• Overview


• Energy Conservation


• Affordable Homes


• Green Communities

OVERVIEW
Top 3 Policy Priorities... Please Take Action Today

Through targeted member actions, ACT's Policy Committee has successfully coordinated the introduction of several bills that will garner greater public support for trees. Now we need the full membership's support to pass them, and we're asking you to focus on just three bills. Write to your Congressman, call and request to speak with the Legislative Aide handling the respective bill, and ask your members to do the same.  Let's show Congress that the urban forest community is united.

Let ACT know how the conversations go. In many cases, the lead bill sponsor is willing to follow-up to close the deal if the feedback is positive. With each bill, we are also particularly interested in bringing Republicans on board.

The Alliance for Community Trees is asking that every member reach out to their U.S. Representatives and Senators to support the following three legislative items:

ENERGY CONSERVATION THROUGH TREES ACT
Status: Passed House as Section 205 of H.R. 2454
Section 205 (Tree Planting Programs) of the American Clean Energy and Security Act is an amendment offered by Congresswoman Matsui. You might be familiar with it as the Energy Conservation through Trees Act. When speaking with your Rep./Sen., make the case for why energy conservation is the first step towards energy security and how this provision is a win-win for everyone involved. Please take these actions:

HOUSE- Thank your Rep. if he/she voted for this amendment.  If your member serves on the Conference Committee, ask that this amendment be preserved when the House bill is reconciled with the Senate bill.

SENATE- Ask your Sen. to introduce a similar provision in any energy and climate legislation moving forward.

GREEN COMMUNITIES ACT, H.R. 2222
Status: In Transportation & Financial Services Committees
The whole of this bill is about providing funds for communities to undertake greening initiatives. Required activities include: revitalizing municipal parks and public spaces, landscaping community gateways and key corridors, and tree plantings and urban forestry projects. There is a fair amount of spending fatigue after the Stimulus Bill. When speaking with your Rep./Sen., make the case for why this is not something we can put off for another day. Please take these actions:

HOUSE- Ask your Rep. to co-sponsor this bill.

SENATE- Sen. Casey will soon introduce a similar bill in the Senate. Ask your Sen. to support this bill.