Public Policy

The city of Dallas is hosting two public hearings, Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, to get feedback on the timeline to phase-in changes to achieve zero-waste goals for Dallas by 2040. Texas Campaign for the Environment is urging Dallas residents to appear to support speeding up plans to offer recycling for apartment dwellers and businesses, phase out single-use bags and start a compost recycling program. A follow up seminar will be held on Jan. 26. Also see http://www.texasenvironment.org/

Event hosted by Stop the Frack Attack, a coalition of concerned citizens and groups seeking to protect their health and their families from the dangers of gas drilling. More details TBA.

Citizens Climate Lobby meets the first Saturday of every month for education on climate change and to plan action items. This month's guest speaker is Robb Willer, associate professor of sociology at UC Berkeley, who will discuss "The Moral Roots of Environmental Attitudes." Email texas@citizensclimatelobby.org for location.

Learn about the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Sherman, also what Texans can do to stop the inhumane practice of shark finning. Free.

The Dallas Plan Commission is hosting a public hearing before it votes on whether to allow new gas drilling permits submitted by Trinity East to drill on Dallas parkland. Environmental groups, including Dallas Residents at Risk, are urging the public to voice their concerns about gas drilling at the meeting.

Town hall with Rep. Rafael Anchia of Dallas (Sunset Advisory Committee) and Rep. Jim Keffer of Eastland (Energy Resources Committee) where you can voice opinions on the PUC and the Railroad Commission, regarding tar sands, fracking, etc. On Dec.19, testimony will be heard at the Capitol on Sunset* of above-mentioned agencies. This event is sponsored by the Dallas and Fort Worth Sierra Clubs, Public Citizen and others.

*Sunset of an agency deals with all aspects of an agency, how it does business with the public and private sector--even whether the entity as we know it should continue. This process only happens once every seven years.

Former mayor of Austin, Will Wynn, will speak at the first of a four-part series. Contact: Brandy O'Quinn at 817-905-5200 or b.oquinn@urbanstrategiestx.com.

Green Corps hosts this workshop that aims to teach skills needed to promote social and environmental change. Contact: Lisa Trope at 301-318-3892 or Lisa@greencorps.org.

Gathering for anyone interested in renewable energy, hosted by the Sierra Club, Blue Green Apollo Alliance and the Clean Energy Works for Texas coalition. Learn about the next steps on the Sierra Club's Clean Energy Works for Texas campaign as well as future campaigns that the Sierra Club will be running in the area. Speakers: Dave Cortez, coordinator from the Blue Green Apollo Alliance, and Stephanie Cole, organizing rep from the Sierra Club. Note: Everyone is responsible for own food and drink purchase but there may be the option of ordering pizzas as a group to keep costs down. RSVP Lisa Trope at Lisa@greencorps.org.

Event hosted by the North Texas Renewable Energy Group. Texas State Representative Rafael Anchia, House District 103, an advocate of energy efficiency, renewable energy and alternative technologies, will speak energy issues.