The Delta Grassroots Caucus (DGC) is a broad coalition of grassroots leaders in the eight-state Delta region. DGC is also a founding partner of the Economic Equality Caucus,
which advocates for economic equality across the USA.

Support Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Bills Like PACE--March, 2013

Posted on March 26, 2013 at 11:59 AM

Support for renewable energy, energy retrofits and efficiency will be among the key initiatives the Delta Grassroots Caucus will highlight at our conference commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Clinton administration’s Delta Regional Initiative on May 2-3, 2013 at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.

In his previous five superb policy presentations at our conferences, President Clinton has placed great emphasis on renewable energy and energy retrofits in reducing energy costs, creating jobs, and promoting sustainable community and economic development in the eight-state Delta region from St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Space is filling up so please register ASAP if you want to attend the May 2-3 Delta conference. Registration, schedule and group hotel information are below in this message.

Gov. Mike Beebe is a champion for renewable energy and energy efficiency, so we suggest that our partners follow his leadership and support bills like PACE. Gov. Beebe is doing a great job on energy policy, Medicaid expansion, job creation initiatives like the Osceola Big River Steel mill plant, and other issues.

The Delta Caucus supports energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements at the state, federal and local levels. We would like to pass along this information from the the Arkansas Citizens First Congress regarding their energy legislation that is making progress in the Arkansas legislature.

For our Arkansas partners, we encourage you to call your legislators in support of SB 640, “Property Assessed Clean Energy” or PACE. which authorizes counties and municipalities to use an innovative financing mechanism to provide low-cost, long-term financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to buildings. Twenty-eight states have already adopted PACE because it saves money and creates permanent private sector jobs, strengthening our national and local economies.

Louisiana and Missouri have already passed PACE legislation.

For Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Illinois, we encourage you to support similar legislation in your legislatures.

Last week we saw continued progress in Arkansas on the energy package supported by the Arkansas Citizens First Congress and other constructive groups. PACE passed the full senate 30-5 and will move to House Insurance and Commerce Committee. This bill will strengthen our economy and protect our environment.

PACE is one of the Arkansas Citizens First Congress package of energy legislation bills. PACE would provide property owners with the opportunity to take out loans for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water conservation improvements. It provides property owners with cash savings, increases property value, creates jobs, and is 100% voluntary.

Arkansas Citizens First Congress is a grassroots coalition of 54 community groups from across Arkansas that works on progressive reform at the Arkansas Legislature.

Here is a message we are passing along from the Arkansas Citizens First Congress:

“As you’ve probably heard, PACE passed the Senate last week, thanks in part to the more than 200 legislator emails and phone calls that YOU helped to generate. We have the momentum - let’s seize the opportunity. We need your help to complete these final steps.

Key legislators need to know: “You support SB 640, PACE energy efficiency financing because it’s good for business and good for the economy.” Once enabled, PACE leads to significant job growth, strengthens the construction sector, attracts new investment and keeps more dollars in the local economy by lowering utility bills.

PACE will be up for a vote in the House Insurance & Commerce Committee as early as Wednesday and could be on the full House floor Thursday. Can you write an email and/or make a phone call today?

Your message to legislators should be simple. Let them know that you support PACE, SB640. It does not have to be lengthy.

Your emails and calls to these Committee members will make a difference:

Rep. Biviano, Mark (R-46) mkbiv@cablelynx.com 501-230-5751

Rep. Wren, Tommy (D-62) wrenappraisals@centurytel.net 870-613-7585

Rep. Carter, Davy (R-43) Speaker davy.carter@gmail.com 501-941-8949 501-605-1346

Rep. Dale, Robert E. (R-68) redale70@yahoo.com 479-970-3503

Rep. Carnine, Les “Skip” (R-90) les.carnine@arkansashouse.org 479-636-2619

Rep. Malone, Stephanie (R-77) smalone064@gmail.com 479-452-4554

Rep. Rice, Terry (R-21) terry@terryrice.net 479-637-3100

Rep. Charlie Collins (R-84) clcollins6@cox.net 479-582-9410

SCHEDULE

OPENING SESSION: Thursday evening, May 2, 2013, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Clinton School of Public Service.

CLINTON LIBRARY SESSION: Friday, May 3, 2013, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Great Hall of the Clinton Library.

GROUP HOTEL: To get the group hotel discount rate, please call the Comfort Inn & Suites at the Clinton Library in Little Rock at 501-687-7700 and say you are with the Delta Caucus. Most people will just stay for the night of May 2, because they will check out in the morning and store their luggage at the hotel and come back at the end of the day’s session at the Clinton Library to pick up the luggage.

We do ask for annual dues now, but it is quite small–$25 once a year–although some organizations contribute $50 or $100, $25 once a year per organization is the only requirement we ask for. The dues are only once a year. Registration fees are a separate category for each conference.

YOU REGISTER BY SENDING IN THE $125 REGISTRATION FEES FOR ONE PERSON OR $75 EACH IF YOU CAN ORGANIZE A GROUP OF FIVE OR MORE PEOPLE FROM YOUR LOCAL AREA OR ORGANIZATION TO THE ADDRESS LISTED BELOW.

NOTE: It is up to you to organize a group of five or more to get the group discount.

Please make out the $125 check for one person or $75 check eacj for a group of five or more to “Delta Caucus” and mail to:

Delta Caucus

5030 Purslane Place

Waldorf, MD 20601

Lee Powell, executive director, Delta Grassroots Caucus (202) 360-6347