Capitol Voice, Sierra Club California

State Agency Taking Steps to Make Sure Polluters Pay

By Annie Pham

The California state agency responsible for cleaning up contaminated sites, ranging from former military bases to mom-and-pop dry cleaners, has recently disclosed that it failed to collect cleanup costs from polluters resulting in taxpayers footing the bill over the years.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), under the leadership of Director Debbie Raphael, conducted an internal investigation that exposed the department’s failure to recoup $185 million in cleanup costs.   The problem began and persisted long before Raphael was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2011.  Read More

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We Want YOU: Join Our Lobby Day Ranks

By Kathryn Phillips

To have any influence on legislation—especially on issues that try to rein in well-heeled polluters—Sierra Club California relies on its volunteer activists.

When a legislator hears from someone living in the district, that legislator pays attention.

That’s why we ask Club members to join us in Sacramento each August for our lobby day. One sincere and informed environmentally concerned face from back home can trump a polluter’s money and influence.

Join us in Sacramento in mid-August and be part of a team that will help Sierra Club California pass our priority legislation and defeat bad bills.

The day-and-a-half event provides an opportunity for you to watch what our staff does all year round, lobby your legislators, and meet like-minded activists from all over California.

On Sunday, August 18, starting at around noon, our advocacy team will train you on how to lobby and brief you on our priority bills so that you can effectively advocate for them.  On Monday, August 19, you will work the halls of the Capitol as teams, with meetings scheduled from morning through the afternoon.  Read More and Register