Urgent Action: Proposed Energy Bill Would Harm the Great Lakes
il and gas development will get a green light for permits if the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 is adopted. Your help is needed now to prevent this harmful bill from moving forward. Please call and email your senator to urge them to vote NO on the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024. Now that the senate is back in session, it is more important than ever that your senator hears from you. Thank you to the nearly 500 people who have taken action so far! To learn more about the bill and its potential impacts, check out our blog!
Help Us Reach Our Walk, Paddle, and Roll Fundraiser Goal Before September 30th!
Freshwater Future staff, family, and friends are walking, paddling, and rolling to raise $5,000 for the Great Lakes by September 30th – with only a few days left, any gift would make all the difference! Can you help us meet our goal? Donate today! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated thus far. Together, your generous donation and Freshwater Future’s work supports on-the-ground water projects in local communities, keeps residents informed of threats to waters, and works on policy solutions that protect our drinking water and waterways.Though our Walk Paddle and Roll Challenge finishes next week, you can donate anytime using the link above.
Your Voice is Needed to Improve Michigan’s + Indiana’s Water System Funding
Michigan and Indiana’s drinking water infrastructure requires massive investments to stay safe and affordable. The main funding program to do just that – the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund – is now open for public comment. Improvements are needed in Michigan and Indiana so that historic funding reaches the communities that need it most. Will you help by taking action through Freshwater Future today? Submit your comments to both states and share the action through Freshwater Future before the public comment periods end – It only takes a minute to take action!
Submit Comments on Michigan – September 27, 2024 deadline
Submit Comments on Indiana – October 1, 2024 deadline
Deadline September 30th: Freshwater Future’s Fall Project Grants!
Only a few more days are between us and the September 30th (at midnight!) application deadline for Freshwater Future’s Fall Project Grants. These grants provide financial support for community groups working to promote drinking water, river, lake, shoreline, wetland, and groundwater protection in the Great Lakes Basin through grassroots advocacy efforts. There is still time to apply and our staff is here to help you get in your application! You can watch a recording of the Grants Q&A Webinar here or talk to Laurie Breighner [laurie@freshwaterfuture.org or (231)348-8200 ext. 1] to check your eligibility, help with your application, or ask questions. Learn more about our Fall Project Grants here.
Recognizing the Human Right to Utilities at the National Level
Freshwater Future joined other advocates in endorsing the Congressional Resolution Recognizing the Human Rights to Utilities that is focused on protecting “access to safe, reliable, and affordable water, sanitation, electricity, heating, cooling, broadband, and public transit” as basic human rights.
“Water is life, and everyone deserves access to safe, clean, and affordable water,” said Freshwater Future Executive Director Jill Ryan. “Today, families are struggling more than ever to pay their water bills and for other essential utilities – with up to one-third of U.S. families paying bills that are not affordable. This resolution highlights the need to ensure access to lifegiving water and other utilities. We are grateful to Representatives Bush, Bowman and Tlaib for their leadership on this urgent issue.”
