{"id":311166,"date":"2025-11-22T12:28:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T12:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/activist\/2025-november-newsletter-350pdx-climate-justice\/"},"modified":"2025-11-22T12:28:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T12:28:00","slug":"2025-november-newsletter-350pdx-climate-justice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=311166","title":{"rendered":"2025 November Newsletter! – 350PDX: Climate Justice"},"content":{"rendered":"


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From Zohran Mamdani\u2019s historic win to the passage of Proposition 50 in California, it\u2019s clear that so many Americans are eager for major change! We\u2019re also excited that here in Portland, the parks levy has passed.\u00a0As we navigate a very difficult period in our nation\u2019s history, let us take a moment to breathe, feel hope, and gather strength for the work that lies ahead.<\/p>\n

For this month\u2019s Action Night, we invite you to join us at\u00a0Rumble on the River<\/a>\u00a0on November 20. Riverkeepers of the Willamette, Tualatin, and Columbia will hold an evening of stories, strategy, and shared purpose. Hear updates on the work each organization is leading\u2014from local restoration projects and community programs to collaborative policy efforts that defend clean water and healthy habitats across the region.<\/p>\n

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Team News<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Forest Defense Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n

City Council adopted the amended 2025 Urban Forest Plan!<\/strong>\u00a0Thank you to everyone who wrote, testified, and showed up to support passing this important climate justice document. See the\u00a0October 22 Resolution<\/a>\u00a0to read all the amendments to help assure that low-canopy, low-income parts of Portland are centered in green infrastructure climate retrofits.\u00a0The agenda<\/a>\u00a0includes details on how your Councilors voted; the spirited discussion starts at minute 2:52. Please consider sending a thank you note to your\u00a0Councilors<\/a>. The final Urban Forest Plan will be available in mid-November.<\/p>\n

On October 23, the Forest Defense team partnered with Thrive East PDX for a Green Infrastructure and Shade Equity Social at the Center Powered by Y.O.U.T.H.<\/strong>\u00a0in outer SE Portland. Community members and representatives from 20 organizations came together to learn about pathways toward green jobs, and PCEF-funded investments to bring street trees to District 1 through programs with Urban Forestry and Friends of Trees. We look forward to sharing the report soon, and collaborating on a career fair in February that will help prepare young people to apply for seasonal jobs.<\/p>\n

Middle Big Noise Walk<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Forest Defense team postponed our adventure to the \u201cMiddle Big Noise\u201d timber units in the Clatsop State Forest due to weather. Keep an eye on social media for when we announce the new date.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Fossil Fuel Resistance Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n

CEI Hub<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thank you to the record number of people (over 1,000! ) who sent in public comments about the CEI Hub Policy Project Discussion Draft. An overwhelming majority of comments asked Portland\u2019s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to propose an \u201cAlternative 4 plus more\u201d solution to draw down the amount of flammable and toxic liquid fuel stored at the CEI Hub and to prioritize our public and ecological health and safety.<\/p>\n

Save the Date!<\/strong>\u00a0On December 16, the Planning Commission will hold a hearing on the CEI Hub Policy Project.\u00a0<\/strong>Along with partner organizations, we will hold a rally before the hearing, and there will be an opportunity to share your comments virtually, in person, or in writing. The rally starts at 3:00pm, the hearing will be from 4:00-8:00pm, at 1900 SW 4th Ave.\u00a0<\/strong>Stay tuned for more details!<\/em><\/p>\n

Data Centers + Electricity Costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

350PDX supported the passage of the POWER Act in the 2025 Oregon legislative session, along with other energy justice advocates led by our friends at Oregon Citizens\u2019 Utility Board (CUB). The bill is designed to hold data centers accountable for their own energy costs.<\/p>\n

This fall, regulators are considering a new framework for how PGE divides costs for its different customer groups \u2014 including a new data center customer category.\u00a0This case will become the template for how data center customers are charged for energy costs for all of Oregon\u2019s for-profit utilities. We need your help to eliminate any new data centers\u2019 energy costs from going onto the bills of our homes and small businesses, starting with PGE.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Submit your comments by December 1 for the biggest impact! Modify and send this\u00a0one-click email<\/a>\u00a0from CUB, or use this\u00a0talking points toolkit<\/a>\u00a0to craft and send your own message to the Public Utility Commission on Docket UM 2377.<\/p>\n

Host a House Party! \u201cMake Polluters Pay\u201d Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you want to be part of a movement to make polluters accountable for the damage they have caused to the climate, environment, and public health? We\u2019re building a grassroots campaign to support a \u201cMake Polluters Pay\u201d bill in Oregon, following the successful passage of similar bills in Vermont and New York.<\/p>\n

Along with other partner organizations, we\u2019re helping organize\u00a0house parties<\/strong>\u00a0across the state in the next few months, to educate people about this bill and to prepare them to take action during the legislative session in February. Can you host a small (8\u201312 people) gathering in your home or other location? If so, please contact Cherice Bock (cherice@350pdx.org<\/a>) for more information.<\/p>\n

The best way to get involved in the Fossil Fuel Resistance Team is to join us at our next meeting<\/strong>\u00a0on Zoom: Tuesday, November 11 at 5:30pm. Please reach out to Ben Platt for the Zoom link:\u00a0benplatt59@gmail.com<\/a>. You can also sign up to volunteer and receive updates on the CEI Hub campaign using this form:\u00a0https:\/\/350pdx.app.neoncrm.com\/forms\/38<\/a><\/p>\n

Arts Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The 350pdx Arts Team went all out for October\u2019s No Kings rally! Forty puppeteers showed off our puppets representing climate justice issues and threats to species, waterways, and democratic government. Highlights included new puppets grieving these losses, and a new Statue of Liberty.<\/p>\n

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Photos: Kyla Yeoman<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n

And we have plans for more! This upcoming Sunday, November 9, 1:00-4:00pm at 3639 N Mississippi, we begin a new round of puppets, insects mostly. Please join us for paper mache fun and for planning our new storage system with our new storage shelves! And just so we\u2019re sure we have enough materials and snacks, please let Donna know if you will be there. We hope you will! Email:\u00a0murph1949@aol.com<\/a><\/div>\n

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Book Club<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Want to learn more about climate issues, envision creative solutions and alternate worlds, and relax with fellow humans in a casual setting? Join the 350PDX Book Club! We meet on the first Wednesday of each month, alternating between in-person and virtual meetings and between fiction and nonfiction. Bring snacks or drinks to share, or just your wonderful personality. All are welcome, regardless of whether you\u2019ve read all, some, or none of the book.<\/p>\n

Join our next gathering on Wednesday, December 3\u00a0<\/strong>at 6:30pm at the 350PDX Office (3639 N. Mississippi Ave.). This month, we\u2019re reading\u00a0The Overstory<\/a>\u00a0by Richard Powers, \u201ca moving tale of the profound relationship between people and trees, and the consequences of ignoring that relationship\u201d (source<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Save the date for our next meetings:<\/strong><\/p>\n