Category Archives: Climate action

Climate action, Meeting notices, Progressive Democrats of Benicia

Our Next Meeting – TUESDAY, April 8

MEMBER MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025, 7:00 PM

ZOOM MEETING
____________________________________________________________

Dear members and supporters,

Please note that this meeting is earlier in the month than usual.

On our agenda this month:

    • Theo LeQuesne, PhD. [pronounced Luh-Cain], is an organizer with the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute where he works to build grassroots power to phase out oil and gas production and confront climate scams like carbon capture and storage in California. He will be speaking about the Montezuma Carbon Capture Project and how it could impact Benicia and the rest of the Bay Area Refinery communities.
    • Terry Mollica of the Benicia Industrial Health and Safety Working Group will be updating us on the status of the ISO.
    • Jack Kolk and the zoom bombing that took place at our last meeting.
    • Sister Districts and what we can do now to address our current crisis.

 Renew Your Membership

Don’t forget that our membership dues are now due.   Membership dues are $30 a year (please contact me if this is a hardship)  You can renew your membership, or submit an application to become a new member, at this link: https://progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org/pay-dues-donate/.

Watch this space or your email for information about how to access the next meeting.

See you soon!

 

Clean energy, Climate action, Fossil fuels, Meeting notices

Our Next Meeting – Tuesday, November 14

MEMBER MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2023, 7:00 PM

ZOOM MEETING

___________________________________________________________________________

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, November 14, at 7pm, held on Zoom.

Carbon Dumping may be coming to the Bay Area, especially refinery communities.  If you aren’t sure what that is, you are not alone.  Another name for it is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).  That sounds good at first glance – who doesn’t want to get rid of the CO2 that is driving climate chaos?

But did you know it has never worked?  Did you know “permanent storage” may be for as little as 50 years?  Did you know that a leak can be FATAL?  YIKES!  This is where national policy to promote Carbon Capture and local interests collide.

Come find out more about the proposals in California, including the proposed Montezuma Carbon Project along the Carquinez Strait.  Victoria Bogdan Tejeda, a Staff Attorney at the Climate Law Institute, Center for Biological Diversity,  will be speaking at our next meeting and filling us in on these new threats.  Please invite your friends.

Speaker Bio

Victoria Bogdan Tejeda (she/her) (pictured right) is a Staff Attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute, where she fights false climate solutions like carbon capture and storage, as well as polluting industries such as petrochemicals and biomass energy.  Prior to joining the Center, she worked as an Associate Attorney with Earthjustice.  There, her role included litigating toxic chemical regulations and assisting overburdened communities in advancing environmental justice.  She holds a law degree from U.C. Davis School of Law.

Zoom Sign-In

Our Zoom meeting details are below.

Join PDB Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88555032712?pwd=OFBXVUozV1kycnRBTzgweFhQWEl1UT09

Meeting ID: 885 5503 2712
Passcode: 290521

Don’t miss this important meeting!

See you on Zoom, Tuesday, November 14 at 7:00 PM! 

 

Climate action, Climate change, Endorsements, Meeting reflections, Solano County District Attorney

Meeting Reflections – April 12, 2022, Climate Change and D.A. candidate Sharon Henry

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
APRIL 12, 2022
Climate Change: what we can be doing…
Also: District Attorney candidate Sharon Henry

PDB’s April 12th membership meeting was attended by 39 members, friends and our guest speakers.

Program

First we heard from Sharon Henry, candidate for Solano County District Attorney.  Because there are only two candidates in the race for DA, it is likely to be decided at the June 7 primary election, rather than on November 8th.  Ms. Henry shared her background and values and explained her platform. She has been endorsed by the Solano County Democratic Central Committee and Mayor Steve Young.  After questions and answers, we held an endorsement vote.  PDB members voted almost unanimously to endorse Ms. Henry.

The remainder of the meeting focused on Climate change and action-based solutions presented by local climate activists:

  • Lindsay Wray, Chair, Benicia Community Sustainability Commission – described the commission and outlined action items for 2022.
  • Ben Keller – Co-chair, Legislative Committee 350 Bay Area Action – described 350BAA and explained the role of the Legislative Committee – Work on Legislation, Building Relationships with Legislators and Education and Mobilizing Public and Partners. Outlined priority bills for 2022-AB 2419; SB 917; SB 1482, SB 1010.
  • Nik Evasco, Youth Climate Organizer and Program Manager, 350 Bay Area – described his role as an organizer and profiled recent actions taken by 350BA. Expressed need for a Solano County 350 faction.
Club Actions:

Interim Chair Kathy Kerridge presented a spreadsheet and web addresses for members to take a few minutes and either commit to taking climate action or perform actions in real time.  Tap here to view the suggested action items.

Elected Officials

Elected officials present: Solano County Supervisor Monica Brown and Benicia Mayor Steve Young.

Mayor Young provided an update on City of Benicia events and issues:

    • Update on the recent weekend fire at Amports and the status of the pier, which was built and maintained by Amports.
    • Update on the Mayor’s first meeting as a BAAQMD member. Discussed the status of fine for Valero’s 15-year emissions cover-up. The Mayor is open for suggestions on how the settlement funds are to be spent.
    • Goal setting meeting: City Council – Saturday, April 23, 8:30am to 6:30pm at the Community Center. Open for public comment, most likely in the morning.
    • Diversity Festival: April 23 beginning at noon on the Marina Green.
    • Council Meeting, 4/19/22 – Financial Forecast is the topic.
Announcements
  • Saturday, April 30, 1-3pm Candidate Fundraiser – for Sharon Henry, hosted by Terry Mollica at his home
  • ACLU – Virtual Forums ([email protected])
    • Monday, May 2, 6pm Board of Supervisors Candidate Forum
    • Tuesday, May 3, 3pm District Attorney Candidate Forum
  • Sunday, June 26, 2-4pm Welcome / Au revoir party for US Representatives Garamendi and Thompson, Benicia Vets Hall – Fundraiser for United Dems – details to follow
  • Benicia Library – Book Action Program – From Just Us to Justice: A Community Equity Challenge https://benicialibrary.org/rsvp-book-action-programs
Recording

The meeting was held on Zoom.  A full recording of the meeting can be viewed here.