Beyond oil issuecommpresentation

Shahla Werner, Director, Sierra Club – John Muir ChapterShahla Werner, Director, Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter222 South Hamilton St, #1, Madison, WI 53703222 South Hamilton St, #1, Madison, WI 53703(608) 256-0565, [email protected](608) 256-0565, [email protected]

http://wisconsin.sierraclub.orghttp://wisconsin.sierraclub.org

Moving Beyond Oil to Clean Transportation in Wisconsin

2013 Priority Issue Team Training2013 Priority Issue Team TrainingFebruary 9, 2013, MadisonFebruary 9, 2013, Madison

photos: Sierra Club, Darrell Clarke

Michael BruneMichael BruneSierra Club Executive Sierra Club Executive

DirectorDirector

OilOil

28,000 42-gallon barrels of oil are consumed in the United States every 28,000 42-gallon barrels of oil are consumed in the United States every 2 minutes, 19.6 million barrels / day, 25% of the world’s total. 2 minutes, 19.6 million barrels / day, 25% of the world’s total.

Transportation- mostly cars-

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Beyond Oil: Environmental GoalBeyond Oil: Environmental Goal

Oil spills like the 1989 Exxon-Valdez and the 2010 Oil spills like the 1989 Exxon-Valdez and the 2010 BP disaster cause devastating environmental BP disaster cause devastating environmental damage and wreak havoc on coastal economiesdamage and wreak havoc on coastal economies

Because the transportation sector contributes 1/3 of all U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, it is a prime target for greenhouse gas reductions.

Transportation choices that include walking, biking, Transportation choices that include walking, biking, and public transit as well as cleaner, more efficient and public transit as well as cleaner, more efficient cars and trucks can break our addiction to oil. cars and trucks can break our addiction to oil.

Our Addiction to OilOur Addiction to OilThreatens Our EnvironmentThreatens Our Environment

Transit helps clean up our air, and it reduces the need for offshore drilling and tar sands extraction

Our Addiction to Oil Our Addiction to Oil Threatens Public HealthThreatens Public Health

Promoting transit, walkable neighborhoods, bicycle and pedestrian paths can reduce rates of asthma & childhood obesity. Potential Allies: Physicians for Social Responsibility, Bike Federation of WI, nurses, respiratory specialists & parents.

Addiction to Oil Threatens National Addiction to Oil Threatens National Security and Our Quality of LIfeSecurity and Our Quality of LIfe

drivelesslivemore.com

Transit Improves Mobility for Seniors, Transit Improves Mobility for Seniors, Disabled, Low Income GroupsDisabled, Low Income Groups

By 2025, over 27% of Wisconsin residents in 17 counties will be 65 or older. Transit allows them to avoid assisted living.

Allies: Coalition of WI Aging Groups, Citizen Action, WISDOM, Disability Rights Advocates, ACLU

Clean Transportation Clean Transportation Creates Jobs!Creates Jobs!

Wisconsin’s bicycling industry provides over 13,000 Wisconsin’s bicycling industry provides over 13,000 jobs and contributes $1.5 billion annually to our jobs and contributes $1.5 billion annually to our economy. It brings in $535 million in tourism from out economy. It brings in $535 million in tourism from out of state visitors alone.of state visitors alone.

The Milwaukee County Transit Systems serves over The Milwaukee County Transit Systems serves over 18,000 employers18,000 employers

According to a WisDOT, for every $1 invested transit, According to a WisDOT, for every $1 invested transit, there is a $3.44 return from better connections to retail, there is a $3.44 return from better connections to retail, healthcare, education, and recreational services.healthcare, education, and recreational services.

The 2011-13 WI Transportation BudgetThe 2011-13 WI Transportation Budget

The 2011-13 WI State budget provided $221.7 million for tiered The 2011-13 WI State budget provided $221.7 million for tiered Mass Transit (a 10% decrease), vs. $3.26 Billion for HighwaysMass Transit (a 10% decrease), vs. $3.26 Billion for Highways

Sierra Club helped restore collective bargaining for transit Sierra Club helped restore collective bargaining for transit workers, saving $46 million in federal aid, and blocked attempts to workers, saving $46 million in federal aid, and blocked attempts to take transit out of the transportation fund in 2011.take transit out of the transportation fund in 2011.

2013 Clean Transportation Goals2013 Clean Transportation Goals

Allow local communities to form Regional Transit Allow local communities to form Regional Transit Authorities Authorities to raise dedicated transit fundsto raise dedicated transit funds

Urge WisDOT to use MAP-21 Transportation Urge WisDOT to use MAP-21 Transportation Alternatives funds for bicycle and walking pathsAlternatives funds for bicycle and walking paths

Keep Transit in the Transportation Fund

Restore & Increase Transit funding, reduce runaway highway spending

Environmental & Transit Environmental & Transit Organizational AlliesOrganizational Allies

WISPIRGWISPIRG One Thousand Friends of WisconsinOne Thousand Friends of Wisconsin Wisconsin Urban & Rural Transit Wisconsin Urban & Rural Transit

Association (WURTA)Association (WURTA) Wisconsin Counties AssociationWisconsin Counties Association Madison Metro, Valley Transit, Madison Metro, Valley Transit,

Milwaukee Co. Transit System, Milwaukee Co. Transit System, Shoreline Metro (Sheboygan), Maritime Shoreline Metro (Sheboygan), Maritime Metro Transit (Manitowoc)Metro Transit (Manitowoc)

Key Decision-makers for Transit Key Decision-makers for Transit FundingFunding

Governor Walker, state budget released Feb., Governor Walker, state budget released Feb., legislators to pass by Junelegislators to pass by June

The Joint Finance CommitteeThe Joint Finance Committee

The Senate Transportation Committee (Chair = The Senate Transportation Committee (Chair = Sen. Petrowski, Leibham, Cowles, Carpenter, Sen. Petrowski, Leibham, Cowles, Carpenter, Hansen). Hansen).

The Assembly Transportation Committee (Chair = The Assembly Transportation Committee (Chair = Rep. Ripp, Vice Chair = Thiesfeldt, Stone, A. Ott) Rep. Ripp, Vice Chair = Thiesfeldt, Stone, A. Ott)

Key Grasstops, or Powerful Key Grasstops, or Powerful Allies who Can Influence Allies who Can Influence Transit Funding TargetsTransit Funding Targets

Mayors (Hanna, Dickert)Mayors (Hanna, Dickert) Transit ManagersTransit Managers Coalition of Wisconsin Aging GroupsCoalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups Large Businesses / Employers (SC Large Businesses / Employers (SC

Johnson, Kohler, Aurora Medical Johnson, Kohler, Aurora Medical Center, Miller, State of Wisconsin)Center, Miller, State of Wisconsin)

Transportation Finance CommissionTransportation Finance Commission

Wisconsin’s Transportation Wisconsin’s Transportation Finance CommissionFinance Commission

Released Report, Keep Wisconsin Moving Jan. 23.Released Report, Keep Wisconsin Moving Jan. 23.

Wisconsinites are driving 3% less than in 2004, yet Wisconsinites are driving 3% less than in 2004, yet report recommends increasing highway spendingreport recommends increasing highway spending

Supports increasing transit funding, allowing Regional Supports increasing transit funding, allowing Regional Transit Authorities, raising gas tax, and charging Transit Authorities, raising gas tax, and charging vehicle registration based on annual miles traveled.vehicle registration based on annual miles traveled.http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/about/tfp/docs/keep-wi-moving-report.pdf http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/about/tfp/docs/keep-wi-moving-report.pdf

http://www.wicounties.org/blog/wisconsin-transportation-and-finance-policy-http://www.wicounties.org/blog/wisconsin-transportation-and-finance-policy-commission-release-final-report/ commission-release-final-report/

How Can Transit Compete with How Can Transit Compete with Highways in the Next Budget?Highways in the Next Budget?

Draft a sign-on statement for mayors, businesses, Draft a sign-on statement for mayors, businesses, transit managers, and organizations. Deliver to transit managers, and organizations. Deliver to legislators and media by April.legislators and media by April.

Organize in-district meetings with JFC members Organize in-district meetings with JFC members also on Transportation Committeealso on Transportation Committee

Work with allies on the 10-10-10 solution to Work with allies on the 10-10-10 solution to increase funds for transit and local roads by cutting increase funds for transit and local roads by cutting highways by 10%; highlights imbalancehighways by 10%; highlights imbalance

Stop Governor Walker’s Stop Governor Walker’s Highway RobberyHighway Robbery

The WI state budget robs schools, transit and local roads to fund bloated The WI state budget robs schools, transit and local roads to fund bloated highway budget. highway budget.

There was some media coverage of this issue, but the FB page never took There was some media coverage of this issue, but the FB page never took off, possibly due to “new FB page fatigue.” off, possibly due to “new FB page fatigue.”

We worked with teachers unions as main messengers.We worked with teachers unions as main messengers.

Environmental Justice & Transit: Environmental Justice & Transit: Zoo Interchange LawsuitZoo Interchange Lawsuit

ACLU & MEA filed suits against WisDOT & the US Dept. of ACLU & MEA filed suits against WisDOT & the US Dept. of Transportation in 2012 for the way they designed the $1.7 Transportation in 2012 for the way they designed the $1.7 billion zoo interchange project.billion zoo interchange project.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Milwaukee Innercity The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied for Hope and the Black Health Coalition Congregations Allied for Hope and the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin.of Wisconsin.

It contends that the EIS failed to incorporate transit, increased It contends that the EIS failed to incorporate transit, increased segregation, or barriers to work & medical appointments for segregation, or barriers to work & medical appointments for non-drivers caused by the project. non-drivers caused by the project.

An injunction to halt construction was sought in Feb. 2013.An injunction to halt construction was sought in Feb. 2013.

Grassroots Transit TacticsGrassroots Transit Tactics

Action Alerts to SC membersAction Alerts to SC members, mentioning link , mentioning link between oil addiction and climate change, tar sands, & between oil addiction and climate change, tar sands, & offshore drilling pollution. Phone bank to members in offshore drilling pollution. Phone bank to members in key districts.key districts.

““Cash Cow” Rallies Cash Cow” Rallies with Disability Rights, Labor, with Disability Rights, Labor, Citizen Action, ACLU designed for negative attention on Citizen Action, ACLU designed for negative attention on runaway highway spending at transit’s expenserunaway highway spending at transit’s expense

Highlight $2.4 billion in Big Oil tax deductions Highlight $2.4 billion in Big Oil tax deductions (subsidies) that Exxon, Chevron, BP, Shell & (subsidies) that Exxon, Chevron, BP, Shell & Conoco Phillips get each yearConoco Phillips get each year, even as they rake in , even as they rake in record profits & cause devastating pollution.record profits & cause devastating pollution.

Transportation Alternatives FundingTransportation Alternatives FundingMAP-21, or Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st MAP-21, or Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, is the federal transportation bill authorizes Century, is the federal transportation bill authorizes $105 billion in spending through Sep. 2014. $105 billion in spending through Sep. 2014.

MAP-21 includes the Transportation Alternatives MAP-21 includes the Transportation Alternatives Program which funds Safe Routes to School (SRTS); Program which funds Safe Routes to School (SRTS); Transportation Enhancements (TE); and The Bicycle & Transportation Enhancements (TE); and The Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Program (BPFP). Pedestrian Facilities Program (BPFP). WisDOT can WisDOT can opt out of using 50% of funding.opt out of using 50% of funding.

Gov. Walker announced $3.4 million in funding for 17 Gov. Walker announced $3.4 million in funding for 17 SRTS projects in Dec. 2012. SRTS projects in Dec. 2012.

DecisionmakersDecisionmakers: WisDOT Sec. Gottlieb, Wisconsin’s : WisDOT Sec. Gottlieb, Wisconsin’s 14 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)14 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)

Other Beyond Oil Activities Other Beyond Oil Activities Protesting the proposed Keystone XL Tar Sands pipelineProtesting the proposed Keystone XL Tar Sands pipeline Participating in Hands Across the Sand eventsParticipating in Hands Across the Sand events Tracking expansion plans for Enbridge pipelines and Tracking expansion plans for Enbridge pipelines and

Murphy Oil refinery. Murphy Oil refinery. A pipeline ruptured in July 2012 in A pipeline ruptured in July 2012 in Grand Marsh, WI.Grand Marsh, WI.

Expand Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles. Expand Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles. Utilities Utilities can increase availability, sell more electrons. Companies can can increase availability, sell more electrons. Companies can improve public image. improve public image.

Promoting Passenger Trains. Promoting Passenger Trains. MKE – MSN service would MKE – MSN service would reduce traffic, create over 3,000 jobs, take 500,000 cars of WI reduce traffic, create over 3,000 jobs, take 500,000 cars of WI roads and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 190,000 metric tons roads and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 190,000 metric tons per year. per year.

Moving Beyond Oil by Protesting Moving Beyond Oil by Protesting Keystone XLKeystone XL

Tar Sands oil extraction causes 3x the GHG of Tar Sands oil extraction causes 3x the GHG of conventional oil, destroys boreal forests, threatens conventional oil, destroys boreal forests, threatens public health, and jeopardizes Lake Athabascapublic health, and jeopardizes Lake Athabasca

The Keystone XL would transport tar sands oil from The Keystone XL would transport tar sands oil from Alberta to Texas. A pipeline leak would contaminate Alberta to Texas. A pipeline leak would contaminate the Nebraska Sandhills & the Ogallala Aquifer, which the Nebraska Sandhills & the Ogallala Aquifer, which supplies drinking water to millions.supplies drinking water to millions.

The Sierra Club will join 350.org and the Hip Hop The Sierra Club will join 350.org and the Hip Hop Caucus in Washington DC on February 17 to protest Caucus in Washington DC on February 17 to protest the Keystone XL pipeline and demand climate actionthe Keystone XL pipeline and demand climate action

Questions?Questions?

Shahla Werner, DirectorShahla Werner, DirectorSierra Club – John Muir ChapterSierra Club – John Muir Chapter222 South Hamilton St, #11, 222 South Hamilton St, #11,

Madison, WI 53703Madison, WI 53703(608) 256-0565(608) 256-0565

[email protected]@sierraclub.org