Sierra Club and 350 Eastside join CENSE!

Sierra Club and 350 Eastside join CENSE! Sierra Club and the newly-formed Eastside chapter of 350.org announced they will join CENSE efforts to oppose Energize Eastside and call on PSE to provide cleaner, safer, cost-effective solutions to serve our energy needs today and in the future.

Jessica Koski, leader of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, found CENSE goals for “sensible energy” align with Sierra Club’s efforts to close some of the dirtiest coal plants in the country which generate more than a quarter of the electricity PSE provides to customers.

“Batteries can store electricity produced by renewable resources like solar and wind farms,” Jessica said. “Batteries can also serve peak energy demand, eliminating the need for over-sized transmission lines to serve a need that occurs a few hours each year at most.”

Increased use of renewables is also a focus for 350 Eastside, the newest chapter of the national environmental group, 350.org. Chapter president Emily Powell said, “We are excited to expand the good work CENSE has done in promoting energy solutions that don’t fill our atmosphere with climate-changing greenhouse gases. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, as well as the extensive wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, motivate us to act to mitigate the effects of climate change on future generations.”

As one of its first actions, 350 Eastside will coordinate a large rally in front of PSE headquarters on September 21, 4-5 pm (10885 NE 4th St, Bellevue). Sierra Club, CENSE, and tribal members from Protectors of the Salish Sea will participate. This is only one of at least seven rallies around the Puget Sound in support of “Keep It in The Ground,” a movement calling for PSE to reduce use of coal and fracked natural gas.

CENSE supports the first general meeting of 350 Eastside at East Shore Unitarian Church on the evening before the rally, September 20, 6-8:30 pm (12700 SE 32nd St., Bellevue). Snacks and meet and greet: 6-7 pm. Program: 7-8:30 pm. Don Marsh, president of CENSE, is happy to welcome these nationally-recognized organizations as partners in our quest for better energy solutions.

“It will be months or possibly years before PSE can start construction of Energize Eastside. CENSE will welcome more partners to our growing coalition. At some point, PSE will realize it is in the company’s best interest to listen to their customers and the communities they serve. Then we will make real progress toward goals that benefit the environment and the economy,” Don said.

--Shutterstock image