[PAA-Discuss] FW: On the Prowl in the New Year

[zappa2004]

On the Prowl in the New Year
-----Original Message-----
From: jels at ran.org [mailto:jels at ran.org]
Sent: Friday, January 05, 2007 2:31 PM
To: Kathryn Melton
Subject: On the Prowl in the New Year







            Dear Kathryn,

                  We hope that the new year finds you all happy, healthy and
ready for action!  Here's the latest from under the canopy...

                  TXU: A Dirty Investment

                  Texas utility company TXU is hoping to build 11 new
coal-fired power plants that will emit 78 million tons of carbon dioxide per
year and cause major environmental health problems for communities in the
Lone Star State. TXU is currently soliciting $11 billion from private banks
to fund its dirty plants, but RAN is working to ensure this project never
leaves the ground.


                  One of many TXU plants in Texas.

                  In December, RAN issued an Investor's Briefing on TXU and
sent letters to 54 private banks around the world outlining the dangers
posed by TXU's dirty coal project and asking banks to decline financing if
approached by TXU.



                  While several banks have already distanced themselves from
funding TXU's dirty energy, Merrill Lynch has taken a lead role in helping
TXU secure the money it needs to start construction. Merrill Lynch must
choose whether to fund the same dirty energy of the past, or fund the future
by investing in clean energy.  Last month, almost a thousand of you called
Merrill Lynch and asked them not to fund the TXU project. If you haven't
already done so, call today!



                  Take Action! Tell Merrill Lynch not to fund TXU!


                  Clean Car Activists Crash LA Auto Show

                  Last month, RAN and its allies crashed the LA Auto Show in
classic fashion. RAN campaigners and concerned citizens staged a series of
creative actions throughout the show to pressure automakers to improve fuel
efficiency and offer more than just green PR campaigns full of empty
promises.

                  The highlight came during the show's opening speech by GM
CEO Rick Wagoner. As Wagoner concluded his remarks, RAN and Global Exchange
campaigners presented him with a giant pledge committing GM to being the
industry leader in fuel economy by 2010. Wagoner's refusal to sign the
pledge was broadcast on CNN, NBC, ABC and more than 700 other media outlets
around the world, highlighting the contrast between the auto industry's
environmental PR and its reluctance to mass produce fuel efficient vehicles.




                  Other highlights included the convening of an "Oil Addicts
Anonymous" meeting outside the auto show to help the American auto industry
confront its destructive addiction to oil, a "greenwash car wash," giant
balloon banners, and other public education efforts focused on the auto
industry's contributions to global warming.

                  RAN's Jumpstart Ford Campaign has widened its focus to
include other automakers and has been renamed the Freedom from Oil campaign
to reflect this broader reach. While we will continue to target Ford Motor
Company, it is time to encourage a green race to the top for the whole auto
industry, and no automaker should be left behind.


                  Plug-In Bay Area: Alameda Plugs in to Plug-in Hybrid
Movement

                  On Dec. 19, the City of Alameda became the third
municipality to join Plug-In Bay Area, an initiative aimed at showing
automakers the existing demand for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles via
"soft orders," which are declarations of intent to purchase plug-ins once
they are commercially available. Alameda's soft order of 98 plug-ins is the
largest Bay Area fleet order to date, adding to the mounting pressure on
automakers to mass produce ultra fuel efficient vehicles that will help
break America's addiction to oil.


                  Weyerhaeuser's Phony SFI Certification Exposed



                  Weyerhaeuser cannot hide its destructive logging
practices, even in its own backyard. Last month, the Seattle Audubon Society
filed a federal lawsuit over logging of spotted owl habitat in Washington.
Audubon also challenged the logging industry-sponsored Sustainable Forestry
Initiative (SFI) by filing a formal complaint over the issue. Weyerhaeuser
has until February to respond to the complaint.

                  This is what SFI certified clearcuts look like.



                  Visit the improved Don't Buy SFI website for updates and
to learn more!



                  2006 Year-End Fundraising Update



                  Actor Chris Noth brought some "law and order" to RAN's
year-end fundraising drive.  His appeal, combined with a message from RAN's
own Development Director Branden Barber, contributed to a record-breaking
season for RAN's online fundraising!  Thanks to all of you, we raised around
$50,000 online last month - enough to cover the salary for a campaigner in
our new Agribusiness campaign!



                  If you didn't contribute in December, we hope you'll make
RAN your first donation of the new year!


                  Thanks for all that you do,

                  Japhet Els
                  Online Organizer
                  Rainforest Action Network
                  http://www.ran.org

                    January 2007

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Responder.

                        TidBits

                        Australian Senator Bob Brown of the Australian Green
Party.

                        Landmark forest protection victory in Tasmania

                        Grassy Narrows makes NOW's Top 10


                        Occidental petroleum flees Peruvian Amazon



                        Gunns 20 charges dropped



                        What do you do when Corporate America ignores your
call?



                        Become a part of the solution




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