Action Alerts

  • Support fossil-free buildings in Santa Barbara

    Please join SBCAN, Sierra Club, Food and Water Watch, and 30 other organizations in asking Santa Barbara City Council to support fossil-free new buildings by passing the proposed building electrification reach code at their Jan. 12 meeting.
     
    Forty cities and counties in California have already implemented electrification reach codes, but this will be the first one in Santa Barbara County. 
     
    The code will require new buildings in the city to be all-electric -- improving indoor air quality, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and saving money on construction costs and utility bills. 
     
    A gas industry front group has sent mass texts to Santa Barbara residents with misinformation urging them to speak against this proposal at the meeting, so support on this item from our members is needed!
     
    You can support our efforts by sending a public comment through this form, or providing a verbal public comment at the virtual meeting on Jan. 12. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. but it is item #18 on the agenda so it will likely not come up until the evening.  
     
    For more information, read this article written by UCSB professor Leah C. Stokes on the issue. 

     

  • A donor could match your membership dues before the end of the year!

    The Board of Directors of Santa Barbara County Action Network appreciates the support you have given us. You have made it possible for us to continue building our strong local network of progressive folks and creating bridges between environmental and social justice activism.

    Thank you to those of you who have renewed already. If you haven't, please make a contribution now.

    If you haven’t contributed in a couple of years or more, your donation before the end of 2020 will be doubled. We have a generous supporter who will match new donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000.

    We at Santa Barbara County Action Network appreciate the support—both financial and participatory—you have shown us over the years.

    For nineteen years Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN) has been the preeminent nonprofit organization working on both sustainability and social justice issues throughout the county.

    We have many partner organizations, to be sure, but we always strive to be countywide and working on a wide range of progressive issues—especially looking for issues that might fall through the cracks otherwise. Please look at the attached inventory of what we have been working on.

    In spring of 2021 we will convene our annual Membership Meeting—virtually this time—and we really hope we will see you there.

    With increasing competition for foundation support, we are all the more reliant on our members, major donors, and fundraisers. Therefore, we hope that you will make a membership donation that suits your budget and helps SBCAN continue its educational and advocacy roles.

    It is easy—as always—to contribute at: https://sbcan.nationbuilder.com/membership_annual_dues. There is also an option for automatic monthly payments at https://sbcan.nationbuilder.com/membership_monthly_dues. You can also mail a check to P.O. Box 6174, Santa Maria, CA 93456.

    We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at our annual membership meeting.

    Sincerely,

    Janet Blevins, Co President

    Dick Flacks, Co President

  • Last chance to have your membership dues doubled!

    If you haven’t contributed in a couple of years or more, your donation before the end of 2020 will be doubled. We have a generous supporter who will match new donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000.

    We at Santa Barbara County Action Network appreciate the support—both financial and participatory—you have shown us over the years that has made it possible for us to continue nurturing our strong local network of progressive folks and creating bridges between environmental and social justice activism.

    For nineteen years Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN)has been the preeminent nonprofit organization working on both sustainability and social justice issues throughout the county. We have many partner organizations, to be sure, but we always strive to be countywide and working on a wide range of progressive issues—especially looking for issues that might fall through the cracks otherwise. Please look at the attached inventory of what we have been working on.

    In spring of 2021 we will convene our annual Membership Meeting—virtually this time—and we really hope we will see you there.

    With increasing competition for foundation support, we are all the more reliant on our members, major donors, and fundraisers.Therefore, we hope that you will make a membership donation that suits your budget and helps SBCAN continue its educational and advocacy roles.

    It is easy—as always—to contribute at: https://sbcan.nationbuilder.com/membership_annual_dues.   There is also an option for automatic monthly payments at https://sbcan.nationbuilder.com/membership_monthly_dues. You can also mail a check to P.O. Box 6174, Santa Maria, CA 93456.

    We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at our annual membership meeting.

    Sincerely,

    Janet Blevins, CoPresident
    Dick Flacks, CoPresident

  • SBCAN hires Nadia Lee Abushanab as Advocacy and Events Director!

    We at Santa Barbara County Action Network write to you again, following up on our message from last week seeking your financial support.

    We are pleased to announce that we have hired Nadia Lee Abushanab as our new Advocacy and Events Director. Just two weeks on the job and Nadia has testified several times before commissions and councils. Among other topics, she is researching mobile home and other housing issues, coordinating with people who are planning our local actions regarding the Green New Deal, and is starting to plan our events for 2021.

    nadia.jpg

    A recent graduate from UCSB with a BA in Environmental Studies, Nadia has been working on food security and housing issues and—with enthusiasm—is diving into the range of issues SBCAN is involved in.

    Some of you have already responded to our funding request and we thank you for your support. We hope all of our supporters will step up, to the extent they can, to assist in our work throughout Santa Barbara County and especially to welcome Nadia to our staff.

    In spring of 2021 we will convene our annual Membership Meeting—virtually this time—and we really hope we will see you there.

    With increasing competition for foundation support, we are all the more reliant on our members, major donors, and fundraisers. Therefore, we hope that you will make a membership donation that suits your budget and helps SBCAN continue its educational and advocacy roles.

    If you haven’t contributed in a couple of years or more (or ever), your donation before the end of 2020 will be doubled; we have a generous supporter who will match new donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000.

    It is easy—as always—to contribute at: https://sbcan.nationbuilder.com/membership_annual_dues.  

    There is an option for automatic monthly payments athttps://sbcan.nationbuilder.com/membership_monthly_dues.

    You can also mail a check to P.O. Box 6174, Santa Maria, CA 93456.

    We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at our annual membership meeting.

    Sincerely,

    Janet Blevins, CoPresident
    Dick Flacks, CoPresident

  • SBCAN Membership Drive

    We at Santa Barbara County Action Network appreciate the support—both financial and participatory—you have shown us over the years that has made it possible for us to continue nurturing our strong local network of progressive folks and creating bridges between environmental and social justice activism.

    For nineteen years Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN) has been the preeminent non-profit organization working on both sustainability and social justice issues throughout the county. We have many partner organizations, to be sure, but we always strive to be countywide and working on a wide range of progressive issues—especially looking for issues that might fall through the cracks otherwise. Please look at the attached inventory of what we have been working on.

    In spring of 2021 we will convene our annual Membership Meeting—virtually this time—and we really hope we will see you there.

    With increasing competition for foundation support, we are all the more reliant on our members, major donors, and fundraisers. Therefore, we hope that you will make a membership donation that suits your budget and helps SBCAN continue its educational and advocacy roles. If you haven’t contributed in a couple of years or more, your donation before the end of 2020 will be doubled; we have a generous supporter who will match new donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000.

    It is easy—as always—to contribute at: https://sbcan.nationbuilder.com/membership_annual_dues.   There is also an option for automatic monthly payments at https://sbcan.nationbuilder.com/membership_monthly_dues. You can also mail a check to P.O. Box 6174, Santa Maria, CA 93456.

    We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at our annual membership meeting.

    Sincerely,

    Janet Blevins, Co-President
    Dick Flacks, Co-President

  • SBCAN SC Roundtable on Friday, Dec. 11

    We hope you'll join us for our SC Roundtable this week via Zoom. The NC Roundtable is cancelled this week.

    SBCAN South County Roundtable
    Noon, December 11, 2020 
    via Zoom

    This month we will hear from Susan Epstein, who serves on the Goleta Union School Board. Susan will report about Measure M, the first bond measure the GUSD has brought since 1966 and the sustainability projects it will bring to the area. Renewable energy and e-vehicle charging stations in 10 locations across the Goleta Valley are features of GUSD's newly adopted Facilities Master Plan. Susan will also discuss ways GUSD can build workforce housing as we recover from the pandemic.

    The formation of the County's Redistricting Commission is progressing. The first five of 11 commissioners have been selected and those five have the task of selecting the final six, taking ethnic, age, and other diversity concerns into account. They are meeting Dec. 8 and 9 to interview 12 candidates and we will provide you with an update on their action.

    Then Tom Parker will give a brief update on the progress toward the city's Civilian Police Review Board process and the resistance of Sheriff Bill Brown to citizen oversight of his department (see page 9 of last week’s Independent).

    And we try to save a few minutes for other announcements attendees may have.

    Hope to see you Friday!

    If you plan to come, please contact staff at [email protected] so we can send you the Zoom link.

    Enjoy your holiday times and be safe! 

    Ken Hough
    SBCAN Executive Director
    [email protected]
    805.563.0463
    http://www.sbcan.org/

  • Roundtables this week

    We hope you'll join us for our Roundtables this week:

    SBCAN North County Roundtable
    6 p.m. Thursday, November 12
    via Zoom

    We will have open discussion about election results (non-partisan, of course) and the potential impacts on SBCAN's policy agenda. Congratulations to Janet Blevins, SBCAN's co-president, elected to the Lompoc School Board! 

    One item we have discussed before--The Neighborhoods at Willow Creek and Hidden Canyon--will be heard for the second time earlier on Thursday by the County Planning Commission. The staff report and related materials are here: 

    https://cosantabarbara.box.com/s/9xoh3p9wihb3iwfq376tl93f20b5sr5n

    The item will likely be heard for a third time, date TBD.

    Another recurring topic is the Santa Maria General Plan Update. Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6:30, the City is hosting a Community Visioning Workshop. Details are in this article in Sunday's Santa Maria Times:

    https://santamariatimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/santa-marias-general-plan-officials-seek-input-about-the-future-of-a-changing-city/article_eb9e1a63-5aa1-5b62-8349-9dc561320c53.html

    Finally, we'll discuss oil issues; celebrating Terracore's withdrawal of its Cat Canyon expansion proposal; next up, continued opposition to ExxonMobil's proposal to restart their offshore oil production and truck the oil to somewhere (apparently not to Santa Maria, as Phillips now plans to close its Santa Maria Refinery in a couple of years).

    Please let me know if you will attend so I can be sure to send you the Zoom link. Also please let me know if there are items you would like to see discussed or that you would like to present on.

    SBCAN South County Roundtable
    Noon Friday, November 13
    via Zoom

    We will have open discussion about election results (non-partisan, of course) and the potential impacts on SBCAN's policy agenda. Congratulations to Janet Blevins, SBCAN's co-president, elected to the Lompoc School Board!

    Relocation assistance for no-fault eviction of tenants, an issue before the Santa Barbara City Council is a continuing subject of our Roundtable discussions; Dick Flacks submitted comments on SBCAN's behalf and will report on the matter.

    The formation of the County's Redistricting Commission is something to discuss. The first five of 11 commissioners have been selected and those five have the task of selecting the final six, taking ethnic, age, and other diversity concerns into account. Mary Rose will report on this topic.

    Topics from our last meeting (September 17, 2020) that participants wanted to discuss at our next meeting include: Public Banking, Accessory Dwelling Units, and a potential police and sheriff oversight commission.

    Finally, we'll discuss oil issues; celebrating Terracore's withdrawal of its Cat Canyon expansion proposal; next up, continued opposition to ExxonMobil's proposal to restart its offshore oil production and truck the oil to somewhere (apparently not to Santa Maria, as Phillips now plans to close its Santa Maria Refinery in a couple of years).

    Please let me know if you will attend so I can be sure to send you the Zoom link. Also please let me know if there are items you would like to see discussed or that you would like to present on.

    Hope to see you this week!

    Ken Hough
    SBCAN Executive Director
    [email protected]
    805.563.0463
    http://www.sbcan.org/

     

  • Terracore Withdraws Cat Canyon Application!

    For several years, SCBAN has been fighting against three proposals to expand dangerous cyclic-steaming oil expansion in Cat Canyon, southeast of Santa Maria. Terracore is the third and final one to withdraw its application.
     
    SBCAN and the Los Padres Chapter of Sierra Club have been represented in this fight by Environmental Defense Center and a host of other organizations have been part of the battle.  Many of them have quotes in this joint press release.
     
    Thanks to all of you who have helped preserve our air, water and health by joining in the effort to defeat these projects.
  • COVID in Santa Barbara County -- Now and Beyond Recovery

    An invitation from SBCAN Board Member Emily Allen:

    October Community Forum:
    COVID in Santa Barbara County
    Now and Beyond Recovery

    Wed, October 21
    Noon-1:30pm

    Register in advance for this webinar:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sEAED-nzRV-U8LpQq6kXwQ

    Speakers Panel

    Lisa Brabo, Ph.D., Executive Director, Family Service Agency

    Rubayi Estes, Vice President, Programs Santa Barbara Foundation

    Eder Gaona-Macedo, MPA, Executive Director, Future Leaders of America, Inc. & the 805 Undocufund

    Kathi King, Director of Outreach and Education, Community Environmental Council 

    Councilmember Meagan Harmon, City of Santa Barbara

    Supervisor Gregg Hart, County of Santa Barbara

    Abe Powell, Co-Founder, Executive Director, Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade

    Frank Rodriguez, Policy Advocate, 

    Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE)

    Emily Allen, LWVSB Social Policy Co-Chair and Program Director of the United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County Home For Good Program, will moderate.

    As a community we have been reacting to the COVID crisis. We are also starting to engage in discussions of what the future holds. We are pleased to bring together a panel to discuss the topic. We will provide an update on how our community has responded and the next steps of recovery and beyond. 

  • Call for stronger relocation assistance in SB at 11 a.m. Tues

    SBCAN has been discussing this issue at recent South County Roundtables and Board meetings, and we encourage you to act on this call to action from CAUSE:

    Hello all, 

    Tell the Santa Barbara Ordinance Committee this Tuesday, October 20th at 11am that their proposed Relocation Assistance for No-Fault Evictions would give Santa Barbara renters much weaker protections than other cities!

    The Santa Barbara Ordinance Committee’s current proposal is only 1.5X months rent, which would be on average $2,310 for a studio and up to $5,887.50 for a three bedroom or larger. This is far below other cities across the state.
    Join us in asking for 4X months rent for the relocation amount, and 5X months rent for vulnerable populations, which would average $6,160 for a Studio and up to $15,787.50 for a three bedroom or larger. Vulnerable populations like seniors, low-income families, and people with disabilities should receive additional assistance like in other cities.