On Wednesday, October 15, the Good Trouble/Climate Justice coalition from UUCG was invited to give a “Spotlight Presentation” to the UUA Green Sanctuary 2030 Monthly Community National Call.  While we were invited to do this as a UUCG entity, we were really reporting on what became a statewide effort called “Claiming Our Power” involving many other UU Congregations, the UU Georgia Legislative Action Network and partnerships with several other non-profit, activist organizations.

The focus of this work was to make as many Georgia voters as possible aware of the upcoming (November 4) elections of two commissioners to the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) and of the surprise application of Georgia Power (GP) to rapidly increase their energy capacity by adding more fossil fuel assets to their fleet, thereby increasing carbon emissions, risk of even higher electricity bills, increased energy burden on low-income customers and more climate/environmental injustice.  Our presentation recounted the beginning of this project in the UUCG Climate Justice Revival in September 2024, the combining of this event’s aftermath with the parallel Good Trouble initiative and subsequent outreach to the other organizations.  We also described the education of concerned citizens on the proposal and the mobilization to attend PSC hearings and give testimony as well as get out the vote efforts. 

At the end of the presentation, UUA Side with Love Climate Justice Strategist, Rachel Mislivy, informed us that we would receive an honorarium for the presentation which will go to the church.  The second even bigger surprise was, that the overall body of work had earned UUCG the 2025 designation as a Green Sanctuary Congregation.  Thanks to all who worked and are continuing to work on this important issue.  Special recognition goes to Barbara Stahnke for her leadership and tireless outreach.  I should also mention Jane Nelson of the UU Congregation of Atlanta who also helped with the presentation.

Terry Welsher, UUCG Green Team