[Green] [possibly spam] Meeting with Congressman Johnson

[gbanz42 at suddenlink.net]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Annie.

The issue of federally subsidized oil and gas workers and companies is one of the many issues on which Dave and I could have offered refutation to Congressman Johnson. But in our first session with him, we wanted to set up a relationship so that in the future we can (diplomatically) challenge his thinking on some of these issues. Working with Johnson will be along-term project. I think we at least have his ear.

Dave and I continue to work on many fronts for addressing climate change. Dave is working wit the City of Marietta on their strategic planning and has had some notable successes  in "greening" their planning.  Dave and I are also members of a team that gives presentations in the middle and high schools of the region on science of climate change.

BTW, I just heard that the plan for the new school campus being proposed by the Marietta City Schools will involve LEED-certified buildings.

---- Annie Warmke via Green <green at fuusm.org> wrote: 
> Dave and George:  Jay (jay at bluerockstation.com) might be a good resource 
> at this point.  Keep in mind that ALL coal jobs are subsidized.  Most 
> farmers are federally subsidized so does he want to eliminate farmers?  
> I'm sorry but you can't fight someone who is blind to reality, and 
> bought and paid for by the coal and oil industry.  He's up for 
> re-election so he's playing along, and he's right that no legislation 
> (has anything meaningful actually happened in the past 3 1/2 years?) 
> will take place.  Thanks for being so dedicated to trying to convince 
> Johnson that he's playing a loosing game.
> 
> Personally I'd much rather see your incredible intelligence and energy 
> pushing the city and county government to try to keep out zoning for the 
> petro chemical plant, and pushing them to accept the Paris accord or 
> create a long range plan for sustainability with renewables for 
> buildings, and incentives to citizens for sustainable practices.  
> Recycling is in trouble because there's no place for it to go, and 
> there's still a half-hearted attempt at best.  Those attempts at pushing 
> locally have the potential to change things for all of you, but also 
> become a basis for showing other counties and small towns what can 
> happen when a few citizens work with local government to come up with a 
> plan.  Just some thoughts of a non-Washington County resident.  Annie
> 
> On 8/19/2019 9:39 PM, Dawn Hewitt via Green wrote:
> > Thanks so much for this hopeful report, George and Dave, and thank you for taking on these critically important challenges!  Good work!
> >
> > —dawn
> >
> >> On Aug 19, 2019, at 8:29 PM, gbanz42--- via Green <green at fuusm.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> Green Sanctuary Colleagues:
> >>
> >>      On Monday afternoon Dave Ballantyne and I met with Bill Johnson. Dr. Bob Chase, former Chair of the Petro Engineering Program at MC,  was there also--Dave & I think that a major reason that we got the meeting with Johnson was that Johnson has a lot of confidence in Chase, and Chase offered to go with us. His District Director, Sara Keeler, was also there.
> >>
> >>     We were scheduled to meet with Johnson for 30 minutes, but the meeting went on for 60 minutes.
> >>
> >>     There was considerable discussion about non-climate issues, but we think that  such discussion serves to establish a bond and some trust between us and Johnson. Our assumption  was confirmed when he agreed to have future meetings with us and to maintain some ongoing dialogue.
> >>
> >>     We talked about the climate legislation before Congress, mainly about the Carbon Fee and Dividend Bill (HR 763). He did not say if he is for it or against it.  Johnson said not to expect any major legislation out of Congress before November 2020.
> >>
> >>      Johnson used the word "throttle" several times--in the context of his disposition not to support any climate legislation that throttles or punishes the fossil-fuel industry.  Dave and I regard this as a   challenge for our future discussions.
> >>
> >>       When I brought up the issue of the fast-growing jobs in solar and wind industries, Johnson said that a lot of these jobs are government subsidized. That's another challenge that Dave and I will deal with as we try to promote the economic viability and sustainability  of an economy based on renewable energy.
> >>
> >>       Chase and Johnson discussed some  major plans for development of petrochemical facilities in the district that will soon be made public.
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> George Banziger
> >> 202 Lawton Road
> >> Marietta, OH 45750-1111
> >> 740-434-5685
> >> cell: 740-434-3354
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Green mailing list
> >> Green at fuusm.org
> >> http://fuusm.org/mailman/listinfo/green_fuusm.org
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Green mailing list
> > Green at fuusm.org
> > http://fuusm.org/mailman/listinfo/green_fuusm.org
> 
> -- 
> Annie Warmke
> Farmer, activist, consultant, writer
> Blue Rock Station/Warmke Farm LLC
> www.bluerockstation.com
> (740) 674-4300 or (740) 252-6295 Mobile
> 
> Radio: When the Biomass Hits the Wind Turbine
> WOUB Digital Wednesday 9 am
> WGRN Digital Friday 11:30 am & Saturday 8:30 am
> 
> Publications:
> The Business of Goat Herding (BRS Media)
> The Journey Toward Nothing (BRS Media)
> Naturally Healthy Goats (BRS Media)
> 
> Podcasts: bluerockstation.com
> When the Biomass Hits the Wind Turbine
> Arriving at Blue Rock Station
> 
> 
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
> https://www.avg.com

--
George Banziger
202 Lawton Road
Marietta, OH 45750-1111
740-434-5685
cell: 740-434-3354