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Clean Water Action's national campaigns work on Federal laws and policy. State offices campaign on the same issues locally. Get more information about our work in each state and around the country.
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Letter to the Editor
Clean water? Tell the legislature not to "bag it!"
When you get a "free" plastic grocery bag at the check-out stand, it's not really free. The retailer is passing 3 cents per plastic bag and 10 cents per paper bag on to you in the bill!
In addition, California's government spends billions of taxpayer dollars each year cleaning litter from streets, beaches, parks and storm drain systems. Since plastic bags are a huge part of the litter problem, you pay for them twice - at the store and in your taxes. Take action now: Ask your State Senator to support a state-wide ban on plastic bags at grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience food stores.
Write a letter to the editor to support clean energy!
LTE Tips
- Include contact information - Be sure to add a phone number where you can be easily reached, as most papers will call to ask permission to publish.
- Be brief - State your position as clearly without unnecessary detail. Keep your paragraphs short. Make one point and stick to it.
- Be conversational, yet professional - Use your own voice, your own style, but remember, opinions are best received when expressed with tact and composure.
- Adding Details - Feel free to use reports or studies to support your views, but avoid bogging people down in technical information. These days, people can always search online tools for more information.
- Find a local angle - Can you link your LTE to recent happenings or decisions in your community? Localizing your perspective on this important issue will help get your letter published!
- Submit again! - Papers are busy places, so resubmitting your letter or continuing to share your perspective will help you get noticed.
As our lawmakers decide how to vote on clean energy legislation, they face pressure from the special interest lobbies of dirty coal and big oil to maintain the status quo. During these times, congressional staffers report what the public is saying--both what they hear directly, and what is said through local newspapers.
That is why we are calling on you - a clean energy and climate policy supporter - to write your local newspaper to urge passage of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act that is currently in the Senate.
