resist PLAN OF ACTION 2017

Transcription

1 resist PLAN OF ACTION 2017

2 DEFEND ADVANCE BUILD While 2015 and 2016 saw incredible progress in confronting the climate crisis, the election of Donald Trump changes everything. Climate change deniers, polluters, and extremists are in control of the federal government, and our environment, health, and safety are under threat like never before.

3 LCV will work with state LCV partners to expand our base of allies and activists across the country and mount a powerful resistance to Trump s dangerous agenda in Our top priorities are to: DEFEND federal protections for our air, land, water and health. In addition to climate progress, landmark legislation like the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Antiquities Act, and the Endangered Species Act are under fire from the most anti-environmental Congress in history. These laws protect our health, the air we breathe, and the water we drink, and we will defend them at all costs. ADVANCE meaningful progress at the state and local levels. To counter federal inaction on climate change, states, cities and municipalities must lead many of the economy-wide changes needed to lower emissions and avert long-term catastrophe. With our state LCV partners, LCV will push lawmakers and mobilize the public to demand solutions that expand access to clean energy, reduce dangerous pollution, and clean up our communities. BUILD the long-term political power needed to win on climate change. Through grassroots organizing, civic and voter engagement, accountability, and elections, we will resist Trump s agenda, build our movement for the long-term, and reposition the U.S. to lead in the fight against climate change. No doubt, this work will be more challenging than ever before. We face an extreme anti-environmental Congress and a White House that is handing over policymaking to climate deniers and fossil fuel interests. There is no underestimating the threat at the federal level. Still, we are ready to fight. Americans of all backgrounds are outraged and ready to resist the Trump administration s assaults on our basic rights, democracy, and core values. The clean energy revolution is underway, and momentum in states, cities, and other countries cannot be stopped. Our champions in Congress are more committed than ever to defending our air, land, water, and health. We have a powerful network of 28 state LCV partners and a grassroots infrastructure ready to harness the energy of millions of people and turn it into action. And we have you, our committed funding partners. In 2017, LCV will develop our next four-year strategic plan to guide our work through Now is the time to evaluate lessons from the last four years, take stock of our assets and where we can deploy them to maximum impact, and come up with bold and innovative ways to achieve our goals. TO WIN, WE NEED YOU IN THIS FIGHT. 3

4 Key Strategies for 2017 Build a larger, more active, and more racially diverse environmental movement LCV will focus significant energy on building our movement at the state and local levels and winning victories that are sustained by a growing base of members and leaders who reflect the changing face of our nation. We will expand our successful Chispa grassroots program, deepen our work with communities of color, and grow our membership now over 2 million people so that elected officials hear the voices of all people who share our values. Hold leaders accountable at all levels With our state LCV partners, we will shore up public officials who champion strong protections and ensure that there are steep consequences for undermining the laws that protect our climate and health. We will also join with allies and mobilize members on campaigns to push corporate leaders to reduce their carbon footprints and support strong policy solutions. Win elections Virginia and New Jersey have governors races in 2017; working with our state league partners, we must win both in order to stop the momentum of Big Polluters. We must also win key state legislative races in North Carolina, Washington and elsewhere, prepare for 2018 Senate, House, and governors races, and launch an aggressive four-year strategy with an eye to congressional redistricting in Scale up our communications capacity While LCV s press coverage is at an all-time high, the cacophony of the Trump administration makes it harder to break through on the national stage. It is important that we significantly ramp up our communications capacity, revamp our messaging, and leverage multiple tactics, including more localized storytelling and rapid response to bolster our allies and inflict the maximum political damage to our opponents. Expand partnerships and work more closely and intentionally with allies In order to win, we must work in close concert not just with other environmental groups, but also with groups that focus on public health, human rights, ethics, racial justice, voting rights and women s issues. Together, we will harness the energy of resistance to Trump and build a visible, local torrent of opposition to environmental rollbacks at an unprecedented scale. 4

5 Big Polluter To-Do List Build the bench of environmental champions Our current champions are more engaged than ever and ready to defend both bedrock protections and recent progress. Yet we must cultivate even more champions, ensure that our allies get re-elected, in part, because of their strong support for our issues, and work with Republicans who are willing to buck party leadership. We must also support efforts by state LCV partners to recruit candidates to run and win at the local level. Defend democracy and voting rights Trump s lack of respect for and attacks on our democracy are some of the most radical parts of his agenda. We will continue to engage underrepresented communities in the democratic process and address structural barriers to voting, such as voter ID laws and voting access restrictions. A robust, participatory democracy with open, fair, and equitable elections is essential to a just society and to the policy outcomes we are fighting for. Big Polluters wish list has become the to-do list for the Trump administration and Congress in Their list of giveaways and most-wanted items includes: Scrub White House website of mentions of climate change Muzzle government agencies and scientists Name a climate-change denier to head EPA Install CEO of ExxonMobil as Secretary of State Put a pro-drilling climate denier in charge of the energy department End securities disclosure rule for oil, gas, and mining companies Greenlight Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines End regulation to protect streams from coal mining Roll back the Clean Water Rule Roll back the Clean Power Plan Facilitate transfer of federal public lands to states Unravel the Paris Climate Agreement Gut the Endangered Species Act and Antiquities Act TO WIN, WE NEED YOU IN THIS FIGHT. Gut the Clean Air Act and defund the EPA. Eliminate their ability to regulate carbon and enforce bedrock environmental protections. Overturn BLM methane pollution rule Weaken clean air protections against ozone and smog pollution Weaken landmark fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks, which will: eliminate billions in savings, hundreds of thousands of jobs, and spew pollution into the air. 5

6 DEFEND FEDERAL PROTECTIONS Our opponents have shown that they not only want to reverse recent steps to fight climate change which is already impacting the most vulnerable communities they would also take us back to a time when rivers caught fire and smog choked our air. LCV will fight them every step of the way to ensure that we never go back.

7 Federal policy change in the next four years doesn t depend on Mr. Trump but on whether our representatives support or oppose him. And through local pressure, we have the power to shape what they consider possible. New York Times editorial 1/2/2017 Senator Collins came through for the environment and voted against Scott Pruitt s nomination. In 2017, we will be in the fight of our lives to defend both core environmental protections and recent progress from federal attacks. Yet while there were many factors at play in the 2016 elections, there is no mandate for sweeping changes to undo environmental and health protections. The majority of people in this country, including Republicans, continue to support action on climate change and want stronger, not weaker, safeguards to ensure clean air and safe drinking water. LCV s overarching strategy in dealing with the Trump administration and Congress hinges on making it clear, early and often, that attempts to roll back environmental progress will be met with vigorous, vocal and lasting opposition. LCV is uniquely positioned to hold members of Congress accountable for their votes and expose their actions good and bad to their constituents. Through lobbying, public mobilization, and communications, we will ensure that lawmakers who seek to dismantle core protections feel the sting of public backlash. WINNING ON FEDERAL DEFENSE With decades of experience standing up for the environment and holding our leaders accountable in Washington, DC, LCV knows how to win on defense. We have recovered from tough elections before in 1980, 1994, and 2000 and we did it by mobilizing the public and putting up roadblocks at every turn to stop polluters from drilling in the Arctic, defunding the EPA, and overturning drinking water standards. LCV will bring this experience, along with sharper tactics for the new political reality, to our work in Even when we lose, we will lead the environmental community in winning the losses by ensuring that our opponents spend maximum political capital and emerge weaker from these fights even if they succeed in short-term policy wins. 7

8 I consider LCV a key partner in my work in Congress to fend off attacks on our nation s environmental protections. Representative Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) To defend federal protections, we will: Bolster environmental champions and allies in Congress and maintain a green firewall of U.S. Senators who will stand strong, use their bully pulpit, and fight to beat back congressional attacks that require 60 votes to pass. Target a handful of moderate senators and representatives to build support for blocking rollbacks and show through sustained organizing and advocacy efforts, media, and direct actions in their home states and districts that there is a political price to pay for undermining environmental and health protections. Work with allies to harness the energy of the anti-trump resistance and build a visible, local torrent of opposition to environmental rollbacks at an unprecedented scale. LCV will join allies within and beyond the environmental movement to ensure that we are united in the most important battles ahead, including defending against attacks on voting rights and democracy. Mobilize millions of activists via our grassroots and online networks to attend events, rallies, hearings, and tele-town halls and make their voices heard by elected leaders. Campaigns will aim to stop or slow environmental rollbacks at the federal level and preserve the political space to continue moving forward in the states. LCV s National Environmental Scorecard is the nationally accepted yardstick to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health and energy issues and is cited hundreds of times in the media each year. 8

9 LCV has held events in partnership with many of our Congressional Champions, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, the first Latina to serve in the U.S. Senate. CHAMPIONS IN CONGRESS LCV has deliberately worked to cultivate members of Congress who champion our issues and to bolster their efforts with the public. This group of champions is the line of defense in Congress against the Trump administration, and we have more outspoken champions than ever in the 115th Congress, including members of the Congressional Hispanic and Black Caucuses, who we continue to build strong ties with. In 2017, we will further amplify their work through tele-town halls, media and online outreach, and events in their states and districts. REASONS FOR OPTIMISM Part of why we believe we can hold the line on upcoming attacks is that the transition to clean energy is already underway, with citizens across the country standing up to polluters and asserting their right to accessible and affordable clean energy. Even with the Clean Power Plan on hold, states representing 40 percent of the U.S. population are moving ahead with clean energy plans, and more states, cities, and utilities are taking decisive action as the cost of wind and solar continues to fall. LCV and our state LCV partners will seize opportunities to move forward on clean energy solutions at the state level, which will create additional momentum to help prevent federal rollbacks. 9

10 ADVANCE PROGRESS IN THE STATES The League of Conservation Voters were instrumental to our victory in North Carolina. The League is a trusted partner and together we ll fight to protect clean air and drinking water for all North Carolinians and make our state a leader in clean energy. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper 10

11 The 2016 elections did not change the urgent scientific, health, and moral imperative to address climate change. With the federal government captive to fossil fuel interests, we must immediately seize opportunities to move forward on clean energy and climate solutions in states and cities across the country. Many state leaders are on the front lines of these fights and already understand the stakes from the Florida mayors whose streets fill regularly with water, to California officials dealing with ongoing drought. With our 28 state leagues across the country, LCV will expand the number of governors, state legislators, mayors and other leaders willing to act on climate change and advance clean energy. Our network s expertise in state politics, and our years-long investment in organizing in key states will help us identify and create policy opportunities that are significant and winnable. Our 2017 efforts will focus on at least 10 states where meaningful progress is possible including California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington. In another five or more states including Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and North Carolina we will lay the foundation for future progress. In states that are less ripe for progress this year, we will focus on shaping public opinion and elevating climate as a top issue. Building on local wins, we will leverage more ambitious state policy fights and foster a schism between the Trump administration and other parts of the country. 11

12 LCV s investment in state-level elections is poised to pay off in important policy progress in 2017 and beyond. In 2016, we won all three of our priority governors races in North Carolina, Washington, and Montana and helped state LCV partners win pro-clean energy majorities in Nevada, New Mexico, and Maine. In Nevada, voters flipped both houses of the legislature following attempts to eliminate net metering; the state is now aligned for increasing Renewable Energy Standards, rooftop and community solar, and energy efficiency. And in Florida, our state league decisively defeated an industry-led anti-solar ballot measure, despite being outspent by tens of millions of dollars. To advance progress in the states, with our state LCV partners we will: Increase renewable energy commitments from states and cities. State clean energy standards remain the most important catalyst for clean energy adoption. Since the 2014 elections, five states have increased their Renewable Energy Standards to 50 percent or higher. We will support state LCV efforts in Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, and elsewhere to join this growing list of states. Advance the growing movement for 100 percent clean energy. We will back campaigns to get governors, mayors and other local leaders to commit to 100 percent clean energy, especially in Renewable Energy Standard expansion states, with a focus on bold community solar programs that immediately inspire. Expand adoption of solar energy. In places like Florida, Nevada, the Northeast and elsewhere, state LCV partners will advance a pro-solar agenda. Building on our victories in two Florida ballot initiatives in 2016, we will explore additional opportunities to mobilize voters to support solar in Defeat ALEC-led attacks on state conservation laws. Polluters will continue to attack core environmental protections, especially in states where anti-conservation law-makers control both the legislature and governorship. With state LCV partners, we will ramp up efforts to defeat attacks led by groups like American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), exposing the special interests behind these attacks and mobilizing pro-conservation Republican support where possible. Bolster local champions standing up for environmental protections. We will engage our members and the media to amplify governors and attorneys general working to block the Trump administration s radical agenda. We will increase the prominence of champion governors and keep pressure on anticonservation governors, especially in states with a high number of pro-conservation voters. 12

13 Outside of Washington, DC, consumers, utilities, voters, and local leaders are working together to show what a clean energy future looks like. In parts of the southwest, solar is now cheaper than coal, and because of cheap wind, a Texas utility gives away electricity at night for free. Iowa s largest utility recently committed to 85 percent wind energy, and offshore wind is growing in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Hawaii already gets nearly 10 percent of its power from solar without reliability concerns, while Vermont s Republican governor supports the state s 90 percent clean energy standard. City councils, mayors, and municipalities are also forging ahead on climate resolutions and efforts to reduce fossil-fuel emissions in local facilities and operations. 13

14 BUILD POLITICAL POWER In the last four years, LCV has more than doubled our membership to over 2 million people, approximately 10 percent of whom are Latino. In 2017, we will continue to intentionally grow our membership to better reflect our country, with a focus on people of color who are among the strongest supporters of environmental action. 14

15 LCV s Chispa program uses community organizing to invigorate the environmental movement with new leaders, increase civic participation, and hold public officials accountable. In the last two years, Chispa grassroots programs have built the power of Latino communities to secure tangible policy victories in six states. In the wake of the 2016 elections that led to the massive threat we are now facing at the federal level, it is essential that our movement significantly reposition itself to achieve long-term victories. This will involve work on many levels, including immediate organizing of resistance and seizing elections in 2017 and 2018 to break the momentum of the Trump agenda. We must also continue and expand our efforts to build a more racially diverse environmental movement that reflects the voices and values of all people in this country and advocates for solutions that address root causes of environmental inequity. In 2017, Chispa will expand into a new state, develop new tools to make community organizing easier and more accessible, and adapt our successful leadership trainings to help individuals launch mini-programs in their own communities. These programs revolve around local air quality and climate justice issues, such as rooftop solar, utility accountability, and pollution from diesel-powered school buses, and are coordinated to make a collective impact. 15

16 Two competitive and high-profile 2017 governors elections provide a critical opportunity to slow the momentum of the Trump agenda and elevate the importance of climate and clean energy as political issues. With state LCV partners, we will help to define the candidates, turn out voters, and inject the importance of the environment and energy into these critical races. In Virginia, where Governor Terry McAuliffe is in his final year, it is essential to elect a new governor who will act as a firewall against the state s anti-environmental legislature. With our state league, we will encourage a primary race in which each Democratic candidate is vying to be the stronger champion, and work to ensure defeat of the likely pro-drilling, pro-coal Republican candidate in November. In New Jersey, where outgoing Governor Chris Christie has taken a wrecking ball to environmental protections, we will make clean energy a key election issue so that the next governor understands the need and support for climate action. The NJ League of Conservation Voters has already endorsed climate champion Phil Murphy, who has committed to moving his state to 100 percent clean energy. 16

17 To build political power, we will: Expand and deepen grassroots power in priority states. Since 2013, LCV s grassroots programs have engaged more than 32,000 volunteers who have made phone calls, knocked on doors, attended events, and advocated for climate action and clean energy at all levels of government. In 2017, we will grow our organizing programs in Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin and work to expand into additional states to significantly increase the number of people engaged in our work. Build a larger, more racially diverse base of volunteers. In just two years, LCV s Chispa program has made a huge impact using community organizing to strengthen Latino participation and leadership on issues of clean energy and climate justice in six states. In 2017, we will continue to elevate Latino leadership on these issues and engage more people of color, who are among the strongest proponents of climate action and whose communities are often the first and worst impacted by environmental degradation. We are also expanding youth mobilization efforts at colleges and high schools to train emerging leaders and energize our movement for the future. Over 20 percent of our existing volunteers are under age 30. Promote voting rights and fight voter suppression. LCV is committed to ensuring that democratic participation is a right and possibility for all Americans, especially communities of color who are the most frequent targets of voter suppression efforts. With state LCV partners, we will continue our involvement in ballot initiatives and legislation both proactive and defensive to increase access to voting and ensure an equal, open and fair democratic process. Strengthen state LCV partners. LCV s national network of 28 state partners is essential to our movement s ability to win at the local, state, and national levels. We will continue to deliver resources, training, and strategic and technical support to help build the longterm power and leadership of state LCV partners on the front lines of fights for clean air, clean water, clean energy, public lands and more. 17

18 I consider LCV a key partner in my work in Congress to fend off attacks on our nation s environmental protections. Representative Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) Engage our members and collaborate with progressive allies. We will engage members on clean air, clean water, climate justice, voting rights, corporate accountability and other priorities, with a focus on offline action as well as online, social media, and mobile mobilization. We are meeting regularly with groups across the progressive community to determine how to best collaborate in the coming years. Look to elections to win victories that shift the political landscape. With our state league partners, LCV is looking ahead to important governors, state legislative, and congressional races in the next two years. Our ultimate goal is to make Trump a one-term president and regain a pro-environment majority in the U.S. Senate by In 2017, we will focus on winning key governors races in Virginia and New Jersey that can slow the momentum of Big Polluters and the Trump administration, as well as key state legislative races. Elect more environmental leaders in state legislatures. Over several cycles, state LCV partners have helped elect pro-climate governors and built pro-climate legislatures in places such as California, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico and Maine. In 2017, we will continue building towards a long-term goal of establishing a pro-environment majority in the Virginia House of Delegates. We will also look to win a special election for a seat in the Washington state Senate, which would bring that body closer to a pro-climate majority. Due to redistricting lawsuits, the entire North Carolina General Assembly will be up with new district lines, providing an opportunity to elect more champions who would work with newly-elected Governor Roy Cooper. 18

19 Prepare to defend allies in Congress in The U.S. Senate map will be extremely challenging in 2018, and we will need to defend many allies in states that Trump won, potentially including Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Montana, Florida, and Wisconsin. We will also look for opportunities to pick up Senate seats elsewhere. Provide direct support to pro-environment candidates. GiveGreen and GiveGreen in the States raised or contributed over $8.3 million in direct contributions to pro-environment candidates in We will continue to use these programs, run by LCV Action Fund and LCV Political Engagement Fund with the support of NRDC Action Fund PAC and NextGen Climate, to help some key pro-environment candidates raise early money in 2017, with a goal of raising a total of $8-10 million in the cycle. By harnessing the collective power and political engagement of the environmental movement, in 2016 GiveGreen and GiveGreen in the States raised or contributed more money to pro-environment candidates than ever before: over $8.3 million. 19

20 YOUR HELP IS NEEDED NOW HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT LCV S WORK COSTS: $2.5 million Support state league partner-run campaign to help elect a pro-environment governor in a close race, including through targeted canvass, mail, phone and paid media. $1.5 million Significantly ramp up our communications capacity and revamp our messaging, to ensure we are able to inflict maximum political damage on lawmakers who violate the public trust on environmental safeguards. $1 million Build long-term infrastructure to recruit and mobilize more activists in a single key state. LCV plays an essential role in the environmental movement, with unmatched political acumen and expertise. I ve seen firsthand how effective this organization can be, from defeating constant attacks on our most bedrock environmental laws in D.C. to mobilizing millions across the country to effectively engage in the political process. LCV knows the most strategic way to move the levers of power to protect our air, land, water and health. Carol Browner, EPA Administrator from 1993 to 2001 and LCV Board Chair $500,000 $250,000 $200,000 $110,000 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 Build community organizing programs that enhance the power of low-income, communities of color to achieve climate justice, community health, and environmental protection. Place digital ad buys to mobilize citizens and generate media that highlights the work of environmental champions in Congress and increases pressure on climate change deniers. Produce, distribute and promote LCV s signature publication, the National Environmental Scorecard, which grades how every member of Congress voted on key environmental, energy and health measures. Hold our eleventh-annual national lobby day and second youth organizers academy, which bring state LCV and key supporters to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress. Produce and distribute a first-year presidential report card on Donald Trump and the environment. Conduct a tele-town hall with a member of Congress or other official to educate and engage 10,000 citizens at the grassroots level. Send alerts to mobilize our activists on a key issue for one month. Your partnership in this work is essential. Please stand with us and make a generous gift to LCV. Thank you for your commitment and support of our work. League of Conservation Voters 1920 L Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC (202)