership we have come to rely on to protect and safeguard Californians human and natural resources for this and future generations and enforce as stipulated the Feb. 15, 2017 shut down of all unpermitted, non compliant Underground Injection Control sites per the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Thank you.

California State Attorney General: Shut down these Wells