Rally in Seattle Thursday for climate, clean energy, healthy communities outside EPA climate hearing

I have a fair number of readers in Seattle, so I’m happy to pass on this rally notice from Climate Solutions (reprinted below).  The 20-person nonprofit with a great name is organizing a rally in Seattle Thursday, noon, outside of the EPA hearing on the endangerment finding.  They have more than 1,500 people attending so far, but hope to double that number.  Spread the word!

I’d also recommend this Monday Seattle Times op-ed, “Time to scale up the new energy economy,” by K.C. Golden, policy director for Climate Solutions, and Steve Reynolds, CEO of Puget Sound Energy, which begins:

THE Environmental Protection Agency’s finding that climate pollution endangers public health and welfare is a welcome step. The Obama administration deserves credit for moving quickly to respond to the climate challenge. But we have to do much more than just enforce existing laws like the Clean Air Act to deliver real climate solutions. We must build a new, stronger energy economy — one that increases our use of clean, renewable energy, improves energy productivity, and provides good jobs and prosperity for the long haul.

Here’s the full info on the rally:

Diverse Groups Unite to Rally outside EPA Hearing on Global Warming Pollution

SEATTLE, WA – Thousands of people concerned about climate, public health and building the clean energy economy will rally in Seattle at noon on Thursday, May 21 on the Seattle waterfront at Pier 66, next to Bell Harbor Conference Center. Here’s more:

• At least 1,500 people have said they’ll be there, with dozens of organizations around the region still working relentlessly to encourage their members to attend
• Busloads of people are coming in from Oregon
  Busloads more children and students will be there from throughout the region
• EPA reports response to the hearing has been “overwhelming”
• Commenters are now scheduled “after hours” beyond the hearing’s 8:00 pm scheduled end-time
• Governor Gregoire, Mayor Nickels, prominent business leaders, and interested citizens from across the country will comment at the hearing.

What: Rally supporting action on climate, green jobs and a coal free northwest.

When: Thursday, May 21; 12:00 Noon

The rally will be held adjacent to the EPA’s Public Hearing on global warming, which begins at 9:00 a.m. and continues all day.

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The rally will coincide with an Environmental Protection Agency public hearing on the EPA’s recent proposed finding that global warming pollution is a threat to public health and welfare. The Seattle hearing and another in Arlington, Virginia on May 18 are the only two public hearings on EPA’s proposed finding.  This “endangerment” finding is the first step toward regulating global warming pollution from coal plants, cars and other major polluters.