This is the second year that advocates have descended upon FERC (the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) for a week of action aimed at highlighting the callous disregard this agency has shown for public well being. This action is endorsed by dozens of faith, community and advocacy groups including Sane Energy Project. Below is our guide to the why/where/how of the event, photos from the art build that has been happening all weekend, and a preview of what you can expect to see on our facebook feed starting bright and early Tuesday morning.

FERC has been called "A rogue agency" by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and is known as "the Rubber Stamp Machine" for their proclivity to approve pipelines and shale gas infrastructure, no matter the risks. Just three of their recent insane approvals:

• Ok'ing the storage of pressurized gases in unstable salt caverns adjacent to an aquifer for 100,000 people (Seneca Lake Crestwood project);

• Deciding that a suburban community would be protected from a catastrophic Bhopal-like explosion as long as a 60-foot-high "vapor wall" is built (Cove Point LNG export facility);

• Having no objection to placing a high-pressure 42" diameter gas pipeline in close proximity to a fault line and Indian Point, the aging and unlicensed nuclear plant (AIM pipeline).

FERC's commissioners have shown an oblivious disregard for common sense, public safety and public perception. FERC is a circus of revolving door employment, back room dealings, and open funding by the industry they are supposed to regulate.

The commissioner's monthly "open meetings" have long been a place where this backslapping relationship with industry is on blatant display, while the public is not allowed to speak. Starting with the Minisink Matters crew, affected front line communities began attending meetings in 2013, wearing docket numbers on their shirts as a way to signal FERC. After private meetings and polite appeals to FERC fell on deaf ears, visits became a bit more . . . verbal. Commissioners were so deep in a cozy cocoon that they were shocked to find the public they've harmed talking back. When advocates started speaking out, suddenly, meetings weren't so open anymore.

1. Enact a moratorium on new gas infrastructure and export terminals.
2. Transform FERC’s approval process and mission.
3. Investigate the extent to which FERC is influenced or corrupted by the funding it receives from the industries it is regulating.
4. FERC must fully and comprehensively assess the environmental, health and climate effects of a proposed project and of the clean-energy alternatives.
5. FERC must be guided by a conscious policy of supporting wind, solar and energy efficiency.
6. FERC’s governing body must include members of the public.
7. FERC monthly meetings must include time for public comments.
8. FERC must make its website easier to navigate.
9. Congressional hearings should be held on how to transform FERC’s mission and procedures for a world under severe threat from global warming.

The complete text of the demands can be read here.
More on why this action is necessary here.

As was said in the movie, Bidder 70, "Never underestimate the power of people getting together to paint a banner." And this is some banner: 50 feet long and illustrating 16 different harms approved by FERC, including projects in New Mexico, Pennsylvania, California, West Virginia, Maryland, Minnesota, North Dakota, and New York. Here's a time-lapse video of the banner being painted, and some highlights below. The banner was designed by famed artist/author Seth Tobocman and organized by Sane Energy Project Coordinator Kim Fraczek. Thank you to all those who are spending their holiday weekend doing artful activism and building the community that's going to stop FERC!

The full outline of events and logistics including maps, lodging, food, parking, how to use the Metro, etc. is here. From Tuesday through Friday, each day (themed by focus or affinity group) begins with an action at FERC headquarters, from 7:30 to approximately 11am. Two additional days of action will take place at Cove Point, MD, site of the LNG export facility that is under construction. Drop in any day you are able. If you can't get there you can support with social media, instructions here.

Monday, May 25th Weekend Action Training & Workshops continue
Tuesday, May 26th LNG, Cove Point, Port Ambrose
Wednesday, May 27th Faith Communities Witness Wednesday
Thursday, May 28th Student Power, Divestment, Fracking Infrastructure
Friday, May 29th Fracking Friday
Saturday, May 30th Cove Point: Walk for Calvert to be Dominion-Free
Sunday, May 31st Cove Point: Beach Walk

Non-Violence Pledge required of all action participants:
Together we agree
•We will be open, honest, and respectful to all we meet.
•We will carry no weapons.
•We will use no drugs or alcohol.
•We will use no violence–physical or verbal.
•We will not damage property.

Nothing highlights the harms caused by FERC like a map of the projects they have approved and are considering. Josh Fox and Lee Ziesche's travelogue highlights a different map each week, and this week it is the YOU ARE HERE map.

The YOU ARE HERE map has 137 "dots;" and each dot has a pop-up box that explains the infrastructure project at that site, and links to the local group fighting it. As Josh and Lee note, "We’ve toured to many of those dots and have seen the strength of the communities there." Stops along the tour that are points on the map: Seneca Lake, where Josh was recently arrested; Wawayanda, near Middletown, where they attended a rally against the CPV power plant; and in Schoharie County when the Solutions Tour highlighted the Constitution pipeline fight. As Lee says, "If these projects are allowed to continue, it’s game over for our planet––meaning whether there is an infrastructure dot over your house or not, we are all here."

The offshore wind project (colloquially knowns as the Rockaway Wind Farm) is taking a step forward! Sarah Crean reports that The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced four public open houses to share the results of a recently completed “visualization” study. They are eager to get the public’s feedback. This wind farm is proposed for the same site as the Port Ambrose LNG facility that we have all been fighting so hard.

We'll follow up with more details after the holiday, but sign up now for discounted LIRR tickets to the June 11th open house in Freeport, Long Island (the easiest meeting to reach by public transportation) and share the Facebook event!

The public can stop in at any time during the 6 – 8 pm open houses:
Monday, June 8 Floyd Bennett Field, 50 Aviation Road, Brooklyn, NY 11234
Tuesday, June 9 Watch Hill Ferry Terminal, 150 West Avenue, Patchogue, NY 11772
Wednesday, June 10 Sandy Hook Chapel, 35 Hartshorne Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732
Thursday, June 11 Freeport Recreation Center, 130 East Merrick Road, Freeport, NY 11520