In case you don't get Sierra Club Currents (online newsletter), here are some announcements you might be interested in- Erin

1. Victory on Campaign Finance Reform!

Members of the House of Representatives did the right thing this morning (2/14),
voting by 240-191 to pass the Shays-Meehan bill - without the dreaded
"poison pill" amendments that might have scuttled it.  The Sierra Club was
deeply involved in the push for reform right up to the eleventh hour: check
out the picture of Club Deputy Political Director Deanna White - with John
McCain, Dick Gephardt, Russ Feingold, and Martin Meehan - on the front page
of today's Washington Post.  Way to go Deanna!

Obstacles still exist: the bill now heads back to the Senate, where its
arch-foe Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has vowed to lead a filibuster.  But the
House vote is a major step towards getting big money and big corporations
like Enron out of politics, and that's great news for the environment.

To find out how your representative voted, go to
http://www.sierraclub.org/votewatch/2002/shays-meehan.asp


4. Take Action for a Cleaner, Cheaper, and Safer Energy Future

First, the Bush Administration brought us its Enron-influenced energy plan,
which would destroy some of our most beautiful places and increase global
warming pollution. Then yesterday, it unveiled its "global warming plan",
which does not mandate emissions reductions, instead allowing industry to
emit more or less pollution depending on the state of the economy!

America deserves better, and you can make sure we get it.  The Daschle
Senate energy bill, which will be debated when congress returns from next
week's recess, creates a framework for a cleaner, cheaper, and safer energy
future, but it needs strengthening.  Here's what to do: 1) Set up district
meetings while your Senators are home over the recess this week (February
18-22), and urge them to strengthen the Daschle Senate energy bill. 2)
Click below for more information on strengthening the Daschle bill, and to
send a message to your Senators on the subject.  There's even a draft
provided!

http://www.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=57&rf=-57999

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Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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